March Air Reserve Base

March Air Reserve Base. Located in Riverside County, California, this installation is a key hub for the Air Force Reserve Command and hosts units from the Air National Guard and United States Marine Corps. Its origins trace back to World War I, evolving from a primary training field into a major Strategic Air Command base during the Cold War. Today, it serves as a vital center for air mobility, aerial refueling, and homeland defense operations.

History

The base was established in 1918 as March Field, named for Second Lieutenant Peyton C. March Jr., a pilot killed in a training accident. It served as a primary flight training school for the Army Air Service, preparing aviators for service in World War I. During World War II, it became a major training center for B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator crews under the Western Flying Training Command. The post-war era saw its transition to the Strategic Air Command, where it housed B-29 Superfortress, B-52 Stratofortress, and KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft, playing a critical role in nuclear deterrence throughout the Cold War. Following the Base Realignment and Closure process, it was redesignated from March Air Force Base to its current status in 1996.

Facilities

The airfield features a single primary runway, 14/32, which is over 12,000 feet long and capable of supporting the largest military aircraft. The installation encompasses more than 2,000 acres and includes extensive ramp space, multiple large hangars for maintenance, and a massive fuel storage complex. Key support facilities include the 452nd Air Mobility Wing headquarters, a large Air Reserve Personnel Center, and a state-of-the-art Air Traffic Control tower. The base also contains the March Field Air Museum, which preserves numerous historic aircraft and artifacts from its long aviation history.

Based units

The host unit is the 452nd Air Mobility Wing of the Air Force Reserve Command, which operates the C-17 Globemaster III for global airlift. Also resident is the 163rd Attack Wing of the California Air National Guard, which flies the MQ-9 Reaper. The 4th Air Force headquarters, a component of Air Force Reserve Command, is located here. Other significant tenants include a detachment from the Marine Air Control Group 38 of the United States Marine Corps and a squadron of the Civil Air Patrol. The Air Force Reserve Command's 701st Combat Operations Squadron also conducts mission support operations from the base.

Role and operations

Its primary mission is to provide combat-ready aircrews and support personnel for global air mobility and aerial refueling operations. The C-17 Globemaster III units conduct worldwide strategic airlift, supporting operations like Operation Enduring Freedom and humanitarian missions. The base also serves as a critical Aeromedical Evacuation hub for the western United States. Furthermore, it supports homeland defense through the North American Aerospace Defense Command and provides expeditionary combat support for joint operations with the United States Navy and United States Army.

Accidents and incidents

In 1953, a B-29 Superfortress crashed shortly after takeoff, killing all crew members on board. A significant incident occurred in 1961 when a B-52 Stratofortress carrying nuclear weapons broke up in mid-air; the weapons did not detonate, but several crew members perished. During a 1977 training flight, a KC-135 Stratotanker collided with a United States Marine Corps CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopter near the base, resulting in multiple fatalities. More recently, in 2019, a C-17 Globemaster III experienced a landing gear malfunction upon return, causing substantial damage to the aircraft but no serious injuries.

Category:Air Force Reserve Command installations Category:Buildings and structures in Riverside County, California