Reese Air Force Base

Reese Air Force Base was a major pilot training installation of the United States Air Force located near Lubbock, Texas. Established during World War II as a United States Army Air Forces flight school, it evolved into a primary hub for undergraduate pilot training for over five decades. The base was named in honor of Augustus F. Reese Jr., a Lubbock native and Second Lieutenant killed in action during the Battle of the Java Sea. Its closure in 1997 under the Base Realignment and Closure process marked the end of a significant era in West Texas military aviation.

History

The facility was originally constructed in 1941 as Lubbock Army Air Field, activated under the auspices of the Air Corps Flying Training Command. Its initial mission was to train pilots for the burgeoning air forces of World War II, operating primarily with single-engine trainers like the Vultee BT-13 Valiant. Following the war, the base was briefly placed on inactive status before being reactivated in 1949 as a dedicated training base for the newly independent United States Air Force. It was formally renamed Reese Air Force Base that same year in a ceremony attended by the family of its namesake. Throughout the Cold War, the base's history was intertwined with the continuous demand for military aviators, supporting conflicts from the Korean War to the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm.

Operations

The primary and enduring mission was Undergraduate Pilot Training, producing thousands of pilots for the United States Air Force, United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, and allied nations. For most of its operational life, the base was equipped with the Cessna T-37 Tweet for primary training and the Northrop T-38 Talon for advanced jet training. The 64th Flying Training Wing served as the host wing, overseeing all flying operations and academic instruction. Additional operations included support for the Air Training Command's specialized programs and providing a base for Texas Air National Guard units, such as those flying the C-130 Hercules.

Major commands assigned

Throughout its service, the installation fell under several higher-level Major Command authorities that directed its training mission. Initially, it was part of the Air Corps Flying Training Command and later the Army Air Forces Flying Training Command. After United States Air Force independence, it was assigned to the Air Training Command for the majority of the Cold War period. In a 1993 reorganization, oversight transferred to the newly formed Air Education and Training Command, which managed the base until its closure. These commands were responsible for setting training curricula and standards aligned with the needs of the Strategic Air Command, Tactical Air Command, and other operational forces.

Based units

The principal operational unit for decades was the 64th Flying Training Wing, which controlled all flying training squadrons. Key subordinate flying units included the 64th Flying Training Squadron, 65th Flying Training Squadron, and 66th Flying Training Squadron, each responsible for a phase of the pilot training syllabus. The 64th Operations Support Squadron handled airfield and scheduling operations. The base also hosted the 64th Medical Group and various Air Force Reserve and Texas Air National Guard detachments, including elements of the 136th Airlift Wing. These units operated in conjunction with the Defense Language Institute for language training of international students.

Closure and reuse

Selected for closure by the 1995 Base Realignment and Closure Commission, all flying operations ceased in September 1997, ending a 56-year legacy. The property was subsequently transferred to Reese Technology Center, a local redevelopment authority, for conversion to civilian use. The airfield itself became Reese Airpark, a public-use general aviation airport. Many former base facilities now house technology companies, educational institutions like Texas Tech University, and federal agencies including a branch of the United States Department of Agriculture. The National Institute for Aviation Research also maintains a presence at the site, ensuring the location remains a center for aerospace activity.