Keesler Air Force Base
Keesler Air Force Base had its beginnings in 1940, when the city of Biloxi donated 832 acres of land to the Army Air Corp to build an air technical school to train aircraft mechanics. Activated in June 1941, the training center was technically named Air Corps Station No. 8. It was subsequently named Keesler Field in honor of aviator Second Lt. Samuel Reeves Keesler, Jr., who lost his life during World I. It was renamed Keesler Air Force Base in 1947. Today, Keesler is one of the largest training centers in the Air Force. The emphasis is on high technology in 400 different fields, but primarily in electronic specialties. Currently, Keesler is a training center for the Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corp, Coast Guard, and other military and civilian federal agency personnel. Keesler is home to the 403rd Wing, also known as the Hurricane Hunters.
Turn around and travel south on White Avenue for one tenth of a mile. Turn right (west) onto Father Ryan Avenue and travel through the neighborhood.