Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base
Encyclopedia
Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base is a former military airport
located in Westhampton
, 3 NM north of the central business district
of Westhampton Beach
, in Suffolk County
, Long Island
, New York
, United States
. It is approximately 80 miles (128.7 km) east of New York City
.
Known as Suffolk County Air Force Base until 1969, then Suffolk County Air National Guard Base until 1991, when it was renamed in honor of Col Francis S. Gabreski, a flying ace
in World War II
who was the commander of the 52nd Fighter-Interceptor Wing at the base from 1964 through November 1967 when he retired.
Today, the airport is used by the New York Air National Guard
's 106th Rescue Wing
(106 RQW), an Air Combat Command
(ACC)-gained unit.
The airports civil operations operate at Francis S. Gabreski Airport
.
government built the airport for use as an Army Air Forces base during World War II
. Initially a sub-base of Mitchel Field on Long Island
, it was later assigned to First Air Force
. Suffolk County Army Air Field's host unit was the 437th Army Air Force Base Unit and was tasked with the air defense of the New York City
area and for flying antisubmarine patrols along the Atlantic coast.
After the war, the airfield was conveyed to Suffolk County
for use as a civil airport, but with a reversal clause for future military utilization, if warranted.
In 1951 the airport was reclaimed by the United States Air Force
due to the Korean War
National Emergency and was leased as an Air Defense Command (ADC) base. Renamed Suffolk County AFB, the installation was assigned to the Eastern Air Defense Force
and was the prime Air Defense Command facility responsible for defending the New York City
metropolitan area against hostile air attack.
56 nuclear-tipped BOMARC missiles were stored in 56 metal sheds just west of the airport from 1959 until 1964. It was one of 10 such facilities on the east coast which were aimed at Soviet bombers. The sheds are still in place just north of Old Country Road. The 187 acre (0.75676282 km²) site is used now by Suffolk County to impound cars. Suffolk County and the FBI also use a portion for a shooting range.
The initial USAF unit assigned to Suffolk County AFB was the Connecticut Air National Guard
's 103rd Fighter-Interceptor Wing (103 FIW), which was federalized and brought on to active duty on 1 June 1951. Its 118th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron flew F-47N Thunderbolts. The 103 FIW remained briefly at Suffolk County until replaced by the 45th and 75th Fighter-Interceptor Squadrons in November 1952, flying the F-86 Sabre
as part of the 23rd Fighter-Interceptor Group
(23 FIG).
In 1955, the 23 FIG was reassigned to Presque Isle AFB, Maine
and replaced by the newly-activated 52d Fighter-Interceptor Wing (52 FIW), which flew under various designations from Suffolk County AFB until 1969, with the 2d and 5th Fighter-Interceptor Squadrons flying F-94 Starfire
, F-101 Voodoo
and F-102 Delta Dagger
interceptors. Assigned in 1963 to the New York Air Defense Sector, the base was deactivated in 1969 as part of a general drawdown of the then-renamedAerospace Defense Command
and released back to Suffolk County.
Military operations were reintroduced in June 1970, when the 102nd Air Refueling Squadron
(102 AREFS) of the 106th Air Refueling Group
(106 ARG) of the New York Air National Guard
relocated to Suffolk County with their KC-97 Stratotanker
s after the closing of Naval Air Station
Floyd Bennett Field
. In 1972, the unit's mission changed from air refueling to fighter-interceptor, with the new mission of controlling the skies along the northeast U.S. coast with F-102 Delta Dagger
aircraft.
In 1975, the designation and mission changed again to "Aerospace Rescue and Recovery", later shortened to "Air Rescue" and then simply "Rescue". The current names of the 102nd Rescue Squadron (102 RQS) and 106th Rescue Wing
(106 RQW) were assigned in 1995. Today, the 106 RQW provides search and rescue
services using HC-130P Hercules aircraft and HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters. The rescue wing was featured in the book and movie of The Perfect Storm which details the crash of one of the wing's HH-60G Pave Hawk rescue helicopters while conducting search and rescue operations from the airport during the 1991 Perfect Storm.
Air Force One
was based at the airport in the summers of 1998 and 1999 during weeklong visits by President Bill Clinton
and Hillary Clinton during extended stays at the Georgica Pond
home of Steven Spielberg
in East Hampton (village), New York
.
Airport
An airport is a location where aircraft such as fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and blimps take off and land. Aircraft may be stored or maintained at an airport...
located in Westhampton
Westhampton, New York
Westhampton is a hamlet in Suffolk County, New York, United States. The population was 2,869 at the 2000 census.Westhampton is in the Town of Southampton.-Geography:Westhampton is located at ....
, 3 NM north of the central business district
Central business district
A central business district is the commercial and often geographic heart of a city. In North America this part of a city is commonly referred to as "downtown" or "city center"...
of Westhampton Beach
Westhampton Beach, New York
Westhampton Beach is an Incorporated Village in the town of Southampton, Suffolk County, New York, United States. As of the 2000 census, the village population was 1,902.-History:...
, in Suffolk County
Suffolk County, New York
Suffolk County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York on the eastern portion of Long Island. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,493,350. It was named for the county of Suffolk in England, from which its earliest settlers came...
, Long Island
Long Island
Long Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is approximately 80 miles (128.7 km) east of New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
Known as Suffolk County Air Force Base until 1969, then Suffolk County Air National Guard Base until 1991, when it was renamed in honor of Col Francis S. Gabreski, a flying ace
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
who was the commander of the 52nd Fighter-Interceptor Wing at the base from 1964 through November 1967 when he retired.
Today, the airport is used by the New York Air National Guard
New York Air National Guard
The New York Air National Guard is the air force militia of the U.S. state of New York. It is, along with the New York Army National Guard, an element of the New York National Guard. It is considered a part of the United States Air Force, as well as its state mission...
's 106th Rescue Wing
106th Rescue Wing
The 106th Rescue Wing is an Air National Guard unit stationed at Francis S. Gabreski Airport, Westhampton Beach, New York. The mission of the wing is combat search and rescue. During peacetime, the unit also provides search and rescue services to the maritime community and NASA...
(106 RQW), an Air Combat Command
Air Combat Command
Air Combat Command is a major command of the United States Air Force. ACC is one of ten major commands , reporting to Headquarters, United States Air Force ....
(ACC)-gained unit.
The airports civil operations operate at Francis S. Gabreski Airport
Francis S. Gabreski Airport
Francis S. Gabreski Airport is a county-owned, civil airport located north of the central business district of Westhampton Beach, in Suffolk County, Long Island, New York, United States. It is approximately east of New York City....
.
History
In 1943, the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
government built the airport for use as an Army Air Forces base during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Initially a sub-base of Mitchel Field on Long Island
Long Island
Long Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
, it was later assigned to First Air Force
First Air Force
The First Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Air Combat Command . It is headquartered at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida....
. Suffolk County Army Air Field's host unit was the 437th Army Air Force Base Unit and was tasked with the air defense of the New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
area and for flying antisubmarine patrols along the Atlantic coast.
After the war, the airfield was conveyed to Suffolk County
Suffolk County, New York
Suffolk County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York on the eastern portion of Long Island. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,493,350. It was named for the county of Suffolk in England, from which its earliest settlers came...
for use as a civil airport, but with a reversal clause for future military utilization, if warranted.
In 1951 the airport was reclaimed by the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
due to the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
National Emergency and was leased as an Air Defense Command (ADC) base. Renamed Suffolk County AFB, the installation was assigned to the Eastern Air Defense Force
Eastern Air Defense Force
The Eastern Air Defense Force is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with Air Defense Command being stationed at Stewart Air Force Base, New York. It was inactivated on July 1, 1960.-History:...
and was the prime Air Defense Command facility responsible for defending the New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
metropolitan area against hostile air attack.
56 nuclear-tipped BOMARC missiles were stored in 56 metal sheds just west of the airport from 1959 until 1964. It was one of 10 such facilities on the east coast which were aimed at Soviet bombers. The sheds are still in place just north of Old Country Road. The 187 acre (0.75676282 km²) site is used now by Suffolk County to impound cars. Suffolk County and the FBI also use a portion for a shooting range.
The initial USAF unit assigned to Suffolk County AFB was the Connecticut Air National Guard
Connecticut Air National Guard
The Connecticut Air National Guard is the air force militia of the U.S. state of Connecticut. It is, along with the Connecticut Army National Guard, an element of the Connecticut National Guard. It is considered a part of the United States Air Force, as well as of the state...
's 103rd Fighter-Interceptor Wing (103 FIW), which was federalized and brought on to active duty on 1 June 1951. Its 118th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron flew F-47N Thunderbolts. The 103 FIW remained briefly at Suffolk County until replaced by the 45th and 75th Fighter-Interceptor Squadrons in November 1952, flying the F-86 Sabre
F-86 Sabre
The North American F-86 Sabre was a transonic jet fighter aircraft. Produced by North American Aviation, the Sabre is best known as America's first swept wing fighter which could counter the similarly-winged Soviet MiG-15 in high speed dogfights over the skies of the Korean War...
as part of the 23rd Fighter-Interceptor Group
23d Wing
The 23d Wing is a front-line United States Air Force Air Combat Command wing currently assigned to Moody Air Force Base, Georgia.-Mission:The mission of the 23d Wing is to organize, train and employ combat-ready A-10, HC-130 and HH-60, as well as pararescuemen and force protection assets...
(23 FIG).
In 1955, the 23 FIG was reassigned to Presque Isle AFB, Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
and replaced by the newly-activated 52d Fighter-Interceptor Wing (52 FIW), which flew under various designations from Suffolk County AFB until 1969, with the 2d and 5th Fighter-Interceptor Squadrons flying F-94 Starfire
F-94 Starfire
The Lockheed F-94 Starfire was the United States Air Force's first operational jet-powered all-weather interceptor aircraft. It was a development by Lockheed of the twin-seat T-33 Shooting Star trainer aircraft.-Design and development:...
, F-101 Voodoo
F-101 Voodoo
The McDonnell F-101 Voodoo was a supersonic military jet fighter which served the United States Air Force and the Royal Canadian Air Force...
and F-102 Delta Dagger
F-102 Delta Dagger
The Convair F-102 Delta Dagger was a US interceptor aircraft built as part of the backbone of the United States Air Force's air defenses in the late 1950s. Entering service in 1956, its main purpose was to intercept invading Soviet bomber fleets...
interceptors. Assigned in 1963 to the New York Air Defense Sector, the base was deactivated in 1969 as part of a general drawdown of the then-renamedAerospace Defense Command
Aerospace Defense Command
Aerospace Defense Command is an inactive United States Air Force Major Command. Established in 1946 under the United States Army Air Forces, its mission was to organize and administer the integrated air defense system of the Continental United States , exercise direct control of all active...
and released back to Suffolk County.
Military operations were reintroduced in June 1970, when the 102nd Air Refueling Squadron
102d Rescue Squadron
The 102d Rescue Squadron is a unit of the New York Air National Guard and the oldest Air National Guard unit in the United States. It has flown a number of aircraft including balloons, biplanes, and helicopters, though it currently flies the HH-60G Pavehawk and HC-130 Hercules for its missions...
(102 AREFS) of the 106th Air Refueling Group
106th Rescue Wing
The 106th Rescue Wing is an Air National Guard unit stationed at Francis S. Gabreski Airport, Westhampton Beach, New York. The mission of the wing is combat search and rescue. During peacetime, the unit also provides search and rescue services to the maritime community and NASA...
(106 ARG) of the New York Air National Guard
Air National Guard
The Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
relocated to Suffolk County with their KC-97 Stratotanker
KC-97 Stratotanker
The Boeing KC-97 Stratotanker was a United States strategic tanker aircraft based on the Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter. It was succeeded by the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker.-Design and development:...
s after the closing of Naval Air Station
Naval Air Station
A Naval Air Station is a military airbase, and consists of a permanent land-based operations locations for the military aviation division of the relevant branch of their Navy...
Floyd Bennett Field
Floyd Bennett Field
Floyd Bennett Field is New York City's first municipal airport. While no longer used as an operational commercial, military or general aviation airfield, the New York Police Department still flies its helicopters from its heliport base there...
. In 1972, the unit's mission changed from air refueling to fighter-interceptor, with the new mission of controlling the skies along the northeast U.S. coast with F-102 Delta Dagger
F-102 Delta Dagger
The Convair F-102 Delta Dagger was a US interceptor aircraft built as part of the backbone of the United States Air Force's air defenses in the late 1950s. Entering service in 1956, its main purpose was to intercept invading Soviet bomber fleets...
aircraft.
In 1975, the designation and mission changed again to "Aerospace Rescue and Recovery", later shortened to "Air Rescue" and then simply "Rescue". The current names of the 102nd Rescue Squadron (102 RQS) and 106th Rescue Wing
106th Rescue Wing
The 106th Rescue Wing is an Air National Guard unit stationed at Francis S. Gabreski Airport, Westhampton Beach, New York. The mission of the wing is combat search and rescue. During peacetime, the unit also provides search and rescue services to the maritime community and NASA...
(106 RQW) were assigned in 1995. Today, the 106 RQW provides search and rescue
Search and rescue
Search and rescue is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger.The general field of search and rescue includes many specialty sub-fields, mostly based upon terrain considerations...
services using HC-130P Hercules aircraft and HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters. The rescue wing was featured in the book and movie of The Perfect Storm which details the crash of one of the wing's HH-60G Pave Hawk rescue helicopters while conducting search and rescue operations from the airport during the 1991 Perfect Storm.
Air Force One
Air Force One
Air Force One is the official air traffic control call sign of any United States Air Force aircraft carrying the President of the United States. In common parlance the term refers to those Air Force aircraft whose primary mission is to transport the president; however, any U.S. Air Force aircraft...
was based at the airport in the summers of 1998 and 1999 during weeklong visits by President Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
and Hillary Clinton during extended stays at the Georgica Pond
Georgica Pond
Georgica Pond is a coastal lagoon on the west border of East Hampton Village and Wainscott, and was the site of a Summer White House of Bill Clinton in 1998 and 1999....
home of Steven Spielberg
Steven Spielberg
Steven Allan Spielberg KBE is an American film director, screenwriter, producer, video game designer, and studio entrepreneur. In a career of more than four decades, Spielberg's films have covered many themes and genres. Spielberg's early science-fiction and adventure films were seen as an...
in East Hampton (village), New York
East Hampton (village), New York
The Village of East Hampton is a village in Town of East Hampton, New York. It is located in Suffolk County, on the South Fork of eastern Long Island...
.
See also
- New York World War II Army AirfieldsNew York World War II Army AirfieldsDuring World War II, the United States Army Air Force established numerous airfields in New York for training pilots and aircrews of USAAF fighters and bombers....
- List of airports in New York
External links
- 106th Rescue Wing of the New York Air National GuardNew York Air National GuardThe New York Air National Guard is the air force militia of the U.S. state of New York. It is, along with the New York Army National Guard, an element of the New York National Guard. It is considered a part of the United States Air Force, as well as its state mission...
- Suffolk County Air Force Base (ADC)