Offutt Air Force Base has played a major role in America's military history for over a century. The War Department commissioned Fort Crook in 1890 and the first structure was built just outside Omaha 1894 - 1896. Troops were dispatched for Indian conflicts and fought in the Spanish - American War. In 1918, the 61st Balloon Company of the Army Air Corps was assigned to Fort Crook at the close of World War I and performed combat reconnaissance training. A large runway and permanent aircraft hangars were constructed in 1921. In 1924, the airfield was renamed "Offutt Field" in honor of First Lt Jarvis Offutt, the first Omaha native to become a casualty of WW1. In 1940, Offutt Field was chosen as the site to begin producing bombers and the Glen Martin Bomber Plant was established. The B-29 Superfortress and the 531 Superfortress were built there, including the Enola Gay. The newly established USAF took control of the facility in 1947 and the airfield was soon renamed Offutt Air Force Base. It was chosen to be the home of SAC headquarters and is the current headquarters of the U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), the Air Force Weather Agency, and the 55th Wing of the Air Combat Command.
Our 2018 Reunion Attendees
