This is a list of installations operated by the United States Air Force located within the United States and abroad. Locations where the Air Force have a notable presence but do not operate the facility are also listed.
55-548: Rhein-Main Air Base was a United States Air Force air base near the city of Frankfurt am Main , Germany . It was a Military Airlift Command (MAC) and United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) installation, occupying the south side of Frankfurt Airport . Its military airport codes ( IATA : FRF , ICAO : EDAF ) are discontinued. Established in 1945, Rhein-Main Air Base was the primary airlift and passenger hub for USAFE. It
110-455: A Russian Antonov An-124 cargo aircraft to transport the last shipment of air-delivered supplies. On 1 April 1992 the 435th TAW was realigned from Military Airlift Command to United States Air Forces in Europe and redesignated as the 435th Airlift Wing (435 AW). The 37th Tactical Airlift Squadron (37 TAS) became the 37th Airlift Squadron (37 AS) on the same date. At its peak, Rhein-Main AB had
165-560: A covert operation providing logistics to the Afghan guerrillas. These missions were routed through the airbase. They included approximately 50 aeromedical evacuation flights bringing combat wounded Afghan guerrillas and, women and children, from PAF Base Nur Khan , Chaklala, Pakistan to the US and Europe for surgery. These flights were supported by the 55th AAS with medical aircrews from the 2d Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron . On 8 August 1985,
220-624: A mixture of C-47 Skytrain , C-46 Commando , and C-54 Skymaster aircraft using the base for transport operations. Construction of the Rhein-Main transport passenger and cargo terminal was completed in 1946, allowing an increase of air traffic into the base after the closure of the military passenger terminal at Orly Air Base , France . In March 1947, the USAFE Eastern Air Transport Service opened its hub at Rhein-Main. The 61st Troop Carrier Group (TCG)
275-487: A population of 10,000. However, by 1993, USAF officials announced the intent to downsize the base by half. On 1 July 1993, the 55th Aeromedical Airlift Squadron moved to Ramstein Air Base with its C-9A Nightingale aircraft. The 37th Airlift Squadron was subsequently reassigned to Ramstein on 1 October 1994. With these moves completed and most heavy Air Mobility Command (AMC) airlifters moving transcontinental cargo and passenger traffic to Ramstein and Spangdahlem Air Base ,
330-614: A reserve military force composed of state Air National Guard members or federally recognized units and report to the governor of their respective state, territory ( Puerto Rico , Guam , Virgin Islands ) or the commanding general of the District of Columbia National Guard . Each of the 54 Air National Guard organizations is supervised by the adjutant general of the state or territory, Air Force Reserve units are aligned under Fourth Air Force , Tenth Air Force and Twenty-Second Air Force of
385-613: A result of the Berlin Airlift, Rhein-Main became a principal European air transport terminal. With the end of the blockade, the 513th TCG was inactivated on 16 October 1949. The 61st TCG returned to routine transport operations until the outbreak of the Korean War , and on 21 July 1950, was reassigned to McChord Air Force Base , Washington . The 61st was replaced by the 60th Troop Carrier Wing , which transferred from Wiesbaden Air Base , West Germany on 2 June 1950. The 60th
440-711: A waypoint for air mobility operations throughout Southwest Asia towards the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Although the primary mission of Rhein-Main was strategic and tactical airlift, the base also operated a substantial set of special operations missions. The 7406th Operations Squadron was activated at Rhein-Main on 10 May 1955 receiving its first aircraft ( RB-50s ) in March 1956. These jet-powered aircraft were replaced with specially configured C-130A-II reconnaissance aircraft in 1958, mostly indistinguishable from other common C-130 aircraft. The 7406th operated and maintained
495-557: Is an Air Reserve Component unit of the United States Air Force . It is assigned to the Tenth Air Force , Air Force Reserve Command , and is stationed at Tinker Air Force Base , Oklahoma. The group's mission is to provide theater and Air Force commanders with trained aircrews and maintenance personnel and systems for airborne surveillance, warning and control of U.S. and allied military aircraft. The 513th
550-625: Is an associate unit of the 552d Air Control Wing , Air Combat Command (ACC) and if mobilized, the group is gained by ACC. Its World War II predecessor, the 3d Combat Cargo Group was a United States Army Air Forces combat organization. It served primarily in the China Burma India Theater and Pacific Ocean Theater of World War II . In 1948, the group was redesignated as the 513th Troop Carrier Group . Constituted and activated in India in 1944. Supported ground forces during
605-460: Is in the final stages of a 2 + 1 ⁄ 2 -year activation plan. Staffing is expected to increase by about 75 more people by fall 1999. Once that happens, officials expect the Reservists to perform 11 percent of aircrew duties on the 552nd's AWACS and fly 5 percent of sorties. Flight hours are expected to increase to 740 by the end of fiscal 1999.' The 513th ACG's subordinate units include
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#1732779591358660-455: Is to provide U.S. Pacific Command integrated expeditionary Air Force capabilities to defend the Homeland, promote stability, dissuade/deter aggression, and swiftly defeat enemies. PACAF traces its roots to the activation of Far East Air Forces, 3 August 1944, at Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It consisted of three numbered air forces—5th, 7th and 13th—which were supporting combat operations in
715-514: The 7th Special Operations Squadron was moved from Ramstein to Rhein-Main as one of the units shuffled as part of Operation Creek Action . The 7406th's Hercules aircraft had been used for covert communications intelligence (COMINT) missions along the Eastern Bloc borders. The 7th SOS's MC-130Es , code-named Combat Talon , were no less mysterious and were also striking to look at with their matte black camouflage scheme and two large hooks on
770-708: The Air Force Reserve Command . The command has Fighter, Air Refueling and Airlift units, and is administratively responsible for all the Air Force's individual mobilization augmentees. [REDACTED] Air Force Reserve Command [REDACTED] Air National Guard [REDACTED] Main Operating Base [REDACTED] Forward Operating Location [REDACTED] Cooperative Security Location [REDACTED] Geographically Separate Unit US Air Force operations in
825-717: The Caribbean , Central America and South America are overseen by the Twelfth Air Force (Air Forces Southern) . It is part of Air Combat Command and head-quartered at Davis-Monthan AFB in Arizona . It is the air component to US Southern Command , providing security-cooperation and air & cyberspace capabilities throughout its area of responsibility. [REDACTED] Main Operating Base [REDACTED] Forward Operating Location [REDACTED] Geographically Separate Unit PACAF 's primary mission
880-584: The Federal Republic of Germany that only transport aircraft would be stationed at Rhein-Main Air Base. On 10 December 1978, a group of military dependents evacuated from Iran on C-141s landed at Rhein-Main after leaving Tehran late the day before. They had spent the first night in Athens , their second leg of the trip was to Rhein-Main, then on to McGuire Air Force Base . Each plane held approximately 150 women and children. Later, on 20 January 1981,
935-721: The Middle East , Central Asia and part of South Asia are overseen by US Air Forces Central Command (USAFCENT). It is part of Air Combat Command and head-quartered at Shaw AFB in South Carolina. It is the air component to US Central Command , with a mission to deliver air power for the security and stability of the region. The USAFCENT area of responsibility covers Afghanistan, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, and Yemen. Throughout
990-552: The Middle East , and Africa . As a result, Temporary Duty (TDY) support of missions was not uncommon. Rhein-Main AB served as the principal Port of Entry for all U.S. servicemen and women serving in West Germany as well as military and diplomatic air freight destined for U.S. bases and embassies throughout USAFE's Area of Responsibility (AOR). On 1 July 1975, the USAF and Military Airlift Command entered into an agreement with
1045-551: The Military Air Transport Service 's (MATS) 1602d Air Transport Wing headquartered at Châteauroux , France provided aircraft maintenance, passenger services, air cargo handling, hotel operations and airlift operational support during the 1950s and 1960s. Rhein-Main was placed under the 7310th Air Base Wing , which for over a decade provided ground service as well as cargo and passenger loading and unloading for USAFE and MATS transports. USAFE turned over
1100-574: The Red Army Faction snuck a car laden with explosives onto the base and parked it behind the headquarters building. At approximately 7:15 AM the car exploded killing Airman First Class Frank Scarton of Michigan and Becky Jo Bristol of San Antonio, Texas , and wounding 20 others. In 1990, Rhein-Main Air Base was a major staging base for supplies and equipment heading to the Gulf War , with many cargo aircraft originating from home bases in
1155-634: The U.S. 7th Army moved through the Frankfurt area, the 826th Engineer Aviation Battalion (EAB) , a unit of the IX Engineer Command , arrived at Frankfurt/Rhein-Main Airfield on 26 April 1945. The facility was classified as Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) Y-73 . On 11 May 1945, the engineers began the task of clearing rubble and reconstructing major buildings. The Army engineers built new runways, aprons, hardstands, and taxiways leading to
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#17327795913581210-755: The 1980s, Rhein-Main AB was the primary airbase supporting a program run by the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Global Affairs, under the authority of George M. Dykes, IV , DoD Director of Humanitarian Assistance, supporting Afghan guerrillas (at that time known as Mujaheddin) in their fight against the Soviet Union. Over 100 Afghan Relief Flights were flown using C-141 Starlifter and C-5 Galaxy aircraft. Another 10 Pack Animal Transport flights, flown by Flying Tigers Airlines in B747F aircraft, transported Texas mules to Afghanistan in
1265-634: The 2010s, USAFCENT has supported the military intervention against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria ( Operation Inherent Resolve ) and the NATO -led train, advise and assist mission in Afghanistan ( Operation Resolute Support ). [REDACTED] This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency Download coordinates as: 513th Troop Carrier Group The 513th Air Control Group
1320-464: The 37th TAS conducted airlift and airdrop missions to Bosnia and Herzegovina supporting Operation Provide Promise . The U.S. staged Operation Provide Hope , a substantial airlift in February 1992 to the former Soviet Union, from Rhein-Main AB. The operation also had a much larger ground logistics phase, and in late February, a closing ceremony to the airlift phase was held at Rhein-Main AB, using
1375-605: The 435th TAW included: The 55th Aeromedical Airlift Squadron flew aeromedical missions throughout the USAFE AOR. Other Military Airlift Command squadrons were assigned to USAFE bases, notably at Torrejón AB , Spain and Inçirlik AB , Turkey. These were also assigned as subordinate units of the 435th TAW. The 630th MASSq operated Rhein-Main's freight and passenger terminals providing aircraft maintenance for transitory C-17 Globemaster Iii , C-141 Starlifter and C-5 Galaxy aircraft supporting aerial ports throughout Europe ,
1430-585: The 513th were the 313th , 330th , 331st , 332d , and 333d squadrons. Nearly a year after the blockade began, the Soviet Union lifted it at 00:01, on 12 May 1949. However, the airlift did not end until 30 September, as the Western nations wanted to build up sufficient amounts of supplies in West Berlin in case the Soviets blockaded it again. Although originally envisioned as a bomber base by USAFE, as
1485-644: The 552 ACW. From March 1996 to April 1997, the group was assigned to the U.S. Air Force Reserve's 507th Air Refueling Wing . It took part in worldwide contingency operations and counter-drug missions. In 1997, the group was reassigned under the command of the active duty 552nd Air Control Wing , while remaining a part of the Air Force Reserve. It is currently the only reserve unit to fly the Boeing E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft. By November 1998, Air Force Times reported that '..the 513th
1540-614: The 7405th and 7580th was to conduct covert reconnaissance flights through the West Berlin Air Corridors , also known as the Berlin corridors and control zone. The 7575th Operations Group ceased their reconnaissance mission soon after the fall of the Berlin Wall, and was deactivated shortly after that. On 23 December 1999, the U.S. and German governments agreed to close the base. The last military flights involving
1595-541: The 970th Airborne Air Control Squadron, the 513th Operations Support Squadron, the 513th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and the 513th Maintenance Squadron. The current commander, Col. Laurie Dickson who took office January, 2018 is the first female commander of the 513th ACG. The Air Force's fiscal year 2015 budget request called for the inactivation of the 513th ACG and the retirement of seven E-3 Sentries. The House Armed Services Committee passed an amenedment in May 2014 to block
1650-753: The American hostages held during the Iran hostage crisis were flown to Rhein-Main in a C-9A Nightingale aeromedical aircraft. On 23 October 1983, the bombing of the Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon occurred. Rhein Main AB was instrumental in the processing of the casualties from that bombing in the days and weeks to follow. 241 military personnel perished in the blast. During the Soviet-Afghan War of
1705-607: The Berlin airlift, Operation Vittles. Inactivated in Germany in October 1949. Activated in the continental United States on 8 November 1955. Assigned to Tactical Air Command and equipped with C-123 aircraft. From November 1955 to November 1958, participated in numerous tactical exercises and operations, including troop drops and airlift in support of construction of the Distant Early Warning Line stations in
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1760-716: The Canadian Arctic regions. From April 1966 to January 1976, the group provided intra-theater airlift in support of U.S. Air Forces in Europe, U.S. European Command , and North Atlantic Treaty Organization operations and exercises, using C-130s and crews rotating to Europe from Tactical Air Command and Military Airlift Command wings based in the United States and C-124s and crews from Air Force Reserve groups. It maintained and operated EC-135s as an airborne command post and acted as host organization for American units at RAF Mildenhall until February 1992. In addition,
1815-570: The Pacific Theater of World War II. United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA) is a major command of the US Air Force and a component command of both US European Command (USEUCOM) and US Africa Command (USAFRICOM). The USAFE-AFAFRICA area of responsibility covers Europe , parts of Asia and all of Africa with the exception of Egypt , to achieve US national and NATO objectives based on taskings by
1870-512: The Soviet Union blocked access to the three Western-held sectors of Berlin, which lay deep within the Soviet-controlled zone of Germany, by cutting off all rail and road routes going through Soviet-controlled territory. The next day, 25 June, the commander of the American occupation zone in Germany, General Lucius D. Clay , gave the order to launch a massive airlift using both civil and military aircraft. Rhein-Main Air Base became
1925-458: The U.S. as Hellenikon Air Base ). Operational missions were flown until 13 June 1974 from Greece when the unit was disbanded. The 7206th nomenclature continued, embodied in the 7206th Air Base Group as a support group in Athens until 1993. Surveillance missions continued from Hellenikon under the auspices of the 6916th Electronic Security Squadron (ESS). With the relocation of the 7406th to Greece,
1980-550: The United States are under the jurisdiction of the following Major Commands. There are 57 Active Bases across the country: [REDACTED] Air Combat Command [REDACTED] Air Education and Training Command [REDACTED] Air Force Global Strike Command [REDACTED] Air Force Materiel Command [REDACTED] Air Force Special Operations Command [REDACTED] United States Space Force [REDACTED] Air Mobility Command [REDACTED] Direct Reporting Units Air National Guard units are
2035-567: The United States stopping at the base on their support missions. The 37th TAS also took part in airlift operations during Operations Desert Shield/Storm in Southwest Asia from 14 August 1990 – 29 March 1991. It also air-dropped humanitarian supplies supporting Operation Provide Comfort for the relief of fleeing Kurdish refugees in northern Iraq in April–May 1991. Starting in July 1992,
2090-403: The aircraft and provided the front-end flight crews (pilots, navigators, flight engineers, etc.). A separate USAF Security Service squadron provided the crew as intelligence collection operators on the aircraft. One of these C-130s ( 56-0528 ) was shot down with the loss of a crew of seventeen over Yerevan , Soviet Armenia on 2 September 1958. Four Soviet MiG-17 pilots took turns firing on
2145-496: The base took place in late September 2005 with the formal closure ceremony taking place on 10 October 2005. The final handover to the German government occurred on 30 December 2005 and the 726th AMS transferred to Spangdahlem Air Base . United States Air Force air base The location and number of US Air Force installations has fluctuated according to the size of the Air Force, the capabilities of available weapon systems, and
2200-882: The battle for northern Burma and the subsequent Allied drive southward. Flew Allied troops and materiel to the front, transporting gasoline, oil, vehicles, engineering and signal equipment, and other items that the group either landed or dropped in Burma. Also evacuated wounded personnel to India. Moved to Burma in June 1945. After the liberation of Burma, the group hauled critical supplies such as gasoline to China. From late 1945, it continued airlift missions as needed in China until April 1946 when inactivated. Redesignated 513th Troop Carrier Group (Special). Activated in Germany on 19 November 1948. Assigned to United States Air Forces in Europe. Using C-54's, transported food, coal, and other supplies during
2255-458: The different type of installations it operates: Active duty Installations are normally named after notable Air Force personnel, whereas Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard installations are either named in the same manner or after the community in which they are located. Installations and locations in the contiguous United States . For Alaska and Hawaii see Pacific, East Asia and South East Asia section . Active-duty USAF bases in
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2310-404: The group collected samples from the atmosphere for the purpose of detecting and identifying nuclear explosions. In March 1996 the Air Force re-activated the 513th Air Control Group (513th ACG) as an Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) Reserve associate command and control unit in concert with active-duty Airmen. It was intended to help offset the effects of growing mission requirements on
2365-510: The group: the 7405th Operations Squadron, the 7580th Operations Squadron , and the 7th Special Operations Squadron. The 7405th had recently moved from Wiesbaden Air Base and converted to flying heavily modified C-130E Hercules reconnaissance aircraft. The 7405th provided the front-end crews as well as some special system operators, while the 7580th was supplied electronic warfare officers operating signals intelligence (SIGINT) equipment and specialized aircraft maintenance personnel. The mission of
2420-460: The main terminal in western Germany for the American airlift . Aircraft of the 61st TCG participated using C-54 Skymasters to ferry coal, flour, and other cargo into West Berlin . Additional Troop Carrier Squadrons (20th, 48th and 54th) were assigned to the 61st group. On 19 November 1948, the 513th Troop Carrier Group (Special) was activated at Rhein-Main Air Base to assist in the airlift, also using C-54s. Troop Carrier Squadrons activated with
2475-568: The northern part of the base to the German government for use as Flughafen Frankfurt am Main , the chief commercial airport for the greater Frankfurt area, in April 1959. The remainder of the base remained in USAF hands as the principal aerial port for the US Department of Defense in Germany. From 1947 until the 1960s, dependent children of military and government personnel living on base or in
2530-616: The nose. The 7th SOS's MC-130Es were spotted in every corner of Europe. The 7th SOS was reassigned under the 7575th Operations Group in 1977, and then to the 39th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Wing on 1 February 1987. It was relocated to RAF Alconbury in the United Kingdom in December 1992, coming under a different group in the process. The 7575th Operations Group operated at Rhein-Main from 1 July 1977 to 31 March 1991. Initially, three unique subordinate units were assigned to
2585-552: The stage was set for a complete closure in 2005. On 1 April 1995, the 435 AW was inactivated and replaced with the 469th Air Base Group under USAFE command and the 726th Air Mobility Squadron (726 AMS) under AMC. The 469 ABG inactivated on 10 October 2005. The 726th Air Mobility Squadron was the last unit at the base. From September 2001 until 2005, Rhein-Main continued to provide support for transient military cargo aircraft and AMC-chartered civilian airliners supporting military transport activities throughout Europe, also acting as
2640-506: The strategies contemplated for their employment. The number of active duty Air Force Bases within the United States rose from 115 in 1947 to peak at 162 in 1956 before declining to 69 in 2003 and 59 in 2020. This change reflects a Cold War expansion, retirement of much of the strategic bomber force, and the post–Cold War draw-down. Over time, the USAF has constantly realigned its forces within the network of bases to reflect current needs and strategies. The Air Force use several terms to identify
2695-600: The surrounding communities attended Rhein-Main School for grades Kindergarten through 8th grade and Frankfurt American High School above 8th grade. The 1966 closure of USAFE bases in France increased cargo traffic at Rhein-Main extensively. On 1 July 1969, Military Airlift Command (MAC) transferred the 435th Tactical Airlift Wing from RAF High Wycombe in the United Kingdom to Rhein-Main as host unit and upgraded its facilities. Squadrons assigned to Rhein-Main along with
2750-470: The terminal, as well as extending and widening the existing runway. Frankfurt/Rhein-Main Airfield was initially used by the Ninth Air Force as a tactical fighter base. Tactical air groups initially stationed at the airfield included: The first USAAF transport unit assigned to Rhein-Main was the 466th Air Service Group , activated on 20 November 1945. The 466th operated the aerial port, with
2805-591: The two combatant commanders. USAFE-AFAFRICA has seven main operating bases and 114 geographically separate units. Although Akrotiri is within the USAFE-AFAFRICA area of responsibility, the units there are under the control of other major commands . [REDACTED] Main Operating Base [REDACTED] Forward Operating Location [REDACTED] Geographically Separate Unit [REDACTED] Main Operating Base [REDACTED] Geographically Separate Unit US Air Force operations in
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#17327795913582860-708: The unarmed C-130 when the American aircraft penetrated Soviet airspace while on a mission along the Turkish-Armenian border. Between 5–10 June 1967, during the Arab-Israeli Six-Day War , the 7406th flew missions over the battle zone gathering electronic intelligence data. The 7406th continued flying recon missions from Rhein-Main in the C-130B models until 30 June 1973 when the squadron's sister Security Service flying squadron moved to Ellinikon International Airport , Athens , Greece (known to
2915-480: Was billed as the "Gateway to Europe". It closed on 30 December 2005. During its lifetime, the base's host airlift wing operated C-130 Hercules and C-9A Nightingale aircraft, as well as supporting many transient C-5 Galaxy , C-141 Starlifter , C-17 Globemaster III , KC-135 Stratotanker and KC-10 Extender flight operations each day. Daily or weekly contract air passenger flights were also conducted for United States personnel arriving in or leaving Europe. After
2970-596: Was equipped with the heavier C-82 Packet cargo aircraft. In 1953, the C-119 Flying Boxcar arrived, bringing an increased cargo capability to the wing. The 60th TCW consisted of the 10th , 11th and 12th Troop Carrier Squadrons. In 1955, with the opening of USAFE bases in France, most heavy transport flights were shifted there and Rhein-Main became a passenger and tactical cargo hub. The 60th Troop Carrier Wing relocated to Dreux-Louvillier Air Base , France on 15 October 1955. The 1614th Support Squadron of
3025-586: Was reassigned to Rhein-Main on 30 September 1946 from nearby Eschborn Air Base. The group assumed control of the transport mission, carrying out routine operations from the base using C-47 and C-54 aircraft. The 61st TCG was comprised of the 14th, 15th, and 53rd Troop Carrier Squadrons. The ongoing dispute over Berlin strained relations between the Soviet Union and the Western Allies ( United States , United Kingdom , France ). On 24 June 1948,
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