About this Unit
Mather Air Force Base (AFB), located near Sacramento, California, served as a pivotal site for Undergraduate Navigator Training (UNT) for the United States Air Force. Established as a navigation school during World War II, Mather AFB became the primary hub for training Air Force navigators, bombardiers, and electronic warfare officers starting in the late 1940s. Throughout the Cold War and into the early 1990s, thousands of Air Force, Navy, and allied officers completed rigorous coursework and flight training at Mather, earning their navigator wings. The UNT program at Mather continued until the base was closed in 1993 as part of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process, with training operations subsequently moved to Randolph AFB, Texas.
Historical Facts
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Historic Beginnings: Mather Air Force Base (AFB), located near Sacramento, California, was established in 1918 as Mills Field and later renamed in honor of Second Lieutenant Carl Spencer Mather, who died in a mid-air collision during World War I.
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Role in Navigator Training: For decades, Mather AFB was the primary hub for Undergraduate Navigator Training (UNT) for the U.S. Air Force, producing thousands of navigators and electronic warfare officers.
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Home of the 323rd Flying Training Wing: The 323rd Flying Training Wing operated the UNT program at Mather from 1973 until the base’s closure in 1993, using aircraft like the T-43A Bobcat (modified Boeing 737).
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Joint Service Training: While run by the Air Force, Mather’s UNT also trained Navy, Marine Corps, and allied nation navigators, making it a unique joint-service facility.
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Innovative Training Methods: Mather AFB was a pioneer in using both classroom simulators and in-flight training to teach navigation using celestial, radar, and inertial systems.
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Vietnam War Impact: During the Vietnam War and the Cold War, Mather AFB expanded its navigator training programs to meet increased demand for skilled aircrew members.
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Women in UNT: Mather was among the first Air Force bases to train female navigators, beginning in the late 1970s, paving the way for greater gender integration in combat aircrew roles.
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Aircraft Variety: The base operated a diverse fleet for training, including the Convair T-29 “Flying Classroom,” T-43A Bobcat, KC-135 Stratotanker, and B-52 Stratofortress for advanced navigation training.
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Closure and Legacy: Mather AFB was closed in 1993 as part of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process, with navigator training moving to Randolph AFB, Texas. The site is now Sacramento Mather Airport, but many original buildings remain.
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Distinguished Alumni: Many UNT graduates from Mather went on to distinguished careers, including astronauts, generals, and senior leaders within the Department of Defense and NASA.
