Book on McGuire Air Force Base full of facts and photos.
By: Eve Collins
MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE Before World War II, it was a lone airstrip cut into farmland on what was then Fort Dix. Today, it has grown into a bustling 3,500-acre air base charged with protecting the East Coast of the United States.
The strip was first used as a training ground for the U.S. Army Air Corps. But since its official opening in 1948, McGuire Air Force Base has been critically important to national security, with units supporting military efforts in Vietnam, Beirut, and most recently, Iraq.
The history of McGuire Air Force Base is chronicled in a new book containing photographs and text from the past century. The book, "McGuire Air Force Base," is part of a series of local history books called "Images of America" by Arcadia Publishing. The company also has previously published books about Bordentown Township, Fort Dix, and Roebling.
The new book was compiled by Master Sgt. Gary W. Boyd, the military base’s historian since 1997.
"Almost every base has a similar history available. Ours did not," said Sgt. Boyd.
An Air Force historian since 1988, Sgt. Boyd has been in the military since 1985 and is looking forward to retirement in a couple of years. He also has written contemporary histories of the 305th Air Mobility Wing and the base, and has co-written books about other bases and the history of Air Force medical training.
"I was very excited when Arcadia agreed to publish (the book about McGuire)," he said.
Today, the bustling base is home to not only the 305th Air Mobility Wing, but also the 514th Air Mobility Wing and 108th Air Refueling Wing. It has housed thousands of troops who have been deployed to areas all over the world, including the most recent conflict in Iraq.
"Arcadia, knowing the war was imminent, sped the book to print," Sgt. Boyd said. The book went on sale April 14.
He gathered information for the book by conducting interviews and collecting photos from a large public trust through the Air Force history program, he said. The base’s only historian, Sgt. Boyd had a limited time to finish the publication.
"I didn’t know how I could finish this before the war, but somehow I managed to tough out a few weekends and put it all together," he said.
The book’s introduction includes descriptions of Camp Dix, as the Army base was formerly known, and a short biography of Maj. Thomas B. McGuire, for whom the base is named.
The base was dedicated to Maj. McGuire in 1948. He was known as an ace pilot for his battles against Japanese pilots in World War II. He was killed in battle at the age of 25 while leading an attack in the Philippines and was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously.
The book also includes approximately 200 photographs of Camp Dix airstrip during its growth into McGuire Air Force Base.
"It reads like a conversation I might have with someone walking into my office admiring the photos," Mr. Boyd said.
For aviation experts, there are plenty of pictures showing the different types of planes the Air Force has used in the past century. The book shows many planes that have been housed at the base, from the small planes flown by the Army’s observation squadrons, to the larger C-118 Liftmasters used to transport passengers and the enormous C-5B Galaxy, which transports passengers and equipment.
Several photos captured celebrities who have visited the base over the years including Bob Hope, Duke Ellington, Dick Clark, Barbara Eden, Tammy Wynette, President Jimmy Carter and President George W. Bush, who visited just after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
The base enjoyed some publicity in 1983 when the first all-female crew completed a transatlantic mission. The book shows a photo of the letter of congratulations sent to them by President Ronald Reagan, the crew’s appearance on "Good Morning America," and photos of the women at their workstations.
"Of course, I realize that each member of your crew has made similar flights before, so flying across the Atlantic was nothing new for you," wrote President Reagan in his letter. "But for the thousands of young women who will read about your achievement, this flight will be an inspiration."
Finally, the collection also documents the tougher times at the base. For example, a C-118 crashed three miles from takeoff in a thunderstorm in 1956. Forty-six of those on board were killed and 20 were injured. It was the first major accident in the base’s history.
Sgt. Boyd said he is hoping any royalties or sales of the book will benefit McGuire’s morale programs, and will help spread the word about the base’s history to New Jersey and the rest of the World.
"I hope it does well. I think the base deserves some historical publicity," he said.
The books cost $19.99 each and can be ordered from the publisher’s online catalog on the Web at www.arcadiapublishing.com.

