Military in the Mojave

Beginning in the 20th century, a significant economic and cultural force emerged in the High Desert -- the United States Armed Forces. George Air Force Base in Victorville, Fort Irwin in the Calico Mountains, the Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, and others forever shaped the economy and culture of the High Desert community and created a legacy of national and local pride that continues to this day.

In 1941, construction began on the 2,200 acre base then known as Victorville Army Air Field. In addition to the airfield, over 250 buildings were constructed, including barracks, administrative buildings, maintenance shops, hangars, hospitals, warehouses, social clubs, libraries, and stores. Over 4,000 personnel served at the base. 

In 1950, the airfield was officially re-named George Air Force Base in honor of Brigadier General Harold Huston George, a WWI fighter ace who served in the Far East Air Force in the Philippines during WWII.

George Air Force Base was officially decommissioned in December 1992, as part of the Base Realignment and Closure process, which closed military installations across the country at the end of the Cold War. The 1992 closure, which had been recommended by the 1988 Carlucci Commission recommended the closure of 5 Air Force bases, which also included Norton Air Force Base in San Bernardino. Today, several of the old buildings at the former George Air Force Base are still used by the Army and Marine Corps for urban warfare training. The airfield is now a part of the Southern California Logistics Airport (SCLA) which is operated by the City of Victorville.

Fort Irwin National Training Center (NTC) is located in the Calico Mountains, about 37 miles northeast of the city of Barstow and is a major training area for the United States Army Forces Command. It has a population of about 9,000 people and 4,500 personnel rotate in and out of the base every month.

In 1940, President Roosevelt established the Mojave Anti-Aircraft Range in the area where present day Fort Irwin sits. In 1942, it was renamed Camp Irwin in honor of Major General George LeRoy Irwin who fought in the Field Artillery Brigade during WWI. In 1944, Camp Irwin was deactivated. From the 1950s through the 1970s, the base went through periods of being active and deactivated.

In 1981, Fort Irwin was officially returned to active status, transferred to the Regular Army of the United States, and selected as the site for the National Training Center. Fort Irwin continues to serve as the Army’s premier training center. 

The Marine Corps Logistics Base (MCLB) Barstow is a United States Marine Corps supply and maintenance facility that repairs combat equipment and supports other West Coast military installations. MCLB Barstow was initially established in 1942 as the Marine Corps Depot of Supplies after the U.S. Navy transferred the site to the Marine Corps during WWII. In 1978, the base was given its current title to highlight the wide range of logistics support for the Marine Corps.

The MCLB has three locations across the country – Albany, Barstow, and Jacksonville. Each facility serves a specified area. MCLB Barstow supports Marine Corps forces west of the Mississippi River as well as forces in the Far East and Asia. The Barstow base itself is comprised of three principal sites-- the Nebo Annex, the Yermo Annex, and a third site that consists of Marine rifle and pistol ranges. MCLB, which is currently the second largest employer in the Barstow area, employs both a military and civilian workforce. There are about 1,700 civilian employees working at MCLB and approximately 66 military families live on base. 

California is home to over 30 bases and 190,000 active service and reserve members, the most of any state. Military bases are bustling places. They provide spaces for training, operations, and equipment and house thousands of military personnel. This blend of working military operations and general living leads to a culture unique to military bases.

Operating as mini cities, military bases provide basic living necessities like gas stations, post offices, schools, commissaries, banks, hospitals, chapels, and health clinics. Some bases even feature movie theaters, fitness centers, libraries, campgrounds, youth centers, and hobby/arts centers. While military bases are self-contained, they inevitably shape the culture of the communities that surround them. Providing jobs for civilians and important tax bases for cities, military installations often function as critical economic stimulation.

Lieutenant Colonel Genevieve Casey was the Chief Nurse of the hospital at George Air Force Base. She began her military career in the U.S. Army in 1942 after graduating from Mount Sinai Hospital School of Nursing in New York City and working in the medical research field for several years. Despite having to face gender inequality and a demanding job, Lieutenant Colonel Casey’s dedication to her work and her bold personality allowed her to advance her career in the military which gave her the opportunity to travel all over the world before retiring from the U.S. Air Force in 1963. She was also instrumental in creating the Victor Valley Museum. 

Captain Joseph McConnell was a national war hero. After enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1940, he entered the U.S. Army Air Forces Aviation Cadet Program in 1943. He became a navigator and flew 60 missions during WWII. In 1948, McConnell received his U.S. Air Force wings.

In 1952, McConnell was transferred to George Air Force Base. A year later, he was sent to Korea. In four months, McConnell downed 16 MiGs (Soviet Union fighter jets). He became the first American triple jet ace and the Top American Ace of the Korean War.

McConnell was awarded over a dozen military decorations during his service including the Distinguish Service Cross, the Silver Star, and the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with three bronze oak leaf clusters for his missions.

In 1954, McConnell was temporarily reassigned to Edwards Air Force Base in Kern County. Sadly, during a routine test flight, both McConnell and his plane perished due to a control malfunction. McConnell was laid to rest at Victor Valley Memorial Park. His legacy lives on in the history and culture of the High Desert.

This Purple Heart was awarded to Army Lt. Manuel Rodriguez. It was found near the historic Oro Grande Cemetery and it serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by so many of the High Desert community.

"One such case is that of Manuel Rodriguez, from Oro Grande and Victorville, who dropped out of school to go to work at one of the plants. Shortly after, he quit working at the plant...A gentleman, by the name of Señor Chacon, who was employed at the Riverside Cement Plant in Oro Grande, was robbed and murdered. Since Manuel was unemployed, he was immediately targeted as a suspect...Manuel Rodriguez was arrested. Because there was no evidence, they gave him the choice of enlisting or being charged with murder and robbery... Manuel was threatened into enlisting...

When WWII broke out, Manuel had already gone through basic training and was stationed at Ft. McArthur in San Pedro. He was immediately sent to the Philippine Islands and was one of the first casualties of WWII, in the Battle of Bataan, or was captured in that battle and died in the infamous “Bataan Death March.” He became the first casualty of San Bernardino County. He received several citations for valor and went up the ranks, receiving a battlefield commission to 2nd Lieutenant. He died as a 1st Lieutenant Officer." - Text adapted from Felix Diaz's Footprints from the Barrio

Explore Military in the Mojave exhibit items from the comfort of your own home!  Click here  and scroll down to the bottom of the page to view objects.