Lockbourne Air Force BASE, OHIO

• Home of the Tuskegee Airmen: After World War II, the famed Tuskegee Airmen of the 332nd Fighter Group were stationed at Lockbourne Army Air Base (later Lockbourne AFB), making it a central location in African American military aviation history. • Strategic Air Command (SAC) Role: In 1948, Lockbourne AFB became a major Strategic Air Command base, responsible for strategic bomber and reconnaissance missions during the Cold War. • Desegregation Landmark: Lockbourne was one of the first Air Force bases to implement President Truman's 1948 Executive Order 9981, which mandated the desegregation of the U.S. Armed Forces. • Home to the 91st Bombardment Group: The base hosted the 91st Bombardment Group, famous for flying B-17 Flying Fortresses in World War II, during its postwar years as part of the Strategic Air Command. • Transition to Rickenbacker: In 1974, Lockbourne AFB was renamed Rickenbacker Air Force Base in honor of Columbus native and WWI ace Eddie Rickenbacker. • Airlift and Refueling Missions: Lockbourne played a key role in airlift and aerial refueling operations, hosting KC-135 Stratotankers and C-130 Hercules aircraft. • Training Center for Navigators: The base served as a major training center for Air Force navigators, with thousands of airmen trained there over the years. • Cuban Missile Crisis: During the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, bombers and tankers at Lockbourne were placed on high alert, reflecting its strategic importance. • Base Closure and Conversion: The active Air Force base was closed in 1980, later becoming Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base and a civil-military airport, Rickenbacker International Airport. • Historic Recognition: The site, especially its connection to the Tuskegee Airmen, is commemorated with historical markers and is part of Ohio’s military heritage trails.