Griffiss Air Force Base

Griffiss Air Force Base (1941-1995) - A United States Air Force base first established as Rome Air Depot in 1941 at Rome, Oneida County, New York. Finally renamed Griffiss Air Force Base in 1948 after many name changes. Named for Lt. Colonel Townsend E. Griffiss who was lost on a mission to Russia in 1942. Selected for closure by the Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) in 1993 with most functions ending with the base closing in 1995. Finally closed in 1998 when the airfield ceased operation. The airfield is now Griffiss International Airport, owned by Oneida County, New York. Griffiss Control Tower. Lt. Colonel Townsend E. Griffiss Memorial Stone. Static B-52G Display Still on the Former Griffiss Air Force Base. World War II The Rome Air Depot site was selected in May 1941 and construction began in August 1941. The base opened for beneficial occupancy on 2 Feb 1942. On 1 Feb 1942, the Rome Air Depot was activated as a World War II aircraft engine maintenance and repair depot. Throughout the war, the base provided depot-level repair services and training for repair crews. Post World War II Griffiss Hangers Griffiss AFB Host Commands (edit list) Dates Command/Agency Notes 1941-1951 Air Material Command (AMC) later Air Force Logistical Cmd (AFLC) 1951-1954 Air Research and Development Command 1954-1968 Air Material Command (AMC) 1968-1970 HQ Ground Electronics Engineering Installation Agency (GEEIA) arrived 1958 & became host in 1968 1970-Closure 416th Bomb Wing (SAC) Griffiss AFB Combat Units (edit list) Dates Command/Agency Notes 1950-1951 1st Interceptor Group 1957-1959 4727th Air Defense Group 1959-1987 49th Fighter Squadron 1959-1963 4039th Strategic Wing 1963-1991 416th Bombardment Wing 1991-1993 416th Wing --TBF-- Closure Identified for closure in 1993 by the BRAC Commission. All units were deactivated or relocated except Eastern Air Defense Sector (EADS), Rome Research Site, and Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS). The base closed and 416th Bomb Wing was deactivated on 30 Sep 1995, airfield closed in 1998. Current Status Closed as an Air Force Base with three military functions remaining now as a part of the Griffiss Business and Technology Park. The three remaining functions are (1) the Rome Research Site of the Air Force Research Lab, (2) the Eastern Air Defense Sector (EADS) of North American Air Defense Command (NORAD), and (3) the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) Rome Location. The airfield is now Griffiss International Airport, owned by Oneida County, New York. Little remains to indicate that this was an Air Force Base except for the static display of a B-52G bomber and an ALCM cruise missile at the intersection of Mohawk Drive and Perimeter Road. Location: Rome, Oneida County, New York. Maps & Images Lat: 43.22382 Long: -75.41021 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 504' See Also: Closed Air Force Bases Sources: USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) Database Entry: 978267 Links: Wikipedia - Griffiss Air Force Base New York State Military Museum - Griffiss Air Force Base Strategic Air Command - Griffiss AFB Visited: 18 Jun 2016