Forbes Field Air National Guard Base

Forbes Field Air National Guard Base is located in Shawnee County, Kansas, seven miles south of Topeka. The installation occupies the site of the former Topeka Army Air Field, which was established in 1942. Between 1942 and 1973, the airfield was supervised by several U.S. Air Force components, including Second Air Force, Continental Air Forces, Air Materiel Command, Strategic Air Command, and Tactical Air Command. Originally a Strategic Air Command facility known as Forbes Air Force Base, the active-duty installation closed in 1973. Following the departure of regular Air Force units, the remaining military cantonment was redesignated as Forbes Air National Guard Base, and the airfield transitioned to a joint-use civil-military facility now known as Topeka Regional Airport.

The Kansas Air National Guard operates the military installation. The base hosts the 190th Air Refueling Wing, which flies and maintains Boeing KC-135R Stratotankers. Additionally, the facility houses the 1st Battalion, 108th Aviation Regiment of the Kansas Army National Guard.

The installation is situated within an airport complex covering 2,854 acres. Infrastructure includes facilities for the maintenance and operation of aerial refueling aircraft and a terminal building completed in 1985 that services military and charter flights. The base hosts multiple units and maintains a fleet of military aircraft, including a wing of KC-135R Stratotankers and a unit of helicopters. The Combat Air Museum is also located on the airport grounds.