About this Unit
Naval Auxiliary Landing Field (NALF) San Clemente Island, located off the coast of Southern California, has served as a vital training and testing site for the U.S. Navy since its establishment during World War II. Originally constructed in the early 1940s, the airfield provided a remote environment for carrier landing practice and weapons testing, away from populated areas. Over the decades, NALF San Clemente Island has supported a wide range of military operations, including aviation training, amphibious exercises, and special warfare training. Today, it remains a key component of the Navy’s Pacific training complex, hosting joint exercises and supporting fleet readiness.
Historical Facts
• Strategic Location: NALF San Clemente Island (Naval Auxiliary Landing Field San Clemente Island) is situated about 55 nautical miles off the coast of Southern California, making it the southernmost of California’s Channel Islands and an ideal site for naval training and operations.
• World War II Origins: The island was taken over by the U.S. Navy in 1934 and established as a major training ground during World War II, used extensively for gunnery, bombing, and amphibious assault practice.
• Largest Military Training Range in the Pacific: San Clemente Island is the primary naval training range for the Pacific Fleet, supporting training for ships, submarines, aircraft, and ground forces.
• SEAL Training: The island is one of the key locations for the final phase of the Navy SEALs’ Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training, known as “The Island,” where advanced tactics and live-fire exercises are conducted.
• Unique Runway: NALF San Clemente Island features a single, 9,300-foot runway (Runway 24/06), one of the longest in Southern California, which supports a variety of aircraft, from helicopters to F/A-18 Hornets.
• Environmental Stewardship: The island is home to several endangered species, such as the San Clemente Island fox and loggerhead shrike. The Navy manages conservation programs alongside military activities.
• Live Fire Operations: The surrounding waters and land serve as live-fire ranges for naval gunfire, missile exercises, and amphibious landings, making it one of the few places in the U.S. where such training is regularly conducted.
• Historical Shipwrecks: The waters around San Clemente Island contain the wrecks of several ships used as targets and sunk during training exercises, which are now popular among divers and marine researchers.
• Communications and Surveillance: The island hosts advanced radar and communication facilities, supporting both military operations and scientific research, including missile tracking and space surveillance.
• Hollywood Connection: San Clemente Island has been used as a filming location for military-themed movies and documentaries, serving as a stand-in for remote or hostile territories due to its rugged terrain and restricted access.
