Fairchild Air Force Base

Fairchild Air Force Base
Senior Airman Mary O'Dell · Public domain · source
Name	Fairchild Air Force Base
Location	Spokane County, Washington, United States
Type	Air force base
Built	1942
Used	1942–present
Controlledby	United States Air Force
Garrison	92nd Air Refueling Wing

Fairchild Air Force Base is a United States Air Force installation near Spokane, Washington, with a long record of strategic air refueling, airlift, and test support. Established during World War II, the installation has hosted bomber, tanker, and training units, and has been a center for Cold War deterrence, post–Cold War expeditionary support, and regional disaster response. Its missions have linked the base to national defense, civil support, and aerospace industry activities across the Pacific Northwest.

History

Fairchild traceable origins began as a World War II training base established in 1942 near Spokane, Washington, selected for proximity to transportation arteries including the Great Northern Railway and regional road networks. During the early Cold War the installation hosted bomber training and strategic deterrence programs connecting to Strategic Air Command and the nuclear posture of the United States. The base was renamed in honor of General M. G. "Mike" Fairchild (note: do not link base names) and subsequently became a key site for aerial refueling when equipped with air refueling squadrons tied to the Air Mobility Command and earlier organizations. Throughout the Vietnam War and post‑Vietnam drawdown the installation supported tanker deployments and airlift operations associated with Pacific Air Forces, linking to operations in Southeast Asia and contingency responses to crises such as relief after earthquakes and floods in the region. In the 1990s Base Realignment and Closure processes and shifting force structures led to mission adjustments, including transition to the Air Force Reserve Command and consolidation of refueling assets, while continuity of host‑tenant relationships maintained ties with entities such as the Civil Air Patrol and local government partners. The 21st century saw modernization programs, participation in operations related to Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, and force posture reviews that reinforced its tanker and airlift roles.

Geography and facilities

The installation sits on the eastern plains of Washington near Spokane County, Washington and adjacent to the city of Spokane Valley, Washington. Its runways and ramps abut regional infrastructure including Interstate 90 and are within reach of the Spokane International Airport airspace. Facilities include multiple runways built to accommodate heavy aircraft similar to Boeing KC‑135 Stratotanker operations, maintenance hangars, munitions storage compliant with Defense Threat Reduction Agency standards, family housing areas integrated with local school districts such as Spokane Public Schools, and emergency response staging grounds that have hosted joint training with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Washington State Patrol. Environmental management programs coordinate with the Environmental Protection Agency and state agencies over wetlands, groundwater, and habitat for species regulated under the Endangered Species Act.

Units and operations

Primary host wings and units have included the 92nd series wings that operate under the Air Mobility Command and previously under Strategic Air Command and Air Combat Command alignments. Tenant and associate organizations have encompassed reserve units within the Air Force Reserve Command, geographically separated units linked to the Air National Guard, and test squadrons connected to the Air Force Test Center. Operations supported include global aerial refueling missions coordinating with combatant commands such as United States Indo-Pacific Command and United States Northern Command for homeland defense support. The installation has hosted exercises with allied forces including units from the Royal Australian Air Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, and Royal Canadian Air Force, and has been a logistics hub for deployments involving the Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command.

Aircraft and equipment

Over its history the installation has been equipped with platforms including the Boeing KC‑135 Stratotanker, which provided the core refueling capability for decades, and has rotated legacy and modernization assets compatible with tanker and airlift roles such as the Boeing KC‑46 Pegasus program in Air Force modernization plans. Support equipment includes air refueling booms, drogue adaptors, maintenance test stands, and specialized ground handling gear standardized by the Defense Logistics Agency. Depot and intermediate maintenance facilities have supported engine programs from manufacturers such as Pratt & Whitney and General Electric and have performed heavy structural inspections guided by standards from the Federal Aviation Administration for civil‑military interface matters.

Accidents and incidents

The installation’s long operational tempo has included accidents and incidents consistent with heavy aircraft operations. Investigations have been conducted by boards employing protocols from the Air Force Safety Center and joint inquiries with the National Transportation Safety Board when civil airspace interactions occurred. Historical mishaps involved aircraft mishaps during training sorties, ground mishaps during maintenance evolutions, and weather‑related incidents tied to seasonal storms and winter icing common in the Inland Northwest. Resulting safety improvements instituted programs akin to Operational Risk Management reforms, enhanced runway arresting and snow removal procedures, and updated flight crew training tied to lessons from specific mishap investigations.

Community and economic impact

The installation has been a major employer in Spokane County, Washington and has driven contract activity with local firms, aerospace contractors, and service providers in sectors linked to the Boeing Company, regional maintenance providers, and construction firms. Community partnerships include collaboration with Gonzaga University, regional technical colleges, and veteran organizations such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars for workforce development and education. The base supports civic emergency response with coordination agreements with the City of Spokane and participates in outreach through air shows and public events that connect to local tourism and hospitality industries. Economic impact analyses have consistently shown base payroll, procurement, and ancillary spending contribute substantially to county tax bases and regional transportation planning linked to Spokane International Airport operations.

Category:Installations of the United States Air Force Category:Military installations in Washington (state)