Gary Delos Reyes

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.

The 323rd Air Base Group (Air Training Command) was activated in 1952 at Mather Air Force Base, California, as part of the United States Air Force’s expanding Cold War training infrastructure. Tasked with providing essential base operations and support, the 323rd ABG played a critical role in sustaining navigator and electronic warfare officer training for the Air Training Command. Throughout its tenure, the unit ensured the smooth functioning of base services, security, and logistics for thousands of airmen and trainees. The group’s legacy is closely tied to the history of Mather AFB, supporting vital training missions until the base’s closure in 1993.

The 3535th Supply Squadron was an integral support unit of the United States Air Force, primarily active during the Cold War era. Assigned to Mather Air Force Base in California, the squadron provided essential logistics, materiel management, and supply chain operations for the 3535th Navigator Training Wing. Its efforts ensured the seamless training and operational readiness of navigators and other aircrew by maintaining aircraft parts, fuel, and equipment inventories. The 3535th Supply Squadron contributed significantly to the mission success of Mather AFB before being inactivated as part of post-Cold War restructuring and base closures.