This week in Travis history (Oct. 1-7)

  • Published
  • By Mark Wilderman
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing History Office
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Oct. 2, 1950-Fairfield-Suisun AFB Renamed "Travis AFB"

The Air Force officially renamed Fairfield-Suisun AFB "Travis AFB," in honor of the late Brigadier General Robert F. Travis. Prior to his death, Brig. Gen. Travis was the commander of the Strategic Air Command's 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, the 5th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing and Fairfield-Suisun AFB. Brig. Gen. Travis and 18 base personnel perished in the tragic crash of the 99th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron's Boeing B-29MR shortly after takeoff from Fairfield-Suisun AFB, while attempting to make a nighttime emergency landing. The official base dedication ceremony was held on April 20, 1951, attended by the Travis family, California Governor Earl G. Warren, local dignitaries and Air Force officials.

Oct. 4, 1989-The 60th Military Airlift Wing Lands the First C-5 "Galaxy" in Antarctica

A Lockheed C-5B "Galaxy" flown by the 22nd Military Airlift Squadron became the first C-5 in history to land on the continent of Antarctica. The C-5 mission landed on the special ice runway at McMurdo Station in support of Operation Deep Freeze, the ongoing effort by the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Navy to explore Antarctica.

Oct. 1, 1990-The 60th Military Airlift Wing a Key to First Gulf War Victory

If you looked at the Travis AFB ramp during the first week of October 1990, it would have been largely deserted, as the 60th Military Airlift Wing was busy participating in Operation Volant Wind, the airlift phase of Operation Desert Shield. On Aug. 2, 1990, Iraqi forces, led by president Saddam Hussein, invaded, occupied and later annexed the neighboring country of Kuwait. On Aug. 7, in response to an urgent request for assistance by Saudi Arabia, President George H.W. Bush ordered an immediate buildup of U.S. troops and equipment on the Arabian Peninsula to protect other nations in the region from Iraqi aggression, codenamed Operation Desert Shield. The same day, the 60th MAW was placed on Bravo alert. On Aug. 9, the immense airlift of coalition forces to Saudi Arabia, the largest airlift in history, began. Virtually every available airlift aircraft was pressed into service to create a continuous air bridge between the U.S. and the Arabian Peninsula, via Europe. Within six weeks, the airlift surpassed the year-long Berlin Airlift and the ten-year Vietnam airlift in magnitude. The 60th MAW deployed 1,132 personnel, 669 C-5 home station missions, and approximately 445 C-141 home station missions to Operations Volant Wind and Desert Shield. On Jan. 17, 1991, when the buildup of coalition air forces on the Arabian Peninsula was sufficiently strong, the coalition launched a massive air campaign against Iraqi military forces. On Feb. 24, a massive coalition ground campaign rapidly ejected the Iraqis from Kuwait, leading to a cease-fire after approximately 100 hours of ground combat. In recognition of its key contribution to success in the Gulf War, the 60th MAW received two Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards.

Oct. 1, 1994-The 60th Airlift Wing Renamed "60th Air Mobility Wing"

On Oct. 1, 1994, Headquarters, Air Mobility Command renamed the 60th Airlift Wing the "60th Air Mobility Wing." The name change reflected the recent addition of the 9th Air Refueling Squadron's McDonnell-Douglas KC-10A "Extender" tankers to the Travis AFB lineup, joining the C-141B and C-5 aircraft to give the Air Force true air mobility and provide the backbone for America's global reach.

Oct. 7, 2001-The 60th Air Mobility Wing a Key to Fighting 9/11 Terrorists in Afghanistan

Reminiscent of its key role in supporting Operation Desert Shield eleven years earlier, the 60th AMW was again tasked to rapidly deploy U.S. combat forces to southwest Asia in Operation Enduring Freedom. Following the 9/11 attacks on the U.S. by Afghanistan-based al-Qaeda terrorists, resulting in the deaths of almost 3,000 innocent Americans, the 60th AMW airlifted combat forces that quickly toppled the Taliban government of Afghanistan and directly engaged the al-Qaeda terrorists responsible for the 9/11 attacks. This week marks the tenth anniversary of the 60th AMW's support for this ongoing operation. Please remember the Travis Airmen and their families who are currently deployed in Operation Enduring Freedom.