McGuire Air Force Base (IATA: WRI, ICAO: KWRI, FAA LID: WRI) is a United States Air Force Base under the operational control of the Air Mobility Command (AMC).
McGuire is located in Burlington County in south central New Jersey, approximately 15 miles from Trenton, 45 minutes from Philadelphia and 90 minutes from Atlantic City and New York City. The base in named after famed WWII P-38 ace and Medal of Honor recipient Major Thomas Buchanan McGuire, Jr,.
McGuire is operated by the 87th Air Base Wing(ABW). The 87th is commanded by Col. Gina Grosso. The 305th, 514th, and 108th are all now considered resident units. The 305th was formerly the lead Wing.
Overview
McGuire Air Force Base is home to the 305th Air Mobility Wing (305 AMW) and the Air Force Reserve Command's 514th Air Mobility Wing (514 AMW) which comprises C-17 Globemaster III and KC-10 Extender aircraft. McGuire is also home to the 108th Air Refueling Wing (108 ARW) - an Air Mobility Command-gained unit of the New Jersey Air National Guard, flying the KC-135 Stratotanker. This makes McGuire the only base in both the Air Mobility Command and the entire U.S. Air Force hosting three AMC-gained flying wings of the Regular Air Force, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard.
McGuire is also host to:
McGuire Air Force Base hosts the flying needs of next-door neighbor Fort Dix. Air Force and civilian AMC-contracted aircraft use McGuire's two runways to facilitate this mission. Many hundreds of thousands of Air Force, Army, Navy, and Marine Corps personnel have left the United States for overseas locations from McGuire Air Force Base.
McGuire Air Force Base is part of the Navy Lakehurst / Fort Dix / McGuire AFB Complex.
History
McGuire Air Force Base was established as Fort Dix Airport in 1937 and first opened to military aircraft on January 9, 1941. The facility was renamed Fort Dix Army Air Base on July 3, 1942 and on January 13, 1948 the United States Air Force renamed the facility McGuire Air Force Base in honor of Major Thomas Buchanan McGuire, Jr, (1920–1945). Medal of Honor winner and second place Flying ace of World War II, Major McGuire died on January 7, 1945 when his P-38 Lightning spun out of control and crashed on Los Negros Island in the South Pacific as he attempted to aid his wingman during an aerial dogfight.
Major Commands to which assigned
- First Air Force, July 3, 1942
- Air Service Command, October 13, 1942
- First Air Force, May 1, 1944
- Air Transport Command*, June 1, 1945
- Strategic Air Command*, April 30, 1947
- Continental Air Command, October 1, 1949
- Air Defense Command
- Eastern Air Defense Force, January 1, 1951
|
- Eastern Transport Air Force, July 1, 1954
- Redesignated: Military Airlift Command
- Twenty-First Air Force, January 8, 1966
- Twenty-First Air Force, June 1, 1992 – October 1, 2003
- Eighteenth Air Force, October 1, 2003 – Present
|
.* McGuire put on temporary inactive status, February 15, 1946; inactive status, March 1946; transferred to jurisdiction of Selfridge Fld, Michigan, May 1, 1947; transferred to jurisdiction of Andrews AFB, Maryland, August 1, 1947; transferred from jurisdiction of Andrews Fld to Topeka AFB, Kansas, August 16–28, 1948; reactivated as primary installation, August 29, 1948. During inactive status, field remained under major command jurisdiction.
Major Units assigned
- 15th Bombardment Squadron, 14 Oct 1941-1 Feb 1942
- 59th Observation Gp, November 1, 1941 – October 18, 1942
- 95th Air Base Sq, February 10, 1942
- Redesignated: 95th Base HQ and Air Base Sq, June 20, 1942 – April 1, 1944
- 14th Fighter Group, July 19 – August 6, 1942
- 377th Bombardment Group, October 14 – December 9, 1942
- Eighth Air Force, June 29 – August 5, 1942
- 4107th AAF Base Unit, April 1 – May 1, 1944
- 116th AAF Base Unit, June 1, 1944 – May 31, 1945
- 453d Bombardment Group, June 12 – September 12, 1945
- 455th Bombardment Group, June 9 – September 12, 1945
- 4149th AAF Base Unit, December 1, 1944 – February 26, 1946
- 592d AAF Base Unit, May 25, 1945 – February 15, 1946
- 4202d Base Service Sq, August 1 – November 10, 1948
- 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, July 20, 1948 – September 30, 1949
- 52d Fighter Wing, October 4, 1949 – February 6, 1952
- 84th Fighter Wing, October 10, 1949 – June 2, 1951
- 568th Air Defense Group, February 1, 1952 – July 8, 1954
- 4709th Air Defense Wing, February 1, 1952
- Redesignated: 4621st Air Defense Wing, 1 Apr 1956
- Redesignated: New York Air Defense Sector, 1 Oct 1956-1 Apr 1966
|
- 1611th Air Transport Wing, July 1, 1954 – January 8, 1966
- 332d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, August 18, 1955 – July 9, 1959
- 539th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, August 18, 1955 – August 31, 1967
- Aerial Port of Embarkation, April 15, 1955 – February 15, 1978
- Atlantic Division, Military Air Transport Service
- Redesignated: Twenty-First Air Force, June 1, 1955 – October 1, 2003
- Redesignated: 21st Expeditionary Mobility Task Force, October 1, 2003 – Present
- 4730th Air Defense Group, February 8, 1957 – August 1, 1959
- Naval Air Transport Squadron Three (VR-3), July 16, 1957 – July 19, 1967
- Naval Air Transport Wing, Atlantic, May 15, 1958 – March 1, 1966
- 46th Air Defense Missile Squadron, January 1, 1959 – October 31, 1972
- 305th Air Refueling Squadron, January 15, 1960 – March 25, 1965
- 514th Military Airlift (later Air Mobility) Wing, March 15, 1961 – Present
- 903d Troop Carrier (later Military Airlift) Group, December 28, 1962 – July 1, 1973
- 108th Tactical Fighter (later Air Refueling) Wing, July 1, 1965 – Present
- 438th Military Airlift (later Airlift) Wing, January 8, 1966 – October 1, 1994
- 305th Air Mobility Wing, October 1, 1994 – Present
- 621st Contingency Response Wing, March 2005 – Present
- 87th Air Base Wing, March 3, 2009 - Present
|
References for history introduction, major commands and major units[1]
Operations
Flight operations to support Camp Dix at an adjacent airfield took place as early as 1926. Facilities and runways to support an air mission began in 1937 as a Civilian Conservation Corps project. This was on newly acquired land for the great Army Air Forces expansion approved by the Roosevelt Administration. This nascent airfield and wooden structures was named "Rudd Field." To meet the requirements for a possible World War, Rudd Field was renamed Fort Dix Army Air Base in 1939, and underwent massive expansion from 1940–1941. This base had its first permanent Army Air Force occupant by June 1941.
During 1943, the 25th Antisubmarine Wing used the airfield to fly antisubmarine patrols over the northeast coast, with B-18 Bolos covering the New York City and Boston shipping lanes.
The base closed in February 1946, and for two years it remained an inactive installation until the Cold War caused the newly-created USAF to reopen many former Army Air Force installations to meet its burgeoning requirements.
As the Air Force prepared to reopen by the installation as a Strategic Air Command (SAC) installation, Fort Dix AAB was renamed McGuire AFB in January 1948 in honor of USAAF Maj. Thomas B. McGuire, Jr., a World War II P-38 pilot, fighter ace, and Medal of Honor recipient, The U.S. Air Force officially reopened McGuire AFB as a primary installation August 29, 1948.
While initially a combat base, operating primarily bombers and fighters of SAC and the Air Defense Command (ADC), the strategic airlift mission and the Eastern Division of the Military Air Transport Service (MATS) (later the 21st Air Force and today's 21st Expeditionary Mobility Task Force) transferred to McGuire from Westover AFB, MA, in 1954. Under MATS (later Military Airlift Command (MAC) and Air Mobility Command (AMC)), McGuire became the "Gateway to the East," serving the U.S. Military and its allies in Europe, the Middle East and Africa with cargo and transportation. Over the years McGuire's mission aircraft have been: the C-54, C-118, C-135 (McGuire was the first base to operate the world's first all-jet strategic airlifter), C-130, C-141 and C-17 airlifters, as well as KC-97, KC-135 and KC-10 tanker aircraft. From 1967 through 2004, McGuire was the best-known C-141 base in the world, possessing up to a quarter of AMC's fleet of that aircraft.
Team McGuire has provided support in almost every major American contingency operation from 1955 to the present, including Operation SAFE HAVEN, Vietnam, NICKEL GRASS, the Grenada rescue effort, Operation DESERT SHIELD/STORM in 1990, and Operation DESERT CALM following the first gulf war. In 1992, McGuire AFB became a major part of the newly activated Air Mobility Command (AMC). A newly created concept, an air mobility wing (AMW) possessing both tankers and airlift aircraft, activated on McGuire in 1994. The storied 305th Air Refueling Wing, "Can Do!" moved to McGuire to become the host 305 AMW on October 1, 1994. The 21st Air Force, coupled with the stand up of the 621st Air Mobility Operations Group (621 AMOG) and its later reorganization to the 621st Contingency Response Wing (621 CRW), partnered with the 305 AMW and spear-headed virtually every contingency over the past 14 years, from Operation JOINT ENDEAVOR in the Balkans to Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. McGuire itself, through its support organizations, has also been a key component in the transport of materials and personnel to global crisis points. In 1999, McGuire served as the lead staging base for the evacuation of Kosovo refugees in Operation OPEN ARMS; McGuire was the rally and staging point for FEMA operations in New York City after the September 11, 2001 attacks]]; in 2005, the base lent key support for Hurricanes Kartrina and Rita. In 2006, McGuire AFB hosted over 1,800 Lebanese Americans evacuated from the battles there between Israel and Hezbollah insurgents. In 2008, McGuire assumed responsibility for the no-fail "Red Ball Express" aerial port mission, supplying efforts in ENDURING FREEDOM.
Today the men and women of McGuire AFB continue to be in the forefront of operations, with regular deployments of airlift and aerial refueling aircraft as well as support elements for combat operations. McGuire hosted a rapidly assembled STRATCOM Joint Task Force satellite recovery team with no prior notice in February 2008, winning praise for its flexibility and support. Team McGuire remains engaged in providing direct combat support to two regional conflicts and provided personnel, resources and aircraft.
Due to the Department of Defense (DoD) initiative, McGuire will be the lead service in the first tri-service Joint super-base, combining its infrastructure support with the support of Fort Dix (Army) and Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst (Navy). Additionally, the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) commission identified several units to be added to Team McGuire over the next few years, including contingents from every service branch. Construction of many new facilities, a beautification effort, and new privately owned contract family housing, make McGuire one of the premier Air Force installations.
Aircraft flown
|
Years |
| C-54 |
19XX-19XX |
| C-118 |
19XX-19XX |
| C-135 |
19XX-19XX |
| F-84 |
19XX-19XX |
| F-105 |
19XX-19XX |
| C-130 |
19XX-19XX |
| F-4 |
19XX-19XX |
| C-141 |
1967–2004 |
| C-17 |
2004–Present |
| KC-10 |
1994–Present |
| KC-135 |
19XX–Present |
Joint basing
Base Realignment and Closure is a congressionally authorized process the Department of Defense has previously used to reorganize its base structure to more efficiently support US forces, increase operational readiness and facilitate joint basing. The current process began with a threat assessment of the future national security environment, followed by the development of a force structure plan and basing requirements to meet these threats. BRAC law set into effect the Joint Base initiative which will establish Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. McGuire will receive assets and support functions from Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove, which will be closed by BRAC.
Under BRAC law, McGuire and Fort Dix, will host Army, Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Corps assets and will build new structures to support these additions. New support facilities will include; Navy Fleet Logistics Operations Facility, C-130 flight simulator, Marine Air Group Headquarters and helicopter hangar, Aviation Support Division/ Aviation Intermediate Maintenance division facility, munitions facility and a joint use reserve training center.
Once the BRAC initiative is complete, McGuire will be home to 37 aircraft from NAS JRB Willow Grove; C-130s, C-9s, C-12s and CH-53 Super Stallions. AH-1s' UH-1 Hueys coming from Johnstown. The initiative will also bring over 1,700 joint support personnel.
Under a BRAC-directed Joint Base initiative, Fort Dix and NAES Lakehurst will be combined with McGuire AFB to support the three installations as a single entity. While each installation will maintain its own operational identity, the consolidation will streamline installation support, while increasing mission effectiveness.
Although the installation management functions will consolidate, the missions of each of the three installations will continue. The Air Force will provide global mobility and expeditionary combat support; the Army will mobilize and train soldiers; and the Navy will continue to assure fixed and rotary wing aircraft operate safely and effectively worldwide. McGuire has a long history of providing a total force global mobility. BRAC and Joint Basing provide the opportunity to grow this into a joint capability.
Of the main 3 armed services participating in JB MDL (Joint Base McGuire Dix Lakehearst) the Air Force and McGuire are the lead Agent. Thus, the 87th ABW is in charge of operating McGuire AFB and its commander is in charge of overseeing all aspects of JB MDL.
Geography
McGuire AFB is located at 40°2′45″N 74°35′9″W / 40.04583°N 74.58583°W / 40.04583; -74.58583 (40.045969, -74.585733)[2].
According to the United States Census Bureau, the base has a total area of 5.4 km² (2.1 mi²), all land.
Demographics
| Historical populations |
| Census |
Pop. |
|
%± |
| 1970 |
10,933 |
|
—
|
| 1980 |
7,853 |
|
−28.2% |
| 1990 |
7,580 |
|
−3.5% |
| 2000 |
6,478 |
|
−14.5% |
| source: [3] |
As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 6,478 people, 1,498 households, and 1,466 families residing in the base. The population density was 1,208.3/km² (3,131.0/mi²). There were 1,652 housing units at an average density of 308.1/km² (798.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the base was 69.30% White, 18.91% African American, 0.71% Native American, 2.76% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 3.18% from other races, and 5.02% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.71% of the population.
There were 1,498 households out of which 79.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 89.0% were married couples living together, 4.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 2.1% were non-families. 1.9% of all households were made up of individuals and none had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.51 and the average family size was 3.53.
In the base the population was spread out with 35.6% under the age of 18, 22.8% from 18 to 24, 39.9% from 25 to 44, 1.6% from 45 to 64, and 0.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 22 years. For every 100 females there were 130.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 153.3 males.
The median income for a household in the base was $36,347, and the median income for a family was $36,136. Males had a median income of $22,000 versus $21,659 for females. The per capita income for the base was $12,364. About 5.5% of families and 6.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.7% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.
Hazardous waste
In July 2007, the United States Environmental Protection Agency issued an order to the US military to clean up the contaminants at McGuire AFB. Areas requiring cleanup include landfills, fire training areas, pesticide mixing shops, fuel storage and leak areas, underground tanks and fuel lines, a PCB (polychlorinated biphenyl) spill site, and a wastewater treatment plant sludge disposal area. [3]
Education
The North Hanover Township School District serves children in public school for grades K–6 from North Hanover Township and from McGuire Air Force Base. Schools are located on the base and in Jacobstown.
The Northern Burlington County Regional School District serves children in public school for grades 7 through 12. Students are served from Chesterfield Township, Mansfield Township, North Hanover Township and Springfield Township, along with children of USAF personnel based at McGuire Air Force Base.[5]
See also
References
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Air Force Historical Research Agency.
- ^ Mueller, Robert (1989). Volume 1: Active Air Force Bases Within the United States of America on 17 September 1982. USAF Reference Series, Office of Air Force History, United States Air Force, Washington, D.C. ISBN 0912799536; 0160022614
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2005-05-03. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ "Population Finder: McGuire AFB CDP, New Jersey". U.S. Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFPopulation?_event=Search&geo_id=16000US3444820&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US34%7C16000US3444820&_street=&_county=McGuire&_cityTown=McGuire&_state=04000US34&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=geoSelect&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=160&_submenuId=population_0&ds_name=null&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null®=null%3Anull&_keyword=&_industry=. Retrieved on 2007-03-19.
- ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ Northern Burlington County Regional School District 2007 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed April 24, 2008. "The Northern Burlington County Regional School District is an important part of its growing community. The Northern Burlington County Regional Middle School and High School are located in Mansfield Township. Its constituent elementary districts are Chesterfield, Mansfield, North Hanover, and Springfield Townships. In addition, the district serves the children of United States Air Force personnel stationed at McGuire Air Force Base."
External links
|
|
|
| Numbered Air Forces |
|
 |
|
Command
Organizations |
|
|
| Bases |
|
|
| Groups |
|
|
| Wings |
|
Air Base
|
87th
|
|
|
Air Mobility
|
|
|
|
Air Refueling
|
|
|
|
Airlift
|
|
|
|
Air Mobility Operations
|
|
|
|
Contingency Response
|
|
|
|
|
Links to related articles |
|
|
|
|
Major
Bases
|
|
 |
|
Major
Stations
|
|
|
Air
Defense
units
|
|
Forces
|
|
|
|
Air
Divisions
|
|
|
|
Sectors
|
|
|
|
Wings
|
|
|
|
Groups
|
|
|
|
Squadrons
|
|
|
|
Major
weapon
systems
|
|
Electronic
|
|
|
|
Fighters
|
|
|
|
Missiles
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ships
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Bases |
|
 |
|
| Organizations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6th · 72d · 95th · 96th · 306th · 307th · 376th · 3918th · 3920th · 3960th · 3970th · 3973d · 4026th · 4038th · 4039th · 4042d · 4043d · 4047th · 4123d · 4126th · 4128th · 4130th · 4133d · 4134th · 4135th · 4136th · 4137th · 4138th · 4141st · 4170th · 4228th · 4238th · 4239th · 4241st · 4245th
|
|
|
|
Major weapon
systems |
|
Bombers
|
|
|
|
Command
& control
|
|
|
|
Fighters
|
|
|
|
Missiles
|
|
|
|
Recon
|
|
|
|
Tankers
|
|
|
|
Transport
|
|
|
|
| Leadership |
|
|
|
|
|
Command
|
|
|
Wings
|
|
|
Groups
|
|
|
Squadrons
|
|
|
Airfields
|
|
|
United
States
|
|
|
|
Canada
|
|
|
|
Carribean
|
|
|
|
Europe
|
|
|
|
North
Africa
|
|
|
|
|
|
