Former Mather Air Force Base, Sacramento County, California (Closed 1993)
The transformation of the former Mather Air Force Base to civilian use is nearly complete. Thousands of people live, work and play at the former base, while environmental cleanup continues at a few remaining sites.
Mather Today
Since 1993, Sacramento County, the local redevelopment agency for the former Mather Air Force Base, has been transforming Mather into a regional employment hub. In 1988, the regional economy here received a blow when Mather Air Force Base was targeted for closure by the Base Realignment and Closure Commission. The base closed in 1993, erasing about 7,600 jobs and some $150 million in annual income from the Sacramento area. Read more...
Environmental Cleanup Update
Mather is in the final stages of environmental cleanup. All major decisions have been made, documented and overseen by the Air Force Real Property Agency, the U.S. EPA, Department of Toxic Substances Control, Regional Water Quality Control Board, and the Integrated Waste Management Board. Community members have provided input through the Mather Restoration Advisory Board since 1994. Read more...
History
Early history and naming - The United States Army Aviation Section, U.S. Signal Corps, activated the base -- then known as Mills Field -- on Feb. 21, 1918 as a pilot training base. Later that year, Mills Field was renamed Mather Field for 2nd Lt. Carl Spencer Mather, an Army Signal Corps pilot who was killed in an air collision at Ellington Field, Texas in 1918. Mather earned his pilot's license at age 16 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army Signal Corps on Jan. 20, 1918. Five days later he was killed during one of the first training classes for World War I pilots. The remainder of his class was re-stationed at Mills Field and requested that the facility be renamed in Mather's honor. On May 2, 1918, the name was changed to Mather Field, the precursor to Mather Air Force Base and today's Sacramento Mather Airport. Read more...
Mather Main Gate, circa 1955, photo provided by: www.yanko.net
Mather Recent News
Video - Former Mather AFB Biological Opinion More than 1,200 acres of land will be preserved and managed to protect sensitive habitats and tiny animals living here at the former Mather Air Force Base.
March 13, 2012 | Time: 00:01:14
Sacramento librarians have compiled a new book looking at the 100-year history of Mather Field. The book will be released by Acadia Publishing on January 9, 2012. Publisher's Page | Audio
Book Cover, Mather Field, Special Collection of the Sacramento Public Library.
Air Force Real Property Agency applauded for literally going the extra mile Story | Video
Local officials dedicating new roadway at former Mather AFB
EPA Sign-Off Clears Way For 4,000-acre Transfer At Former Mather AFB ~ The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has signed off on cleanup certification paperwork that clears the way for transferring more than 4,000 acres of the former Mather Air Force Base property to the public.
Mather - groundwater treatment plant
Mather Cleanup On My Mind by: Robert J. McGarvey, Mayor of Rancho Cordova I have a unique perspective on the cleanup the Air Force is doing at Mather, because I was in the Air Force, stationed at Mather in the 60s. Back then, when we did our work, using solvents to clean the grease off airplane parts and other things, we disposed of solvents differently than people do now.
Army Corps Awards $5 Million Contract for Psychiatric Hospital at Mather The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District has awarded a $5 million contract to a Reno, Nevada firm to build an inpatient mental health facility at the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care System at the former Mather Air Force Base.
Air Force, community reps plant trees across America In recognition of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22, Air Force Real Property Agency officials enlisted the participation of people in 40 communities to plant a tree at one of 40 former and active Air Force bases.
Mather - DieselZilla, robot built by American River College students.
Green Businesses Sprouting at Closed Former California Air Force Bases It may be counterintuitive to think of EPA Superfund sites as hotbeds of green technology. But as the Air Force Real Property Agency -- responsible for buying, selling and managing Air Force property worldwide -- continues cleaning, restoring and transferring property to the community, the former bases are attracting more clean, green businesses by the day.
California electronic asset recovery at Mather
University sought for former Mather AFB Sacramento Business Journal has reported plans to recruit a university to the former Mather Air Force Base, now known as Mather Commerce Center. Business Journal reported that Pulte, the region's largest homebuilder, is close to a development deal with Sacramento County.
Mather - Main Entry
Homeless find hope at closed California bases In California, as the temperature drops and the number of homeless people climbs, former Air Force bases around the state offer warm relief. Transitional housing is one of the many ways communities are using property on closed military bases for local benefit.
Mather Today 
