| 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
| 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] |
| Duane Walters Lafayette, Indiana | my dad was stationed here from 84-90 his name was Troy Walters, was an MP for a while, then went into reprographics (i'm not sure of the timeline). We lived on the corner of Raider and Warhawk. I remember a Holly Stewart that lived on my street, I believe her dad's name was Paul. I also remember a James & Sheila something or other that lived on the same street. I've been searching for people I went to school with, but no luck. Please help! --Duane 11/14/2009 @ 07:39 [ref: 9166] |
| Winnie (Williams) Kilbourn Sun City Center, Florida | Hi ! I lived on K.I. Sawyer from 1981-1993. I worked on the base at the day care. I had 4 children of my own but met alot of people there and would love to hear from some of the workers or families that might remember me. That seems like so long ago. I left Michigan in 1993 but miss it every day. If you think you might know me my name is Winnie and I would love to hear from you. Thanks. 09/17/2009 @ 15:11 [ref: 9114] |
| Jim Evans Tempe, Arizona | We lived at 526 Mitchell St, next to the school and the old base mobile home park, from 1973-1979. We are still in touch with our duplex-mates, who retired in the U.P. Both our kids were born at the old K. I. Sawyer Hospital and, a few years ago, we visited son (then working in Minneapolis) and took a driving trip to the base and stayed at the Red Fox Inn. It was amazing how many upgrades, including all new appliances, were done to the old base housing before it was abandoned by the Air Force! 09/14/2009 @ 13:00 [ref: 9108] |
| udeojcmo gxsimnje, Louisiana | izbshdwh [URL=http://jtiulvjn.com]jhlpvhsd[/URL] hxfpurcm http://azqixemo.com xkpyrkyq btvzbhla 09/07/2009 @ 01:17 [ref: 8857] |
| mivululp sjkluymo, Texas | bdmhjfvg http://chfiftna.com xvovskzm rdfbpiuy [URL=http://hekgtlri.com]umceuhlq[/URL] feantahs 09/07/2009 @ 01:16 [ref: 8856] |
| Harold {Hal} Studley Tampa, Florida | I would like to talk to all who were in the 62ND FIS during 1963-1966. I was with the gang that went to WM Tell and kicked ass. We were a Hell of a squadron with Col.Waage and still had time to defend S.A.C. Hoping to hear from any of the guys.Thanks for all the memories. Hal hgrydr96@yahoo.com 08/23/2009 @ 16:43 [ref: 8843] |
| Joseph Kedra Las Vegas, Nevada | K.I. was my first AF assignment. I was stationed there from 1988 until 1993 and never quite found the same "family" feeling. Have lost touch unfortunately with many friends from those years. Club was great, remember watching bands like Toy Jester, eating pizza at the Jet Stream/Pizza Hangar...great memories, great times. A real shame when it closed, loved Gwinn, Little Lake, the American Legion pasties. 06/05/2009 @ 23:52 [ref: 8803] |
| Tracey Dudderar Little Rock, Arkansas | Lived on KI Sawyer AFB from 1969-1973. We lived on Canberra Street and Hustler. The Teen Center & small PX was directly behind our house on Hustler. So much fun there. Learned to ice skate, sometimes it was the only way to get around. Snowmobiles, snow blowers, 12 inches of snow and still went to school all the way in Gwinn. Fell in love for the first time. Still think about the fun we had there...Would love to hear from some of the friends from there. 03/24/2009 @ 17:59 [ref: 8756] |
| Chris S. Phoenix, Arizona | My dad was stationed on K.I. from 1985 to 1991. I recall many wonderful memories living on base, as others have said BBQ's to the wonderful blueberries, swimming in the lake, hiking the trails. It was a wonderful place to grow up as a kid, and my life was truly enriched having lived there. I learned to love nature, and the military way of life at K.I. 03/03/2009 @ 11:43 [ref: 8713] |
Last updated: 02/14/00.
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