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50-575: Commissioned on 12 July 1941, and encompassing what was once Camp Dyer , NAS Quonset Point was a major naval facility throughout World War II. Beginning in 1943, pilots of the Royal Navy 's Fleet Air Arm were trained at Quonset Point to fly the Vought F4U Corsair , which was then brought into service on British aircraft carriers. Squadrons such as VS-33 flew anti-submarine patrols from NAS Quonset Point. NAS Quonset Point continued as

100-701: A major naval facility well into the Cold War. Prior to its closure, it had been home to numerous aviation squadrons, primarily those land-based patrol squadrons operating the P-2 Neptune and carrier-based antisubmarine and airborne early warning squadrons operating the S-2 Tracker , the E-1 Tracer , SH3D Sea King helicopters and various modified versions of the A-1 Skyraider . NAS Quonset Point

150-517: A major restructuring, bringing a war fighting role to its numbered air force. AMC reactivated Eighteenth Air Force (18 AF) and established it as its main war fighting force. As subordinate components of 18 AF, AMC redesignated its two former numbered air forces as Expeditionary Mobility Task Forces (EMTF). Fifteenth Air Force was redesignated as the Fifteenth Air Force (15 EMTF), headquartered at Travis AFB , and Twenty-First Air Force

200-784: A nationwide reduction in bases following the end of the US engagement in Vietnam. Since the Navy's departure, a small military presence has remained in the form of Quonset Point Air National Guard Station, home to the 143d Airlift Wing (143 AW), an Air Mobility Command (AMC)-gained unit of the Rhode Island Air National Guard , operating the C-130J and C-130J-30 Hercules aircraft. The Rhode Island Army National Guard also maintains an adjoining Army Aviation Support Facility for

250-452: A vital role in the ongoing Global War on Terrorism. The USAF believes that air mobility is a national asset of growing importance for responding to emergencies and protecting national interests around the globe. AMC coordinates wildlife management on overseas runways between several agencies, including deployments in southwest Asia. Where necessary AMC cooperates outside the DOD such as with

300-602: Is a Major Command (MAJCOM) of the U.S. Air Force . It is headquartered at Scott Air Force Base , Illinois , east of St. Louis, Missouri . Air Mobility Command was established on 1 June 1992, and was formed from elements of the inactivated Military Airlift Command (MAC) and Strategic Air Command (SAC). AMC melded MAC's worldwide airlift system of primarily C-5 Galaxy , C-141 Starlifter (later replaced by C-17 Globemaster III beginning in 1995), and C-130 Hercules airlift aircraft with SAC's tanker force of KC-135 Stratotanker and KC-10 Extender aerial refueling aircraft,

350-615: Is a key player in the Air Force's post-Cold War strategy of "global reach, global power". The C-17 replaced the C-141 Starlifter fleet inherited from Military Airlift Command (MAC). C-141s were retired as C-17s were accepted into the inventory. First seeing operational service in 1965 under the Military Air Transport Service (MATS), the last Starlifters were retired in the early 2000s. By 2004,

400-434: Is a provider of theater airlift, aerial refueling , and aeromedical evacuation forces to the regional Unified Combatant Commands. AMC also operates VIP flights such as Air Force One , Air Force Two , and other Special Assignment Airlift Missions (SAAM). Finally, AMC acts as the single manager, on behalf of United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), for Military Space Available Travel . Principal aircraft assets of

450-522: Is a small peninsula in Narragansett Bay in the town of North Kingstown, Rhode Island . Its name is widely known from the Quonset hut , which was first manufactured there. Quonset is an Algonquian word meaning "small, long place". Quonset Point was the location of Naval Air Station Quonset Point , a large United States Navy base. The peninsula is now used for industrial purposes and

500-549: Is approximately 360 personnel during non-drill duty days and increases to approximately 599 personnel on a drill duty weekend, otherwise known as a Unit Training Assembly (UTA), that occurs once per month. In its 2005 BRAC Recommendations, the DoD would realign Martin State Air National Guard Base (aka Warfield Air National Guard Base ), Maryland. The DoD recommended to distribute the eight C-130J aircraft of

550-837: Is being modernized and upgraded into the C-5M Super Galaxy model. It is planned to modernize all C-5Bs and C-5Cs and many of the C-5As to the C-5M standard. The first C-5M conversion was completed on 16 May 2006, and performed its first flight on 19 June 2006. It is estimated that the modifications will extend the service life of the C-5 to about 2040. Most legacy models of the C-130 Hercules (e.g., C-130E, C-130H, C-130H2) in AMC, AFRC and ANG units have been or will eventually be replaced by

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600-760: Is held annually by the Rhode Island National Guard and is perhaps the most well-known event to take place on Quonset Point. The event began in 1991 as a relatively minor aviation exhibition but grew in attendance each year, with the USAF Thunderbirds performing every even year and the USN Blue Angels performing every odd year. The Rhode Island National Guard also displayed their locally based C-130J Hercules aircraft and UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters in combined forces demos. Military aircraft demonstrations that have been featured in

650-704: Is one of six active airports operated by the Rhode Island Airport Corporation . Quonset Point Air National Guard Station is the home of the 143rd Airlift Wing (143 AW), a Rhode Island Air National Guard unit operationally gained by the Air Mobility Command (AMC) of the U.S. Air Force . The mission of the 143 AW is to provide air logistics support pursuant to both its state and federal missions. Originally located at Theodore Francis Green Airport in Warwick, Rhode Island ,

700-568: Is partially abandoned. A major industry located there is a hull-fabrication and outfitting facility for Electric Boat Corporation . It was also home to Camp Endicott , home to the Atlantic fleet Seabees . Quonset Point is currently home to Quonset State Airport which is a joint civil-military public airport home to the Quonset Point Air National Guard Station and the 143d Airlift Wing (143 AW) of

750-645: The Air National Guard ). AMC also operates and maintains additional aircraft in support of high-profile VIP airlift include: VC-25 , C-32 , C-20G , C-20H , C-37 and the C-38 , with the majority of that mission conducted by AMC's 89th Airlift Wing . Additional long-range airlift aircraft are available during national emergencies through the Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF), a fleet of civilian commercial aircraft committed to support

800-528: The C-130J Super Hercules . The C-130 family has the longest continuous production run of any military aircraft in history and has served in every branch of the U.S. armed forces except the U.S. Army and U.S. Space Force. During more than 50 years of service, the C-130 has participated in military, civilian and humanitarian aid operations. It is likely that future improvements to the C-130 will mean

850-485: The USS Essex (CV-9) , USS Intrepid (CV-11) , USS Wasp (CV-18) , USS Leyte (CV-32) , USS Antietam (CV-36) , USS Lake Champlain (CV-39) , and USS Tarawa (CV-40) , as well as their respective carrier air groups (CAGs or CVSGs). In September 1945, Air Wing Eighteen became Air Wing Seven here. NAS Quonset Point was decommissioned on 28 June 1974 as part of a series of defense cutbacks which resulted in

900-598: The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). This includes obtaining USDA bird netting solutions to fill the military's need for bird strike defense. AMC accepted its first C-17 Globemaster III at Charleston AFB, South Carolina, on 14 June 1993, and declared initial operational capability on 17 January 1995. AMC's second C-17 wing was established at McChord AFB, Washington, in July 1999. The versatile C-17, America's future core military airlifter,

950-496: The 143 AW relocated to the former Naval Air Station Quonset Point in the mid-1980s, with the base initially consisting of 79 acres of leased land. By July 2001 the base had an additional lease for approximately 15 acres used for the development of their master plan and will allow for construction of facilities to support new C-130J transport aircraft. There are a total of 12 facilities on base: 4 industrial, 6 administrative and 2 services with no family housing. Current base population

1000-403: The 175th Wing (ANG) to the 146th Airlift Wing (ANG), Channel Islands Air National Guard Station, California (four aircraft), and the 143d Airlift Wing (ANG), Quonset State Airport Air National Guard Station, Rhode Island (four aircraft). This recommendation would move C-130Js to Channel Islands ANGS (96), and Quonset State ANGS (125), both of which ranked higher in military value and already operate

1050-679: The 1st Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment, operating the UH-60 Black Hawk . Now known as Quonset State Airport (IATA: OQU, ICAO: KOQU), the former NAS Quonset Point is a public general aviation airport with tenant Air National Guard and Army National Guard flying activities, as well as an adjacent industrial park. There is no scheduled airline service. The airport lies within Class D airspace and has an operating non-federal air traffic control tower (closed on Mondays) with two active runways, Runway 5/23 and Runway 16/34. Quonset State Airport

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1100-630: The Air Rescue Service while continuing to maintain the AFRCC under 1st Air Force . However, all KC-10 Extender and most KC-135 Stratotanker air refueling aircraft initially assigned to Air Combat Command following the disestablishment of Strategic Air Command (SAC) were transferred to AMC, along with Grand Forks AFB , McConnell AFB and Fairchild AFB . As a result of the Global War on Terrorism , on 1 October 2003, AMC underwent

1150-529: The Blue Angels had already changed their schedule in order to appear at Quonset. Former United States President Richard Nixon served in the United States Navy from 1942 to 1946, rising from Lieutenant Junior Grade to Lieutenant Commander. He underwent basic training at Quonset Point in 1942 where he met William P. Rogers , later his first Secretary of State. During the 1950s, Quonset Point

1200-558: The C-141 left AMC service with active duty USAF units, being confined to Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard units for the remainder of its operational service life. In 2004, 2005, and 2006, the C-141s assigned to the 445 AW participated in missions to Iraq and Afghanistan, mostly for the medical evacuation of wounded service members. The last eight C-141s were officially retired in 2006. The C-5 Galaxy airlifter, also inherited from MAC,

1250-711: The Eagle Flag exercise. In addition to its status as a MAJCOM of the Air Force, AMC is also the Air Force component command of the United States Transportation Command ( USTRANSCOM ). It provides airlift , special missions, aerial refueling , and aeromedical evacuation for the United States armed forces. It also provides alert aerial refueling aircraft to the United States Strategic Command , and

1300-469: The J-model C-130, avoiding conversion training costs. [REDACTED]  This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency Camp Dyer 41°35′42″N 71°24′54″W  /  41.595°N 71.415°W  / 41.595; -71.415 Quonset Point ( / ˈ k w ɒ n s ɪ t / ), also known simply as Quonset ,

1350-465: The KC-135 fleet. However, since there were originally over 500 KC-135s with the since-retired KC-135E included, these aircraft will be replaced gradually, with the first batch of about 100 aircraft to be replaced in the current buy. The effort to replace the KC-135 has been marked by intense controversy. The 59 KC-10 Extender tankers, originally acquired in the 1980s by SAC, have been operated largely in

1400-540: The Port would be home to Okeanos Explorer , a one-of-a-kind research vessel devoted entirely to exploring unknown parts of the world's oceans. It is a former United States Navy surveillance ship acquired by the NOAA and converted into a deep-sea research vessel. Quonset Point can be reached by air and sea, as well as by road. Ferry service to and from Oak Bluffs, Martha's Vineyard is provided by Rhode Island Fast Ferry, and

1450-709: The Rhode Island Air National Guard , flying the C-130J Hercules . Rhode Island Route 403 is a freeway branching from Rhode Island Route 4 that serves the area. Quonset is also served by a railroad spur from Amtrak 's Northeast Corridor . The Providence and Worcester Railroad provides freight service along this stretch of the Corridor. In 2009, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) decided that

1500-630: The Thunderbirds released their 2014 schedule which also did not include Quonset however show organizers are still planning to hold a conference regarding the event later in December. Without involvement by the Blue Angels or Thunderbirds it is still unlikely that a show will take place at Quonset. To the shock of air show fans, on January 4, 2014, the Rhode Island Air National Guard Open House and Air Show

1550-462: The air station was also home to a major aircraft overhaul and repair (O & R) facility, later renamed Naval Air Rework Facility ( NARF ) Quonset Point . O & R Facilities, and their later incarnation as NARFs, are the predecessor of the present day Fleet Readiness Centers (FRCs), previously known as Naval Aviation Depots (NADEPs). Boasting a deepwater port, NAS Quonset Point was also homeport to several Essex class aircraft carriers , including

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1600-480: The civilian airliners and flight crews of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF) – provide airlift and aerial refueling for all of the United States armed forces. Many special duty and operational support aircraft (OSA) and stateside aeromedical evacuation missions are also assigned to AMC. U.S. forces must be able to provide a rapid, tailored response with the capability to intervene against a well-equipped foe, hit hard and terminate quickly. Rapid global mobility lies at

1650-742: The command include: C-17 Globemaster III , C-5 Galaxy , C-130 Hercules , KC-135 Stratotanker , KC-10 Extender , C-40 Clipper , C-37 Gulfstream V , and the C-21 Learjet . As of 2022, the command continues to integrate the KC-46 Pegasus within air refueling wings and air mobility wings in both the Active Component and the Air Reserve Component (ARC, i.e., the Air Force Reserve Command and

1700-569: The core mission of strategic air mobility, the command divested itself of infrastructure and forces not directly related to Global Reach. Divestments included the former Air Rescue Service , the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC), intratheater aeromedical airlift forces based overseas, and much of the operational support airlift fleet. Most of these activities were transferred to other commands, such as Air Combat Command (ACC). ACC would later inactivate

1750-492: The design will be in service into the foreseeable future. The upgrades of the inherited Strategic Air Command KC-135 Stratotanker to E, R, RT and T models have extended their airframe and powerplant lifetimes to 36,000 (E) and 39,000 flying hours (R, RT and T), respectively. The last KC-135E was retired in 2009 and all remaining operational USAF KC-135 aircraft are of the KC-135R, KC-135RT or KC-135T series. Acquired by SAC in

1800-638: The event as an all-civilian air show featuring aerobatic acts with the GEICO Skytypers being the headlining act however the National Guard stated that a show that exclusively featured civilian performers could not take place at a military installation, no such event took place in 2013. In October 2013, internet rumors have surfaced about a possible 2014 show and how the Air National Guard was rounding up sponsors and performers for

1850-506: The event to return in 2014 with at least one major returning jet team to be featured, the USN Blue Angels which were supposed to headline in 2013 had already released their 2014 schedule which did not include Quonset while the USAF Thunderbirds which had headlined at the last show in 2012 had not yet released their schedule and a spokesperson for the team said that plans for the 2014 season were still underway. In early December 2013,

1900-805: The ferry departs; and after the ferry arrives, a bus travels to the Providence Airport ( T. F. Green State Airport ) and the Kingston Amtrak train station. Seabee Museum and Memorial Park in North Kingstown, Rhode Island is a museum dedicated to the men and women who served in the Battalion. It aims to highlight the deeds of the United States Naval Construction Battalions during both times of war and peace. The Rhode Island Air Show

1950-465: The heart of U.S. strategy in this environment. Without the capability to project forces, there is no conventional deterrent. As the number of U.S. forces stationed overseas continue to decline, global interests remain, making the capabilities AMC can provide even more in demand. Air Mobility Command also has the mission of establishing bare air bases in contingencies. To accomplish this mission, AMC established two Contingency Response Wings, and operates

2000-476: The late 1950s, according to the Air Force, only a few KC-135s would reach these lifetime limits before 2040; but at that time, some of the aircraft would be about 80 years old. The Air Force estimates that their current fleet of KC-135s have between 12,000 and 14,000 flying hours on them, only 33 percent of the lifetime flying hour limit and none will meet the limit until 2040. Therefore, the USAF has decided to replace

2050-604: The latter air refueling aircraft having been freed from their strategic nuclear strike commitment to SAC's B-52 Stratofortress and B-1 Lancer bomber fleet by the end of the Cold War and the dissolution of the Soviet Union . Air Mobility Command's mission is to provide global air mobility. The command also plays a crucial role in providing humanitarian support at home and around the world. AMC Airmen – active duty, Air National Guard , and Air Force Reserve , augmented by

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2100-563: The past have included the F-22 Raptor (2007, 2009 and 2014), F-16 Fighting Falcon (2003, 2009, 2011), A-10 Thunderbolt II (2006, 2010), F-15E Strike Eagle (2007, 2008), EA-6B Prowler (2012), F/A-18C Hornet (2006, 2008, 2010), F/A-18F Super Hornet (2007) and AV-8B Harrier (2008) while civilian performers have included Sean D. Tucker , John Klatt, and Michael Goulian as well as the GEICO Skytypers . Attendance in 2011

2150-490: The port of Davisville offers berths for commercial shipping. The Quonset Airport is a general aviation facility with a 7,500 ft (2,300 m) runway and a staffed control tower. Interstate 95 is nearby, and Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) buses also serve Quonset Point. The ferry dock at Quonset Point is the main terminal for Rhode Island Fast Ferry's high-speed ferry Julia Leigh to Oak Bluffs , Massachusetts. A shuttle bus leaves every hour before

2200-530: The refueling of large numbers of fighter aircraft on ferry flights, the refueling of heavy bomber or other transport aircraft, or as supplemental airlift aircraft for palletized cargo, augmenting the C-5 and C-17 fleet. Conversely, the KC-135 fleet has operated largely in the in-theater role. In an attempt to modernize the platform, the USAF has awarded Boeing a US$ 216 million contract to upgrade its fleet of 59 aircraft with new communication, navigation and surveillance and air traffic management system to operate into

2250-1097: The transportation of military forces and material in times of crisis. The Air Mobility Command consists of the following active duty units: NOTE: Subordinate to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at Wright-Patterson AFB , Ohio In addition to the active duty AMC units, numerous Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) and Air National Guard (ANG) units equipped with C-5, C-17, C-21, C-38, C-40, C-130, LC-130, WC-130, KC-10, KC-135 and KC-46 aircraft are "operationally gained" by AMC. These units train and exercise frequently and routinely provide augmentative operational support to AMC's active duty forces. AFRC units, when mobilized to active duty, and ANG units, when mobilized to federal service and active duty, may be deployed overseas as part of AMC in Air Expeditionary Groups and Wings as directed by HQ AMC. AMC has undergone considerable change since its establishment. Focusing on

2300-569: Was also the off-season home of Antarctic Development Squadron Six ( VX-6 , later VXE-6 ) during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, operating the LC-47 Skytrain , LP-2J Neptune , C-54 Skymaster , C-121 Constellation , and eventually the LC-130F and LC-130R Hercules , as well as a variety of helicopters. In 1950, Coast Guard Air Detachment Quonset Point was established as a sub unit of CGAS Salem , Massachusetts. In addition to flying squadrons,

2350-605: Was announced to take place on that year after a two-year hiatus in between. The show was scheduled for May 17–18, 2014, the Blue Angels headlining for the first time since 2011, The team made slight modifications to its schedule in late December following the abrupt cancellation of the MCAS Cherry Point Air Show, which was to take place the same weekend. Although the Cherry Point Air Show has since terminated its cancellation and will take place,

2400-472: Was home port for the aircraft carriers , USS  Antietam , USS  Tarawa , and USS  Leyte . During the 1960s and early 1970s, four aircraft carriers used Quonset Point as their home port. The carriers were USS  Lake Champlain , USS  Essex , USS  Wasp , and USS  Intrepid . Air Mobility Command + [REDACTED]   United States Air Force (18 September 1947 – Present) The Air Mobility Command ( AMC )

2450-815: Was redesignated as the Twenty-First Air Force (21 EMTF), headquartered at McGuire AFB . AMC's ability to provide global reach is tested daily. From providing fuel, supplies and aeromedical support to troops on the frontline of the Global War on Terrorism, to providing humanitarian supplies to hurricane, flood, and earthquake victims both at home and abroad, AMC has been engaged in almost nonstop operations since its inception. Command tankers and airlifters have supported peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan , Bosnia , Iraq , Cambodia , Somalia , Rwanda and Haiti , and continue to play

2500-432: Was so high that the show was sold out after parking locations filled up. The 2012 show yielded a similar audience, and each previous year had a normal attendance of over 200,000. However, in 2013 the show was officially canceled due to federal budget cuts, this caused all USAF units to cut aviation support to public events and the grounding of both the USN Blue Angels and USAF Thunderbirds, show organizers considered continuing

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