1950s The history of Youngstown ARS dates to the early 1950s, when it was originally opened as
Youngstown Air Force Base. Beginning in 1951, the
Air Defense Command (ADC) began negotiations with the local community to construct an Air Force base to defend the north-central United States. Negotiations were finalized and the new base was dedicated on 11 August 1952. The housekeeping unit of the new $10 million air defense base was the 88th Air Base Squadron, with ADC's
86th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron being the operational unit flying
F-84C Thunderjets. Assigned to ADC's
Central Air Defense Force, the 86th would remain at Youngstown until 1960, eventually upgrading to the
F-102 Delta Dagger. On 18 August 1955, the
30th Air Division,
79th Fighter Group (Air Defense) was assigned to Youngstown AFB. On 26 May 1952, the
Air Force Reserve's 26th Fighter-Bomber Squadron was assigned to Youngstown. Formerly a troop carrier squadron, the unit had been activated during the
Korean War, and after being inactivated, was assigned to Youngstown as a reserve
T-33 Shooting Star squadron. The 26th FBS received
F-86H Sabres in 1958, but shortly afterward was inactivated and redesignated as the 757th Troop Carrier Squadron. The F-86s had been received, but never flown while they were going through acceptance checks, and the T-33s, which were flying, were taken out and replaced by
C-119 Flying Boxcars In 1959, the need for active-duty Air Defense Command bases and regular Air Force fighter-interceptor operations were diminishing and the intent to scale back operations at Youngstown AFB was announced on 28 October 1959. The Air Force transferred command of Youngstown AFB to
Continental Air Command (now the
Air Force Reserve Command) on 1 March 1960 and the 79th Fighter Group was inactivated that date.
1990s In January 1992, the 910 TAG became the only full-time, fixed-wing aerial spray unit in the Department of Defense. In June of that year, as part of an Air Force-wide reorganization, MAC was disestablished and the unit was renamed the 910th Airlift Group, operationally-gained by the newly established
Air Mobility Command (AMC). In 1997, the Air Force Reserve became a separate major command in the Air Force organizational structure as
Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC). Per AFRC direction, the unit was renamed the 910th Airlift Wing (910 AW) while still retaining its operational relationship with AMC.
2020s In 2022, the U.S. Air Force selected the facility as the next to receive a fleet of C-130Js. In addition to significant performance advantages, the aircraft reduces manpower requirements, lowers operating and support costs, and offers life-cycle cost savings over earlier models. That same year, the U.S. Federal Government allocated nearly $9 million to the base to construct a tactical landing zone to help train soldiers before they experience the real thing in battle. In 2023, state senators voted to restore a $3 million allocation to the facility as a 10% match to federal aid. Money went towards resurfacing the main runway and taxiway. In 2024, construction began on a new main gate complex for the base's entrance. The new gate will feature facilities and technology to enhance force protection and anti-terrorism capabilities for the station. At the same time, work started on an Air Heritage Trail nearby. == See also ==