Sumpter Smith Air National Guard Base
Summary
| Operating Country | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Location | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Status | ◉ Active |
| Usage | Dual |
| Year built | 1934 |
| Operating Organization | US Air National Guard |
| Units |
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Location & Details
| Coordinates | 33.5639°N, -86.7522°E |
| Elevation | 198 m (650 ft) |
| IATA code | BHM |
| ICAO code | KBHM |
| Runways |
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| Website | www.117arw.ang.af.mil/ |
Description
Sumpter Smith Air National Guard Base is a United States Air Force installation located in Birmingham, Alabama. Construction of the facility occurred between 1934 and 1938 to replace the facilities at Roberts Field. In 1938, the 106th Observation Squadron relocated to the new airfield. The installation is named for Colonel Walter Sumpter Smith, who was appointed to the 106th Observation Squadron in 1921 and was involved in the development of the airport. The base was designated Alabama Air National Guard Base in the early 1990s before its original name was officially restored in 2017.
The base is operated by the Air National Guard and shares airfield infrastructure with Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport. The 117th Air Refueling Wing is the host unit. Stationed flying units include the 106th Air Refueling Squadron and the 99th Air Refueling Squadron, both of which operate the KC-135R Stratotanker. The 99th Air Refueling Squadron is a geographically separate unit subordinate to the 6th Air Refueling Wing.
Infrastructure at the installation includes hangars and support buildings for the 117th Operations Group, 117th Maintenance Group, 117th Medical Group, and 117th Mission Support Group. The base supports the operation and maintenance of KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft.