Alexandria Army Air Base
| England Air Force Base Alexandria Air Force Base Alexandria Army Airfield  |
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|---|---|
| Part of Tactical Air Command (TAC) | |
| Rapides Parish, near Alexandria, Louisiana | |
2006 orthophoto
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 England AFB
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| Coordinates | 31°19′39″N 92°32′55″W / 31.32750°N 92.54861°WCoordinates: 31°19′39″N 92°32′55″W / 31.32750°N 92.54861°W |
| Type | Air Force Base |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by | United States Air Force |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1942 |
| In use | 1942–1992 |
| Garrison information | |
| Garrison | 23d Tactical Fighter Wing (1972–1992) |
England Air Force Base is a former United States Air Force base in Louisiana, located 5 miles (8.0 km) Northwest of Alexandria and about 170 miles (270 km) Northwest of New Orleans. Originally known as Alexandria Army Air Base, on 23 June 1955 the facility was renamed England Air Force Base in honor of Lt Col John Brooke England (1923–1954).
The base was closed in 1992. The airfield and buildings are now Alexandria International Airport.
The base was opened on 21 October 1942 and during the Second World War performed Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress aircrew training. It was placed on inactive status on September 23, 1946, although a small cadre of Army and Air Force personnel (331 Composite Squadron) remained assigned to Alexandria Municipal Airport throughout the late 1940s.
On 10 October 1950, the United States Air Force reopened Alexandria Air Force Base during the Korean War. The station's primary mission was tactical fighter operations for Tactical Air Command.
Its major operating units were:
On 15 September 1970, the 4403d Tactical Fighter Wing, a temporary Major Air Command-Controlled (MAJCOM) unit, activated at England. With its subordinate 416th (activated 28 September 1970) and 431st Tactical Fighter Squadrons, it absorbed returning North American F-100 Super Sabre aircraft of 31st TFW from Tuy Hoa Air Base South Vietnam. It transferred aircraft and other assets to the Air National Guard. Acted as holding unit for arriving LTV A-7D Corsair II aircraft starting April 1972. The 4403d TFW and the 416th TFS both inactivated on 1 July 1972.
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