March Air Reserve Base

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March Air Reserve Base
IATA: RIV - ICAO: KRIV - FAA: RIV
Summary
Airport type Military
Operator United States Air Force
Elevation AMSL 1,535 ft (467.9 m)
Coordinates 33°52′50″N, 117°15′34″W
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
14/32 13,300 4,054 Concrete
12/30 3,010 917 Asphalt

March Air Reserve Base (IATA: RIV, ICAO: KRIV, FAA LID: RIV) is a base of the U.S. Air Force Reserve in Riverside County, California, between the cities of Riverside and Moreno Valley. In 1996, it was redesignated from an Air Force base. The population was 370 at the 2000 census. March is the largest Air Reserve base in the United States. Just off the grounds of the base is the March Field Air Museum, which houses in its collection examples of aircraft that have operated (or currently do operate) from the base.

Contents

[edit] History

One of the oldest airfields operated by the United States military, March ARB began life as Alessandro Flying Training Field in February 1918, being renamed March Field the following month (for Peyton C. March, Jr., the recently deceased son of then-Army Chief of Staff Peyton C. March). It quickly established itself as a major primary training center for American aviators. After the conclusion of World War I, operations wound down, and the base was closed between 1923 and 1927. However, in 1926, Congress created the Army Air Corps, and funds became available to reopen March Field the following year. It soon became one of the centers of development of aerial bombardment. Renamed March Air Force Base during World War II, it served as the home base for bomber units that fought in the Pacific theater of World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. March also hosted fighter, aerial refueling, and transport units. On a lighter note, entertainer Bob Hope's first USO show was held at March.

In 1993, as part of The Pentagon's post-Cold War base closing/realignment plan, March AFB's unit complement was reshuffled, and in 1996 it was given over to the United States Air Force Reserve and renamed March Air Reserve Base.

[edit] Present day

Today, March has many uses. The 452d Air Mobility Wing operates out of March, as does the Fourth Air Force. The base is also used by the California Air National Guard's 163d Reconnaissance Wing and Montana's 120th Fighter Wing. The California Department of Forestry uses the base at times as well. March is now home to 8 C-17 Globemaster III's, the first to belong strictly to the Air Force Reserve Command.

The land no longer needed as a result of the downsizing was given to the March Joint Powers Authority, a commission that represents the county and the base's adjoining cities. This land, now called March GlobalPort, is being developed as an air cargo center. In 2004, it was announced that air freight giant DHL was considering the base for its new Southern California hub; however, competition from nearby San Bernardino International Airport and Ontario International Airport, as well as opposition from residents of fast-growing Riverside and Moreno Valley, reduced the viability of its bid. Despite this, on December 10, 2004, DHL announced that it had chosen March as its preferred site. The following Wednesday, DHL signed a 16-year joint-use agreement with the Joint Powers Authority. The company's operation is expected to employ about 250 workers and make 16 flights a day.

[edit] Civil Air Patrol

March is also home to Squadron 45 of Civil Air Patrol. Squadron 45 meets every Monday at Building 441. Meeting time is 1815-2100(6:15pm-9:00pm).

[edit] Geography

March AFB is located at 33°53′56″N, 117°16′35″W (33.898848, -117.276285)GR1. According to the United States Census Bureau, the base has a total area of 16.2 km² (6.2 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 370 people, 115 households, and 93 families residing in the base. The population density was 22.9/km² (59.4/mi²). There were 152 housing units at an average density of 9.4/km² (24.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the base was 64.59% White, 17.84% Black or African American, 0.54% Native American, 4.59% Asian, 1.89% Pacific Islander, 2.97% from other races, and 7.57% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.89% of the population.

There were 115 households out of which 50.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.1% were married couples living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.3% were non-families. 13.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 2.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.21 and the average family size was 3.55.

In the base the population was spread out with 37.0% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 35.1% from 25 to 44, 14.9% from 45 to 64, and 4.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females there were 111.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 111.8 males.

The median income for a household in the base was $31,364, and the median income for a family was $30,455. Males had a median income of $40,625 versus $17,321 for females. The per capita income for the base was $13,765. About 10.8% of families and 13.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.7% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

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