• Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • News
    • Scholarship
  • By State
  • Air Force
  • Army
  • Coast Guard
  • Joint Operations
  • Marine Corps
  • Navy
  • Jobs
  • Commissary
  • Contact

Military Bases

Military Directory

You are here: Home / South Carolina Military Bases / Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, SC

Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, SC



Contact Information

Phone: (803) 895-1110
DSN: 965-1110

Shaw AFB is currently one of the largest military bases in the United States of America. It is operated by the Air Force – more precisely, by the Air Combat Command. It is located in the central side of South Carolina, close to Sumter. The base is named in the memory of Ervin David Shaw, one of the first Americans who flew in World War I in official missions. The pilot was killed by three aircrafts that opened fire on his plane while he was getting back from a surveillance mission in the summer of 1918. Before being taken down, Shaw successfully managed to eliminate one of the enemies.

History

The base began by dealing with minor operations. It was established in 1941. Its main mission was to train and prepare cadets and pilots for the war missions of the upcoming World War II. In its first years, the base benefited from three runways and a few extra airfields close to them. The school classes started in the autumn of 1941. The first class joined it without the site to be entirely finished. However, it was fine enough to support the basic courses. The same class graduated in February, next year. One year later, in the autumn of 1942, the school was improved and the courses became advanced. Two new aircrafts were introduced – Beech AT 10 and AT 6 Texan. More than 8500 pilots graduated from the school during the war. In 1945, some of the base missions changed, as well as the host unit. At the same time, the base also became responsible for hosting the prisoners of war. The first prisoners were brought to the base in 1945 to work on the local farms. Next year, they were sent to Europe to repair the damage they did – they had to rebuild the European cities destroyed by the war. In 1947, many of them returned to Germany, while others decided to get back to the United States of America and become regular citizens.

As World War II reached to an end, Shaw AFB was turned into a permanent military base. Over the Cold War, it saw a lot of units joining and leaving it, as the objectives were constantly changing, not to mention about the operational forces. Over the last years, Shaw AFB is responsible for supporting the Iraq and Afghanistan invasions. After the 9/11 attacks, it dealt with the defense of the USA, while the Iraq invasion was actively supported by the units hosted on site.

Units

Shaw AFB is currently hosting the 20-th Fighter Wing, responsible for operating the F 16CJ aircrafts. It includes four squadrons – the 55-th, 77-th and 79-th Fighter squadrons, as well as the 20-th Operations Support Squadron. Aside from the operations group, the unit also consists of the maintenance, medical and mission support groups.

Housing

Ideally, you should get in touch with the housing office at Shaw AFB from time, so you can complete the application early and get a home by the time you get there. The application depends on your family, rank and tasks. The less lucky individuals may use the privatized off site system.

Photos of Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, SC

Nearby Hotels to Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, SC

HotelRatings
SpringHill Suites Sumter
(read more)
Based on 17 reviews
Tru by Hilton Sumter
(read more)
Based on 2 reviews
Holiday Inn Express & Suites - Sumter
(read more)
Based on 11 reviews
Carolina Pines
(read more)
Based on 2 reviews
Hampton Inn Sumter
(read more)
Based on 13 reviews

Nearby Car Rental Agencies to Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, SC

AgencyRatings
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
(read more)
Based on 4 reviews
Hertz Rent A Car
(read more)
Based on 3 reviews
Tim's Auto Pro
(read more)
Based on 8 reviews
Firestone Complete Auto Care
(read more)
Based on 4 reviews
CARQUEST Auto Parts
(read more)
Based on 1 reviews

Nearby Restaurants to Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, SC

RestaurantRatingsCategories
Willie Sue's
(read more)
Based on 125 reviews
Bars
American (Traditional)
Burgers
Palmetto Oyster House
(read more)
Based on 116 reviews
Seafood
American (Traditional)
Steakhouses
Simply Southern Bistro
(read more)
Based on 104 reviews
Southern
Burgers
Sandwiches
Sambino's
(read more)
Based on 28 reviews
Italian
Las Palmas Mexican Restaurant & Bar
(read more)
Based on 19 reviews
Mexican
Bars

Primary Sidebar

Search by State

ALAKAZARCACO
CTDEDCFLGAHI
IDILINKSKYLA
MEMDMAMIMSMO
MTNENVNHNJNM
NYNCNDOHOKOR
PARISCSDTNTX
UTVAWAWIWVWY
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Overseas

AFBEBGBHCUDE
DJGLGRGUIOIQ
ITJPKGKOKRKW
NLPEPTPRQASA
SGESTRUK
  • Home
  • News
  • By State
  • Air Force
  • Army
  • Coast Guard
  • Joint Operations
  • Marine Corps
  • Navy
  • Jobs
  • Commissary

© Copyright 1998 MilitaryBases.com
Not affiliated with any government agencies.