View source for Joint Forces Training Base – Los Alamitos

{{Short description|Military airbase in Los Alamitos, California, USA}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox military installation
| name                   = Joint Forces Training Base – Los Alamitos
| ensign                 =
| ensign_size            =
| native_name            = JFTB
| partof                 = <!-- for elements within a larger site -->
| location               = [[Los Alamitos, California]],
| nearest_town           = <!-- used in military test site infobox -->
| country                = United States
| image                  = Los Alamitos Army Airfield photo D Ramey Logan.jpg
| alt                    =
| caption                = An aerial view of JFTB Los Alamitos during 2015
| image2                 = [[File:Joint Forces Training Base - Los Alamitos badges.png|250px]]
| alt2                   =
| caption2               =
| type                   = Joint forces training base
| coordinates            = {{coord|33|47|24|N|118|03|05|W|type:airport|display=inline,title}}
| gridref                =
| image_map              =
| image_mapsize          =
| image_map_alt          =
| image_map_caption      =
| pushpin_map            = United States
| pushpin_mapsize        =
| pushpin_map_alt        =
| pushpin_map_caption    = Location in the United States
| pushpin_relief         =
| pushpin_image          =
| pushpin_label          = Los Alamitos
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_mark           =
| pushpin_marksize       =
| ownership              = [[United States Department of Defense|Department of Defense]]
| operator               = [[United States Army|US Army]]
| controlledby           = [[California National Guard]]
| open_to_public         = <!-- for out of use sites/sites with museums etc -->
| site_other_label       = <!-- for renaming "Other facilities" in infobox -->
| site_other             = <!-- for other sorts of facilities – radar types etc --> 
| site_area              = <!-- area of site m2, km2 square mile etc -->
| code                   = <!--facility/installation code, applies to US -->
| built                  = {{Start date|1942}} (as NAS Los Alamitos)
| used                   = 1942 – 1973 ([[United States Navy|US Navy]])<br />1973 – present (US Army)<!--{{End date|1946}} -->
| builder                =
| materials              =
| height                 = <!-- height of tallest part, not above sea level -->
| length                 = <!-- for border fences or other DMZs -->
| fate                   = <!--changed from demolished parameter-->
| condition              = Operational
| battles                =
| events                 =
| current_commander      = [[Lieutenant colonel (United States)|Lieutenant Colonel]] Manju Vig
| past_commanders        = <!-- past notable commander(s) -->
| garrison               = <!-- such as the 25th Bombardment Group -->
| occupants              = <!-- squadrons only -->
| designations           =
| website                = {{Official website|https://calguard.ca.gov/jftb_losalamitos/}}
<!-- begin airfield information  -->
| IATA                 =
| ICAO                 = KSLI
| FAA                  = SLI
| TC                   =
| LID                  =
| GPS                  =
| WMO                  =
| elevation            = {{Convert|10.8|m|0}}
| r1-number            = 4R/22L
| r1-length            = {{Convert|2,439|m|0}}
| r1-surface           = [[Asphalt concrete|Asphalt]]/[[concrete]]
| r2-number            = 4L/22R
| r2-length            = {{Convert|1,799|m|0}}
| r2-surface           = [[Porous European Mix]]
| h1-number            =
| h1-length            = <!-- {{Convert| |m|0}} -->
| h1-surface           =
| airfield_other_label = Other facilities
| airfield_other       = Anderson [[Drop zone|Drop Zone]]
<!--  end airfield information   -->
| footnotes              = '''Sources:''' [[Federal Aviation Administration]]<ref>{{FAA-airport|ID=SLI}}</ref>
}}'''Joint Forces Training Base – Los Alamitos''' is a [[joint base]] in [[Los Alamitos, California]], United States. Formerly operated as a [[Naval air station#United States Navy|naval air station]], the base contains the '''Los Alamitos Army Airfield''' and is sometimes called by that name.  The base is also known as '''JFTB – Los Al''' or just '''JFTB'''. The base covers 1,319 acres and "supports 850 full-time employees and more than 6,000 [[California National Guard|National Guard]] and [[Reserve components of the United States Armed Forces|Reserve]] troops."<ref name="lathrop">{{cite web|title=Brig. Gen. John W. Lathrop Assumes Command of JFTB Los Alamitos|url=http://www.calguard.ca.gov/PA/Pages/Brig--Gen--John-W--Lathrop-Assumes-Command-of-JFTB-Los-Alamitos.aspx?LeftNav=No|website=California National Guard|access-date=12 October 2016}}</ref>

== Facilities ==
JFTB has an [[Morale, Welfare, and Recreation|MWR]] with billeting, a [[pub]], and a [[banquet hall]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.calguard.ca.gov/JFTB-LosAl/Pages/BilletingMWR.aspx|title=Billeting MWR|publisher=California National Guard|access-date=23 August 2016}}</ref> Fiddler's Green is the last remaining military pub in Orange County.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Pub at Fidder's Green|url=http://www.ocweekly.com/location/pub-at-fiddlers-green-6495038|website=OC Weekly|access-date=23 August 2016}}</ref>

JFTB has significant training facilities, including an [[Engagement Skills Trainer]], a Virtual Convoy Operations Trainer, a [[HMMWV]] Egress Assistance Trainer, a Laser Marksmanship Training System, and a Close Combat Tactical Trainer.<ref>{{cite web|title=JFTB Operations and Training|url=http://www.calguard.ca.gov/JFTB-LosAl/Pages/Operations-and-Training.aspx?LeftNav=No|website=California National Guard|access-date=23 August 2016}}</ref>

===Los Alamitos Army Airfield===
The airfield has two [[runway]]s:
* Runway 4L/22R: 5,902 × 150&nbsp;ft. (1,799 x 46 m), surface: PEM
* Runway 4R/22L: 8,001 × 200&nbsp;ft. (2,439 x 61 m), surface: asphalt/concrete

The airfield is home to Company A, [[140th Aviation Regiment (United States)|1st Battalion (Assault), 140th Aviation Regiment]].

===Aquatics Training Center===
The JFTB Aquatics Training Center is an [[Olympic-size swimming pool]] 50 m by 25 m, which offers year-round lap swimming, swim lessons, and fitness classes.  The [[United States women's national water polo team|women's national water polo team]] regularly practices at the facility.<ref>{{cite web|title=Joint Forces Training Base|url=http://www.losalchamber.org/community/joint-forces-training-base|website=Los Alamitos Area Chamber of Commerce|access-date=23 August 2016}}</ref>

== History ==
In 1942, the current JFTB was established as '''Naval Air Reserve Base Los Alamitos''', providing advanced training for U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps [[fighter pilot]] in addition to hosting units from nearby Naval Air Station Terminal Island/Reeves Field in San Pedro.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20041127111919/http://www.airfields-freeman.com/CA/Airfields_CA_LongBeach.htm#sanpedro Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields]</ref>  The following year, it was renamed '''Naval Air Station Los Alamitos''' and began supporting fleet carrier air groups.  In the post-[[World War II]] war period, its focus changed to support of Naval Air Reserve units following the release from active duty of many [[Naval Aviator]]s, enlisted Naval Aircrewmen, and support personnel and their subsequent affiliation in the Naval Reserve.  The air station continued this mission through the early years of the [[Cold War]] into the [[Korean War]] and the [[Vietnam War]].

On 16 July 1957, then-[[Major (rank)|Major]] [[John Glenn|John H. Glenn Jr.]], [[United States Marine Corps|USMC]], set a [[transcontinental air speed record]], flying a [[F-8 Crusader|F8U-1P Crusader]] from NAS Los Alamitos to [[Floyd Bennett Field|NAS Floyd Bennett Field]], New York, in 3 hours, 23 minutes, and 8.4 seconds. Project Bullet, as the mission was called, provided both the first transcontinental flight to average supersonic speed, and the first continuous transcontinental [[Panoramic photography|panoramic photograph]] of the United States. Glenn was awarded his fifth [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)|Distinguished Flying Cross]] for the mission.<ref name="presence">{{cite web|last1=Luppi|first1=Kathleen|title=Los Alamitos military base, still a formidable O.C. presence, now has a new commander|url=http://www.latimes.com/socal/weekend/news/tn-wknd-et-0117-los-alamitos-base-20160117-story.html|website=Los Angeles Times|access-date=23 August 2016}}</ref>

Prior to 1970, all Naval Air Reserve aircraft belonged to the local Naval Air Reserve Training Unit (NARTU), in this case NARTU Los Alamitos, or to those naval air stations under Naval Air Reserve control.  Except for those squadrons recalled to active duty, as was the case during the Korean War, no Naval Reserve aviation squadrons "owned" their aircraft, as the aircraft were assigned to the NARTU or naval air station.  From the end of World War II until 1956, aircraft assigned to NARTU Los Alamitos carried to the tail code "L" on their vertical stabilizer or empennage.  This tail code was changed to "7L" in 1956 and continued until 1970.  In 1970, during the reorganization of the Naval Air Reserve into the "Reserve Force" concept, each new squadron was made independent of the NARTU and assigned to either a concurrently established Reserve carrier air wing or a shore-based air wing, paralleling its active duty Navy counterparts.  Following this reorganization, most Naval Air Reserve units at NAS Los Alamitos relocated to active duty fleet naval air stations in California, most operating the same type of aircraft such as [[NAS Miramar]], [[NAS North Island]], [[NAS Point Mugu]], [[NAS Lemoore]], and [[NAS Alameda]].<ref>https://skyhawk.org/article-unit/nas-los-alamitos</ref>

In 1972, several [[California Army National Guard]] and [[U.S. Army Reserve]] aviation assets transferred to NAS Los Alamitos, resulting in yet another name change to '''Naval Air Station Los Alamitos Armed Forces Reserve Center'''. This was followed in 1973 by the California Army National Guard taking operational control of the airfield from the U.S. Navy and naming the installation '''Los Alamitos Army Airfield'''. The remainder of the base came under California Army National Guard control in 1977 and the current name of '''Joint Forces Training Base - Los Alamitos''' (JFTB), was adapted in 2000 to reflect its multiple uses by the California Army National Guard, [[California Air National Guard]], the U.S. Army Reserve, and other federal reserve component units.<ref name="presence" />

The senior command on post is the [[40th Infantry Division (United States)|40th Infantry Division (Mechanized)]], headquartered in the large, prominent building facing the flagpole and main entrance artery.

The base served as the starting line for the [[The Amazing Race 14|14th season]] of the hit CBS reality TV show ''[[The Amazing Race (American TV series)|The Amazing Race]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hTmuNBAmvhqFyktmDnblV-lOdq8QD95UT4D00|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090131013340/http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hTmuNBAmvhqFyktmDnblV-lOdq8QD95UT4D00|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 31, 2009|title=Meet the new teams on 'The Amazing Race'|publisher=[[Associated Press]]|first=Derrik|last=Lang|date=2008-08-19|access-date=2008-08-19}}</ref> The base's status as an alternative landing area for Air Force One was mentioned in an episode of ''[[The West Wing]]''.

The base leases the airfield to the City of Los Alamitos's for the annual [[Southland Credit Union]] Los Alamitos "Race on the Base", a charity event including a 5K Run, 5K Walk, 10K Run, 10K Skate/ Handcycle / Wheelchair, Mission: 1K Kids Run, Jr. Reverse Triathlon and Reverse Triathlon. This is the largest reverse triathlon event in the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oc-breeze.com/2014/02/12/47576_race-on-the-base-a-great-big-welcome-from-the-city-of-los-alamitos/|title=Race on the Base: A great big welcome from the City of Los Alamitos|publisher=OC Breeze|first=Shelly|last=Henderson|date=2014-02-14|access-date=2014-06-04}}</ref>

On the south edge of Runway 22L is the Navy Golf Course, where [[Tiger Woods]] honed his game as a youth.<ref name=glatngc>{{cite web|url=http://www.navygc.com/golf_course/golf_lessons.html|publisher=Navy Golf Course|title=Golf lessons at The Navy Golf Course|access-date=January 28, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130417104932/http://www.navygc.com/golf_course/golf_lessons.html|archive-date=April 17, 2013}}</ref><ref name=golfcub>{{cite journal|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1119011/index.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090823003528/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1119011/index.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 23, 2009|magazine=Sports Illustrated|last=Crothers|first=Tim|title=Golf Cub|date=March 25, 1991|page=56 }}</ref><ref name=rts2000>{{cite journal|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1018852/2/index.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121213080822/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1018852/2/index.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 13, 2012 |magazine=Sports Illustrated|last=Shipnuck|first=Alan|title=Roots|date=April 3, 2000|access-date=January 28, 2013}}</ref> The 18-hole Destroyer Course opened in 1966 and an executive nine holes was later added. The former military-only facility opened for public play in 2004.

In 2014, [[President Barack Obama]] landed at Los Alamitos Army Airfield in [[Air Force One]] in order to give the [[commencement speech]] at [[UC Irvine]].<ref name="presence"/>

In April 2015, [[Brigadier general (United States)|Brig Gen]] Nathaniel S. Reddicks became the first installation commander from the [[California Air National Guard]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Keith|first1=Sharon|title=Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base has a new commander|url=http://www.ocregister.com/articles/reddicks-656500-commander-national.html|website=Orange County Register|access-date=23 August 2016}}</ref>  After this command, Reddicks retired from federal service and joined the [[California State Military Reserve]], "making him the first federally
recognized general officer to join the CSMR since the Korean War."<ref name="lathrop"/>

In October 2016, Brig. Gen. John W. Lathrop took command of the base.<ref name="lathrop"/>

==Gallery==
<gallery mode="packed">
File:NAS Los Alamitos NAN4-47.jpg|NAS Los Alamitos in the mid-1940s

File:Naval Reserve FJ-1 at Los Alamitos 1950.jpg|Naval Reserve [[North American FJ-1 Fury]] at NAS Los Alamitos, circa 1950

File:F-4B Phantoms of VF-22L1 at Los Alamitos 1970.jpg|Naval Air Reserve [[McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II]]s of VF-22L1 at NAS Los Alamitos, 1970.  VF-22L1 personnel would later merge into [[VF-301]] and [[VF-302]] at [[NAS Miramar]] in 1970 and 1971.

File:California Army National Guard honors their best warriors 111023-A-XQ016-018.jpg|[[Sikorsky UH-60 Blackhawk]]s participating in [[California National Guard]] Best Warrior Competition at JFTB Los Alamitos, 2011
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[Naval Air Station Los Alamitos Naval Outlying Landing Fields]] during World War II

== References ==
<references />

== External links ==
* {{FAA-diagram|00953}}
{{US-airport-mil|SLI|-}}

{{Greater Los Angeles Airports}}
{{CAMilitary|state=autocollapse}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Joint Forces Training Base - Los Alamitos}}
[[Category:Military installations in California]]
[[Category:Airports in Orange County, California]]
[[Category:Los Alamitos, California]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Orange County, California]]
[[Category:1977 establishments in California]]