Location
Homestead Air Reserve Base is a United States Air Force base located approximately 6 miles northeast of Homestead, Florida near the southern end of the Florida peninsula, about 25 miles south of Miami.
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History
Homestead ARB was established in 1942 as Homestead Army Airfield (AAF). After its destruction by Hurricane Andrew in August 1992, the base was taken off active status and rebuilt, reopening as an Air Force Reserve facility in 1994. The 482d Fighter Wing is commanded by Colonel Donald R. Lindberg. The 482nd Fighter Wing, Air Force Reserve Command, maintains and operates Homestead Air Reserve Base, It is a fully combat-ready unit capable of providing F-16C multi-purpose fighter aircraft, along with mission ready pilots and support personnel, for short-notice worldwide deployment.
Homestead Airfield began as a United States Army Air Forces facility on 16 September 1942 when the Army Air Forces assumed control of an isolated airstrip located about a mile inland from the shore of Biscayne Bay. The airstrip had been turned over to the government by Coconut Grove-based Pan American Ferries, Inc., which had carved it out of the rocky landscape in the 1940s. Returned to civilian control after World War II, it was used as Dade County Airport until 5 January 1953 when the United States Air Force reopened it as Homestead Air Force Base. Nearly destroyed by Hurricane Andrew in August 1992, the facility was non-operational until March 1994 when it was reopened as Homestead Air Reserve Station.
Mission
The mission of the 482nd Fighter Wing is to train and equip Air Force Reservists to respond to wartime and peacetime taskings as directed by higher headquarters. The wing specifically trains for: Mobility, Deployment, and Employment.
Population
The wing has approximately 1,600 members, including more than 1,200 reservists, of which 260 are full-time reservists, in addition to 325 full-time civilians.
Transportation
On Base Taxi: C-
Temporary Lodging
The Homestead Inn is an Air Force Inns facility whose amenities include commercial shuttle service to and from the airport , a conference center, and rental car delivery on base. The Miami International Airport is located 32 miles from base.
Contact Information
Base Operator
(305) 224-7000
DSN 791-7000
Base Exchange
(305) 258-3881.
Dry Cleaning
(305) 224-7095
Military Clothing Sales
(305) 257-5719
Military I.D. Cards
Building 346, Room 101
Phone: (786) 415-7058
Base Chapel
Building 471
Phone: (786) 415-7093
Military Clothing Sales
Building 920
Phone: (786) 415-5719
Laundry/Dry Cleaning
Building 920
Phone: (786) 415-7095