About this Unit
March Air Reserve Base (March ARB), located near Riverside, California, was originally established in 1918 as March Field, making it one of the oldest airfields operated by the United States military. During World War II, March Field became a major training base for bomber and fighter crews, contributing significantly to the Allied war effort. In the Cold War era, it served as a key Strategic Air Command base, hosting B-52 bombers and KC-135 tankers. Since its realignment in 1996, March ARB has functioned primarily as an Air Force Reserve installation, supporting air mobility and refueling missions for both national defense and humanitarian operations.
Historical Facts
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Origins in World War I: March Air Reserve Base (ARB), originally called March Field, was established in 1918 as a training base for the U.S. Army Air Service during World War I, making it one of the oldest airfields operated by the U.S. military.
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Named for a Fallen Aviator: The base was named in honor of Second Lieutenant Peyton C. March, Jr., who died in an air crash. He was the son of General Peyton C. March, then the U.S. Army Chief of Staff.
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Major WWII Role: During World War II, March Field became a major training and operational base, preparing bomber and fighter crews for overseas combat, including B-17 and B-24 units.
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Strategic Air Command Era: After WWII, March became part of the Strategic Air Command (SAC) and hosted B-29, B-47, and later B-52 bombers, as well as KC-135 Stratotankers during the Cold War.
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Presidential Visits: U.S. Presidents, including Franklin D. Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy, have visited March Field, often using it as a stopover during trips to the West Coast.
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Museum on Site: The March Field Air Museum, located adjacent to the base, displays over 80 historic aircraft and numerous artifacts, telling the story of military aviation in Southern California.
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Transition to Reserve Base: In 1996, March ARB was realigned from an active-duty base to an Air Force Reserve installation, hosting the 452nd Air Mobility Wing, the largest air mobility wing in the Air Force Reserve.
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Hollywood Connections: March ARB has served as a filming location for numerous movies and TV shows, including “The Right Stuff,” “Armageddon,” and “Transformers.”
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Role in Humanitarian Missions: March ARB has participated in disaster relief and humanitarian missions worldwide, including airlifting supplies after the Haiti earthquake and supporting COVID-19 response operations.
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Home to Multiple Units: The base currently supports Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, and Marine Corps Reserve units, making it a key joint military installation in Southern California.
