Clinton-Sherman Air Force Base
Encyclopedia
- For the civil use of this facility and airport information, see Clinton-Sherman Industrial AirparkClinton-Sherman Industrial AirparkThe Clinton-Sherman Industrial Airpark, also known as the Oklahoma Spaceport is a newly authorized spaceport near Burns Flat, Oklahoma, in the western part of the state...
Clinton-Sherman Air Force Base (1954–1969) is a former 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...
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...
base located near the town of Burns Flat
Burns Flat, Oklahoma
Burns Flat is a town in Washita County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 2,057 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Burns Flat is located at ....
in Washita County
Washita County, Oklahoma
Washita County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2000, the population was 11,508. Its county seat is New Cordell. It was formerly located in Cloud Chief, Oklahoma....
, Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
, 15 miles (24 km) southwest of the city of Clinton, Oklahoma
Clinton, Oklahoma
Clinton is a city in Custer and Washita counties in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The population was 9,033 at the 2010 census.-History:The community began in 1899 when two men, J.L. Avant and E.E...
.
Today it is the site of the Clinton-Sherman Industrial Airpark
Clinton-Sherman Industrial Airpark
The Clinton-Sherman Industrial Airpark, also known as the Oklahoma Spaceport is a newly authorized spaceport near Burns Flat, Oklahoma, in the western part of the state...
.
NAS Clinton
In 1942, at the beginning of World War IIWorld 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 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...
established a naval air station
Naval Air Station
A Naval Air Station is a military airbase, and consists of a permanent land-based operations locations for the military aviation division of the relevant branch of their Navy...
on 5,000 acres (20 km²) of farmland in the area known as Burns Flat. The site was named Naval Air Station Clinton and was acquired by condemnation. Four runways and numerous installation support facilities were built. The mission of NAS Clinton was to train 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.
After the war ended, NAS Clinton was closed in June 1946, but for a period of time was used as a "graveyard" for thousands of naval aircraft from the war. Some of these planes were sold to individuals or companies, but most were dismantled and melted and sold as scrap. A portion of the airfield was leased by Sherman Iron Works for use in salvaging surplus combat aircraft and parts.
On 27 January 1949, the United States of America (acting by and through the War Assets Administration
War Assets Administration
The War Assets Administration was established in the Office for Emergency Management, effective March 25, 1946, by EO 9689, January 31, 1946. American factorieshad produced massive amounts of weaponry during the World War II...
) conveyed the installation to the City of Clinton, Oklahoma
Clinton, Oklahoma
Clinton is a city in Custer and Washita counties in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The population was 9,033 at the 2010 census.-History:The community began in 1899 when two men, J.L. Avant and E.E...
by quitclaim deed. The deed contained a recapture clause for national emergency purposes. After the transfer the installation was used for a time as a civilian airport.
Clinton-Sherman AFB
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...
for the purpose of rehabilitating buildings on the former NAS Clinton facility, and transition of the facility into an active Air Force base
Air Force Base
An Air Force Base is a military airbase of any of a number of air forces, such as the United States Air Force or South African Air Force ....
supporting the 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...
(SAC).
On 15 September 1954, the United States of America leased the site from the City of Clinton to be used as an 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...
Base. The site consisted of 528 acres (2.1 km²) of land in fee and 3579.04 acres (14.5 km²) of easements.
On 15 March 1955 the formal transfer of the base was made to the USAF. The facility was renamed Clinton-Sherman Air Force Base, with the name being derived from the nearby city of Clinton, Oklahoma and the Sherman Iron Works. The Air Force modernized the old World War II naval air station with many new buildings, as well as constructing a 13000 ft (3,962.4 m) main runway to support Boeing B-52 Stratofortress bombers.
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...
activated the 4123rd Strategic Wing (4123 SW) to perform B-52 pilot training and development of aircraft equipment. It continued this mission until 15 November 1962 when the wing was inactivated. The 98th Bombardment Squadron (1959–63) operated B-52E Stratofortress aircraft on operationally-ready status while assigned to the 4123 SW.
The 4123 SW was replaced by the 70th Bombardment Wing
70th Intelligence Wing
The 70th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing is a United States Air Force unit assigned to the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency. It is stationed at Fort George G...
, Heavy which absorbed the personnel and equipment of the training wing. The 70 BW was placed on operational status upon activation with the 61st and 98th Bombardment Squadrons being its operational flying squadrons. On 1 February 1963, the 98 BS was inactivated with its personnel and equipment being transferred to the newly established 6th Bombardment Squadron.
Initially equipped with B-52E models, the 70 BW was upgraded to the B-52D in 1968 along with some older B-52Cs which had limited use. It conducted strategic bombardment training and air refueling missions from February 1963 to December 1969.
In addition to the training missions (Matagorda Island Test Bomb-sight, Torrejon Spain, etc), the 70th BW maintained a 24-hour watch "Christmas Tree" of eight nuclear-loaded B-52s (each with two additional 'Hound Dog' standoff nuclear missiles), and an "Alert Barracks" manned by full 24-hour mission crews adjacent to the Christmas Tree. (The Christmas-Tree area is clearly shown at the north end of the main runway in the aerial photo of the runway.) The 70th BW additionally took part in the "Polar Route" missions (Curtis LeMay's constant armed B-52s in the air) in rotation with other SAC bases.
In addition to the SAC 70th BW mission, Clinton-Sherman acted as (1) a refueling and layover point for cross-country USAF and Naval aircraft (mainly fighter aircraft of all sorts); (2) as a flight training destination for US Army helicopters from Fort Sill and fighter trainers from Vance AFB; and (3) as a diversion landing field when Tinker AFB was locked in by weather or traffic considerations.
Preceding 2 paragraphs from a member of the Clinton-Sherman 'Base Ops' crew (we called in all aircraft flight plans), from mid-'63 to May'64.
For several months in both 1968 and 1969, all of the 70 BW aircraft, most of the aircrew and maintenance personnel and some of its support people were loaned to other SAC units engaged in combat operations in the Far East and Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
. It was one of eleven SAC bomb wings that rotated such combat duty under the program known as Arc Light
Arc Light
Arc Light is the debut novel by Eric L. Harry, a techno-thriller about limited nuclear war published in 1994 and written in 1991-2.As China and Russia clash in Siberia in June 1999, nuclear missiles strike the United States. The U.S. retaliates against Russia, and World War III begins...
.
In 1969, military operations were de-emphasized and Clinton-Sherman AFB was designated for closure. Due to budgetary restrictions, the 70th Bombardment Wing was inactivated on 31 December 1969 and the USAF closed Clinton-Sherman AFB.
Post USAF Closure use
On 1 June 1971, the City of Clinton conveyed 101.43 acre (0.4104730098 km²) by Quitclaim deed to the General Services AdministrationGeneral Services Administration
The General Services Administration is an independent agency of the United States government, established in 1949 to help manage and support the basic functioning of federal agencies. The GSA supplies products and communications for U.S...
(GSA). On 3 June 1971, the United States of America and the City of Clinton, Oklahoma, by mutual agreement, terminated the lease dated 15 September 1954.
On 1 July 1971, the City of Clinton, Oklahoma, granted Midwestern Oklahoma Development Authority (MODA) a leasehold interest for a portion of the site, with said lease containing provisions for sub-leasing property. On 16 August 1972, MODA leased to the United States of America a portion of the former Clinton-Sherman Air Force Base.
On 28 February 1975, the lease between MODA and the United States of America was terminated, with the United States retaining the right to reenter and use part of the land and improvements in the event of a national emergency. On 6 October 1989, the leasehold interest between MODA and the City of Clinton was terminated
Today the site continues as the Clinton-Sherman Industrial Airpark
Clinton-Sherman Industrial Airpark
The Clinton-Sherman Industrial Airpark, also known as the Oklahoma Spaceport is a newly authorized spaceport near Burns Flat, Oklahoma, in the western part of the state...
and the runway is one of the longest in the world. The runway is used daily for private non-commercial aircraft.
In addition, the runway at Clinton-Sherman is routinely used for training purposes by USAF and USN aircraft at nearby bases. This includes Lockheed C-5A/B Galaxy
C-5 Galaxy
The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy is a large military transport aircraft built by Lockheed. It provides the United States Air Force with a heavy intercontinental-range strategic airlift capability, one that can carry outsize and oversize cargos, including all air-certifiable cargo. The Galaxy has many...
, Boeing C-17 Globemaster III
C-17 Globemaster III
The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is a large military transport aircraft. Developed for the United States Air Force from the 1980s to the early 1990s by McDonnell Douglas, the C-17 is used for rapid strategic airlift of troops and cargo to main operating bases or forward operating bases throughout...
, and Boeing KC-135 Stratotankers from Altus AFB; Boeing
Boeing
The Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace and defense corporation, founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing Corporate headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois since 2001...
E-3 Sentry
E-3 Sentry
The Boeing E-3 Sentry is an airborne warning and control system developed by Boeing as the prime contractor. Derived from the Boeing 707, it provides all-weather surveillance, command, control and communications, and is used by the United States Air Force , NATO, Royal Air Force , French Air Force...
AWACS and U.S. Navy E-6 Mercury TACAMO
TACAMO
TACAMO is a U.S. military term meaning "Take Charge and Move Out". TACAMO refers to a system of survivable communications links designed to be used in nuclear war to maintain communications between the decision makers and the triad of strategic nuclear weapon delivery systems...
aircraft from Tinker AFB; Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft from Oklahoma City Air National Guard
Air National Guard
The Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
Base; Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin is an American global aerospace, defense, security, and advanced technology company with worldwide interests. It was formed by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta in March 1995. It is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, in the Washington Metropolitan Area....
F-16 Fighting Falcon
F-16 Fighting Falcon
The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is a multirole jet fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force . Designed as an air superiority day fighter, it evolved into a successful all-weather multirole aircraft. Over 4,400 aircraft have been built since...
s from Tulsa Air National Guard
Air National Guard
The Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
Base; and Raytheon
Raytheon
Raytheon Company is a major American defense contractor and industrial corporation with core manufacturing concentrations in weapons and military and commercial electronics. It was previously involved in corporate and special-mission aircraft until early 2007...
T-1 Jayhawks and Northrup T-38 Talons
T-38 Talon
The Northrop T-38 Talon is a twin-engine supersonic jet trainer. It was the world's first supersonic trainer and is also the most produced. The T-38 remains in service as of 2011 in air forces throughout the world....
from Vance AFB. The U.S. Air Force has also used the Clinton-Sherman site for training exercises such as "Mighty Force" and other exercises with personnel from Altus AFB or Tinker AFB.
The location of the former naval air station World War II runways to the north and west of the main runway are still visiable on aerial photographs of the airport; however they are not viable runways.
USAF Postcard Gallery
Photos derived from USAF postcards of Clinton-Sherman AFB taken about 1958/1959
See also
- Oklahoma World War II Army AirfieldsOklahoma World War II Army AirfieldsDuring World War II, the United States Army Air Forces established numerous airfields in Oklahoma for training pilots and aircrews of AAF fighters and bombers or as major maintenance and supply centers....
External links
- Clinton-Sherman AFB at GlobalSecurity.orgGlobalSecurity.orgGlobalSecurity.org, launched in 2000, is a public policy organization focusing on the fields of defense, space exploration, intelligence, weapons of mass destruction and homeland security...
- Article about closing of Clinton-Sherman Air Force Base
- Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture - Clinton-Sherman Air Force Base