#FlashbackFriday: The Exchange at the Oldest Continuously Active Air Force Installation
According to the National Day Calendar, May 24 is National Wyoming Day, designated by the National Day Calendar folks themselves to honor Wyoming becoming the 44th state—which happened July 10, 1890. The National Day Calendar isn’t concerned with precise anniversaries; its goal is to have a national day honoring each state.
No matter when the celebration takes place, National Wyoming Day made us curious about the history of the F.E. Warren Exchange, the only Exchange in Wyoming. It’s on an installation with a lot of history—F.E. Warren AFB is the oldest continuously active military installation within the Air Force. And its history not only pre-dates the Air Force, it pre-dates airplanes.
According to the base’s museum, F.E. Warren began in 1867 as Fort D.A. Russell, which was established to protect workers building the western link of the transcontinental railroad. For its first few decades, it was host to units of infantry, cavalry and field artillery. In 1930, it was renamed Fort Warren to honor Francis E. Warren, a Wyoming senator and former governor who died the previous year. As a member of the Military Affairs Committee in Congress, he had worked to have the post named a permanent installation.
It hasn’t been easy to track when a post exchange first opened at the installation—although a lodging facility at the installation has a sign on it saying that it originated as the Base Exchange Building in 1885, 10 years before the Exchange system was established. Although the building appears to have originated as a barracks, the sign does mention that there was a small building in the back that was used as a “barber shop, tailor shop and artificers shop.” (Photo courtesy of Senior Vice President of Real Estate Mike Smietana)
In 1947, the Air Force assumed command, and two years later, the post was renamed F.E. Warren AFB. Originally a training facility, it took on a key Cold War role in 1958, when the 4320 Strategic Missile Wing was established. The 4320 was responsible for the first 24 Atlas missile sites under Strategic Air Command, according to the base museum. In 1960, the 546th Strategic Missile Squadron at the base was declared the first fully operational intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) squadron.
A couple of years later, the ICBM Minuteman replaced the Atlas. In July 1963, the 90th Strategic Missile Wing was established.
From the July 1982 Exchange Post: An Exchange Four Seasons store at F.E. Warren AFB.
Today, the “Mighty Ninety” maintains 150 Minuteman III ICBMs, which have been at the base since 1986, on full alert 24 hours a day, all year long. The base, which includes red brick buildings constructed in the late 19th century, is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
The Exchange at F.E. Warren currently includes the main store, a Military Clothing store, beauty and barber shops, restaurants, an Express with gas and more.
From the Exchange Associate Flickr history album: two pictures from F.E. Warren base exchange, early 1970s.
Sources: Exchange Post archives, Warren ICBM and Heritage Museum (warrenmuseum.com), F.E. Warren Exchange website.
I find it so heartening to see our history preserved. I have been with the exchange almost 41 years and during that time there have been many changes. Let’s not forget where we came from ….let’s not forget the legacy that those before us made.