Meridian Army Air Field, Mississippi

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Official Base Website: 186arw.ang.af.mil

Key Field Air National Guard Base, the first Air National Guard unit in Mississippi, was federally recognized in 1939. Originally called the 153rd Observation Squadron, the unit conducted tactical reconnaissance over the beaches of Normandy during the allied Invasion of Europe and continued throughout World War II. The base continued the tactical reconnaissance mission until 1992 when the F-4 Phantoms were de-activated and Key Field received the KC-135 Stratotanker. Fred and Al Key, two of the founding members of the unit, were early aviation pioneers who set an endurance flight record of 27 days over the skies of Meridian and our local area. They were the first to perfect the art of aerial refueling, a legacy that is carried on to this day. After this historic flight, Meridian's public airport was renamed Key Field in the brothers' honor. Federally, the 186th provides aerial refueling, air mobility, and command and control capabilities to our nation with 8 KC-135 aircraft and 1100+ Airmen. Domestically, they support the homeland defense mission, provide counterdrug support and disaster assessment with two RC-26 aircraft, and respond stateside in times of manmade and natural disasters. Locally, they provide all air traffic control tower and firefighting services for Meridian's civilian airport - Key Field.