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CLINTON SHERMAN AFB. Home of the 70th Bombardment Wing. While
the U. S. Air Force was at the airfield it operated a Strategic Air Command
(SAC) Base. The 98th Bombardment Squadron (1959-63) operated B-52 Stratofortress
aircraft while assigned to the 4123 Strategic Wing, at Clinton-Sherman AFB,
Oklahoma. The wing was inactivated 1 February, 1963 with assets moved to the 6th
Bombardment Squadron. The 6th Bombardment Squadron operated the following series
of B-52's from February of 1963 through September of 1969 while assigned to the
70th Bombardment Wing at Clinton-Sherman AFB, Oklahoma. (B-52 E 1963-68, B-52 D
1968-69, and B-52 C 1968-69 which had limited use.)
In 1942, the United States of America acquired approximately 5,000 acres of
land in fee by condemnation at Burns Flat, Oklahoma for a naval airfield. The
site was named the Clinton Naval Air Station. Four runways and numerous
installation support facilities were built. On 27 January 1949, the United
States of America (acting by and through the War Assets Administration) conveyed
this installation to the City of Clinton, Oklahoma.
On 15 September 1954, the United States of America leased the site from the City
of Clinton to be used as an Air Force Base. The site was named the
Clinton-Sherman Air Force Base. Between 1955 and 1964, the United States of
America acquired 528.00 acres of land in fee and 3,579.04 acres of easements. On
l June 1971, the City of Clinton conveyed 101.43 acres by Quitclaim deed to GSA.
On 3 June 1971, the United States of America and the City of Clinton, Oklahoma,
by mutual agreement, terminated the lease dated 15 September 1954.The U.S. Navy
and the U. S. Air Force used the site as an airfield for training purposes and
development and modification of aircraft equipment from the early 1940's to
1975, except for the periods between 27 January 1949 to 15 September 1954, and 3
June 1971 to 16 August 1972. In 1942, the United States of America acquired
approximately 5,000 acres of land in fee by condemnation at Burns Flat, Oklahoma
for a naval airfield.
The site was named the Clinton Naval Air Station. Four runways and numerous
installation support facilities were built. On 27 January 1949, the United
States of America (acting by and through the War Assets Administration) conveyed
this installation to the City of Clinton, Oklahoma, by Quitclaim deed. The deed
contained a recapture clause for national emergency purposes.
On 1 July 1971, the City of Clinton, Oklahoma, granted Midwestern Oklahoma
Development Authority (MODA) a leasehold interest for a portion of the site,
with said lease containing provisions for sub-leasing property. On 16 August
1972, MODA leased to the United States of America a portion of the former
Clinton-Sherman Air Force Base. On 28 February 1975, the lease between MODA and
the United States of America was terminated, with the United States retaining
the right to reenter and use part of the land and improvements in the event of a
national emergency. On 6 October 1989, the leasehold interest between MODA and
the City of Clinton was terminated. Today the site continues as the
Clinton-Sherman Industrial Airport> and the runway is one of the longest in the
world. The runway is considered as an alternate landing site to the Space
Shuttle and is used daily for private non-commercial aircraft. In addition, U.
S. Air Force aircraft including C-5A/B Galaxy, C-130 Hercules, C-17 Globemaster
III, C-141B Starlifters and KC-135 Stratotankers from Altus AFB, and T-38 Talons
from Vance AFB use the runway for training purposes. The U.S. Air Force has also
used the site for training exercises such as: Mighty Force etc. and exercises
with personnel from Tinker AFB.
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