Orlando Air Force Base
Encyclopedia
- For the Strategic Air CommandStrategic Air CommandThe Strategic Air Command was both a Major Command of the United States Air Force and a "specified command" of the United States Department of Defense. SAC was the operational establishment in charge of America's land-based strategic bomber aircraft and land-based intercontinental ballistic...
(SAC) base in Orlando, see McCoy Air Force BaseMcCoy Air Force BaseWith McCoy's closure as an active air force installation in 1975, the site was redeveloped and is known today as Orlando International Airport, which carries the airport code MCO .- History :...
Orlando Air Force Base is a closed United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
facility, located in Orlando, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
. It was established in 1940 as a World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
training base and was also used for coastal patrols during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
The base was located just north of Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
Highway 50, directly north of the Orlando Executive Airport
Orlando Executive Airport
Orlando Executive Airport is a public-use airport located three nautical miles east of the central business district of Orlando, a city in Orange County, Florida, United States. It is owned by the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority...
. Access through the main gate was on Corrine Drive at the intersection with Bennett Drive. An additional gate was located in the northeast corner of the base on Lakemont Avenue and provided access to the cantonment area containing USAF Hospital Orlando, as well as access to and from the adjacent city of Winter Park
Winter Park, Florida
Winter Park is a suburban city in Orange County, Florida, United States. The population was 24,090 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2006 estimates, the city had a population of 28,083. It is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee Metropolitan Statistical Area...
. Orlando AFB was located approximately eight miles north of McCoy Air Force Base
McCoy Air Force Base
With McCoy's closure as an active air force installation in 1975, the site was redeveloped and is known today as Orlando International Airport, which carries the airport code MCO .- History :...
, a second USAF installation also located in Orlando.
Orlando AFB was inactivated as an Air Force installation on 31 December 1967 and jurisdiction was transferred to the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
effective
1 Janunary 1968, although the last USAF unit was not inactivated on the station until June 1970.
The installation was renamed by the Navy as Naval Training Center Orlando and conducted enlisted recruit training, selected enlisted technical school training, and nuclear power training for both officers and enlisted personnel until 1999, when it was closed per a 1993 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC
Base Realignment and Closure
Base Realignment and Closure is a process of the United States federal government directed at the administration and operation of the Armed Forces, used by the United States Department of Defense and Congress to close excess military installations and realign the total asset inventory to reduce...
) Commission decision.
World War II
Originally named Orlando Army Air Base, the installation was created when the first United States ArmyUnited States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
truck convoy rolled into this central Florida community in August 1940 to take over the existing Orlando Municipal Airport. A vast construction program was subsequently begun at the airport, extending to the north and west of the original airfield. Orlando Army Air Base was officially opened on 1 December 1940 and became the Interceptor Command School of the United States Army Air Corps
United States Army Air Corps
The United States Army Air Corps was a forerunner of the United States Air Force. Renamed from the Air Service on 2 July 1926, it was part of the United States Army and the predecessor of the United States Army Air Forces , established in 1941...
(later United States Army Air Forces
United States Army Air Forces
The United States Army Air Forces was the military aviation arm of the United States of America during and immediately after World War II, and the direct predecessor of the United States Air Force....
). During the next two years, additional land was obtained and multiple auxiliary landing fields were built throughout Central Florida to the north, south and west of the base. Nearly all these auxiliary fields continue in use today as civilian airports.
Base Units:
- 906th Army Air Forces Base Unit (Bombardment, Heavy), activated 1 March 1944
- 906th Base Bombardment Group (Redesignated from 1164th School Squadron)
- 905th Army Air Forces Base Unit (Bombardment, Heavy), activated 1 April 1944
- 901st Army Air Forces Base Unit, activated 1 June 1944
Army Air Forces School of Applied Tactics
Operations through the war years, beginning in November 1942, were centered around what became the Army Air Forces School of Applied Tactics (AAFSAT) in October 1943. Headquartered at Orlando AAB, AAFSAT's function was to train cadres from newly-formed units in combat operations under simulated field conditions as the cores around which new combat groups would be formed.In addition to its training function, the school also developed as a tactical doctrine development center, assuming the functions formerly assigned to the Air Corps Tactical School (ACTS). In this function, it also became known as the Army Air Forces Tactical Center (AAFTAC).
During 1943-1945, AAFSAT operated a combat simulation facility in Florida. Units and airfields were established throughout an 8,000-square-mile (21,000 km2) area of north central Florida designated a mock "war theater," stretching roughly from Tampa
Tâmpa
Tâmpa may refer to several villages in Romania:* Tâmpa, a village in Băcia Commune, Hunedoara County* Tâmpa, a village in Miercurea Nirajului, Mureş County* Tâmpa, a mountain in Braşov city...
to Titusville
Titusville, Florida
Titusville is a city in Brevard County, Florida in the United States. It is the county seat of Brevard County. Nicknamed Space City, USA, Titusville is on the Indian River, west of Merritt Island and the Kennedy Space Center and south-southwest of the Canaveral National Seashore...
and from Starke
Starke, Florida
Starke is a city in Bradford County, Florida, United States. The population was 5,593 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 5,769 ....
to Apalachicola
Apalachicola, Florida
Apalachicola is a city in Franklin County, Florida, on US 98 about southwest of Tallahassee. The population was 2,334 at the 2000 census. The 2005 census estimated the city's population at 2,340...
in which war games were conducted using numerous military airfields. AAFSAT also had a bombing range at Ocala Army Airfield, a service center at Leesburg Army Airfield, and an air depot at Pinecastle Army Airfield.
- 5th Bombardment Squadron (15 April 1943 – 7 January 1944; 13 February – 7 March 1944)
- 735th Bombardment Squadron735th Bombardment SquadronThe 735th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 453d Bombardment Group, stationed at Fort Dix Army Air Base, New Jersey. It was inactivated on 12 September 1945.-History:...
(Elements of deployed B-24 LiberatorB-24 LiberatorThe Consolidated B-24 Liberator was an American heavy bomber, designed by Consolidated Aircraft of San Diego, California. It was known within the company as the Model 32, and a small number of early models were sold under the name LB-30, for Land Bomber...
s from Pocatello Army Air Base, IdahoIdahoIdaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
between 29 July - 29 September 1943 flying simulated combat missions at AAFSAT) - 466th Bombardment Group466th Bombardment GroupThe 466th Bombardment Group is an inactive United States Army Air Force unit. Its last assignment was to the Second Air Force, being stationed at Davis-Monthan Field, Arizona. It was inactivated on 17 October 1945...
(Elements of group deployed B-24 LiberatorB-24 LiberatorThe Consolidated B-24 Liberator was an American heavy bomber, designed by Consolidated Aircraft of San Diego, California. It was known within the company as the Model 32, and a small number of early models were sold under the name LB-30, for Land Bomber...
s from Kearns AAB, Kearns, UtahKearns, UtahKearns is a township and census-designated place in Salt Lake County, Utah, United States. Named after Utah's U.S. Senator Thomas Kearns, it had a population of 35,731 at the 2010 Census.This was a 6.2 percent increase over the 2000 figure of 33,659...
between 1–31 October 1943, flying simulated combat missions at AAFSAT) - 382d Bombardment Group382d Bombardment GroupThe 382d Bombardment Group is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the Army Service Forces, being stationed at Camp Azna, California. It was inactivated on 4 January 1946....
(Elements of group deployed from Smoky Hill AAF, KansasKansasKansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
between 1–30 November 1944 for training in B-29B-29 SuperfortressThe B-29 Superfortress is a four-engine propeller-driven heavy bomber designed by Boeing that was flown primarily by the United States Air Forces in late-World War II and through the Korean War. The B-29 was one of the largest aircraft to see service during World War II...
Maintenance. It also flew some B-17 simulated combat missions at AAFSAT).
Night Fighter Training
Night fighter combat over the skies of England made the USAAF aware of the need for night air defense training and tactics development. The Third Air ForceThird Air Force
The Third Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Forces in Europe . It is headquartered at Ramstein Air Base, Germany....
was ordered to develop a training program to produce pilots with night fighting skills in early 1942. An Air Defense Operational Training Unit was established on 26 March. A few days later this was renamed the Interceptor Command School. One of the units assigned to the school was the 50th Pursuit Group (Interceptor)
50th Operations Group
The 50th Operations Group is a component of the 50th Space Wing, assigned to the United States Air Force Space Command. The group is stationed at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado....
, later renamed the 50th Fighter Group
50th Operations Group
The 50th Operations Group is a component of the 50th Space Wing, assigned to the United States Air Force Space Command. The group is stationed at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado....
(50th FG).
While the 10th and 313th remained as pursuit fighter training squadrons with P-40 Warhawks, the 81st was given the responsibilities of night fighter training operations. In July 1942, the 81st received one B-18 Bolo
B-18 Bolo
The Douglas B-18 Bolo was a United States Army Air Corps and Royal Canadian Air Force bomber of the late 1930s and early 1940s. The Bolo was built by Douglas Aircraft Company and based on its DC-2 and was developed to replace the Martin B-10....
and a number of modified Douglas A-20 Havocs for night fighter operations, designated P-70s. By the end of September, the Army Air Forces School of Applied Tactics' (AAFSAT) Night Fighter Department (Dark) was activated and the 81st Fighter Squadron was detached from the 50th FG and placed directly under the Department for training and operations. About 20 pilots were in the first class.
In October 1942, the personnel and equipment of the 81st were reassigned to the newly-formed 348th
348th Night Fighter Squadron
The 348th Night Fighter Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force squadron. Its last assignment was with the 481st Night Fighter Operational Training Group, based at Salinas Army Air Base, California...
and 349th Night Fighter Squadron
349th Night Fighter Squadron
The 349th Night Fighter Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force squadron. Its last assignment was with the 481st Night Fighter Operational Training Group, based at Hammer Field, California...
s, and returned to operational control of the 50th Fighter Group
50th Operations Group
The 50th Operations Group is a component of the 50th Space Wing, assigned to the United States Air Force Space Command. The group is stationed at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado....
. The 50th FG remained a training squadron at AAFSAT until early 1944.
The Night Fighter Department's immediate requirement was to train night fighter pilots for two operational squadrons that were destined for Hawaii and one for Panama. However the training program could not initially be carried out due to a lack of training aircraft. The first two classes graduated in December 1942 with only 80% of the planned flight training due to a lack of equipment, all of the pilots would be assigned to the 6th Night Fighter Squadron
6th Night Fighter Squadron
The 6th Night Fighter Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Seventh Air Force, being inactivated at Wheeler Field, Hawaii on February 20, 1947....
in Hawaii.
In early January 1943 the 349th NFS was moved to Kissimmee Army Airfield, Florida, where night fighter training would be conducted, leaving Orlando AAB to form and equip the squadrons, although some night fighter training remained at Orlando AAB.
Known Night Fighter squadrons formed/trained at Orlando AAB were:
- 414th Night Fighter Squadron, Formed Jan-Feb 1943, trained at Kissimmee AAF
- 415th Night Fighter Squadron415th Night Fighter SquadronThe 415th Tactical Fighter Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with 49th Fighter Wing stationed at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico...
, trained Feb-April 1943
- These two squadrons only received about two months training in Florida before being assigned to the Twelfth Air Force in North AfricaNorth AfricaNorth Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, linked by the Sahara to Sub-Saharan Africa. Geopolitically, the United Nations definition of Northern Africa includes eight countries or territories; Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, South Sudan, Sudan, Tunisia, and...
, where they were equipped with British Bristol BeaufighterBristol BeaufighterThe Bristol Type 156 Beaufighter, often referred to as simply the Beau, was a British long-range heavy fighter modification of the Bristol Aeroplane Company's earlier Beaufort torpedo bomber design...
s for operations.- 418th Night Fighter Squadron418th Night Fighter SquadronThe 418th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 58th Tactical Fighter Training Wing, being inactivated at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona on 1 October 1976.-World War II:...
, Trained Apr-May 1943, moved to Kissimmee AAF - 419th Night Fighter Squadron419th Night Fighter SquadronThe 419th Night Fighter Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Thirteenth Air Force, being inactivated at Floridablanca, Luzon on February 20, 1947.-History:...
, Formed Apr 1943, moved to Kissimmee AAF
- 418th Night Fighter Squadron
- Moved to EnglandEnglandEngland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
in late May 1943 to complete training under the RAF, where they were equipped with Bristol BeaufighterBristol BeaufighterThe Bristol Type 156 Beaufighter, often referred to as simply the Beau, was a British long-range heavy fighter modification of the Bristol Aeroplane Company's earlier Beaufort torpedo bomber design...
s for operations
- 420th Night Fighter Squadron, Formed June 1943, moved to Kissimmee AAF as an Operational Training Unit (OTU)
- 421st Night Fighter Squadron, Formed May as an Operational Training Unit (OTU), moved to Kissimmee AAF in October 1943
- Both squadrons became components of the 481st Night Fighter Operational Training Group (NFOTG), under the Army Air Forces Tactical Center (AAFSAT), headquartered at Orlando AAB
In September 1943, the P-70s were replaced by the purpose-built Northrup YP-61 Black Widow night fighter. P-61 trained units were:
- 422d Night Fighter Squadron, Trained Aug-Nov 1943, moved to Kissimmee AAF, returned to Orlando AAB for training Jan-Feb 1944. Deployed to England.
- 425th Night Fighter Squadron, Formed Dec 1943-Jan 1944, moved to Hammer FieldFresno Yosemite International AirportFresno Yosemite International Airport , formerly known as Fresno Air Terminal, is a joint civil-military public airport located in eastern Fresno, in Fresno County, California. The airport is more than south of Yosemite National Park on California State Route 41. The airport covers and has two...
, California, eventually deployed to England in May 1944
In January 1944, the entire program was moved to Hammer Field
Fresno Yosemite International Airport
Fresno Yosemite International Airport , formerly known as Fresno Air Terminal, is a joint civil-military public airport located in eastern Fresno, in Fresno County, California. The airport is more than south of Yosemite National Park on California State Route 41. The airport covers and has two...
, California and placed under IV Fighter Command
IV Fighter Command
The IV Fighter Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to Fourth Air Force, based at Oakland Airport, California...
. The reasons for this was that most programmed P-61 squadrons were planned for operations in the Pacific Theater and CBI, as well as the proximity of Hammer Field to the Northrup manufacturing facility at Hawthorne, California.
Night fighter training, as part of the realm of night fighting, was a pioneering effort during World War II. The units at OrlandoAAB and Kissimmee AAF accomplished what they did because of the courage and farsightedness of men in this new field of combat with limited resources and support.
On 1 June 1945, AAFSAT was redesignated as the Army Air Forces School.
Postwar era
After World War II, the base served as a separation center for airmen returning to civilian life. On 29 Nov 1945, the Army Air Forces School was relocated to Maxwell Field, Alabama. The headquarters of the Proving Ground Command was also centered at Orlando until it moved to Eglin Army Airfield, Florida on 1 July 1946. The airfield portion of the base was returned to the City of Orlando and reestablished as Orlando Municipal AirportOrlando Executive Airport
Orlando Executive Airport is a public-use airport located three nautical miles east of the central business district of Orlando, a city in Orange County, Florida, United States. It is owned by the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority...
while the non-flying side of the air base gradually reduced its operations.
When the 14th Air Force (14 AF) was reactivated in 1946, its headquarters was located at Orlando Army Air Base. With the subsequent establishment of an independent
United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
in September 1947, the name of the Orlando AAB facility was changed to Orlando Air Force Base. The base was closed and placed on standby status due to budget reductions on 1 October 1949, with jurisdiction retained by Continental Air Command
Continental Air Command
Continental Air Command was a Major Command of the United States Air Force responsible primarily for administering the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve.-Lineage:...
.
Military Air Transport Service / Military Airlift Command
Orlando Air Force Base was reopened on 1 January 1951 as an aviation engineers training facility as a result of the Korean WarKorean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
. The facility remained under the control of Continental Air Command (ConAC), with elements of the Military Air Transport Service
Military Air Transport Service
The Military Air Transport Service is an inactive Department of Defense Unified Command. Activated on 1 June 1948, MATS was a consolidation of the United States Navy Naval Air Transport Service and the United States Air Force Air Transport Command into a single, joint, unified command...
(MATS) as the principal tenants. Since Orlando AFB had returned its airfield to the City of Orlando after World War II, Air Force aircraft visiting Orlando AFB used the former airfield, the Orlando Municipal Airport (which was later renamed Herndon Airport
Orlando Executive Airport
Orlando Executive Airport is a public-use airport located three nautical miles east of the central business district of Orlando, a city in Orange County, Florida, United States. It is owned by the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority...
), as necessary. On 1 September 1951, the Air Force also reacquired the former Pinecastle Army Airfield approximately eight miles south of Orlando AFB, renaming it Pinecastle AFB. This latter facility was initially assigned to the Air Training Command
Air Training Command
Air Training Command is a former major command of the United States Army Air Forces and United States Air Force. ATC came into being as a redesignation of the Army Air Forces Training Command on July 1, 1946...
and a massive military construction program began to prepare the airfield as a training base for B-47 Stratojet
B-47 Stratojet
The Boeing Model 450 B-47 Stratojet was a long-range, six-engined, jet-powered medium bomber built to fly at high subsonic speeds and at high altitudes. It was primarily designed to drop nuclear bombs on the Soviet Union...
aircraft. Pinecastle AFB opened for full flight operations in late 1952 and the base was eventually transferred to the control of Strategic Air Command
Strategic Air Command
The Strategic Air Command was both a Major Command of the United States Air Force and a "specified command" of the United States Department of Defense. SAC was the operational establishment in charge of America's land-based strategic bomber aircraft and land-based intercontinental ballistic...
. Although visiting USAF aircraft would continue to use Herndon Airport
Orlando Executive Airport
Orlando Executive Airport is a public-use airport located three nautical miles east of the central business district of Orlando, a city in Orange County, Florida, United States. It is owned by the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority...
when visiting Orlando AFB on a periodic basis, most of these transient military aircraft would eventually migrate to Pinecastle AFB, later renamed McCoy AFB in May 1958.
Orlando AFB became the headquarters of the Military Air Transport Service
Military Air Transport Service
The Military Air Transport Service is an inactive Department of Defense Unified Command. Activated on 1 June 1948, MATS was a consolidation of the United States Navy Naval Air Transport Service and the United States Air Force Air Transport Command into a single, joint, unified command...
's Air Photographic and Charting Service (APCS) on 5 November 1952 and was joined by the formation of the 1360th Air Base Group on 1 July 1953 to support the Air Photographic and Charting Service. Full jurisdiction of the base was given to MATS on 1 July 1953, while the 1360th Air Base Group provided logistical support and other services to the many Air Force units stationed at Orlando AFB.
Another MATS unit, the Air Rescue Service
Air Rescue Service
The Air Rescue Service is a disestablished organization in the United States Air Force. Previously a subcommand of the Military Air Transport Service , a USAF major command , ARS was redesignated as the Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service on 1 Jan 1966 when MATS was redesignated as the Military...
and Flight Service, moved its headquarters to Orlando AFB in April 1954 under a joint agreement between MATS and ConAC. Flight Service was later moved when it was integrated with the Air and Airways Communications Service in 1956.
Another MATS unit, the 1380th School Squadron, operating the command's Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, was organized in May 1955 and assigned to APCS. The first class of NCOs graduated on 3 October 1955. Other units at Orlando AFB were the Orlando Air Procurement District of the Air Materiel Command; the 9186th Air Reserve Training Group; the 1278-2 AACS Detachment; the 3415th Technical Training Group; OSI (IG) USAF, Detachment 70e; area office for the USAF Auditor General, and the USAF-CAP Liaison Office for the Florida Wing of the Civil Air Patrol
Civil Air Patrol
Civil Air Patrol is a Congressionally chartered, federally supported, non-profit corporation that serves as the official civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force . CAP is a volunteer organization with an aviation-minded membership that includes people from all backgrounds, lifestyles, and...
.
USAF Hospital Orlando was also established at Orlando AFB, and was the principal military medical installation in the region, providing additional hospital-level care for military personnel and military family members at nearby Naval Air Station Sanford, which contained only a Navy Dispensary, and Pinecastle AFB-cum-McCoy AFB and Patrick AFB, which were staffed with only USAF Clincs. Additional support was provided to active duty recruiters and active duty personnel supporting various local reserve centers in the region, military retirees and all of their respective eligible familyh members.
In January 1966, Headquarters MATS at Scott AFB, Illinois was redesignated as the Military Airlift Command
Military Airlift Command
The Military Airlift Command is an inactive United States Air Force Major Command of the USAF which was headquartered at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. It was constituted on 1 January 1966 and active until the end of the Cold War, when the Air Force table of organization was revised...
(MAC), with the new command assuming responsibility for all units, installations, personnel, aircraft and equipment previously assigned to MATS. This included Orlando AFB, the 1360th Air Base Group as host unit, and all tenant units previously assigned to MATS.
Tactical Air Command
In 1950, Tactical Air CommandTactical Air Command
Tactical Air Command is an inactive United States Air Force organization. It was a Major Command of the United States Air Force, established on 21 March 1946 being headquartered at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia...
(TAC) was designated as the Air Force major command (MAJCOM) for tactical nuclear missiles, and was given the responsibility for training new missile crews. The B-61A Matador, an aerodynamic tactical missile, was under development by Air Research and Development Command at Patrick AFB and Cape Canaveral AFS, Florida. Two TAC missile squadrons, the 1st and 69th Pilotless Bomber Squadrons were attached to ARDC at Patrick AFB beginning in 1951 and 1952. They were then reassigned to the Ninth Air Force
Ninth Air Force
The Ninth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force's Air Combat Command . It is headquartered at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina....
in 1954, but remained at Patrick AFB prior to their deployment to West Germany
West Germany
West Germany is the common English, but not official, name for the Federal Republic of Germany or FRG in the period between its creation in May 1949 to German reunification on 3 October 1990....
as part of NATO.
On 1 September 1954, the third Matador squadron was formed, the 11th Pilotless Bomber Squadron at Orlando AFB, rather than at Patrick AFB. From Orlando AFB, the squadron trailered its Matador missiles to Cape Canaveral AFS for test firing. By 1956, all the pilotless bomber squadrons were redesignated as tactical missile squadrons (TMS) and another new tactical missile squadron formed at Orlando AFB was the 19th Tactical Missile Squadron on 8 June 1956. Funding shortages and cancellation of its planned deployment site in Europe led to the units inactivation only 17 days later on 25 June 1956, with its personnel reassigned to the 11th TMS. As the re-designated 11th Tactical Missile Squadron, this unit deploying to West Germany on 1 July 1956.
Tactical Air Command
Tactical Air Command
Tactical Air Command is an inactive United States Air Force organization. It was a Major Command of the United States Air Force, established on 21 March 1946 being headquartered at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia...
established its USAF Tactical Missile School (USAF TMS) under Ninth Air Force
Ninth Air Force
The Ninth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force's Air Combat Command . It is headquartered at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina....
(9 AF) at Orlando AFB on 1 July 1959. The school, however, was a formalization of the earler MGM-1 Matador
MGM-1 Matador
The Martin MGM-1 Matador was the first operational surface-to-surface cruise missile built by the United States. It was similar in concept to the German V-1, but the Matador included a radio link that allowed in-flight course corrections. This allowed accuracy to be maintained over greatly extended...
training being conducted by the 4504th Tactical Missile Wing (Training), and which established by the Ninth Air Force on 18 October 1956.
Units under the USAF TMS were:
- 4504th Tactical Missile Wing (Training), 15 October 1956-25 March 1967
- 4504th Student Squadron, 8 July 1958-19 December 1961
- 4504th Training Squadron
- 4504th Support Squadron
- Detachment 1, Holloman AFB, New Mexico
- Detachment 2, Cape Canaveral Auxiliary AFS, Florida
- 11th Tactical Missile Squadron, 1 July 1956
- Deployed to Sembach AB, West Germany, 18 June 1958
- 588th Tactical Missile Group, 8 January 1957-15 July 1958
- 24th Tactical Missile Squadron, 15 March 1957
- Deployed to Osan AB, South Korea, 15 July 1958
- 588th Support Squadron, 8 January 1957-15 July 1958
- 589th Tactical Missile Group, 15 March 1957-8 June 1958
- 17th Tactical Missile Squadron, 5 September 1955
- Deployed to Tainan AB, Taiwan, 17 June 1958
- 589th Support Squadron, 15 March 1957-8 June 1958
The 4504th Missile Training Wing
4504th Missile Training Wing
The 4504th Missile Training Wing is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to Ninth Air Force, Tactical Air Command, stationed at Orlando Air Force Base, Florida. It was inactivated on 25 March 1967-History:...
alone had 1500 assigned personnel in September 1959. In March 1967, the 4504th Missile Training Wing was inactivated and the missile training facilities were closed. The MGM-13A Matador sections were dismantled and the remaining CGM-13B Mace missiles and school components were shipped to Lowry Air Force Base
Lowry Air Force Base
Lowry Air Force Base is a former United States Air Force base located in the cities of Aurora and Denver, Colorado. Its primary mission throughout its existence was Air Force technical training and was heavily involved with the training of United States Army Air Forces bomber crews during World...
, Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
, where they were integrated into the Air Training Command
Air Training Command
Air Training Command is a former major command of the United States Army Air Forces and United States Air Force. ATC came into being as a redesignation of the Army Air Forces Training Command on July 1, 1946...
's curriculum for missile systems training. Orlando Air Force Base was closed by Military Airlift Command
Military Airlift Command
The Military Airlift Command is an inactive United States Air Force Major Command of the USAF which was headquartered at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. It was constituted on 1 January 1966 and active until the end of the Cold War, when the Air Force table of organization was revised...
on 31 December 1967 and transferred to the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
, which renamed the installation as Naval Training Center Orlando.
United States Air Force Security Service (USAFSS)
The USAFSS moved their communications monitoring and reporting detachment from MacDill AFB in Tampa, Florida to Orlando AFB during the spring of 1960. The tenant organization's designation was Detachment 3, Air Force Special Communications Center (AFSCC). Their mission was to monitor and provide communications security to U.S. Air Force major commands (MAJCOMs).United States Navy
With the consolidation of missile training by the Air Training CommandAir Training Command
Air Training Command is a former major command of the United States Army Air Forces and United States Air Force. ATC came into being as a redesignation of the Army Air Forces Training Command on July 1, 1946...
(ATC), the Air Force closed Orlando AFB on 31 December 1967, and transferred the facility, including USAF Hospital Orlando, to the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
on 1 January 1968. The installation was redesignated as Naval Training Center Orlando and the primary tenant command, Recruit Training Command Orlando (RTC Orlando), was established on 1 July 1968. NTC Orlando became the third enlisted "boot camp" for the U.S. Navy, augmenting similar facilities at NTC Great Lakes
Naval Station Great Lakes
Naval Station Great Lakes is the home of the United States Navy's only boot camp, located near the city of North Chicago, Illinois, in Lake County. Important tenant commands include the Recruit Training Command, Training Support Center and Navy Recruiting District Chicago...
, Illinois and NTC San Diego, California. NTC Orlando also acquired the female enlisted boot camp mission from a previous female-only training facility in Bainbridge, Maryland, and until 1998, was the only naval training center conducting training of both male and female Navy enlisted recruits.
USAF Hospital Orlando was also redesignated as Naval Hospital Orlando (NAVHOSP Orlando), with two additional dispensaries constructed on station for both the main base and in the recruit training area.
Just one year after the establishment of the Naval Training Center, Service Schools Command (SERVSCOLSCOM) Orlando was established, providing "A" School and "C" School training in several Navy enlisted ratings, to include Electrician's Mate, Torpedoman's Mate, Signalman and Quartermaster. The Naval Training Device Center Orlando, tasked with acquisition and program management of U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps training devices such as flight simulators, was also relocated to NTC Orlando, while the Naval Nuclear Power Training Command was established to provide training of all Navy nuclear power program personnel. Various NNPTC programs trained all enlisted personnel destined for the Submarine Service and enlisted engineering personnel to be assigned aboard nuclear powered surface vessels. NNPTC's officer programs consisted of all newly-commissioned junior officers tracking to be Submarine Warfare Officers, selected Surface Warfare Officers destined for nuclear powered surface vessels, as well as senior Naval Aviator
Naval Aviator
A United States Naval Aviator is a qualified pilot in the United States Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard.-Naming Conventions:Most Naval Aviators are Unrestricted Line Officers; however, a small number of Limited Duty Officers and Chief Warrant Officers are also trained as Naval Aviators.Until 1981...
s and Naval Flight Officer
Naval Flight Officer
A Naval Flight Officer is an aeronautically designated commissioned officer in the United States Navy or United States Marine Corps that specializes in airborne weapons and sensor systems. NFOs are not pilots per se, but they may perform many "co-pilot" functions, depending on the type of aircraft...
s selected to be executive officers and commanding officers of nuclear powered aircraft carrier
Aircraft carrier
An aircraft carrier is a warship designed with a primary mission of deploying and recovering aircraft, acting as a seagoing airbase. Aircraft carriers thus allow a naval force to project air power worldwide without having to depend on local bases for staging aircraft operations...
s.
In 1988, the Naval Training Systems Center (formerly the Naval Training Device Center) relocated to a new facility approximately 15 miles east in the Central Florida Research Park, adjacent to the University of Central Florida
University of Central Florida
The University of Central Florida, commonly referred to as UCF, is a metropolitan public research university located in Orlando, Florida, United States...
. Simulation and training commands and activities for the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Coast Guard soon followed. NTSC was later renamed the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division (NAWCTSD), a subordinate organization of the Naval Air Systems Command
Naval Air Systems Command
The Naval Air Systems Command provides material support for aircraft and airborne weapon systems for the United States Navy. NAVAIR was established in 1966 as the successor to the Navy's Bureau of Naval Weapons . Current Commander, Naval Air Systems Command, is Vice Adm. David Architzel since May...
. Today, NAWCTSD is the primary tenant of Naval Support Activity Orlando, an approximately 100 acre military cantonment area that is now considered an independent active duty U.S. Navy installation in the Orlando area.
The Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) originally considered NTC Orlando for closure in 1991, but subsequently rejected this choice and directed that the installation remain open; military construction (MILCON) programs in excess of $2 billion were subsequently executed and new construction commenced. Following a change in Presidential administrations, another BRAC
Base Realignment and Closure
Base Realignment and Closure is a process of the United States federal government directed at the administration and operation of the Armed Forces, used by the United States Department of Defense and Congress to close excess military installations and realign the total asset inventory to reduce...
identified NTC Orlando for closure in July 1993, with all closure activities to be completed no later than the end of Fiscal Year 1999.
More than 652,000 recruits graduated from NTC Orlando before the command was disestablished. Service School Command Orlando officially disestablished in November 1996 and the various schools relocated to other bases, primarily to the Naval Training Center Great Lakes, Illinois. The Naval Nuclear Power Training Command, the last major command to remain aboard NTC Orlando, graduated its final class on 17 December 1998. That command then began relocating to Naval Weapons Station Charleston, South Carolina and was in place by June 1999.
The Navy closed the facility in the Fall of 1999 and the property was sold to the City of Orlando
Orlando
Orlando is a major city in the U.S. state of Florida.Orlando may also refer to-Places:* in Florida** Orlando, a major city** Greater Orlando, the 27th-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
, which in turn sold it to a private development company. The site was fully redeveloped and today is known as Baldwin Park, a Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND). Today, the former World War II Army Air Base, Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
Air Force Base and Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
/post-Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
Naval Training Center are all but obliterated by new urban development, with only a handful of former military structures remaining. NAVHOSP Orlando was transferred to the Veteran's Administration as an outpatient clinic and most of SERVSCOLSCOM Orlando's complex was transferred to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service
Defense Finance and Accounting Service
The Defense Finance and Accounting Service is an agency of the United States Department of Defense that provides finance and accounting services for the civil and military members of the Department. Headquartered in Indianapolis, IN, it was activated on Jan. 18, 1991...
, while NAWCTSD continues to operate to this day at the separate Naval Support Activity Orlando installlation to the east. "Bluejacket Park" was established by the City of Orlando on NTC Orlando's former parade ground, commemorating the U.S. Army Air Forces, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy presence at the site from 1940 to 1999.