Travis Air Force Base

Travis Air Force Base. Located in Solano County, California, it is a primary mobility hub for the United States Air Force and a key installation under Air Mobility Command. The base is home to the 60th Air Mobility Wing, the host unit, and supports global airlift, aerial refueling, and aeromedical evacuation missions. Its strategic position on the West Coast makes it vital for rapid deployment to the Pacific and Asian theaters.

History

The base was established in 1942 as the Fairfield-Suisun Army Air Base, becoming operational in 1943 during World War II under the United States Army Air Forces. It was renamed in 1951 for Brigadier General Robert F. Travis, a Medal of Honor-nominated B-29 Superfortress pilot who died in a crash at the installation. Throughout the Cold War, it played a critical role in operations during the Korean War and the Vietnam War, serving as a major departure point for troops and cargo. The base transitioned to the newly formed Air Mobility Command in 1992 following the dissolution of the Military Airlift Command.

Units and operations

The host unit is the 60th Air Mobility Wing, a key component of Eighteenth Air Force. Primary operational squadrons include the 21st Airlift Squadron and 22nd Airlift Squadron, which fly the C-5M Super Galaxy, and the 6th Air Refueling Squadron and 9th Air Refueling Squadron, which operate the KC-10 Extender. The 349th Air Mobility Wing, an Air Force Reserve Command associate unit, shares the aircraft and mission. The base also hosts the 621st Contingency Response Wing, a rapid-deployment unit capable of opening airfields worldwide. These units collectively execute the National Defense Strategy through global airlift, air refueling, and contingency response.

Infrastructure and facilities

The installation features one of the longest runways in the Department of Defense system, capable of supporting the largest strategic airlift aircraft. Its massive David Grant USAF Medical Center is a premier ACS-verified Level II trauma center and the Air Force's largest aeromedical evacuation hub. The base houses extensive maintenance facilities for the C-5 Galaxy and KC-10 Extender fleets under the 60th Maintenance Group. Key support facilities include the Travis Heritage Center, which displays historic aircraft like the C-141 Starlifter, and the Joint Personal Property Shipping Office for personnel relocations.

Role in national defense

As the westernmost Air Mobility Command base in the continental United States, it is the primary gateway for American military power projection into the Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility. It provides critical support to United States Transportation Command and is integral to the Civil Reserve Air Fleet program. The base's strategic airlift and aerial refueling assets are essential for rapid global mobility, supporting operations like Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Its aeromedical evacuation network, coordinated through the 18th Air Force, ensures global patient movement for the Department of Defense.

Environmental and community relations

The base maintains an active environmental restoration program addressing historical issues like perchloroethylene contamination from past industrial activities, working under the oversight of the Environmental Protection Agency. It engages with local communities through the Solano County Board of Supervisors and the Travis Community Consortium. Programs like the Air Force Aid Society and community outreach events foster strong ties with neighboring cities such as Fairfield and Vacaville. The installation also participates in regional planning with the Sacramento Area Council of Governments regarding land use and compatibility.

Category:United States Air Force bases Category:Buildings and structures in Solano County, California