In 1954 the government entered into negotiations with Marquette County for Sawyer's lease. After several months of meetings and negotiations a 99 year lease was signed on January 24, 1955. Construction started almost immediately. Approximately 850 people were employed during the construction.

Situated on over 5,200 acres of land in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base was one of the newest major U.S. bases built by the Air Force. Utilizing the world-class air facilities located at Sawyer, aircraft operators have access to an all weather runway 12,300 feet long and 300 feet wide.

The last aircraft assigned to Sawyer were six T-37B jet trainers of the 71st Flying Training Wing assigned to the ''Accelerated Copilot Enrichment Program'' in 1977 and are presently assigned to the ''Companion Trainer Program'' under the 410th Bomb Wing and the Air Combat Command.

On June 1, 1995, an Inactivation Ceremony was held. By August of 1995 the Base Deactivation Ceremony took place. The last B-52H left K. I. Sawyer in November of 1994. The nineteen B-52H's from the 410th Bomb Wing were relocated to Barksdale Air Force Base and Minot Air Force Base and became part of the 2nd and 5th Bomb Wings. K. I. Sawyer closed on September 30, 1995.

 

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