Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Air field renamed to honor Creech

The name of the air field at Indian Springs was officially changed to Creech Air Force Base at an unveiling ceremony Monday.

The name change served two purposes -- to signify the base's growing role in the Air Force's mission and to honor Gen. Wilbur L. "Bill" Creech. Creech was a four-star general who has been called the "Father of the Thunderbirds."

The Creech Air Force Base houses three Predator reconnaissance squadrons and there are plans to expand to a fourth squadron. Congress set aside $60 million for expanding the Predator drone operation which is based in Indian Springs.

Currently there are 2,500 people assigned to the base and 500 airmen oversee the MQ-1 Predators. In March, the Air Force announced that the base will also house a new center for coordination and tactics development of the spy planes.

Changing the designation of Indian Springs from an air field to an air base signifies the importance of the predator's mission, said Nellis Air Force Base spokesman Lt. Daniel DuBois said.

"It's really a statement as to how important that facility is to the Air Force," DuBois said.

He said that usually the Air Force designates installations as bases when they house a wing or a major command. Indian Springs is a smaller installation.

Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., said the dedication of the base in Creech's honor was fitting because of the technology being developed there. As a commander of Tactical Air Command in the 1970s, Creech advocated the latest technology in tactics and weapons.

"A true visionary, his leadership was revolutionary," said Gibbons, a former military pilot. "He worked to modernize the United States Air Force's vision. He advocated forward-looking concepts within the military."

Creech, a Henderson resident, retired as a general from the Air Force in 1984 after a 36 year career. He went on to a career in business and and wrote a best-selling book, "The Five Pillars of TQM." He died Aug. 26, 2003. He was 76.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John Jumper, said he thought Creech would approve of the base being named in his honor. In addition to being home to the predator the base is also where the Air Force's aerial demonstration team, the Thunderbirds, practices and perfects its routines. Creech joined the aerial demonstration team in 1953 and flew 125 demonstrations over the U.S. and Central America. Later, Creech helped to convince Pentagon leaders to not scratch the team after four jets in the program crashed in 1982 near Indian Springs.

"I can see Gen. Creech here," Jumper said. "He's standing at attention some where on this stage I'm sure and he shaking his head yes."

At the ceremony Col. Walter Givhan, who is the commander of the 99th Air Base Wing at Nellis Air Force Base which oversees Indian Springs' operations, read letters and proclamations from the state's congressional delegation.

As part of the unveiling Creech's widow, Carol Creech, was presented with a replica of the stone marker that greets people coming to base. A bronze plaque will also be placed by the flag pole that commemorates Creech's life and accomplishments.

In 1949 the Air Force began a memorial program for the purpose of honoring airmen who played a significant role in Air Force history.

DuBois said that naming a base after Creech will help keep his memory and legacy of hard work alive.

"We recognize those who have made significant contributions to the Air Force," he said. "It's a way to keep our history fresh and alive for newer generations of airmen that come in the force."

In 1950 Nellis Air Force Base was named after William Harrell Nellis, a Searchlight resident who fought in World War II. Nellis died on a combat mission in December 1944.

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