Offutt Air Force Base
From Free net encyclopedia
Offutt Air Force Base (Offutt AFB) is a base of the United States Air Force and a census-designated place (CDP) located in Sarpy County, Nebraska. As of the 2000 census, the CDP had a total population of 8,901. It is home to the headquarters of the United States Strategic Command, the Air Force Weather Agency, and the 55th Wing.
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Geography
Offutt AFB is located at 41°6'49" North, 95°55'42" West (41.113520, -95.928399)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 11.3 km² (4.3 mi²). 10.9 km² (4.2 mi²) of it is land and 0.4 km² (0.1 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 3.22% water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 8,901 people, 2,304 households, and 2,255 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 816.3/km² (2,113.1/mi²). There were 2,429 housing units at an average density of 222.8/km² (576.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 77.97% White, 10.44% Black or African American, 0.69% Native American, 2.73% Asian, 0.31% Pacific Islander, 3.55% from other races, and 4.31% from two or more races. 7.38% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 2,304 households out of which 79.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 90.5% were married couples living together, 5.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 2.1% were non-families. 1.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 0.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.61 and the average family size was 3.64.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 41.9% under the age of 18, 16.8% from 18 to 24, 39.7% from 25 to 44, 1.4% from 45 to 64, and 0.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 22 years. For every 100 females there were 105.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 109.7 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $36,742, and the median income for a family was $36,619. Males had a median income of $25,391 versus $21,593 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $11,580. 5.6% of the population and 4.4% of families were below the poverty line. 7.1% of those under the age of 18 and 0.0% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
History
1890s through 2001
Offutt AFB was first constructed between 1894 and 1896 and was then an Army post named Fort Crook. The fort's namesake was Maj. Gen. George Crook, a Civil War era Indian Fighter.
The oldest part of the base is the parade grounds and surrounding buildings. Predating 1900, these brick buildings are still in active use today as squadron headquarters, quarters reserved for high-ranking generals (Generals Row), and Nebraska’s oldest operational jail.
Fort Crook was designated Offutt Field during 1924, in honor of 1st Lt. Jarvis J. Offutt. Offutt was an American pilot who was killed while flying with the Royal Air Force in France during World War I.
"Building D," located at Offutt, was the manufacturing site of the two bombers (Enola Gay and Bock's Car) that dropped the first atomic weapons to be used in a military action (against the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan).
In 1948, Offutt Field transferred to the new Department of the Air Force and became Offutt Air Force Base. Later that same year, the 3902d Air Base Wing became the host unit at Offutt. During the same year, Offutt gained international prominence when it became the host base for the Headquarters of Strategic Air Command. Offutt was chosen for its strategic central position in the USA; allowing long-range, nuclear-armed bombers to (then) stay safely out of range of hostile missiles or bomber aircraft. Offutt's population and facilities grew dramatically to keep pace with the increased operational demands during the Cold War. Several new buildings were erected, including more than 2,000 family housing units.
The 3902d Air Base Wing was deactivated in 1986, and the 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing assumed host-unit responsibilities. Increased defense spending during the 1980s brought additional operational improvements to Offutt, including the Bennie Davis Aircraft Maintenance Hanger, and a new command center for Headquarters SAC.
In 1992 the Air Force reorganized its military unit structure. The Strategic Air Command was deactivated, and on June 1, the unified U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), was established. The 55th Strategic Wing then became the 55th Wing, under the newly created Air Combat Command.
References
- Benchmark Publishing, (2005). Welcome to Offutt AFB. Retrieved December 19, 2005.