Turner Air Force Base

Turner Air Force Base was a significant United States Air Force installation located near Albany, Georgia. Activated during World War II as a training facility for B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator crews, it later became a critical Strategic Air Command bomber and aerial refueling base during the Cold War. The base was named in honor of First Lieutenant Sullivan B. Turner, a Georgia native and B-17 Flying Fortress pilot who was killed in action over New Guinea in 1942. It was inactivated in 1967, with its assets transferred to neighboring Naval Air Station Albany.

History

The facility was originally constructed in 1941 as a satellite field for Camp Benning and was initially known as the Albany Army Airfield. During World War II, it was assigned to the Third Air Force and served as a major training base for B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator heavy bomber crews, preparing them for combat in the European Theater of Operations. In 1946, the base was formally named Turner Field in honor of First Lieutenant Sullivan B. Turner. With the establishment of the independent United States Air Force in 1947, the installation was redesignated Turner Air Force Base and subsequently became a cornerstone of Strategic Air Command's global deterrent posture, hosting B-29 Superfortress, B-50 Superfortress, and later B-47 Stratojet aircraft. The base's strategic importance was underscored during the Cuban Missile Crisis, when its alert forces were placed on maximum readiness.

Major commands and units

From 1947 until 1961, the base was a primary installation for Strategic Air Command, hosting a succession of bombardment wings. The 31st Fighter Wing was activated here in 1951, initially flying the F-84 Thunderjet before transitioning to the F-86 Sabre and later the F-104 Starfighter. In 1958, the 4080th Strategic Wing was established, operating the top-secret Lockheed U-2 high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft and the KC-135 Stratotanker for aerial refueling missions. Following the transfer of the base to Tactical Air Command in 1961, the 475th Air Base Wing became the host unit, supporting fighter squadrons equipped with the F-100 Super Sabre and F-105 Thunderchief. Other notable units included the 822nd Air Division and various Air Defense Command interceptor detachments.

Closure and civilian reuse

The base was selected for closure in 1964 as part of a nationwide consolidation of military facilities. Its operational aircraft and strategic missions were redistributed to other bases, including Moody Air Force Base and Robins Air Force Base. Turner Air Force Base was officially inactivated on 30 June 1967, with much of its property and infrastructure transferred to the adjacent Naval Air Station Albany. The former flight line and hangars were subsequently converted for civilian industrial use, becoming the core of the Albany-W Dougherty County Industrial Park. Major portions of the facility were also incorporated into the South Georgia Regional Airport, supporting general aviation and cargo operations. The United States Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany also assumed control of some former base housing and support areas.

Environmental issues

Like many former military installations of its era, the site has been subject to long-term environmental investigation and remediation under the Department of Defense's Base Realignment and Closure program and the Environmental Protection Agency's Superfund program. Primary concerns have involved soil and groundwater contamination from historical use of PCBs, trichloroethylene, and various petroleum products associated with aircraft maintenance and fuel storage. The Air Force Civil Engineer Center manages ongoing remediation efforts, including groundwater monitoring and soil removal projects, in coordination with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division. These activities are focused on preventing contamination from migrating to off-site areas and protecting local water resources.