Homestead Air Reserve Base (ARB) (IATA: HST, ICAO: KHST, FAA LID: HST) is a United States Air Force base located approximately 6 miles (9.7 km) east-northeast of Homestead, Florida.
The host unit at Homestead is the 482d Fighter Wing (482 FW) assigned to the Air Force Reserve Command Tenth Air Force. The 482 FW is a fully combat-ready unit capable of providing F-16C multi-purpose fighter aircraft, along with mission ready pilots and support personnel, for short-notice worldwide deployment. The wing has more than 1,500 members, including approximately 1,200 reservists, of which 250 are full-time reservists, in addition to 300 full-time civilians.
Homestead ARB was established in 1942 as Homestead Army Airfield (AAF). After its destruction by Hurricane Andrew in August 1992, the base was taken off active status and rebuilt, reopening as an Air Force Reserve facility in 1994. The 482d Fighter Wing is commanded by Colonel Donald R. Lindberg.
HOMESTEAD ARB AIRPORT HISTORY
Homestead Airfield began as a United States Army Air Forces facility on 16 September 1942 when the Army Air Forces assumed control of an isolated airstrip located about a mile inland from the shore of Biscayne Bay. The airstrip had been turned over to the government by Coconut Grove-based Pan American Ferries, Inc., which had carved it out of the rocky landscape in the 1940s. Returned to civilian control after World War II, it was used as Dade County Airport until 5 January 1953 when the United States Air Force reopened it as Homestead Air Force Base. Nearly destroyed by Hurricane Andrew in August 1992, the facility was non-operational until March 1994 when it was reopened as Homestead Air Reserve Station.
HOMESTEAD ARB AIRPORT LOCATION
HOMESTEAD ARB AIRPORT FACTS
ICAO/IATA: HST/KHST
Lat: 25°29′18″N
Long: 080°23′01″W
Elevation: 5 ft.
Runway length available: 05/23 11201×300 ft.
