Kirtland Air Force Base is a big part of Albuquerque. It's in the southeast part of the city, and adjacent to Albuquerque International Sunport (the airport).
It was born out of three private airfields in the late 1920s, and actual construction was completed in the early 1940s. Before it was named for Col. Roy C. Kirtland, it was known as Albuquerque Army Air Base. During WWII, B-17 and B-24 bombers were trained there. After the war, the base was placed under a different command and took up the task of test flight activities for the Manhattan Engineering District, the same organization that produced the atomic bomb.
In 1973, Kirtland enlarged due to the combining of Kirtland, Manzano, and Sandia bases.
Kirtland is also celebrating its 75th anniversary this year!
It's currently the sixth largest base in the U.S. Air Force, and is known for being home to the Nuclear Weapons Center, and is also home to other well-known research facilities such as Sandia National Laboratories.
Stay tuned for N!
xoxo Sarah
Wow that is impressive with it being 75 years old! I do remember seeing it when we flew in/out of Albuquerque a few times.
ReplyDeletebetty
Yep! It's right next to the sunport.
DeleteHey Sarah and congratulations Kirtland. Wonder what they'll do as a celebration.
ReplyDeleteRosa
@RosaT_Author
Rosa Temple writes...
I'm actually not sure! I keep seeing small signs around, but I'm not quite certain what they're planning. I know there's an air show in June, but that could be a yearly thing. I'll have to find out. :-)
DeleteWe had a really cool Marine base with planes training all the time. Independence Day was filmed there as the destroyed airfield. It's closed now. I really miss the fighters screaming overhead. So cool to watch.
ReplyDeleteWe were close to a fighter base once--it was SO LOUD. I much prefer the prop planes. :-) Marvel's Avengers was filmed at Kirtland--the helicarrier scene when Steve Rogers and Bruce Banner meet with Natasha on the deck is on one of the flight lines.
DeleteHappy birthday, Kirtland!
ReplyDeleteI'll tell it you said so! :)
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