August 31, 2005: C-17 Globemasters unload supplies at Keesler following Hurricane Katrina.

Keesler Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located in Biloxi, Mississippi. The base is home of the 81st Training Wing, and the base is responsible for training airmen who have just completed basic training as well as additional training they will need for upcoming assignments. On average, Keesler has 4,700 students on base at a time. Much of the training they receive is in the field of electronics, such as wideband maintenance, ground radio, information technology, avionics, cryptography. The 81st Training Wing also trains personnel in the field of meteorology, to include observing, weather analysis and forecasting, radar operations, and tropical cyclone forecasting. ImageMetadata File history File links Download high resolution version (1433x905, 208 KB) http://www. ... ImageMetadata File history File links Download high resolution version (1433x905, 208 KB) http://www. ... The C_17 Globemaster III is a strategic airlifter manufactured by Boeing IDS, used by the United States Air Force and the Royal Air Force. ... “The U.S. Air Force” redirects here. ... Biloxi Lighthouse (of 1848) Biloxi () is a city in Harrison County, Mississippi, in the U.S.. The 2000 census recorded the population as 50,644. ... The 81st Training Wing (81 TRW) is a wing of the United States Air Force and the host wing at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. ... U.S. Army recruits learn about bayonet fighting skills in an infantry Basic Combat Training at Fort Benning, Georgia. ... Wideband is a relative term used to describe a wide range of frequencies in a spectrum. ... Avionics is a portmanteau which literally means aviation electronics. ... The German Lorenz cipher machine, used in World War II for encryption of very high-level general staff messages Cryptography (or cryptology; derived from Greek κρυπτός kryptós hidden, and the verb γράφω gráfo write or λεγειν legein to speak) is the study of message secrecy. ... // Meteorology (from Greek: μετέωρον, meteoron, high in the sky; and λόγος, logos, knowledge) is the interdisciplinary scientific study of the atmosphere that focuses on weather processes and forecasting. ... For other uses, see Radar (disambiguation). ...

The 81st Medical Group is also located at the base, and operates the second largest medical center in the Air Force. Other groups assigned to Keesler AFB include the 45th Airlift Squadron which provides the only C-21 training in AETC, the Air Force Reserve Command's 403d Wing, which provides airlift support as well as serving as parent to the 53d Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, also known as the Hurricane Hunters. Emblem The 403d Wing is a United States Air Force Reserve wing located at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. ... Hurricane Hunters are aircraft that fly into tropical cyclones in the North Atlantic Ocean and Northeastern Pacific Ocean for the specific purpose of directly measuring weather data in and around those storms. ...

Keesler AFB is one of the largest technical training wings in the United States Air Force, and in Air Education and Training Command (AETC). Air Education and Training Command (AETC), with headquarters at Randolph AFB near San Antonio, Texas, was established July 1, 1993, with the realignment of Air Training Command and Air University. ...

History

In early January 1941, Biloxi city officials assembled a formal offer to invite the United States Army to build a base to support the World War II training buildup. The War Department activated Army Air Corps Station No. 8, Aviation Mechanics School, Biloxi, Mississippi, on 12 June 1941. On August 25, 1941, the base was dedicated as Keesler Army Airfield, in honor of 2d Lt Samuel Reeves Keesler, Jr., a Mississippi native and distinguished aerial gunner, killed in action in France during the First World War. For other uses, see 1941 (disambiguation). ... Biloxi Lighthouse (of 1848) Biloxi () is a city in Harrison County, Mississippi, in the U.S.. The 2000 census recorded the population as 50,644. ... The United States Army is the largest and oldest branch of the armed forces of the United States. ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... The Army Air Corps is a component of the British Army. ... is the 163rd day of the year (164th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see 1941 (disambiguation). ... is the 237th day of the year (238th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see 1941 (disambiguation). ... This article needs to be wikified. ... “The Great War ” redirects here. ...

Congress initially appropriated $6 million for construction at Biloxi and an additional $2 million for equipment. By the time the War Department allocated the funds in April 1941, the projected cost had risen to $9.6 million. On 14 June 1941, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers awarded contracts totaling $10 million to build Biloxi's technical training school. At the time, it was the most expensive government project to have been undertaken in the State of Mississippi. Type Bicameral Houses Senate House of Representatives President of the Senate President pro tempore Dick Cheney, (R) since January 20, 2001 Robert C. Byrd, (D) since January 4, 2007 Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, (D) since January 4, 2007 Members 535 plus 4 Delegates and 1 Resident Commissioner Political... is the 165th day of the year (166th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see 1941 (disambiguation). ... United States Army Corps of Engineers logo The United States Army Corps of Engineers, or USACE, is made up of some 34,600 civilian and 650 military men and women. ...

When the War Department activated Keesler Field in June 1941, not only was Keesler getting a technical training center, but it would getting one of the Army's newest replacement, or basic training centers. The first shipment of recruits arrived at Keesler Field on 21 August 1941. Many stayed at Keesler to become airplane and engine mechanics, while others transferred to aerial gunnery or aviation cadet schools. Line drawing of the Department of Wars seal. ... For other uses, see 1941 (disambiguation). ... is the 233rd day of the year (234th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see 1941 (disambiguation). ...

The Tuskegee Airmen were trained at Keesler. In fact, more than 7,000 Black soldiers were stationed at Keesler Field by the autumn of 1943. These soldiers included pre-aviation cadets, radio operators, aviation technicians, bombardiers, and aviation mechanics. Pilots of the 332nd Fighter Group, Tuskegee Airmen, the elite, all-African American 332nd Fighter Group at Ramitelli, Italy. ... Year 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link will display full 1943 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Keesler continued to focus upon specialized training in B-24 maintenance until mid-1944. Thereafter, the base was directed to expand its mechanics training curricula to include other aircraft. The Consolidated B-24 Liberator was an American heavy bomber that was produced in greater numbers than any other American combat aircraft during World War II and still holds the record as the most produced allied aircraft. ...

By September 1944, the number of recruits had dropped, but the workload remained constant, as Keesler personnel began processing veteran ground troops and combat crews who had returned from duty overseas for additional training and follow on assignments. Basic training wound down very drastically after the end of World War II, and it was finally discontinued at Keesler on 30 June 1946. 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... is the 181st day of the year (182nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1946 (MCMXLVI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full 1946 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

After World War II

In late May 1947, the Radar School arrived on Keesler making it responsible for operating the two largest military technical schools in the United States. Thereafter, shrinking budgets forced the base to reduce its operating costs: the Airplane and Engine Mechanics School and the Radar School were consolidated on 1 April 1948. Year 1947 (MCMXLVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1947 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see Radar (disambiguation). ... is the 91st day of the year (92nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1948 (MCMXLVIII) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the 1948 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

In early 1949, the Radio Operations School transferred to Keesler from Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. In addition to training radio operators, Keesler was to begin teaching air traffic service technicians; aircraft approach controllers, ground radar mechanics, and radar repairman/ground controlled approach specialists. The last mechanics training courses had moved to Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, by November. Year 1949 (MCMXLIX) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Scott Air Force Base (Scott AFB) (IATA: BLV, ICAO: KBLV) is an base of the United States Air Force in St. ... Official language(s) English[1] Capital Springfield Largest city Chicago Largest metro area Chicago Metropolitan Area Area  Ranked 25th  - Total 57,918 sq mi (149,998 km²)  - Width 210 miles (340 km)  - Length 390 miles (629 km)  - % water 4. ... Sheppard Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base in Wichita Falls, Texas. ... Official language(s) No official language See languages of Texas Capital Austin Largest city Houston Largest metro area Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington Area  Ranked 2nd  - Total 261,797 sq mi (678,051 km²)  - Width 773 miles (1,244 km)  - Length 790 miles (1,270 km)  - % water 2. ...

In early 1956, Keesler entered the missile age by opening a ground support training program for the Atlas missile. In 1958, all control tower operator, radio maintenance, a n d general radio operator courses came to be under Keesler's already broad technical training roof. Mercury Atlas 9 rocket and capsule on pad The Atlas is a venerable line of space launch vehicles built by Lockheed Martin. ... Year 1958 (MCMLVIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

During the early 1960s, Keesler lost many of its airborne training courses, but Keesler still remained the largest training base throughout the 1970s. The 1970s decade refers to the years from 1970 to 1979, also called The Seventies. ...

Keesler's student load dropped to an all-time low after the Vietnam War ended. As a result, Air Training Command inactivated the USAF School of Applied Aerospace Sciences on 1 April 1977 and replaced it with the 3300th Technical Training Wing, which activated the same day. Combatants Republic of Vietnam United States Republic of Korea Thailand Australia New Zealand The Philippines National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam Democratic Republic of Vietnam People’s Republic of China Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea Strength US 1,000,000 South Korea 300,000 Australia 48,000... Air Training Command (ATC) was a former United States Air Force command. ... is the 91st day of the year (92nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also: 1977 (album) by Ash. ...

During the early 1980s Keesler's air traffic control program garnered publicity - when the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization walked off the job in August 1981. When President Ronald Reagan fired the strikers, Keesler-trained military air traffic controllers were used to direct some of the nation's air traffic. As the air traffic control school, it was also the logical location for the USAF Combat Controllers. The Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization or PATCO was a labor union that once represented air traffic controllers in the United States in matters relating to wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment. ... Year 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 Gregorian calendar). ... Ronald Wilson Reagan (February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004) was the 40th President of the United States (1981–1989) and the 33rd Governor of California (1967–1975). ... Controllers survey the field at Misawa Air Base, Japan. ...

Keesler AFB was the primary training base for many avionics maintenance career fields including Electronic Warfare, Navigational Aids, Computer Repair and Ground Radio Repair. It was also the primary training base for most USAF administrative career fields.

1990s

Driven by deep defense budget cuts, base closure forcing an end to technical training at Chanute Air Force Base, Illinois, and Lowry Air Force Base, Colorado. Keesler acquired Chanute's weather forecasting courses. Lowry's meteorology and precision maintenance electronics laboratory training program from 1992-1993. Aerial Photo of Chanute Air Force Base, Illinois - 1982 Chanute Air Force Base was a United States Air Force base located in Rantoul, Illinois. ... Official language(s) English[1] Capital Springfield Largest city Chicago Largest metro area Chicago Metropolitan Area Area  Ranked 25th  - Total 57,918 sq mi (149,998 km²)  - Width 210 miles (340 km)  - Length 390 miles (629 km)  - % water 4. ... Lowry Air Force Base, located in the cities of Aurora and Denver, Colorado until deactivated in 1994, was the site of a United States Air Force training base that was heavily involved with the training of United States Army Air Force bomber crews during WWII. It was permanently closed in... Official language(s) English Capital Denver Largest city Denver Largest metro area Denver-Aurora Metro Area Area  Ranked 8th  - Total 104,185 sq mi (269,837 km²)  - Width 280 miles (451 km)  - Length 380 miles (612 km)  - % water 0. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar). ...

Massive restructuring of the Air Force in the early 1990s meant several changes for Keesler associate units. The first occurred when the 53d Weather Reconnaissance Squadron was inactivated and transferred to the reserves on 30 June 1991. For the band, see 1990s (band). ... Hurricane Hunters are aircraft that fly into tropical cyclones in the North Atlantic Ocean and Northeastern Pacific Ocean for the specific purpose of directly measuring weather data in and around those storms. ... is the 181st day of the year (182nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ...

Yet another major change occurred on 1 July 1993, when Keesler Training Center inactivated. At the same Air Training Command was redesignated the Air Education and Training Command (AETC), and the command activated Second Air Force and stationed it at Keesler. Its mission was to oversee all technical training conducted within AETC. is the 182nd day of the year (183rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar). ... Air Education and Training Command (AETC), with headquarters at Randolph AFB near San Antonio, Texas, was established July 1, 1993, with the realignment of Air Training Command and Air University. ... The Second Air Force was formed in the United States to provide air defense and train personnel of newly formed units in World War II. The Second was briefly a part of Air Defense Command after the war. ...

Keesler students evacuated to Sheppard AFB on a C-17

Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1564x2400, 1189 KB) Keesler evacuation Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi -- Students with the 332nd and 335th Training Squadrons here prepare to be evacuated to Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, aboard a C-17 Globemaster III from the 58th Airlift Squadron, Altus... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1564x2400, 1189 KB) Keesler evacuation Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi -- Students with the 332nd and 335th Training Squadrons here prepare to be evacuated to Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, aboard a C-17 Globemaster III from the 58th Airlift Squadron, Altus... Sheppard Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base in Wichita Falls, Texas. ... The Boeing (formerly McDonnell Douglas) C-17 Globemaster III is an American strategic airlifter manufactured by Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, and operated by the United States Air Force, the British Royal Air Force, the Royal Australian Air Force, and the Canadian Forces. ...

Hurricane Katrina

On August 29, 2005 Keesler sustained a direct hit from Hurricane Katrina, which made its third Gulf Coast landfall as a Category 3 storm approximately 30 miles west. Although non-essential personnel and Hurricane Hunter planes had been evacuated in advance, "drastic damage" was sustained by the base's industrial and housing areas. Due to storm surge about 50% of the base came under water; the commissary, base exchange and some base housing units were flooded with more than six feet of water. By August 31st, however, relief flights were landing at the base. On September 1st the first set of Airmen were evacuated to Sheppard AFB, TX. Other Airman arrived the next day also, to a welcoming session where they were given basic toiletry items and phone cards to call home. is the 241st day of the year (242nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the Atlantic hurricane of 2005. ... ... The Defense Commissary Agency is an agency of the Federal government of the United States which is under the authority of the Department of Defense. ... Base exchange (BX), alternatively, post exchange (PX), refers to a large department store-like shop that is set up on United States military installations. ... August 31 is the 243rd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (244th in leap years), with 122 days remaining, as the final day of August. ... September 1 is the 244th day of the year (245th in leap years). ...

External links

• Official website
• Military Bases Assess Damage; Keesler AFB Hardest Hit, American Forces Press Service
• Keesler Air Force Base: One year after Katrina, 81st Training Wing Public Affairs

	Air Education and Training Command v • d • e
BASES:	Altus Air Force Base • Columbus Air Force Base • Goodfellow Air Force Base • Keesler Air Force Base • Lackland Air Force Base • Laughlin Air Force Base • Little Rock Air Force Base • Luke Air Force Base • Maxwell Air Force Base • Randolph Air Force Base • Sheppard Air Force Base • Tyndall Air Force Base • Vance Air Force Base • Vandenberg Air Force Base
NUMBERED AIR FORCE LEVEL ORGANIZATIONS:	2d Air Force • 19th Air Force • Air University
WINGS:	12th Flying Training Wing • 14th Flying Training Wing • 17th Training Wing • 37th Training Wing • 42d Air Base Wing • 47th Flying Training Wing • 56th Fighter Wing • 58th Special Operations Wing • 59th Medical Wing • 71st Flying Training Wing • 80th Flying Training Wing • 81st Training Wing • 82d Training Wing • 97th Air Mobility Wing • 314th Airlift Wing • 325th Fighter Wing