Des Moines Air National Guard Base

Des Moines Air National Guard Base Des Moines Army Airfield
Part of Iowa Air National Guard (IA ANG)
Located near: Des Moines, Iowa
F-16C Fighting Falcon fighters from the 124th Fighter Squadron, 132d Fighter Wing, Iowa Air National Guard
Coordinates	41°32′18″N 093°39′34″W
Site information
Controlled by	United States Air Force
Site history
Built	1942
In use	1942-Present
Garrison information
Garrison	132d Fighter Wing

Airfield information
IATA: DSM – ICAO: KDSM – FAA LID: DSM
Summary
Elevation AMSL		958 ft / 292 m
Coordinates		41°32′02″N 093°39′47″W
Website		www.132fw.ang.af.mil
Map
KDSM Location of Des Moines Air National Guard Base
Runways
Direction	Length		Surface
	ft	m
5/23	9,003	2,744	Asphalt, concrete
13/31	9,001	2,744	Asphalt

See: Des Moines International Airport for civil airport information

Des Moines Air National Guard Base is the home base of the Iowa Air National Guard 132d Fighter Wing.

Overview

The 132d Fighter Wing, located at the Des Moines Air National Guard Base, can trace its roots back to February, 1941 with the establishment of the 124th Observation Squadron. The unit at that time had 110 men, 27 officers (15 pilots), and 5 aircraft. Over the last 68 years, the 132d Fighter Wing has participated in numerous actions including World War II, the Korean War, and many of the support functions of Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom.

The unit first entered the jet age in 1953 with the F-80. Several conversions followed with the unit flying the F-84, F-86, F-89, F-100, and the A-7 aircraft. The latest conversion to the F-16C aircraft occurred in 1992. For over six decades, the 132d Fighter Wing has demonstrated its dedication to excellence and professionalism. The unit has received numerous awards, including eight Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards, and has participated in exercises and deployments worldwide.

The 132d also played a key role in the recovery efforts during the 1993 and 2008 flooding in the Des Moines area, providing logistics and personnel support to the relief operations.

The BRAC 2005 Commission recommended the establishment of 18 F-16s at Des Moines Air National Guard Base. With over 900 enlisted personnel and 100 officers, the 132d Fighter Wing is ready to meet the challenges of a changing world, well into the century.

See also

• Iowa World War II Army Airfields

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency website http://www.afhra.af.mil/.