11th Wing BAFB

Situated on the banks of the Potomac River inWashington, D.C., Bolling is located in the nation’scapital. Bolling’s men and women proudly accept theirresponsibility as a showcase for the Air Force becauseof its proximity to the Pentagon, Capitol Hill and the White House.

The base officially opened July 1, 1918, and was named in honor of the first high-ranking air service officer killed in World War I, Col. Raynal C. Bolling, who died March 26, 1918.

Bolling’s early years chronicled the growth of the entire U.S. Air Force and served as a proving ground for the new air service as it spread its wings. Bolling Field also served as a research and testing ground for new aviationequipment, and its first mission provided aerial defense of the capital and accommodated pilot proficiency.

Already well established as one of the world’s bestaviation bases, Bolling rapidly grew during the years 1939 through 1945 as it once again met the challenge of a world war. The core units at Bolling at the beginning of 1939 were one housekeeping squadron, the baseheadquarters, the 14th Air Base Squadron and two air base maintenance squadrons — the first and second staff squadrons.

For the remainder of World War II, Bolling served as a training and organization base for personnel and units going overseas, and it became the aerial gateway to the nation’s capital.

In 1962, due to airspace congestion around National Airport, which has since been renamed ‘‘Ronald Reagan-Washington National Airport,” fixed-wing flying activities left Bolling for nearby Andrews AFB, Md.

Without a flightline, Bolling’s role changed to that of a support base and a new era began. The land thatformerly made up the runways on Bolling became the site of family housing and office buildings. Today it serves as the home of the 11th Wing and continues to be the keeper of the Air Force’s heritage.

1918
President Woodrow Wilson sent Bolling pilots on the first permanent airmail route from Washington, D.C. to New York.

1920
The First Army Air Tournament, the forerunner to today’s open house, took place at Bolling.

1927
“Lucky” Lindy’s “Spirit of St. Louis” returned to Bolling after its historic transatlantic flight. It was reassembled at Bolling for Lindbergh’s goodwill flight to Mexico and South America.

1934
Lt. Col. Henry “Hap” Arnold led a bomber flight from Bolling on a 4,000-mile aerial journey to Alaska to demonstrate the capabilities of strategic long-range bombing missions.

1942
Brig. Gen. Jimmy Doolittle was decorated at Bolling for heroism after leading a carrier-launched B-25 raid over Tokyo.

1943
The first company of Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps appeared.

1948
Bolling re-designated as Headquarters Command U.S. Air Force.

1961
President Truman and Roosevelt’s official aircraft, “The Sacred Cow,” retired from service at Bolling.

1962
Because of airspace congestion around National Airport, fixed-wing flying activities moved from Bolling to nearby Andrews AFB, Md.

1976
Bolling entered a new phase of its long history when it was assigned to the Military Airlift Command.

1985
Bolling officially became known as the headquarters for the Air Force District of Washington.

1994
Air Force District of Washington was re-designated as the 11th Support Wing, then re-named the 11th Wing the following year.

2001
Terrorists hijack commercial airliners and crash them into the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon (which is located across the Potomac River from Bolling) and into a field in rural Pennsylvania. The 11th Wing supports emergency workers during the response to the attack, recovery and Pentagon reconstruction.

2004
The secretary of the Air Force and the Air Force chief of staff jointly direct reactivation of the Air Force District of Washington effective Jan. 1, 2005. The 11th Wing becomes its subordinate unit.

2008
Bolling AFB celebrates its 90th anniversary.