Joint Base Anacostia–Bolling: Difference between revisions
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The host unit at Bolling is the non-flying '''[[11th Wing]] (11 WG)''' assigned to the [[Air Force District of Washington]]. The 11 WG is one of the largest and most ceremonial wings in the Air Force. It is the single manager for all Air Force activities supporting Headquarters Air Force and other Air Force units in the National Capital Region as well as 108 countries throughout the world. As a direct reporting unit to the Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force, it combines resources from the [[Pentagon]] and Bolling AFB. |
The host unit at Bolling is the non-flying '''[[11th Wing]] (11 WG)''' assigned to the [[Air Force District of Washington]]. The 11 WG is one of the largest and most ceremonial wings in the Air Force. It is the single manager for all Air Force activities supporting Headquarters Air Force and other Air Force units in the National Capital Region as well as 108 countries throughout the world. As a direct reporting unit to the Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force, it combines resources from the [[Pentagon]] and Bolling AFB. |
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Bolling AFB was established on 2 October |
Bolling AFB was established on 2 October 1917 as the '''Flying field at Anacostia'''. It was one of the initial [[World War I]] [[Army Air Service]] installations.<ref>World War I Group, Historical Division, Special Staff, United States Army, Order of Battle of the United States Land Forces in the World War (1917–1919)</ref> It is named for Colonel [[Raynal Bolling|Raynal C. Bolling]] (1877–1918), the first high-ranking U.S. officer to be killed in combat in [[World War I]]. The commander of the 11th Wing is [http://www.bolling.af.mil/library/biographies/bio.asp?id=13050 Colonel Cedric George]. Its Command Chief Master Sergeant is [http://www.bolling.af.mil/library/biographies/bio.asp?id=10083 Chief Master Sergeant Robin Johnson]. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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Bolling Field was officially opened 1 July |
Bolling Field was officially opened 1 July 1918 and was named in honor of the first high-ranking air service officer killed in [[World War I]], Colonel [[Raynal Bolling|Raynal C. Bolling]]. Colonel Bolling was the Assistant Chief of the Air Service, and was killed in action near [[Amiens, France]], on 26 March 1918 while defending himself and his driver, Cpl Paul L. Holder, from an attack by German soldiers. |
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The tract of land selected for the base was scouted by [[William C. Ocker]] at the direction of General Billy Mitchell. The base began near [[Anacostia]] in 1918, as the only military airfield near the [[United States Capitol]] and was originally named '''The Flying Field at Anacostia''' on 2 October 1917. It was renamed '''Anacostia Experimental Flying Field''' in June 1918, and '''Bolling Field''' on 1 July 1918. With the establishment of the United States Air Force as an independent military service, it was renamed Bolling Air Force Base on 24 June 1948. |
The tract of land selected for the base was scouted by [[William C. Ocker]] at the direction of General Billy Mitchell. The base began near [[Anacostia]] in 1918, as the only military airfield near the [[United States Capitol]] and was originally named '''The Flying Field at Anacostia''' on 2 October 1917. It was renamed '''Anacostia Experimental Flying Field''' in June 1918, and '''Bolling Field''' on 1 July 1918. With the establishment of the United States Air Force as an independent military service, it was renamed Bolling Air Force Base on 24 June 1948. |
Revision as of 19:19, 12 August 2010
This Needs a lot more in-line footnotes even if they repeat needs additional citations for verification. (February 2010) |
Air Force District of Washington | |||||||||||
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Summary | |||||||||||
Airport type | Military: Air Force Base | ||||||||||
Owner | United States Air Force | ||||||||||
Operator | Air Force District of Washington | ||||||||||
Location | Washington, D.C. | ||||||||||
Built | 1918 | ||||||||||
In use | July 1, 1918 - present | ||||||||||
Occupants | 11th Wing | ||||||||||
Elevation AMSL | 20 ft / 6 m | ||||||||||
Coordinates | 38°50′34″N 077°00′58″W / 38.84278°N 77.01611°W | ||||||||||
Website | www.bolling.af.mil | ||||||||||
Helipads | |||||||||||
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Bolling Air Force Base (AFB) (IATA: BOF, ICAO: KBOF, FAA LID: BOF) is a United States Air Force base located in Washington, D.C..
The host unit at Bolling is the non-flying 11th Wing (11 WG) assigned to the Air Force District of Washington. The 11 WG is one of the largest and most ceremonial wings in the Air Force. It is the single manager for all Air Force activities supporting Headquarters Air Force and other Air Force units in the National Capital Region as well as 108 countries throughout the world. As a direct reporting unit to the Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force, it combines resources from the Pentagon and Bolling AFB.
Bolling AFB was established on 2 October 1917 as the Flying field at Anacostia. It was one of the initial World War I Army Air Service installations.[3] It is named for Colonel Raynal C. Bolling (1877–1918), the first high-ranking U.S. officer to be killed in combat in World War I. The commander of the 11th Wing is Colonel Cedric George. Its Command Chief Master Sergeant is Chief Master Sergeant Robin Johnson.
Overview
Once an important airfield in the Air Force's inventory (flight operations ended in 1961), Bolling was made into the headquarters for all Air Force operations in the National Capital Region in 1985. The "military district" concept had already been employed by the Army and Navy, with the Military District of Washington and Naval District of Washington, respectively. After setting the parameters from which the Air Force District of Washington (AFDW) would command and operate, the plan was put into motion and the AFDW was activated as a direct reporting unit on Bolling AFB in 1995.[citation needed]
Today, Bolling AFB provides a base support structure though the 11th Wing for Air Force units in the Washington D.C area and the Pentagon, with the exception of those supported though Andrews AFB. It supports units from base-level offices to Headquarters for the Office of Special investigations, the Air Force Surgeon General and the Air Force Chief of Chaplains. Bolling also serves as a diverse military community, housing families of all services and hosting one of the largest defense organizations, the Defense Intelligence Agency Center.[citation needed]
The United States Air Force Honor Guard and the United States Air Force Band are located there. They provide ceremonial and musical functions for Headquarters Air Force and the Office of the Secretary of Defense.[citation needed]
With more than 1,600 officer, enlisted and civilian personnel, the 11th Wing serves over 48,000 Airmen and their families in 859 units within 34 states and 95 countries around the world.[clarification needed] The 11th Wing also[clarification needed] organizes, trains, equips, and deploys expeditionary combat support forces for homeland operations in support of the Air Force District of Washington.
All members of the Air Force Band and Honor Guard have the responsibility of representing the United States and the Air Force in a variety of military/civilian ceremonies, conducted throughout Washington, D.C., including ceremonies at the White House, Pentagon, National Mall, Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.[citation needed]
The Honor Guard Drill Team and various Band elements also travel across the entire country and represent the Air Force at hometown events, local high schools and major-league sporting events.[citation needed]
The Honor Guard also covers a Congressionally-mandated assignment of full honors funerals for veterans at Arlington National Cemetery. Ceremonial guardsmen rendered full honors at approximately 1,200-1,500 funerals in 2009.[citation needed]
History
Bolling Field was officially opened 1 July 1918 and was named in honor of the first high-ranking air service officer killed in World War I, Colonel Raynal C. Bolling. Colonel Bolling was the Assistant Chief of the Air Service, and was killed in action near Amiens, France, on 26 March 1918 while defending himself and his driver, Cpl Paul L. Holder, from an attack by German soldiers.
The tract of land selected for the base was scouted by William C. Ocker at the direction of General Billy Mitchell. The base began near Anacostia in 1918, as the only military airfield near the United States Capitol and was originally named The Flying Field at Anacostia on 2 October 1917. It was renamed Anacostia Experimental Flying Field in June 1918, and Bolling Field on 1 July 1918. With the establishment of the United States Air Force as an independent military service, it was renamed Bolling Air Force Base on 24 June 1948.
Bolling AFB has served as a research and testing ground for new aviation equipment and its first mission provided aerial defense of the capital. It moved to its present location, along the Potomac in the city's southwest quadrant, in the 1930s.
Major commands to which assigned
- Director of Military Aeronautics, 28 June 1918
- 3d Service Command, 6 March 1928
- Chief of Air Corps (Exempted Station), 1 July 1936
- General Headquarters Air Force, 15 March 1941
- Redesignated Air Force Combat Command, 20 June 1941
- Second Air Force, 13 October 1942
- Headquarters, United States Army Air Forces, 7 July 1943
- Continental Air Forces, 17 July 1945
- Redesignated: Strategic Air Command, 21 March 1946
- Bolling Field Command, 16 December 1946
- Military Air Transport Service, 1 August 1952
- Bolling Field Command, 1 October 1957
- Redesignated Headquarters Command, United States Air Force, 17 March 1958
- Military Airlift Command, 1 July 1976
- Air Force District of Washington, 1 October 1985 - 5 July 1994; 7 July 2005–present
- Headquarters, United States Air Force, 5 July 1994 - 7 July 2005
Major units assigned
- 312th Aero Sq (Service), July 1918-17 August 1919
- 99th Observation Sq, 18 August 1919-21 March 1921
- HQ Detachment, Bolling Field, 11 July 1922-31 March 1928
- General Headquarters, Air Force, 1 October 1933-28 February 1935
- 14th Air Base Group, 1 March 1935-31 March 1944
- 1st Staff Squadron, 1 September 1936-31 March 1944
- 2d Staff Squadron, 1 September 1936-31 March 1944
- 4th Staff Squadron, 17 May 1941-31 March 1944
- Air Force Combat Command, 28 March 1941-12 March 1942
- V Air Support Command (redesignated: Ninth Air Force), 23 July - 28 October 1942
- 5th Bombardment Wing, 10–31 July 1942
- VIII Ground Air Support Command, 28 April-29 May 1942
- 10th Ferrying Squadron, 10 April 1942-1 March 1943
- Transatlantic Sector, AAF Ferrying Command,
- Redesignated, Transatlantic Sector, Air Transport Command, 21 February 1942-15 April 1943
- XII Air Support Command, 25 September-19 October 1942
- Twelfth Air Force, 20–28 August 1942
- 26th Transport Group, 1 March 1943-21 February 1944
- Army Air Force Base Unit 1
- Redesignated Air Force Base Unit 1, 1 April 1944-1 April 1948
- 503d Army Air Force Base Unit, 21 February 1944
- Redesignated: 503d Air Force Base Unit, 27 September 1947-1 April 1948
- Continental Air Forces, 15 December 1944-20 October 1946
- Strategic Air Command, 21 March 1946-20 October 1946
- Bolling Field Command. 15 December 1946
- Redesignated: Headquarters Command, USAF, 17 March 1958-1 July 1976
- 1st Special Air Missions Squadron
- Redesignated: 1111th Special Air Mission Squadron
- Redesignated: 1299th Air Transport Squadron, 10 March 1948 - 10 July 1961
- 16th Special Air Missions Group
- Redesignated: 1100th Special Air Missions Group
- Redesignated: 2310th Air Transport Group, 10 March 1948-29 November 1952
- 1100th Air Base Wing, 16 March 1949-30 September 1977
- Redesignated: 1100th Air Base Group, 30 September 1977-15 December 1980
- Redesignated: 1100th Air Base Wing, 15 December 1980-15 July 1994
- Air Force District of Washington, 1 October 1985 - 5 July 1994; 7 July 2005–present
- 11th Wing, 15 July 1994–present
Operations
In 1918, President Woodrow Wilson sent Bolling pilots on the first permanent airmail route from Washington, D.C. to New York, New York.
Charles Lindbergh's "Spirit of St. Louis" returned to Bolling field in 1927 after its historic transatlantic flight. It was reassembled at Bolling for Lindbergh's goodwill flight to Mexico and South America.
In 1934, then-Lieutenant Colonel Henry "Hap" Arnold led a bomber flight from Bolling Field on a 4,000-mile aerial journey to Alaska to demonstrate the capabilities of strategic long-range bombing missions. Carl Spaatz and Wiley Post also began or ended historic flights there.
The core units at Bolling Field at the beginning of 1939 were one housekeeping squadron, the base headquarters, the 14th Air Base Squadron and two air base maintenance squadrons—the first and second staff squadrons.
For the duration of World War II, Bolling Field served as a training and organization base for personnel and units going overseas, and it became the aerial gateway to the nation's capital.
The Army Air Forces Headquarters and the Army's GHQ Air Force (later the Air Force Combat Command) moved to Bolling in March 1941. After creation of the United States Air Force, Bolling Field was re-designated as Bolling Field Command, and organized, on 15 December 1946. It was redesignated Headquarters Command, USAF, on 17 March 1958.
President Harry Truman's initial official aircraft and Franklin Roosevelt's only official aircraft, The Sacred Cow, retired from service at Bolling Air Force Base in 1961.
Bolling Air Force Base was reassigned to the Military Airlift Command (MAC) in 1976 when Headquarters Command, USAF was inactivated. In 1985, Bolling Air Force Base was designated the headquarters for the Air Force District of Washington. The Air Force District of Washington was redesignated as the 11th Support Wing in 1994 and renamed the 11th Wing in 1995. The Secretary of the Air Force and the Air Force Chief of Staff jointly directed reactivation of the Air Force District of Washington, effective 1 January 2005 with the 11th Wing as its subordinate unit.
In 1962, due to airspace congestion around Washington National Airport (now Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport), fixed-wing flying activities departed Bolling for nearby Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland. Similar operations at adjacent Naval Air Station Anacostia were also discontinued at the same time. Forty-four years after the dedication of Bolling Field, the last airplane departed July 1, 1962, carrying 33 passengers and six crew members bound for Andrews.
Current use
The Air Force District of Washington (AFDW) was created and activated at Bolling on 1 October 1985 with the mission of providing administrative support to Air Force members. On 15 July 1994, AFDW was deactivated, but was reactivated 5 January 2005 to "provide a single voice for Air Force requirements in the National Capital Region" according to the base's website.
Bolling field units also provide ceremonial support to the White House, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Secretary of the Air Force and the Air Force Chief of Staff, mainly through 11th Wing, the United States Air Force Honor Guard and The United States Air Force Band.
The Defense Intelligence Agency built its Defense Intelligence Analysis Center at Bolling Air Force Base and moved many of its operations there in 1987.
The only aeronautical facility at the base is a 100 by 100 feet (30 by 30 m) helipad (ICAO: KBOF).
As a result of the 2005 BRAC, the base will become Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling-Naval Research Laboratory, D.C, and lose 96 military and 242 civilian positions.[4]
For a brief time during the end of 2008 and beginning of 2009, the Air Force Global Strike Command was located here, before moving to Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana.
Coast Guard Station Washington, D.C., is located on the post, next to the Capitol Cove Marina.
References
- ^ Bolling Air Force Base, official web site
- ^ FAA Airport Form 5010 for BOF PDF, effective 2007-12-20
- ^ World War I Group, Historical Division, Special Staff, United States Army, Order of Battle of the United States Land Forces in the World War (1917–1919)
- ^ Air Force Link. Retrieved February 20, 2007.
Other sources
- This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
- This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain: Bolling Air Force Base
- Maurer, Maurer. Air Force Combat Units Of World War II. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office 1961 (republished 1983, Office of Air Force History, ISBN 0-912799-02-1).
- Ravenstein, Charles A. Air Force Combat Wings Lineage and Honors Histories 1947–1977. Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama: Office of Air Force History 1984. ISBN 0-912799-12-9.
- Mueller, Robert, Air Force Bases Volume I, Active Air Force Bases Within the United States of America on 17 September 1982, Office of Air Force History, 1989
External links
- Bolling AFB History Factsheet
- Bolling Air Force Base at GlobalSecurity.org
- Bolling AFB Relocation Information and Bolling AFB Q&A
- DC Military guide to the base
- Resources for this airport:
- FAA airport information for BOF
- AirNav airport information for BOF
- ASN accident history for BOF
- FlightAware airport information and live flight tracker
- SkyVector aeronautical chart for BOF
- 1917 establishments
- Bases of the United States Air Force
- Defense Intelligence Agency
- Military facilities in Washington, D.C.
- Intelligence agency headquarters
- Strategic Air Command
- World War I Army Air Service Airfield
- Airfields of the United States Army Air Corps
- September 1947 United States Air Force Installations
- General Headquarters Air Force Airfield
- Airfields of the United States Army Air Forces in Washington, D.C.