Norton AFB

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Branch

U.S. Air Force

Members

About Norton AFB

Norton Air Force Base (AFB), located in San Bernardino, California, was established in 1942 as San Bernardino Army Air Field, serving as a vital maintenance and supply facility during World War II. Renamed in 1950 to honor Captain Leland F. Norton, a local war hero killed in action, the base played a key role throughout the Cold War, supporting Air Force Logistics Command and hosting transport units such as the 63rd Military Airlift Wing. Norton AFB was instrumental in airlift missions, space program support, and humanitarian operations, including Southeast Asia evacuations. The base was closed in 1994 as part of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) program, with its legacy continuing through civilian use and community redevelopment.

Unit Members

ted snatchko

U.S. Air Force (1980 - 1981)

Norton AFBView Profile

Carl Gagnon

U.S. Air Force

Norton AFBView Profile

Photos

Murphy's Last Yellow Alert

6595 • U.S. Air Force

Anniversary of Shepard's Flight From Cape Canaveral

6555th ASTG • U.S. Air Force

USAF Recruiting Photo

6595 • U.S. Air Force • 1981

U.S. Air Force • 1981

About Norton AFB

About this Unit

Historical Facts

• Origins: Norton Air Force Base (AFB) was established in 1942 as San Bernardino Army Air Field and was later renamed in honor of Captain Leland Francis Norton, a World War II bomber pilot killed in action in 1944. • World War II Role: During World War II, the base was a key training and logistics center, servicing and modifying aircraft such as the B-24 Liberator and B-17 Flying Fortress. • Cold War Contributions: Norton AFB played a significant role in the Cold War, being a major logistics and airlift hub for the Military Air Transport Service (MATS) and later the Military Airlift Command (MAC). • Global Reach: The base was home to the 63rd and 445th Military Airlift Wings, which flew C-141 Starlifter aircraft on missions all over the world, including Vietnam, Desert Storm, and humanitarian operations. • Missile Program Support: Norton AFB supported the nation’s Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) program, hosting the Air Force Systems Command’s Ballistic Systems Division, which managed Minuteman and Peacekeeper missiles. • VIP Transport: The 286th Special Airlift Squadron, based at Norton, operated C-140 JetStar and C-21 aircraft for VIP transport, including high-ranking military and government officials. • Presidential Visits: Norton AFB frequently hosted Air Force One and served as a landing site for U.S. Presidents visiting Southern California. • Environmental Cleanup: After its closure in 1994, Norton AFB became a model for environmental cleanup and successful conversion to civilian uses, including San Bernardino International Airport. • Humanitarian Missions: The base was a critical staging point for relief flights during major crises, such as the 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption and the 1985 Mexico City earthquake. • Historic Recognition: Norton AFB’s contributions to military aviation and logistics are commemorated by several monuments and museums in the San Bernardino area, preserving its legacy for future generations.