RARE historical 1948 AFTB Guide To Air Force Technical Base Wright Patterson Fields Dayton, Ohio. At the time of this pamphlet printing January 1948, it was still known as the AFTB. Wright Patterson Air Force Base was officially called the Air Force Technical Base (AFTB) for only about a year, from 1947 to 1948. Air Force was established in 1947, the base was redesignated as the Air Force Technical Base, and in 1948 it was officially named Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. History of the Name Changes. 1947: The base was known as the Air Force Technical Base (AFTB). 1948: The base was renamed Wright-Patterson Air Force Base after the two original fields, Wright Field and Patterson Field, were combined to form the single installation. Please zoom in on photos to determine condition.