Larson Air Force Base
Encyclopedia
- For the civil use of this facility and airport information, see Grant County International AirportGrant County International AirportGrant County International Airport is a public use airport located five nautical miles northwest of the central business district of Moses Lake, in Grant County, Washington, United States. It is owned by the Port of Moses Lake....
Larson 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...
base located five miles (8 km) northwest of the central business district
Central business district
A central business district is the commercial and often geographic heart of a city. In North America this part of a city is commonly referred to as "downtown" or "city center"...
(CBD) of Moses Lake
Moses Lake, Washington
Moses Lake is a city in Grant County, Washington, United States. The population was 20,366 as of the 2010 census. Moses Lake is the largest city in Grant County.-Background:...
, in Grant County, Washington. After its closure, the airport was operated as Grant County International Airport
Grant County International Airport
Grant County International Airport is a public use airport located five nautical miles northwest of the central business district of Moses Lake, in Grant County, Washington, United States. It is owned by the Port of Moses Lake....
.
History
Larson Air Force Base was named in honor of Major Donald A. Larson, USAAF in May 1950. Major Larson was from Yakima, WashingtonYakima, Washington
Yakima is an American city southeast of Mount Rainier National Park and the county seat of Yakima County, Washington, United States, and the eighth largest city by population in the state itself. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 91,196 and a metropolitan population of...
and was killed 4 August 1944 on a fighter mission over Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
while assigned to the VIII Fighter Command
VIII Fighter Command
The VIII Fighter Command is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with the United States Air Forces in Europe, being stationed at RAF Honington, England. It was inactivated on 20 March 1946....
505th Fighter Squadron. He had flown 57 combat missions when his P-51D Mustang (AAF Ser. No. 44-13881) with the nose-name "Mary Queen of Scotts" was shot down and crashed near Ulzen, Germany. He was buried in the Ardennes American Cemetery
Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial
The Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial is home to the graves of 5,329 members of the United States military who died in World War II. It is one of fourteen cemeteries for American World War II dead on foreign soil, and is administered by the American Battle Monuments Commission...
at Neuville-en-Condroz, nine miles (14 km) west of Liège, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
.
His medals and decorations include the Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
, Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal
Air Medal
The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
with three clusters, Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
, American Defense Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal is a military decoration of the United States armed forces which was first created on November 6, 1942 by issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt...
with two bronze stars, American Area Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal
World War II Victory Medal
The World War II Victory Medal is a decoration of the United States military which was created by an act of Congress in July 1945. The decoration commemorates military service during World War II and is awarded to any member of the United States military, including members of the armed forces of...
(posthumously).
Major Larson enlisted as a flying cadet at McChord Field, Tacoma, Washington in April 1941. He completed advanced flight training in California and went overseas in January 1944.
World War II
Originally named Moses Lake Army Air Base, the airfield was activated on November 24, 1942 as a temporary 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...
training center. Moses Lake AAB was a sub-base of Spokane Air Technical Service Command, headquartered at Spokane Army Airfield.
The first operational training unit (OTU) at the base was the 482d Fighter Squadron, which conducted twin-engine fighter training for P-38 Lightning
P-38 Lightning
The Lockheed P-38 Lightning was a World War II American fighter aircraft built by Lockheed. Developed to a United States Army Air Corps requirement, the P-38 had distinctive twin booms and a single, central nacelle containing the cockpit and armament...
fighters. On April 5, 1943, the 396th Bombardment Group became a second OTU at the base, providing first phase heavy bomber training for the B-17 Flying Fortress with its 592d, 593d, 594th and 595th Bombardment Squadrons.
In 1945, base activity was curtailed to standby and for three years, was used to test two famous bomber aircraft: the B-47
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...
and the B-50
B-50 Superfortress
The Boeing B-50 Superfortress strategic bomber was a post-World War II revision of the Boeing B-29 Superfortress, fitted with more powerful Pratt & Whitney R-4360 radial engines, stronger structure, a taller fin, and other improvements. It was the last piston-engined bomber designed by Boeing for...
. Even though Moses Lake AAB (later Moses Lake AFB) was on standby, it was still playing a critical role in the development of the USAF
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...
aircraft. In 1949, a B-47 took-off from Larson, headed east and began a coast-to-coast speed race. The plane set a new record, completing the flight in just three hours and forty-five minutes, at an average speed of 607.2 mph (977 km/h).
Air Defense Command
Moses Lake AFB reopened as a permanent installation on August 26, 1948, being transferred from Air Material Command to the Air Defense Command (ADC). The initial ADC base operating unit was the 2755th Air Base Squadron. Under ADC, the base came under the Western Air Defense ForceWestern Air Defense Force
The Western Air Defense Force is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with Air Defense Command being stationed at Hamilton Air Force Base, California. It was inactivated on July 1, 1960.- History :...
, headquartered at Hamilton AFB, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
Interceptors
The primary mission of Larson-based ADC aircraft was to protect the secret Hanford Atomic WorksHanford Site
The Hanford Site is a mostly decommissioned nuclear production complex on the Columbia River in the U.S. state of Washington, operated by the United States federal government. The site has been known by many names, including Hanford Works, Hanford Engineer Works or HEW, Hanford Nuclear Reservation...
and the Grand Coulee Dam
Grand Coulee Dam
Grand Coulee Dam is a gravity dam on the Columbia River in the U.S. state of Washington built to produce hydroelectric power and provide irrigation. It was constructed between 1933 and 1942, originally with two power plants. A third power station was completed in 1974 to increase its energy...
.
The ADC first flying organization was the 325th Fighter-Interceptor Group
325th Fighter Wing
The 325th Fighter Wing is a wing of the United States Air Force based out of Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida.-Mission:The 325th Fighter Wing’s primary mission is to provide air dominance training for F-22 Raptor pilots and maintenance personnel and air battle managers to support the combat Air...
, arriving at the base on November 26, 1948. The mission of the 325th FIG was to conduct ADC's All Weather Combat Crew Training School. It's operational component, the 317th Fighter Interceptor Squadron
317th Fighter Interceptor Squadron
The 317th Fighter Interceptor Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit, last assigned to Aerospace Defense Command, being stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. The squadron was inactivated on December 31, 1969.-World War II:...
, initially flew P-61 Black Widow
P-61 Black Widow
The Northrop P-61 Black Widow was the first operational U.S. military aircraft designed specifically for night interception of aircraft, and was the first aircraft specifically designed to use radar. It was an all-metal, twin-engine, twin-boom design developed during World War II...
s, almost immediately transitioning to the F-82 Twin Mustang
F-82 Twin Mustang
The North American F-82 Twin Mustang was the last American piston-engine fighter ordered into production by the United States Air Force. Based on the P-51 Mustang, the F-82 was originally designed as a long-range escort fighter in World War II; however, the war ended well before the first...
. A second squadron, the 319th Fighter Interceptor Squadron arrived on September 2, 1949, being reassigned from McChord AFB. The 319th also flew the F-82 Twin Mustang. The 325th FIG remained at Moses Lake until being reassigned to McChord AFB on April 23, 1950. Its component squadrons at Moses Lake, the 317th also moved to McChord on April 23. The 319th remained until February 9, 1952 when it was reassigned to Suwon AB, South Korea flying F-94 Starfire
F-94 Starfire
The Lockheed F-94 Starfire was the United States Air Force's first operational jet-powered all-weather interceptor aircraft. It was a development by Lockheed of the twin-seat T-33 Shooting Star trainer aircraft.-Design and development:...
s.
The next ADC unit was the 81st Fighter-Interceptor Wing
81st Training Wing
The 81st Training Wing is a wing of the United States Air Force and the host wing at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. The 81st Training Wing has the Air Force’s largest Technical Training Group and trains more than 40,000 students annually...
which arrived on From November 10, 1949. The 81st FIW flew F-51D/H Mustangs, F-80C Shooting Stars and F-86A Sabres from the base. The 81st remained until September 5, 1951 when it was reassigned to NATO and deployed to RAF Shepherds Grove
RAF Shepherds Grove
RAF Shepherds Grove is a former Royal Air Force base in Suffolk England 9 miles NE of Bury St Edmunds.The base was built for the United States Army Air Force Eighth Air Force during World War II. However the facility was not used by the USAAF and was opened by 3 Group, RAF on 3 April 1944...
, England
England
England 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...
. During the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, the 116th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron (Washington 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...
) was called to active duty and activated at Moses Lake. The 116th FIS was deployed as part of 81st TFW
81st Training Wing
The 81st Training Wing is a wing of the United States Air Force and the host wing at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. The 81st Training Wing has the Air Force’s largest Technical Training Group and trains more than 40,000 students annually...
to RAF Shepherds Grove
RAF Shepherds Grove
RAF Shepherds Grove is a former Royal Air Force base in Suffolk England 9 miles NE of Bury St Edmunds.The base was built for the United States Army Air Force Eighth Air Force during World War II. However the facility was not used by the USAAF and was opened by 3 Group, RAF on 3 April 1944...
.
Radar defense
In September 1948 the Air Force authorized the Air Defense Command to put thirteen temporary radar stations in operation. These stations were in operation by mid-1949. Additional stations were added across the nation in 1949 and 1950. This temporary system was given the name "Lashup" to distinguish it from the interim system for which the Air Force was seeking appropriations. A total of forty-four stations were established under this program. These sites were designated “L.” Moses Lake AFB was selected as L-29 in July 1950, equipped with AN/CPS-5, AN/CPS-1, and AN/CPS-4 radars, operated by the 637th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron until their transfer to Saddle Mountain AFS, Washington (LP-40) in January 1952.SAGE Direction Center
In 1957, Air Defense Command selected Larson AFB as the location of a Semi Automatic Ground EnvironmentSemi Automatic Ground Environment
The Semi-Automatic Ground Environment was an automated control system for tracking and intercepting enemy bomber aircraft used by NORAD from the late 1950s into the 1980s...
(SAGE) Data Center (DC-15). The SAGE system was a network linking Air Force (and later FAA) General Surveillance Radar stations into a centralized center for Air Defense, intended to provide early warning and response for a Soviet nuclear attack. This automated control system was used by NORAD for tracking and intercepting enemy bomber aircraft. In the later versions the system could automatically direct aircraft to an interception by sending instructions directly to the aircraft's autopilot.
Activated on 8 September 1958, DC-15 was commanded by the Spokane Air Defense Sector
Spokane Air Defense Sector
The Spokane Air Defense Sector is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with the Air Defense Command 25th Air Division, being stationed at Larson Air Force Base, Washington.-History:...
under the 25th Air Division. The Sector was disestablished on 1 September 1963 due the high costs of operation, the sector merged with the DC-12 Direction Center at McChord AFB under he Seattle Air Defense Sector. After its closure, the SAGE building remained in use by the Air Force for other offices, and after the closure of Larson AFB in 1966, it remained in government hands. In 2000, the building was sold and the company that now either owns or leases the building is "Titan," a company who provides secure off-sire storage of business records.
Tactical Air Command
On April 21, 1952, Larson AFB was assigned to the 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) under TAC's Eighteenth Air Force
Eighteenth Air Force
Eighteenth Air Force is a Numbered Air Force component of the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command . It was activated on 1 October 2003 and headquartered at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois...
, which reassigned the 62nd Troop Carrier Wing
62d Airlift Wing
The 62d Airlift Wing is a wing of the United States Air Force stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. It is assigned to the Eighteenth Air Force of Air Mobility Command and is active duty host wing on McChord. The wing is composed of more than 7,200 active duty military and civilian...
from McChord AFB, Washington to the base. The Air Defense Command units then became tenants on the base. The 4721st Air Defense Group was activated at Larson in 1956 to centralize supervision and support of 322d FIS and 538th FIS. It was later inactivated as part of ADC closedown at Larson prior to it being assigned to Strategic Air Command (SAC).
For the next eight years, the 62nd was very active, routinely performing troop carrier, air transport, and humanitarian missions on a global scale flying C-124 Globemaster II
C-124 Globemaster II
The Douglas C-124 Globemaster II, nicknamed "Old Shakey", was a heavy-lift cargo aircraft built by the Douglas Aircraft Company in Long Beach, California....
aircraft. It participated in the airlift of French troops from France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
to Indochina
Indochina
The Indochinese peninsula, is a region in Southeast Asia. It lies roughly southwest of China, and east of India. The name has its origins in the French, Indochine, as a combination of the names of "China" and "India", and was adopted when French colonizers in Vietnam began expanding their territory...
in Operation Bali-Hai, April—May 1954. Provided a major portion of the airlift needed to construct the distant early warning (DEW) line in northern Alaska and Canada, 1955–1956, and thereafter periodically resupplied the DEW line stations. During the international geophysical year 1957–1958, and subsequently through 1960, supported scientific stations in the Arctic Ocean by landing and airdropping supplies on the drifting ice.
From 1955–59, the Air Materiel Command Flight Test Center at Larson tested the B-52 bomber. Boeing built a huge hangar, 1068 feet (325.5 m) long, 372 feet (113.4 m) wide, with clear spans of 217 feet (66.1 m) and able to hold eight B-52s under one roof.
On January 26, 1955, 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) 71st Strategic Reconnaissance Wing
71st Flying Training Wing
The 71st Flying Training Wing is a United States Air Force unit assigned to the Air Education and Training Command Nineteenth Air Force. It is stationed at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma where it also is the host unit....
was activated to perform strategic reconnaissance with B-36 and RB-36 Peacekeeper bomber. The wing was also assigned to test a technique for launching small RBF-84 Thunderjet aircraft from specially-configued GRB-36 Peacekeeper bombers, to extend the range of photographic reconnaissance and fighter escort. Tests ended in 1956, but the wing continued bombardment training and strategic reconnaissance until inactivated in 1957.
Military Air Transport Service
Larson AFB became a Military Air Transport ServiceMilitary 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) Continental Division base on 1 July 1957 and on 1 June 1958, Larson was put under the newly created Western Transport Air Force (WESTAF) of MATS. The 62d TCW was reassigned as part of the transfer of C-124 wings from TAC to MATS.
Strategic Air Command
Strategic Air Command assumed command of Larson AFB in 1960 and established the Fifteenth Air ForceFifteenth Air Force
The Fifteenth Expeditionary Mobility Task Force is one of two EMTFs assigned to the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command . It is headquartered at Travis Air Force Base, California....
's 4170th Strategic Wing (4170th SW). The MATS 62d TCW was reassigned back to McChord AFB on 13 June 1960 where it continues to operate today as the 62d Airlift Wing
62d Airlift Wing
The 62d Airlift Wing is a wing of the United States Air Force stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. It is assigned to the Eighteenth Air Force of Air Mobility Command and is active duty host wing on McChord. The wing is composed of more than 7,200 active duty military and civilian...
with 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...
aircraft.
The mission of SAC at Larson AFB was to be a B-52 Stratofortress
B-52 Stratofortress
The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is a long-range, subsonic, jet-powered strategic bomber operated by the United States Air Force since the 1950s. The B-52 was designed and built by Boeing, who have continued to provide maintainence and upgrades to the aircraft in service...
strategic bombardment wing base. Colonel Clyde W. Owen, USAF, was assigned by SAC
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...
as the first commander of the 4170 SW. Crews and aircraft of the 327th Bombardment Squadron
327th Bombardment Squadron
The 327th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 4170th Strategic Wing, stationed at Larson Air Force Base, Washington. It was inactivated on 1 February 1963-World War II:...
arrived from Fairchild AFB, Washington on 13 July 1960 and the first B-52D to arrive was christened "Larson's Lucky Lady".
The 43d Air Refueling Squadron
43d Air Refueling Squadron
The 43d Air Refueling Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 92nd Bombardment Wing, stationed at Fairchild AFB, Washington. It was inactivated on 1 September 1991.-Air Transport Command:...
and its KC-135 Stratotankers moved from Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona to Larson AFB on 15 November 1960, thus completing one of the most advanced air weapon systems in SAC. The mission of the 43rd ARS was to insure the global strike capability of SAC bombers by providing high speed aerial refueling support with modern jet taker aircraft.
The 568th Strategic Missile Squadron
568th Strategic Missile Squadron
The 568th Strategic Missile Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 462d Strategic Aerospace Wing, stationed at Larson Air Force Base, Washington. It was inactivated on 25 March 1965.-History:...
was later activated in 1961 as part of the 4170th SW with three missile complexes, each housing three HGM-25A Titan I missiles. The complexes were located at Royal City
Royal City, Washington
Royal City is a city in Grant County, Washington, United States. The population was 1,823 at the 2000 census.-History:Royal City was founded in 1956 and officially incorporated on February 14, 1962. The townsite was previously named Royal Flats, and the entire area Royal Slope, thus the name Royal...
, Warden
Warden, Washington
Warden is a city in Grant County, Washington, United States. The population was 2,544 at the 2000 census.-History:The Central Basin plateau was settled in the late 1800s by immigrants of Russian-German ancestry who homesteaded in the area and farmed dryland wheat...
, and Odessa
Odessa, Washington
Odessa is a town in Lincoln County, Washington, United States. The population was 910 at the 2010 census.-History:George Finney first settled on the site of Odessa in 1886. He platted Odessa in the summer of 1899 after the Great Northern Railway had built its line through the valley in 1892...
.
On 1 February 1963, the 4170th Strategic Wing was re-designated the 462d Strategic Aerospace Wing in honor of the 462d Bombardment Group of World War II. The 327th Bomb Squadron was redesignated the 768th Bomb Squadron after one of the 462d units. The redesignated wing continued conducting strategic bombardment, air refueling and associated SAC Nuclear Alert Force operations.
In November 1964, it was announced that Larson AFB would be closed due to DoD budget reductions which mandated a reduction in B-52 bases and the inactivation of the Titan I ICBM. The ICBM sites were deactivated officially on 25 March 1965 and the missiles were moved and shipped to Norton AFB, California for disposition. The missile sites were demilitarized and then turned over to the General Services Administration for disposal on the open market.
The 462d Strategic Aerospace Wing was inactivated in April 1966 and the base was closed on 30 June 1966.
Civil use
With the closure of the base, Colonel Owen retired from the Air Force and became the first director of the Port of Moses Lake, overseeing the transfer of the property from the U.S. Government to Grant County International AirportGrant County International Airport
Grant County International Airport is a public use airport located five nautical miles northwest of the central business district of Moses Lake, in Grant County, Washington, United States. It is owned by the Port of Moses Lake....
.
Despite the Air Force's departure, the airfield has continued to support operations from McChord's 62d Airlift Wing
62d Airlift Wing
The 62d Airlift Wing is a wing of the United States Air Force stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. It is assigned to the Eighteenth Air Force of Air Mobility Command and is active duty host wing on McChord. The wing is composed of more than 7,200 active duty military and civilian...
over the years, as the wing's C-141, C-130 and currently C-17
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...
aircraft have practiced approaches and both normal landings and tactical assault landings on a regular basis.
Fairchild AFB's 92nd Air Refueling Wing in Spokane, WA temporarily moved its KC-135R/T fleet and operations to Moses Lake in 2011 while Fairchild AFB's runway undergoes reconstruction and the infrastructure to include fuel distribution system is upgraded.
Previous names
- Moses Lake Army Air Base, 1942-1945
- Moses Lake Air Force Base, 1948-1950
- Larson Air Force Base, 1950-1966
Major commands to which assigned
- Fourth Air Force, 1942-1943
- II Bomber Command, 1943-1945
- Air Defense Command, 1948-1952
- Tactical Air Command, 1952-1957
- Military Air Transport Service, 1957-1960
- Strategic Air Command, 1960-1966
Major units assigned
- 482d Fighter Squadron, 1942-1943
- 396th Bombardment Group, 1943-1945
- 325th Fighter-Interceptor Group, 1948-1950
- 81st Fighter-Interceptor Wing, 1949-1951
- 62d Troop Carrier Wing, 1952-1960
- 71st Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, 1955-1957
- 4170th Strategic Wing, 1960
- Redesignated 462d Strategic Aerospace Wing, 1963-1966.
Air Defense Command units
Known ADC units and squadrons assigned to Larson were:- 82d Fighter Interceptor Squadron (February 6, 1952 – April 1, 1953) (F-94B Starfire)
- Assigned to: 4702d Defense Wing
- Reassigned from: Hamilton AFB, CaliforniaCaliforniaCalifornia is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
- Reassigned to: MATSMilitary Air Transport ServiceThe 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...
Iceland Air Defense ForceIceland Defense ForceThe Iceland Defense Force was a military command of the United States armed forces from 1951 to 2006. The IDF, created at the request of NATO, came into existence when the United States signed an agreement to provide for the defense of Iceland, which does not, and did not, have its own unified...
at NAS Keflavik, IcelandIcelandIceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
- 31st Fighter-Interceptor Squadron31st Fighter-Interceptor SquadronThe 31st Tactical Reconnaissance Training Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with 363d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing stationed at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina...
(April 20, 1953 – August 18, 1955) (F-86D Sabre)
- 31st Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
- Activated at Larson to replace 82d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
- Assigned to: 4702d Air Defense Wing, April 20, 1953
- Reassigned to: 84th Fighter Group (Air Defense)84th Combat Sustainment WingThe 84th Combat Sustainment Wing is a wing of the United States Air Force based out of Hill Air Force Base, Utah.-Mission:Provide system support manager functions for air-to-surface munitions, and multiple Command, Control, Communication and Intelligence systems, and supply chain management for...
at Wurtsmith AFB, MichiganMichiganMichigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
- 322d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron322d Fighter-Interceptor SquadronThe 322d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Air Defense Command stationed at Kingsley Field, Oregon. It was inactivated on 1 July 1968.-History:...
(August 18, 1955 – April 1, 1959) (F-86D Sabre)
- 322d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
- Activated at Larson to replace 31st Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
- Assigned to: 9th Air Division, August 18, 1955 – December 1, 1956
- Assigned to: 4721st Air Defense Group4721st Air Defense GroupThe 4721st Air Defense Group is a discontinued United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with the 4700th Air Defense Wing, being stationed at Larson Air Force Base, Washington...
, December 1, 1956 – April 1, 1959 - Reassigned to: Kingsley Field, OregonOregonOregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
upon SAC taking control of Larson AFB.
- 323d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron323d Fighter-Interceptor SquadronThe 323d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Air Defense Command stationed at Ernest Harmon Air Force Base, Newfoundland. It was inactivated on July 1, 1960-History:...
(November 26, 1952 – August 18, 1955) (F-86D Sabre)
- Assigned to: 4794th Air Defense Wing November 26, 1952 – January 19, 1953
- Assigned to: 4702d Air Defense Wing, January 19, 1953 – October 8, 1954
- Assigned to: 9th Air Division, October 8, 1954 – August 18, 1955
- Activated at Larson AFB
- Reassigned to: 84th Fighter Group (Air Defense)84th Combat Sustainment WingThe 84th Combat Sustainment Wing is a wing of the United States Air Force based out of Hill Air Force Base, Utah.-Mission:Provide system support manager functions for air-to-surface munitions, and multiple Command, Control, Communication and Intelligence systems, and supply chain management for...
at Truax FieldDane County Regional Airport-Statistics:-External links:* Dane County Regional Airport: * Wisconsin Airport Directory: * * - Listen live to Madison's Air Traffic Control...
, WisconsinWisconsinWisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
- 538th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron538th Fighter-Interceptor SquadronThe 538th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron is provisional unt of United States Air Force. It is assigned to the 438th Air Expeditionary Wing, and is currently located at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan.-Overview:...
(August 18, 1955 – July 1, 1960) (F-86D/L Sabre, F-104A/B Starfighter (1958–1960))
- 538th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
- Activated at Larson to replace 323d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
- Assigned to: 9th Air Division9th Air DivisionSeveral air forces and space forces have included a 9th Air Division:*9th Air Division, of the Luftwaffe*9th Anti-Missile Defence Division of the Russian Space Forces*9th Assault Ropshinskaya red banner, Order of Ushakov Air Division of Soviet Naval Aviation...
, August 18, 1955 – December 1, 1956 - Assigned to: 4721st Air Defense Group4721st Air Defense GroupThe 4721st Air Defense Group is a discontinued United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with the 4700th Air Defense Wing, being stationed at Larson Air Force Base, Washington...
, December 1, 1956 - Assigned to: 4700th Air Defense Wing4700th Air Defense WingThe 4700th Air Defense Wing is a discontinued United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with the Spokane Air Defense Sector, being stationed at Geiger Field, Washington. It was discontinued on 30 June 1960-History:...
, May 1, 1959 - Assigned to: Spokane Air Defense SectorSpokane Air Defense SectorThe Spokane Air Defense Sector is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with the Air Defense Command 25th Air Division, being stationed at Larson Air Force Base, Washington.-History:...
, May 15 – July 1, 1960 - Discontinued upon SAC taking control of Larson AFB.
Intercontinental ballistic missile facilities
The 568th Strategic Missile Squadron568th Strategic Missile Squadron
The 568th Strategic Missile Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 462d Strategic Aerospace Wing, stationed at Larson Air Force Base, Washington. It was inactivated on 25 March 1965.-History:...
Operated three three HGM-25A Titan I ICBM sites: (1 Apr 1961-25 Mar 1965)
- 568-A, 8 miles N of Schrag, Washington 47°11′16"N 118°49′22"W
- 568-B, 4 miles SSW of Warden, Washington 46°55′00"N 119°03′17"W
- 568-C, 6 miles SE of Frenchman Hills, Washington 46°54′26"N 119°45′19"W
The Titan I ICBM program at Larson was initiated in 1959 when the Walla Walla District of the Army Corps of Engineers set up an area office in October. Nine Titan I silos split between three sites (3 x 3) at Odessa, Warden, and Quincy would be built along with support facilities at Larson AFB. In October 1960, the construction oversight responsibilities were passed on to the Corps of Engineers Ballistic Missile Construction Office (CEBMCO).
The contractor broke ground on 1 December 1959 and the sites were turned over to SAC in early April 1961. In May 1964 Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara directed that the phase-out of the Atlas and Titan I missiles be accelerated, and in January 1965 the missiles of the 568th were taken off operational alert. The squadron was deactivated 2 months later.
Today, site "A" appears to be largely intact, the owner has the facility for sale. Photos of the interior show it to be in good condition. Site "B" appears to be largely cleared, the silo launch doors of two pads appear to be open, and is also apparently also for sale. Site "C" appears to be a scrap site, filled with clutter; its underground facilities apparently are flooded by groundwater.
See also
- Washington World War II Army AirfieldsWashington World War II Army AirfieldsDuring World War II, the United States Army Air Force established numerous airfields in Washington for training pilots and aircrews of USAAF fighters and bombers....
- List of USAF Aerospace Defense Command General Surveillance Radar Stations
External links
- Grant County International Airport (Port of Moses Lake)
- Strategic-Air-Command.com - Larson AFB history
- Global Security.org - Larson AFB