Dobbins Air Reserve Base
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| Dobbins Air Reserve Base | |
|---|---|
| Name | Dobbins Air Reserve Base |
| Caption | Aerial view of Dobbins Air Reserve Base |
| Location | Marietta, Georgia |
| Country | United States |
| Type | Air Reserve Base |
| Coordinates | 33, 54, 54, N... |
| Pushpin label | Dobbins ARB |
| Ownership | Department of Defense |
| Operator | U.S. Air Force |
| Controlledby | Air Force Reserve Command |
| Site area | 1,650 acres |
| Used | 1943 – present |
| Current commander | Colonel Amy M. Holbeck |
| Garrison | 94th Airlift Wing |
| IATA | MGE |
| ICAO | KMGE |
| FAA | MGE |
| Wmo | 722236 |
| Elev m | 326 |
| Elev ft | 1,070 |
| R1-number | 11/29 |
| R1-length-m | 3,048 |
| R1-length-ft | 10,000 |
| R1-surface | Asphalt/Concrete |
Dobbins Air Reserve Base is a key installation of the United States Air Force located in Cobb County, Georgia, adjacent to the city of Marietta, Georgia. It is a primary installation for Air Force Reserve Command and shares its runway complex with Lockheed Martin's Marietta facility, a major site for aerospace manufacturing. The base is named in honor of Captain Charles M. Dobbins, a Marietta native and B-29 Superfortress pilot who was killed during World War II.
History
The facility was originally constructed in 1943 as Rickenbacker Field, a training base for the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. Following the war, it was renamed Marietta Army Airfield and later became a key site for the Korean War airlift operations. In 1950, it was renamed in honor of Captain Charles M. Dobbins. The base transitioned to Air Force Reserve Command control and has since been a cornerstone for Air Mobility Command operations, supporting major conflicts including the Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm, and the Global War on Terrorism. The adjacent Lockheed Martin plant, historically operated by the Glenn L. Martin Company and later Boeing, has been integral to the base's operations, producing aircraft such as the B-29 Superfortress, C-130 Hercules, and C-5 Galaxy.
Facilities
Dobbins encompasses approximately 1,650 acres and features a single 10,000-foot runway (11/29) capable of handling the largest military transport aircraft, including the C-5M Super Galaxy and C-17 Globemaster III. The airfield is jointly operated with the Lockheed Martin Marietta plant. Key facilities include extensive aircraft parking aprons, a large Air National Guard maintenance complex, and the Georgia National Guard's Clay National Guard Center. The base also hosts the Navy Reserve's Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance operations and provides support facilities for the 94th Airlift Wing and other tenant units.
Based units
The host wing is the 94th Airlift Wing of Air Force Reserve Command, which operates the C-130H Hercules. Other major flying units include the 700th Airlift Squadron. The base is also home to significant elements of the Georgia Air National Guard, including the 116th Air Control Wing which operates the E-8C JSTARS. Additional tenant organizations include the Navy Reserve's Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VR) 62, the Army Reserve's 3rd Medical Command, and detachments from the Marine Forces Reserve and the Coast Guard Reserve.
Role and operations
Dobbins serves as a critical hub for airlift and aerial refueling operations, providing global reach for Air Mobility Command. The 94th Airlift Wing conducts worldwide tactical airlift of troops, equipment, and supplies, supporting United States Southern Command and United States European Command theaters. The 116th Air Control Wing provides battle management, command and control, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) using the E-8C JSTARS platform. The base also functions as a federal emergency operations center for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in Region IV.
Accidents and incidents
The base has experienced several notable aviation accidents. In 1955, a B-47 Stratojet from the 306th Bombardment Wing crashed shortly after takeoff, resulting in fatalities. A significant incident occurred in 1988 when a C-130 Hercules from the 94th Airlift Wing experienced an engine failure and made a successful emergency landing at the base with minimal injuries. In 1995, a Lockheed C-141 Starlifter from the 445th Airlift Wing overran the runway during a training exercise, causing substantial damage to the aircraft but no fatalities.
Environmental concerns
Historical operations at Dobbins have led to environmental remediation efforts under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). The United States Environmental Protection Agency has identified areas of soil and groundwater contamination, primarily from past use of trichloroethylene (TCE) and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from firefighting foam. The base conducts ongoing monitoring and cleanup in coordination with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division. A major Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) corrective action facility is managed to address hazardous waste sites associated with former Department of Defense industrial activities.
Category:Air Force Reserve Command Category:Buildings and structures in Cobb County, Georgia Category:Military installations in Georgia (U.S. state)