Editing Fairchild Air Force Base

{{Short description|US Air Force base near Spokane, Washington, United States}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{Infobox military installation
| name = Fairchild Air Force Base
| ensign = 
| ensign_size =
| native_name = 
| partof = <!-- for elements within a larger site -->
| location = 
| nearest_town = [[Spokane, Washington|Spokane]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]]
| country = the [[United States]]
| image = File:Tankers practice rapid launch 140822-F-YQ276-135.jpg
| image_size = 260
| alt = A Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker of the 92nd Air Refueling Wing departs Fairchild AFB during 2014.
| caption = [[92nd Air Refueling Wing]]'s [[Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker|KC-135 Stratotanker]]<br>departs Fairchild AFB in 2014
| image2 = [[File:Air Mobility Command.svg|100px]]
| alt2 = 
| caption2 = 
| type = U.S. Air Force Base
| coordinates = {{coord|47|36|54|N|117|39|20|W|display=inline,title}}
| gridref = 
| image_map = 
| image_mapsize = 
| image_map_alt = 
| image_map_caption = 
| pushpin_map = North America#USA#Washington
| pushpin_mapsize = 
| pushpin_map_alt = 
| pushpin_map_caption = 
| pushpin_relief = y
| pushpin_image = 
| pushpin_label = Fairchild<br>AFB
| pushpin_label_position = bottom
| pushpin_mark = Roundel of the USAF.svg
| pushpin_marksize = 20
| ownership = [[United States Department of Defense|Department of Defense]]
| operator = [[United States Air Force]]
| controlledby = [[Air Mobility Command]] (AMC)
| open_to_public = <!-- for out of use sites/sites with museums etc -->
| site_other_label = <!-- for renaming "Other facilities" in infobox -->
| site_other = <!-- for other sorts of facilities – radar types etc -->
| site_area = <!-- area of site m2, km2 square mile etc -->
| code = <!--facility/installation code, applies to US -->
| built = {{Start date and age|1942}}
| used = 1942–present<!--{{End date|1946}} -->
| builder = 
| materials = 
| height = <!-- height of tallest part, not above sea level -->
| length = <!-- for border fences or other DMZs -->
| fate = <!--changed from demolished parameter-->
| condition = Operational
| battles = 
| events = 
| current_commander = [[Colonel (United States)|Colonel]] Chad K. Cisewski
| past_commanders = <!-- past notable commander(s) -->
| garrison = [[92d Air Refueling Wing|92nd Air Refueling Wing]]
| occupants = <!-- squadrons only -->
| designations = 
| website = [https://www.fairchild.af.mil/ www.fairchild.af.mil]
<!-- begin airfield information  -->
| IATA = SKA
| ICAO = KSKA
| FAA = SKA
| TC = 
| LID = 
| GPS = 
| WMO = 727855
| elevation = {{Convert|750.4|m|0|order=flip}}
| r1-number = 05/23
| r1-length =  {{Convert|4236.4|m|0|order=flip}}
| r1-surface = [[Concrete]]
| h1-number = 
| h1-length = <!-- {{Convert| |m|0}} -->
| h1-surface = 
| airfield_other_label = <!-- for renaming "Other facilities" in infobox -->
| airfield_other = <!-- for other sorts of airfield facilities -->
<!--  end airfield information   -->
| footnotes = '''Source:''' [[Federal Aviation Administration]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aeronav.faa.gov/d-tpp/1910/00553ad.pdf#nameddest=(SKA)|title=Airport Diagram – Fairchild AFB (KSKA)|date=12 September 2019|website=Federal Aviation Administration|access-date=18 July 2019}}</ref>
}}
'''Fairchild Air Force Base''' ('''AFB''') {{Airport codes|SKA|KSKA|SKA}} is a [[United States Air Force]] [[Military airbase|base]], located in the [[Northwestern United States|northwest]] [[United States]] in [[Eastern Washington|eastern]] [[Washington (state)|Washington]], approximately {{convert|12|mi|-1|spell=in}} southwest of [[Spokane, Washington|Spokane]].

The host unit at Fairchild is the [[92d Air Refueling Wing|92nd Air Refueling Wing]] (92 ARW) assigned to the [[Air Mobility Command]]'s [[Eighteenth Air Force]]. The 92 ARW is responsible for providing [[Aerial refueling|air refueling]], as well as passenger and cargo airlift and aero-medical evacuation missions supporting U.S. and coalition conventional operations as well as [[United States Strategic Command|U.S. Strategic Command]] strategic deterrence missions.

Fairchild AFB was established {{Time ago|1942}} in 1942 as the '''Spokane Army Air Depot'''.<ref name=wintnd>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=P9dXAAAAIBAJ&sjid=YPUDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7361%2C6025335 |work=Spokane Daily Chronicle |title=Begin air depot within ten days |date=28 February 1942 |page=5}}</ref><ref name=nmselc>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Y9dXAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TvUDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3886%2C2129564 |work=Spokane Daily Chronicle |title='Spokane Air Depot' is name selected|date=12 March 1942 |page=1}}</ref><ref name=rsgatgaln>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ytJYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=W_UDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7055%2C1249215 |work=Spokane Daily Chronicle |title=Spokane Army Air Depot rising at Galena will be completed within the year |date=6 February 1943 |page=5}}</ref><ref name=airvwph>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=WeNXAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ePUDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7489%2C4470381 |work=Spokane Daily Chronicle |title=Air view shows sprawling Spokane Army Air Depot... |agency=(photo) |date=22 October 1945 |page=5}}</ref> and is named in honor of General [[Muir S. Fairchild]] {{nowrap|(1894–1950);}} a [[World War I]] aviator from the state, he was the [[Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force|Vice Chief of Staff]] of the Air Force at the time of his death.

During the [[Cold War]], Fairchild was a [[Strategic Air Command]] (SAC) base for 45 years (1947–1992), with bombers and tankers, as well as missiles for a brief period (1960–1965).

{{as of|2018}}, the 92d Air Refueling Wing was commanded by Colonel Derek Salmi.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fairchild.af.mil/Information/Biographies/Display/Article/1555507/colonel-derek-m-salmi/|access-date=27 March 2020|title=COLONEL DEREK M. SALMI|archive-date=27 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327202747/https://www.fairchild.af.mil/Information/Biographies/Display/Article/1555507/colonel-derek-m-salmi/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Its Command Chief Master Sergeant was Chief Master Sergeant Lee Mills.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fairchild.af.mil/Information/Biographies/Display/Article/1909294/chief-master-sergeant-jason-l-hodges/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327202747/https://www.fairchild.af.mil/Information/Biographies/Display/Article/1909294/chief-master-sergeant-jason-l-hodges/|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 March 2020|access-date=27 March 2020|title=CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT JASON L. HODGES}}</ref>
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==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.
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===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>

== Incidents ==

===1994 shooting===
On 20 June 1994, 20-year-old Dean Mellberg, an ex-Air Force member, entered the base hospital and shot and killed four people and wounded 22 others.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Book|language=en-US|work=WARNINGS UNHEEDED: Twin Tragedies at Fairchild Air Force Base|url=http://fairchildhospitalshooting.com/|access-date=2018-05-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Camden|first=Jim|date=13 August 1994|title=Error kept Fairchild gunman in uniform Investigation may lead to changes in procedure|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-27179311.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911134104/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-27179311.html|archive-date=11 September 2016|work=The Spokesman-Review}}</ref>

Previously, psychologists Major Thomas Brigham and Captain Alan London at Fairchild AFB had found him unfit for duty, which resulted in a transfer to the Wilford Hall Medical Center at [[Lackland AFB]] for further psychological examination.<ref>{{cite web|date=22 May 1995|title=Psychiatrist's Widow Hopes For Change|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-23326775.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911124850/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-23326775.html|archive-date=11 September 2016|work=The Columbian|quote=Brigham and London believed Mellberg was unfit for military service and sent him to Wilford Hall, the Air Force's main medical center in San Antonio.|agency=Associated Press}}</ref> With Congressional pressure brought by Mellberg's mother, Airman Mellberg was found to be fit for military service. Airman Mellberg then was reassigned to Cannon Air Force Base where similar events led to him being returned to psychologists for evaluation. After this evaluation, he was discharged from Cannon AFB as being unfit for military service; he had been diagnosed with mild [[autism]], [[generalized anxiety disorder]] and [[paranoid personality disorder]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Camden|first=Jim|date=21 May 1995|title=Fighting Anger, Seeking Answers Fairchild Shootings Leave Wife of Slain Psychiatrist Campaigning For Change|work=Spokesman-Review|url=http://www.spokesman.com/stories/1995/may/21/fighting-anger-seeking-answers-fairchild}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=FindLaw's United States Ninth Circuit case and opinions|url=https://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-9th-circuit/1082552.html}}</ref> 

Mellberg traveled to Spokane, Washington, near Fairchild AFB, where he purchased a rifle and planned his attack on the base. At the time of the shooting, Fairchild's hospital was an ungated facility. Mellberg took a cab to the base with a large duffle bag and foam gun case, four weeks to the day following his discharge.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gunman unleashes deadly hail of bullets at Fairchild {{!}} The Spokesman-Review |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1994/jun/21/officers-bullet-ends-shooting-spree/ |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=www.spokesman.com}}</ref> The gunman, armed with a Chinese-made [[Type 56 assault rifle|MAK-90]], an [[AK-47]] clone,<ref>{{cite news|date=22 June 1994|title=An Airman's Revenge: 5 Minutes of Terror|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/06/22/us/an-airman-s-revenge-5-minutes-of-terror.html}}</ref> entered the office of Brigham and London and killed both men. Mellberg continued to move through the hospital, injuring several people, and killing eight-year-old Christin McCarron. The gunman then walked out of the building into the parking lot and killed Anita Lindner. He then was confronted by a security policeman, Senior Airman Andy Brown. From approximately 70 yards away, Brown ordered Mellberg to drop his weapon. After Mellberg refused, Brown fired four shots from his 9mm pistol, with two rounds hitting the perpetrator in the head and shoulder, killing him.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Memories of Fairchild shootings still vivid - KXLY920 &#124;|url=http://www.kxly920.com/Global/story.asp?S=8368881|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090925105956/http://www.kxly920.com/Global/story.asp?S=8368881|archive-date=25 September 2009|access-date=17 August 2009}}</ref> 

A pregnant woman shot in the stomach also subsequently lost her unborn child.  After an investigation it was concluded that Airman Brown was justified in his actions, probably having saved lives, and he was awarded the [[Airman's Medal]] by President [[Bill Clinton]]. In 2016, Brown published ''Warnings Unheeded: Twin Tragedies at Fairchild Air Force Base''. The book reveals the pre-incident indicators of the shooting and the fatal crash of a B-52 bomber that occurred four days afterward.

Dean's concerning behavior was long recognized prior to his dismissal from the military.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-06-22-mn-7137-story.html|title=Air Force Ousted Gunman Over Emotional Problems|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=June 22, 1994|access-date=September 23, 2024}}</ref> During basic training, in three different psychological examinations it was noted that he should be discharged. However, he was allowed to complete his basic training and earn his uniform. After a short time in the hospital, he was deemed fit to return and requested a transfer. After his transfer, he was discharged within two months due to symptoms of his personality disorder. Psychologists after the shooting speculate that the removal of his uniform at dismissal may have been a triggering factor to his rampage.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fairchild gunman lost 'family' {{!}} The Spokesman-Review |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1994/jul/10/fairchild-gunman-lost-family/ |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=www.spokesman.com}}</ref>

=== 1994 plane crash ===
{{Main|1994 Fairchild Air Force Base B-52 crash}}
[[File:FairchildB52Crash.jpg|thumb|The B-52H perpendicular to the ground seconds before crashing]]
On 24 June 1994, just four days after the base hospital shooting, one of the few remaining [[Boeing B-52 Stratofortress|B-52H]] bombers at Fairchild crashed during a practice flight for an upcoming [[air show]], killing all four crew members. Pilot error as a result of reckless flying by U.S. Air Force Colonel Arthur "Bud" Holland was determined to be the cause of the crash.<ref>{{cite web|last=Check-Six|year=2007|title=The Crash of 'Czar 52'|url=http://www.check-six.com/Crash_Sites/Czar52Crash.htm|access-date=20 April 2007|work=Check-Six.com}} – Contains video footage of the 1994 crash, and details on the hospital shootings.</ref><ref name="bftck4">{{cite news|date=25 June 1994|title=B-52 crash kills 4|page=1|newspaper=Spokesman-Review|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=jC4gAAAAIBAJ&sjid=F_EDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3551%2C1884581}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Home |first=Washington Our |date=2017-11-08 |title=Remembering Bud Holland. He flew B-52s. – Washington Our Home |url=https://washingtonourhome.com/remembering-bud-holland-he-flew-b-52s/ |access-date=2025-03-03 |language=en-US}}</ref>


==Role and operations==
[[File:Snow falls on a KC-135 161202-F-DL164-007.jpg|thumb|A [[Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker|KC-135R Stratotanker]] of the [[6th Air Refueling Wing]] on the flight-line at Fairchild AFB during December 2016]]
Fairchild is home to a wide variety of units and missions. Most prominent is its air refueling mission, with two wings, one active, the [[92d Air Refueling Wing|92nd Air Refueling Wing]], and one [[Washington Air National Guard|national guard]], the [[141st Air Refueling Wing]], both flying the [[Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker]]. The [[92nd Air Refueling Wing]] comprises the [[92d Operations Group|92nd Operations Group]] which provides air mobility for America through air refueling, airlift, and operational support, the 92d Maintenance Group which provides maintenance support to aircraft and equipment, the 92nd Mission Support Group which provides the foundation for support and morale{{clarify|date=August 2023}} of Fairchild and the 92nd Medical Group.

As of July 2021, Fairchild was the USAF's largest KC-135 operating location, with 63 aircraft assigned.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Everstine|first=Brian W.|date=16 July 2021|title=Fairchild KC-135 'Super' Wing Deploys Nonstop Amid Tanker Fleet Changes|url=https://www.airforcemag.com/fairchild-kc-135-super-wing-tanker-fleet-changes/|access-date=19 July 2021|website=Air Force Magazine|publisher=[[Air Force Association]]|language=en-US}}</ref>

Other units here include the [[Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape#U.S. Air Force|Air Force Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape school]], medical detachments, a weapons squadron and the Joint Personnel Recovery Agency.

Over 5,200 active duty Air Force, Air National Guard, and tenant organization military and civilian employees work on Fairchild, making the base the largest employer in Eastern Washington. Fairchild's annual economic impact on the Spokane community is approximately $427 million, constituting 13 percent of the local economy.<ref name="TeamFairchild">{{cite web|url=http://www.fairchild.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=14100|title=Team Fairchild|date=13 January 2012|publisher=92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110106013400/http://www.fairchild.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=14100|archive-date=6 January 2011|url-status=dead|access-date=29 September 2012}}</ref>

== Based units ==
Flying and notable non-flying units based at Fairchild Air Force Base.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fairchild.af.mil/About/Units/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190321001447/https://www.fairchild.af.mil/About/Units/|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 March 2019|title=Units|website=Fairchild AFB|access-date=20 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2019/10/20/first-of-12-additional-kc-135s-arrives-at-fairchild/|title=First of 12 additional KC-135s arrives at Fairchild|last=Miller|first=Kent|date=22 October 2019|website=Air Force Times|language=en-US|access-date=27 January 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://m.mil.wa.gov/units-of-the-141st-air-refueling-wing|title=Units of the 141st Air Refueling Wing|website=Washington National Guard|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720143004/https://m.mil.wa.gov/units-of-the-141st-air-refueling-wing|archive-date=20 July 2019|url-status=dead|access-date=20 July 2019}}</ref>

Units marked GSU are Geographically Separate Units, which although based at Fairchild, are subordinate to a parent unit based at another location.

=== United States Air Force ===
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-break}}
'''[[Air Mobility Command]] (AMC)'''
* [[Eighteenth Air Force]]
**[[92nd Air Refueling Wing]]
***[[92nd Operations Group]]
****[[92nd Air Refueling Squadron]] – [[Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker|KC-135R/T Stratotanker]]
****[[93rd Air Refueling Squadron]] – KC-135R/T Stratotanker
****[[97th Air Refueling Squadron]] – KC-135R Stratotanker
****[[384th Air Refueling Squadron]] – KC-135R Stratotanker
****92nd Operations Support Squadron
***92nd Maintenance Group
****92nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
****92nd Maintenance Operations Squadron 
****92nd Maintenance Squadron
***92nd Medical Group
****92nd Aerospace Medicine Squadron
****92nd Medical Operations Squadron
****92nd Medical Support Squadron
***92nd Mission Support Group
****92nd Civil Engineer Squadron
****92nd Communications Squadron
****92nd Contracting Squadron 
****92nd Force Support Squadron 
****92nd Logistics Readiness Squadron
****92nd Security Forces Squadron

'''[[Air Education and Training Command]]''' '''(AETC)'''

* [[Nineteenth Air Force]]
** [[58th Special Operations Wing]]
*** 58th Special Operations Group
**** [[36th Rescue Squadron]] (GSU) – [[Bell UH-1N Twin Huey|UH-1N Iroquois]]
*** [[336th Training Group]]
**** [[Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape#U.S. Air Force|USAF Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) School]]
**** 22nd Training Squadron
**** 66th Training Squadron
**** 336th Training Support Squadron
{{Col-break}}
'''[[Air Combat Command]] (ACC)'''

* [[United States Air Force Warfare Center|US Air Force Warfare Center]]
** [[57th Wing]]
***[[USAF Weapons School]]
****[[509th Weapons Squadron]] (GSU) – KC-135R Stratotanker

'''[[Air National Guard]] (ANG)'''

* [[Washington Air National Guard]]
**[[141st Air Refueling Wing]]
*** 141st Operations Group
****[[116th Air Refueling Squadron]] – KC-135R Stratotanker
****141st Operations Support Squadron
*** 141st Maintenance Group
**** 141st Maintenance Operations Flight
**** 141st Maintenance Squadron
**** 141st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
*** 141st Medical Group
*** 141st Mission Support Group
**** 141st Communications Flight
**** 141st Civil Engineer Squadron
**** 141st Force Support Squadron
**** 141st Logistics Readiness Squadron
**** 141st Security Forces Squadron
*** 560th Air Force Band

=== Department of Defense ===
'''[[Joint Chiefs of Staff]] (JCS)'''

* [[Joint Personnel Recovery Agency]]
{{Col-end}}

==Weaponry==
At one time in the early 1990s, Washington state had the distinction of having more nuclear warheads than four of the six known nuclear-armed nations. These warheads were concentrated in two places: at Fairchild AFB and at the [[Naval Base Kitsap|Kitsap submarine base]] across [[Puget Sound]], on the Hood Canal. At Fairchild, 85 nuclear gravity bombs (25 [[B61 nuclear bomb|B61-7 gravity bombs]] and 60 [[B83 nuclear bomb|B83 gravity bombs]]) were stored in a reserve nuclear depot. Naval Base Kitsap's eight [[Ohio-class submarine|''Ohio''-class submarine]]s, carrying up to 24 of the now-decommissioned [[Trident I|UGM-96 Trident I]] missiles per boat, each capable of carrying up to eight warheads per missile, for a total of 1,536.<ref>[http://www.brook.edu/fp/projects/nucwcost/basesize.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106145808/http://www.brook.edu/fp/projects/nucwcost/basesize.htm|date=6 January 2009}}</ref> The gravity bombs were removed from the base by the end of the 1990s.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Fairchild had nuclear weapons for nearly 50 years {{!}} The Spokesman-Review|url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2017/feb/26/fairchild-had-nuclear-weapons-for-nearly-50-years/|access-date=2020-06-21|website=spokesman.com}}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the CDP has a total area of 6.5&nbsp;square miles (16.8&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>), all of it land. [[Spokane International Airport]] is located just four miles to the east.

==Demographics==
[[File:Fairchild AFB in Spokane County.png|300px|left|Location of Fairchild AFB, Washington]]
{{US Census population
|1970= 6754
|1980= 5353 
|1990= 4854
|2000= 4357
|2010= 2776
|align-fn=center
|footnote=[https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html U.S. Decennial Census]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://data.spokesman.com/census/2010/washington/cities/fairchild-afb-cdp-wa/|work=Spokesman.com|title=Census 2010: Fairchild AFB CDP|access-date=3 October 2012|archive-date=25 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140525195458/http://data.spokesman.com/census/2010/washington/cities/fairchild-afb-cdp-wa/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ofm.wa.gov/pop/census1990/ZIP/txt/a99011.txt|publisher=State of Washington, Office of Financial Management|title=99011 Fairchild AFB|year=1990|access-date=3 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130329204133/http://www.ofm.wa.gov/pop/census1990/ZIP/txt/a99011.txt|archive-date=29 March 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1980a_waABC-01.pdf|publisher=U.S. Census|year=1980|title=Washington: population of county subdivisions, 1960 to 1980|access-date=3 October 2012|pages=49–12}}</ref>
}}

As of the census<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2010, there were 2,736 people. At the [[2000 United States Census|2000 census]] there were, 1,071 households, and 1,048 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 670.2 people per square mile (258.8/km<sup>2</sup>). There were 1,114 housing units at an average density of 171.3/sq&nbsp;mi (66.2/km<sup>2</sup>). The racial makeup of the CDP was 78.20% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 7.90% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.53% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 3.56% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.37% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 3.79% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 5.67% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 8.52% of the population.

There were 1,071 households, out of which 72.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 90.8% were married couples living together, 4.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 2.1% were non-families. 1.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and none had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.36 and the average family size was 3.39.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 34.1% under the age of 18, 24.9% from 18 to 24, 38.3% from 25 to 44, 2.1% from 45 to 64, and 0.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 23 years. For every 100 females, there were 127.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 135.7 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $33,512, and the median income for a family was $33,398. Males had a median income of $22,299 versus $15,815 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $11,961. About 4.8% of families and 5.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.4% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

==Public schools==
[[File:Heritage Park Aircraft Display, Fairchild AFB, Spokane, WA - panoramio.jpg|thumb|Heritage Park Aircraft Display]]
The base housing area at Fairchild is within the Medical Lake School District (#326).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlsd.org/site/Default.aspx?PageID=24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120624085130/http://www.mlsd.org/site/Default.aspx?PageID=24|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 June 2012|publisher=Medical Lake School District|title=Boundary Map|date=10 July 2012|access-date=3 October 2012}}</ref> An elementary school (K-5) is on base, renamed for Space Shuttle astronaut [[Michael P. Anderson|Michael Anderson]]. Students in middle school (6–8) and high school (9–12)
attend classes in the city of [[Medical Lake, Washington|Medical Lake]], a few miles to the south. Significantly smaller than the public high schools in Spokane,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dodhousingnetwork.com/air-force/fairchild-afb/schools.php|publisher=DOD Housing Network|title=Fairchild AFB: schools|access-date=3 October 2012|archive-date=1 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121001122536/http://www.dodhousingnetwork.com/air-force/fairchild-afb/schools.php|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Medical Lake High School]] competes in [[Washington Interscholastic Activities Association|WIAA]] Class [[Washington Interscholastic Activities Association#Classification|1A]] in athletics in the Northeast 'A' League (NEA).

==See also==
* [[List of United States Air Force installations]]
*[[Washington World War II Army Airfields]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Other sources==
{{Refbegin}}
* 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
{{Refend}}

==Attribution==
* {{Air Force Historical Research Agency}}
* {{USGovernment|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304231501/http://public.fairchild.amc.af.mil/|archive-date=2009-03-04|url=http://public.fairchild.amc.af.mil/|title=Fairchild Air Force Base|agency=United States Air Force}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Fairchild Air Force Base}}
*{{Official website|www.fairchild.af.mil}}
*{{FAA-diagram|00553}}
*{{FAA-procedures|SKA}}
{{US-airport-mil|SKA}}
*[[Historic American Engineering Record]] (HAER) documentation, filed under Spokane, Spokane County, WA:
**{{HAER |survey=WA-134-A |id=wa0622 |title=Fairchild Air Force Base, Engine Test Cell Building |photos=29 |data=13 |cap=4 |link=no}}
**{{HAER |survey=WA-134-B |id=wa0701 |title=Fairchild Air Force Base, Bomber Alert Facility |photos=26 |data=12 |cap=3 |link=no}}

{{USAF Air Mobility Command}}
{{Navboxes
|list =
{{Strategic Air Command}}
{{Spokane County, Washington}}
{{WAMilitary}}
}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1942 establishments in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Airfields of the United States Army Air Forces in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Airfields of the United States Army Air Forces Technical Service Command]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Spokane County, Washington]]
[[Category:Census-designated places in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Historic American Engineering Record in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Initial United States Air Force installations]]
[[Category:Installations of Strategic Air Command]]
[[Category:Installations of the United States Air Force in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Installations of the United States Air National Guard]]
[[Category:Military Superfund sites]]
[[Category:Populated places in Spokane County, Washington]]
[[Category:Superfund sites in Washington (state)]]