Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base

Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base is a military installation situated north of Westhampton Beach, New York, co-located with the civilian Francis S. Gabreski Airport. The base is named after Colonel Francis Stanley Gabreski, a decorated American Air Force pilot. It was constructed in 1943 as Suffolk County Army Air Field, serving as a United States Army Air Forces sub-base of Mitchel Field. During World War II, it was assigned to the First Air Force, with the 437th Army Air Force Base Unit conducting air defense and antisubmarine patrols for the New York City area. After the war, the airfield was conveyed to Suffolk County for civilian use, with a military reversal clause.

In 1951, the United States Air Force reclaimed the airport, renaming it Suffolk County Air Force Base. It became part of the Eastern Air Defense Force, defending the NYC metro area. Units such as the Air National Guard's 103rd Fighter-Interceptor Wing and later the 23rd Fighter-Interceptor Group, followed by the 52nd Fighter-Interceptor Wing, were stationed there, operating aircraft like F-47N Thunderbolts, F-86 Sabres, F-94 Starfires, F-101 Voodoos, and F-102 Delta Daggers. The base also supported the Suffolk County Missile Annex, a CIM-10 Bomarc surface-to-air missile launch complex. Due to Vietnam War funding shortfalls, Suffolk County AFB deactivated in 1969, and the military installation was again transferred to Suffolk County.

In June 1970, the New York Air National Guard's 102nd Air Refueling Squadron relocated to the airport, marking the re-establishment of a military presence. This unit underwent several mission changes, becoming the 102nd Fighter-Interceptor Squadron in 1972 and later the 102nd Rescue Squadron. Today, Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base is operational and serves as the home base for the New York Air National Guard's 106th Rescue Wing. The 106th Rescue Wing utilizes HC-130J Combat King II transport aircraft and HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters for search and rescue operations. The base features three runways: 6/24 (2,743.5 meters, asphalt/concrete), 15/33 (1,524.9 meters, asphalt), and 1/19 (1,524.3 meters, asphalt/concrete).