Location:

The base is located within the incorporated limits of the City of Victorville, adjacent to unincorporated San Bernardino County land and the city of Adelanto.

Area and Facilities:

George Air Force Base (GAFB) covers 5,339 acres which includes two runways (9,116 and 10,050 feet), 6.3 million square feet of ramp space and associated facilities; 1,641 units of housing; 14 dormitory buildings with 1,400 bed capacity; a hospital with a dental clinic; and various office and industrial structures.

Background:

GAFB was announced for closure in December 1988 and actually closed four years later in December 1992.

Mileposts:

January 1993: Surplus Determination
The Air Force issued a Record of Decision (ROD).

October 29, 1994: The Air Force executed a lease with the Southern California International Airport (SCIA), and the airport opened.

December 1, 1994: VVEDA contracted with the City of Victorville to provide base maintenance services, and to maintain and operate the base utility systems. The Victorville Fire Department and a local security firm provided fire and police protection. The City employed about 50 people to do this work. The first year's cost was $2.3 million. The Air Force was billed for actual labor and "work order" costs. The caretaker contract ended when the EDC was signed. Between 1992 and 1994, caretaker responsibilities were met by a private operator.

January 1995: The airport was certified.

Economic Development Conveyance (EDC):

The signing of the EDC ends the O&M agreement between the City of Victorville and the Air Force. Beginning in December 1994, the City of Victorville had maintained and repaired buildings, grounds and infrastructure at the base. The annual cost to the Air Force had been about $2 million. Reimbursement checks to the City took 6-9 months. By early 1996, the City had spent about $225,000 on additional repairs not covered under the agreement with the Air Force.

Airport Status:

The Southern California International Airport (SCIA) opened in October 1994, when the Air Force executed a lease for 2,300 acres. The airport was granted an FAA Part 139 certificate in February 1995 to serve scheduled aircraft carrying over 30 passengers.

The 1996 Defense Appropriations bill included a provision requiring the Army to use SCIA, as the interim airhead for the National Training Center at Fort Irwin until such time as a Barstow-Daggett airport is available to serve as a permanent airhead. Flights began on April 18, 1996. About 60,000 troops a year are passing through SCIA, on commercial 747 aircraft, C-5 cargo planes and helicopters. The Army is the airport's anchor tenant, providing annual fees and rental income of about $5 million. The airport authority hired a fixed base operator and has already installed navigational aids.

Two of the Air Force fuel tanks are being used but the pipe to the airfield has been disconnected.

Environmental contamination:

The Defense Environmental Response Program Report for FY 1996 shows that cleanup should be completed by the year 2031 for a total cost of $111 million. As of FY 1996, about $71 million has been spent, 64% of the total required.

George Air Force Base is a NPL site. Approximately 25% of the total acreage is considered clean under CERFA. Groundwater cleanup has been going on since 1990 and is expected to continue for 20-30 years.

Southern California Logistics Airport:

As of September 1, 1999, Stirling Development Corporation is developing the base for air cargo operations under the SCLA name.  The company has provided the following information about the project.

Project Description

5,000-acre master-planned Global Logistics Center.
 

2,800 acres of improved large parcels for manufacturers/distributors and e-commerce providers.
1,500 acre air cargo/aircraft maintenance complex.
700 acre intermodal transfer center with direct access to Burlington Northern-Santa Fe (BNSF) and Union Pacific's shared main rail line.
1,800 acre foreign trade zone encompassing manufacturing, cargo and intermodal facilities.

Enterprise Zone – existing benefits throughout project area.

Redevelopment District – 46,000 acre R.D.D. established to attract economic growth to SCLA.

Two existing 10,000 foot runways and enough geography for two 15,000 foot runways and one 10,000 foot runway.

Secured International U.S. customs service and related agency services for scheduled flights.

SCLA is within the heart of the Inland Empire servicing logistical needs for companies within Southern California and the western United States.

Future website:  www.logisticsairport.com