San Bernardino County history: Norton Air Force Base – Welcome to San Bernardino County

Leland Norton in military uniform standing in front of an aircraft. — *Captain Leland Norton.*

The Norton Air Force Base supported America’s military efforts for over half a century. It served as a logistics depot and heavy-lift transport facility for the U.S. Air Force in San Bernardino.

The air base was named after Leland Norton, a San Bernardino native and American hero. Norton piloted an A-20 Havoc and flew 15 missions over occupied France during World War II. On his last mission in May 1944, Norton’s plane took a direct hit from a German anti-aircraft gun.

Despite being severely wounded, he managed to keep control of the aircraft long enough for two of his crew members to bail out before perishing. Norton was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and is interred at the Mountain View Cemetery in San Bernardino.

In 1950, the air base was named in honor of Norton. Over the years, Norton Air Force Base served various commands and units. In 1966, it became home to the 63rd Military Airlift Wing, providing airlift and food services to air and ground combat units worldwide. The Aerospace Audiovisual Services, headquartered at Norton Air Force Base, produced training films, photography and other media services for the U.S. military.

In 1988, the Base Realignment and Closure Commission selected Norton Air Force Base for closure, and it officially closed on March 31, 1994. Today, the site is known as the San Bernardino International Airport. It’s also home to major retail distribution centers and the Norton Air Force Base Museum.

The information in this historical feature was originally part of a video series produced by the Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk’s office.

Additional County Update News – May 8, 2025