Former Onizuka Air Force Station

Onizuka Air Force Station, Calif., was constructed in 1960 under its original name of the Air Force Satellite Test Center. Its mission included classified work with military satellite programs and contributed to the advancement of the United States space program. In 1986 the base was renamed in honor of Lt Col Ellison Onizuka, one of the astronauts killed during the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.

Onizuka was recommended for closure by the Base Realignment and Closure Commission in 2005. The air station was officially closed September 15, 2011. Today Onizuka is one of 40 former installations managed by the Air Force Civil Engineer Center in San Antonio, Texas.

Environmental Activities
AFCEC continues to work with the City of Sunnyvale to complete documentation to close the hazardous materials permit for the facility. No other environmental cleanup activities are required to protect human health and the environment. There is no additional cost to complete cleanup.

Property Transfer
Today the former base is being redeveloped into a campus for the Foothill-De Anza Community College, and other planned reuse includes administrative facilities for the Veteran's Administration, and the expansion of a local city fire station. The 20 acre property is expected to be fully transferred in 2013.

Path Forward
The Air Force and property recipients are working to complete property transfer to allow redevelopment and benefit of the community.