Where were you stationed during your military career?
Worldwide Locations Where Early USAF Life Support Personnel Served (1947–1975)
Early Life Support Airmen were stationed anywhere the U.S. Air Force flew high‑risk, high‑altitude, or combat missions — from Strategic Air Command bases to remote Cold War outposts.
United States (CONUS) — Core AFE/ALS Development Bases
- Wright‑Patterson AFB, OH — birthplace of modern crew systems; early oxygen, helmet, and pressure suit development.
- Chanute AFB, IL — primary technical school for Life Support until 1993.
- Edwards AFB, CA — test pilots, pressure suits, escape systems, high‑altitude research.
- Beale AFB, CA — U‑2 and SR‑71 operations; advanced pressure suit support.
- Davis‑Monthan AFB, AZ — TAC fighter operations; survival equipment.
- Luke AFB, AZ — fighter training; early Life Support shops.
- Nellis AFB, NV — combat crew training; major Life Support hub.
- Eglin AFB, FL — weapons testing; aircrew equipment integration.
- Kirtland AFB, NM — special weapons and high‑altitude research.
- Minot, Grand Forks, Ellsworth, Offutt AFBs — SAC bomber and tanker Life Support operations.
Europe — Cold War Forward Deployment
- RAF Lakenheath, UK — F‑100, F‑4, later F‑111; major Life Support presence.
- RAF Bentwaters / Woodbridge, UK — tactical fighters; survival equipment shops.
- Ramstein AB, Germany — USAFE headquarters; large AFE/ALS footprint.
- Spangdahlem AB, Germany — fighter wings; full Life Support operations.
- Hahn AB, Germany — F‑4 and nuclear alert missions.
- Aviano AB, Italy — forward fighter operations.
- Incirlik AB, Turkey — reconnaissance and nuclear alert support.
Pacific & Asia — Vietnam Era and High‑Altitude Recon
- Kadena AB, Okinawa — SR‑71, U‑2, F‑4; major Life Support shop.
- Yokota AB, Japan — airlift and reconnaissance support.
- Misawa AB, Japan — fighter operations.
- Clark AB, Philippines — Vietnam staging; survival equipment and aircrew support.
- U‑Tapao RTNB, Thailand — B‑52 operations; heavy Life Support workload.
- Takhli, Korat, Udorn, Nakhon Phanom (NKP), Thailand — F‑105, F‑4, A‑1, AC‑130; intense combat Life Support activity.
- Cam Ranh Bay, Da Nang, Bien Hoa, Tan Son Nhut (Vietnam) — direct combat aircrew support.
Middle East & Africa — Early Deployments
- Dhahran AB, Saudi Arabia — early Cold War airlift and reconnaissance support.
- Wheelus AB, Libya — fighter gunnery training; Life Support for desert operations.
- Asmara (Kagnew Station), Ethiopia — reconnaissance and communications support.
Latin America & Caribbean
- Howard AFB, Panama Canal Zone — airlift and special operations support.
- Ramey AFB, Puerto Rico — B‑52 and tanker operations.
Arctic & Remote Cold War Sites
- Thule AB, Greenland — early warning radar and SAC support.
- Keflavik NAS, Iceland — air defense and reconnaissance support.
- Eielson & Elmendorf AFB, Alaska — cold‑weather survival and fighter operations.
Why Life Support Was Everywhere
Early Life Support personnel followed the aircraft, not the base. Wherever the USAF flew:
- high‑altitude
- long‑range
- nuclear alert
- reconnaissance
- or combat missions
Life Support Airmen were at these locations ensuring helmets, masks, oxygen systems, anti‑G suits, survival kits, flotation gear, emergency equipment, and aircrew training were in place and ready.
From 1947 through the Vietnam era, Life Support Airmen served everywhere the U.S. Air Force flew high‑risk, high‑altitude, or combat missions. Our shops followed the aircraft — bombers, fighters, reconnaissance platforms, and special operations units — across the globe.
Because Life Support shops had to be co‑located with flying squadrons, LS personnel were stationed wherever aircraft and aircrew were.
Click on the link below to see the location and units where some of our members served.
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