March Air Reserve Base
March Air Reserve Base (March ARB), located in Riverside County, California, holds the distinction of being one of the oldest military airfields in the United States, with a history dating back to 1918. Today, it serves as a cornerstone for the Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC), specifically as the home of the 452nd Air Mobility Wing (452 AMW). This wing is the largest air mobility wing within the Fourth Air Force, providing crucial air refueling and strategic airlift capabilities. The 452 AMW operates both KC-135 Stratotankers for air refueling and C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft for global airlift, making it a highly versatile unit capable of supporting diverse national objectives anywhere in the world. Its mission emphasizes readiness, providing trained personnel and equipment for wartime and contingency operations, as well as humanitarian efforts.
Beyond the host 452nd Air Mobility Wing, March ARB is a bustling “joint” base, housing a significant number of tenant units from various branches of the military. It is the headquarters for the Fourth Air Force, overseeing many Air Force Reserve units across the U.S. The base also hosts units from the California Air National Guard, including detachments of the 144th Fighter Wing and the 163rd Attack Wing. Furthermore, March ARB is home to elements of the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, and Marine Corps Reserve, creating a truly integrated military presence. This diverse array of units, combined with its long history and strategic location in Southern California, solidifies March Air Reserve Base’s enduring importance in both national defense and military operations.