Sampson Air Force Base

Last updated
Sampson Air Force Base
Naval Training Station Sampson
United States Department of the Navy Seal.svg Air Training Command Emblem.png
Part of Air Training Command (ATC)
Located near Seneca Lake, New York
Sampson Air Force Base 1950 photo.jpg
Oblique photo of Sampson Air Force Base, about 1951, looking north
Coordinates 42°43′45″N76°54′00″W / 42.72917°N 76.90000°W / 42.72917; -76.90000
TypeAir Force Base
Site information
Controlled by United States Air Force
Site history
Built1942
In use1942–1956
USA New York location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Sampson AFB
Location of Sampson Air Force Base, New York
Navy graduate photo, Company 591 June 2, 1943 Navy graduate photo company 591.jpg
Navy graduate photo, Company 591 June 2, 1943

Sampson Air Force Base is a closed United States military facility, last used by the United States Air Force Air Training Command as a Basic Military Training Center. It was closed in 1956 and put into caretaker status.

Contents

As of at least the 2000s, parts of the facility have been converted to a civil picnic area called Sampson State Park. In addition, the United States Navy operates the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) sonar test facility on a part of the facility. However, most of the former base is abandoned.

History

USNTS Sampson

The facility was established initially by the United States Navy as a Naval Training Station (USNTS Sampson) in 1942. The station was named after Rear Admiral William T. Sampson. The Navy obtained 2,600 acres of former farmland and also vineyards for the facility on the east side of Seneca Lake, New York. Construction of the facility took 270 days to complete. Along with the training station, a 1,500-bed hospital was constructed. The mission of USNTS Sampson was Naval basic training for large numbers of new recruits. During the war, over 411,000 recruits were trained at the station

In conjunction with the building of Sampson, the United States Army established its Seneca Army Depot adjacent to the Naval Station which was used to store a wide variety of Ammunition.

Postwar use

With the end of the war, USNTS Sampson was closed, and turned over to the War Assets Administration in 1946. Most of the facility was taken over by New York State, which planned to establish a two-year junior community college on the facility, keeping most of the buildings and using it as a campus. The USN Hospital was eventually taken over by the state of New York, renaming it the Willard State Hospital Sampson Annex in 1947.

The station was used by NYS as a temporary college for 15,000 GI Bill students in July 1946. (5 barracks were moved to Hobart College in Geneva, New York, 7 were moved to Syracuse University) Sampson College operated from September 1946 to June 1949 and had matriculated 7,500 students of which 950 received two-year degrees.

In 1949, the former naval station was turned over to the United States Department of Agriculture, which used the buildings as warehouses and granaries. More than 110,000 bushels of excess wheat and 15,000 sacks of excess beans were stored at Sampson. In addition, the State of New York, realizing the scenic location of the former Naval Station, appropriated[ when? ] $50,000 for the creation of a state park at Sampson.

Sampson AFB

3650th Military Training Wing - Emblem 3650th Military Training Wing - Emblem.png
3650th Military Training Wing – Emblem
Retreat Ceremony in front of Base Headquarters Sampson AFB Postcard.jpg
Retreat Ceremony in front of Base Headquarters
Wartime graduation of new airmen, BMT Flight 1513 3691 BMTS June 1952. Many of these airmen probably served in the Korean War after technical training. Sampson AFB BMT Flight 1513 June 1952.jpg
Wartime graduation of new airmen, BMT Flight 1513 3691 BMTS June 1952. Many of these airmen probably served in the Korean War after technical training.

With the outbreak of the Korean War, the United States Air Force took interest in the former Naval Station for use as a Basic Military Training (BMT) Base. Custody of most of the property of the training center was transferred to the Air Force in 1950, and the Air Force named the facility Sampson Air Force Base on 15 November 1950. With the Air Force establishing Sampson AFB, the park project was cancelled.

The Air Force spent about $6 million on renovations and beginning in February 1951 started training what would be 16,000 Air Force recruits. Air Training Command (ATC) established the 3650th Indoctrination (later Military Training) Wing to manage the base and conduct Basic Training, as its major facility at Lackland AFB, Texas was overflowing. During the first two weeks of 1951, the population at Lackland AFB jumped from 36,513 to over 70,000 people. In addition, a third BMT center was established at Parks AFB, California to accommodate new enlistees. The mission of Sampson AFB was to provide formal basic training for all male and female enlisted personnel not having sufficient previous military training; to establish and operate such assembly, processing and separation station as specifically directed; to provide a comprehensive counseling program for Basic Indoctrinee personnel in order that these airmen may be most effectively assigned in accordance with Air Force requirements; and to maintain training programs for accomplishing rehabilitation of garrison prisoners. The first trainees arrived on 1 Feb 1951. The base employed about 700 civilians and had 600 permanent party troops.

During the years before the Korean War, basic military training had lasted anywhere from 4 to 13 weeks. In the rush to flow recruits through the training system and into the theater of conflict, ATC reduced the course to seven weeks in 1950 and then to two weeks in January 1951. With the opening of Sampson and Parks AFB for BMT, Shortly thereafter, ATC increased basic military training from seven weeks to eight. In July 1952 the Air Staff approved a 12-week course, which ATC implemented on 1 August at Lackland and Parks and on 1 September at Sampson. However, after only two months, the Air Staff decided that the course should be shortened, and ATC developed an 11-week program to begin in January 1953. The host organization at Sampson was redesigned as the 3650th Military Training Wing, Air Training Command, in March 1953.

The Air Force also built a runway and other facilities at Sampson and converted the base to its needs. By 1953, a single paved 5,000 foot north–south runway (Rwwy 17/35) was completed and a control tower, fire station and aircraft parking ramp was built on the west side, with B-25 Mitchell, C-47 Skytrain, and C-45 Expeditor aircraft assigned.

With the end of the Korean War and cutbacks in the military budget afterwards, Air Training Command discontinued its basic training school at Sampson AFB on 1 July 1956. Shortly thereafter, ATC discontinued Sampson's 3650th Military Training Wing. By the time it was closed, over 300,000 airmen received basic training at Sampson AFB in preparation for service in the Korean War, as well as service in USAFE, Far East Air Force, and other United States Air Force major commands both in the United States and around the world.

Three months later, on 1 October 1956, control of Sampson AFB was transferred to the Rome Air Force Depot, Air Materiel Command and the base was placed in standby status.

The airfield was briefly served by Mohawk Airlines from 1954-1956. [1]

Post military use

Starting in 1957 to 1960 the airfield and some officer housing on the lake shore (449 acres) were transferred to the Seneca Army Depot, the facility being renamed Sampson Army Airfield and used to support the depot.

The former hospital area was operated as a state school. In 1971, the State of New York closed the School due to budget cuts and while empty, a fire destroyed most of the main hospital complex. Contaminated by asbestos, the site was cleaned and is still owned by the Department of Mental Hygiene when it burned down in 1989. In 1960 the State of New York purchased and assumed ownership of all tracts of land on the former base at a cost of $500,000. Most of the buildings were dismantled and materials were sold for re-usage throughout the Finger Lakes Region. One of the Drill Halls is now in use at Middlebury College, Vermont. Major roads and identification signs remain today on the base.

At some point in the mid-1960s, the airfield was opened to civil use as North Star Seneca Airpark. The duration of the civilian use of the Seneca airfield has not been determined, but it was evidently a brief period as the Army returned it to military control during the Vietnam War and renamed it Seneca Army Airfield. It was used for security at Seneca Army Depot, with the former fire station being used as hangars for the helicopters supporting depot security. Air Force C-123 and C-130 cargo aircraft also used the runway on occasion for transporting personnel and material to the depot.

The Seneca Army Depot was identified for closure in 1995 as part of the BRAC process and Seneca AAF was closed by 2000.

Today

Today the airfield 42°42′46″N076°53′09″W / 42.71278°N 76.88583°W / 42.71278; -76.88583 is being developed into an emergency services training site. Just inside the gate is a brand new State Police barracks, and sharing the building is a police & fire training center. A new fire training tower was built southeast of the control tower, and the 7,000-foot runway is used for high-speed police pursuit training. The control tower & fire station are empty.

The majority of the former Air Force base today is now abandoned. While the streets exist, most of the land is vacant as a result of the 1960 New York State facilities removal. However, a large cluster of buildings in the northeast part of the base 42°44′13″N76°54′02″W / 42.73694°N 76.90056°W / 42.73694; -76.90056 remain in a very deteriorated condition, some having roofs, some not. The main gate on Sampson State Park Road, west of the intersection with NY Highway 96A 42°43′45″N76°53′35″W / 42.72917°N 76.89306°W / 42.72917; -76.89306 , still stands guard over the base.

The Sampson Air Force Museum 42°43′41″N76°54′19″W / 42.72806°N 76.90528°W / 42.72806; -76.90528 is currently located in the building which was formerly the old stockade/brig. The displays are quite extensive, including a restored T-33 Shooting Star aircraft on static display and a Falcon Memorial statue.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Williams Air Force Base</span> Former United States Air Force (USAF) base

Williams Air Force Base is a former United States Air Force (USAF) base, located in Maricopa County, Arizona, east of Chandler, and about 30 miles (48 km) southeast of Phoenix. It is a designated Superfund site due to a number of soil and groundwater contaminants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Military recruit training</span> Initial indoctrination and instruction given to new military personnel

Military recruit training, commonly known as basic training or boot camp, refers to the initial instruction of new military personnel. It is a physically and psychologically intensive process, which resocializes its subjects for the unique demands of military employment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport</span> Airport in Potter County, Texas

Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport is a public airport six miles (10 km) east of downtown Amarillo, in Potter County, Texas, United States. The airport was renamed in 2003 after NASA astronaut and Amarillo native Rick Husband, who died in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster in February of that year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lackland Air Force Base</span> US Air Force base near San Antonio, Texas, part of Air Education and Training Command

Lackland Air Force Base is a United States Air Force (USAF) base located in Bexar County, Texas, United States. The base is under the jurisdiction of the 802d Mission Support Group, Air Education and Training Command (AETC) and an enclave of the city of San Antonio. It is the only site for USAF and United States Space Force enlisted Basic Military Training (BMT).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Randolph Air Force Base</span> US Air Force base near San Antonio, Texas

Randolph Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located at Universal City, Texas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">McCoy Air Force Base</span> Former US Air Force base 10 miles SE of Orlando, FL, later became Orlando International Airport

McCoy AFB is a former U.S. Air Force installation located 10 miles (16 km) southeast of Orlando, Florida. It was a training base during World War II. From 1951 to 1975, it was a frontline Strategic Air Command (SAC) base during the Cold War and Vietnam War. It was Orlando's biggest employer and economic backbone prior to the opening of Walt Disney World in 1971.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dobbins Air Reserve Base</span> Military base in Georgia, USA

Dobbins Air Reserve Base or Dobbins ARB is a United States Air Force reserve air base located in Marietta, Georgia, a suburb about 20 miles (32 km) northwest of Atlanta. Originally known as Dobbins Air Force Base, it was named in honor of Captain Charles M. Dobbins, a World War II C-47 pilot who died near Sicily.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lowry Air Force Base</span> Former US Air Force base in Denver, Colorado

Lowry Air Force Base is a former United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) training base during World War II and a United States Air Force (USAF) training base during the Cold War. From 1955-1958, it served as the initial site of the U.S. Air Force Academy. It is a U.S. Formerly Used Defense Site (B08CO0505).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Air Education and Training Command</span> Major command of the United States Air Force responsible for military training and education

The Air Education and Training Command (AETC) is one of the nine Major Commands (MAJCOM) of the United States Air Force (USAF), reporting to Headquarters, United States Air Force. It was established 1 July 1993, with the realignment of Air Training Command and Air University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sampson State Park</span> State park located in Seneca County, New York

Sampson State Park is a 2,070-acre (8.4 km2) state park located in Seneca County, New York. The park is south of the city of Geneva in the Town of Romulus on the east shore of Seneca Lake, one of the Finger Lakes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Air Training Command</span> Former U.S. Air Force training command

The Air Training Command (ATC) is a former United States Air Force (USAF) Major Command designation. It was headquartered at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, but was initially formed at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. It was re-designated as Air Education and Training Command (AETC) following a merger with Air University (AU) on 1 July 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parks Reserve Forces Training Area</span> United States Army facility

Parks Reserve Forces Training Area (PRFTA), commonly known as Camp Parks, is a United States Army base located in Dublin, California, that is currently an active military and training center for U.S. Army Reserve personnel to be used in case of war or natural disaster.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chanute Air Force Base</span> Former USAF base in Champaign County, Illinois

Chanute Air Force Base is a decommissioned United States Air Force facility, located in Champaign County, Illinois, south of and adjacent to Rantoul, Illinois, about 130 miles (210 km) south of Chicago. Its primary mission throughout its existence was Air Force technical training. Chanute Field was established on 21 May 1917, being one of thirty-two Air Service training camps established after the United States entry into World War I.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Graham Air Base</span> Airport in Florida, U.S.

Graham Air Base was a United States Air Force base located in Marianna, Florida. After it was closed in 1960, it was reused as Marianna Municipal Airport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greenville Air Force Base (Mississippi)</span> Former US Air Force base

Greenville Air Force Base is a former United States Air Force base in Greenville, Mississippi. It was closed as a military installation in December 1966 and redeveloped into Mid-Delta Regional Airport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anniston Air Force Base</span> Airport in Lincoln, Alabama

Anniston Air Force Base is a former United States Air Force airfield located approximately 10 miles north-northeast of Talladega, Alabama. It was active from 1942 to 1945 and 1949 to 1952. It is currently the site of the Talladega Superspeedway and Talladega Municipal Airport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eagle Pass Army Airfield</span> World War II US military installation

Eagle Pass Army Airfield is a former World War II military airfield complex. It is located 10.6 miles (17.1 km) north of Eagle Pass, Texas. It operated as a training base for the United States Army Air Forces from 1943 until 1945.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bangor Air National Guard Base</span> US Air National Guard base in Bangor, Maine

Bangor Air National Guard Base is a United States Air National Guard base located on the grounds of Bangor International Airport in Bangor, Maine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gulfport Combat Readiness Training Center</span>

Gulfport Combat Readiness Training Center is a United States Air Force training center, located at Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, Mississippi. It is located 5 miles (8.0 km) north-northeast of Gulfport, Mississippi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harlingen Air Force Base</span> Former USAF base in Cameron County, Texas

Harlingen Air Force Base, originally Harlingen Army Airfield, is a former United States Air Force (USAF) base in northeast Harlingen, Texas. After the base closed, the field was redeveloped into Valley International Airport.

References

  1. Mohawk Airlines timetable, April 25, 1954

PD-icon.svg This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency