Duluth Air National Guard Base

Duluth Air National Guard Base is located near Duluth, Minnesota, on the northeast corner of Duluth International Airport. The facility was established in 1948 when the Minnesota Air National Guard began constructing permanent installations on the east end of the airfield. Between 1952 and 1982, the base supported active-duty Air Defense Command units, including the 11th Fighter Interceptor Squadron and the 515th Air Defense Squadron. During this period, the base hosted various interceptor aircraft, including F-51H Mustangs, F-86D Sabrejets, F-89H/J Scorpions, F-102A Delta Daggers, and F-106A Delta Darts. From 1966 to 1969, the site operated a Semi-Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) radar command and control center, which was subsequently replaced by the 23d Air Division. While the U.S. Air Force phased out its active-duty air defense facilities at the site in 1982, the Minnesota Air National Guard maintained continuous operations.

The base is currently operated by the U.S. Air Force and controlled by the Minnesota Air National Guard. It hosts the 148th Fighter Wing, an Air Combat Command-gained unit. Stationed units include the 148th Operations Group, the 179th Fighter Squadron, and multiple support elements such as the 148th Maintenance Group, 148th Medical Group, and 148th Mission Support Group. The wing operates F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft.

The installation occupies 153.3 acres of the airport grounds and includes a 16.71-acre munitions storage area located north of the main runway. Infrastructure consists of 37 buildings, divided between 18 industrial and 19 administrative facilities. The base maintains a permanent staff of approximately 320 personnel, which increases to 1,100 during unit training assemblies.