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The story of Pease Air National Guard Base is a remarkable journey of military transformation, environmental resilience, and community adaptation. Nestled in the seacoast region of New Hampshire, this historic military installation has evolved from a small municipal airport to a crucial strategic military base and now serves as a vibrant national guard facility and economic hub.
Origins and Early History
In the 1930s, what would become Pease began as a modest 300-acre municipal airport near Portsmouth, New Hampshire. During World War II, the U.S. Navy briefly utilized the location, but it wasn’t until 1951 that the U.S. Air Force took full control, transforming the site into a Strategic Air Command (SAC) base.
Cold War Strategic Significance
The base played a critical role during the Cold War, serving as a key location for nuclear deterrence. In 1956, it was formally renamed Pease Air Force Base to honor Captain Harl Pease, Jr., a native New Hampshire pilot who posthumously received the Congressional Medal of Honor during World War II.
Throughout its military history, Pease was home to several significant units, including:
- The 100th Bombardment Wing
- The 509th Bombardment Wing
- Various aircraft including B-47 Stratojets, B-52 Stratofortresses, and KC-135 Stratotankers
Base Closure and Transformation
In 1988, Pease was selected as part of the Base Realignment and Closure Commission. The base officially closed on March 31, 1991, marking the end of its era as a full-scale military installation. However, this was not the end of its story.
Environmental Challenges and Cleanup
The base faced significant environmental challenges, being placed on the National Priorities List in 1990. The Air Force invested over 98 million in cleanup actions</strong>, with an additional <strong>102.6 million projected to complete environmental restoration efforts.
Modern-Day Pease
Today, Pease has been reimagined as a multi-purpose facility. The New Hampshire Air National Guard’s 157th Air Refueling Wing now calls this location home. The base spans approximately 220 acres and includes 40 facilities, supporting up to 950 military personnel during monthly operations.
In 2019, the base made a significant technological upgrade by transitioning to the KC-46A Pegasus aerial refueling aircraft, becoming the first Air National Guard unit to do so.
Community Impact
The Pease Development Authority transformed a portion of the base into the Pease International Tradeport, an innovative business and aviation industrial park. This redevelopment now hosts 275 businesses employing nearly 10,000 civilian workers.
Additionally, 1,054 acres were transferred to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, creating the Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge, which provides critical habitat for diverse wildlife including bald eagles.
When was Pease Air Force Base established?
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Pease was originally a municipal airport in the 1930s and became a formal Air Force base in 1951, officially named Pease Air Force Base in 1956.
Why was the base closed?
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Pease was part of the 1988 Base Realignment and Closure Commission, which identified 86 military installations for closure as part of post-Cold War military restructuring.
What is Pease used for today?
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Today, Pease is home to the New Hampshire Air National Guard’s 157th Air Refueling Wing, a business park, and part of a national wildlife refuge.