March JARB

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ICAO Code KRIV/RIV
Last Validated 10-2022
City Riverside, CA
Position 33°52'50"N 117°15'34"W
Runway(s) 12/30, 14/32
Elevation 1538 ft

General

March Joint Ar Reserve Base is home of the 452nd AMW with KC-135R's and C-17A's. The California Air National Guard has several units at March. One of those is a permanent detachment of F-16's here on 'Intercept Alert'. They also have MQ-1 Predator pilots here. The Predators itself are located at former George AFB/Southern California Logistics Airport near Victorville, CA. The 163rd ARW is also present as a tenant unit and borrows aircraft from the 452nd AMW.

Layout

The airfield has two platforms. The largest one is used by the US Air Force, while the other smaller one in the south is used by DHL. The California ANG F-16s are located in the North part of the platform, followed by the KC-135s and the C-17s in the South part of the platform. The March Field Museum is located on the West side, adjacent to the airfield.

Getting There

The base is located southeast of Riverside, directly east of the I-215A. Exits 23, 25 and 27 are adjacent to the airfield.

Around the Airport

1March Field Museum

March Field Museum is located adjacent to the airfield, enclosed between the interstate (I-215) and the airfield. It is easily recognized by the red-white-checkered rooftop of the main hangar. Exit 25 on the I-215 (Van Buren Blvd.) will lead to the museum. After taking the exit, turn towards the air field which brings you at the entrance road of the museum. The museum grounds are parallel with runway 14/32. Between the museum and the airfield is a large fence, but when you stand upon the bleacher seats, that are located near the fence, you will have a nice unobstructed view. For runway photos you will need about 400mm for take-off/runways shots with the sun most of the day at the back of you. (Parking you car outside the parking facilities of the museum will result in an alerted security force!!). From the museum grounds it is also possible to read off serials of the aircraft parked at the main platform, although heat waves could be a problem. Also, no tripods are allowed in the museum and only panning shots at air traffic are allowed, so if you point your big lense or scope too long at the air base, you will be told off. Please respect that to avoid further restrtictions in the future and make life easier for the kind museum staff.

2Platform

At this spot you will be able to read some of the C-17s present at the main platform. Staying too long here, can draw unwanted attention by the security forces.

3Runway 32 (northside) / DHL

For photos of landing shots, the sun will be a problem over here during most of the day. Only the morning or the late afternoon is preferable for photos (not many mm's needed). You also will be able to read off the serial of aircraft present at the DHL-ramp.

4Runway 32 (southside)

From this spot, you see the same as spot 3 but here you have the complete day the sun in your back, so ideal for photos. Only the very early morning or early evening could give some sun/lighting problems. This spot is located at the corner of Nandina Ave and Patterson Ave.

5Runway 14

At this spot you have an excellent view over the landing at runway 14 or take-off fro runway 32. Photos could be taken with 70-300mm (crop factor not included). After take-off from runway 32, some aircraft tend to bank in front of you, which could give good photos. This spot is located at the new industrial area, in the corner of Innovation Dr.

C-17 at end of rwy 32 before departure , taken at Spot 4. (Dan Stijovich)

KC-135R of the 196th ARS , taken at Spot 5. (Dan Stijovich)

Frequencies

335.800 / 121.750Clearance Delivery & Ground
253.500 / 127.650Tower
324.100 / 133.500Approach/Departure
239.050 / 134.750ATIS
311.000 / 349.000Command Post

Based Operators

336th ARSKC-135R
729th ASC-17A
DetachmentsF-16C/D
196th RSMQ-1B (see General text)

More Info

March Field MuseumOfficial homepage
March ARBOfficial homepage

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