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Naval Air Station Key West
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Marker for the Truman Annex, Key West Naval Station

Key Information

Naval Air Station Key West (IATA: NQX[2], ICAO: KNQX, FAA LID: NQX), is a naval air station and military airport located on Boca Chica Key, four miles (6 km) east of the central business district of Key West, Florida, United States.[3]

NAS Key West is an air-to-air combat training facility for fighter aircraft of all military services, with favorable flying conditions year round and nearby aerial ranges. The station and its associated offshore air combat maneuvering ranges are equipped with the P5 Combat Training System/Tactical Combat Training System (P5CTS/TCTS)[4] which tracks and records aerial maneuvers.

On a broader scale, NAS Key West's national security mission supports operational and readiness requirements for the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security (e.g., U.S. Coast Guard), Air National Guard and Army National Guard units, other federal agencies, and allied military forces.[5]

The air station is also host to several tenant commands, including Fighter Squadron Composite 111 (VFC-111), Strike Fighter Squadron 106 (VFA-106) Detachment Key West, the U.S. Army Special Forces Underwater Operations School and Headquarters, Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATF South).

History

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1823–1914

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The U.S. Navy's presence in Key West dates back to 1823 when a Naval Base was established to stop piracy in this area. The lower Keys were home to many wealthy shipping merchants whose fleets operated from these waters. This drew the interest of pirates who used the Florida Keys as a base from which to prey on shipping lanes. The base was expanded during the Mexican–American War, with the construction of Fort Zachary Taylor and other fortifications in the Key West area commencing in 1845 and continuing through to its completion in 1866. The base also figured prominently during the Spanish–American War. In 1898, the battleship Maine sailed from Key West to Havana, Cuba, where it later exploded while at anchor and sank. The sinking of the Maine resulted in the United States declaring war on Spain, and the entire U.S. Atlantic Fleet moved to Key West for the duration of the war.

World War I

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During World War I (1914–1918) the base was expanded again, and in 1917, a U.S. naval submarine base was established on the main island of Key West on what is now naval air station "annex" property. Its mission during World War I was to supply oil to the U.S. fleet and to block German ships from reaching Mexican oil supplies.


The nation's southernmost Naval Base proved to be an ideal year-round training facility with rapid access to the open sea lanes and ideal flying conditions for Naval Aviation. The Navy's forces were expanded to include seaplanes, submarines, and blimps. Ground was broken for construction of a small coastal air patrol station on 13 July 1917 at what is now Trumbo Point on land leased from the Florida East Coast Railway Company. The project involved dredging, erection of station buildings, three seaplane ramps, a dirigible hangar, a hydrogenerator plant, and temporary barracks.

On 22 September of that year, the base's log book recorded the first naval flight ever made from Key West – a Curtiss N-9 seaplane flown by U.S. Coast Guard Lieutenant Stanley Parker. About three months later, on 18 December, Naval Air Base Key West was commissioned and LT Parker became the first Commanding Officer.

Naval Air Base Key West pilots flew in search of German submarines resting on the surface to recharge batteries. The aircraft was armed only with a single machine gun, but gunners were supplied with hand grenades. The slow Curtiss biplanes flew low over surfaced subs, and gunners dropped grenades into open conning towers. Naval aviation antisubmarine warfare was beginning to prove itself in combat.

On 18 January 1918, the first class of student aviators arrived for seaplane training, which launched the station's reputation as a premier training site for Naval Aviators, a reputation which continues today. The base was primarily used for antisubmarine patrol operations and as an elemental flight training station, with more than 500 aviators trained at the station during World War I.

Interwar period

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After World War I, the base was decommissioned and its personnel were transferred or released. Most of the buildings were destroyed or dismantled and moved to other locations. The remaining facilities were used only occasionally during 1920–1930 for seaplane training. The station remained inactive until 1939.

The seaplane base was designated as a Naval Air Station Key West on 15 December 1940 and served as an operating and training base for fleet aircraft squadrons, to include seaplane, land-based aircraft, carrier-based aircraft and lighter-than-air blimp squadrons. This set the stage for America's entry into World War II. The government had retained the property during the interwar period of the 1920s and 1930s, which proved to be a wise decision as the nation scrambled to re-arm in a state of emergency at the outbreak of the war.

World War II

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Barracks, Dec. 1939

Naval Base Key West was reopened just prior to the United States' entry into World War II to support Navy destroyers, submarines, patrol craft and PBY flying boat and amphibious aircraft. Other satellite facilities were established to support other war efforts, including Meachum Field for lighter-than-air blimp operations on Key West, and runways for land-based and carrier-based aircraft on Boca Chica Key.

By 1943, German Navy submarines were operating so near Key West that they were sinking allied ships within sight of land. Submarine raids peaked in May of that year, when 49 ships were torpedoed off the coast of Florida. As the war continued, German submarines were progressively attrited by U.S. Navy and Allied antisubmarine warfare forces and German torpedo raids by U-boats decreased. In March 1945, the satellite airfields, some previously known as Naval Auxiliary Air Facility Boca Chica and Naval Auxiliary Air Station Boca Chica were disestablished and combined into a single aviation activity designated as U.S. Naval Air Station, Key West.

Aerial view of NAS Key West in the 1940s

Cold War

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After World War II ended, NAS Key West was retained as a training facility. On 1 June 1962, the Navy AN/FPS-37 Radar site was added to the United States Air Force (USAF) Air Defense Command Semi Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) network feeding data to DC-09 at Gunter AFB, Alabama. The USAF 671st Radar Squadron was activated and NAS Key West was designated as NORAD ID "Z-209". During the Cuban Missile Crisis, the United States Army moved in Nike Hercules anti-aircraft surface-to-air missiles, of the 6th Missile Battalion, 65th Artillery, from Fort Meade, in the Homestead and Miami area.[6] MIM-23 Hawk surface to air missiles were set up in and around Key West using the radar facilities.[7] ARADCOM designated the site as AADCP site KW-18DC under the Homestead-Miami Defense Area. The Cudjoe Key AFS site was also added to the SAGE network at that time (Z-399), being operated by contractors. A battalion of the 65th Artillery (later to become the 65th Air Defense Artillery) was to stay until 1979. 6-65 ADA became 1-65 ADA on 13 September 1972; the battalion stayed in the area until June 1979, when it was moved to Fort Bliss.[6]

NAS Key West was to become a focal point during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, which posed the first doorstep threat to the United States in more than a century. Reconnaissance and operational flights were begun 22 October 1962, in support of the blockade around Cuba. During the Missile Crisis, Key West cemented its claim to the title "Gibraltar of the Gulf", coined over a hundred years earlier by Commodore David Porter.

By 1964, the USAF added an AN/FPS-6A height-finder radar at NAS Key West, which was modified to an AN/FPS-90 set when a second radar was added. Routine general radar surveillance was performed by the USAF at NAS Key West until 1988, upgrading the radar to an AN/FPS-67B in 1966. In 1979, the 671st Radar Squadron was replaced by the 20th Air Defense Squadron, Operating Location Alpha Juliet (OL-AJ). By 1988, the last of the two AN/FPS-90 sets was removed. Today, an ARSR-4 radar is part of the Joint Surveillance System (JSS), designated by NORAD as Southeast Air Defense Sector (SEADS) Ground Equipment Facility "J-07".[8] Literally built up from sea bottom, reefs, tidal areas and mangrove swamps, all of the NAS Key West sites, including the Harry S. Truman Annex (formerly Naval Station Key West), Trumbo Point, Meacham Field (Key West International Airport), and Boca Chica, were now permanently etched in military history.

In 1946, Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 1 (VX-1) was established at NAS Key West and for the next three decades conducted airborne antisubmarine warfare (ASW) systems evaluation out of Boca Chica, while Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron 1 (HS-1) conducted Atlantic Fleet helicopter fleet replacement training in the SH-3 Sea King out of the former seaplane base at Trumbo Point. This continued until the late 1960s/early 1970s when these squadrons relocated to NAS Patuxent River, Maryland and NAS Jacksonville, Florida, respectively, with HS-1 having an intermediate base assignment to NAS Quonset Point, Rhode Island prior to its final relocation to NAS Jacksonville.

In the 1970s, Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 33 (VAQ-33) relocated to NAS Key West from NAS Norfolk, Virginia with a mix of NC-121K, ERA-3B / TA-3B / KA-3B Skywarrior, EA-6A Intruder, EA-4F Skyhawk II, EP-3 Orion and the sole example of the EF-4B/EF-4J Phantom II aircraft. Reporting as an element of the Fleet Electronic Warfare Support Group (FEWSG), the squadron provided "Orange Air" electronic adversary services for fleet training until its disestablishment the early 1990s. VAQ-33 was also the last A-3 Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) and Fleet Readiness Aviation Maintenance Personnel (FRAMP) school, providing training for A-3 Skywarrior pilots, navigators, electronic warfare officers, enlisted aircrewmen and maintenance personnel. VAQ-33 remained at NAS Key West until it was inactivated in 1993.

RA-5C BuNo 156624 of RVAH-6. This aircraft is now preserved at the National Naval Aviation Museum at NAS Pensacola.

In 1973, Reconnaissance Attack Wing 1 (RECONATKWING ONE) began relocation from the closing NAS Albany, Georgia with its RA-5C Vigilante, TA-3B Skywarrior and TA-4F/J Skyhawk II aircraft. An operational/deployable fleet unit, the wing relocated Reconnaissance Attack Squadron THREE (RVAH-3), the single site RA-5C Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS), to NAS Key West, as well as nine other deployable Vigilante squadrons (RVAH-1, RVAH-5, RVAH-6, RVAH-7, RVAH-9, RVAH-11, RVAH-12 and RVAH-13 (RVAH-14 disestablished at NAS Albany prior to relocation) that routinely embarked with Atlantic Fleet and Pacific Fleet carrier air wings aboard Forrestal, Kitty Hawk, Enterprise and Nimitz class aircraft carriers. All RVAH squadrons were in place at NAS Key West by late 1974 and all were eventually decommissioned over a six-year period that coincided with the phased retirement of the RA-5C. Following decommissioning of the last RA-5C squadron, RVAH-7, Reconnaissance Attack Wing ONE subsequently stood down in early 1980.

F-14B BuNo 163222 of VF-101

Due to its superb flying weather, NAS Key West has also hosted several permanent detachments of the fighter and strike fighter Fleet Replacement Squadrons (FRS) at NAS Oceana, Virginia. This includes the former Atlantic Fleet F-4 Phantom II FRS, Fighter Squadron 171 (VF-171), from the 1970s through the 1980s; and the former Atlantic Fleet F-4 and then F-14 Tomcat FRS, Fighter Squadron 101 (VF-101), from the 1960s through 1970s in the F-4 and the 1970s through 2005 in the F-14. The focus of both of these detachments revolved around the Fleet Fighter Air Readiness Program (FFARP).

The Atlantic Fleet F/A-18 Hornet and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Fleet Replacement Squadron, Strike Fighter Squadron 106 (VFA-106), based at NAS Cecil Field, Florida until 1999 and since based at NAS Oceana, continues to maintain an NAS Key West detachment to this day in support of FFARP's successor, the Strike Fighter Advanced Readiness Program (SFARP).

VFA-106 F/A-18Cs and VFC-111 F-5Ns at NAS Key West, 2007

During the 1980s and 1990s, Fighter Squadron 45 (VF-45) was also based at NAS Key West to provide air combat adversary services with A-4 Skyhawk II, F-5E/F Freedom Fighter and F-16N Fighting Falcon aircraft. Decommissioned in the late 1990s due to post-Cold War budget cuts, VF-45's former mission at NAS Key West is now performed by Fighter Composite Squadron 111 (VFC-111), an active duty integrated Navy Reserve squadron flying the F-5N and F-5F.

Late Cold War / Post-Cold War / Present day

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During the 1980s and into the mid-1990s, NAS Key West's Trumbo Point Annex and Truman Annex waterfront pier areas served as the home port for the Pegasus-class hydrofoils of Patrol Hydrofoil Missile Squadron TWO (PHMRON TWO).

In the late summer of 1994, NAS Key West also served as a primary staging base for Operations Support Democracy and Uphold Democracy in Haiti. The station hosted a wide variety of military aircraft during this period, to include multiple U.S. Navy P-3C Orion aircraft, USAF E-3A Sentry AWACS aircraft and the Pennsylvania Air National Guard's EC-130E Hercules "Commando Solo" aircraft that were engaged in the operations.

On 5 October 2001, Naval Air Station Key West was temporarily downgraded and redesignated as Naval Air Facility Key West, but on 1 April 2003, the air facility was upgraded and restored back to full air station status as Naval Air Station Key West.[9]

USAF 9th Reconnaissance Wing U-2S landing at NAS Key West in 2008 with a VFC-111 F-5N in foreground.

As in the past, NAS Key West continues to be frequently utilized for detachments by active and reserve U.S. Navy strike fighter squadrons and carrier airborne early warning squadrons, U.S. Marine Corps attack and fighter/attack squadrons, and USAF, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard fighter and rescue squadrons for exercises, and unit level training/continuation training. The Naval Air Training Command also uses NAS Key West for Naval Aviator and Naval Flight Officer training detachments, primarily student Naval Aviators in the strike aircraft pipeline during initial carrier qualifications.

Units conducting detachment training at NAS Key West utilize the Key West Complex airspace, a system of overwater Warning Areas to the south between the Florida Keys and the island of Cuba, to the west beyond the Dry Tortugas, and to the northwest over the Gulf of Mexico. Warning Area 174 (W-174), Warning Area 465 (W-465), the Key West OPAREA, and the Bonefish Air Traffic Control Assigned Airspace (ATCAA) define the Key West Complex airspace. The majority of the airspace is covered by a Tactical Aircrew Combat Training System (TACTS) range that continuously tracks aircraft positions and maneuvering parameters, recording everything for later playback during mission debrief.[10]

U.S. Navy P-3C, P-8A, E-2C and E-2D aircraft also routinely conduct detachment operations at NAS Key West, primarily conducting counternarcotics reconnaissance missions in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Basin in support of both the U.S. Coast Guard and Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATF – SOUTH).

In 2019, a 20-year-old Chinese student received a year in prison for photographing the facility.[11]

Tenant commands

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Facilities

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Several structures of the main base of NAS Key West can be seen on Boca Chica Key

NAS Key West's Boca Chica Field has three paved runways:

  • Runway 08/26: 10,001 x 200 ft. (3,048 x 61 m), Surface: PEM
  • Runway 04/22: 7,002 x 150 ft. (2,134 x 46 m), Surface: PEM
  • Runway 14/32: 7,001 x 150 ft. (2,134 x 46 m), Surface: PEM

[12]

Auxiliary annexes

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In addition to the main air station on Boca Chica Key, NAS Key West comprises several separate annexes in the Key West area. These additional properties include:

  • Truman Annex (the former Naval Station Key West surface ship and submarine base until 1974)
  • Trumbo Point Annex (the former NAS Key West seaplane base)
  • Sigsbee Park Annex
  • Naval Branch Health Clinic Key West (site of the former Naval Hospital Key West)

NAS Key West also holds responsibility for several other properties and activities in the Florida Keys. Most military family housing, as well as the Navy Exchange, Commissary, Navy Lodge guest billeting, RV park and other Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) activities are located at Sigsbee Park, a man-made island on the north side of Key West created from dredging of seaplane runways for the NAS Key West seaplane base at Trumbo Point in the 1940s. Family housing is located at both Trumbo Point and the Truman Annex, while single enlisted service members are housed at the main installation at Boca Chica and on Truman Annex. Family housing is managed by Balfour Beatty Communities, a public-private venture (PPV) partner.

Also at Trumbo Point is the Navy Gateway Inns and Suites (NGIS), formerly known as the Bachelor Officers Quarters (BOQ) and later the Combined Bachelor Quarters (CBQ). NGIS accommodates transient government personnel and dependents. Distinguished Visitors (DV) quarters are also available for senior commissioned officers (O-6 through O-10). The CBQ is very visible from North Roosevelt Boulevard and Palm Avenue, with its "FLY NAVY" logo painted prominently on the south side of the building (it is the tallest building on the island of Key West). It is approximately a mile, or a twenty-five-minute walk, from the NGIS to Duval Street downtown.

Truman Annex is the remaining portion of the former Naval Station Key West that closed in 1974 that is still under military control. It has a beach and is the location of Headquarters, Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATF South). Upon closure of Naval Station Key West, the Fort Zachary Taylor property formerly on the base was turned over to the State of Florida as a Florida State Park and National Historic Site.

Fleming Key is the site of the U.S. Army Special Forces Underwater Operations School. NAS Key West also provides a degree of support for Cudjoe Key Air Force Station, a U.S. Air Force installation located north of Key West on Cudjoe Key, that is home to the Cudjoe Key Tethered Aerostat Radar System[13]

Accidents and incidents

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The following notable accidents and incidents have occurred at NAS Key West:

  • April 25, 1951: Cubana de Aviación Flight 493, a Douglas DC-4 bound from Miami to Havana, registration CU-T188, collided with a U.S. Navy Beechcraft SNB-1, bureau number 39939, on a practice instrument approach to NAS Key West. Both aircraft plunged into the sea; Navy personnel at the base witnessed the accident and immediately launched rescue and recovery efforts, but all 34 passengers and five crew aboard the DC-4 were killed, along with the pilot-instructor, two student pilots, and radio operator aboard the SNB. The accident occurred at midday, weather was clear with unlimited visibility, and both flights had been cleared to fly under visual flight rules, being expected to "see and avoid" other aircraft; the student flying the SNB was wearing view-limiting goggles, but the other SNB crew were not, and were expected to keep watch. Ground witnesses said that neither aircraft took evasive action prior to the collision, and the Civil Aeronautics Board attributed the accident to the failure of both flight crews to see and avoid conflicting air traffic.[14]

See also

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Naval Air Station Key West

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Naval Air Station Key West (NAS Key West) is a United States Navy installation located in Key West, Florida, functioning as the Navy's premier training facility for tactical aviation squadrons and providing world-class support for aircrew training and joint operations. Established in 1917 during World War I, it has evolved from an early naval aviation base into a state-of-the-art hub for air-to-air combat training, leveraging ideal year-round flying weather and extensive aerial ranges that allow maneuvers within minutes of takeoff. The station supports national security missions by fulfilling operational and readiness requirements for the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, National Guard, federal agencies, and allied forces. The history of NAS Key West traces back to the early 19th century, when was acquired by the in 1821 and developed as a to combat and enforce maritime laws. Construction of the air station began on July 13, 1917, at Trumbo Point, with the first naval flight occurring on September 22, 1917, and official commissioning on December 18, 1917; during , it trained over 500 aviators for . Reopened in for , it expanded to include Field and played a critical role in the 1962 , hosting President John F. Kennedy's visit afterward. By the , following the closure of the naval station, NAS Key West transformed into a modern training center for fighter aircraft across all military services, incorporating advanced systems like the Tactical Combat Training System (TCTS), akin to the "Top Gun" program. Today, NAS Key West hosts key tenant commands, including the Joint Interagency Task Force South, U.S. units, and the U.S. Underwater Training School, while providing pier-side support for naval vessels and facilitating joint and allied exercises. Its operations emphasize to minimize noise impacts on surrounding areas and ongoing infrastructure improvements, such as a $27.2 million entry control facility awarded in 2025 to enhance security. The base remains a vital asset for national defense, accommodating elite personnel from the , , , Marine Corps, and .

History

Early Establishment (1823–1916)

In 1823, the U.S. Navy established a permanent base at , , under the command of Commodore David Porter, who arrived with the West Indies Squadron—nicknamed the "Mosquito Fleet" for its fleet of small, swift vessels designed to navigate shallow waters. This force, comprising approximately 1,100 personnel and several ships, was tasked with suppressing rampant and , which threatened American shipping lanes following the acquisition of from in 1821. The base, initially located at what is now , served as a strategic outpost for patrols and enforcement, effectively curtailing pirate activities by the mid-1820s through aggressive pursuits and captures. During the Mexican-American War (1846–1848), the Key West naval base underwent expansion to function as a critical coaling station and supply depot for U.S. naval operations in the Gulf of Mexico. This role supported the blockade of Mexican ports and amphibious landings, providing fuel and provisions to steam-powered vessels that were increasingly vital to the war effort. In the subsequent Civil War (1861–1865), Key West remained a loyal Union stronghold, serving as the southernmost federal port and a key hub for the blockade of Confederate shipping routes into the Gulf. From this base, Union forces enforced the Anaconda Plan, capturing Confederate vessels and intercepting blockade runners, while also aiding in the emancipation efforts by freeing over 1,400 enslaved Africans from captured ships by 1862. The Spanish-American War (1898) prompted further significant expansions at the Key West base, which became the staging ground for the U.S. Atlantic Fleet's Caribbean operations. The battleship USS Maine departed from Key West for Havana, Cuba, on January 25, 1898, before its mysterious explosion on February 15, which precipitated the conflict. In response, the Navy reinforced harbor defenses and utilized existing fortifications like Fort Zachary Taylor, which was adapted for wartime use as a barracks and signal station, while construction of additional coastal batteries began to protect against potential Spanish naval threats. These enhancements laid early groundwork for submarine infrastructure, including plans for torpedo defenses and shallow-water facilities that anticipated future undersea warfare needs. In the years leading up to , the base saw continued infrastructural developments to bolster its strategic role in the southeastern approaches to the U.S. Harbor improvements in the early included operations to deepen channels to 30 feet, enabling access for larger battleships and creating sheltered basins for fleet maneuvers. Proposals also emerged to relocate or modernize the to optimize naval pier space, alongside the reclamation of Trumbo Island through for expanded support facilities. Fortifications were further strengthened with Army-Navy joint plans for batteries on Sand Key and outer reefs, ensuring the base's readiness amid rising international tensions.

World War I (1917–1918)

Naval Air Station Key West was officially established on July 13, 1917, when ground was broken for a small coastal air patrol station at Trumbo Point in , , on land leased from the Florida East Coast Railroad Company. This site served as a combined and air patrol base, responding to the urgent need for coastal defense against potential German naval threats during . The station's creation was part of a broader U.S. Navy effort to expand aviation capabilities for maritime surveillance, leveraging Key West's strategic location near vital shipping lanes in the and . Construction proceeded rapidly amid wartime pressures, including operations to create suitable waterfront access, erection of temporary , a building, three seaplane ramps, a dirigible , and a hydrogenerator plant to support early infrastructure. The base's recorded its first naval flight on September 22, 1917, when Coast Guard Lt. Stanley Parker piloted a Curtiss N-9 , marking the onset of operational activities. The station was formally commissioned on December 18, 1917, with Lt. Parker assuming duties as the first . Initial flights focused on anti-submarine patrols, with seaplanes and blimps searching for German U-boats recharging batteries along the coast, pioneering naval 's role in convoy protection and . Training operations commenced on January 18, 1918, with the arrival of the first class of student flight officers, emphasizing proficiency for and missions. By the war's end, the station had trained more than 500 aviators, solidifying its reputation as one of the 's key centers during the conflict. These efforts contributed significantly to the development of U.S. naval air power, with graduates deploying to support anti-submarine warfare across the Atlantic and Gulf regions. Following the on November 11, 1918, decommissioning plans were initiated almost immediately, leading to the closure of the air station and shortly thereafter, with most personnel released and facilities dismantled or relocated. Only a small radio station at remained operational in the immediate postwar period.

Interwar and World War II (1919–1945)

Following , Naval Air Station Key West was decommissioned on June 15, 1920, with most facilities at Trumbo Point dismantled or relocated, though a small detachment maintained a radio station at . During the , the site saw limited use for occasional training exercises, reflecting the 's reduced aviation footprint amid budget constraints and shifting priorities. This intermittent activity built on the station's legacy of pilot instruction but remained minimal until escalating global tensions prompted renewed interest in the late . Amid rising threats from German submarine activity in the Atlantic, the Navy reactivated the base at Trumbo Point in November 1939, initially focusing on submarine operations and coastal patrols. The facility was officially redesignated as Naval Air Station Key West on December 15, 1940, as a seaplane station supporting Neutrality Patrols with PBY Catalina flying boats and escort vessels. By this time, the station hosted a PBY squadron for maritime reconnaissance, alongside a submarine base equipped with four destroyers and three submarines for antisubmarine warfare training via sound schools. With the entry of the into , NAS expanded rapidly to counter the German in the and , serving as a convoy assembly point and patrol hub. PBY Catalinas from the station conducted long-range antisubmarine patrols, contributing to Allied efforts that sank numerous German U-boats across the theater by the end of , marking the peak of defensive successes against Axis naval incursions. The base supported destroyer escorts and submarines through maintenance and operational coordination, while auxiliary fields like (acquired by the in ) hosted radar-equipped aircraft for enhanced detection. After the Japanese in December 1941, NAS implemented immediate defensive measures, including coastal fortifications such as gun emplacements and blackout protocols to obscure the harbor from reconnaissance. These steps complemented the station's growing training role; by 1944, it was qualifying thousands of pilots annually in carrier operations, torpedo bombing, and night fighting, with Marine squadrons practicing on SBD Dauntless dive bombers and PBJ Mitchells. Peak wartime staffing reached 15,000 personnel and dependents, underscoring the base's transformation into a vital node for in the Atlantic theater.

Cold War (1946–1991)

Following World War II, Naval Air Station Key West was retained as a key training facility due to its strategic proximity to and the , evolving into a hub for advanced operations amid rising tensions. Building on its wartime anti-submarine expertise, the base supported the transition to in the late 1940s and early 1950s, serving as a for fighter squadrons and hosting demonstrations by units like the . In the 1950s, the station expanded its defensive role with the addition of radar sites and systems, including batteries and HAWK missile installations such as KW-15 on Sugarloaf Key, KW-18, and KW-19, integrated with Missile Master and TSQ-51 command systems to counter potential aerial threats from Soviet-aligned forces in the region. The base played a pivotal role during the 1962 , becoming a forward operating center for U.S. military responses to Soviet missile deployments in . Reconnaissance flights from NAS , including low-level missions by RF-8 Crusaders, commenced on to support the naval and gather intelligence on missile sites, with the station housing the Air Reconnaissance Center and deploying an F-4D Phantom II squadron for enhanced surveillance and defense. HAWK missile units from the 6th Battalion, 65th Artillery arrived on and were operational by , bolstering air defenses alongside submarine tracking efforts. President visited the base on November 26, 1962, to inspect the HAWK deployments and present unit awards, underscoring 's frontline status in the crisis. In the 1970s, NAS Key West continued as a vital site for advanced , hosting squadron rotations for the A-6 Intruder through units like VA-42 until 1980, while the adjacent Naval Station Key West closed in 1974 amid post-Vietnam force reductions, allowing the air station to persist as the primary presence in the Keys. The base's HAWK and Nike sites remained active for regional defense until deactivation in 1979, supporting ongoing anti-Castro exercises. By the , the station shifted emphasis to adversary air , with VF-45 operating F-5 Tiger II to simulate enemy tactics for fleet pilots, enhancing combat readiness against potential Soviet or regional threats. NAS Key West also provided logistical support and staging for Operation Urgent Fury, the 1983 invasion of , leveraging its location for rapid deployment in the theater.

Post-Cold War and Present (1992–Present)

Following the end of the , adapted to new strategic priorities, including support for humanitarian and contingency operations. In 1994, the base served as a key staging location for airlift and operations in support of , the U.S.-led intervention to restore democracy in Haiti amid political instability. This role highlighted the station's logistical capabilities in the post-Soviet era, transitioning from large-scale deterrence missions to more focused expeditionary support. In 2003, NAS Key West was upgraded to full Naval Air Station status as part of (BRAC) recommendations, which realigned resources following the closure of other facilities like Naval Station Roosevelt Roads in . This elevation enhanced its role as a premier training hub, building briefly on its legacy of adversary air combat simulation. By the , the station had evolved into a leading site for air-to-air combat training across services, integrating the Tactical Combat Training System (TCTS) starting in 2006 to enable real-time tracking, recording, and debriefing of aerial maneuvers. The system's deployment at , the first Navy installation to receive it, supported advanced joint exercises leveraging the base's consistent flying weather—averaging over 300 clear days annually—for efficient, year-round operations. NAS Key West continues to host critical missions, including counternarcotics detection and monitoring through the Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATF South), which operates from the base to disrupt illicit drug trafficking in the via multinational partnerships. Recent infrastructure improvements, such as a $67.1 million squadron hangar completed in 2021 and a $16.8 million hangar roof replacement awarded in 2025, have bolstered and operational readiness. In 2025, the base hosted the Southernmost Air Spectacular on March 29–30, featuring U.S. Navy Blue Angels performances to showcase aviation capabilities. A occurred on May 30, with Capt. Colin Thompson relieving Capt. Beth Regoli as during a ceremony at Boca Chica Field. As of November 2025, the base maintains its role in joint training and missions with no major reported changes since the May ceremony.

Operations and Tenant Commands

Primary Training Missions

Naval Air Station Key West serves as a premier facility for air-to-air combat simulations, accommodating from all U.S. military services to enhance tactical proficiency in realistic scenarios. The base's advantageous year-round mild weather and proximity to expansive aerial ranges allow for consistent training with minimal disruptions, enabling pilots to practice maneuvers shortly after takeoff. These simulations have evolved from World War II-era aviation exercises to modern joint operations, focusing on integrated combat readiness across services. A key component of these missions involves adversary training conducted by "aggressor" squadrons, which employ Tiger II aircraft to replicate enemy tactics and threats. Operating from , these squadrons provide realistic opposition in exercises, helping operational units develop countermeasures against advanced adversaries without risking higher-value assets. Joint exercises at the station emphasize missile proficiency and support, exemplified by Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA(AW))-224's training with AIM-9 Sidewinders to maintain all-weather engagement capabilities. Additionally, the base supports U.S. Army through the Underwater Operations School, where personnel train in dive and reconnaissance techniques vital for in maritime environments. NAS Key West contributes to counternarcotics efforts by hosting Joint Interagency Task Force South, which coordinates aerial surveillance to detect and monitor illicit drug transits in the region. Complementing these aerial roles, the station offers pierside support for surface vessels during training evolutions, providing logistical and maintenance assistance to U.S. and allied naval ships to facilitate integrated surface-air operations.

Key Tenant Units

Fighter Squadron Composite 111 (VFC-111), known as the "Sundowners," is a U.S. Reserve adversary squadron based at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida, where it operates Northrop F-5N Tiger II aircraft to simulate enemy threats in exercises for and Marine Corps pilots. As part of the 's fleet adversary program, VFC-111 provides realistic opposition tactics to enhance operational readiness for fleet units deploying to the region. Strike Fighter Squadron 106 (VFA-106) maintains a permanent detachment at NAS Key West, serving as the Fleet Replacement Squadron for the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, where it conducts advanced pilot proficiency training in the station's unique tropical environment. The detachment supports carrier air wing transitions by focusing on weapons systems employment and carrier qualification in support of broader naval aviation readiness missions. Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATF South), headquartered at NAS Key West, directs U.S. Southern Command's counternarcotics efforts by coordinating multi-agency intelligence fusion and detection operations across Central and to interdict illicit drug trafficking. Established under Department of Defense authority, JIATF South integrates resources from military, , and international partners to support over 453 metric tons (over 1 million pounds) of disruptions in 2025. The U.S. Army Special Forces Underwater Operations School, located at NAS Key West under the Special Warfare Center and School, delivers the seven-week Combat Diver Qualification Course to train soldiers in advanced combat swimming, underwater navigation, and tactical insertion techniques for missions. This facility, operational since 1965, emphasizes mixed-gas diving and small-unit maritime infiltration to prepare divers for global deployment requirements. U.S. Coast Guard Sector Key West, co-located at NAS Key West, oversees , , and ports, waterways, and coastal security operations within a 55,000-square-mile area encompassing the and surrounding waters. The sector commands six Fast Response Cutters, multiple small boat stations, and aids-to-navigation teams to enforce federal laws, respond to maritime incidents, and protect vital economic interests in the region.

Facilities and Infrastructure

Main Airfield and Runways

The main airfield at Naval Air Station Key West, known as Boca Chica Field, is situated on Key, approximately 4 miles east of , , at coordinates 24°34'28.69"N 081°41'11.92"W and an elevation of 5.7 feet above mean . This facility serves as the primary operational hub for activities, supporting a range of operations in a controlled, private-use environment requiring prior permission for access. Boca Chica Field features three asphalt runways surfaced with porous friction course (PEM) material, designed to handle high-performance military aircraft. Runway 08/26 measures 10,001 feet by 200 feet, with a pavement classification number (PCN) of 53 and high-intensity runway lights for night and low-visibility operations. Runway 04/22 is 7,001 feet by 150 feet, with a PCN of 40 and similar lighting capabilities, while Runway 14/32 spans 7,000 feet by 150 feet, with a PCN of 47. These runways are interconnected by taxiways with stabilized overrun areas and concrete turn-up pads, enabling efficient ground movement and accommodating prevailing winds that favor primary use of Runway 08. The airfield supports operations for fighter jets, helicopters, and transport aircraft from various Department of Defense branches, including adversary tactics training with squadrons like VFC-111 using F-5 Tiger II jets against advanced platforms such as F/A-18 Super Hornets and F-35s. Annual flight operations include hundreds of sorties generated daily to maintain tactical aviation readiness for active and reserve units. In January 2025, a $72.4 million contract was awarded for airfield repairs, including resurfacing of runways and taxiways, with completion expected by January 2027. An on-site air traffic control tower, Navy Key West Tower, operates from 1200-0300Z daily, coordinating with Air Route Traffic Control Center and providing approach and departure services, including instrument meteorological condition (IMC) support for low-visibility scenarios. procedures, including precision and non-precision options, facilitate safe recoveries during reduced visibility, essential for tenant commands conducting advanced pilot proficiency missions. Fueling infrastructure includes JP-5 (Jet Propellant 5) storage and delivery systems available from 1100-0400Z Monday through and 1400-0000Z on , managed through government-owned, contractor-operated facilities to support extended sorties. Maintenance capabilities encompass basic services and upkeep, with specialized contracts ensuring operational continuity for transient without full or powerplant overhauls on site.

Support and Training Facilities

The support and maintenance infrastructure at Naval Air Station (NAS) Key West includes specialized hangars and bays designed to service F-5 Tiger II and F/A-18 Hornet aircraft used in adversary training roles. The Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE) Detachment Key West provides comprehensive repairs for F-5, H-60, and F/A-18 weapon systems, life support equipment, and calibration services, supporting the operational readiness of these aircraft. Additionally, contractor logistics support handles maintenance for F-5 aircraft, including those operated by tenant squadrons at NAS Key West. In the 2020s, a new aircraft maintenance hangar was constructed to replace an existing facility, primarily housing Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 106's Key West Detachment F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and adversary aircraft; this $67.1 million project enhances multi-mission capabilities and integrates directly with the main airfield for efficient operations. A key component of the training infrastructure is the Tactical Training System (TCTS), which enables real-time tracking and recording of aerial maneuvers for detailed post-flight debriefings. Installed at NAS since 2006 as the P5 Training System/TCTS, it supports air-to-air simulations by providing precise data on positions, speeds, and tactics, akin to systems featured in aviation training scenarios. This system enhances training realism across joint exercises, allowing pilots to analyze engagements and refine adversary tactics without compromising operational security. Ground-based training facilities complement aerial operations through simulation centers and dedicated classrooms focused on adversary tactics instruction. These spaces facilitate briefings, , and virtual threat simulations for pilots and , drawing on TCTS to teach effective enemy force presentation and countermeasures. Personnel support includes bachelor quarters for unaccompanied service members, equipped with basic furnishings excluding televisions, alongside dining facilities such as the Fly Away Cafe offering daily meals. (MWR) amenities, including the Fitness Center, Airlanes Bowling Center, and Sunset Lounge Bar & Grill, promote well-being for over 5,000 active-duty, reserve, and civilian personnel stationed or visiting the base.

Auxiliary Annexes

Truman Annex

The Truman Annex, a 43-acre historic site in , , was originally part of the U.S. Navy's operations dating back to the early and served as a key during and a sonar training facility during . It was formally named the in 1973, honoring President , who made multiple visits to the site between 1946 and 1952 for rest and work, including his first trip in November 1946 at the recommendation of Admiral Chester Nimitz. Following the Navy's decommissioning of the Naval Station Key West in 1974, much of the surplus property was transferred to the General Services Administration between 1973 and 1977, with the City of establishing the Truman Annex Development Corporation to oversee redevelopment into a mixed-use area blending residential, commercial, and recreational spaces. Despite this transition, the Navy retained control over select portions, including the North Mole for ship berthing and limited waterfront facilities, ensuring ongoing federal uses amid the site's partial integration into civilian development. Today, the annex supports personnel through family housing for service members ranked E6-E9 and officers O6-O9, as well as DoD employees, in addition to administrative functions such as serving as the for the Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATF-South). Its waterfront location provides scenic views and limited opportunities for training, including vessel operations, alongside recreational amenities like a sandy beach accessible to . The , originally constructed in 1890 as officers' quarters within the annex, operates as a preserving the president's legacy through exhibits, artifacts, and guided tours that highlight his time there and Key West's . Tourist access is available daily via reservations, with protocols including timed entry, security checks, and options for group tours through local services like the Old Town Trolley, though visits may be subject to updates for maintenance or events.

Trumbo Point and Sigsbee Annexes

Trumbo Point Annex covers approximately 140 acres on the northern side of and functions as a logistical and recreational support area for Naval Air Station Key West, originally developed as a in 1908 and later serving as an early naval air facility for seaplanes. It hosts the U.S. Sector Key West, along with vacation lodging, a campground with dry and pull-through sites, and picnic areas that support visiting personnel and leisure activities. These facilities contribute to the annex's role in accommodating transient maritime and air operations, including historical pier infrastructure that once supported ferry and naval vessel traffic. Sigsbee Park Annex, located adjacent to Trumbo Point, primarily provides family housing for active duty Navy personnel, with approximately 521 units (as of 2024, following the 2021 demolition of 166 older units) offering a range of two- to four-bedroom options equipped with modern amenities like water views and laundry connections. In March 2025, military families filed a lawsuit against the housing management company, citing severe maintenance issues including mold and asbestos exposure. The annex includes a marina for boat, kayak, and snorkel rentals, as well as recreational fields, a community center, Navy Exchange, commissary, and fitness support center to foster morale and quality of life for over 1,000 residents and their families. In September 2020, a security patrol vehicle struck and killed an Army soldier at the annex entrance, highlighting ongoing safety protocols in the area. Together, Trumbo Point and Sigsbee Annexes bolster logistics and housing for numerous tenant commands at NAS Key West, enabling support for joint training exercises and operations involving units such as visiting Naval Mobile Construction Battalions. Environmental management at these urban-encroached sites emphasizes mangrove preservation, with basin-type mangrove forests maintained as critical coastal wetlands under the installation's Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan to mitigate habitat loss and support biodiversity.

Accidents and Incidents

Pre-2000 Incidents

One of the earliest major incidents associated with (NAS) occurred on April 25, 1951, when a U.S. SNB-1 Kansan training aircraft, operating out of the base on an instrument flight, collided mid-air with Flight 493, a en route from to . The collision took place approximately 1.5 miles west of the naval station in clear weather conditions, resulting in both aircraft crashing into the ocean and killing all 43 people aboard, including 4 Navy crew members and 39 passengers and crew on the . The investigation attributed the accident to the Navy pilot's failure to see and avoid the airliner during a turn, highlighting early challenges in air traffic coordination near the base. In the 1960s, NAS Key West's role intensified amid Cold War tensions, particularly during the Cuban Missile Crisis, when the base hosted surged deployments of patrol squadrons for maritime surveillance and anti-submarine training flights over the Florida Straits. The increased flight activity, involving newly introduced P-3 Orions for blockade patrols, underscored the risks of low-level operations in contested airspace close to . The 1970s brought advanced fighter training to NAS Key West, where the base's runways simulated carrier deck operations for F-14 Tomcat squadrons qualifying for deployments. The Tomcat's challenging handling characteristics during early fleet integration were addressed through repeated practice at venues like . Adversary air training at NAS Key West in the 1980s frequently involved F-5 Tiger II aircraft from composite squadrons mimicking enemy tactics against U.S. fighters. Such incidents, while emphasizing the value of systems like the units, prompted refinements in training protocols to balance realism with safety. On February 11, 1991, a U.S. A-4E Skyhawk (BuNo 152004) assigned to VF-45 crashed during training at NAS Key West, resulting in the aircraft being written off. By the , NAS Key West's safety record showed marked improvements, attributed in part to radar system upgrades that enhanced and collision avoidance. The AN/FPS-67B long-range surveillance radar had been installed in 1966, followed by its phase-out and replacement with an ARSR-4 between 1996 and 1999. These technological advancements contributed to a decline in incident rates, reflecting broader efforts to mitigate hazards from the base's evolution into a joint training hub.

Post-2000 Incidents

On September 14, 2020, a crash occurred at the Sigsbee Annex of Naval Air Station Key West during a routine security patrol, resulting in the death of U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Delgado Ortiz and injuries to a civilian employee. The incident involved a security patrol truck striking the soldier at the entrance gate, with investigations focusing on operational protocols for base security s. On March 14, 2018, a U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet (BuNo 166683) assigned to crashed on to NAS , approximately one mile east of the runway, killing both pilots, Lt. Sean L. Snyder and Lt. Benjamin J. Chisholm. The aircraft experienced an engine failure and fire while on one engine. On May 31, 2023, a U.S. Navy F-5N Tiger II aircraft assigned to Fighter Squadron Composite 111 crashed approximately 25 miles offshore from Naval Air Station during a routine training flight, with the pilot ejecting safely and being rescued by helicopter without further injuries or fatalities. Post-incident reviews emphasized factors such as weather conditions and adherence to training protocols, leading to reinforced safety measures for adversary air training operations. From 2024 through November 2025, no major aircraft losses have been reported at Naval Air Station Key West, though minor bird strikes have continued during exercises, managed through established wildlife hazard mitigation programs like runway monitoring and habitat control. These investigations often highlight the role of protocols and environmental factors in incident prevention, contributing to safety enhancements such as upgraded ejection systems, including the Mk US16J seat used successfully in the 2023 event. This contemporary focus on risk mitigation builds on the legacy of pre-2000 aviation risks by incorporating advanced technology and procedural updates.

Environmental and Sustainability

Climate Change Vulnerabilities

Naval Air Station (NAS) faces significant vulnerabilities from , with projections indicating that high tides could inundate 70% to 95% of the station's land area by 2100 under intermediate to high emissions scenarios. This threat is compounded by current conditions, where the installation already experiences approximately 25 to 30 days of high-tide () flooding annually as of 2024, primarily during king tides, which disrupt operations and infrastructure. These projections stem from analyses incorporating global sea-level rise estimates of 3.8 to 6.2 feet by century's end, highlighting the station's low-lying geography in the as particularly susceptible. Intensified hurricanes pose another acute risk, with expected to increase heights and intensity. in 2017 exemplified this vulnerability, causing extensive water damage to NAS Key West facilities, including operational hangars and supporting infrastructure, while leading to widespread power outages and disruptions across the base. Auxiliary annexes are especially exposed; for instance, Sigsbee Park housing was evacuated in 2022 due to higher-than-expected from , underscoring its low elevation and proximity to coastal waters as key factors in surge-related flooding risks. The Department of Defense has identified NAS Key West as one of the most vulnerable installations to impacts, consistent with assessments in the 2024–2027 Climate Adaptation Plan, which emphasizes coastal bases in high-risk regions like the Southeast for sea-level rise and storm exposure. Beyond physical infrastructure, these changes affect training missions, with rising temperatures exacerbating heat stress on personnel—potentially delaying exercises and increasing risks of heat-related illnesses, as seen in broader DoD reports on bases. Additionally, heightened humidity and salt exposure from warmer, wetter conditions accelerate aircraft , particularly in the station's marine environment, further straining and readiness.

Mitigation and Restoration Projects

The Airfield Environmental Mitigation Project at (NAS) Key West focuses on restoring and enhancing approximately 900 acres of wetlands and surface waters across seven sites on Field, Geiger Key, and Rockland Key, with efforts initiated in 2012 to offset environmental impacts from airfield development and improve habitat resilience. This initiative includes monitoring tidal flushing and nutrient cycling to support native ecosystems, aligning with broader wetland restoration goals in the region. Under the Florida Keys Coastal Storm Risk Management plan finalized in 2021, NAS Key West is implementing dry floodproofing measures for 53 buildings identified as vulnerable to coastal storm damage, aiming to reduce flood-related disruptions and enhance operational continuity. These nonstructural adaptations involve elevating utilities and sealing structures against water intrusion, contributing to the overall resilience of military assets in the . For the 2025 NAS Key West Air Show held on March 29-30, environmental assessments conducted under the (NEPA) evaluated and minimized potential impacts such as noise, air emissions, and habitat disturbance from aircraft operations and spectator activities. These reviews ensure compliance with federal environmental standards while supporting events. NAS Key West collaborates with the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary on boundary expansions and marine zone updates outlined in NOAA's January 2025 regulations, which increase the sanctuary's protected area from 3,800 to 4,539 square miles and add 37 new zones to safeguard coral reefs and adjacent to naval operations. This partnership facilitates coordinated management of overlapping marine environments, reducing conflicts between military training and conservation priorities. Sustainability initiatives at NAS Key West emphasize base resilience through , including solar photovoltaic installations under the Department of Defense's Energy Resilience and Conservation Investment Program, and waste reduction strategies that minimize solid and generation. These efforts, such as pollution prevention and programs, lower the environmental footprint and support long-term operational amid climate pressures.

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