Why was Castle Air Force Base closed?
The end of the Cold War brought many changes to the Air Force, and Castle AFB was selected for closure under the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 during Round II Base Closure Commission deliberations (BRAC 91). The 93d Bomb Wing was inactivated on 30 September 1995 with the closure of Castle AFB.
How long is the runway at Castle Air Force Base?
11,802 ft × 150 ft
Facilities. Castle Airport covers 1,360 acres (550 ha) and has one paved runway: 13/31: 11,802 ft × 150 ft (3,597 m × 46 m), asphalt/concrete.
Who owns Castle Air Force Base?
The former Castle Air Force Base has now been completely transferred, and the Air Force no longer owns property at the site. In the final round of land transfers in December 2006, the County of Merced received over 1,900 acres of land including the airfield.
How many acres is Castle Air Force Base?
The 2,777-acre former Castle Air Force Base (CAFB) was originally the location of an aircrew training facility. Wastes generated were disposed of on site from 1941 until 1977, and the …
Does Beale Air Force Base have nuclear weapons?
It has been operated by the Air Force since the 1950s and can carry up to 70,000 pounds of weapons. The B-52 was built to carry nuclear weapons for Cold War-era deterrence missions. Half of the B-52 aircraft were on a 15-minute alert status and were fully fueled, armed and ready for combat.
When did Castle Air Force base become a base?
With the establishment of the US Air Force, the field was renamed Castle Air Force Base effective 13 January 1948. The first flight of a B-52B model was on 25 January 1955 and initial delivery to the 93rd Bomb Wing (H) at Castle AFB, CA occurred in the summer of 1955.
When was the 93rd Bomb Wing at Castle AFB?
to the 93rd Bomb Wing (H) at Castle AFB, CA occurred in the summer of 1955. Although the 93rd BW was considered an operational unit, its primary mission was transition training for new B-52 crews. Eventually, the -B models (RB-52Bs included) were used by the 95th, 99th and 22nd Bomb Wings in addition to the 93rd.
Is the castle air museum a military museum?
The Castle Air Museum Foundation has been in existence since the Air Force established the base museum in 1981. It is supported by nearly 600 individuals, many of whom are military retirees.
When was Castle Air Force base in Merced CA closed?
Castle Air Force Base. The base, located in unincorporated Merced County, was closed in 1995 pursuant to a Base Realignment and Closure Commission decision following the end of the Cold War and the disestablishment of Strategic Air Command. It is now known as the Castle Airport Aviation and Development Center .
