Myrtle Beach Air Force Base
| Myrtle Beach Air Force Base | |
|---|---|
| Near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in United States | |
| Coordinates | 33°40′47″N 78°55′42″W / 33.67972°N 78.92833°W |
| Site history | |
| Fate | Closed |
Myrtle Beach Air Force Base was a United States Air Force base located near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
On October 16, 1939, Myrtle Beach Town Council resolved that the community "is in dire need of a modern municipal airport". The town agreed to purchase 135 acres for $35 per acre from Myrtle Beach Farms, Inc., and two weeks later the airport was named Harrelson Municipal Airport after Mayor W.L. Harrelson, a supporter of the project. The Army Air Corps took over the airport in June 1940. For a short time it was used by 3d Observation Sq. 105th Observation Sq and 112th Observation Sq used the site during the next year. In September 1941 it was Distribution Point 1, Morris Field. On 21 November 1941, the United States Department of War acquired the site, and during World War II the formal establishment of a base took place on 24 March 1942, with the name Myrtle Beach General Bombing and Gunnery Range, with the units 3d AAF and later 519th Base HQ and Air Base Sq. On 8 November 1943, the 5000-acre base became Myrtle Beach Army Air Field. Units included 351st AAF, 136th AAF, and 317th AAF (later AF) Air Base Unit. After the war, uses of the base included recruiting and support activities. 114 buildings had gone up. The site was deactivated and returned to the city and became Myrtle Beach Municipal Airport 1 November 1947.
The city leased part of the base, and Aerovox, Piedmont Airlines and a turkey farm also used land on the base. The Boston Braves trained there.
The city donated its airport and the United States Air Force took over 1 June 1954, and Myrtle Beach Air Force Base was activated 1 April 1956. Many of the older buildings were torn down as the base modernized. The first unit in 1955 was the 727th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron. Other units were the 4434th Air Base Squadron (replaced by the 342nd Fighter-Day Wing), the 455th Fighter Day Group, and the 113th Tactical Fighter Wing, Det 1, 728th Tactical Control Squadron. From 1958 to 1993 the base was home to the 354th Fighter Day Wing/Tactical Fighter Wing. An agreement to use the base jointly for civilian and military operation began 19 July 1975, with Horry County Jetport using the northeast part of the base. The city of Myrtle Beach annexed the base 20 April 1977.
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