Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base

Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base. It is a military installation located adjacent to the Westhampton Beach area of Suffolk County on Long Island. The base serves as the home of the New York Air National Guard's 106th Rescue Wing, a unit specializing in combat search and rescue and personnel recovery operations. Originally established during World War II, it was renamed in 1991 to honor Francis S. Gabreski, the top American fighter ace in the European Theater.

History

The facility was originally constructed in 1943 as a United States Army Air Forces base, initially named Camp Upton Airfield and later Suffolk County Army Air Field. It supported the air defense of the New York metropolitan area and trained P-47 Thunderbolt pilots for the Eighth Air Force. Following the war, it was transferred to the Air Defense Command and later became a key site during the Cold War, hosting interceptors like the F-102 Delta Dagger and F-106 Delta Dart under the Continental Air Command. The property was conveyed to New York State in 1970, facilitating its transition to a permanent Air National Guard installation. The base was formally dedicated in its current name by an act of the United States Congress to commemorate the legendary accomplishments of Colonel Francis S. Gabreski, a P-47 and F-86 Sabre ace with victories in both World War II and the Korean War.

Units and operations

The primary resident unit is the 106th Rescue Wing, an organization with a lineage dating to the 102nd Observation Squadron and which flew missions in the Gulf War and Operation Enduring Freedom. The wing operates a diverse fleet including the HC-130J Combat King II and HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters, conducting long-range over-water rescue missions under the coordination of the Air Combat Command and the First Air Force. Its pararescue specialists, known as PJs, are trained in advanced trauma medicine and survival techniques, often deploying in support of NASA and United States Space Force operations. The wing also maintains a geographically separated Explosive Ordnance Disposal flight and frequently participates in joint exercises with United States Coast Guard units from nearby Air Station Cape Cod and United States Northern Command.

Facilities and infrastructure

The installation features a single primary runway capable of supporting heavy airlift aircraft, alongside extensive aircraft parking aprons and maintenance hangars for its fixed-wing and rotary-wing assets. Key facilities include a wing headquarters building, a mission planning complex, survival equipment shops, and training areas for Special Tactics personnel. The base shares an airfield with the adjacent Suffolk County Airport, requiring close coordination under a joint-use agreement managed by the Suffolk County government. Infrastructure supports the wing's global reach, including fuel storage systems, communications nodes linked to the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre, and facilities for the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs.

Role and significance

As the only Air National Guard rescue wing in the Northeastern United States, it provides a critical component of the nation's Personnel Recovery task force, responsible for a vast area covering the North Atlantic Ocean and Adirondack Mountains. The wing's unique capabilities ensure a ready response for civilian search and rescue missions, disaster relief following events like Hurricane Sandy, and support to NORAD's aerospace control mission. Its strategic location on Long Island offers rapid access to international airspace and major maritime routes, making it a vital asset for Homeland Defense and a key participant in the National Search and Rescue Plan. The unit's consistent high readiness has earned it multiple Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards.

Environmental and community relations

The base maintains an active environmental management program, addressing historical issues related to firefighting foam and fuel storage in cooperation with the Environmental Protection Agency and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. It participates in the National Guard Bureau's conservation initiatives, protecting habitats for species like the eastern tiger salamander on the surrounding Pine Barrens. Community engagement includes open houses, support for local events like the Westhampton Beach Winter Festival, and school outreach programs in districts such as Riverhead Central School District. The installation also works closely with the Shinnecock Indian Nation and local emergency services on mutual aid agreements and regional preparedness exercises.