The Air Force Plant No. 72 (AF Plant No. 72) is within a 46,698.54 acre portion of property owned by the United States Air Force. In 1947 this Property was withdrawn from public domain by the Department of Defense (DoD). In 1949 it was transferred to the Department of the Air Force upon creation of Edwards Air Force Base.
AF Plant No. 72 was under construction in 1956 and opened as a Liquid Oxygen Plant in 1957. The plant was used and maintained by the Air Force until the early 1970's when the need for liquid oxygen was reduced and the plant was no longer profitable. Later. two of the plant buildings were converted to make liquid nitrogen and are currently being used for that purpose.