That same year, Major Bob DeHaven, a WW II ace and 146th Fighter Group Operations Officer, broke the existing speed record from San Francisco to Los Angeles in a Lockheed F-80C Shooting Star, covering the distance in 36 minutes and 9 seconds at an average speed of 564 mph. DeHaven’s record was one of many significant events which culminated in the National Guard acknowledging the 146th Airlift Wing as the outstanding unit in the Air National Guard, and awarding the unit the Spaatz Trophy in 1949 - our first of three wins of that particular trophy. Other aircraft flown by the wing since the late 1940s include such truly classic military aircraft as the Douglas C-47 Skytrain, Douglas B-26 Invader, North American B-45A Tornado, North American AT-6 Texan, North American F/P-51 Mustang, Lockheed F-80C Shooting Star, North American F-86A Sabrejet, and the Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter.
From 1946 through 1954 the 115th Fighter Squadron and the 195th Squadron, both part of the 146th Fighter Wing, flew P - 51 Mustangs. The 115th Bombardment Squadron (Light) flew A-26's from 1946 to 1952. The 115th was stationed at Van Nuys but during part of this period was assigned to the 126th Bombardment Wing at Chicago's O'Hara field.
In 1949, the City of Los Angeles purchased the airport from the War Assets Administration for $1.00 and a provision for an Air National Guard facility for 40 years. Airport Renamed to San Fernando Valley Airport. Air National Guard was equipped with two squadrons of P-51s. But in February 1951, the 146th Fighter Wing was re-equipped with the F-86A. By July 1955 the transition from the F-51H Mustang to the Sabre was complete. The wing was re-designated a Fighter Interceptor Wing with an air defense mission for the Los Angeles area.
In 1955, the Air National Guard moved into a new Air National Guard base was completed just west of the old Army Air Forces Base Unit facilities. On 21 May of that same year, 1st Lt John Conroy of the 115th Fighter Squadron made aviation history by completing the first sunrise to sunset trip between the west and east coast in an F-86A. The 5085-mile round trip between Van Nuys and New York took 11 hrs., 26 min. and 33 sec.
1960 brought the wing a new mission, and a new mission aircraft. With air transportation recognized as a critical wartime need, the 146th was selected to receive the C-97 Stratofreighter and was redesignated the 146th Air Transportation Wing (Heavy). Our present day course as airlifters was set. The next year the 146th was again honored when the Air Force Association awarded the wing the Earl T. Ricks Memorial Trophy, following a flight of 22,815 miles from Van Nuys to Japan and back to Philadelphia, beating the existing record by 623 miles.
In July of 1961, as tensions of the Cold War flared, President Kennedy made it clear to the Soviet Union the United States would maintain the integrity of Berlin. The 146th was activated once again and flew numerous missions during "Operation Stair Step."
The Sixties marked the beginning of other humanitarian missions with our new airlift capabilities. In 1964, a devastating earthquake all but leveled Anchorage, Alaska; floods ravaged Arcata, CA; and in 1968, Hurricane "Camille," the second most disastrous hurricane in U.S. history hit the Gulf Coast with a fury. In each disaster, the 146th provided critical relief supplies and equipment. In the late 1960s, the unit returned to a wartime mission - Vietnam, once again providing critical airlift.
1970 brought a new name - the 146th Tactical Airlift Wing; a new command, Tactical Air Command; and a new aircraft - the Lockheed C-130 Hercules, the aircraft we fly to this day. Also in the early 1970’s, USAF’s "Total Force" policy brought the wing into full partnership with its Air Force counterparts by mandating co-operation and teamwork between Air Guard and active duty Air Force units in all phases of military airlift operations. As a result, in succeeding years the wing’s C-130s have traveled to all corners of the world, airlifting troops, passengers, and cargo during training missions, exercise deployments, and real-world military operations to support Federal and State military airlift requirements. The wing and its subordinate units participated in numerous Cold War military exercises such as Team Spirit, Volant Oak, Red Flag, and Reforger. Other Joint Chief of Staff exercises included "Ember Dawn IV" in Alaska and "Brave Shield" in Europe. In 1979, the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve assumed full responsibility for airlift operations in Panama, which recently moved to Puerto Rico, a commitment we continue to fulfill today.
In mid-December 1989, and continuing for several weeks, wing aircraft, air crews, and support personnel on deployment for exercise Volant Oak at Howard AFB, Canal Zone, Panama, flew combat airlift missions for U. S. Southern Command during Operation "Just Cause" in Panama. More than 100 combat sorties were flown by 146th aircraft and crews, with no casualties or damage to aircraft.
By March 1990, all but a small remnant of wing personnel had transferred operations to Channel Islands ANG Station. Shortly thereafter, the old Van Nuys facility was closed and turned over to the City of Los Angeles. On April 30, 1990, the flag at Van Nuys ANG Base was lowered for the last time during a special ceremony.
SOURCES: 146th Airlift Wing, Mark A. Reynosa
Corps of Engineers History of Van Nuys AAF
Between 12 December 1942 and 12 June 1947,
the United States acquired 366.16 acres in fee, in Van Nuys for
an air field. An additional 71 acres were leased and 0.15 acre
was
acquired by easement, bringing. the total acreage in use to 437.31
acres. The site was developed and named the Van Nuys Army Air
Field.
The Army constructed a complete air training facility at the site with approximately 200 buildings, including housing and support facilities. Van Nuys Army Air Field remained active until 31 August 1948.
The site was reported excess and. transferred
to the War Assets Administration 15 September 1948. The entire
acreage, 437.31 acres, was sold to the City of Los Angeles on
17
September 1948. The United States acquired back 63.09 acres by
license from the city for use by the California Air National Guard.
On the Web
CLICK HERE to visit Mark A. Reynosa's web site on Van Nuy's AAF/ANGB
Extract, US Army Air Forces Directory of Air Fields (January 1945)
Army Units Stationed at Van Nuys AAF during World War II
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| Army Station List | 1 June 1943 |
Army Air Forces:
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| ArmyAirForces.com | 12 August to 11 October 1943 |
Army Air Forces:
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| ArmyAirForces.com | 11 October 1943-4 January 1944 |
Army Air Forces:
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| Army Station List | 7 April 1945 |
Army Air Forces:
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| Army Station List | 1 June 1943 |
Army Air Forces:
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Extract, War Department Inventory of Owned, Sponsored and Leased Facilities, 1945
Combat Crew Training Station-Fighter