Little Rock Air Force Base

Little Rock Air Force Base is located in Jacksonville, Arkansas. Authorized in 1953, construction began on November 6, 1953, and the facility opened on January 24, 1955. Strategic Air Command (SAC) activated the base on August 1, 1955, initially hosting the 384th Bombardment Wing and the 70th Reconnaissance Wing. Early operations utilized B-47E Stratojet, RB-47, and KC-97 aircraft. Between 1962 and 1987, the base supported 18 Titan II Intercontinental Ballistic Missile sites under the 308th Strategic Missile Wing. The 43d Bombardment Wing operated B-58 Hustler supersonic bombers at the installation from 1964 until 1970.

The mission transitioned to tactical airlift in 1970 with the arrival of C-130 Hercules aircraft and the transfer of host responsibilities to the 314th Tactical Airlift Wing. The 19th Airlift Wing is the current host unit, assigned to the 18th Air Force under Air Mobility Command. The wing operates squadrons of C-130J Super Hercules aircraft for global airlift and contingency operations. Associate units include the 314th Airlift Wing, which serves as the C-130 training wing for the Department of Defense, and the 189th Airlift Wing of the Arkansas Air National Guard, which operates C-130H aircraft. The 913th Airlift Group of the Air Force Reserve Command operates C-130J aircraft, and the 29th Weapons Squadron provides C-130 weapons instructor training.

The installation encompasses 6,217 acres and serves as the C-130 Center of Excellence, providing tactical airlift and aerial delivery training for all branches of the U.S. military and the U.S. Coast Guard. Infrastructure includes specialized schools for C-130H and C-130J crews, maintenance facilities, and aerial port operations managed by the 96th Aerial Port Squadron. Support functions are provided by the 19th Mission Support Group and the 19th Medical Group. The base also contains educational facilities, including the Bobby G. Lester Elementary School and the Flightline Upper Academy. Since its establishment, the base has been assigned to Strategic Air Command, Tactical Air Command, Military Airlift Command, Air Combat Command, Air Education and Training Command, and Air Mobility Command.