MATHER – Each year, the skies over Sacramento County erupt in the thunder of afterburners, vintage warbirds, and thrilling aerial acrobatics. The occasion is the California Capital Airshow, a nationally recognized aviation spectacle that draws tens of thousands of spectators to Mather Airport. But this is more than just an event—it’s a revival. With each sonic boom and flyover, the show resurrects the rich, multi-generational legacy of Mather Field, once a vital military air base and one of the longest continuously operating airfields in U.S. history.
A Humble Beginning in World War I
Mather Field began its journey in 1918, born out of urgency during World War I (WWI). Originally known as Mills Field, the site was quickly selected by the U.S. Army Signal Corps for training aviators and renamed in honor of 2nd Lt. Carl Spencer Mather, a young pilot who lost his life in a training collision in Texas. Its strategic location in California allowed for year-round flight operations—a critical advantage for training missions.
Mather Field’s initial mission during WWI was to serve as an aviation training base. Though the war ended soon after its establishment, the infrastructure laid down at the base set the stage for future military utility. After a brief deactivation in 1923, the field returned to prominence in 1930, when it was reactivated as a sub-post of nearby Hamilton Field, as the military again ramped up its aviation capabilities in the lead-up to World War II.
A Training Hub During World War II
During WWII, Mather Field came fully alive, becoming a significant training facility under the Western Flying Training Command. It was primarily known for training navigators—an essential component of bomber crews whose precise skills were vital in transoceanic and long-range missions. The base grew rapidly in size and scope, with extensive infrastructure developed to accommodate the war effort. Thousands of military personnel trained and worked at Mather, creating an enduring connection between the base and the Sacramento community.
Photo courtesy of Sacramento County
Becoming a Strategic Force in the Cold War
With the creation of the United States Air Force in 1947, Mather was officially designated Mather Air Force Base. Throughout the Cold War, it became one of the primary training centers for Air Force navigators and bombardiers. In 1958, the base became the home of the 3535th Navigator Training Wing under Air Training Command. The wing’s mission was critical: producing highly skilled navigators for nearly every crewed aircraft in the Air Force’s inventory, including B-52 bombers, KC-135 tankers, and C-141 cargo planes.
In the decades that followed, Mather grew into a powerhouse training base. The 323rd Flying Training Wing replaced the 3535th in 1973 and carried on the legacy until the base’s closure. Mather also became an active Strategic Air Command (SAC) installation, hosting the 320th Bombardment Wing, which operated nuclear-capable B-52 Stratofortresses and KC-135 Stratotankers as part of the U.S. nuclear deterrent posture. The wing played a vital role in strategic defense planning throughout the Cold War.
Mather’s strategic importance wasn’t limited to training. It also served as a vital staging ground for various national defense operations, including during the Vietnam War, where its trained personnel and aircraft were deployed to support overseas missions.
Closure and Transition in the Post–Cold War Era
Despite its value, Mather Air Force Base faced closure as part of the post–Cold War Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process. By the early 1990s, the shifting defense landscape and federal cost-cutting measures led to its selection for closure. In 1993, after 75 years of military service, Mather officially shut its gates as an active-duty base, ending an era that spanned two world wars and the entire Cold War.
A New Chapter: Mather Airport and Community Uses
Yet, Mather never truly went silent. Today, the grounds of the former base are home to Mather Airport, operated by Sacramento County. The runways, once thundered across by military bombers, are now used daily by cargo carriers, business jets, and firefighting aircraft. The airport is a key hub for general aviation and is the base for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s (CAL FIRE) aerial firefighting operations. The U.S. Forest Service also uses the facility for similar operations, especially during California’s intense wildfire seasons.
In addition, the site supports numerous other functions. Parts of the former base have been transformed into residential communities, business parks, and public facilities. The Veterans Administration maintains a strong presence, and educational institutions and local governments utilize former base buildings for training and services. Even the former alert facility and aircraft hangars have been repurposed to support community and aviation needs.
California Capital Airshow Revives Mather’s Spirit
Still, there is no moment each year when Mather’s historical significance becomes more visible—or more celebrated than during the California Capital Airshow.
Launched in 2004, the annual airshow has grown into one of the largest aviation events on the West Coast. It serves as a vibrant tribute to aviation history and a direct homage to the base’s legacy. Each year, the airshow fills the sky with a combination of military jet teams like the U.S. Navy Blue Angels or Air Force Thunderbirds, civilian aerobatics acts, and dozens of static aircraft displays from nearly every era of flight.
Photos by Bill Sullivan, Folsom Times.
The airshow’s mission is more than just entertainment—it’s about honoring the past while inspiring the future. It pays tribute to veterans, including many who once served at Mather, and provides hands-on STEM education opportunities for students. Visitors can explore WWII bombers, Cold War-era jets, and modern fifth-generation fighters—all parked on the same tarmac where pilots trained for battle generations ago.
During the event, Mather Field truly comes back to life—not as a military installation, but as a symbol of innovation, service, and community spirit. The control tower, the long concrete runways, and the surrounding hangars once again echo with life, drawing in both longtime residents who remember the base’s prime and newcomers experiencing its legacy for the first time.
The event is not only a nod to the past but also a reminder of Mather’s continuing role in serving the region. Even though its military mission has ended, its contributions to aviation, emergency services, and regional infrastructure endure. And with each year’s airshow, the spirit of Mather is reignited, soaring across the skies once more—just as it did when it helped train a nation for war and peace alike.
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