| K.I. Sawyer AFB |
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- A BRIEF HISTORY OF Kl SAWYER AFB
- In 1954 the government entered into
negotiations with Marquette County
for Sawyer's lease. After several months of
meetings and negotiations a
99 year lease was signed on January 24, 1955.
Construction started
almost immediately.
Approximately 850 people were employed during the construction and several local contractors were involved.
On January 24, 1956 Lt/Col Robert L. Blocklehurst became the first commander of Kl Sawyer AFB. The runway was completed in 1957 and in 1958 25 F-102 Aircraft were sent TDY from Kinross AFB at Sault St. Marie to operate out of Sawyer for several months, while the runways at Kinchelo were being repaired and extended.
The 62nd F1S from O'Hare airport Chicago was transferred to Sawyer and became an operational F-101 "Voodoo" squadron in 1959 after the runways at Sawyer were extended to 12,300 feet.
The Strategic Air Command became operational as a tenant unit with the assignment of a KC-135 Air Refueling Squadron first the 923 ARS and soon replaced by the 46th Air Refueling Squadron. The first B-52H arrived at Sawyer in August 1961 along with the 410 Bomb Wing.
The Sault St. Marie Air Defense Sector (SAGE) continued in operation until September 1963 and in January 1964 control of the base was passed from the Air Defense Command to the Strategic Air Command leaving the 410 Bomb Wing as the host unit to date.
The F-101 equipped 62 Fighter Interceptor Squadron remained at Sawyer as a tenant unit until April 1971 when it was deactivated and replaced by the 87th Fighter Interceptor Squadron and its F-106 Delta Dart Aircraft were transferred from Duluth Municipal Airport Minnesota. The 87th F1S was deactivated and the F-106 aircraft left in 1985.
Other aircraft assigned to Sawyer over the years included H-43B and HH-1H rescue helicopters leaving in 1977. FB-111 aircraft assigned to Pease AFB New Hampshire were on satellite alert at Sawyer in 1974 and 1975. The last aircraft assigned to Sawyer were six T-37 jet trainers of the 71 FTW assigned to "Accelerated Copilot Enrichment Program" in 1977 and are presently assigned to the "Companion Trainer Program" under the 410 BW and the Air Combat Command.
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Reviews / Comments by our visitors
| ron e hastings, Minnesota |  i was stationed at k i fronm 92 to 94 and just went back to see what has become of the base. it is sad to see the baracks abandoned and stripped of all metal the same of the hospital and many other buildings you could film a end of the worl film there , its very sad . 08/11/2010 @ 18:34 [ref: 10427] |
| Irvin F Hayes Ypsilanti,, Michigan |  I can only say postive things about KI Sawyer, Bomber Wing, Made a lot of friends and had very great memories. The wife and I will be making planes to visit this Michigan former Air Base. God Bless to all and thank you USAF for a great experience during my service years. 07/22/2010 @ 06:04 [ref: 9917] |
| Marvin Millimaki London, Kentucky |  Msgt Gage you were with out a doubt a pain. I Did not respect you then as a leader, and sure dont now. Hope you are as miserable now as you made people feel when you were at KI. Dont ever come back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 07/20/2010 @ 18:53 [ref: 9903] |
| Marvin Millimaki London, Kentucky | Hi all, just want to see what's happening. Currently in Kentucky, working my way back to the north country in about 4 yrs. SP at K.I. Sawyer for 11 years. Hi to all the 410 th People. E-mail me some time....... 07/20/2010 @ 17:06 [ref: 9901] |
| Cassie Gwinn, Michigan |  i hate base! i've lived on it fo most of my life. i've found out that every one on base either talks about you or you are talking about them. about 99.9% of people do drugs and get the cops called every day on them. and this is why i hate it. its a beautiful place, but the people are horrible. 05/26/2010 @ 06:48 [ref: 9367] |
| Paul McClain , Florida | Marvin and Chuck, what a blast from the past. I was just talking with Darl Miner about KI. Just found two pages on Facebook, K.I.l Sawyer and I survived K.I. Sawyer. The second has about 250 photos. I was 410 SPS from 81 - 88. 03/13/2010 @ 15:59 [ref: 9297] |
| Charles Jelinski Cheyenne, Wyoming | I was stationed at KI Sawyer AFB as my first assignment from 1982 to 1986 with the 410 SPS. I was looking for any information and reminiscing about KI Sawyer. A lot of fond memories including the absolute cold and 6 foot snow drifts. To Tsgt Millimaki, I remember you, your name is familiar when I saw your post. 03/11/2010 @ 14:45 [ref: 9294] |
| Tsgt Millimaki 410 sps , Louisiana | I and my family were staioned at KI from 81-85 and again in the 90's. Had alot of friends there and I am going back to Guinn, in a little over 4 yrs. ( Retirement) Had fun at the Pizza place at the top of Voodoo hill. Anyone who might remember me, is welcome to write and say hello. Take care all 01/10/2010 @ 00:37 [ref: 9224] |
| Tsgt Millimaki 410 sps , Louisiana | I and my family were staioned at KI from 81-85 and again in the 90's. Had alot of friends there and I am going back to Guinn, in a little over 4 yrs. ( Retirement) Had fun at the Pizza place at the top of Voodoo hill. Anyone who might remember me, is welcome to write and say hello. Take care all 01/10/2010 @ 00:34 [ref: 9223] |
| Leo Paul May , Arizona | Served with the 62nd F.I.S. as an R.I.O. from March 1964 until March 1967. My tour in the 62nd and in the F-101B was very pleasant and memorable. We won William Tell (i think it was in 1964 or 65). We had a great bunch of families, and a super Commander in Colonel Amos E. Waage (his wife Phylis). Couldn't have had a better assignment. Sure do miss all the great pilots, RO's and maintenance men. I have fond memories of our Exec, Major Ed Ferry. 11/16/2009 @ 20:39 [ref: 9169] |
Last updated: 02/14/00.
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