McEntire Joint National Guard Base

McEntire Joint National Guard Base is a United States Air National Guard base located in Richland County, South Carolina, near Eastover, South Carolina, and is home to the 169th Fighter Wing. The base is named after Barnett S. McEntire, a Medal of Honor recipient and World War II United States Army Air Forces B-17 Flying Fortress bomber pilot. The base has a long history of supporting United States military operations, including Operation Desert Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom, and has been home to various units, including the South Carolina Air National Guard and the United States Air Force Reserve. The base has also hosted NATO exercises, such as Operation Atlantic Resolve, and has supported United States Army and United States Marine Corps training exercises, including those conducted by the United States Army Special Forces and the United States Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command.

● History

The history of McEntire Joint National Guard Base dates back to 1943, when it was established as a United States Army Air Forces training base during World War II. The base was initially used for B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator training, and was later used for P-51 Mustang and P-47 Thunderbolt training. After the war, the base was closed, but was reactivated in 1948 as a United States Air National Guard base. The base has since been home to various units, including the 169th Fighter Wing, which has flown the F-16 Fighting Falcon and the F-102 Delta Dagger. The base has also supported United States Navy and United States Marine Corps operations, including those conducted by the United States Naval Aviation and the United States Marine Corps Aviation. The base has hosted numerous exercises and training events, including Red Flag and Northern Edge, and has supported North American Aerospace Defense Command and United States Northern Command operations.

● Facilities

McEntire Joint National Guard Base has a range of facilities, including a runway and taxiway system, hangars, and maintenance facilities. The base is also home to a fire station, a medical clinic, and a dining facility. The base has a control tower and a radar system, and is equipped with air traffic control and weather forecasting systems. The base has also invested in renewable energy systems, including solar panels and wind turbines, and has implemented energy-efficient measures to reduce its carbon footprint. The base is located near Columbia, South Carolina, and is accessible by Interstate 77 and South Carolina Highway 262. The base has also hosted Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board investigations, and has supported United States Coast Guard and United States Customs and Border Protection operations.

● Operations

McEntire Joint National Guard Base supports a range of operations, including air defense and homeland security missions. The base is home to the 169th Fighter Wing, which operates the F-16 Fighting Falcon and provides air support to United States Army and United States Marine Corps units. The base also supports United States Air Force and United States Navy operations, including those conducted by the United States Air Force Special Operations Command and the United States Naval Special Warfare Command. The base has hosted NATO exercises, such as Operation Atlantic Resolve, and has supported United Nations peacekeeping operations, including those conducted by the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations. The base has also supported Federal Bureau of Investigation and United States Secret Service operations, and has hosted DHS and FEMA training exercises.

● Units

McEntire Joint National Guard Base is home to a range of units, including the 169th Fighter Wing, which is the base's host unit. The wing operates the F-16 Fighting Falcon and provides air support to United States Army and United States Marine Corps units. The base is also home to the 245th Air Traffic Control Squadron, which provides air traffic control services to the base and surrounding area. The base has hosted units from the United States Army National Guard and the United States Army Reserve, including the South Carolina Army National Guard and the 108th Cavalry Regiment. The base has also supported United States Air Force Reserve and United States Navy Reserve units, including the 315th Airlift Wing and the Naval Air Reserve.

● Environment

McEntire Joint National Guard Base is located in a humid subtropical climate region, with hot summers and mild winters. The base is surrounded by woodlands and wetlands, and is home to a range of wildlife, including white-tailed deer and wild turkey. The base has implemented environmental measures to reduce its impact on the surrounding area, including waste reduction and recycling programs. The base has also invested in renewable energy systems, including solar panels and wind turbines, and has implemented energy-efficient measures to reduce its carbon footprint. The base is located near the Congaree River, and has supported United States Environmental Protection Agency and United States Fish and Wildlife Service operations, including those conducted by the Congaree National Park and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. The base has also hosted National Park Service and United States Forest Service training exercises, and has supported Federal Emergency Management Agency and United States Department of Agriculture operations. Category:United States Air National Guard