Peterson Air and Space Museum

On this day...

This week's installment of The Streets of Peterson Space Force Base talks about Suffolk Street, named for the former Suffolk County Air Force Base in Long Island, New York. Suffolk County AFB served as a key base in the air defense of New York City during the Cold War. Deactivated in 1969, today it is known as Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base and shares runway and taxiway facilities with the civilian Francis Gabreski Airport.

Suffolk County Army Airfield was built in 1943 as a United States Army Air Forces sub-base of nearby Mitchel Field. Later assigned to First Air Force, the 437th Army Air Force Base Unit defended the New York City area and flew antisubmarine patrols. After World War II, the airfield was conveyed to Suffolk County for use as a civilian airport.

The U.S. Air Force's Air Defense Command reclaimed the airport in 1951 and renamed it Suffolk County AFB. The base became part of the Eastern Air Defense Force's defense of the NYC metro area. The Connecticut Air National Guard's 103rd Fighter-Interceptor Wing (FIW), along with the 118th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron and its F-47N Thunderbolts, were federalized on March 2, 1951, and moved from Connecticut to Suffolk County AFB on June 1. The 103 FIW returned to state control on February 6, 1952, and remained briefly at Suffolk County until replaced by the active-duty 45th and 75th Fighter-Interceptor Squadrons in November 1952, flying the F-86 Sabre as part of the 23rd Fighter-Interceptor Group (23 FIG).

In 1955, the 23 FIG was replaced by the newly activated 52nd Fighter-Interceptor Wing (52 FIW), which flew under various designations from Suffolk County AFB until 1969, with the 2d and 5th Fighter-Interceptor Squadrons flying F-94 Starfire, F-101 Voodoo and F-102 Delta Dagger interceptors. In 1963, the 52 FIW was renamed the 52nd Fighter Wing (Air Defense) and became part of the New York Air Defense Sector (NY ADS).

Suffolk County AFB was the main support base for the Suffolk County Missile Annex, a nearby USAF CIM-10 BOMARC missile launch complex for the defense of the New York City metropolitan area under the control of the 46th Air Defense Missile Squadron's missile launch control center at McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey. Suffolk County AFB also provided support to the AN/FPS-35 air defense radar site located at Montauk Air Force Station at the eastern tip of Long Island.

Funding shortfalls for the Vietnam War resulted in the closure of numerous stateside air force bases and naval air stations, Suffolk County AFB deactivated in 1969 and the military installation was again transferred to the Suffolk County government for use as a civilian airport.

Suffolk County Airport operated without a military unit until June 1970 when the 102nd Air Refueling Squadron of the New York Air National Guard relocated to the base with KC-97 Stratofreighters. In 1972, the 102d switched to F-102 Delta Daggers and became the 102d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron. In 1975, the unit had another mission change and became an Aerospace Rescue and Recovery squadron, later renamed the 102nd Rescue Squadron in 1995 under the 106th Rescue Wing.

Today, the 106th Rescue Wing and the wing's 101st, 102nd, and 103rd Rescue Squadrons uses HC-130J Combat King II transport aircraft and HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters for both peacetime and combat search and rescue.

Suffolk County Air National Guard Base was renamed Francis S. Gabreski ANG Base in 1991 for USAF Colonel Francis Gabreski, World War II and Korean War fighter ace.

ON THIS DAY IN U.S. AIR FORCE HISTORY: 1966 - During the Gemini IX space mission (June 3 through 6) Astronauts Lieutenant Colonel Thomas P. Stafford (US Air Force) and Lieutenant Commander Eugene A. Cernan (US Navy) completed three rendezvous operations and a record 2-hour, 5-minute spacewalk. They were launched from the Eastern Test Range aboard a Titan II booster. Then, they landed only 2 1/2 miles from the recovery force (the most accurate reentry to date) after 45 revolutions of the Earth. Live TV coverage of splashdown and recovery came from the Early Bird I satellite.

Controlling military satellites from the "Top of the World".

Translating Orbital Capabilities into Multi-Domain Lethality: The SCN at Pituffik The U.S. Space Force Satellite Control Network (SCN) is the fundamental architecture of modern space operations, providing the continuous connectivity necessary to translate orbital capabilities into

🛰️🛰️🛰️Space Heritage Spotlight! 🚀🚀🚀

On May 30th, 1974, the U.S. launched the world’s first communications broadcast satellite, the Applications Technology Satellite (ATS-6) from Cape Canaveral, Florida aboard a Titan IIIC launch vehicle. From its geosynchronous orbit, the satellite provided coverage to half of the globe.

During its five-year life, ATS-6 transmitted connection programming to various countries, including India, the United States and other regions. The vehicle also conducted air traffic control tests, was used to practice satellite-assisted search and rescue techniques, carried an experimental radiometer subsequently carried as a standard instrument aboard weather satellites, and pioneered direct broadcast TV.

The ATS-6 is pictured here during radio frequency tests.

FIGHTER FRIDAY!

On May 27th, 1958, General O. P. Weyland, commander of the USAF's Tactical Air Command, accepted TAC's first production F-105B Thunderchief from Republic at its Farmingdale plant in Long Island.

Pictured is an F-105B of the Air Force Reserve's 419th Tactical Fighter Wing, Hill Air Force Base, Utah.

Congratulations to the Airmen and Guardians graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy today!

Today marks the beginning of your journey as the next generation of leaders, warfighters and defenders of our nation. Your commitment, resilience and dedication to service embody the very best of our Armed Forces.

We look forward to welcoming you into the formation as you help shape the future of air and space power.