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Hamilton Field (Hamilton AFB) was a United States Air Force base, which was inactivated in 1973, decommissioned in 1974, and put into a caretaker status with the Air Force Reserve until 1976. It was transferred to the United States Army in 1983 and was designated an Army Airfield until its BRAC closure in 1988.
The Army Air Force was now expanded into the United States Air Force, a separate military service, and soon Hamilton Air Force Base was being modified to accommodate jet aircraft. In mid-1959 the runways were upgraded to accommodate F-101 and F-104 operations.
Constructed in the early 1930's and dedicated in 1935, Hamilton was originally established as a bombardment base of the 1st Wing of the Air Force. Decommissioned and vacated in 1975, the former base now serves as planned community with residential, commercial, open space, and civic uses.
Hamilton Army Airfield, in Novato, California, was built as a bombardment base and the headquarters for the 1st Wing of the Army Air Corps, one of only three bases established for this purpose nationally.
Hamilton was a major facility for the Air Transport Command. The ATC flew planes, people and war material on an around the clock basis to Pacific War zones. Hamilton served as main receiving base for war wounded Airmen, Army and Navy personnel from the Pacific Theatre.
In the historic 1934 Hamilton Firehouse 555 Hangar Avenue Novato, CA 94949 (415) 382-8614. Exhibits. Development of Hamilton Air Field 1932 to 1975; Special Exhibits. Model Airplanes and Link Trainer; Resources. Maps of Hamilton Field; Photos of planes and crews; Oral Histories about base 1932-1975; Videos of base and interviews
It operated as an Air force base from 1935 to 1974, first as an Army Air Corps field and later as a station for the U.S. Air Force. The building combines several architectural styles, including Spanish and renaissance. Inside are hundreds of artifacts from the base’s heyday, including photos, uniforms, pins, medals and a cockpit simulator.
