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68-688: The first R-1 was created from a VCP-1 in 1919, by installing the Packard V-12 engine. On November 27, 1920, Capt. Corliss Moseley , flying an R-1 racer, out of 24 track finishers, won the Pulitzer Trophy Race at Mitchel Air Force Base . The top speed was 156.54 mph. It also raced in the 1920 Gordon Bennet Trophy air race. General characteristics Performance Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era Pulitzer Trophy Race The National Air Races (also known as Pulitzer Trophy Races ) are

136-563: A "Super" wing. From March to October 1967 the 22d wing was reduced to a small "rear-echelon" non-tactical organization with all tactical resources and most support resources loaned to SAC organizations involved in combat operations in Southeast Asia from U-Tapao , Thailand and Andersen AFB , Guam . The wing continued to support SAC operations in the Far East and Southeast Asia through 1975, and from April 1972 to October 1973

204-448: A machine shop, post exchange, hospital, a supply depot, an aero repair building, bachelor officer's quarters and a residence for the commanding officer. Eventually March Field saw the construction of some 50 buildings. It covered over 700 acres and could accommodate up to 1,000 personnel. Dozens of wooden buildings served as headquarters, maintenance, and officers' quarters. Enlisted men had to bivouac in tents . The first flying squadron

272-626: A major Air Force reorganization resulted in the disestablishment of the Strategic Air Command . The 22d ARW was assigned to the new Air Mobility Command , and from the end of 1992 to 1994, the wing flew humanitarian airlift missions to Somalia . It also provided air refueling in support of deployments to Haiti in 1994. In March 1993, March was chosen for realignment under the Base Realignment and Closure [BRAC] III with an effective date of 31 March 1996. In August 1993,

340-424: A maximum of 300 students. In 1918, flight training occurred in two phases: primary and advanced. Primary training consisted of pilots learning basic flight skills under dual and solo instruction. After completion of their primary training at Mather, flight cadets were then transferred to another base for advanced training. Training units assigned to March were: On 2 August 1918, Standard J-1 , AS-1918 , crashed and

408-871: A series of pylon and cross-country races that have taken place in the United States since 1920. The science of aviation, and the speed and reliability of aircraft and engines grew rapidly during this period; the National Air Races were both a proving ground and showcase for this. In 1920, publisher Ralph Pulitzer sponsored the Pulitzer Trophy Race and the Pulitzer Speed Trophy for military airplanes at Roosevelt Field , Long Island , New York , in an effort to publicize aviation and his newspaper. The races eventually moved to Cleveland , in 1929, where they were known as

476-572: A small caretaker unit was assigned to the facility for administrative reasons. It was used by the aerial forestry patrol. It also was used intermittently to support small military units. March Field remained quiet for only a short time. In July 1926, Congress created the Army Air Corps and approved the Army's five-year plan which called for an expansion in pilot training and the activation of tactical units. Accordingly, funds were appropriated for

544-545: A wing to RAF Brize Norton , England, 5 June – 4 September 1954, and Andersen AFB , Guam , 5 October 1956 – 11 January 1957. The 320th was inactivated on 15 December 1960. Also during the Korean War, the Air Force Reserve 330th Bombardment Group was ordered to active duty on 1 May 1951 at March. The 330th flew borrowed B-29s from the 106th Bomb Group to train the reservists on the aircraft. The group

612-693: Is a civilian formation flight demonstration team, based at March, sponsored by the March Field Aero Club. The team uses the T-34 Mentor , making numerous appearances throughout the southwest United States each year. The March Field Airfest, also known as Thunder Over the Empire, is a biennial air show held at March ARB. It is among the largest events in the Inland Empire and Riverside County . The show has featured such performers as

680-602: Is also home to units from the Army Reserve , Navy Reserve , Marine Corps Reserve , California Air National Guard and the California Army National Guard . For almost 50 years, March AFB was a Strategic Air Command base during the Cold War . The facility covers 2,075 acres (840 hectares) of land. On 1 January 1994, the 722d Air Refueling Wing was activated at then-March AFB to replace

748-683: Is located in Riverside County, California , between the cities of Riverside , Moreno Valley , and Perris . It is the home to the Air Force Reserve Command 's Fourth Air Force (4 AF) Headquarters and the host of the 452nd Air Mobility Wing (452 AMW), the largest air mobility wing of the Fourth Air Force. In addition to multiple units of the Air Force Reserve Command supporting Air Mobility Command , Air Combat Command and Pacific Air Forces , March ARB

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816-399: The 22d Air Refueling Wing , which was moving to McConnell AFB, KS, w/o/p/e. The wing was inactivated On 1 April 1996, and base responsibilities transferred to Air Force Reserve 452d Air Mobility Wing (452 AMW). Today the host unit at March remains the 452 AMW, which in addition to its operational flying mission, also provides host base support for numerous tenant units. March JARB is also

884-549: The Air Defense Command (ADC). This move reflected an effort to concentrate all fighter forces deployed within the continental United States to strengthen the air defense of the North American continent. The creation of ConAC was largely an administrative convenience: the units assigned to ConAC were dual-trained and expected to revert to their primary strategic or tactical roles after the air defense battle

952-656: The Bendix Trophy Race , the "transcontinental air race," across most of the USA starting in 1931. In 1929, a Santa Monica, California to Cleveland, Ohio route was started for the Women's Air Derby (nicknamed the "Powder Puff Derby"), featuring well-known female pilots such as Amelia Earhart , Pancho Barnes , Bobbi Trout , and Louise Thaden . Thaden was the winner in the heavy Class D (engines with 510–810 cubic inches (8,400–13,300 cm )), while Phoebe Omlie won

1020-500: The Hobson Plan , prescribed a standard organizational setup for all Army Air Force bases worldwide. In 1947, the 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Group (later Wing) was activated as part of a service-wide, wing-base test and assigned to March. When the wing was activated, only the 67th Reconnaissance Group was fully operational. The group was equipped with FA-26 Invaders (RB-26 after 1948) and Lockheed FP-80s (RF-80s after 1948) and

1088-673: The Korean War , the group flew 335 sorties with only fourteen aborts and dropped over 6,500 tons of bombs. It redeployed to the United States in late October and November 1950. On 2 January 1951, the 44th Bombardment Wing was activated and assigned to Fifteenth Air Force. It was equipped with refurbished B-29 and TB-29 bombers drawn from mothballed World War II storage at Pyote AFB in Texas and Davis-Monthan AFB in Arizona . It

1156-516: The Reno National Championship Air Races , taking place in mid-September. The Cleveland National Air Show also began in 1964. National Air Races were run by U.S. Air Race, Inc. from 1995–2007. The company was founded by famed World Race Gold Medalist Marion P. Jayne and after her death from cancer in 1996, was run by her daughter Patricia Jayne (Pat) Keefer, 1994 World Race Gold Medalist. Under Keefer's leadership,

1224-701: The United States Air Force Thunderbirds , the F-22 Raptor and many other military and civilian demonstrations. 2010 saw the Patriots Jet Team as the highlight demonstration team of the show. Attendance for the 2010 show was estimated at over 150,000. The most recent event, renamed the Southern California Air Show, was held April 22–23, 2023. March is one of the oldest airfields operated by

1292-448: The "Sabre Dancers", was composed of five members of the 27th Fighter Squadron. The Sabre Dancers made what was probably their most widely viewed flight on 22 April 1950, when they performed before an Armed Forces Day audience at Eglin AFB , Florida , that included President Harry S. Truman , most of his Cabinet, and numerous other political leaders. On 16 April 1950, the 1st Fighter Wing

1360-537: The 1st Bombardment Wing initiated a period where March Field became associated with the Air Corps' heaviest aircraft as well as an assortment of fighters. Aircraft on March's flightline in the 1930s included Keystone B-4 , Martin B-10 /B-12 and Douglas B-18 Bolo bombers; Boeing P-12 , P-26 Peashooter , and Curtiss P-36 Hawk pursuit aircraft; Northrop A-17 A dive bombers and Douglas O-38 observation aircraft. In

1428-677: The 1st Fighter Group deployed a sizable contingent of aircraft to participate in the filming of the RKO Pictures film Jet Pilot . The group claimed a final formation record on 4 January when it passed a twenty-four plane formation (consisting of eight aircraft from each squadron) "before the cameras." (Note: The film was not released to theaters until October 1957, by which time the F-86A was obsolete). The 1st Fighter Group formed its own aerial demonstration team in January 1950. The team, dubbed

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1496-466: The 1st Fighter Wing was attached to it with both wings sharing the same commanding officer. The new F-86A fighter developed numerous teething troubles during its first months of service, but 1st Fighter Group mechanics gradually overcame these difficulties. When the squadrons found themselves able to launch large formations on schedule, they competed to establish various formation records. The purpose of this exercise became clear in early January 1950, when

1564-520: The 22d Bombardment Wing (22 BW) was reassigned to March from Smoky Hill Air Force Base , Kansas . The 22d was equipped with the Boeing B-29 Superfortress . The 1st Fighter Wing was subsequently attached to the 22 BW on 1 July as the 22d Wing's headquarters was initially non-operational and its operational components were detached so it shared a commander with the 1st Fighter Wing. The 22d Bomb Wing became operational on 1 May 1949 and

1632-441: The 445th Military Airlift Wing transferred to March from the closing Norton AFB in nearby San Bernardino . On 3 January 1994, the 22d Air Refueling Wing was reassigned without aircraft to McConnell AFB , Kansas , replacing the inactivating 384th Bomb Wing . The Air Mobility Command's 722d Air Refueling Wing stood up at March and absorbed the assets of the reassigned 22d. March's KC-10A aircraft assets would later be transferred to

1700-523: The 452d Troop Carrier Wing was activated at March. This established the presence of the Air Force Reserve on the base with their Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcars . The wing was not tactically operational from 11 March to 15 September 1963, while the 2nd Bombardment Squadron converted to Boeing B-52B bombers and KC-135 jet tankers replaced the KC-97s. In 1966, the 2d Bomb Squadron converted to

1768-810: The Army's chief signal officer, to "put the Yankee punch into the war by building an army in the air". At the same time, the War Department announced its intentions to build several new military installations. Efforts by Frank Miller , then owner of the Mission Inn in Riverside, California , Hiram Johnson and others, succeeded in gaining War Department approval to construct an airfield at Alessandro Field located near Riverside, an airstrip used by aviators from Rockwell Field on cross-country flights from San Diego . The Army quickly set about establishing

1836-623: The B-52D and gained a commitment to forward deploy to the Pacific and engage in combat during the Vietnam War . In 1966, the wing absorbed the B-52Ds and added the 486th Bombardment Squadron from the inactivating 340th Bombardment Wing at Bergstrom Air Force Base , Texas when Bergstrom converted to a TAC fighter/reconnaissance base. The addition of a second tanker and bomber squadron made the 22d

1904-497: The C.C.C. program got under way, under Hap Arnold's direct oversight. The completion of the first phase of permanent buildings in 1934 added to the scenic quality of the base. The Attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941 quickly brought March Field back into the business of training aircrews. Throughout World War II , many soon-to-be-famous bombardment groups performed their final training at March before embarking for duty in

1972-631: The Cleveland National Air Races. They drew the best flyers of the time, including James Doolittle , Wiley Post , Tex Rankin , Frank Hawks , Jimmy Wedell , Roscoe Turner , and others from the pioneer age of aviation. These air races helped to inspire Donald Blakeslee as a young boy. Other races included in the U.S. National Air Races were the Mitchell Trophy Race, the Town & Country Club Race for civilians,

2040-521: The KC-10A's cargo, passenger, and fuel load capacity to provide support during the evacuation of U.S. nationals as part of the invasion of Grenada in 1983. In December 1989, the wing's 22d Air Refueling Squadron inactivated and all its KC-135A Stratotankers were retired or transferred to other SAC bases. This left the KC-10-equipped 6th and 9th ARS as the wing's only flying squadrons. The base

2108-604: The Kansas City Rotary Club Trophy "for all three military services," and the Glenn Curtiss Trophy Race for "biplanes with engines having less than 510 cubic inches (8,400 cm )." Starting in 1929, the races usually ran for up to 10 days, usually from late August to early September to include Labor Day. Aviation promoter Cliff Henderson was managing director of the National Air Races from 1928 to 1939. During World War II

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2176-493: The P-80 a high accident rate, while parts shortages curtailed operational training. Even so, the 1st Fighter Group maintained a heavy schedule of demonstration flights that served to introduce the fighter to a curious public. On 15 August 1947, the 1st Fighter Wing was activated as part of AAF Regulation 20-15, "Reorganization of AAF Base Units and Installations," on 27 June 1947. This regulation, which laid out what became known as

2244-413: The Pacific. Known sub-bases and auxiliaries used for training were: On a lighter note, entertainer Bob Hope 's first USO show was held at March on 6 May 1941. He had been asked to do this show on location by his radio producer Albert Capstaff, whose brother was stationed there. Jack Benny later originated his own radio program from March Field on 11 January 1942. After the war, March was assigned to

2312-585: The Thompson, Bendix, and G.E. trophies continued. Three B-47s flew cross country from March Air Force Base to the Philadelphia International Airport as participants in the 1955 Labor Day race. In the 1956 event, three B-47s participated in the G.E. Trophy race for Jet Bombers, flying from Kindley Field , Bermuda, to Oklahoma City . One of these set a course speed record of 601.187 MPH. The annual event resumed in 1964 as

2380-472: The U.S. participation in World War II , the post-war races featured newer surplus military planes that greatly outclassed the planes from the pre-war era. In 1949 Bill Odom lost control of his P-51 "Beguine" and crashed into a Cleveland-area home, killing himself and two people. The races went on hiatus again. Though the events specific to Cleveland were in suspension, the cross country races for

2448-513: The United States military, being established as Alessandro Flying Training Field in February 1918. It was one of thirty-two Air Service training camps established after the United States entry into World War I in April 1917. The airfield was renamed March Field the following month for 2nd Lieutenant Peyton C. March, Jr. , the recently deceased son of then-Army Chief of Staff Peyton C. March , who

2516-408: The base's basic mission changed. When Randolph Field began to function as a training site in 1931, March Field became an operational base. Before the end of the year, the 7th Bombardment Group, commanded by Major Carl A. Spaatz , brought its Curtiss B-2 Condor and Keystone B-3A bombers to the airfield. The activation of the 17th Pursuit Group and several subordinate units along with the arrival of

2584-581: The base. Also the separate training squadrons were consolidated into a single Flying School detachment, as many of the personnel assigned were being demobilized. The signing of the armistice in November 1918 did not halt training at March Field. Initially March was used by several Air Service squadrons that returned from France: On 13 December 1919, the United States House of Representatives passed an appropriations bill for $ 9.6 million for

2652-544: The building foundations, and on 1 March 1918, Alessandro Flying Training Field was opened. On 20 March 1918, Alessandro Flying Training Field became March Field , named in honor of Second Lieutenant Peyton C. March, Jr. , son of the Army Chief of Staff, who had been killed when his Curtiss JN-4 "Jenny" crashed in Fort Worth, Texas the previous month. His crash occurred two weeks after he had been commissioned in

2720-678: The decade before World War II, March Field took on much of its current appearance and also began to gain prominence. Lieutenant Colonel Henry H. (Hap) Arnold , base commander from 1931 to 1936, began a series of well-publicized maneuvers to gain public attention. This resulted in a visit by Governor James Rolph in March 1932, numerous visits by Hollywood celebrities including Bebe Daniels , Wallace Beery , Rochelle Hudson and others, and visits by famous aviators including Amelia Earhart . Articles in Los Angeles newspapers also kept March Field in

2788-671: The events tabulated a perfect safety record with nearly 600,000 miles raced, over 3,200 safe landings at 81 different airports in 43 states and two countries in 25 events. With the help of hundreds of volunteers and over 250 different sponsors she awarded 26 Learn-to-Fly scholarships and reached an estimated 20 million people with a positive message about General Aviation. March Air Force Base 33°53′20″N 117°15′36″W  /  33.889°N 117.260°W  / 33.889; -117.260 March Air Reserve Base ( IATA : RIV , ICAO : KRIV , FAA LID : RIV ) ( March ARB ), previously known as March Air Force Base ( March AFB ),

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2856-600: The group's three squadrons (the 27th, 71st, and 94th Fighter Squadrons) flew Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star (after 11 June 1948 F-80), America's first operational jet fighter. Few members of the 1st Fighter Group foresaw subsequent difficulties in the summer of 1946 as they trained with their new jet fighters. The 412th had reported in the summer of 1945 that the P-80 would be well suited for bomber escort, counterair, and ground support. The 1st Fighter Group trained for these and other possible strategic and tactical missions. Pilot inexperience and mechanical difficulties combined to give

2924-739: The home to Headquarters, Fourth Air Force (4 AF) of the Air Force Reserve Command and multiple units of the California Air National Guard . Since 1995, March ARB has hosted alert site operations of the California Air National Guard 's 144th Fighter Wing (144 FW), which is also operationally-gained by Air Combat Command. Prior to 2013, the 144 FW stationed F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft, initially consisting of F-16C/D Block 25, then F-16C/D Block 32, on alert at March. Following

2992-404: The job of base commander and commandant of the flying school. Classes began shortly after his arrival. The 13th School Group and its 47th and 53rd School Squadrons provided primary and basic flying training for future Air Force leaders such as Hoyt Vandenberg , Nathan Twining , Thomas Power and Curtis LeMay . As March Field began to take on the appearance of a permanent military installation,

3060-547: The light Class C (engines with 275–510 cubic inches (4,510–8,360 cm )). This was also the year for the first female pylon race, the winner of which was awarded the Aerol Trophy beginning in 1931. In Chicago, on the last day of the 1930 trophy race (September 1), USMC Captain Arthur Page crashed his modified Curtiss Hawk Seaplane F6C-3 , and died of his injuries later that day. After being on hiatus during

3128-467: The new Tactical Air Command (TAC) as part of the postwar reorganization of the Army Air Force. March was allocated to TAC's Twelfth Air Force . The first TAC unit to be assigned was the 1st Fighter Group , under the command of Colonel Frank S. Perego, being reactivated at March on 3 July 1946, replacing and absorbing the assets of the wartime 412th Fighter Group . At the time of its activation,

3196-417: The new air field. Sergeant Charles E. Garlick, who had landed at Alessandro Field in a Curtiss JN-4 "Jenny" in November 1917, was selected to lead the advance contingent of four men to the new base from Rockwell Field. On 26 February 1918, Garlick and his crew and a group of muleskinners from nearby Colton , known to be experts in clearing land as well as for their colorful syntax, began the task of excavating

3264-492: The news and brought to it considerable public attention. Beginning in April 1933, hundreds of Civilian Conservation Corps (C.C.C.) recruits began arriving at March Field every day. They totaled over 7000 by July of that year. They were housed in tent camps while waiting for permanent facilities to be constructed. That summer, at the direction of Malin Craig , Air Corps activities at the field were essentially placed on hold while

3332-402: The purchase of additional land at military camps "which are to be made part of the permanent military establishment." March Field was allocated $ 64,000 of this amount. However, by 1921, the decision had been made to phase down all activities at the base in accordance with sharply reduced military budgets. By the spring of 1923, March Field was deactivated as an active duty airfield, however, and

3400-642: The races were on hiatus. The races included a variety of events, including cross-country races originating in Portland, Oakland, and Los Angeles, with a final destination in Cleveland. Also included were landing contests, glider demonstrations, airship flights, and parachute-jumping contests. The more popular events were the Thompson Trophy Races which started in 1929; a closed-course race where aviators raced their planes around pylons; and

3468-673: The regular United States Army Air Service . By late April 1918, enough progress had been made in the construction of the new field to allow the arrival of the first troops. The commander of the 818th Aero Squadron detachment, Captain William Carruthers, took over as the field's first commander and for a time operated out of an office in the Mission Inn. Within a record 60 days, the grain stubble-covered plain of Moreno Valley had been partially transformed to include twelve hangars, six barracks equipped for 150 men each, mess halls,

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3536-604: The reopening of March Field in March 1927. Colonel William C. Gardenhire, assigned to direct the refurbishment of the base, had just directed his crews to replace underpinnings of many of the previous buildings when he received word the future construction would be in Spanish Mission architectural design . In time, March Field would receive permanent structures. The rehabilitation effort was nearly complete in August 1927, when Major Millard F. Harmon reported in to take over

3604-454: The retirement of the B-52D in 1982, the 22d Bombardment Wing was renamed the 22d Air Refueling Wing and re-equipped with new KC-10A Extenders (based on the DC-10 airliner), making the 22d the third Air Force unit to operate the giant new tankers, behind Barksdale and Seymour Johnson AFBs. Two months later, the wing lost its bomber mission and became the 22d Air Refueling Wing. The 22d used

3672-612: The sudden end of World War I on 11 November 1918, the future operational status of March Field was unknown. Many local officials speculated that the U.S. government would keep the field open because of the outstanding combat record established by March-trained pilots in Europe. Locals also pointed to the optimal weather conditions in the Riverside area for flight training. Cadets in flight training on 11 November 1918 were allowed to complete their training, however no new cadets were assigned to

3740-433: The wing again had all its bomber resources loaned to other organizations for combat and contingency operations. Its KC-135 resources were also on loan from April to September 1972; afterwards, a few tankers returned to wing control. The 22d maintained a strategic bombardment alert posture from 1973 to 1982, but in 1978 it added conventional warfare missions, including mine-laying and sea reconnaissance/surveillance. After

3808-526: The wing retired its B-29 fleet and replaced them with the jet-powered Boeing B-47 Stratojet . In 1957, 22d Wing aircrews flew the longest non-stop mass flight in history: 5,840 miles (9,400 km) from England to California. General Archie Old, the Fifteenth Air Force commander, led a flight of three B-52 Stratofortresses in a flight around the world. The wing deployed to RAF Upper Heyford , England from December 1953 to March 1954. In 1960,

3876-476: The wing's transition to the F-15 Eagle , the 144 FW now stations contracted South Dakota ANG (114th FW) F-16C Block 30s at this operating location in support of USNORTHCOM and NORAD . Civilian agency flight activities include a permanently based U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air Unit, as well as a California Department of Forestry air unit that uses the base on an intermittent basis. Dragon Flight

3944-536: The wing, the 22d Bombardment Group deployed its B-29s in early July 1950 to Kadena AB , Okinawa , where it came under control of FEAF Bomber Command (Provisional) . On 13 July, the group flew its first mission, against the marshaling yards and oil refinery at Wonsan , North Korea . By 21 October, it had amassed fifty-seven missions against the enemy, attacking bridges, factories, industrial targets, troop concentrations, airfields, marshaling yards, communications centers, and port facilities. During four months of combat in

4012-456: Was inactivated on 16 June and its personnel were sent to bases in Japan and Okinawa as replacements for active-duty personnel with B-29 groups. Following the return of the 22d Bombardment Group from Korea, the wing trained for proficiency in global strategic bombardment, and in 1952, the wing took delivery of Boeing KC-97 tankers, adding aerial refueling to its mission. The following year,

4080-597: Was initially equipped with refurbished B-29s and its mission was to train reservists to backfill rotating B-29 combat crews serving in Korea. While the reservists were undergoing training they were paid on the lesser reserve pay scale. The group was redesignated as the 320th Bombardment Wing replacing the 106th in December 1952. At March, the wing conducted global bombardment training and air refueling operations to meet SAC commitments. Trained B-47 cadre for 96th Bombardment Wing, Medium, December 1953 – January 1955. Deployed as

4148-415: Was integrated with the 1st Fighter Wing, performing a wide array of day and night photographic missions in southern California. Budget constraints, though, resulted in the wing's inactivation in March 1949. In December 1948, Twelfth Air Force and March AFB were assigned from Tactical Air Command to Continental Air Command (ConAC), established on 1 December 1948. ConAC assumed jurisdiction over both TAC and

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4216-473: Was killed in an air crash in Texas just fifteen days after being commissioned. The establishment of March Air Force Base began in the early 20th century at a time when the United States was rushing to build up its military forces in anticipation of an entry into World War I . In 1917, in response to news from the front lines, Congressional appropriations attempted to back the plans of General George O. Squier ,

4284-530: Was listed on the National Priorities List as a Superfund site on 21 November 1989. In July 1990, the 163d Tactical Fighter Group changed missions and was re-designated the 163rd Tactical Reconnaissance Group, equipped with RF-4C Phantom II aircraft. The 22 ARW supported F-117 deployments to Saudi Arabia and contributed aircraft and personnel to logistics efforts in support of the liberation of Kuwait from 1990 to 1991. On 1 June 1992,

4352-399: Was reassigned to the 12th Air Division of Fifteenth Air Force on 10 February 1951, and then the 21st Air Division within Fifteenth Air Force on 4 August 1951. The Wing moved to Lake Charles Air Force Station , Louisiana , on 1 August 1951. On 28 March 1951, the California Air National Guard 106th Bombardment Group was activated to federal service at March and put on active duty. The group

4420-669: Was redesignated as the 1st Fighter-Interceptor Wing. On 30 June 1950, the 1st Fighter-Interceptor Group was assigned to the 1st Fighter-Interceptor Wing, which was itself assigned to Fifteenth Air Force and SAC. On 1 July the wing was relieved from assignment to Fifteenth Air Force and SAC and assigned to the Fourth Air Force and ConAC. Two days later the wing issued orders establishing advanced parties of its headquarters and component organizations at Victorville (later George) AFB , California . The wing made its permanent change of station move to Victorville on 18 July. Detached from

4488-447: Was the 215th Aero Squadron, which was transferred from Rockwell Field, North Island, California. Later the 68th and the 289th were also transferred up from Rockwell. Only a few U.S. Army Air Service aircraft arrived with squadrons, most of the Curtiss JN-4 Jennys to be used for flight training were shipped in wooden crates by railcar. March Field served as a base for primary flight training with an eight-week course. It could accommodate

4556-439: Was won. The 1st Fighter Wing was subsequently transferred from Twelfth Air Force/TAC to Fourth Air Force / ConAC on 20 December 1948. The first F-86 As, assigned to the 94th Fighter Squadron, arrived on 15 February 1949. By the end of June the wing had received seventy-nine of its eighty-three authorized F-86s. On 1 May 1949, March became a part of the Strategic Air Command (SAC) and the Fifteenth Air Force (15AF). On 10 May,

4624-447: Was written off at March Field. "By Associated Press to The Sun Riverside, Aug. 2. – William L. Ash, flying cadet at March field [ sic ], fell 1,000 feet in a tail spin today and was seriously injured. He suffered a fractured leg and arm and puncture of the side. It is expected he will recover. Ash lived in Pittsburg , Kansas. It was the first serious accident at March field. Ash was making his second solo flight when he fell." With

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