Wilmington Airpark/AFB - A Very Lonely Place

[Rauhbatz]

Dropped by Wilmington OH Airpark/former AFB base on the way back from IKEA in Cincy. Very sad to see all of that infrastructure from Airborne just lying around doing nothing. John Kasich did an election campaign commercial here I recollect..

There is an F-101 out front with an odd set of Ohio and Texas markings.

I did see the old SAC alert building with all of the alert tunnels with doors locked...looked like the ceiling has fallen in.

Would appreciate any old photos & stories...

[JohnB]

It wasn't much better in 1993 when I was there for an aircraft auction. Airborne was fairly busy, but the old SAC facilities were largely unused.

It was Lockbourne, then Rickenbacker, AFB.

[WallyB]

It was Lockbourne, then Rickenbacker, AFB.

Eh ?

Rickenbacker (KLCK) is just South of Columbus. Wilmington (KILN) is 65 miles away and during its USAF life was known as Clinton County AFB. I don't think it ever had any other 'name'.

[JohnB]

It was Lockbourne, then Rickenbacker, AFB.

Eh ?

Rickenbacker (KLCK) is just South of Columbus. Wilmington (KILN) is 65 miles away and during its USAF life was known as Clinton County AFB. I don't think it ever had any other 'name'.

You're correct. I confused my Ohio closed airbases. After awhile, they all look the same.

[gale_dono]

I try to stop by as often as I can to and from school to get pictures of '308. The only comforting thing is that she at least isn't going anywhere, according to those I've contacted. Were the Ohio markings recent-looking? I saw her back in September and it was all Texas, still.

[Rauhbatz]

It was kind of hazy....the Texas marking was pretty visible on the middle of the fuse.....the tail logo looked like Ohio ANG but could be Texas ANG....sort of hard to tell it was misting so bad!