Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station

{{For|nearby military operations prior to World War II (e.g., Bell XFM-1 military test flight in 1937{{r|Futrell}})|Buffalo, New York#History}}

The Army's Air Service had begun operations in western New York by 1917 when a school for photofinishers opened in Rochester.{{Cite report |last=Shaw |first=Frederick J |year=2004 |title=Locating Air Force Base Sites History's Legacy |publisher=Air Force History and Museums Program|quote=The Air Service relied on existing commercial centers for locating several of its bases and technical schools. For example, in March 1917 [Mar. 25, 1916-Mar. 1916] it opened a school for photofinishers at Rochester, New York [p. 12] … On 1 October [1979], some {{sic|of ADC mission}} and units…transferred to TAC. Already, for several years, the Air National Guard had possessed most fighter-interceptors [e.g.,] F–101s operated from Niagara Falls, New York }} (p. 127) Niagara Falls Airport opened at Niagara Falls, New York, in 1928 as a city-owned municipal airport with four crushed-stone runways.{{Dubious|reason=Essentially all early airports began service with grass landing fields.|date=September 2013}} Bell Aircraft Corporation completed a manufacturing plant in Wheatfield adjacent to the airporthttp://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20121126/CITYANDREGION/121129434/1010 "former Bell Aircraft Plant in Wheatfield, where it continues to maintain a research library and restoration facility. … Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics last month designated the former Bell Aircraft Plant – which is adjacent to the Niagara Falls International Airport grounds – as a historic aerospace site." for World War II military pursuit planes in 1941{{Cite news |date=October 9, 1941 |title=Speedy Production of Planes Slated At New Factory |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=950&dat=19411009&id=HJELAAAAIBAJ&pg=6560,216742 |format=Google news archive |newspaper=The Evening Independent |access-date=2013-09-04}} and the 3522d Army Air Force Base Unit managed{{When|date=September 2013}} the airport and coordinated use of the airfield.{{Full citation needed|date=September 2013}}{{Air Force Historical Research Agency}}{{Verify source|date=September 2013}}

{{For|World War II aircraft production at "Bell Aircraft's Niagara Falls Assembly Plant" in Wheatfield (historic aerospace site in 2012{{r|AIAA}})|P-39 Airacobra|P-63 Kingcobra}}

The Bell Modification Center at the Niagara Falls Airport was 1 of 21 built by Materiel Command in 1942 "to fit the mass production aircraft models to the needs of the specific theaters of operations".{{r|Futrell}}{{rp|141}} Bell was contracted to operate the center, and the airfield leased by the USAAF was improved with macadam runways (three at 4000x150 feet and the E/W runway at 4200x300), taxiways, etc. Military units at Niagara Falls included a Modification Center Headquarters and a training school, "Niagara Falls East Tr Sch" (a different modification center, "Buffalo Mun-Mod Ctr B", was located at the 1925 Buffalo Municipal Airport).{{r|Futrell}}{{rp|168}}

The Naval Air Station Niagara Falls was established in 1946 and the installation was expanded.{{Specify|date=September 2013}} Jurisdiction of the airport returned to a civilian agency{{Who|date=September 2012}} later in 1946 (a USAF joint-use agreement was made for Air Force Reserve and NYANG use of the airport).{{Citation needed|date=September 2013}}

Continental Air Command's First Air Force assigned the Air Force Reserve's 90th Reconnaissance Wing to the military installation on 26 December 1946, followed by the 26th Reconnaissance Group (23 October 1947) and the 4th Reconnaissance Squadron. The reconnaissance units were inactivated on 27 June 1949, and the New York Air National Guard's 107th Fighter Group was federalized on 8 December 1948 (initially equipped with TAC P-47 Thunderbolts). 107th personnel deployed in March 1951 to the Far East Air Forces for the Korean War. Air Defense Command (ADC) assumed{{When|reason=Was this when ADC was established in January 1951 or when the 76th ABS was activated in February 1952?|date=September 2013}} jurisdiction of the Niagara Falls military installation and the federalized 136th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron.

File:F-101B maintenance Niagara Falls 1978.JPEGs.]]

Niagara Falls Air Force Base (NFAFB) was established by 1955 after the [http://www.javadc.org/java/docs/1942-11-23%20MSG%20from%20HQ,%20Ft%20Knox,%20to%20The%20Adj%20Gen,%20Wash%20DC,%20re%20Info%20on%20JA%20EM_Pg1_ay.pdf 76th Air Base Squadron] was activated in February 1952 as the host unit. Following Korea operations, the 107th converted to P-51b Mustangs and was reassigned to Air Defense Command. The 136th FIS was returned to state control when ADC activated the 47th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron on 1 December 1952 as a replacement. The 47th FIS initially used the F-47s of the 135th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron.{{Citation needed|date=September 2013}} NFAFB activated the 518th Air Defense Group on 16 February 1953 (designated 15th Fighter Group on 18 August 1955 under Project Arrow) and upgraded to F-86F Sabres in February 1953 (F-86D in September).

In January 1954, the 107th received its first jet aircraft (F-94 Starfire, followed by F-86 Sabres in October 1957 & F-100C Super Sabre in August 1960). The Air Force Reserve's 445th Fighter-Bomber Group with F-84 Thunderjets moved to Niagara Falls from Buffalo Airport on 15 June 1955 and moved to Memphis on 16 November 1957. Two 15th FG aircraft--T-33 & F-86 at Niagara Falls Air Force Base—collided in 1956,{{Cite web |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=O1szAAAAIBAJ&sjid=T-kFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4064,4570116&dq=niagara-falls-air-force&hl=en |title=Archived copy |access-date=June 18, 2015 |archive-date=October 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151008222428/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=O1szAAAAIBAJ&sjid=T-kFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4064,4570116&dq=niagara-falls-air-force&hl=en |url-status=dead }} the AFB's medical unit treated injuries from a 1958 railcar explosion.{{Cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=fIUuAAAAIBAJ&sjid=034FAAAAIBAJ&pg=3260,2755891&dq=niagara-falls-air-force&hl=en|title = Schenectady Gazette - Google News Archive Search}} In 1959 a NFAFB helicopter crashed in Letchworth State Park searching for an 83-year-old professor emeritus,{{Cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9iBUAAAAIBAJ&sjid=MzoNAAAAIBAJ&pg=2290,3369583&dq=niagara-falls-air-force&hl=en|title = St. Joseph News-Press - Google News Archive Search}} and in 1961 an F-100 from the base crashed into the Niagara Gorge.{{Cite web |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FTwaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=NycEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4537,461099&dq=niagara-falls-air-force&hl=en |title=Archived copy |access-date=June 18, 2015 |archive-date=October 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151008222444/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FTwaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=NycEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4537,461099&dq=niagara-falls-air-force&hl=en |url-status=dead }}

;SAGE interceptors: The 47th FIS aircraft were modified{{When|reason=The 1st TDDL was in April 1961 when the Sault Ste Marie Air Defense Sector was the first operational with TDDL (McMullen1980).|date=September 2013}} to the F-86L automated data link configuration after the April 1958 Syracuse Air Defense Sector was designated, and a Ground Air Transmit Receive station was built{{Where|date=September 2013}} to relay ground-controlled interception commands from the sector's Hancock Field Air Defense Direction Center (DC-03) at Syracuse, New York (operational on December 1, 1958.){{r|Condit}} The F-86L interceptors were replaced by F-102 Delta Daggers in 1959{{Cite map |date=1 May 1960 |title=NORAD Operational Interceptor Force 31 Dec. 1959}} (p. 91 of: {{Cite NORAD Historical Summary|version=1959}} (June). NFAFB's 4621st Air Base Group was the host unit and supported the adjacent 1961-9 Niagara Falls Air Force Missile Site with CIM-10 Bomarc surface-to-air missiles. On 1 July 1960 at NFAFB, the 15th Fighter Group was inactivated and the 47th FIS was{{Where|date=September 2013}} reassigned. The 107th deployed to the Berlin Crisis of 1961 for 11 months. On February 11, 1963, the 512th Troop Carrier Group equipped with C-119 Flying Boxcars was redesignated the 914th Troop Carrier Group and concurrently assigned to the Air Force Reserve at Niagara Falls. In 1968, the 107th Tactical Fighter Group was stationed at Niagara Falls Air Force Base{{Cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=V1RPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ViQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6968,1688655&dq=niagara-falls-air-force&hl=en|title = The Times-News - Google News Archive Search}} (3rd activation in 17 years.)

;Vietnam War: In July 1968, approximately 400 members of the 107th were deployed to Tuy Hoa Air Base, Republic of Viet Nam, for almost a year attached to the 31st Tactical Fighter Wing. In 1969, the Niagara Support Center was planned to be closed,{{Cite news |date=October 28, 1969 |title=Niagara Falls Air Force Units Are Phased Out |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=l-hdAAAAIBAJ&pg=4655,8359071&dq=niagara-falls-air-force&hl=en |format=Google news archive |location=Washington, Pennsylvania |newspaper=Observer-Reporter |access-date=2013-09-09 |quote=[the] Army [will] close its Niagara Support Center [and] Niagara Falls chemical plant… Department of Defense plans to cutback at 307 military bases. To be inactivated at the Niagara Falls Air Base are the 35th Defense Missile Squadron and the 4621st Air Base Group and its associated units.}} and the 4621st ABG was inactivated on 31 March 1970 (the last active-duty ADC organization at the base).compiled by {{Cite book |last1=Johnson |first1=Mildred W. |date=31 December 1980 |orig-year=February 1973: Cornett, Lloyd H. Jr. |title=A Handbook of Aerospace Defense Organization 1946 - 1980 |url=http://www.usafpatches.com/pubs/handbookofadcorg.pdf |publisher=Office of History, Aerospace Defense Center |location=Peterson Air Force Base |access-date=2012-03-26 |archive-date=February 13, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160213173347/http://www.usafpatches.com/pubs/handbookofadcorg.pdf |url-status=dead }}{{Failed verification|date=September 2013}}

In 1971 the 914th assumed command of the installation from active duty units{{Which|Which active duty units?|date=September 2013}} and switched from C-119 to C-130A Hercules aircraft. At the same time, the 107th converted to McDonnell F-101 Voodoo interceptors. The 1985 Niagara Falls A-4 collision of Blue Angels at the Western New York Air Show '85 was "in front of a reviewing stand" (1 pilot killed.){{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/07/14/nyregion/pilot-killed-as-2-jets-collide-at-air-show.html | title=Pilot Killed as 2 Jets Collide at Air Show | newspaper=The New York Times | date=July 14, 1985 }}{{cite web | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FbUfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=UNcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6037,874268&dq=niagara-falls-air-force&hl=en | title=The Southeast Missourian - Google News Archive Search }}{{cite web | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xrkfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=fNcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1459,1994926&dq=niagara-falls-air-force&hl=en | title=Gadsden Times - Google News Archive Search }} The 914th received C-130E aircraft in 1986, and was the first to convert to the Air Force's more advanced C-130, the H-3, in late 1992. The 107th received F-4C Phantoms, then F-4Ds and in 1990, F-16ADF Fighting Falcons.

In October 1990, over 300 members of the 914th Airlift Group spent seven months in the United Arab Emirates for Operation Desert Shield; 107th members were also activated. In 1994, the 107th Fighter Group switched to an aerial refueling mission, becoming the 107th Air Refueling Group and then the 107th Air Refueling Wing (107 ARW) in 1995. The 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission recommended closing the "United States Army Reserve Center and Army Maintenance Support Activity, Niagara Falls".{{Cite web |url=http://www.defense.gov/brac/pdf/Vol_I_Part_2_DOD_BRAC.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=September 9, 2013 |archive-date=May 22, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522204725/http://www.defense.gov/brac/pdf/Vol_I_Part_2_DOD_BRAC.pdf |url-status=dead }} In 2007, the 107 ARW was advised that it would change missions again to that of theater airlift, sharing C-130 Hercules aircraft as an ANG "Associate" unit to the 914 AW and re-designating as the 107th Airlift Wing (107 AW) in 2008. In 2012, it was announced that federal budget reductions due to sequestration would force yet another mission change on the 107 AW. During 2014, the 107 AW began transitioning to an unmanned / remotely piloted aircraft mission with the MQ-9 Reaper. The 107 AW flew its last airlift mission in December 2015 and in 2017 was redesignated as the 107th Attack Wing (107 ATKW), while all C-130H2 aircraft and operations remained with the 914 AW.{{cite web |url=https://www.107attackwing.ang.af.mil/ |title = 107th Attack Wing > Home}}

The USGS added the military station to the Geographic Names Information System on November 17, 2008.{{Cite gnis|2511965 s|Niagara Falls International Airport Air Reserve Station (2511965) |access-date=2013-09-02 |quote=Entry Date: 17-Nov-2008 … 430657N 0785624Ws}} Since 2011, the Army Reserve's 277th Quartermaster Company has provided support for fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft operations.

In 2016, it was announced that the 914th would replace their aging C-130 aircraft with eight KC-135 Stratotankers. The conversion was included in the 2017 budget and changed the 914th's mission to an air refueling role with a subsequent re-designation as the 914th Air Refueling Wing (914 ARW).{{Cite web|url=https://www.airforcetimes.com/story/military/careers/air-force/2016/02/23/kc-135-aircraft-jobs-new-york-niagra-falls-air-base/80806446/|title=kc-135-aircraft-jobs-new-york-Niagara-Falls-air-base|website=Air Force Times|date=February 23, 2016|language=en|access-date=2017-01-28}}{{cite web |url=https://www.niagara.afrc.af.mil/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060613001940/http://www.niagara.afrc.af.mil/ |archive-date=June 13, 2006 |title=Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station - Home}}

Three Army Reserve units call the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station home. All three are located in the Armed Forces Reserve Center (AFRC) which was built in 2013. The units are the 277th Quartermaster Company (Petroleum), 1982nd Forward Surgical Team (FST) and Alpha Company, 865th Combat Support Hospital (CSH).

• 90th Reconnaissance Wing, 1946–1949
• 26th Reconnaissance Group, 1946–1949
• 107th Group (Currently designated 107th Attack Wing), 1948–Present
• 518th Air Defense Group, 1953

: Re-designated 15th Fighter Group (Air Defense), 1955–1960

• 47th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 1952–1960
• 35th Air Defense Missile Squadron, 1960–1969{{Citation needed|reason=Was this unit headquarterd on the AFB or at the NFAF Missile Site?|date=September 2013}}
• 445th Fighter-Bomber Group, 1955–1957
• 914th Troop Carrier Group (Currently designated 914th Air Refueling Wing, 1963–Present

{{div col|colwidth=30em}}

• F-47 Thunderbolt, 1948–1952
• F-51 Mustang, 1952–1954
• F-86 Sabre, 1953–1960
• F-94 Starfire, 1954–1957
• F-102 Delta Dagger, 1959–1960
• F-100 Super Sabre, 1960–1970
• C-119 Flying Boxcar, 1963–1971
• F-101 Voodoo, 1971–1982
• F-4 Phantom II, 1982–1990
• F-16 Fighting Falcon, 1990–1994
• KC-135 Stratotanker, 1994–2008, 2016–Present
• C-130 Hercules, 1971–2016
• MQ-9 Reaper, 2014–Present

{{div col end}}

{{Reflist |refs=

{{Cite report |last=Condit |first=Kenneth W. |year=1992 |orig-year=1971 classified vol |chapter=Chapter 15: Continental Defense |title=The Joint Chiefs of Staff and National Policy: 1955-1956 |volume=VI of History of the Joint Chiefs of Staff |publisher=Historical Office, Joint Staff |location=Washington, DC }}

{{Cite report |last=Futrell |first=Robert F. |publisher=Air Historical Office | date=July 1947 |title=Development of AAF Base Facilities in the United States: 1939-1945 |volume=ARS-69: US Air Force Historical Study No 69 (Copy No. 2) |quote=Niagara Falls East Tr Sch … Niagara Falls…Mod Ctr HQ}}

}}

• [http://wikimapia.org/22761840/Former-BOMARC-Missile-Site Wikimapia image of fuel depot and Tuscarora Rd gate]

{{NYMilitary}}

{{USAF Air Force Reserve Command}}

{{Aerospace Defense Command|state=collapsed}}

Category:Installations of the United States Air Force in New York (state)

Category:1971 establishments in New York (state)

Category:Airfields of the United States Army Air Forces in New York (state)

Category:Airfields of the United States Army Air Forces Technical Service Command

Category:Niagara County, New York