Reese Air Force Base

Reese Air Force Base
Lubbock, Texas in the United States
Aerial view of runways on Reese AFB
Reese AFB is located in the United States
Reese AFB
Reese AFB
Location in the United States
Coordinates33°35′47″N 102°02′34″W / 33.59639°N 102.04278°W / 33.59639; -102.04278
Site information
OwnerUnited States Department of Defense
OperatorUnited States Air Force
ConditionClosed
Site history
Built1942 (1942)
In use1942–1997 (1997)
FateRedeveloped as a research center known as Reese Technology Center

Reese Air Force Base was a former U.S. Army Air Base located near Lubbock, Texas. It was closed in 1997 and converted into a research center.

History

Reese AFB tower

Reese Air Force Base began as the Lubbock Army Air Corps Advanced Flying School in 1942.[1] It was renamed Lubbock Army Flying School in 1943 and then Lubbock Army Airfield later that same year. In 1949, it was renamed Reese Air Force Base in honor of a local West Texas pilot, Augustus F. Reese, Jr., who was killed in a bombing raid over Italy during World War II.[1]

Over the years, many milestones were accomplished at Reese Air Force Base, including a special pilot training program, the first flight simulator used in a training program, and a joint pilot training program with the Navy.[2] More than 25,000 pilots, who fought in every conflict since World War II, were trained at Reese.[3]

In 1995, word reached the Lubbock community that Reese Air Force Base was on the Pentagon’s list for base closures via the BRAC process. In spite of much opposition from community members and leaders alike, the base closure was announced for September 30, 1997.[4] The Lubbock Reese Redevelopment Committee (LRRC) was created in 1995, just two weeks after the base was recommended to be closed.[3]

The Lubbock Reese Redevelopment Committee was renamed the Redevelopment Authority (LRRA) and could now execute contracts for base property. This committee was composed of local government officials and area businesspeople. [citation needed]

In the years since Reese AFB closure, investigations have occurred to look into the per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) around the former base. Before Reese Air Force Base closed, it was home to training Air Force Firefighters to extinguish life-threatening fires using foam containing PFAS. After using this substance for many years at the base, it began seeping into the groundwater. The Air Force is continually checking bases for PFAS to this day. Past Reese AFB residents are entitled to compensation if found to the following toxins: Testicular cancer, Renal (kidney) cancer, and Prostate cancer.[5]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
19702,545—
19801,934−24.0%
19901,263−34.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1960[7] 1970[8]
1980[9] 1990[10] 2000[11]
2010[12]

Reese Air Force Base was listed as an unincorporated area in the 1970 U.S. Census (pop 2,545); and redesignated as a census designated place in the 1980 U.S. Census.[9] The CDP was deleted prior to the 2000 U.S. Census after the air base was closed in 1997; and the Reese Center CDP was formed out of part of its area.[11][12]

Reference

  1. ^ a b Gamble, S.G.; Turner, R. (2010). "Reese Air Force Base". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved December 15, 2010.
  2. ^ Anonymous (1995). "A Short History of Reese Air Force Base, Texas". Reese Air Force Base. Bruce Richardson.
  3. ^ a b Reese Center Staff (2010). "Reese Technology Center". Lubbock Reese Redevelopment Authority. Archived from the original on 2010-08-29.
  4. ^ Schuhmann, S. (2001). "Lubbock converts Air Force base into business park". Abilene Reporter-News. Archived from the original on 2010-06-30.
  5. ^ McClendon, Malcolm (2023-10-09). "Air Force begins field work to investigate PFAS at former Reese AFB". US Air Force. Retrieved 2023-10-09.
  6. ^ "Decennial Census by Decade". US Census Bureau.
  7. ^ "1960 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
  8. ^ "1970 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
  9. ^ a b "1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
  10. ^ "1990 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - Texas" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
  11. ^ a b "2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - Texas" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
  12. ^ a b "2010 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - Texas" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.