Located in Duval County, Florida, Naval Air Station Jacksonville (NAS Jacksonville) is approximately four miles outside of Jacksonville. It is a military airport that is run by the U.S. Navy and commanded by Captain Robert Sanders. NAS Jacksonville did not begin as a navy base, but as Camp Joseph E. Johnston. It was established on October 15, 1917 and was used by the U.S. Army to train quartermasters. Over 600 buildings were constructed for this camp, but it closed only two years later in 1919. In 1928, the Florida National Guard took over the site and named it Camp J. Clifford R. Foster. It was not until October 15 of 1940 that the base we see today was established. It was named Naval Air Station Jacksonville and Captain Charles P. Mason of the U.S. Navy became the first commander of the base. It is now part of a Navy complex which includes the surrounding bases of Naval Air Station Cecil Field and Naval Station Mayport.
During World War II, thousands of pilots and aircrewmen were able to earn their "wings of gold" at NAS Jacksonville. Due to World War II, training at the base increased as did construction. There were three runways on the base as well as seaplane runways. During this time, a hospital was built as was a prisoner-of-war facility which held 1,500 German prisoners. Many of the buildings constructed during wartime were only meant to be temporary, such as the Catholic chapel, but they still are standing today and are being used.
As technology changed, so did NAS Jacksonville. In 1948, Navy jet units were stationed at the base and by the next year, 60% of the Fleet's aircraft were located at this installation. The Fleet Air Wing Eleven, Patrol Squadron Three, Panama and Patrol Squadron Five, and the U.S. Naval Flight Demonstration Squadron (Blue Angels), all moved to this base. In the 1950s, an air traffic control center was built that was designed to be used by the Navy, Civil Aeronautics Administration, and the Air Force. The base had over 11,000 military members and 5,000 civilians working there and also helped impact the economy of the surrounding communities.
Nicknamed NAS Jax, this base is now one of the Navy's fastest growing installations and the third largest in the entire country. Their mission is to train aviators of the highest quality and assist in anti-submarine warfare. The base is host to four helicopter squadrons, three reserve squadrons, and eight P-3 squadrons. It is estimated that the base has an economic impact of $2 billion every year and is one of the largest employers in the surrounding communities. There are over 23,000 personnel which are employees of the base.
If you are a member of the military at Naval Air Station Jacksonville and have been arrested for a crime, you need to seek legal representation as soon as possible. Our team at The Federal Practice Group Worldwide Service is dedicated to protecting the rights and best interests of military personnel during these difficult times. We not only understand criminal law, but military law as well. We are able to handle cases ranging from DUI to drug crimes to sex offenses to absence without leave If you would like more information about our team or how we could help you, please do not waste any time in getting in touch with a member of our legal team. Call today to schedule an appointment.
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Naval Air Station Jacksonville
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