Des Moines Air National Guard Base

Des Moines Air National Guard Base
Des Moines Army Airfield
Part of Iowa Air National Guard (IA ANG)
Located near: Des Moines, Iowa

F-16C Fighting Falcon fighters from the 124th Fighter Squadron, 132d Fighter Wing, Iowa Air National Guard
Coordinates 41°32′18″N 093°39′34″W / 41.53833°N 93.65944°W / 41.53833; -93.65944 (Des Moines ANGB)
Site information
Controlled by  United States Air Force
Site history
Built 1941
In use 1941-Present
Garrison information
Garrison
132d Fighter Wing
Airfield information
IATA: DSM – ICAO: KDSM – FAA LID: DSM
Summary
Elevation AMSL 958 ft / 292 m
Coordinates 41°32′02″N 093°39′47″W / 41.53389°N 93.66306°W / 41.53389; -93.66306Coordinates: 41°32′02″N 093°39′47″W / 41.53389°N 93.66306°W / 41.53389; -93.66306
Website www.132fw.ang.af.mil
Map
KDSM

Location of Des Moines Air National Guard Base

Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
5/23 9,003 2,744 Asphalt, concrete
13/31 9,001 2,744 Asphalt
See: Des Moines International Airport for civil airport information

Des Moines Air National Guard Base is the home base of the Iowa Air National Guard 132d Fighter Wing.[1]

Overview

The 132d Wing, located at the Des Moines Air National Guard Base, can trace its roots back to February, 1941 with the establishment of the 124th Observation Squadron. The unit at that time had 110 men, 27 officers (15 pilots), and 5 aircraft. Over the last 68 years, the 132d Fighter Wing has participated in numerous actions including World War II, the Korean War, and many of the support functions of Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom.[1]

The unit first entered the jet age in 1953 with the F-80. Several conversions followed with the unit flying the F-84, F-86, F-89, F-100, and the A-7 aircraft. The latest conversion to the F-16C aircraft occurred in 1992. The unit has received numerous awards, including eight Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards, and has participated in exercises and deployments worldwide.[1]

The 132d also played a key role in the recovery efforts during the 1993 and 2008 flooding in the Des Moines area, providing logistics and personnel support to the relief operations.[1]

The BRAC 2005 Commission recommended the establishment of 18 F-16s at Des Moines Air National Guard Base.[1]

See also

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Air Force Historical Research Agency.

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 132d Fighter Wing website
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