| K.I. Sawyer AFB |
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- A BRIEF HISTORY OF Kl SAWYER AFB
- In 1954 the government entered into
negotiations with Marquette County
for Sawyer's lease. After several months of
meetings and negotiations a
99 year lease was signed on January 24, 1955.
Construction started
almost immediately.
Approximately 850 people were employed during the construction and several local contractors were involved.
On January 24, 1956 Lt/Col Robert L. Blocklehurst became the first commander of Kl Sawyer AFB. The runway was completed in 1957 and in 1958 25 F-102 Aircraft were sent TDY from Kinross AFB at Sault St. Marie to operate out of Sawyer for several months, while the runways at Kinchelo were being repaired and extended.
The 62nd F1S from O'Hare airport Chicago was transferred to Sawyer and became an operational F-101 "Voodoo" squadron in 1959 after the runways at Sawyer were extended to 12,300 feet.
The Strategic Air Command became operational as a tenant unit with the assignment of a KC-135 Air Refueling Squadron first the 923 ARS and soon replaced by the 46th Air Refueling Squadron. The first B-52H arrived at Sawyer in August 1961 along with the 410 Bomb Wing.
The Sault St. Marie Air Defense Sector (SAGE) continued in operation until September 1963 and in January 1964 control of the base was passed from the Air Defense Command to the Strategic Air Command leaving the 410 Bomb Wing as the host unit to date.
The F-101 equipped 62 Fighter Interceptor Squadron remained at Sawyer as a tenant unit until April 1971 when it was deactivated and replaced by the 87th Fighter Interceptor Squadron and its F-106 Delta Dart Aircraft were transferred from Duluth Municipal Airport Minnesota. The 87th F1S was deactivated and the F-106 aircraft left in 1985.
Other aircraft assigned to Sawyer over the years included H-43B and HH-1H rescue helicopters leaving in 1977. FB-111 aircraft assigned to Pease AFB New Hampshire were on satellite alert at Sawyer in 1974 and 1975. The last aircraft assigned to Sawyer were six T-37 jet trainers of the 71 FTW assigned to "Accelerated Copilot Enrichment Program" in 1977 and are presently assigned to the "Companion Trainer Program" under the 410 BW and the Air Combat Command.
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Reviews / Comments by our visitors
| Jennifer Binkley , Wisconsin |  I was born at the Sawyer AF base hospital in 1963. I plan on going up there this year! My dad had such fond memories! 02/18/2016 @ 17:13 [ref: 55868] |
| Ken Klaus , Ohio |  K.I. was my 2nd of 6 bases in 22 years of active duty; Nov 80 - Mar 85. 6 winters. Best assignment of them all, even better than Hickam AFB, HI (just one season there and no real forest). Bought 40 acres of woodland north of the Dead River Storage Basin while I was there and still have. Lived off base and during winter rode my snowmobile to base just as often as my car or pickup truck. The official snowmobile "gate" was just an opening in the fence that usually never had a guard. 10/22/2015 @ 06:54 [ref: 55802] |
| Ken Klaus , Ohio | K.I. was my 2nd of 6 bases in 22 of active duty; Nov 80 - Mar 85. 6 winters. Best assignment of the all, even better than Hickam, HI (just one season there and no real forest). Bought 40 acres of woodland north of the Dead River Storage Basin while I was there and still have. Lived off base and during winter rode my snowmobile to base just as often as my car or pickup truck. The official snowmobile "gate" was just an opening in the fence that usually never had a guard. 10/22/2015 @ 06:41 [ref: 55801] |
| Mike Poll , Florida | I mentioned I was looking for friends that I served with, I mistakenly said Rick Hiddleson when his name is Dennis. I also served with a TSGT of Gary Vick, Smsgt Partridge. They were stationed at K I in 1970-72. I believe another was Brian Kelly but memory is not my good suit. If anyone who served during 68-72 in the OMS bomber unit please let me know 02/06/2015 @ 13:04 [ref: 55734] |
| Mike Poll Port Charlotte, Florida | I was station at K I from 1968 to 1972. I was a B52 mechanic and achieved the rank of SSGT. My son was born there in 1971. It was a great place to work and have fun met many great friends, wish I had kept in touch but sadly did not. Several of my friends include Steve Bares, Rick Hiddleson Jerry Vincent. Sure would like to find out where they are. I was with the OMS branch and worked directly with the B52 on and off of the alert pad. 02/06/2015 @ 05:25 [ref: 55733] |
| Mike Kelley Poplar Grove, Illinois | Our son was born at the base hospital weighing 4lb4oz, stayed in an isolette for a week and is 200lb now. We lived in New Swanzy and then Gwinn during our time there. Discharged from Sawyer 3/19/63. 01/08/2015 @ 06:46 [ref: 55726] |
| Mike Kelley Poplar Grove, Illinois | I was assigned Sawyer 3/62-3/63 working in Maintainance Test Section Sage Center. It was all Buck Rogers at the time, IBM card readers,light guns, etc. Went for 21 straight days that winter with temp. never getting above zero. 01/08/2015 @ 06:35 [ref: 55725] |
| Ralph Shufeldt Canton, Michigan | I was stationed at Sawyer from 7-61 to 2-64 & assigned as an illustrator in the Management Analysis office. Our Hq. was next to the SAGE blockhouse. I was the 69th airman assigned to the 410th. I think my wife and I were the first family to have 2 children born in the base hospital. 09/22/2014 @ 13:28 [ref: 55651] |
| Ralph Shufeldt Canton, Michigan | I was stationed at Sawyer from 7-61 to 2-64 & assigned as an illustrator in the Management Analysis office. Our Hq. was next to the SAGE blockhouse. I was the 69th airman assigned to the 410th. I think my wife and I were the first family to have 2 children born in the base hospital. 09/22/2014 @ 13:28 [ref: 55650] |
| John Kling , Illinois | Was assigned to K.I. Sawyer in April 1960 and served until August 1961 as part of the SAGE Air Force's advance technical group that set-up the SAGE combat operation at K.I.. It was a great assignment. The base was still under construction in 1960 and not fully operational. But I found the local people to be wonderful, so much so, I married a local girl. Today 53 years latter our family owns a summer vacation home in Gwinn, Michigan. It remains a very special place for our family that continues to enjoy the UP. 09/14/2014 @ 09:29 [ref: 55649] |
Last updated: 02/14/00.
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