Scott Air Force Base

Scott Air Force Base. It is a major installation of the United States Air Force located in St. Clair County, Illinois, near the city of Belleville. The base serves as the headquarters for Air Mobility Command and United States Transportation Command, playing a critical role in global air mobility and defense transportation. Its strategic location and extensive infrastructure support a wide array of missions for the Department of Defense.

History

The base was established in 1917 as Scott Field, named after Corporal Frank S. Scott, the first enlisted service member to die in an aviation accident. Initially serving as a pilot training school for the United States Army Air Service, it supported efforts during World War I. Its mission expanded significantly during World War II, becoming a major training center for radio operators and mechanics, contributing to the Army Air Forces' technical prowess. Following the creation of the United States Air Force in 1947, it was renamed Scott Air Force Base and evolved into a key hub for transportation and communications, eventually housing major command headquarters in the latter half of the 20th century.

Facilities

The installation encompasses a modern airfield with runways capable of handling large aircraft like the C-5 Galaxy and C-17 Globemaster III. It features the Scott AFB passenger terminal, which supports the Air Mobility Command's Contingency Response Wing. Key facilities include the Headquarters Air Mobility Command building, the United States Transportation Command headquarters complex, and the 618th Air Operations Center. The base also hosts the Scott AFB clinic, part of the Defense Health Agency, extensive maintenance hangars, and family support centers like the Scott AFB Youth Center.

Based units

Scott Air Force Base is home to the headquarters of several major Department of Defense organizations. The most prominent are Air Mobility Command and United States Transportation Command, which coordinate global airlift and defense logistics. Other significant tenant units include the Eighteenth Air Force, the 375th Air Mobility Wing (the host wing), and the 618th Air Operations Center. The base also supports components of the Defense Information Systems Agency and the Air Force Network Integration Center, integral to Department of Defense communications.

Role and operations

The base functions as the nerve center for worldwide air mobility, executing missions for air refueling, global airlift, and aeromedical evacuation. United States Transportation Command, co-located here, synchronizes global land, sea, and air transportation for all United States Armed Forces. The 618th Air Operations Center plans and directs the global movement of forces and supplies, supporting operations from Operation Enduring Freedom to humanitarian relief. This makes it a pivotal node in the National Defense Strategy and critical to North Atlantic Treaty Organization alliance movements.

Geography and demographics

The base is situated in the American Bottom region of southwestern Illinois, approximately 25 miles east of St. Louis. It covers over 3,000 acres within St. Clair County, Illinois, bordering the communities of Shiloh and O'Fallon. The population, including active-duty personnel, their families, civil service employees, and contractors, exceeds 13,000, making it a significant economic and social driver for the Metro East region. The area is part of the St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area and features a humid continental climate. Category:United States Air Force bases Category:Buildings and structures in St. Clair County, Illinois