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Wikipedia

March Air Reserve Base

February 09, 2023

March Air Reserve Base (IATA: RIV, ICAO: KRIV, FAA LID: RIV) (March ARB), previously known as March Air Force Base (March AFB) is located in Riverside County, California between the cities of Riverside, Moreno Valley, and Perris. It is the home to the Air Force Reserve Command's Fourth Air Force (4 AF) Headquarters and the host 452d Air Mobility Wing (452 AMW), the largest air mobility wing of the Fourth Air Force.[2] In addition to multiple units of the Air Force Reserve Command supporting Air Mobility Command, Air Combat Command and Pacific Air Forces, March ARB is also home to units from the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, California Air National Guard and the California Army National Guard. For almost 50 years, March AFB was a Strategic Air Command base during the Cold War. The facility covers 2,075 acres (840 ha) of land.[3]

March Air Reserve Base
Near Moreno Valley California in the United States of America
An aerial view of March ARB in 2015
March ARB
Location in the United States
Coordinates33°52′55″N 117°15′32″W / 33.88194°N 117.25889°W / 33.88194; -117.25889 (March ARB)
TypeUS Air Reserve Base
Site information
OwnerDepartment of Defense
OperatorUS Air Force
Controlled byAir Force Reserve Command (AFRC)
ConditionOperational
Websitewww.march.afrc.af.mil/
Site history
Built1917 (1917)
Built byUS Army Air Service
In use1917 – present
Garrison information
Current
commander		Brigadier General Melissa A. Coburn
Garrison452nd Air Mobility Wing
Airfield information
IdentifiersIATA: RIV, ICAO: KRIV, FAA LID: RIV, WMO: 722860
Elevation468.1 metres (1,536 ft) AMSL
Runways
Direction Length and surface
14/32 4,054.4 metres (13,302 ft) concrete
12/30 932.9 metres (3,061 ft) concrete
Source: Federal Aviation Administration[1]

Units

 
The control tower at March (demolished in 2015)
 
The old and new control tower at March

On 1 January 1994, the 722d Air Refueling Wing was activated at then-March AFB to replace the 22d Air Refueling Wing, which was moving to McConnell AFB, KS, w/o/p/e.[4] The wing was inactivated On 1 April 1996,[4] and base responsibilities transferred to Air Force Reserve 452d Air Mobility Wing (452 AMW).

Today the host unit at March remains the 452 AMW, which in addition to its operational flying mission, also provides host base support for numerous tenant units. March JARB is also the home to Headquarters, Fourth Air Force (4 AF) of the Air Force Reserve Command and multiple units of the California Air National Guard.

Tenant units

Since 1995, March ARB has hosted alert site operations of the California Air National Guard's 144th Fighter Wing (144 FW), which is also operationally-gained by Air Combat Command. Prior to 2013, the 144 FW stationed F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft, initially consisting of F-16C/D Block 25, then F-16C/D Block 32, on alert at March. Following the wing's transition to the F-15 Eagle, the 144 FW now stations contracted South Dakota ANG (114th FW) F-16C Block 30s at this operating location in support of USNORTHCOM and NORAD.

Civilian agency flight activities include a permanently based U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air Unit, as well as a California Department of Forestry air unit that uses the base on an intermittent basis.

Dragon Flight is a civilian formation flight demonstration team, based at March, sponsored by the March Field Aero Club. The team uses the T-34 Mentor, making numerous appearances throughout the southwest United States each year.

March Field Airfest

The March Field Airfest, also known as Thunder Over the Empire, is a biennial air show held at March ARB. It is among the largest events in the Inland Empire and Riverside County. The show has featured such performers as the United States Air Force Thunderbirds, the F-22 Raptor and many other military and civilian demonstrations. 2010 saw the Patriots Jet Team as the highlight demonstration team of the show. Attendance for the 2010 show was estimated at over 150,000.[5] Next air show is scheduled for April 22–23, 2023.

History

March is one of the oldest airfields operated by the United States military, being established as Alessandro Flying Training Field in February 1918. It was one of thirty-two Air Service training camps established after the United States entry into World War I in April 1917.[6] The airfield was renamed March Field the following month for 2d Lieutenant Peyton C. March, Jr., the recently deceased son of then-Army Chief of Staff Peyton C. March, who was killed in an air crash in Texas just fifteen days after being commissioned.[7][8]

World War I

The establishment of March Air Force Base began in the early 20th century at a time when the United States was rushing to build up its military forces in anticipation of an entry into World War I. In 1917, in response to news from the front lines, Congressional appropriations attempted to back the plans of General George O. Squier, the Army's chief signal officer, to "put the Yankee punch into the war by building an army in the air".[9]

At the same time, the War Department announced its intentions to build several new military installations. Efforts by Frank Miller, then owner of the Mission Inn in Riverside, California, Hiram Johnson and others, succeeded in gaining War Department approval to construct an airfield at Alessandro Field located near Riverside, an airstrip used by aviators from Rockwell Field on cross-country flights from San Diego.[9]

The Army quickly set about establishing the new air field. Sergeant Charles E. Garlick, who had landed at Alessandro Field in a Curtiss JN-4 "Jenny" in November 1917, was selected to lead the advance contingent of four men to the new base from Rockwell Field. On 26 February 1918, Garlick and his crew and a group of muleskinners from nearby Colton, known to be experts in clearing land as well as for their colorful syntax, began the task of excavating the building foundations, and on 1 March 1918, Alessandro Flying Training Field was opened.[9]

On 20 March 1918, Alessandro Flying Training Field became March Field, named in honor of Second Lieutenant Peyton C. March, Jr., son of the Army Chief of Staff, who had been killed when his Curtiss JN-4 "Jenny" crashed in Fort Worth, Texas the previous month. His crash occurred two weeks after he had been commissioned in the regular United States Army Air Service.[7]

By late April 1918, enough progress had been made in the construction of the new field to allow the arrival of the first troops. The commander of the 818th Aero Squadron detachment, Captain William Carruthers, took over as the field's first commander and for a time operated out of an office in the Mission Inn. Within a record 60 days, the grain stubble-covered plain of Moreno Valley had been partially transformed to include twelve hangars, six barracks equipped for 150 men each, mess halls, a machine shop, post exchange, hospital, a supply depot, an aero repair building, bachelor officer's quarters and a residence for the commanding officer.[9] Eventually March Field saw the construction of some 50 buildings. It covered over 700 acres and could accommodate up to 1,000 personnel. Dozens of wooden buildings served as headquarters, maintenance, and officers' quarters. Enlisted men had to bivouac in tents.[9]

 
A Curtiss JN-4 "Jenny" on a training flight during World War I. This is the type of aircraft used at March Field during this era for basic pilot training of military pilots.

The first flying squadron was the 215th Aero Squadron, which was transferred from Rockwell Field, North Island, California. Later the 68th and the 289th were also transferred up from Rockwell. Only a few U.S. Army Air Service aircraft arrived with squadrons, most of the Curtiss JN-4 Jennys to be used for flight training were shipped in wooden crates by railcar.[9]

March Field served as a base for primary flight training with an eight-week course. It could accommodate a maximum of 300 students. In 1918, flight training occurred in two phases: primary and advanced. Primary training consisted of pilots learning basic flight skills under dual and solo instruction. After completion of their primary training at Mather, flight cadets were then transferred to another base for advanced training. Training units assigned to March were:[10]

  • Post Headquarters, March Field, March 1918 – April 1923
  • 68th Aero Squadron (II), June 1918 (transferred from Rockwell Field, California)
Re-designated as Squadron "A", July–November 1918
  • 215th Aero Squadron, March 1918 (transferred from Rockwell Field, California)
Re-designated as Squadron "B", July–November 1918
  • 289th Aero Squadron, August 1918 (transferred from Rockwell Field, California)
Re-designated as Squadron "C", July–November 1918
  • 293d Aero Squadron, June 1918
Re-designated as Squadron "D", July–November 1918
  • 311th Aero Squadron, June 1918
Re-designated as Squadron "E", July–November 1918
  • Flying School Detachment (Consolidation of Squadrons A-E), November 1918 – November 1919

First accident

On 2 August 1918, Standard J-1, AS-1918, crashed and was written off at March Field.[11] "By Associated Press to The Sun Riverside, Aug. 2. – William L. Ash, flying cadet at March field [sic], fell 1,000 feet in a tail spin today and was seriously injured. He suffered a fractured leg and arm and puncture of the side. It is expected he will recover. Ash lived in Pittsburg, Kansas. It was the first serious accident at March field. Ash was making his second solo flight when he fell."[12]

Post-Armistice

With the sudden end of World War I on 11 November 1918, the future operational status of March Field was unknown. Many local officials speculated that the U.S. government would keep the field open because of the outstanding combat record established by March-trained pilots in Europe. Locals also pointed to the optimal weather conditions in the Riverside area for flight training. Cadets in flight training on 11 November 1918 were allowed to complete their training, however no new cadets were assigned to the base. Also the separate training squadrons were consolidated into a single Flying School detachment, as many of the personnel assigned were being demobilized.

Inter-war years

 
Boeing P-26A Peashooters of the 17th Pursuit Group, 18 February 1935. 33–102 sits in the foreground. These aircraft were later sent to the 1st Pursuit Squadron/Group of Philippine Air Force in 1937.
 
Oblique aerial photo of March Field, taken in March 1932 looking southeast to northwest
 
The first JATO take-off, by an ERCO Ercoupe fitted with a GALCIT booster, in 1941, performed at March Field

The signing of the armistice in November 1918 did not halt training at March Field. Initially March was used by several Air Service squadrons that returned from France:[9]

  • 9th Aero Squadron: 22 July – 2 August, 15 November – 11 December 1919
  • 19th Aero Squadron: 1 October – 29 June 1921
  • 23rd Aero Squadron: 1 October 1921 – 21 March 1922

On 13 December 1919, the United States House of Representatives passed an appropriations bill for $9.6 million for the purchase of additional land at military camps “which are to be made part of the permanent military establishment.” March Field was allocated $64,000 of this amount.[13]

However, by 1921, the decision had been made to phase down all activities at the base in accordance with sharply reduced military budgets. By the spring of 1923, March Field was deactivated as an active duty airfield, however, and a small caretaker unit was assigned to the facility for administrative reasons. It was used by the aerial forestry patrol. It also was used intermittently to support small military units.[9]

March Field remained quiet for only a short time. In July 1926, Congress created the Army Air Corps and approved the Army's five-year plan which called for an expansion in pilot training and the activation of tactical units. Accordingly, funds were appropriated for the reopening of March Field in March 1927.[9]

Colonel William C. Gardenhire, assigned to direct the refurbishment of the base, had just directed his crews to replace underpinnings of many of the previous buildings when he received word the future construction would be in Spanish Mission architectural design. In time, March Field would receive permanent structures. The rehabilitation effort was nearly complete in August 1927, when Major Millard F. Harmon reported in to take over the job of base commander and commandant of the flying school. Classes began shortly after his arrival. The 13th School Group and its 47th and 53rd School Squadrons provided primary and basic flying training for future Air Force leaders such as Hoyt Vandenberg, Nathan Twining, Thomas Power and Curtis LeMay.[9]

As March Field began to take on the appearance of a permanent military installation, the base's basic mission changed. When Randolph Field began to function as a training site in 1931, March Field became an operational base. Before the end of the year, the 7th Bombardment Group, commanded by Major Carl A. Spaatz, brought its Curtiss B-2 Condor and Keystone B-3A bombers to the airfield. The activation of the 17th Pursuit Group and several subordinate units along with the arrival of the 1st Bombardment Wing initiated a period where March Field became associated with the Air Corps' heaviest aircraft as well as an assortment of fighters. Aircraft on March's flightline in the 1930s included Keystone B-4, Martin B-10/B-12 and Douglas B-18 Bolo bombers; Boeing P-12, P-26 Peashooter, and Curtiss P-36 Hawk pursuit aircraft; Northrop A-17A dive bombers and Douglas O-38 observation aircraft.[9]

In the decade before World War II, March Field took on much of its current appearance and also began to gain prominence. Lieutenant Colonel Henry H. (Hap) Arnold, base commander from 1931 to 1936, began a series of well-publicized maneuvers to gain public attention. This resulted in a visit by Governor James Rolph in March 1932, numerous visits by Hollywood celebrities including Bebe Daniels, Wallace Beery, Rochelle Hudson and others, and visits by famous aviators including Amelia Earhart. Articles in Los Angeles newspapers also kept March Field in the news and brought to it considerable public attention.[9]

Beginning in April 1933, hundreds of Civilian Conservation Corps (C.C.C.) recruits began arriving at March Field every day. They totaled over 7000 by July of that year. They were housed in tent camps while waiting for permanent facilities to be constructed. That summer, at the direction of Malin Craig, Air Corps activities at the field were essentially placed on hold while the C.C.C. program got under way, under Hap Arnold's direct oversight.[14][15]

The completion of the first phase of permanent buildings in 1934 added to the scenic quality of the base.[9]

World War II

 
World War II March Field Postcard
 
Oblique aerial photo of March Field in May 1940, just before World War II, looking north to south

The Attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941 quickly brought March Field back into the business of training aircrews.[16] Throughout World War II, many soon-to-be-famous bombardment groups performed their final training at March before embarking for duty in the Pacific. Known sub-bases and auxiliaries used for training were:

On a lighter note, entertainer Bob Hope's first USO show was held at March on 6 May 1941. He had been asked to do this show on location by his radio producer Albert Capstaff, whose brother was stationed there. Jack Benny later originated his own radio program from March Field on 11 January 1942.[9]

Postwar era

Tactical Air Command

After the war, March was assigned to the new Tactical Air Command (TAC) as part of the postwar reorganization of the Army Air Force. March was allocated to TAC's Twelfth Air Force. The first TAC unit to be assigned was the 1st Fighter Group, under the command of Colonel Frank S. Perego, being reactivated at March on 3 July 1946, replacing and absorbing the assets of the wartime 412th Fighter Group. At the time of its activation, the group's three squadrons (the 27th, 71st, and 94th Fighter Squadrons) flew Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star (after 11 June 1948 F-80), America's first operational jet fighter.

 
Lockheed F-80s of the 1st Fighter Group, 1949. F-80C 49-493 undergoing maintenance, and F-80B 45-8704 behind it. 45-8704 is now on permanent display at the Aerospace Museum of California, located at the former McClellan AFB, near Sacramento.

Few members of the 1st Fighter Group foresaw subsequent difficulties in the summer of 1946 as they trained with their new jet fighters. The 412th had reported in the summer of 1945 that the P-80 would be well suited for bomber escort, counterair, and ground support. The 1st Fighter Group trained for these and other possible strategic and tactical missions. Pilot inexperience and mechanical difficulties combined to give the P-80 a high accident rate, while parts shortages curtailed operational training. Even so, the 1st Fighter Group maintained a heavy schedule of demonstration flights that served to introduce the fighter to a curious public.[9]

On 15 August 1947, the 1st Fighter Wing was activated as part of AAF Regulation 20-15, "Reorganization of AAF Base Units and Installations," on 27 June 1947. This regulation, which laid out what became known as the Hobson Plan, prescribed a standard organizational setup for all Army Air Force bases worldwide.[9] In 1947, the 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Group (later Wing) was activated as part of a service-wide, wing-base test and assigned to March. When the wing was activated, only the 67th Reconnaissance Group was fully operational. The group was equipped with FA-26 Invaders (RB-26 after 1948) and Lockheed FP-80s (RF-80s after 1948) and was integrated with the 1st Fighter Wing, performing a wide array of day and night photographic missions in southern California. Budget constraints, though, resulted in the wing's inactivation in March 1949.[9]

Continental Air Command

In December 1948, Twelfth Air Force and March AFB were assigned from Tactical Air Command to Continental Air Command (ConAC), established on 1 December 1948. ConAC assumed jurisdiction over both TAC and the Air Defense Command (ADC). This move reflected an effort to concentrate all fighter forces deployed within the continental United States to strengthen the air defense of the North American continent.

The creation of ConAC was largely an administrative convenience: the units assigned to ConAC were dual-trained and expected to revert to their primary strategic or tactical roles after the air defense battle was won. The 1st Fighter Wing was subsequently transferred from Twelfth Air Force/TAC to Fourth Air Force/ ConAC on 20 December 1948. The first F-86As, assigned to the 94th Fighter Squadron, arrived on 15 February 1949. By the end of June the wing had received seventy-nine of its eighty-three authorized F-86s.[9]

Strategic Air Command

On 1 May 1949, March became a part of the Strategic Air Command (SAC) and the Fifteenth Air Force (15AF). On 10 May, the 22d Bombardment Wing (22 BW) was reassigned to March from Smoky Hill Air Force Base, Kansas. The 22d was equipped with the Boeing B-29 Superfortress. The 1st Fighter Wing was subsequently attached to the 22 BW on 1 July as the 22d Wing's headquarters was initially non-operational and its operational components were detached so it shared a commander with the 1st Fighter Wing. The 22d Bomb Wing became operational on 1 May 1949 and the 1st Fighter Wing was attached to it with both wings sharing the same commanding officer.[9]

The new F-86A fighter developed numerous teething troubles during its first months of service, but 1st Fighter Group mechanics gradually overcame these difficulties. When the squadrons found themselves able to launch large formations on schedule, they competed to establish various formation records. The purpose of this exercise became clear in early January 1950, when the 1st Fighter Group deployed a sizable contingent of aircraft to participate in the filming of the RKO Pictures film Jet Pilot. The group claimed a final formation record on 4 January when it passed a twenty-four plane formation (consisting of eight aircraft from each squadron) "before the cameras." (Note: The film was not released to theaters until October 1957, by which time the F-86A was obsolete).[9]

The 1st Fighter Group formed its own aerial demonstration team in January 1950. The team, dubbed the "Sabre Dancers," was composed of five members of the 27th Fighter Squadron. The Sabre Dancers made what was probably their most widely viewed flight on 22 April 1950, when they performed before an Armed Forces Day audience at Eglin AFB, Florida, that included President Harry S. Truman, most of his Cabinet, and numerous other political leaders.[9]

On 16 April 1950, the 1st Fighter Wing was redesignated as the 1st Fighter-Interceptor Wing. On 30 June 1950, the 1st Fighter-Interceptor Group was assigned to the 1st Fighter-Interceptor Wing, which was itself assigned to Fifteenth Air Force and SAC. On 1 July the wing was relieved from assignment to Fifteenth Air Force and SAC and assigned to the Fourth Air Force and ConAC. Two days later the wing issued orders establishing advanced parties of its headquarters and component organizations at Victorville (later George) AFB, California. The wing made its permanent change of station move to Victorville on 18 July.[9]

Korean War

Detached from the wing, the 22d Bombardment Group deployed its B-29s in early July 1950 to Kadena AB, Okinawa, where it came under control of FEAF Bomber Command (Provisional). On 13 July, the group flew its first mission, against the marshaling yards and oil refinery at Wonsan, North Korea. By 21 October, it had amassed fifty-seven missions against the enemy, attacking bridges, factories, industrial targets, troop concentrations, airfields, marshaling yards, communications centers, and port facilities. During four months of combat in the Korean War, the group flew 335 sorties with only fourteen aborts and dropped over 6,500 tons of bombs. It redeployed to the United States in late October and November 1950.[9]

On 2 January 1951, the 44th Bombardment Wing was activated and assigned to Fifteenth Air Force. It was equipped with refurbished B-29 and TB-29 bombers drawn from mothballed World War II storage at Pyote AFB in Texas and Davis-Monthan AFB in Arizona. It was reassigned to the 12th Air Division of Fifteenth Air Force on 10 February 1951, and then the 21st Air Division within Fifteenth Air Force on 4 August 1951. The Wing moved to Lake Charles Air Force Station, Louisiana, on 1 August 1951.[9]

On 28 March 1951, the California Air National Guard 106th Bombardment Group was activated to federal service at March and put on active duty. The group was initially equipped with refurbished B-29s and its mission was to train reservists to backfill rotating B-29 combat crews serving in Korea. While the reservists were undergoing training they were paid on the lesser reserve pay scale. The group was redesignated as the 320th Bombardment Wing replacing the 106th in December 1952. At March, the wing conducted global bombardment training and air refueling operations to meet SAC commitments. Trained B-47 cadre for 96th Bombardment Wing, Medium, December 1953 – January 1955. Deployed as a wing to RAF Brize Norton, England, 5 June – 4 September 1954, and Andersen AFB, Guam, 5 October 1956 – 11 January 1957. The 320th was inactivated on 15 December 1960. Also during the Korean War, the Air Force Reserve 330th Bombardment Group was ordered to active duty on 1 May 1951 at March. The 330th flew borrowed B-29s from the 106th Bomb Group to train the reservists on the aircraft. The group was inactivated on 16 June and its personnel were sent to bases in Japan and Okinawa as replacements for active-duty personnel with B-29 groups.[9]

Cold War

Following the return of the 22d Bombardment Group from Korea, the wing trained for proficiency in global strategic bombardment, and in 1952, the wing took delivery of Boeing KC-97 tankers, adding aerial refueling to its mission. The following year, the wing retired its B-29 fleet and replaced them with the jet-powered Boeing B-47 "Stratojet." In 1957, 22d Wing aircrews flew the longest non-stop mass flight in history: 5,840 miles (9,400 km) from England to California. General Archie Old, the Fifteenth Air Force commander, led a flight of three B-52 Stratofortresses in a flight around the world. The wing deployed to RAF Upper Heyford, England from December 1953 to March 1954.[17]

In 1960, the 452d Troop Carrier Wing was activated at March. This established the presence of the Air Force Reserve on the base with their Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcars. The wing was not tactically operational from 11 March to 15 September 1963, while the 2nd Bombardment Squadron converted to Boeing B-52B bombers and KC-135 jet tankers replaced the KC-97s. In 1966, the 2d Bomb Squadron converted to the B-52D and gained a commitment to forward deploy to the Pacific and engage in combat during the Vietnam War. In 1966, the wing absorbed the B-52Ds and added the 486th Bombardment Squadron from the inactivating 340th Bombardment Wing at Bergstrom Air Force Base, Texas when Bergstrom converted to a TAC fighter/reconnaissance base. The addition of a second tanker and bomber squadron made the 22d a "Super" wing.[9]

Vietnam War

From March to October 1967 the 22d wing was reduced to a small "rear-echelon" non-tactical organization with all tactical resources and most support resources loaned to SAC organizations involved in combat operations in Southeast Asia from U-Tapao, Thailand and Andersen AFB, Guam.[9]

The wing continued to support SAC operations in the Far East and Southeast Asia through 1975, and from April 1972 to October 1973 the wing again had all its bomber resources loaned to other organizations for combat and contingency operations. Its KC-135 resources were also on loan from April to September 1972; afterwards, a few tankers returned to wing control.[17]

Refueling mission

The 22d maintained a strategic bombardment alert posture from 1973–1982, but in 1978 it added conventional warfare missions, including mine-laying and sea reconnaissance/surveillance. After the retirement of the B-52D in 1982, the 22d Bombardment Wing was renamed the 22d Air Refueling Wing and re-equipped with new KC-10A Extenders (based on the DC-10 airliner), making the 22d the third Air Force unit to operate the giant new tankers, behind Barksdale and Seymour Johnson AFBs. Two months later, the wing lost its bomber mission and became the 22d Air Refueling Wing.[9][17]

The 22d used the KC-10A's cargo, passenger, and fuel load capacity to provide support during the evacuation of U.S. nationals as part of the invasion of Grenada in 1983. In December 1989, the wing's 22d Air Refueling Squadron inactivated and all its KC-135A Stratotankers were retired or transferred to other SAC bases. This left the KC-10-equipped 6th and 9th ARS as the wing's only flying squadrons.[17] The base was listed on the National Priorities List as a Superfund site on 21 November 1989.[18]

Post-Cold War era

In July 1990, the 163d Tactical Fighter Group changed missions and was re-designated the 163rd Tactical Reconnaissance Group, equipped with RF-4C Phantom II aircraft. The 22 ARW supported F-117 deployments to Saudi Arabia and contributed aircraft and personnel to logistics efforts in support of the liberation of Kuwait from 1990–1991. On 1 June 1992, a major Air Force reorganization resulted in the disestablishment of the Strategic Air Command. The 22d ARW was assigned to the new Air Mobility Command, and from the end of 1992 to 1994, the wing flew humanitarian airlift missions to Somalia. It also provided air refueling in support of deployments to Haiti in 1994.[17]

Air Force Reserve

In March 1993, March was chosen for realignment under the Base Realignment and Closure [BRAC] III with an effective date of 31 March 1996. In August 1993, the 445th Military Airlift Wing transferred to March from the closing Norton AFB in nearby San Bernardino. On 3 January 1994, the 22d Air Refueling Wing was reassigned without aircraft to McConnell AFB, Kansas, replacing the inactivating 384th Bomb Wing. The Air Mobility Command's 722d Air Refueling Wing stood up at March and absorbed the assets of the reassigned 22d. March's KC-10A aircraft assets would later be transferred to the 60th Airlift Wing, redesignated as the 60th Air Mobility Wing, at Travis AFB, California.[17]

Due to realignment, the 445th Military Airlift Wing was transferred to the 452d Air Refueling Wing operating the KC-135 Stratotanker which was redesignated the 452d Air Mobility Wing (452 AMW) on 1 April 1994. At approximately the same time, the 163d Tactical Reconnaissance Group also changed mission and became the 163rd Air Refueling Wing (163 ARW), operating the Boeing KC-135. On 1 April 1996, March officially became March Air Reserve Base under the Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC), ending a 78-year active duty military presence.[17]

In 2005, the 452nd retired the venerable C-141 Starlifter and commenced transition to the C-17 Globemaster III as the first AFRC unit to operate the aircraft as an independent wing not associated with an active duty C-17 wing.[17] March is currently home to nine C-17 Globemaster IIIs, which belong strictly to the Air Force Reserve Command, as well as twelve KC-135R Stratotankers. The tankers were the first in the Air Force Reserve to convert to the Block 40 Pacer CRAG modernization upgrade.

In 2007, the 163rd also saw a change in mission, transferring its KC-135R aircraft to other Air Force, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard units, with the majority of its aircraft transferred to the 452 AMW at March. The unit was then redesignated as the 163d Reconnaissance Wing (163 RW), operating the MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial system. With this change, the 163 RW also changed operational claiamncy from Air Mobility Command (AMC) to Air Combat Command (ACC).

 
A C-17 Globemaster III stationed at March

In 2010, the 912th Air Refueling Squadron (912 ARS) was reactivated and assigned to March. An active duty squadron of the Regular Air Force and the Air Mobility Command (AMC), the 912 ARS will be part of the 452 AMW under the "Active Associate" concept, working in tandem with the Air Force Reserve Command's 336th Air Refueling Squadron and 452nd Maintenance Group, while remaining under the administrative control of the 92nd Air Refueling Wing (92 ARW) at Fairchild AFB, Washington. This is an example of Total Force Integration at work.[19][20]

On July 31, 2015, the 4th Combat Camera Squadron was inactivated due to defense budget cuts. The 4th Combat Camera Squadron stood up at March in 1996 as the only combat camera squadron in the Air Force Reserve. The squadron documented more than 350 worldwide combat, humanitarian, expeditionary and training missions with still photography and video, both on the ground and aerial missions.

On January 20, 2017, the flight transporting Former President Barack Obama and his family after he left office was diverted to March after a storm shut off access to Palm Springs International Airport.[21]

Later that year, the 1st Combat Camera Squadron Operating Location Charlie was established as an aerial combat camera unit to cover the PACAF area of responsibility. This active duty unit deployed to several locations during its time to include the CENTCOM AOR as well as AFRICOM AOR. This unit also provided video and photo coverage of the post battle damage assessment from the January 6th, 2020 attack from Al-Shabaab forces in Kenya. In September 30th, 2020, the unit was shut down and consolidated back to the 1st Combat Camera Squadron in South Carolina.

In early 2020, the base was used to screen 210 individuals who had been evacuated from China due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[22]

In January 2022, March was proposed to get 12 KC-46 Pegasus refueling jets for the US Air Force Reserve, however, these will also be shared with at least one active duty unit, according to Rep. Ken Calvert, (R-Calif). “March is expected to begin operating the new aircraft in 2025 and the unit will be fully operational by 2027,” according to Sen. Dianne Feinstein, (D-Calif.)[23]

Major commands to which assigned

Major historical units assigned

 
Northrop A-17As and Martin B-10s on the flightline
 
Curtiss P-36A Hawks of the 20th Pursuit Group, 7 November 1939

United States Army Air Service (1918–1923)

  • Det, 818th Aero Sq, 1 March 1918 – 22 July 1919
  • 9th Aero Squadron,[24] 22 July – 11 December 1919
  • 23d Aero Squadron, 1 October 1921 – 21 March 1922
  • 19th Aero Squadron,[25] 1 October 1921 – 29 June 1922

United States Army Air Corps (1927–1941)

United States Army Air Forces (1941–1947)

United States Air Force (1947–1996)

United States Air Force Reserve (1996 – present)

  • 4th Combat Camera Squadron, 1 July 1996 – 31 July 2015

Airlines and destinations

Cargo

Possible redevelopment

The former March AFB land no longer needed as a result of the downsizing was given to the March Joint Powers Authority, a commission that represents the county and the base's adjoining cities. A prime example was the former SAC B-52 and KC-135 Alert Facility on the south end of the airfield. This land, now called March GlobalPort, has been developed as an air cargo center and in 2004 it was announced that air freight corporation DHL/ ABX Air was considering the base for its new Southern California hub. Competition from nearby San Bernardino International Airport (formerly Norton AFB) and Ontario International Airport, as well as opposition from residents of fast-growing Riverside and Moreno Valley, significantly reduced the viability of the March GlobalPort location. Yet despite this drawbacks, DHL / ABX Air announced on 10 December 2004 that it had chosen March as its preferred site. On 15 December 2004, DHL signed a 16-year joint-use agreement with the March Joint Powers Authority, with the company's operation expected to ultimately employ 250 to 300 workers and operate 16 cargo flights per day.[29]

By November 2008, severe competition and a weakening global economy forced DHL to announce that it would close its March GlobalPort facility by early 2009 due to low profitability. This was part of a greater DHL business model which entailed completely shutting down all domestic shipping within the US.[30] A new commercial tenant for the March GlobalPort facility has yet to be determined.

Additional proposals to convert March Air Reserve Base into a joint civil-military public use airport have also been a topic of discussion. However, multiple issues have continued to draw this proposal into question.[31][32] An original plan had the March Joint Powers Authority signing an agreement to convert March into a joint-use civil-military airport, sharing facilities between the military, DHL and the public. However, DHL's recent retrenchment from their facility at March significantly impacted the viability of such a proposal. Conversion of March into a joint civil-military facility for general aviation beyond the USAF-operated March Aero Club, as well as possible regional airline operations, has also been the subject of public protest and debate due to the potential increase in noise pollution, interference with military operations and the lack of a definitive funding stream for expanded civilian flight operations at March ARB, to include ground traffic/transportation infrastructure and requisite TSA security enhancements.[32]

Amazon Air added March ARB to its service toward the end of 2018, with up to six flights a day.[33]

Geography

March ARB is located at 33°53′56″N 117°16′35″W / 33.89889°N 117.27639°W / 33.89889; -117.27639 (33.898848, −117.276285).[34] According to the United States Census Bureau, the base has a total area of 12.0 square miles (31 km2), all of it land.

The United States Census Bureau has designated the base as its own census-designated place for statistical purposes. It had a population of 1,159 at the 2010 census, up from 370 as of the 2000 census. The ZIP code is 92518 and the area code 951.

Demographics

2000

As of the census[35] of 2000, there were 370 people, 115 households, and 93 families residing in the base. The population density was 59.4 people per square mile (22.9/km2). There were 152 housing units at an average density of 24.4 per square mile (9.4/km2). The racial makeup of the base was 64.6% White, 17.8% Black or African American, 0.5% Native American, 4.6% Asian, 1.9% Pacific Islander, 3.0% from other races, and 7.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 11.9% of the population.

There were 115 households, out of which 50.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.1% were married couples living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.3% were non-families. 13.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.2 and the average family size was 3.6.

In the base the population was spread out, with 37.0% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 35.1% from 25 to 44, 14.9% from 45 to 64, and 4.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females, there were 111.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 111.8 males.

The median income for a household in the base was $31,364, and the median income for a family was $30,455. Males had a median income of $40,625 versus $17,321 for females. The per capita income for the base was $13,765. About 10.8% of families and 13.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.7% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

2010

The 2010 United States Census[36] reported that March ARB had a population of 1,159. The population density was 97.0 people per square mile (37.4/km2). The racial makeup of March ARB was 811 (70.0%) White (66.3% Non-Hispanic White), 171 (14.8%) African American, 10 (0.9%) Native American, 35 (3.0%) Asian, 2 (0.2%) Pacific Islander, 93 (8.0%) from other races, and 37 (3.2%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 172 persons (14.8%).

The Census reported that 1,011 people (87.2% of the population) lived in households, 110 (9.5%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 38 (3.3%) were institutionalized.

There were 563 households, out of which 91 (16.2%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 196 (34.8%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 61 (10.8%) had a female householder with no husband present, 11 (2.0%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 5 (0.9%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 2 (0.4%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 273 households (48.5%) were made up of individuals, and 214 (38.0%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.80. There were 268 families (47.6% of all households); the average family size was 2.55.

The population was spread out, with 156 people (13.5%) under the age of 18, 36 people (3.1%) aged 18 to 24, 155 people (13.4%) aged 25 to 44, 246 people (21.2%) aged 45 to 64, and 566 people (48.8%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 63.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 106.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.4 males.

There were 716 housing units at an average density of 59.9 per square mile (23.1/km2), of which 81 (14.4%) were owner-occupied, and 482 (85.6%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.4%; the rental vacancy rate was 17.4%. 119 people (10.3% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 892 people (77.0%) lived in rental housing units.

Politics

In the California State Legislature, March ARB is in the 31st Senate District, represented by Democrat Richard Roth, and in the 61st Assembly District, represented by Democrat Tina McKinnor.[37]

In the United States House of Representatives, March ARB is in California's 41st congressional district, represented by Republican Ken Calvert.[38]

See also

Footnotes

  1. ^ "Airport Diagram – March AFB (KRIV)" (PDF). Federal Aviation Administration. 21 May 2020. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  2. ^ "US Fourth Air Force". Retrieved 23 November 2010.
  3. ^ FAA Airport Form 5010 for RIV PDF, effective 23 May 2019.
  4. ^ a b "Air Force History Index". airforcehistoryindex.org.
  5. ^ Soifer, Jerry (1 May 2010). "Crowds get an up-close look at F-22 Raptors at March Airfest in Moreno Valley". The Press Enterprise. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
  6. ^ William R. Evinger: Directory of Military Bases in the U.S., Oryx Press, Phoenix, Ariz., 1991, p. 147.
  7. ^ a b Armed Services Press, Welcome to March Air Force Base – 1971 Unofficial Guide and Directory, Riverside, California, 1971, page 3.
  8. ^ Location of U.S. Aviation Fields, The New York Times, 21 July 1918
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab . Marchfield.org. Archived from the original on 24 November 2010. Retrieved 23 November 2010.
  10. ^ Order of Battle of the United States Land Forces in the First World War, Volume 3, Part 3, Center of Military History, United States Army, 1949 (1988 Reprint)
  11. ^ "1908–1921 USASC–USAAS Serial Numbers".
  12. ^ Associated Press, "First Accident March Field; Flyer Killed at San Diego; Other Mishaps of Single Day", The San Bernardino Daily Sun, San Bernardino, California, Saturday 3 August 1918, Volume XLVIII, Number 134, p. 2.
  13. ^ United Press, “House Passes Bill To Buy March Field,” Riverside Daily Press, Riverside, California, Saturday evening, 13 December 1919, Volume XXXIV, Number 269, p. 8.
  14. ^ Green, Murray (Summer 1990). Air Power History:Hap Arnold, Man on the Go (Vol. 37, No. 2 ed.). Air Force Historical Foundation. pp. 29–36. JSTOR 26271115. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  15. ^ "integrated camp? Civilian Conservation Corps in California, March Field District 1933". Pinterest. Franklin D. Roosevelt Library & Museum. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  16. ^ Houlihan, Jeff (October 2022). "March Field in World War II". Riverside During World War II. Riverside, CA: Riverside Historical Society. pp. 90–103. ISBN 979-8849200880.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h . March Air Reserve Base. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
  18. ^ . EPA. Archived from the original on 16 June 2011. Retrieved 26 April 2010.
  19. ^ Muckenfuss, Mark (3 December 2010). "Newsletters | Share Riverside: March Air Reserve Base gets new squadron". The Press Enterprise. Retrieved 4 December 2010.
  20. ^ . www.march.afrc.af.mil. Archived from the original on 13 April 2014.
  21. ^ "Ex-president Obama's plane diverted to March Air Reserve Base". The Press Enterprise. 20 January 2017.
  22. ^ Kime, Patricia (29 January 2020). "210 US evacuees fleeing China's coronavirus outbreak land at California air reserve base". Military Times. A charter flight carrying 210 evacuees from Wuhan, China, landed at March Air Reserve Base in Riverside County, California, Wednesday so passengers could be safely screened for the coronavirus.
  23. ^ March Air Reserve Base is top pick to host new KC-46 tankers, Rachel S. Cohen, DefenseNews.com, 2022-01-27
  24. ^ "9th Bomb Squadron". www.globalsecurity.org.
  25. ^ "19th Fighter Squadron [19th FS]". www.globalsecurity.org.
  26. ^ "95th Reconnaissance Squadron [95th RS]". www.globalsecurity.org.
  27. ^ "A Brief History of the 41st Bomb Group 1940–1946". 41stbombgrp.com.
  28. ^ a b c d "Amazon Air cleared for 5 cargo flights a day from March Air Reserve Base". August 2018. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  29. ^ Trone, Kinberly (11 December 2004). "DHL Picks March". The Press-Enterprise. pp. A1.
  30. ^ "DHL to unload U.S. operations, close West Coast hub in Riverside". The Press Enterprise. 10 November 2008. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
  31. ^ "March air base gets tentative OK for general aviation". The Press Enterprise. 5 May 2008. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
  32. ^ a b "Civilian aircraft rocket to top of March Joint Powers Commission's agenda". The Press Enterprise. 7 May 2008. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
  33. ^ "Amazon Air to start operations at March Air Reserve Base". ABC 7 News. 10 October 2018. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
  34. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 12 February 2011. Retrieved 23 April 2011.
  35. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 31 January 2008.
  36. ^ "2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA – March ARB CDP". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 15 July 2014. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  37. ^ . UC Regents. Archived from the original on 1 February 2015. Retrieved 22 November 2014.
  38. ^ "California's 41st Congressional District - Representatives & District Map". Civic Impulse, LLC. Retrieved 6 October 2014.

References

  • Butler, William J. (2009). Images of America: March Air Force Base. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing. p. 127. ISBN 978-0738571591.
  • Martin, Patrick (1994). Tail Code: The Complete History of USAF Tactical Aircraft Tail Code Markings. Schiffer Military Aviation History. ISBN 0887405134.
  • Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1983) [1961]. Air Force Combat Units of World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 978-0912799025. OCLC 9644436.
  • Menard, David W. (1998) Before Centuries: USAFE Fighters, 1948–1959. Howell Press Inc. ISBN 1574270796
  • Mueller, Robert (1989). Air Force Bases, Vol. I, Active Air Force Bases Within the United States of America on 17 September 1982 (PDF). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0912799536.
  • Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings, Lineage & Honors Histories 1947–1977. Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0912799129.
  • Rogers, Brian. (2005). United States Air Force Unit Designations Since 1978. Hinkley, UK: Midland Publications. ISBN 1857801970.

Attribution

  This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency.
  This article incorporates public domain material from March Air Reserve Base. United States Air Force.

External links

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to March Air Reserve Base.
  • FAA Airport Diagram (PDF), effective January 26, 2023
  • Resources for this U.S. military airport:
    • FAA airport information for RIV
    • AirNav airport information for KRIV
    • ASN accident history for RIV
    • NOAA/NWS latest weather observations
    • SkyVector aeronautical chart for KRIV
  • Official website  
  • U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: March Field (populated place) [entry date: 1999]
  • U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: March Air Reserve Base (airport) [entry date: 2011]
  • U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: March Air Reserve Base (military) [entry date: 2008]
  • U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: March Air Reserve Base Census Designated Place [entry date: 2008]

February 09, 2023
march, reserve, base, iata, icao, kriv, march, previously, known, march, force, base, march, located, riverside, county, california, between, cities, riverside, moreno, valley, perris, home, force, reserve, command, fourth, force, headquarters, host, 452d, mob. March Air Reserve Base IATA RIV ICAO KRIV FAA LID RIV March ARB previously known as March Air Force Base March AFB is located in Riverside County California between the cities of Riverside Moreno Valley and Perris It is the home to the Air Force Reserve Command s Fourth Air Force 4 AF Headquarters and the host 452d Air Mobility Wing 452 AMW the largest air mobility wing of the Fourth Air Force 2 In addition to multiple units of the Air Force Reserve Command supporting Air Mobility Command Air Combat Command and Pacific Air Forces March ARB is also home to units from the Army Reserve Navy Reserve Marine Corps Reserve California Air National Guard and the California Army National Guard For almost 50 years March AFB was a Strategic Air Command base during the Cold War The facility covers 2 075 acres 840 ha of land 3 March Air Reserve BaseNear Moreno Valley California in the United States of AmericaAn aerial view of March ARB in 2015March ARBLocation in the United StatesCoordinates33 52 55 N 117 15 32 W 33 88194 N 117 25889 W 33 88194 117 25889 March ARB TypeUS Air Reserve BaseSite informationOwnerDepartment of DefenseOperatorUS Air ForceControlled byAir Force Reserve Command AFRC ConditionOperationalWebsitewww march afrc af mil Site historyBuilt1917 1917 Built byUS Army Air ServiceIn use1917 presentGarrison informationCurrentcommanderBrigadier General Melissa A CoburnGarrison452nd Air Mobility WingAirfield informationIdentifiersIATA RIV ICAO KRIV FAA LID RIV WMO 722860Elevation468 1 metres 1 536 ft AMSLRunwaysDirection Length and surface14 32 4 054 4 metres 13 302 ft concrete12 30 932 9 metres 3 061 ft concreteSource Federal Aviation Administration 1 Contents 1 Units 1 1 Tenant units 2 March Field Airfest 3 History 3 1 World War I 3 2 First accident 3 3 Post Armistice 3 4 Inter war years 3 5 World War II 3 6 Postwar era 3 6 1 Tactical Air Command 3 6 2 Continental Air Command 3 6 3 Strategic Air Command 3 7 Korean War 3 8 Cold War 3 9 Vietnam War 3 10 Refueling mission 3 11 Post Cold War era 3 12 Air Force Reserve 3 13 Major commands to which assigned 3 14 Major historical units assigned 4 Airlines and destinations 4 1 Cargo 5 Possible redevelopment 6 Geography 7 Demographics 7 1 2000 7 2 2010 8 Politics 9 See also 9 1 Footnotes 10 References 11 Attribution 12 External linksUnits Edit The control tower at March demolished in 2015 The old and new control tower at March On 1 January 1994 the 722d Air Refueling Wing was activated at then March AFB to replace the 22d Air Refueling Wing which was moving to McConnell AFB KS w o p e 4 The wing was inactivated On 1 April 1996 4 and base responsibilities transferred to Air Force Reserve 452d Air Mobility Wing 452 AMW Today the host unit at March remains the 452 AMW which in addition to its operational flying mission also provides host base support for numerous tenant units March JARB is also the home to Headquarters Fourth Air Force 4 AF of the Air Force Reserve Command and multiple units of the California Air National Guard 452d Air Mobility Wing 452d Operations Group 336th Air Refueling Squadron 729th Airlift Squadron 452d Operations Support Squadron 912th Air Refueling Squadron Active Duty Associate Squadron 452d Maintenance Group 452d Mission Support Group 452d Medical Group 1st Combat Camera Squadron Operating Location Charlie established late 2017 Tenant units Edit Fourth Air Force 163d Attack Wing California Air National Guard 144th Fighter Wing Detachment 1 California Air National Guard 701st Combat Operations Squadron 610th Air Operations Group Tenth Air Force 362d Air Force Recruiting Squadron 372d Recruiting Group Air Force Recruiting Service AFN Broadcast Center Defense Media Center Defense Visual Information Center Defense Media Activity 653d Area Support Group Army Reserve Center 304th Sustainment Brigade 358th Civil Affairs Brigade 351st Civil Affairs Command United States Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command Naval and Marine Corps Reserve Center Air and Marine Operations Center CBP Air and Marine Operations Civil Air Patrol California Wing Inland Empire Group III 45th Composite Squadron Defense Commissary Agency Army amp Air Force Exchange Service March Joint Powers AuthoritySince 1995 March ARB has hosted alert site operations of the California Air National Guard s 144th Fighter Wing 144 FW which is also operationally gained by Air Combat Command Prior to 2013 the 144 FW stationed F 16 Fighting Falcon aircraft initially consisting of F 16C D Block 25 then F 16C D Block 32 on alert at March Following the wing s transition to the F 15 Eagle the 144 FW now stations contracted South Dakota ANG 114th FW F 16C Block 30s at this operating location in support of USNORTHCOM and NORAD Civilian agency flight activities include a permanently based U S Customs and Border Protection Air Unit as well as a California Department of Forestry air unit that uses the base on an intermittent basis Dragon Flight is a civilian formation flight demonstration team based at March sponsored by the March Field Aero Club The team uses the T 34 Mentor making numerous appearances throughout the southwest United States each year March Field Airfest EditThe March Field Airfest also known as Thunder Over the Empire is a biennial air show held at March ARB It is among the largest events in the Inland Empire and Riverside County The show has featured such performers as the United States Air Force Thunderbirds the F 22 Raptor and many other military and civilian demonstrations 2010 saw the Patriots Jet Team as the highlight demonstration team of the show Attendance for the 2010 show was estimated at over 150 000 5 Next air show is scheduled for April 22 23 2023 History EditMarch is one of the oldest airfields operated by the United States military being established as Alessandro Flying Training Field in February 1918 It was one of thirty two Air Service training camps established after the United States entry into World War I in April 1917 6 The airfield was renamed March Field the following month for 2d Lieutenant Peyton C March Jr the recently deceased son of then Army Chief of Staff Peyton C March who was killed in an air crash in Texas just fifteen days after being commissioned 7 8 World War I Edit The establishment of March Air Force Base began in the early 20th century at a time when the United States was rushing to build up its military forces in anticipation of an entry into World War I In 1917 in response to news from the front lines Congressional appropriations attempted to back the plans of General George O Squier the Army s chief signal officer to put the Yankee punch into the war by building an army in the air 9 At the same time the War Department announced its intentions to build several new military installations Efforts by Frank Miller then owner of the Mission Inn in Riverside California Hiram Johnson and others succeeded in gaining War Department approval to construct an airfield at Alessandro Field located near Riverside an airstrip used by aviators from Rockwell Field on cross country flights from San Diego 9 The Army quickly set about establishing the new air field Sergeant Charles E Garlick who had landed at Alessandro Field in a Curtiss JN 4 Jenny in November 1917 was selected to lead the advance contingent of four men to the new base from Rockwell Field On 26 February 1918 Garlick and his crew and a group of muleskinners from nearby Colton known to be experts in clearing land as well as for their colorful syntax began the task of excavating the building foundations and on 1 March 1918 Alessandro Flying Training Field was opened 9 On 20 March 1918 Alessandro Flying Training Field became March Field named in honor of Second Lieutenant Peyton C March Jr son of the Army Chief of Staff who had been killed when his Curtiss JN 4 Jenny crashed in Fort Worth Texas the previous month His crash occurred two weeks after he had been commissioned in the regular United States Army Air Service 7 By late April 1918 enough progress had been made in the construction of the new field to allow the arrival of the first troops The commander of the 818th Aero Squadron detachment Captain William Carruthers took over as the field s first commander and for a time operated out of an office in the Mission Inn Within a record 60 days the grain stubble covered plain of Moreno Valley had been partially transformed to include twelve hangars six barracks equipped for 150 men each mess halls a machine shop post exchange hospital a supply depot an aero repair building bachelor officer s quarters and a residence for the commanding officer 9 Eventually March Field saw the construction of some 50 buildings It covered over 700 acres and could accommodate up to 1 000 personnel Dozens of wooden buildings served as headquarters maintenance and officers quarters Enlisted men had to bivouac in tents 9 A Curtiss JN 4 Jenny on a training flight during World War I This is the type of aircraft used at March Field during this era for basic pilot training of military pilots The first flying squadron was the 215th Aero Squadron which was transferred from Rockwell Field North Island California Later the 68th and the 289th were also transferred up from Rockwell Only a few U S Army Air Service aircraft arrived with squadrons most of the Curtiss JN 4 Jennys to be used for flight training were shipped in wooden crates by railcar 9 March Field served as a base for primary flight training with an eight week course It could accommodate a maximum of 300 students In 1918 flight training occurred in two phases primary and advanced Primary training consisted of pilots learning basic flight skills under dual and solo instruction After completion of their primary training at Mather flight cadets were then transferred to another base for advanced training Training units assigned to March were 10 Post Headquarters March Field March 1918 April 1923 68th Aero Squadron II June 1918 transferred from Rockwell Field California Re designated as Squadron A July November 1918215th Aero Squadron March 1918 transferred from Rockwell Field California Re designated as Squadron B July November 1918289th Aero Squadron August 1918 transferred from Rockwell Field California Re designated as Squadron C July November 1918293d Aero Squadron June 1918Re designated as Squadron D July November 1918311th Aero Squadron June 1918Re designated as Squadron E July November 1918Flying School Detachment Consolidation of Squadrons A E November 1918 November 1919First accident Edit On 2 August 1918 Standard J 1 AS 1918 crashed and was written off at March Field 11 By Associated Press to The Sun Riverside Aug 2 William L Ash flying cadet at March field sic fell 1 000 feet in a tail spin today and was seriously injured He suffered a fractured leg and arm and puncture of the side It is expected he will recover Ash lived in Pittsburg Kansas It was the first serious accident at March field Ash was making his second solo flight when he fell 12 Post Armistice Edit With the sudden end of World War I on 11 November 1918 the future operational status of March Field was unknown Many local officials speculated that the U S government would keep the field open because of the outstanding combat record established by March trained pilots in Europe Locals also pointed to the optimal weather conditions in the Riverside area for flight training Cadets in flight training on 11 November 1918 were allowed to complete their training however no new cadets were assigned to the base Also the separate training squadrons were consolidated into a single Flying School detachment as many of the personnel assigned were being demobilized Inter war years Edit Boeing P 26A Peashooters of the 17th Pursuit Group 18 February 1935 33 102 sits in the foreground These aircraft were later sent to the 1st Pursuit Squadron Group of Philippine Air Force in 1937 Oblique aerial photo of March Field taken in March 1932 looking southeast to northwest The first JATO take off by an ERCO Ercoupe fitted with a GALCIT booster in 1941 performed at March Field The signing of the armistice in November 1918 did not halt training at March Field Initially March was used by several Air Service squadrons that returned from France 9 9th Aero Squadron 22 July 2 August 15 November 11 December 1919 19th Aero Squadron 1 October 29 June 1921 23rd Aero Squadron 1 October 1921 21 March 1922On 13 December 1919 the United States House of Representatives passed an appropriations bill for 9 6 million for the purchase of additional land at military camps which are to be made part of the permanent military establishment March Field was allocated 64 000 of this amount 13 However by 1921 the decision had been made to phase down all activities at the base in accordance with sharply reduced military budgets By the spring of 1923 March Field was deactivated as an active duty airfield however and a small caretaker unit was assigned to the facility for administrative reasons It was used by the aerial forestry patrol It also was used intermittently to support small military units 9 March Field remained quiet for only a short time In July 1926 Congress created the Army Air Corps and approved the Army s five year plan which called for an expansion in pilot training and the activation of tactical units Accordingly funds were appropriated for the reopening of March Field in March 1927 9 Colonel William C Gardenhire assigned to direct the refurbishment of the base had just directed his crews to replace underpinnings of many of the previous buildings when he received word the future construction would be in Spanish Mission architectural design In time March Field would receive permanent structures The rehabilitation effort was nearly complete in August 1927 when Major Millard F Harmon reported in to take over the job of base commander and commandant of the flying school Classes began shortly after his arrival The 13th School Group and its 47th and 53rd School Squadrons provided primary and basic flying training for future Air Force leaders such as Hoyt Vandenberg Nathan Twining Thomas Power and Curtis LeMay 9 As March Field began to take on the appearance of a permanent military installation the base s basic mission changed When Randolph Field began to function as a training site in 1931 March Field became an operational base Before the end of the year the 7th Bombardment Group commanded by Major Carl A Spaatz brought its Curtiss B 2 Condor and Keystone B 3A bombers to the airfield The activation of the 17th Pursuit Group and several subordinate units along with the arrival of the 1st Bombardment Wing initiated a period where March Field became associated with the Air Corps heaviest aircraft as well as an assortment of fighters Aircraft on March s flightline in the 1930s included Keystone B 4 Martin B 10 B 12 and Douglas B 18 Bolo bombers Boeing P 12 P 26 Peashooter and Curtiss P 36 Hawk pursuit aircraft Northrop A 17A dive bombers and Douglas O 38 observation aircraft 9 In the decade before World War II March Field took on much of its current appearance and also began to gain prominence Lieutenant Colonel Henry H Hap Arnold base commander from 1931 to 1936 began a series of well publicized maneuvers to gain public attention This resulted in a visit by Governor James Rolph in March 1932 numerous visits by Hollywood celebrities including Bebe Daniels Wallace Beery Rochelle Hudson and others and visits by famous aviators including Amelia Earhart Articles in Los Angeles newspapers also kept March Field in the news and brought to it considerable public attention 9 Beginning in April 1933 hundreds of Civilian Conservation Corps C C C recruits began arriving at March Field every day They totaled over 7000 by July of that year They were housed in tent camps while waiting for permanent facilities to be constructed That summer at the direction of Malin Craig Air Corps activities at the field were essentially placed on hold while the C C C program got under way under Hap Arnold s direct oversight 14 15 The completion of the first phase of permanent buildings in 1934 added to the scenic quality of the base 9 World War II Edit World War II March Field Postcard Oblique aerial photo of March Field in May 1940 just before World War II looking north to south The Attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941 quickly brought March Field back into the business of training aircrews 16 Throughout World War II many soon to be famous bombardment groups performed their final training at March before embarking for duty in the Pacific Known sub bases and auxiliaries used for training were Buffalo Springs Airport 33 24 17 N 118 24 58 W 33 40472 N 118 41611 W 33 40472 118 41611 Needles Army Airfield 34 45 55 N 114 37 28 W 34 76528 N 114 62444 W 34 76528 114 62444 Shavers Summit Army Airfield 33 39 54 N 115 42 36 W 33 66500 N 115 71000 W 33 66500 115 71000On a lighter note entertainer Bob Hope s first USO show was held at March on 6 May 1941 He had been asked to do this show on location by his radio producer Albert Capstaff whose brother was stationed there Jack Benny later originated his own radio program from March Field on 11 January 1942 9 Postwar era Edit Tactical Air Command Edit After the war March was assigned to the new Tactical Air Command TAC as part of the postwar reorganization of the Army Air Force March was allocated to TAC s Twelfth Air Force The first TAC unit to be assigned was the 1st Fighter Group under the command of Colonel Frank S Perego being reactivated at March on 3 July 1946 replacing and absorbing the assets of the wartime 412th Fighter Group At the time of its activation the group s three squadrons the 27th 71st and 94th Fighter Squadrons flew Lockheed P 80 Shooting Star after 11 June 1948 F 80 America s first operational jet fighter Lockheed F 80s of the 1st Fighter Group 1949 F 80C 49 493 undergoing maintenance and F 80B 45 8704 behind it 45 8704 is now on permanent display at the Aerospace Museum of California located at the former McClellan AFB near Sacramento Few members of the 1st Fighter Group foresaw subsequent difficulties in the summer of 1946 as they trained with their new jet fighters The 412th had reported in the summer of 1945 that the P 80 would be well suited for bomber escort counterair and ground support The 1st Fighter Group trained for these and other possible strategic and tactical missions Pilot inexperience and mechanical difficulties combined to give the P 80 a high accident rate while parts shortages curtailed operational training Even so the 1st Fighter Group maintained a heavy schedule of demonstration flights that served to introduce the fighter to a curious public 9 On 15 August 1947 the 1st Fighter Wing was activated as part of AAF Regulation 20 15 Reorganization of AAF Base Units and Installations on 27 June 1947 This regulation which laid out what became known as the Hobson Plan prescribed a standard organizational setup for all Army Air Force bases worldwide 9 In 1947 the 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Group later Wing was activated as part of a service wide wing base test and assigned to March When the wing was activated only the 67th Reconnaissance Group was fully operational The group was equipped with FA 26 Invaders RB 26 after 1948 and Lockheed FP 80s RF 80s after 1948 and was integrated with the 1st Fighter Wing performing a wide array of day and night photographic missions in southern California Budget constraints though resulted in the wing s inactivation in March 1949 9 Continental Air Command Edit In December 1948 Twelfth Air Force and March AFB were assigned from Tactical Air Command to Continental Air Command ConAC established on 1 December 1948 ConAC assumed jurisdiction over both TAC and the Air Defense Command ADC This move reflected an effort to concentrate all fighter forces deployed within the continental United States to strengthen the air defense of the North American continent The creation of ConAC was largely an administrative convenience the units assigned to ConAC were dual trained and expected to revert to their primary strategic or tactical roles after the air defense battle was won The 1st Fighter Wing was subsequently transferred from Twelfth Air Force TAC to Fourth Air Force ConAC on 20 December 1948 The first F 86As assigned to the 94th Fighter Squadron arrived on 15 February 1949 By the end of June the wing had received seventy nine of its eighty three authorized F 86s 9 Strategic Air Command Edit On 1 May 1949 March became a part of the Strategic Air Command SAC and the Fifteenth Air Force 15AF On 10 May the 22d Bombardment Wing 22 BW was reassigned to March from Smoky Hill Air Force Base Kansas The 22d was equipped with the Boeing B 29 Superfortress The 1st Fighter Wing was subsequently attached to the 22 BW on 1 July as the 22d Wing s headquarters was initially non operational and its operational components were detached so it shared a commander with the 1st Fighter Wing The 22d Bomb Wing became operational on 1 May 1949 and the 1st Fighter Wing was attached to it with both wings sharing the same commanding officer 9 The new F 86A fighter developed numerous teething troubles during its first months of service but 1st Fighter Group mechanics gradually overcame these difficulties When the squadrons found themselves able to launch large formations on schedule they competed to establish various formation records The purpose of this exercise became clear in early January 1950 when the 1st Fighter Group deployed a sizable contingent of aircraft to participate in the filming of the RKO Pictures film Jet Pilot The group claimed a final formation record on 4 January when it passed a twenty four plane formation consisting of eight aircraft from each squadron before the cameras Note The film was not released to theaters until October 1957 by which time the F 86A was obsolete 9 The 1st Fighter Group formed its own aerial demonstration team in January 1950 The team dubbed the Sabre Dancers was composed of five members of the 27th Fighter Squadron The Sabre Dancers made what was probably their most widely viewed flight on 22 April 1950 when they performed before an Armed Forces Day audience at Eglin AFB Florida that included President Harry S Truman most of his Cabinet and numerous other political leaders 9 On 16 April 1950 the 1st Fighter Wing was redesignated as the 1st Fighter Interceptor Wing On 30 June 1950 the 1st Fighter Interceptor Group was assigned to the 1st Fighter Interceptor Wing which was itself assigned to Fifteenth Air Force and SAC On 1 July the wing was relieved from assignment to Fifteenth Air Force and SAC and assigned to the Fourth Air Force and ConAC Two days later the wing issued orders establishing advanced parties of its headquarters and component organizations at Victorville later George AFB California The wing made its permanent change of station move to Victorville on 18 July 9 Korean War Edit Detached from the wing the 22d Bombardment Group deployed its B 29s in early July 1950 to Kadena AB Okinawa where it came under control of FEAF Bomber Command Provisional On 13 July the group flew its first mission against the marshaling yards and oil refinery at Wonsan North Korea By 21 October it had amassed fifty seven missions against the enemy attacking bridges factories industrial targets troop concentrations airfields marshaling yards communications centers and port facilities During four months of combat in the Korean War the group flew 335 sorties with only fourteen aborts and dropped over 6 500 tons of bombs It redeployed to the United States in late October and November 1950 9 On 2 January 1951 the 44th Bombardment Wing was activated and assigned to Fifteenth Air Force It was equipped with refurbished B 29 and TB 29 bombers drawn from mothballed World War II storage at Pyote AFB in Texas and Davis Monthan AFB in Arizona It was reassigned to the 12th Air Division of Fifteenth Air Force on 10 February 1951 and then the 21st Air Division within Fifteenth Air Force on 4 August 1951 The Wing moved to Lake Charles Air Force Station Louisiana on 1 August 1951 9 On 28 March 1951 the California Air National Guard 106th Bombardment Group was activated to federal service at March and put on active duty The group was initially equipped with refurbished B 29s and its mission was to train reservists to backfill rotating B 29 combat crews serving in Korea While the reservists were undergoing training they were paid on the lesser reserve pay scale The group was redesignated as the 320th Bombardment Wing replacing the 106th in December 1952 At March the wing conducted global bombardment training and air refueling operations to meet SAC commitments Trained B 47 cadre for 96th Bombardment Wing Medium December 1953 January 1955 Deployed as a wing to RAF Brize Norton England 5 June 4 September 1954 and Andersen AFB Guam 5 October 1956 11 January 1957 The 320th was inactivated on 15 December 1960 Also during the Korean War the Air Force Reserve 330th Bombardment Group was ordered to active duty on 1 May 1951 at March The 330th flew borrowed B 29s from the 106th Bomb Group to train the reservists on the aircraft The group was inactivated on 16 June and its personnel were sent to bases in Japan and Okinawa as replacements for active duty personnel with B 29 groups 9 Cold War Edit Following the return of the 22d Bombardment Group from Korea the wing trained for proficiency in global strategic bombardment and in 1952 the wing took delivery of Boeing KC 97 tankers adding aerial refueling to its mission The following year the wing retired its B 29 fleet and replaced them with the jet powered Boeing B 47 Stratojet In 1957 22d Wing aircrews flew the longest non stop mass flight in history 5 840 miles 9 400 km from England to California General Archie Old the Fifteenth Air Force commander led a flight of three B 52 Stratofortresses in a flight around the world The wing deployed to RAF Upper Heyford England from December 1953 to March 1954 17 In 1960 the 452d Troop Carrier Wing was activated at March This established the presence of the Air Force Reserve on the base with their Fairchild C 119 Flying Boxcars The wing was not tactically operational from 11 March to 15 September 1963 while the 2nd Bombardment Squadron converted to Boeing B 52B bombers and KC 135 jet tankers replaced the KC 97s In 1966 the 2d Bomb Squadron converted to the B 52D and gained a commitment to forward deploy to the Pacific and engage in combat during the Vietnam War In 1966 the wing absorbed the B 52Ds and added the 486th Bombardment Squadron from the inactivating 340th Bombardment Wing at Bergstrom Air Force Base Texas when Bergstrom converted to a TAC fighter reconnaissance base The addition of a second tanker and bomber squadron made the 22d a Super wing 9 Vietnam War Edit From March to October 1967 the 22d wing was reduced to a small rear echelon non tactical organization with all tactical resources and most support resources loaned to SAC organizations involved in combat operations in Southeast Asia from U Tapao Thailand and Andersen AFB Guam 9 The wing continued to support SAC operations in the Far East and Southeast Asia through 1975 and from April 1972 to October 1973 the wing again had all its bomber resources loaned to other organizations for combat and contingency operations Its KC 135 resources were also on loan from April to September 1972 afterwards a few tankers returned to wing control 17 Refueling mission Edit The 22d maintained a strategic bombardment alert posture from 1973 1982 but in 1978 it added conventional warfare missions including mine laying and sea reconnaissance surveillance After the retirement of the B 52D in 1982 the 22d Bombardment Wing was renamed the 22d Air Refueling Wing and re equipped with new KC 10A Extenders based on the DC 10 airliner making the 22d the third Air Force unit to operate the giant new tankers behind Barksdale and Seymour Johnson AFBs Two months later the wing lost its bomber mission and became the 22d Air Refueling Wing 9 17 The 22d used the KC 10A s cargo passenger and fuel load capacity to provide support during the evacuation of U S nationals as part of the invasion of Grenada in 1983 In December 1989 the wing s 22d Air Refueling Squadron inactivated and all its KC 135A Stratotankers were retired or transferred to other SAC bases This left the KC 10 equipped 6th and 9th ARS as the wing s only flying squadrons 17 The base was listed on the National Priorities List as a Superfund site on 21 November 1989 18 Post Cold War era Edit In July 1990 the 163d Tactical Fighter Group changed missions and was re designated the 163rd Tactical Reconnaissance Group equipped with RF 4C Phantom II aircraft The 22 ARW supported F 117 deployments to Saudi Arabia and contributed aircraft and personnel to logistics efforts in support of the liberation of Kuwait from 1990 1991 On 1 June 1992 a major Air Force reorganization resulted in the disestablishment of the Strategic Air Command The 22d ARW was assigned to the new Air Mobility Command and from the end of 1992 to 1994 the wing flew humanitarian airlift missions to Somalia It also provided air refueling in support of deployments to Haiti in 1994 17 Air Force Reserve Edit A KC 135 Refueling Tanker at March In March 1993 March was chosen for realignment under the Base Realignment and Closure BRAC III with an effective date of 31 March 1996 In August 1993 the 445th Military Airlift Wing transferred to March from the closing Norton AFB in nearby San Bernardino On 3 January 1994 the 22d Air Refueling Wing was reassigned without aircraft to McConnell AFB Kansas replacing the inactivating 384th Bomb Wing The Air Mobility Command s 722d Air Refueling Wing stood up at March and absorbed the assets of the reassigned 22d March s KC 10A aircraft assets would later be transferred to the 60th Airlift Wing redesignated as the 60th Air Mobility Wing at Travis AFB California 17 Due to realignment the 445th Military Airlift Wing was transferred to the 452d Air Refueling Wing operating the KC 135 Stratotanker which was redesignated the 452d Air Mobility Wing 452 AMW on 1 April 1994 At approximately the same time the 163d Tactical Reconnaissance Group also changed mission and became the 163rd Air Refueling Wing 163 ARW operating the Boeing KC 135 On 1 April 1996 March officially became March Air Reserve Base under the Air Force Reserve Command AFRC ending a 78 year active duty military presence 17 In 2005 the 452nd retired the venerable C 141 Starlifter and commenced transition to the C 17 Globemaster III as the first AFRC unit to operate the aircraft as an independent wing not associated with an active duty C 17 wing 17 March is currently home to nine C 17 Globemaster IIIs which belong strictly to the Air Force Reserve Command as well as twelve KC 135R Stratotankers The tankers were the first in the Air Force Reserve to convert to the Block 40 Pacer CRAG modernization upgrade In 2007 the 163rd also saw a change in mission transferring its KC 135R aircraft to other Air Force Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard units with the majority of its aircraft transferred to the 452 AMW at March The unit was then redesignated as the 163d Reconnaissance Wing 163 RW operating the MQ 1 Predator unmanned aerial system With this change the 163 RW also changed operational claiamncy from Air Mobility Command AMC to Air Combat Command ACC A C 17 Globemaster III stationed at March In 2010 the 912th Air Refueling Squadron 912 ARS was reactivated and assigned to March An active duty squadron of the Regular Air Force and the Air Mobility Command AMC the 912 ARS will be part of the 452 AMW under the Active Associate concept working in tandem with the Air Force Reserve Command s 336th Air Refueling Squadron and 452nd Maintenance Group while remaining under the administrative control of the 92nd Air Refueling Wing 92 ARW at Fairchild AFB Washington This is an example of Total Force Integration at work 19 20 On July 31 2015 the 4th Combat Camera Squadron was inactivated due to defense budget cuts The 4th Combat Camera Squadron stood up at March in 1996 as the only combat camera squadron in the Air Force Reserve The squadron documented more than 350 worldwide combat humanitarian expeditionary and training missions with still photography and video both on the ground and aerial missions On January 20 2017 the flight transporting Former President Barack Obama and his family after he left office was diverted to March after a storm shut off access to Palm Springs International Airport 21 Later that year the 1st Combat Camera Squadron Operating Location Charlie was established as an aerial combat camera unit to cover the PACAF area of responsibility This active duty unit deployed to several locations during its time to include the CENTCOM AOR as well as AFRICOM AOR This unit also provided video and photo coverage of the post battle damage assessment from the January 6th 2020 attack from Al Shabaab forces in Kenya In September 30th 2020 the unit was shut down and consolidated back to the 1st Combat Camera Squadron in South Carolina In early 2020 the base was used to screen 210 individuals who had been evacuated from China due to the COVID 19 pandemic 22 In January 2022 March was proposed to get 12 KC 46 Pegasus refueling jets for the US Air Force Reserve however these will also be shared with at least one active duty unit according to Rep Ken Calvert R Calif March is expected to begin operating the new aircraft in 2025 and the unit will be fully operational by 2027 according to Sen Dianne Feinstein D Calif 23 Major commands to which assigned Edit United States Army Air Service 6 March 1918 April 1923 United States Army Air Corps March 1927 1 March 1935 General Headquarters GHQ Air Force 1 March 1935 31 March 1941 Fourth Air Force 31 March 1941 13 April 1945 Continental Air Forces 13 April 1945 21 March 1946 Strategic Air Command 21 March 1946 1 April 1946 Tactical Air Command 1 April 1946 1 December 1948 Continental Air Command 1 December 1948 1 May 1949 Strategic Air Command 1 May 1949 1 June 1992 Air Combat Command 1 June 1992 30 June 1996 Air Force Reserve Command 1 July 1996 presentMajor historical units assigned Edit Northrop A 17As and Martin B 10s on the flightline Curtiss P 36A Hawks of the 20th Pursuit Group 7 November 1939 United States Army Air Service 1918 1923 Det 818th Aero Sq 1 March 1918 22 July 1919 9th Aero Squadron 24 22 July 11 December 1919 23d Aero Squadron 1 October 1921 21 March 1922 19th Aero Squadron 25 1 October 1921 29 June 1922United States Army Air Corps 1927 1941 11th Bomb Squadron 3 June 31 July 1927 95th Pursuit Squadron 26 7 June 31 July 1927 44th Observation Squadron 25 June 31 July 1927 13th School Group 31 July 1927 30 April 1931 7th Bombardment Group 29 October 1931 4 December 1934 17th Pursuit Later Bombardment Group 15 July 1931 24 June 1940 19th Bombardment Group 25 October 1935 4 June 1941 30th Bombardment Group 15 January 20 May 1941 41st Bombardment Group 27 15 January 20 May 1941 14th Pursuit Group 10 June 1941 7 February 1942 51st Pursuit Group 10 June 1941 7 February 1942United States Army Air Forces 1941 1947 30th Bombardment Group 11 March 1942 28 September 1943 20th Fighter Group 4 January 11 August 1943 453rd Bombardment Group 1 October 2 December 1943 479th Fighter Group 28 October 1943 7 April 1944 473d Fighter Group 1 November 1943 31 March 1944 399th Bombardment Group 3 December 1943 31 March 1944 420th Army Air Force Base Unit 1 April 1944 9 April 1946United States Air Force 1947 1996 1st Fighter Group 1 April 1946 15 August 1947Established as 1st Fighter Wing later Fighter Interceptor Wing 15 August 1947 18 July 195067th Tactical Reconnaissance Group 25 July 25 November 1947Established as 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing 25 November 1947 28 March 194922d Bombardment Wing 10 May 1949 1 October 1982Re designated 22d Air Refueling Wing 1 October 1982 1 January 1994Fifteenth Air Force 7 November 1949 1 January 1992 330th Bombardment Wing 25 June 1949 16 June 1951 15th Air Force 7 November 1949 1 January 1992 44th Bombardment Wing 2 January 1 August 1951 12th Air Division 10 February 1951 1 January 1962 106th Bombardment Group 28 March 1951 1 December 1952 320th Bombardment Wing 1 December 1952 15 December 1960 452d Troop Carrier later Military Airlift Wing AFRES 1 November 1960 1 January 1972 452d Tactical Airlift later Air Refueling Wing AFRES 1 January 1976 1 April 1994 Southwest Air Defense Sector 1 July 1987 31 December 1994 445th Military Airlift Wing AFRES 30 March 1994 1 May 1994 United States Air Force Reserve 1996 present 4th Combat Camera Squadron 1 July 1996 31 July 2015Airlines and destinations EditCargo Edit AirlinesDestinationsAmazon AirAllentown 28 Baltimore 28 Boise Charlotte 28 Honolulu 28 Houston Intercontinental Kailua KonaPossible redevelopment EditThe former March AFB land no longer needed as a result of the downsizing was given to the March Joint Powers Authority a commission that represents the county and the base s adjoining cities A prime example was the former SAC B 52 and KC 135 Alert Facility on the south end of the airfield This land now called March GlobalPort has been developed as an air cargo center and in 2004 it was announced that air freight corporation DHL ABX Air was considering the base for its new Southern California hub Competition from nearby San Bernardino International Airport formerly Norton AFB and Ontario International Airport as well as opposition from residents of fast growing Riverside and Moreno Valley significantly reduced the viability of the March GlobalPort location Yet despite this drawbacks DHL ABX Air announced on 10 December 2004 that it had chosen March as its preferred site On 15 December 2004 DHL signed a 16 year joint use agreement with the March Joint Powers Authority with the company s operation expected to ultimately employ 250 to 300 workers and operate 16 cargo flights per day 29 By November 2008 severe competition and a weakening global economy forced DHL to announce that it would close its March GlobalPort facility by early 2009 due to low profitability This was part of a greater DHL business model which entailed completely shutting down all domestic shipping within the US 30 A new commercial tenant for the March GlobalPort facility has yet to be determined Additional proposals to convert March Air Reserve Base into a joint civil military public use airport have also been a topic of discussion However multiple issues have continued to draw this proposal into question 31 32 An original plan had the March Joint Powers Authority signing an agreement to convert March into a joint use civil military airport sharing facilities between the military DHL and the public However DHL s recent retrenchment from their facility at March significantly impacted the viability of such a proposal Conversion of March into a joint civil military facility for general aviation beyond the USAF operated March Aero Club as well as possible regional airline operations has also been the subject of public protest and debate due to the potential increase in noise pollution interference with military operations and the lack of a definitive funding stream for expanded civilian flight operations at March ARB to include ground traffic transportation infrastructure and requisite TSA security enhancements 32 Amazon Air added March ARB to its service toward the end of 2018 with up to six flights a day 33 Geography EditMarch ARB is located at 33 53 56 N 117 16 35 W 33 89889 N 117 27639 W 33 89889 117 27639 33 898848 117 276285 34 According to the United States Census Bureau the base has a total area of 12 0 square miles 31 km2 all of it land The United States Census Bureau has designated the base as its own census designated place for statistical purposes It had a population of 1 159 at the 2010 census up from 370 as of the 2000 census The ZIP code is 92518 and the area code 951 Demographics Edit2000 Edit As of the census 35 of 2000 there were 370 people 115 households and 93 families residing in the base The population density was 59 4 people per square mile 22 9 km2 There were 152 housing units at an average density of 24 4 per square mile 9 4 km2 The racial makeup of the base was 64 6 White 17 8 Black or African American 0 5 Native American 4 6 Asian 1 9 Pacific Islander 3 0 from other races and 7 6 from two or more races Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 11 9 of the population There were 115 households out of which 50 4 had children under the age of 18 living with them 66 1 were married couples living together 13 0 had a female householder with no husband present and 18 3 were non families 13 0 of all households were made up of individuals and 2 6 had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older The average household size was 3 2 and the average family size was 3 6 In the base the population was spread out with 37 0 under the age of 18 8 1 from 18 to 24 35 1 from 25 to 44 14 9 from 45 to 64 and 4 9 who were 65 years of age or older The median age was 29 years For every 100 females there were 111 4 males For every 100 females age 18 and over there were 111 8 males The median income for a household in the base was 31 364 and the median income for a family was 30 455 Males had a median income of 40 625 versus 17 321 for females The per capita income for the base was 13 765 About 10 8 of families and 13 1 of the population were below the poverty line including 19 7 of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over 2010 Edit The 2010 United States Census 36 reported that March ARB had a population of 1 159 The population density was 97 0 people per square mile 37 4 km2 The racial makeup of March ARB was 811 70 0 White 66 3 Non Hispanic White 171 14 8 African American 10 0 9 Native American 35 3 0 Asian 2 0 2 Pacific Islander 93 8 0 from other races and 37 3 2 from two or more races Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 172 persons 14 8 The Census reported that 1 011 people 87 2 of the population lived in households 110 9 5 lived in non institutionalized group quarters and 38 3 3 were institutionalized There were 563 households out of which 91 16 2 had children under the age of 18 living in them 196 34 8 were opposite sex married couples living together 61 10 8 had a female householder with no husband present 11 2 0 had a male householder with no wife present There were 5 0 9 unmarried opposite sex partnerships and 2 0 4 same sex married couples or partnerships 273 households 48 5 were made up of individuals and 214 38 0 had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older The average household size was 1 80 There were 268 families 47 6 of all households the average family size was 2 55 The population was spread out with 156 people 13 5 under the age of 18 36 people 3 1 aged 18 to 24 155 people 13 4 aged 25 to 44 246 people 21 2 aged 45 to 64 and 566 people 48 8 who were 65 years of age or older The median age was 63 0 years For every 100 females there were 106 2 males For every 100 females age 18 and over there were 103 4 males There were 716 housing units at an average density of 59 9 per square mile 23 1 km2 of which 81 14 4 were owner occupied and 482 85 6 were occupied by renters The homeowner vacancy rate was 2 4 the rental vacancy rate was 17 4 119 people 10 3 of the population lived in owner occupied housing units and 892 people 77 0 lived in rental housing units Politics EditIn the California State Legislature March ARB is in the 31st Senate District represented by Democrat Richard Roth and in the 61st Assembly District represented by Democrat Tina McKinnor 37 In the United States House of Representatives March ARB is in California s 41st congressional district represented by Republican Ken Calvert 38 See also Edit World War II portal World War I portalWestern Air Defense Force Air Defense Command California World War II Army Airfields March Field Air Museum is located adjacent to but off the grounds of March ARB and displays in its aircraft collection examples bombers fighters cargo refueling and reconnaissance aircraft many of which served at March Field March AFB and or March ARB Riverside National Cemetery is a military cemetery located west of the base and created from land formerly belonging to the base It is home to one of the four U S recognized Medal of Honor memorial sites List of Training Section Air Service airfieldsFootnotes Edit Airport Diagram March AFB KRIV PDF Federal Aviation Administration 21 May 2020 Retrieved 29 May 2020 US Fourth Air Force Retrieved 23 November 2010 FAA Airport Form 5010 for RIV PDF effective 23 May 2019 a b Air Force History Index airforcehistoryindex org Soifer Jerry 1 May 2010 Crowds get an up close look at F 22 Raptors at March Airfest in Moreno Valley The Press Enterprise Retrieved 18 September 2010 William R Evinger Directory of Military Bases in the U S Oryx Press Phoenix Ariz 1991 p 147 a b Armed Services Press Welcome to March Air Force Base 1971 Unofficial Guide and Directory Riverside California 1971 page 3 Location of U S Aviation Fields The New York Times 21 July 1918 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab History of March Air Force Base Marchfield org Archived from the original on 24 November 2010 Retrieved 23 November 2010 Order of Battle of the United States Land Forces in the First World War Volume 3 Part 3 Center of Military History United States Army 1949 1988 Reprint 1908 1921 USASC USAAS Serial Numbers Associated Press First Accident March Field Flyer Killed at San Diego Other Mishaps of Single Day The San Bernardino Daily Sun San Bernardino California Saturday 3 August 1918 Volume XLVIII Number 134 p 2 United Press House Passes Bill To Buy March Field Riverside Daily Press Riverside California Saturday evening 13 December 1919 Volume XXXIV Number 269 p 8 Green Murray Summer 1990 Air Power History Hap Arnold Man on the Go Vol 37 No 2 ed Air Force Historical Foundation pp 29 36 JSTOR 26271115 Retrieved 21 February 2022 integrated camp Civilian Conservation Corps in California March Field District 1933 Pinterest Franklin D Roosevelt Library amp Museum Retrieved 21 February 2022 Houlihan Jeff October 2022 March Field in World War II Riverside During World War II Riverside CA Riverside Historical Society pp 90 103 ISBN 979 8849200880 a b c d e f g h The 452nd Air Mobility Wing March Air Reserve Base Archived from the original on 3 March 2016 Retrieved 18 September 2010 March Air Force Base Superfund site progress profile EPA Archived from the original on 16 June 2011 Retrieved 26 April 2010 Muckenfuss Mark 3 December 2010 Newsletters Share Riverside March Air Reserve Base gets new squadron The Press Enterprise Retrieved 4 December 2010 912th Air Refueling Squadron reactivates www march afrc af mil Archived from the original on 13 April 2014 Ex president Obama s plane diverted to March Air Reserve Base The Press Enterprise 20 January 2017 Kime Patricia 29 January 2020 210 US evacuees fleeing China s coronavirus outbreak land at California air reserve base Military Times A charter flight carrying 210 evacuees from Wuhan China landed at March Air Reserve Base in Riverside County California Wednesday so passengers could be safely screened for the coronavirus March Air Reserve Base is top pick to host new KC 46 tankers Rachel S Cohen DefenseNews com 2022 01 27 9th Bomb Squadron www globalsecurity org 19th Fighter Squadron 19th FS www globalsecurity org 95th Reconnaissance Squadron 95th RS www globalsecurity org A Brief History of the 41st Bomb Group 1940 1946 41stbombgrp com a b c d Amazon Air cleared for 5 cargo flights a day from March Air Reserve Base August 2018 Retrieved 4 August 2018 Trone Kinberly 11 December 2004 DHL Picks March The Press Enterprise pp A1 DHL to unload U S operations close West Coast hub in Riverside The Press Enterprise 10 November 2008 Retrieved 18 September 2010 March air base gets tentative OK for general aviation The Press Enterprise 5 May 2008 Retrieved 18 September 2010 a b Civilian aircraft rocket to top of March Joint Powers Commission s agenda The Press Enterprise 7 May 2008 Retrieved 18 September 2010 Amazon Air to start operations at March Air Reserve Base ABC 7 News 10 October 2018 Retrieved 17 December 2018 US Gazetteer files 2010 2000 and 1990 United States Census Bureau 12 February 2011 Retrieved 23 April 2011 U S Census website United States Census Bureau Retrieved 31 January 2008 2010 Census Interactive Population Search CA March ARB CDP U S Census Bureau Archived from the original on 15 July 2014 Retrieved 12 July 2014 Statewide Database UC Regents Archived from the original on 1 February 2015 Retrieved 22 November 2014 California s 41st Congressional District Representatives amp District Map Civic Impulse LLC Retrieved 6 October 2014 References EditButler William J 2009 Images of America March Air Force Base Charleston SC Arcadia Publishing p 127 ISBN 978 0738571591 Martin Patrick 1994 Tail Code The Complete History of USAF Tactical Aircraft Tail Code Markings Schiffer Military Aviation History ISBN 0887405134 Maurer Maurer ed 1983 1961 Air Force Combat Units of World War II PDF reprint ed Washington DC Office of Air Force History ISBN 978 0912799025 OCLC 9644436 Menard David W 1998 Before Centuries USAFE Fighters 1948 1959 Howell Press Inc ISBN 1574270796 Mueller Robert 1989 Air Force Bases Vol I Active Air Force Bases Within the United States of America on 17 September 1982 PDF Washington DC Office of Air Force History ISBN 0912799536 Ravenstein Charles A 1984 Air Force Combat Wings Lineage amp Honors Histories 1947 1977 Washington DC Office of Air Force History ISBN 0912799129 Rogers Brian 2005 United States Air Force Unit Designations Since 1978 Hinkley UK Midland Publications ISBN 1857801970 USAAS USAAC USAAF USAF Aircraft Serial Numbers 1908 to presentAttribution Edit This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency This article incorporates public domain material from March Air Reserve Base United States Air Force External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to March Air Reserve Base FAA Airport Diagram PDF effective January 26 2023 Resources for this U S military airport FAA airport information for RIV AirNav airport information for KRIV ASN accident history for RIV NOAA NWS latest weather observations SkyVector aeronautical chart for KRIV Official website U S Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System March Field populated place entry date 1999 U S Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System March Air Reserve Base airport entry date 2011 U S Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System March Air Reserve Base military entry date 2008 U S Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System March Air Reserve Base Census Designated Place entry date 2008 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title March Air Reserve Base amp oldid 1135948488, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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