Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ

Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ 85707 | Base Operator: DSN 312-228-1110, (520) 228-3900

Davis-Monthan AFB: Overview

Davis-Monthan AFB is the home of the 12th Air Force (12 AF). One of the major units in the 12 AF is the 355th Fighter Wing (355 FW), which deploys out of Davis-Monthan AFB. This mission of the wing is to maintain the combat readiness of its A-10 squadrons and support personnel. When deployed, this wing is capable of conducting operations that include close air support, air interdiction, forward air control, combat search and rescue, ground based tactical air control, and airbase operations.

The base is named in the honor of Lt. Samuel H. Davis and Lt. Oscar Monthan, both of whom were from Tucson and tragically lost their lives in aircraft accidents. Davis-Monthan Field was activated in 1924 and served as a civilian and military airport. In preparation for World War II, the airport became the Tucson Army Air Field, later to be named Davis-Monthan Army Air Field. During WWII, the base was utilized to train B-24 Liberator and B-29 Superfortress crews. Following the Second World War, the base was utilized to store decommissioned military aircraft and the name of the installation was changed to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base due to the fact that the Air Force was established as a separate service. The base was the home of several bombing and missile units during the Cold War. The current mission of the base basically began on 1976 when the base ownership changed from the Strategic Air Command to the Tactical Air Command (TAC), and the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing started flying the A-10 Thunderbolt II.

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Davis-Monthan AFB: Location

Davis-Monthan AFB is positioned just a few miles to the southeast of Tucson, AZ in Pima County. The Mexican border is less than 60 miles from base, and Phoenix is only about 120 miles to the northwest. Communities located in the immediate vicinity include Oro Valley, Marana, Sahuarita, and South Tucson. Other cities in the region include Catalina Foothills, Flowing Wells, Casas Adobes, Drexel Heights, Green Valley, Eloy, Sierra Vista, Nogales, Florence, Coolidge, Casa Grande, and Safford.

Davis-Monthan AFB: Interesting Facts

Following his famous transatlantic flight from New York to Paris in the “Spirit of St. Louis,” Charles Lindbergh was present to conduct the dedication of the base.
The first units assigned to the base included the 1st Bomb Wing, the 41st Bomb Group, and the 31st Air Base Group.
The B-47 Stratojet became the first jet aircraft assigned to Davis-Monthan.