Tinker Air Force Base

Tinker Air Force Base is located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, adjacent to Midwest City and Del City. The installation occupies approximately nine square miles and contains 760 buildings. Established in 1941 as the Midwest Air Depot, the base was subsequently renamed in honor of Major General Clarence L. Tinker. During World War II, the site hosted a Douglas Aircraft factory that produced C-47 Skytrain and A-20 Havoc aircraft. In 1948, the base was the location of the first successful tornado forecast.

The installation is operated by the Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) and serves as the headquarters for the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex (OC-ALC). The 72nd Air Base Wing is the host unit, providing support for the OC-ALC and various tenant organizations. The OC-ALC manages depot maintenance, supply chain operations, and product support for weapon systems, engines, and software. Stationed units include the 552nd Air Control Wing, which operates E-3 Sentry aircraft, and the 507th Air Refueling Wing, which operates KC-135R Stratotankers. The United States Navy’s Strategic Communications Wing One is also stationed at the base, providing maintenance and operational support for the E-6B Mercury fleet. Other assigned organizations include the 513th Air Control Group, the 38th Cyberspace Engineering Group, and the 448th Supply Chain Management Wing.

Infrastructure includes Building 3001 and the Tinker Aerospace Complex in Building 9001, which house maintenance shops for aircraft, engines, and components. The Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Technology Center (MROTC) is a public-private partnership facility located on the southeast side of the installation. The base provides depot-level maintenance and overhaul for aircraft including the B-1 Lancer, B-52 Stratofortress, KC-135 Stratotanker, E-3 Sentry, and E-6B Mercury. On-base facilities also include the Defense Information Systems Agency's Defense Mega Center and multiple Defense Logistics Agency offices specializing in aviation and distribution.