While the last fixed-wing aircraft left Bolling in 1962, the names mentioned in the history of Bolling AFB read like the who’s who of early aviation: Charles ‘‘Lucky Lindy” Lindbergh, Eddie Rickenbacker, Billy Mitchell, H.H. ‘‘Hap” Arnold, Jimmy Doolittle, Ira C. Eaker and Wiley Post.

Bolling’s early years chronicled the growth of the entire U.S. Air Force and served as a proving ground for the new air service as it spread its wings. Bolling Field also served as a research and testing ground for new aviation equipment, and its first mission provided aerial defense of the capital and accommodated pilot proficiency.

Already well established as one of the world’s best aviation bases, Bolling rapidly grew during the years 1939 through 1945 as it once again met the challenge of a world war. The core units at Bolling at the beginning of 1939 were one housekeeping squadron, the base headquarters, the 14th Air Base Squadron and two air base maintenance squadrons — the first and second staff squadrons.

For the remainder of World War II, Bolling served as a training and organization base for personnel and units going overseas, and it became the aerial gateway to the nation’s capital.

In 1962, due to airspace congestion around National Airport, which has since been renamed ‘‘Ronald Reagan-Washington National Airport,” fixed-wing flying activities left Bolling for nearby Andrews AFB, Md.

Without a flightline, Bolling’s role changed to that of a support base and a new era began. Today, the 11th Wing supports about 40,000 Air Force members and their families in the National Capital Region and worldwide; it also provides comprehensive wartime base operating support to all assigned Air Force organizations and their personnel to include force protection, logistics, engineering, MWR, manpower, personnel, programming, and comptroller support.