About this Unit
Naval Air Station (NAS) Alameda, located on Alameda Island in San Francisco Bay, was commissioned in 1940 as a key United States Navy airfield. During World War II, NAS Alameda played a crucial role as a center for the assembly, repair, and deployment of naval aircraft and supported major Pacific Theater operations. In the Cold War era, the station continued to serve as a hub for aviation squadrons, including hosting aircraft carriers and providing logistics and maintenance for fleet operations. The base remained active until its closure in 1997 as part of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) program, but its legacy as a pivotal West Coast naval aviation facility endures.
Historical Facts
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Establishment during World War II: Naval Air Station Alameda (NAS Alameda) was commissioned on November 1, 1940, and rapidly expanded to support the U.S. Navy during World War II, serving as a vital hub for aircraft assembly, repair, and deployment in the Pacific Theater.
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Aircraft Carrier Homeport: NAS Alameda was famously homeport to several aircraft carriers, including the USS Hornet (CV-12) and USS Enterprise (CVN-65), making it a key player in U.S. naval aviation history.
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Role in the Doolittle Raid: In April 1942, the USS Hornet departed NAS Alameda carrying the B-25 bombers used in the historic Doolittle Raid, the first air raid on the Japanese Home Islands during World War II.
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Major Ship and Aircraft Maintenance Hub: The base was a major center for the overhaul and maintenance of Navy aircraft, including the PBY Catalina, F4F Wildcat, and SBD Dauntless, and later jet aircraft throughout the Cold War.
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Cold War and Vietnam Era Significance: NAS Alameda was crucial during the Cold War and Vietnam War, supporting carrier groups, anti-submarine warfare, and rapid deployment operations across the Pacific.
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Apollo Splashdown Recoveries: Ships homeported at NAS Alameda participated in the recovery of Apollo astronauts after splashdowns, including the USS Hornet, which recovered crews from Apollo 11 and Apollo 12.
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Hollywood Connections: The base and its ships appeared in various films and TV shows, notably the USS Hornet in "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home" (1986), where it doubled as the USS Enterprise aircraft carrier.
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Environmental Legacy: NAS Alameda was designated a Superfund site after closure due to contamination from decades of naval operations, sparking ongoing cleanup and redevelopment efforts.
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Base Closure and Reuse: NAS Alameda was closed in 1997 under the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process. The site is now being redeveloped as Alameda Point, but retains historic hangars and the USS Hornet Museum.
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The USS Hornet Museum: The preserved USS Hornet (CV-12), now a National Historic Landmark and museum at the former NAS Alameda, honors naval aviation history and serves as an educational and memorial site, attracting thousands of visitors annually.
