Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is one of the nation's most important military installations. The base has a rich aviation heritage. It was here in 1904 and 1905 on Huffman Prairie Flying Field where the Wright Brothers "really learned to fly". Here they flew the first turn, circle, and figure eight. From 1910 to 1916 the brothers operated a flying school at Huffman Prairie. Among their 119 students were Henry "Hap" Arnold who commanded the Army Air Forces in World War II and H. Roy Brown, the Canadian ace who was credited with shooting down the Red Baron in World War I.

Just off the end of Runway 23, a marker, sign and replica of the Wright Brothers 1905 hangar and catapult launcher commemorate the exact location of their early aviation accomplishments. In 1992, Huffman Prairie became one of four sites in the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park.

Steeped in tradition, Wright Patterson Air Force Base has been a leader in military aviation development from the time of airplane inventors Wilber and Orville Wright to today's aerospace age.

Surrounding communities include Beavercreek, Fairborn, Riverside and Huber Heights. With over 38,000 employees, including military, civilian and contractors, Wright-Patterson, operated by the 88th Air Base Wing, is the largest single site employer in the state of Ohio with an economic impact of $6.5 billion per year. The base covers more than 8,000 acres of land (12.5 square miles) and provides operational support for more than 100 associate units located at Wright-Patterson. There are two runways, supporting an average of 11,000 aircraft operations every year. The base is divided into two areas - A and B. Ohio SR 444 runs between the two areas.

The base is headquarters for a vast, worldwide logistics system, a world-class laboratory research function, and is the foremost acquisition and development center in the U.S. Air Force. Dozens of associate organizations representing a broad spectrum of Air Force and Department of Defense activities call Wright-Patterson home. The base is comparable to a medium sized city with services ranging from shopping facilities and child care centers to housing areas and a large medical center.

The Air Force Marathon is held at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base on the third Saturday of September every year. The events include a two-day Expo, a full and half marathon as well as wheelchair, 10K and 5K races.