Missions included fighter interceptors, electronic research, installation, and support activities, aerial refueling, and bombers.

Opened in 1942, the base closed pursuant to BRAC action in 1995 and its airfield is now Griffiss International Airport, owned by Oneida County.

In November, 1984 the site was added to the National Priorities List because hazardous chemicals were found in soil and ground water.

Notorious for overpricing, triple-digit heat, aggressive music and lack of water, it descended into chaotic destruction and blazes with riot police deployed and making mass arrests, although base assets were unscathed.

In 1942, Griffiss became the first U.S. airman to be killed in the line of duty in the European Theatre of World War II[5] when the B-24 Liberator bomber he was aboard was shot down by friendly fire over the English Channel.

The USAF had originally applied "Griffiss Air Force Base" to Fort Worth Army Airfield in Texas on 1 January 1948, but its name was changed on 27 February to memorialize native son and Medal of Honor recipient, Major Horace Carswell, who gave his life while attempting to crash-land his crippled B-24 over China.

It wasn't until after World War II that the Air Force Reserve 65th Reconnaissance Group conducted aerial photo and mapping operations from Griffiss, from 27 December 1946 until being inactivated on 27 June 1949.

On 3 October 1950, the 1st Fighter-Interceptor Group of Air Defense Command (ADC) became the first permanently-assigned USAF flying unit at Griffiss.

ADC activated the 4727th Air Defense Group as a headquarters for the two squadrons in February, 1957, and it became a major tenant at Griffiss.

416 BW crews and aircraft deployed to the Pacific during the Vietnam War era to support SAC operations during the conflict.

The 416 BW was inactivated in 1995 as part of another post-Cold War drawdown of United States strategic forces pursuant to a 1993 BRAC decision.

The Air Force Research Laboratory had not been closed, and became core of the redevelopment plan, of making it part of a corporate business and to build a technology park around it.