Altus Air Force Base

Altus Air Force Base is located four miles east-northeast of Altus, Oklahoma. Established in 1943 as Altus Army Airfield, the installation was an advanced flying school for multi-engine aircraft, including the Cessna AT-17 and Curtiss-Wright AT-9. After being placed on inactive status in 1946, the base reopened in 1953 under Tactical Air Command and transferred to Strategic Air Command in 1954. During the Cold War, the base hosted the 96th Bombardment Wing and the 11th Bombardment Wing, operating B-47 Stratojet and B-52 Stratofortress bombers alongside KC-97 and KC-135 tankers. Between 1961 and 1965, the 577th Strategic Missile Squadron operated twelve Atlas F intercontinental ballistic missile sites within a 40-mile radius of the base. In 1968, the Military Airlift Command assumed control of the base to conduct training for the C-141 Starlifter and C-5 Galaxy. The 97th Air Mobility Wing became the host unit in 1992, and the base transferred to the Air Education and Training Command in 1993.

The base is operated by the Air Education and Training Command under the Nineteenth Air Force. The 97th Air Mobility Wing is the host unit and conducts formal initial and advanced specialty training for flight crew and aircraft maintenance personnel. The wing's mission supports the C-17 Globemaster III, KC-135 Stratotanker, and KC-46 Pegasus. Primary units include the 97th Operations Group, 97th Mission Support Group, 97th Maintenance Group, and 97th Medical Group. Based flying units include the 54th Air Refueling Squadron, the 56th Air Refueling Squadron, and the 58th Airlift Squadron. The 730th Air Mobility Training Squadron of the Air Force Reserve Command is also located at the installation.

Infrastructure at Altus Air Force Base supports the operation and maintenance of heavy airlift and aerial refueling platforms. The 97th Maintenance Group provides backshop support for assigned airframes and services transient aircraft. The installation maintains facilities for air traffic control and weather forecasting to support flight operations. Medical infrastructure is provided by the 97th Medical Group, which manages healthcare services for active duty personnel and eligible beneficiaries.