Editing Fairchild Air Force Base (section)

==History==
[[File:Muir S Fairchild.jpg|thumb|left|135px|General [[Muir S. Fairchild|Muir Fairchild]]]]
Fairchild Air Force Base is named in honor of General [[Muir S. Fairchild]] (1894–1950). Born in [[Bellingham, Washington|Bellingham]], he graduated from [[Olympia High School (Olympia, Washington)|Olympia High School]] and attended the [[University of Washington]] in [[Seattle]].

Fairchild received his wings and commission in 1918, and served as a pilot during [[World War I]].  He held various air staff positions during [[World War&nbsp;II]] and received his [[General (United States)|fourth star]] in 1948. While serving as [[Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force|Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force]], he died on 17 March 1950.
{{clear}}

===Operational history===
Since 1942, Fairchild Air Force Base/Station has been a key part of the United States' defense strategy—from World War II repair depot, to Strategic Air Command bomber wing during the Cold War, to Air Mobility Command air refueling wing during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Today, Fairchild's aircraft and personnel make up the backbone of the Air Force's tanker fleet on the west coast.

Fairchild's location, {{convert|12|mi|-1|spell=in}} west of Spokane, resulted from a competition with the cities of [[Seattle]] and [[Everett, Washington|Everett]] in western Washington. The War Department chose Spokane for several reasons: better weather conditions for flying, the location {{convert|300|mi|-1}} from the [[Pacific Ocean|coast]], and the [[Cascade Range]] providing a natural barrier against possible Japanese attack.

As an added incentive to the War Department, many Spokane businesses and public-minded citizens donated money to purchase land for the base. At a cost of more than $125,000, these people bought {{convert|1400|acre|km2|1}} and presented the title to the War Department in January 1942. That year, the government designated $14 million to purchase more land and begin construction of a new Spokane Army Air Depot.<ref name=fcbdcfs>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=PNlYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=NfgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7317,3299454 |work=Spokane Daily Chronicle |last=Dullenty |first=Jim |title=Fairchild's "birthday" confusing |date=14 January 1969 |page=24}}</ref>

Spokane Air Depot was served by a rail connection to the [[Great Northern Railway (U.S.)|Great Northern Railway]].<ref>Staff, "Align Rail Route To Air Depot", ''The Spokesman-Review'', Spokane, Washington, Wednesday 13 May 1942, Volume 59. Number 364, page 6.</ref>

From 1942 until 1946, the base served as a repair depot for damaged aircraft returning from the Pacific Theater. The depot command at the base went through several name changes, at one point being designated the [[Spokane Air Technical Service Command]]. Effective at 2359L on 31 August 1947, the base was transferred to the [[Strategic Air Command]] (SAC) and assigned to the [[Fifteenth Air Force|15th Air Force]] (15 AF). Beginning in the summer of 1947, the [[92d Operations Group|92nd]] and [[98th Operations Group|98th]] Bomb Groups arrived. Both of the units flew the most advanced bomber of the day, the B-29 Superfortress. In January 1948, the base received the second of its three official names: Spokane Air Force Base.

With the outbreak of the [[Korean War]] in 1950, both groups deployed to [[Japan]] and [[Guam]]. The 92d departed on 4 July 1950 and the 98th followed in August. After only a few months, General MacArthur released the 92nd to return to the states while the 98th remained in the Far East. The 98th was then reassigned to Nebraska. Upon its return to Fairchild, the 92nd was re-designated the 92d Bombardment Wing (Heavy). In November 1950, the base took its current name in memory of Air Force [[Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force|Vice Chief of Staff]], General [[Muir S. Fairchild]], a native of [[Bellingham, Washington|Bellingham]]. The general entered service as a sergeant with the [[Washington National Guard]] in June 1916 and was an aviator in [[World War I]]. He died at his quarters at [[Fort Myer]] while on duty in [[the Pentagon]] in March 1950. The formal dedication ceremony was held 20 July 1951, to coincide with the arrival of the wing's first [[Convair B-36|B-36 Peacemaker]].<ref name=taohfd >{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=eeRXAAAAIBAJ&sjid=PfYDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5190%2C4411669|newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle |location=(Washington)|title=Top air officers here for Fairchild's dedication |date=20 July 1951 |page=1}}</ref><ref name=rafdbc>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=LaApAAAAIBAJ&sjid=BOYDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6172%2C6675970|newspaper=Spokesman-Review |title=Rite at Fairchild draws big crowd|date=21 July 1950 |page=1}}</ref>

===B-52 Stratofortress and KC-135 Stratotanker===
In 1956, the wing began a conversion that brought the first of 45 [[Boeing B-52 Stratofortress|B-52 Stratofortress]] bombers on 26 March 1957 to Fairchild, followed by first of twenty [[Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker|KC-135 Stratotanker]] on 21 February 1958. In 1961, the 92d became the first "aerospace" wing in the nation with the acquisition of the [[SM-65E Atlas|Atlas]]-E intercontinental ballistic missile, operated by the [[567th Strategic Missile Squadron]].<ref name=mftsadp>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_qASAAAAIBAJ&sjid=GvcDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6840%2C5900918 |newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle |location=(Washington)|title=Missile fortress takes shape at Deer Park |date=27 January 1960 |page=12 }}</ref><ref name=mstsh>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2ShYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=IfcDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5336%2C3012058  |newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle |location=(Washington)|title=Missile sites take shape |last=Petty |first=Robert W. |date=12 April 1960 |page=8 }}</ref><ref name=samsnc>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ywJYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=OPcDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6917%2C2310444 |newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle |location=(Washington)|title=Spokane area missile sites near completion |date=9 December 1960 |page=12 }}</ref><ref name=atlgtes>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=EqASAAAAIBAJ&sjid=OvcDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5455%2C748674 |newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle |location=(Washington)|title=Atlas gear tested|date=5 January 1961 |page=3 }}</ref> With the new role and the addition of missiles, the 92d Bomb Wing was re-designated the 92d Strategic Aerospace Wing. However, the designation remained longer than the missiles, as the Atlas missiles were soon obsolete and removed in 1965.<ref name=atmovr>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=5lZYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ofcDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5366%2C8112 |newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle|title=Atlas missile era is ended |last=Petty |first=Robert W. |date=1 July 1965 |page=1 }}</ref><ref name=lamssfsl>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XWZYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=yPcDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7230%2C4384978 |newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle |location=(Washington)|title=Last Atlas sites sold for salvage |date=31 May 1967 |page=b3 }}</ref>

The weapons storage area (WSA) for the bombers was located south of the runway at Deep Creek Air Force Station, a separate installation constructed from 1950 to 1953 by the [[United States Atomic Energy Commission|Atomic Energy Commission]] (AEC) and operated by the [[Air Materiel Command]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Arkin |first1=William |last2=Norris |first2=Robert |last3=Handler |first3=Joshua |title=Taking Stock: Worldwide Nuclear Deployments 1998 |url=http://www.nrdc.org/nuclear/tkstock/tssum.asp |access-date=26 May 2013 |year=1998 |publisher=[[Natural Resources Defense Council]] |location=[[Washington, D.C.]] |page=71}}</ref> The facility was one of the thirteen original sites built for storage, maintenance, and operational readiness of the nuclear stockpile. Deep Creek became part of Fairchild AFB on 1 July 1962, with operations transferred to SAC.<ref>{{cite news |title=Shift Planned at Deep Creek |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xzJYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=SPcDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3844%2C2444351 |newspaper=[[Spokane Daily Chronicle]]|date=10 May 1962 |access-date=26 May 2013}}</ref>

On 15 March 1966, the 336th Combat Crew Training Group was established at Fairchild. In 1971, the group became a wing and assumed control over all Air Force survival schools. Later reduced to a group level command, the unit, now known as the [[336th Training Group]], continues this mission for the [[Air Education and Training Command]] (AETC).

To provide air defense of the base, U.S. Army [[MIM-14 Nike Hercules|Nike-Hercules]] surface-to-air missile sites were constructed during 1956/1957.  Sites were located near Cheney (F-37) {{Coord|47|32|30|N|117|32|46|W}}; Deep Creek (F-87) {{Coord|47|39|29|N|117|42|55|W}}; Medical Lake (F-45) {{Coord|47|35|10|N|117|40|32|W}}, and Spokane (F-07) {{Coord|47|40|50|N|117|36|28|W}}.  The Cheney site was active between 1957 – June 1960; Deep Creek Sep 1958 – March 1966; Medical Lake 1957 – March 1966 and the Spokane site between 1957 and June 1960.

On 16 October 1984, an unarmed B-52G (57-6479)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/48381 |publisher=Aviation Safety Network |title=ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 48381 |date=16 October 1984 |accessdate=22 November 2021}}</ref> from Fairchild crashed in northeast [[Arizona]] during a nighttime low-level training flight, with five survivors and two fatalities: the gunner and a colonel in the observer jump seat.<ref name=fcapic>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=f1hWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Bu8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=4543%2C960285 |work=Spokesman-Review |agency=Associated Press |title=Fairchild airplane in crash |date=17 October 1984 |page=1}}</ref><ref name=slcmsg>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=sS5TAAAAIBAJ&sjid=-IIDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6068%2C290125 |work=Deseret News |location=(Salt Lake City, Utah) |agency=Associated Press |title=1 dead, 1 missing in B-52 crash |date=17 October 1984 |page=A2}}</ref><ref name=srffc>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=gFhWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Bu8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=5473%2C1203863 |work=Spokesman-Review |agency=staff and wire reports |title=Searchers fail to find colonel, five rescued |date=18 October 1984 |page=1}}</ref><ref name=cbfiw>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=gVhWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Bu8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=7101%2C1672071 |work=Spokesman-Review |last=Goffredo |first=Theresa |title=Colonel's body found in wreckage |date=19 October 1984 |page=1}}</ref><ref name=bbefr>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=oYRTAAAAIBAJ&sjid=oYYDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6577%2C1634025 |work=The Bulletin |location=(Bend, Oregon) |agency=UPI |title=Colonel's death confirmed |date=19 October 1984 |page=A2}}</ref>

In 1985, Fairchild's fifteen B-52G aircraft were replaced with nineteen [[Boeing B-52 Stratofortress#Variants|B-52H]]; a slightly newer version with more powerful [[turbofan]] engines.<ref name=fttrbom>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3v1LAAAAIBAJ&sjid=m_kDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5819%2C777508 |work=Spokane Daily Chronicle |last=Ripley |first=Richard  |title=Fairchild to trade bombers |date=5 February 1985 |page=A3}}</ref>

===Air refueling===
As military operations in Vietnam escalated in the mid-1960s, the demand for air refueling increased. Fairchild tanker crews became actively involved in Operation YOUNG TIGER, refueling combat aircraft in Southeast Asia. The wing's B-52s were not far behind, deploying to [[Anderson Air Force Base|Andersen AFB]] on [[Guam]] for [[Operation Arc Light]] and the bombing campaign against enemy strongholds in Vietnam.

On 10 September 1962, an inbound KC-135A<!--60-0352--> from [[Ellsworth Air Force Base|Ellsworth AFB]] in [[South Dakota]] with 44 aboard crashed<!-- northeast of Spokane--> into fog-shrouded [[Mount Kit Carson]], just west of [[Mount Spokane]]. The incident occurred late in the morning and there were no survivors;<ref name=aftnkr>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=cK1YAAAAIBAJ&sjid=RvcDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5928%2C1742553 |work=Spokane Daily Chronicle |title=Air Force tanker carrying 44 overdue at Fairchild |date=10 September 1962 |page=1}}</ref><ref name=ffdfcr>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZHApAAAAIBAJ&sjid=IOkDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6107%2C3241630 |work=Spokesman-Review |title=44 die in fiery crash of Air Force tanker on side of Mt. Kit Carson |date=11 September 1962 |page=1}}</ref><ref name=lmtcnstff>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=mb5eAAAAIBAJ&sjid=MDEMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3976%2C1480984 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=(Idaho)|agency=Associated Press |title=Crash near Spokane takes 44 lives |date=11 September 1962 |page=1}}</ref><ref name=tcpgn>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ca1YAAAAIBAJ&sjid=RvcDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5398%2C2016533 |work=Spokane Daily Chronicle |title=Tanker-crash probe begun |date=11 September 1962 |page=1}}</ref><ref name=apjtckff>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=X_1VAAAAIBAJ&sjid=8uIDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6143%2C1897379|work=Eugene Register-Guard |location=(Oregon)|agency=Associated Press |title=Jet tanker crash kills 44 |date=11 September 1962 |page=1A}}</ref><ref name=acfafpv>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=UTpYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=V_cDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5313%2C1009357 |work=The Bulletin |location=(Bend, Oregon) |agency=United Press International |title=Area combed for Air Force plane victims |date=11 September 1962 |page=1}}</ref><ref name=srphtup>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZXApAAAAIBAJ&sjid=IOkDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5175%2C3569614 |work=Spokesman-Review |agency=(photo) |title=Downed plane cut sharp path up hill |date=12 September 1962 |page=6}}</ref> it was attributed to a navigational error by the&nbsp;crew.<ref name=ofpc>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=jC4gAAAAIBAJ&sjid=F_EDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2861%2C1880978|newspaper=Spokesman-Review|title=Other Fairchild plane crashes|date=25 June 1994|page=A6}}</ref><!--https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19620910-2 --> Less than five years later, another crash occurred in the same general area. Returning from [[Hickam Air Force Base|Hickam AFB]] in [[Hawaii]] on 19 January 1967, a Fairchild-based KC-135A<!--56-3613--> crashed southeast of Mount Spokane shortly after sunset; all nine on board were killed.<ref name=ofpc/><ref name=fchcnin>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=aaxWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=vOgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7155%2C985315 |work=Spokesman-Review |title=Jet tanker down in Mt. Spokane area; search seeks Fairchild crew of nine |date=20 January 1967 |page=1}}</ref><ref name=bjwrfn>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=LVdYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=tfcDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4622%2C1451256 |work=Spokane Daily Chronicle |title=Big jet's wreckage found |date=20 January 1967 |page=1}}</ref><ref name=bupifwrk>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=eP5XAAAAIBAJ&sjid=A_cDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2618%2C5045252 |work=The Bulletin |location=(Bend, Oregon) |agency=United Press International |title=Searchers find plane wreckage |date=20 January 1967 |page=1}}</ref><ref name=nbtfjw>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=aqxWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=vOgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6734%2C1351118 |work=Spokesman-Review |title=Nine bodies taken from jet wreck |date=21 January 1967 |page=1}}</ref><ref name=jttkr>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=w7BfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ADMMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5835%2C3681922 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=(Idaho)|agency=Associated Press |title=Nine died as jet tanker hit ridge in Spokane area |date=21 January 1967 |page=1}}</ref><ref name= jtwrck>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=va8RAAAAIBAJ&sjid=q-gDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7530%2C345990 |work=Spokesman-Review |last=Gasman |first=Bill |title=Jet tanker wreck to be removed |date=17 June 1967|page=6}}</ref><!-- https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19670119-1 -->

In late 1974, the Air Force announced plans to convert the 141st Fighter Interceptor Group of the [[Washington Air National Guard]], an [[McDonnell F-101 Voodoo|F-101 Voodoo]] unit at [[Geiger Field]], to an air refueling mission with KC-135 aircraft. The unit would then be renamed the [[141st Air Refueling Wing]] (141 ARW) and move to Fairchild. Work began soon thereafter and by 1976 eight KC-135E aircraft transferred to the new 141 ARW. Today, the 141 ARW continues its air mobility mission, flying the KC-135R model.
[[File:Boeing KC-135A Stratotanker (717-146), USA - Air Force AN1124205.jpg|thumb|A Fairchild-based [[Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker|KC-135A Stratotanker]] seen during 1986]]
On 23 January 1987, following the inactivation of the 47th Air Division at Fairchild, the 92nd Bombardment Wing was reassigned to the [[57th Air Division]] at [[Minot Air Force Base|Minot&nbsp;AFB]] in [[North Dakota]]. Less than two months later on 13&nbsp;March<!-- 1987-->, a KC-135A crashed into a field adjacent to the 92nd Bomb Wing headquarters and the taxiway during a practice flight for a low-level in-flight refueling demonstration planned for later that month. Seven were killed in the crash, all USAF personnel, six aboard the aircraft, and a motorist on the ground.<ref name=ofpc/><ref name=kccafch>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dagpAAAAIBAJ&sjid=e-8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=4330%2C7330612|newspaper=Spokesman-Review|last1=Carrollo |first1=Russell |last2=Camden |first2=Jim |title=KC-135 crashes at Fairchild|date=14 March 1987 |page=A1}}</ref><ref name=alstsxd>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=mO5VAAAAIBAJ&sjid=dOEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3793%2C3026780 |work=Eugene Register-Guard |location=(Oregon)|agency=Associated Press |title=At least six die in tanker plane crash |date=14 March 1987 |page=1A}}</ref><ref name=ldtfracm>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dqgpAAAAIBAJ&sjid=e-8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6000%2C7674707 |work=Spokesman-Review |last=Camden |first=Jim |title=Low death toll from air crash called miracle |date=15 March 1987|page=A1}}</ref><ref name=scafmvc>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VBATAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DvsDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5211%2C3566 |work=Spokane Chronicle |last=Murphey |first=Mike |title=Air Force will mourn its victims |date=16 March 1987 |page=A1}}</ref><ref name=acroprohb>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=gqgpAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ee8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=5672%2C6220583 |work=Spokesman-Review |last=Carrollo |first=Russell |title=Acrobatics by KC-135 prohibited |date=12 April 1987|page=A1}}</ref>

Following [[Ba'athist Iraq|Iraq's]] [[invasion of Kuwait]] in August 1990, a total of 560 base personnel deployed to Desert Shield and [[Operation Desert Storm#Military means|Desert Storm]] from August 1990 to March 1991. The 43d and [[92d Air Refueling Squadron]]s flew a combined total of 4,004 hours, 721 sorties, and off-loaded a total of 22.5 million pounds of fuel to coalition aircraft.

On 1 September 1991, under Air Force reorganization, the 92d Bombardment Wing (Heavy) was re-designated the 92d Wing, emphasizing a dual bombing and refueling role.

With the inactivation of the [[Strategic Air Command]] (SAC) in June 1992, the B-52 portion of the wing became part of the newly established [[Air Combat Command]] (ACC) and was re-designated the 92d Bomb Wing. As SAC finished 46 years of service to the nation, Fairchild bomber and tanker crews took top honors at Proud Shield '92, SAC's final bombing/navigation competition. The wing won the Fairchild Trophy for best bomber/tanker team as well as the Saunders Trophy for the tanker unit attaining the most points on all competition missions.

7 December 1993 marked the beginning of a significant change in the mission of Fairchild when the B-52s were transferred to another ACC base while the KC-135s, now assigned to the newly established [[Air Mobility Command]] (AMC) would remain. This was the first step in Fairchild's transition to an air refueling wing. The departure of B-52s continued throughout the spring of 1994, with most of the bombers gone by 25 May 1994.

===Air refueling wing===
[[File:Fairchild-main-gate.jpg|270px|thumb|Entrance to Fairchild AFB in 2008|left]]
On 1 July 1994, the 92d Bomb Wing was re-designated the 92d Air Refueling Wing (92 ARW), and Fairchild AFB was transferred from ACC to Air Mobility Command (AMC) in a ceremony marking the creation of the largest air refueling wing in the Air Force. Dubbed as the new "tanker hub of the Northwest," the wing was capable of maintaining an air bridge across the nation and the world in support of US and allied forces.

Since 1994, the 92 ARW has been involved in many contingency missions around the world. 92 ARW KC-135s have routinely supported special airlift missions in response to world events or international treaty compliance requirements.

In 1995 aircraft from Fairchild flew to Travis AFB, California in support of its first Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) mission, transporting Russian inspectors to sites in the Western U.S. The wing has flown START missions in the U.S. every year since. And in May 2000, the wing became the first active duty KC-135 unit to transport U.S. inspectors on a START mission into Ulan Ude, Russia.

Throughout much of the 1990s, the wing was actively involved in missions against Iraqi president Saddam Hussein. The wing also deployed aircraft and personnel in 1999 to support Operation Allied Force.

Following the destruction of the World Trade Center, the wing began providing around-the-clock air refueling of Combat Air Patrol fighter aircraft and initiated 24-hour ground alert operations in support of Operation Noble Eagle. The wing also began a series of extended Operation Enduring Freedom deployments for aircrews and maintainers as well as combat support and medical personnel.

===Previous names===
* Established as Galena Field (popular designation), renamed Spokane Air Depot, 1 March 1942
* Spokane Army Airfield, 9 July 1942
* Spokane Air Force Base, 13 January 1948
* Fairchild Air Force Base, 1 November 1950

===Major commands to which assigned===
* Air Service Command, 1 March 1942
* AAF Materiel and Services, 17 July 1944
: Redesignated: AAF Technical Service Command, 31 August 1944
: Redesignated: Air Technical Service Command, 1 July 1945
: Redesignated: [[Air Materiel Command]], 9 March 1946
* [[Strategic Air Command]], 1 September 1947
* [[Air Combat Command]], 1 June 1992
* [[Air Mobility Command]], 1 July 1994 – present

===Base operating units===
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-break|width=50%}}
* 15th Station Complement, 15 August 1942
* 498th Base HQ and Air Base Sq, 1 February 1943
* 4134th AAF Base Unit, 1 April 1944
* 203d AAF Base Unit, 1 September 1947
{{Col-break|width=50%}}
* 92d Airdrome Gp, 17 November 1947 (rdsgd 92d Air Base Gp, 12 July 1948)
* 814th Air Base Gp, 8 August 1952
* 92d Air Base Gp, 4 September 1957 (rdsgd several times since)-Present
{{Col-end}}

===Major units assigned===
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-break|width=50%}}
* 2d Air Service Area Command, 1 July 1941 – 9 September 1942
* 41st Air Base HQ & Air Base Group, 22 April 1941 – 31 March 1944
* 15th Station Complement Air Depot, 21 June 1942 – 4 February 1943
* Spokane Air Depot, 1 March 1942 – 1 September 1953
* 85th AAF Base Unit, 7 August 1944 – 20 October 1946
* [[98th Range Wing|98th Bombardment Wing]], 24 October 1947 – 15 August 1953
* [[92d Air Refueling Wing|92d Bombardment (later Air Refueling) Wing]], 17 November 1947 – present
* [[90th Missile Wing|90th Bombardment Wing]], 2 January –  13 March 1951
* [[111th Strategic Reconnaissance Group]], 10 April 1951 – 1 January 1953
* [[99th Air Base Wing|99th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing]], 1 January 1953 – 1 September 1956
{{Col-break|width=50%}}
* [[567th Strategic Missile Squadron]] (ICBM-Atlas), 1 April 1960 – 25 June 1965
* 3636th Combat Crew Training Wing, 2 April 1966 – 1 January 1993
: Redesignated: 336th Air Refueling Wing, 1–29 January 1993
: Redesignated: 336th Crew Training Group, 29 January 1993 – 1 April 1994
: Resesignated: 336th Training Group ([[USAF Survival School]]), 1 April 1994 – present
* [[47th Air Division]], 30 June 1971 – 27 February 1987
{{Col-end}}
{{small|References for history introduction, major commands and major units}}<ref name="mul2">Mueller, Robert (1989). Volume 1: Active Air Force Bases Within the United States of America on 17 September 1982. USAF Reference Series, Office of Air Force History, United States Air Force, Washington, D.C. {{ISBN|0-912799-53-6}}, {{ISBN|0-16-002261-4}}</ref>

===Major aircraft and missiles assigned===
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-break|width=50%}}
* [[Boeing B-29 Superfortress|B-29 Superfortress]], 1947–1952
* [[Convair B-36 Peacemaker|B-36 Peacemaker]], 1951–1957
* [[Boeing B-52 Stratofortress|B-52 Stratofortress]], 1957–1994
{{Col-break|width=50%}}
* [[Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker|KC-135 Stratotanker]], 1958–present
* [[SM-65E Atlas]] 1961–1965
* [[Bell UH-1N Twin Huey|UH-1N Twin Huey]], 1971–present<!--36th Rescue Flight (AETC)-->
{{Col-end}}
{{small|Reference}}<ref>[http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=9839 92d ARW AFHRA] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160120124349/http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=9839 |date=20 January 2016 }}</ref>

===Intercontinental ballistic missile facilities===
[[File:567th Strategic Missile Squadron - SM-65E Atlas Missile Sites.png|thumb|230px|[[SM-65E Atlas|Atlas]] missile sites of Fairchild AFB]]
The [[567th Strategic Missile Squadron]] operated nine [[SM-65E Atlas]] ICBM sites (1 April 1960 – 25 June 1965).
* 567–1, 3.4&nbsp;mi ENE of Deer Park, WA     {{Coord|47|58|30|N|117|24|32|W|name=567-1|display=inline}}
* 567–2, 3.1&nbsp;mi SE of Newman Lake, WA     {{Coord|47|44|25|N|117|03|38|W|name=567-2|display=inline}}
* 567–3, 5.3&nbsp;mi ESE of Rockford, WA     {{Coord|47|26|13|N|117|01|06|W|name=567-3|display=inline}}
* 567–4, 4.0&nbsp;mi NE of Sprague, WA     {{Coord|47|19|58|N|117|54|11|W|name=567-4|display=inline}}
* 567–5, 0.7&nbsp;mi NW of Lamona, WA     {{Coord|47|22|04|N|118|29|27|W|name=567-5|display=inline}}
* 567–6, 6.5&nbsp;mi S of Davenport, WA     {{Coord|47|33|36|N|118|09|34|W|name=567-6|display=inline}}
* 567–7, 4.4&nbsp;mi E of Wilbur, WA      {{Coord|47|45|52|N|118|36|31|W|name=567-7|display=inline}}
* 567–8, 6.2&nbsp;mi SW of Deer Meadows, WA     {{Coord|47|49|40|N|118|13|21|W|name=567-8|display=inline}}
* 567–9, 8.9&nbsp;mi NNE of Reardan, WA     {{Coord|47|47|42|N|117|49|51|W|name=567-9|display=inline}}

On 14 July 1958, the [[United States Army Corps of Engineers|Army Corps of Engineers]] Northern Pacific Division directed its Seattle District to begin survey and mapping operations for the first Atlas-E site to be located in the vicinity of Spokane. Originally, the Air Force wanted three sites with three missiles at each (3 x 3); however, in early 1959, the Air Force opted to disperse the missiles to nine individual sites as a defensive safety measure. Work started at Site A on 12 May 1959, and completion at Site I occurred on 10 February 1961. Auxiliary support facilities for each site were built concurrent with the launchers.<ref name="mftsadp" /><ref name="mstsh" /><ref name="samsnc" /><ref name="atlgtes" /> Support facilities at Fairchild AFB, including a [[liquid oxygen]] plant, were completed by January 1961.

[[File:Convair SM-65E Atlas 567 SMS 567-1 Deer Park Washington 18 August 1961.jpg|thumb|210px|[[SM-65E Atlas|Atlas]] at Deer Park (567–1) in 1961]]
Activation of the [[567th Strategic Missile Squadron]] on 1 April 1960, marked the first time SAC activated an E series Atlas unit. On 3 December 1960, the first Atlas E missile arrived at the 567th SMS.<ref name="fratmisk">{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=sFspAAAAIBAJ&sjid=IegDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5127%2C1396254|work=Spokesman-Review |title=First Atlas missile sent to Spokane |date=4 December 1960 |page=1}}</ref><ref name="slkatlnaf">{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=yQJYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=OPcDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6209%2C1005110 |work=Spokane Daily Chronicle |agency=(photo) |title=Sleek Atlas now at Fairchild |date=5 December 1960 |page=4}}</ref> Construction continued and SAC accepted the first Series E Atlas complex on 29 July 1961. Operational readiness training, which previously had been conducted only at [[Vandenberg Air Force Base|Vandenberg AFB]], California, began at Fairchild during the following month. On&nbsp;28 September 1961, Headquarters SAC declared the squadron operational and during the following month, the 567th placed the first Atlas E missile on alert status. The bulk of the Fairchild force was on alert status in November.

As a result of Defense Secretary [[Robert McNamara]]'s May&nbsp;1964 directive accelerating the phaseout of Atlas and [[HGM-25A Titan I|Titan I]] ICBMs, the first Atlas missiles came off line at Fairchild in January&nbsp;1965. On 31&nbsp;March, the last missile came off alert status, which marked the completion of Atlas phaseout. The squadron was inactivated within three&nbsp;months.<ref name="atmovr" /><ref name="lamssfsl" />

Today all of the former missile sites still exist and most appear to be in good condition. Most of them are in agricultural areas and presumably are being used to support farmers by storage of equipment and other material. Site "1" and "2" appear to be redeveloped into light industrial estates; "4" and "6" appear to be converted into private residences.<ref name="recycl6">{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=29hYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=SvEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6755%2C5523103 |work=Spokesman-Review |last=Jones |first=Grayden |title=Cold War relic recycled |date=9 March 1995 |page=A8}}</ref>