Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base

Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base is located north of Westhampton Beach, New York, on the grounds of the Francis S. Gabreski Airport. Established in 1943 as Suffolk County Army Air Field, it initially served as a sub-base of Mitchel Field under the First Air Force. The installation supported the 437th Army Air Force Base Unit, which conducted antisubmarine patrols and regional defense during World War II.

The facility was transferred to Suffolk County in 1945 and reclaimed by the United States Air Force in 1951 as Suffolk County Air Force Base. During the Cold War, it operated under the Eastern Air Defense Force and the New York Air Defense Sector using the Semi-Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) system. Units stationed there included the 103rd Fighter-Interceptor Wing, the 23rd Fighter-Interceptor Group, and the 52nd Fighter-Interceptor Wing. Aircraft hosted during this period included F-47N Thunderbolts, F-86 Sabres, F-94 Starfires, F-101 Voodoos, and F-102 Delta Daggers. The base also provided support for the nearby Suffolk County Missile Annex, a CIM-10 Bomarc surface-to-air missile complex.

The installation deactivated in 1969 but military operations resumed in 1970 with the arrival of the 102nd Air Refueling Squadron and its KC-97 Stratofreighters. The mission transitioned to aerospace rescue in 1975. The base received its current name in 1991 to honor Colonel Francis S. Gabreski.

Currently operated by the United States Air Force and controlled by the New York Air National Guard, the base hosts the 106th Rescue Wing. This wing conducts peacetime and combat search and rescue missions. The 101st Rescue Squadron operates HH-60G Pave Hawk and HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopters, while the 102nd Rescue Squadron operates HC-130J Combat King II aircraft. The 103rd Rescue Squadron, consisting of Air Force Pararescuemen, is also stationed at the installation. Infrastructure includes a parachute drying facility and support facilities for the 106th Maintenance Group, 106th Medical Group, and 106th Mission Support Group.