Glenview Naval Air Station

Glenview Naval Air Station, located in Glenview, Illinois, was commissioned in 1937 as a key facility for the U.S. Navy's aviation training and operations. During World War II, the station became a crucial site for the training of naval aviators, including carrier qualification exercises on Lake Michigan using converted paddle-wheel carriers. Throughout the Cold War, Glenview served as a hub for Naval Air Reserve and Marine Air Reserve units, supporting both peacetime and mobilization missions. The base was officially closed in 1995 as part of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process, with its facilities eventually repurposed for civilian use.