Francis E. Warren AFB, Cheyenne, Wyoming-- Part 2: Fort Russell

The Air Force base was originally named Fort D.A. Russell when it was established in 1867 to protect workers on the Union Pacific Railroad.   In 1930, the fort's name was changed to Fort Francis E. Warren. In 1949, it became Francis E. Warren Air Force Base.

It was the home of three black regiments, the famed Buffalo soldiers, for much of the late 19th century.  By 1900, Fort Russell was one of the largest cavalry bases in the United States.

In 1898, the Spanish-American War renewed the importance of the post.    Soon afterwards, the 8th Cavalry  left for Cuba.    Later that year, the Wyoming National Guard mustered in at Fort Russell.  In the Battle of Manila, the Wyoming National Guard were the first to reach the city and raise the flag.

In 1901, troops from Fort Russell returned to the Philippines  to put down the insurrection for independence during the Philippine-American War.  They returned with a Queen Mary Tudor cannon forged in 1557 and two of the three Belangiga bells, which had been used by the insurrectionists as a signal to launch an ambush on American troops.

The bells were returned to the Philippines in 2018.  The seven-foot cannon,  the only one of its kind in the U.S. is on display near the base flagpole.

--Cooter