Shaw Air Force Base

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The dedicated men and women at Shaw Air Force Base

Established in 1941, Shaw Air Force Base is a longtime friend and protector of Sumter. Named after Lt. Ervin D. Shaw, a Sumter native killed during World War I, a Sumter native killed during World War I, many residents still refer to Shaw AFB as “Shaw many residents still refer to Shaw AFB as “Shaw Field.” It is a 3,500-acre installation that also Field.” It is a 3,500-acre installation that also has a 12,400-acre bombing range at Poinsett has a 12,400-acre bombing range at Poinsett Range located 11 miles away in Sumter County. Range located 11 miles away in Sumter County. Should our freedoms be threatened, the brave Should our freedoms be threatened, the brave men and women of Shaw AFB are among men and women of Shaw AFB are among the fi rst to answer the call of duty. They were the fi rst to answer the call of duty. They were among the many service people who rose to among the many service people who rose to the president’s call following the tragedy of the president’s call following the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001, and again for the fi ght against Sept. 11, 2001, and again for the fi ght against Saddam Hussein’s regime in Operation Iraqi Saddam Hussein’s regime in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The veracity of Shaw’s aircraft and Freedom. The veracity of Shaw’s aircraft and personnel has instilled admiration for American personnel has instilled admiration for American valor in the hearts of many around the world. valor in the hearts of many around the world. Aside from their combat deployments, Shaw Aside from their combat deployments, Shaw also provides support services to troops all over also provides support services to troops all over the world, including the production of weather the world, including the production of weather reports for those stationed in the Middle East. reports for those stationed in the Middle East. Now, more than ever, their efforts are appreNow, more than ever, their efforts are appreciated. In terms of Sumter’s population, Shaw ciated. In terms of Sumter’s population, Shaw AFB has had an incredible infl uence. Many miliAFB has had an incredible infl uence. Many military members opt to stay in the Gamecock City, tary members opt to stay in the Gamecock City, and many others return for retirement. There and many others return for retirement. There are as many as 18,000 military veterans living in are as many as 18,000 military veterans living in the area, and many of them extend their efforts the area, and many of them extend their efforts beyond simple residency by taking active roles beyond simple residency by taking active roles within the community doing service projects within the community doing service projects and volunteering. Shaw also plays a vital role and volunteering. Shaw also plays a vital role in the local economy, directly and indirectly in the local economy, directly and indirectly accounting for nearly $1 billion of the money accounting for nearly $1 billion of the money circulated around Sumter. That’s nearly 33% of circulated around Sumter. That’s nearly 33% of the area’s total economy. About 9,000 of the the area’s total economy. About 9,000 of the personnel at the base are active-duty roles, personnel at the base are active-duty roles, while an additional 1,500 civilians also report to while an additional 1,500 civilians also report to

Shaw for work in various capacities. The collective effort of these workers keeps the gears turning, the wheels rolling and the F-16s flying. Shaw Air Force Base is the home of the 20th Fighter Wing, the Air Force’s largest combat F-16 wing. Their mission is to provide, project and sustain combat-ready air forces. Shaw is also home to the 15th Air Force, U.S. Air Force Central Command (AFCENT) / 9th Air Force, the 25th Attack Group and Third Amy/U.S. Army Central Command (ARCENT).

Third Army/ARCENT soldiers are land force professionals specializing in the Middle East and Central Asia. Their headquarters, Patton Hall, located on Shaw Air Force Base, is a modern, energy-efficient 320,000-square-foot facility with space for 1,400 soldiers, Department of the Army civilians and contractors. ARCENT maintains mission command of U.S. Army forces in the Middle East and Central Asia through the use of cutting-edge technology, numerous teleconference rooms and daily updates via their high-tech, 90-seat Combined Operations and Intelligence Center.

The heroic and dedicated men and women of Shaw provide an invaluable service to our great nation, and Sumter takes pride in having the privilege of them calling our town home. Whether they’re here for a short while or they choose to retire here, Sumter takes pride in welcoming these folks and boasts that pride in the city’s motto, “Uncommon Patriotism.”

The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.

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