Gowen Field was built in 1941 and served as a training base for the B-18, B-26, B-17 and B-24 bomber during the Second World War, even training actor Jimmy Stewart as a pilot. Since 1947 it has served as a joint military/civilian facility and currently serves as home to the 124th Wing of the Idaho Air National Guard
GOWEN FACILITY
Covering the southern half of the Boise Air Terminal, the field is a good fit to serve as a training base for the F-35.
Gowen Field is home to the Idaho Air National Guard, the Idaho Army National Guard and reserve units of the U.S. Army, Navy, and Marine Corps. The Idaho Air Guard's 124th Fighter Wing and its 190th Fighter Squadron are currently assigned the A-10 Thunderbolt II "Warthog" attack plane mission.
Gowen Field is home to the 124th Wing of the Idaho Air National Guard, the U.S. Army National Guard, and reserve units of the U.S. Army, Navy, and Marine Corps. It supports the 124th Wing’s two flying units, the 190th Fighter Squadron and the 189th Airlift.
Gowen Field employs about 1,769 military and civilian personnel including both full-time active Guard Reserve and traditional part time Guard members.
GOWEN BENEFIT TO MISSION
An exclusive-use military lease, totaling 570 acres of land, and a joint-use agreement between Boise City and the military totaling 1,500 acres of land.
The Idaho Air National Guard shares two parallel runways with the Boise Airport. The North runway 10,000 ft. long and 150 ft. wide; and South runway 9,763 ft. long and 150 ft. wide. In addition, a third runway is in development, providing even more capacity for F-35 squadrons.
Gowen Field offers many benefits that meet or exceed the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter training criteria.
F 35A Training Poster (PDF 2.53 MB)
Weather: Gowen offers 336 flyable days, providing ceiling and visibility of 3000 feet/3 miles or greater.
Airspace: The Mountain Home Range Complex is comprised of 7,400 square miles of associated airspace and 122,000 acres of land space. It includes two air-to-ground training ranges, Saylor Creek Range and Juniper Butte Range, plus five no-drop target complexes and 30 multi-size electronic combat sites. Additional mission activities include search and rescue training, survival training and convoy escort training. Ground based air defense radar threat simulation training also occurs on the land space areas of the Range Complex. A proposed expansion will increase airspace size to nearly 9,600 square miles.
Capacity: Currently, the 124th Fighter Wing supports the 190th Fighter Squadron, which operates and maintains the A-10 Thunderbolt II "Warthog" aircraft and performs interdiction, close air support, joint maritime, joint air attack team, combat search and rescue, and airborne forward air control operations.
Gowen Field’s close proximity to the State Capital, Boise, offers a good supply of off-base housing and an excellent lifestyle. The area has health care choices, excellent schools and employment opportunities for military spouses. The community provides a high standard of living, while offering living costs that are 7% below the national average.
Environmental: The region is in attainment for all National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Encroachment is manageable with a good working relationship between Gowen Field and developed areas within the flight zone.
Living:The community and state have a tradition of support for our military personnel and Armed Forces. The City of Boise sees Gowen Field as a good and trusted neighbor. Gowen Field is an excellent choice for the F-35 training mission.
Boise has a long and rich tradition of supporting military training operations. Our community is livable, affordable and patriotic. We would be honored to provide a home for the F-35 squadrons and the hard working men and women who serve our nation. BOISE MAYOR DAVID H. BIETER
