Reese Technology Center | |
West Texas | |
Aircraft hangar at the former Reese Air Force Base, now Reese Technology Center
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Country | United States |
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State | Texas |
Region | Llano Estacado |
County | Lubbock |
Elevation | 1,012 m (3,320 ft) |
Coordinates | 33°35′47″N 102°02′34″W / 33.59639°N 102.04278°WCoordinates: 33°35′47″N 102°02′34″W / 33.59639°N 102.04278°W |
Founded | 1997 |
Management | Lubbock Reese Redevelopment Authority |
Timezone | Central (CST) (UTC-6) |
Postal code | 79416 |
Area code | 806 |
Website: www |
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Reese Technology Center is a research and business park located on the grounds of former Reese Air Force Base in Lubbock County, Texas.
Reese Technology Center began as the Lubbock Army Air Corps Advanced Flying School in 1942. 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.
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. More than 25,000 pilots, who fought in every conflict since World War II, were trained at Reese.
In 1995 word reached the Lubbock community that Reese Air Force Base was on the Pentagon’s hit list for base closures. In spite of much opposition from community members and leaders alike, the base closure was announced for September 30, 1997. The Lubbock Reese Redevelopment Committee (LRRC) was created in 1995, just two weeks after the base was recommended to be closed.
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 business people.