George Air Force Base, located near Victorville, California (about 75 miles northeast of Los Angeles), played a significant role in U.S. military history. The base started as Victorville Army Airfield in 1941, chosen for its sunny weather and open space in the High Mojave Desert. It served as an advanced flying school during World War II.
After briefly closing post-war, the base reopened in 1950 for the Korean War. It was renamed George Air Force Base after Brigadier General Harold Huston George, a World War I fighter ace who died in a 1942 aircraft accident.
The base covered 5,347 acres and housed over 4,000 military personnel and their families. It had over 250 buildings, including:
- Hangars
- Barracks
- Warehouses
- Hospitals
- Dental clinics
- Dining halls
- Maintenance shops
- Libraries
- Stores
- Social clubs
Buildings were made with cheap materials like concrete, wood, brick, and asbestos concrete. Metal was rarely used due to high costs.
During World War II, the base trained pilots for P-39 Airacobra fighters and B-24 Liberator bombers and taught RADAR bombardier skills. Training slowed down after Germany surrendered in 1945, and when Japan surrendered, the base went on standby status.
The Korean War brought new life to George AFB. The Air Force updated the base with:
- A new telephone system
- An extended runway for jet aircraft
George AFB remained active throughout the Cold War. It trained pilots and weapons systems officers for the U.S. Air Force, NATO, and other allies.
In 1988, the Base Realignment and Closure Commission decided to close George AFB. Two years later, the EPA named it a Superfund site due to contamination. Problems included:
- Jet fuel in water
- Trichloroethylene
- PFOS/PFOA
- Total petroleum hydrocarbons in soil
- Dioxins
- Construction debris
- Medical waste
- Pesticides
- Semi-volatile organic compounds
The base officially closed in 1992.
Present condition
The George Air Force Base is no longer operational. However, cleanup efforts continue, led by the Air Force and overseen by the EPA and California. There are still 33 sites with hazardous waste on the former base. The government has spent more than $113 million to address the contamination. Despite the efforts, the groundwater beneath the base is still contaminated. However, drinking water now comes from the City of Victorville and not the contaminated aquifers.
Today, the site is home to several aviation-related businesses, a power plant, and a prison, among other facilities.
Contamination continues to be a significant problem despite the ongoing environmental cleanup efforts. The Department of Defense has faced criticism over its handling of the cleanup, with concerns that its efforts may end up falling short in addressing these risks.
The contamination continues to negatively impact nearby communities. Long-term health monitoring and legal battles continue to this day.
Health issues and cases
People who live on the base have reported several health issues. Over 300 women have shared stories of:
- Ovarian cysts
- Uterine tumors
- Birth defects in children
- Hysterectomies
- Miscarriages
One case involved a rare cancer that killed a woman’s husband.
Airwomen were reportedly warned not to get pregnant due to the concerns about these chemicals. Lawsuits have also emerged from military families and civilians, who claim that exposure to these contaminants caused adverse and severe health effects. In particular, a high concentration of cancer diagnoses has been connected to the toxic environment surrounding the base.
New uses
Since its closure, the abandoned base has found new uses:
Film and TV location – The base has been used as a filming location for movies and television due to its vast and open spaces and military or industrial aesthetic. Films and television shows like Face Off, Jarhead, Six Million Dollar Man, and MythBusters have been shot there.
Business and industrial use—Several of the base’s military buildings have been converted into business and commercial spaces. Many companies use the site’s large hangars and runway to operate in sectors such as manufacturing, distribution, and maintenance.
Energy generation – Many parts of the base now host energy-related projects, including a power plant, which serves the energy needs of local communities.
Prison facility – The Federal Correctional Institution, Victorville, is a high-security prison established on the base’s portion.
Airsoft and paintball site – The base has also been used as a site for airsoft and paintball site events, including large-scale ones. One of the most notable airsoft events held there was “Operation Lion Claws,” which attracted airsoft fans to the base despite its deteriorating and contaminated state. Up to now, these events have continued in the base despite the health and environmental hazards, as well as the ongoing cleanup.
Annual Memorial Day Weekend events – Since 2001, the base has been hosting the annual Memorial Day Weekend event as part of the Operation Lion Claws Military Simulation Series (O.L.C.M.S.S.). This event involves large-scale military simulation games and has become a well-known part of the base’s recent history.
Southern California Logistics Airport (SCLA) — Among the redevelopments happening in the base, the most notable is the transformation into Southern California Logistics Airport (SCLA). It is a public airport involving logistics and cargo. This airport serves as a hub for domestic and international shipping operations, taking advantage of the base’s proximity to major transportation corridors.
These developments have helped revitalize the site despite the environmental contamination, health hazards, and ongoing cleanup.
What we can learn from the former base since its abandonment:
- The severe chemical contamination at the base highlights the need for better environmental safeguards and cleanup efforts during and after military operations.
- Besides environmental concerns, the long-term exposure to toxic substances without adequate mitigation has caused significant health and safety issues. It underscores the importance of regular monitoring and addressing these hazards promptly.
- Despite the challenges and hazards, the base still has redevelopment potential. It has been repurposed for military, business, civilian, and recreational uses, showing the potential for adaptive reuse for abandoned sites.
George Air Force Base stands as a reminder of U.S. military history and the ongoing challenges of environmental cleanup at former military sites.