Joint Forces Training Base – Los Alamitos is a joint base in Los Alamitos, California , United States. Formerly operated as a naval air station , the base contains the Los Alamitos Army Airfield and is sometimes called by that name. The base is also known as JFTB – Los Al or just JFTB . The base covers 1,319 acres and "supports 850 full-time employees and more than 6,000 National Guard and Reserve troops."
29-473: JFTB has an MWR with billeting, a pub , and a banquet hall . Fiddler's Green is the last remaining military pub in Orange County. JFTB has significant training facilities, including an Engagement Skills Trainer , a Virtual Convoy Operations Trainer, a HMMWV Egress Assistance Trainer, a Laser Marksmanship Training System, and a Close Combat Tactical Trainer. The airfield has two runways : The airfield
58-464: A youth. The 18-hole Destroyer Course opened in 1966 and an executive nine holes was later added. The former military-only facility opened for public play in 2004. In 2014, President Barack Obama landed at Los Alamitos Army Airfield in Air Force One in order to give the commencement speech at UC Irvine . In April 2015, Brig Gen Nathaniel S. Reddicks became the first installation commander from
87-516: Is a network of support and leisure services designed for use by U.S. servicemembers (active, Reserve, and Guard), their families, military retirees, veterans with 100 percent service-connected disability, current and retired DoD civilian employees, and other eligible participants. Each branch of the United States Armed Forces has a branch of MWR. MWR provides free and discounted recreation to military personnel and their families. Although
116-652: Is home to Company A, 1st Battalion (Assault), 140th Aviation Regiment . The JFTB Aquatics Training Center is an Olympic-size swimming pool 50 m by 25 m, which offers year-round lap swimming, swim lessons, and fitness classes. The women's national water polo team regularly practices at the facility. In 1942, the current JFTB was established as Naval Air Reserve Base Los Alamitos , providing advanced training for U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps fighter pilot in addition to hosting units from nearby Naval Air Station Terminal Island/Reeves Field in San Pedro. The following year, it
145-403: Is the 40th Infantry Division (Mechanized) , headquartered in the large, prominent building facing the flagpole and main entrance artery. The base served as the starting line for the 14th season of the hit CBS reality TV show The Amazing Race . The base's status as an alternative landing area for Air Force One was mentioned in an episode of The West Wing . The base leases the airfield to
174-670: Is the Air Force Services Activity. The United States Marines ’ MWR program is the Marine Corps Community Services. The United States Navy 's MWR program is run by the Navy Installations Command . Navy MWR is in most areas where there are Navy personnel stationed in the United States, internationally, and in the fleet. Many of their programs are operated by "non-appropriated funds", or by
203-500: The 62d Fighter Wing at Van Nuys Airport, Van Nuys. Its 115th Bombardment Squadron was equipped with A-26 Invader light bombers. On 16 September 1946, its 146th Fighter Group was also formed at Van Nuys, with several fighter squadrons equipped with F-51 Mustangs and its mission was the air defense of the state. 18 September 1947, however, is considered the California Air National Guard's official birth concurrent with
232-598: The Army and Air Force Exchange Service . Roughly 70% of Army and Air Force Exchange Service earnings are paid to MWR programs. In the last ten years, more than $ 2.24 billion has been contributed by the Exchange to the Army and Air Force to spend on quality-of-life improvements for Soldiers, Airmen, and their families. The United States Army ’s MWR is run by the G9, Family and MWR Directorate of
261-661: The California Air National Guard . After this command, Reddicks retired from federal service and joined the California State Military Reserve , "making him the first federally recognized general officer to join the CSMR since the Korean War." In October 2016, Brig. Gen. John W. Lathrop took command of the base. Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Morale, Welfare and Recreation , abbreviated MWR ,
290-619: The National Guard of the United States . As militia units, the units in the California Air National Guard are not in the normal United States Air Force chain of command . They are under the jurisdiction of the governor of California through the office of the California Adjutant General unless they are federalized when ordered by the President of the United States . The California National Guard has multiple bases located across
319-639: The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States , elements of every Air National Guard unit in California has been activated in support of the Global War on Terrorism . Flight crews, aircraft maintenance personnel, communications technicians, air controllers and air security personnel were engaged in Operation Noble Eagle air defense overflights of major United States cities. In December 2007, after
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#1732886483064348-565: The U.S. Army Installation Management Command . The United States Army's Family and MWR Programs is a military organization whose primary mission is to provide the United States Army with programs that fulfill and support the Army Family Covenant. The organization strives to provide soldiers and their families with "the same quality of life afforded the society they protect." The United States Air Force ’s Outdoor Rec agency
377-720: The California Air National Guard are assigned to Air Expeditionary Forces and are subject to deployment along with their active duty and Air Force Reserve counterparts. Along with their federal reserve obligations, the California ANG is subject to activation by order of the Governor to provide protection of life and property, and preserve peace, order and public safety. State missions include disaster relief in times of earthquakes, hurricanes, floods and forest fires, search and rescue, protection of vital public services, and support to civil defense. The California Air National Guard consists of
406-565: The City of Los Alamitos's for the annual Southland Credit Union Los Alamitos "Race on the Base", a charity event including a 5K Run, 5K Walk, 10K Run, 10K Skate/ Handcycle / Wheelchair, Mission: 1K Kids Run, Jr. Reverse Triathlon and Reverse Triathlon. This is the largest reverse triathlon event in the country. On the south edge of Runway 22L is the Navy Golf Course, where Tiger Woods honed his game as
435-538: The airfield from the U.S. Navy and naming the installation Los Alamitos Army Airfield . The remainder of the base came under California Army National Guard control in 1977 and the current name of Joint Forces Training Base - Los Alamitos (JFTB), was adapted in 2000 to reflect its multiple uses by the California Army National Guard, California Air National Guard , the U.S. Army Reserve, and other federal reserve component units. The senior command on post
464-591: The early years of the Cold War into the Korean War and the Vietnam War . On 16 July 1957, then- Major John H. Glenn Jr. , USMC , set a transcontinental air speed record , flying a F8U-1P Crusader from NAS Los Alamitos to NAS Floyd Bennett Field , New York, in 3 hours, 23 minutes, and 8.4 seconds. Project Bullet, as the mission was called, provided both the first transcontinental flight to average supersonic speed, and
493-939: The establishment of the United States Air Force as a separate branch of the United States military under the National Security Act On 4 April 1948 the 61st Fighter Wing with its 144th Fighter Group was formed at Hayward Municipal Airport, Hayward. The 61st's mission was the air defense of Northern California, the 62d, Southern California. Today, units of the CA ANG perform a homeland defense mission; worldwide airlift missions, aerial firefighting, combat search and rescue, and Unmanned Aerial (UAV) Reconnaissance missions. The 162d CCG also maintains tactical communications-electronic facilities, and provides tactical command and control communications services for operational commands supporting US military wartime contingencies. After
522-486: The facilities provided vary from base to base, the types of services, facilities, and programs provided can include fitness centers, pools, marinas, bowling centers, golf courses, restaurants, conference centers, catering, programs for single sailors with special events, access to the internet, movies and video games. Army MWR also offers accredited family child care and youth and school-aged services at many installations. The Army and Air Force's MWR services are paid for via
551-420: The first continuous transcontinental panoramic photograph of the United States. Glenn was awarded his fifth Distinguished Flying Cross for the mission. Prior to 1970, all Naval Air Reserve aircraft belonged to the local Naval Air Reserve Training Unit (NARTU), in this case NARTU Los Alamitos, or to those naval air stations under Naval Air Reserve control. Except for those squadrons recalled to active duty, as
580-604: The following major units: The California Air National Guard origins date to 28 August 1917 with the establishment of the 115th Aero Squadron as part of the World War I United States Army Air Service . The 115th served in France on the Western Front, constructed facilities and engaged in supply and related base support activities then after the 1918 Armistice with Germany was demobilized in 1919. The Militia Act of 1903 established
609-770: The immediate organization of the 115th Observation Squadron, 40th Division of Aviation, California National Guard . Initially the Unit held its meetings at Clover Field, Santa Monica, using Reserve Equipment planes for flying. Later on, the Squadron met at the National Guard Armory and also at the University of Southern California . In 1925, several months after its organization, the Squadron moved to permanent quarters at Griffith Park Aerodrome in Los Angeles. The 115th Observation Squadron
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#1732886483064638-562: The present National Guard system, units raised by the states but paid for by the Federal Government, liable for immediate state service. If federalized by Presidential order, they fall under the regular military chain of command. On 1 June 1920, the Militia Bureau issued Circular No.1 on organization of National Guard air units. The 115th Observation Squadron was established by the Militia Bureau on 5 April 1924, which authorized
667-531: The proceeds that they earn rather than by tax dollars. United States Coast Guard MWR. This United States military article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . California Air National Guard The California Air National Guard (CA ANG) is one of three components of the California National Guard , a reserve of the United States Air Force , and part of
696-547: The reorganization of the Naval Air Reserve into the "Reserve Force" concept, each new squadron was made independent of the NARTU and assigned to either a concurrently established Reserve carrier air wing or a shore-based air wing, paralleling its active duty Navy counterparts. Following this reorganization, most Naval Air Reserve units at NAS Los Alamitos relocated to active duty fleet naval air stations in California, most operating
725-443: The same type of aircraft such as NAS Miramar , NAS North Island , NAS Point Mugu , NAS Lemoore , and NAS Alameda . In 1972, several California Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve aviation assets transferred to NAS Los Alamitos, resulting in yet another name change to Naval Air Station Los Alamitos Armed Forces Reserve Center . This was followed in 1973 by the California Army National Guard taking operational control of
754-449: The state and the commander is Marcella Fain, Matthew Beevers, and Marcus Coston. Under the "Total Force" concept, California Air National Guard units are considered to be Air Reserve Components (ARC) of the United States Air Force (USAF). California ANG units are trained and equipped by the U.S. Air Force and are operationally gained by a Major Command of the USAF if federalized. In addition,
783-888: Was ordered into active United States Army Air Corps service on 3 March 1941 as part of the buildup of the Army Air Corps prior to the United States entry into World War II. On 24 May 1946, the United States Army Air Forces , in response to dramatic postwar military budget cuts, imposed by President Harry S. Truman , allocated inactive unit designations to the National Guard Bureau for the formation of an Air Force National Guard. These unit designations were allotted and transferred to various State National Guard bureaus to provide them unit designations to re-establish them as Air National Guard units. The modern California ANG received federal recognition on 1 July 1946 as
812-460: Was renamed Naval Air Station Los Alamitos and began supporting fleet carrier air groups. In the post- World War II war period, its focus changed to support of Naval Air Reserve units following the release from active duty of many Naval Aviators , enlisted Naval Aircrewmen, and support personnel and their subsequent affiliation in the Naval Reserve. The air station continued this mission through
841-401: Was the case during the Korean War, no Naval Reserve aviation squadrons "owned" their aircraft, as the aircraft were assigned to the NARTU or naval air station. From the end of World War II until 1956, aircraft assigned to NARTU Los Alamitos carried to the tail code "L" on their vertical stabilizer or empennage. This tail code was changed to "7L" in 1956 and continued until 1970. In 1970, during
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