THE HISTORY

Pine Castle Airport was developed in 1940 for commercial use while the Army transformed Orlando Municipal Airport into Orlando Army Airfield. When the need arose, the Army Air Force took over the new civilian field as well and spent $500,000 getting it ready for military use.

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The following description of Pinecastle Army Airfield was excerpted from McCoy AFB, Directory and Guide, 1962:

This Central Florida Base, which started as a secondary field for Orlando Army Airfield in 1942, has evolved from its wartime role of research and development, to its present day status as a two-edged sword in the defense scheme of our nation.

Since its beginning when it was known as Orlando Army Air Field Number Two, it has had two other designations. Pinecastle Army Airfield, when B-17 Flying Fortresses roamed its ramps, developing strategic bombing techniques that led to final victory in World War II, and then in the past-war era Pinecastle Air Force Base, when it sported B-29's and P-80 jet fighters. In 1946 with total demobilization, the base was deactivated.  This came shortly before the U.S. Air Force was established (September 16, 1947).  Then came the Korean War, and in April 1952 Pinecastle AFB was re-activated under the Air Training Command. Its schools turned out a steady stream of jet pilot instructors and fighter pilots who saw service in Korea.

On the 15th of December, 1953, the 321st Bombardment Wing was activated here and the following spring on the 24th of May, Colonel Michael N. McCoy was appointed its commander. By June the 32lst was fully operational as a combat unit of the Strategic Air Command, and took over the installation from Training Command. One month later the 19th Bomb Wing joined the 321st and the two units came under the control of the 813th Air Division, commanded by Brigadier General Keith K. Compton. The 813th was subsequently deactivated in the summer of 1956 when the 19th Bomb Wing moved to Homestead Air Force Base near Miami, Florida, and the base again came under the control of Colonel McCoy and the 321st.

The Second Strategic Support Squadron, commanded by Lt. Col. Vernon Q. Mullin arrived in September 1956. This unit was equipped with the huge C-124 Globemasters. SAC's long range transport aircraft. The Second Strategic Support Squadron remained at McCoy AFB until 15 June 1961 when it was in-activated.

In November 1957 the base was host to the medium bombers participating in the annual Strategic Air Command Bombing Navigation and Reconnaissance Competition. An aircraft accident took the lives of Colonel McCoy, Group Captain John Woodroffe of the Royal Air Force, Lt. Col. Charles Joyce and Major Vernon Stuff during preparations for this event. Despite this tragedy, the 321st Bomb Wing, under the direction of its new commander, Colonel Robert W. Strong, Jr. Won the top honors of the meet, including the coveted Fairchild and McCoy trophies, distinguishing the 321st as the top B-47 Wing in SAC.

Another unit with distinction was assigned to McCoy AFB in November 1957. This was the 76th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, the modern descendants of the famous "Flying Tigers." The 76th FIS was commanded by Major Morris F. Wilson and flew the F-89 "Scorpion" all weather interceptors. On 1 February 1961 the fighter interceptor squadron was transferred to Westover AFB, Mass.

On May 7, 1958 this central Florida base was renamed McCoy Air Force Base in memory of the late Colonel Michael N. W. McCoy. Formal dedication ceremonies were held on 21 May 1958 in conjunction with a mammoth open house, during which an estimated 30,000 Floridians attended.

One of the largest single construction programs in the history of the base began on 5 August 1959. This was the Capehart housing project consisting of 668 family quarters for officers and airmen. The project cost approximately $11 million. The first complete reorganization of the base since the activation of the 321st Bomb Wing began in the summer of 1961. A program got under way to convert the base from B-47's to heavy B-52's bombers. The 321st Bomb Wing began phasing out its operations in June 1961. On 1 July 1961 the 4047th Strategic Wing (Heavy) was designated and organized. Its first commander was Lt. Col. Francis S. Holmes, Jr.

In August 1961 the first B-52's were assigned to the new wing, and on 1 September 1961 the 347th Bomb Squadron was re-assigned from Westover AFB to McCoy AFB to fly the heavy bombers. On 15 September the 321st Combat Support Group was organized. Also, on that same date, Colonel William G. Walker, Jr. assumed command of the 4047th Strategic Wing. The 321st Bomb Wing was discontinued on 25 October 1961, ending almost eight years of active service as one of SAC's deterrent forces.

The newest addition to the SAC family at McCoy AFB is the 306th Air Refueling Squadron which will be transferred to this base from the 306th Bomb Wing, MacDill AFB, Florida in the summer of 1962. Its huge KC-135 flying "service stations" are capable of transferring thousands of pounds of fuel to a bomber in a short period of time, enabling SAC's strike aircraft to remain airborne for indefinite periods of time.

The history of McCoy is a colorful and an eventful one. However, the base is not resting on its laurels or reminiscing about the past. It is keeping a watchful eye on the future and will bear the burden of its important mission with pride, devotion and efficiency. The mission? Stand as one of SAC's sentinels of peace and maintain a powerful deterrent force against any would-be aggressors. This is indeed a proud role in the overall defense of our nation and way of life.

Excerpted from McCoy AFB, Directory and Guide, 1962

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Beginning in the early 1960s, the 966th Airborne Early Warning and Control Squadron was assigned to McCoy AFB, as was the 306th Air Refueling Squadron. They supported the work of SAC. Use of the base continued to expand because of the U.S. involvement in Vietnam.

By 1971 the 42nd Air Division of SAC was headquartered at McCoy Air Force Base, but would only stay until September 1973 when it was reassigned to Blytheville Air Force Base in Arkansas. The 306th Bombardment Wing was at McCoy in 1972, with the B-52D aircraft of the 367th Bomber Squadron. Inactivation of the 306th Bombardment Wing began in 1973 and was completed in July 1974.

From 1971 through 1976 other training activities at McCoy included KC-135Q instruction by the 306th Air Refueling Squadron and KC-135A instruction by the 32nd Air Refueling Squadron. The base began to close it's doors in the early 1970s and by 1974 most regular operations were concluded. The base was given over to civilian use and the rest of the decade was devoted to the base's development as a modern airport. Initially called McCoy Jetport, the name was changed to Orlando International Airport in 1981. Today, as the main gateway to the number one tourist destination in the world, Orlando International is one of the largest, busiest, fastest-growing, and most modern airports in the U.S. Still, the legacy of McCoy AFB continues in one small way. It's call sign remains MCO.

McCoy AFB tower and two of it's aircraft (B-52 on left, KC-135 on right), circa 1965, from a contemporary postcard.

McCoy AFB B-52 crew and their KC-135 aircraft, circa 1965.

Pinecastle AFB tower and aircraft (a B-47 Stratojet), circa 1955, from a contemporary postcard.

SQUADRONS, WINGS, & DIVISIONS STATIONED AT McCOY AFB

Further information on some of the squadrons, wings, & divisions

321st Bombardment Wing (1953-1961)

19th Bombardment Wing (1954-1956)

813th Air Division (1954-1956)

2nd Strategic Support Squadron (1956-1961)

76th Fighter Interceptor Squadron (Flying Tigers) (1957-1961)

347th Bomber Squadron (1961-1963) (the 347th was originally activated at Orlando Air Base in 1942 and transferred to Algeria in 1943)

4047th Strategic Wing (1961-1963)

321st Combat Support Group (1961-c. 1968)

966th Airborne Early Warning and Control Squadron (1962)

306th Air Refueling Squadron (1962-1973)

306th Bomber Wing (1963-1974)

367th Bomber Squadron (1963-c. 1974)

919th Air Refueling Squadron (1967- )

32nd Air Refueling Squadron (c. 1968-1976)

42nd Air Division (1971-1973)

- Some dates are approximate -

Colonel Michael N. McCoy, Commander 321st. Bombardment Wing, circa 1954.