nas beeville texas

Naval Air Station (NAS) Beeville, located near Beeville, Texas, was established in 1943 during World War II to serve as a training base for naval aviators. Originally known as Chase Field, the facility played a key role in training pilots for carrier-based operations, particularly jet aircraft, during the Cold War era. Reactivated in 1952, NAS Beeville became renowned for its advanced jet training programs, including those for the Navy's A-4 Skyhawk and TA-4J aircraft. The base operated until its closure in 1992, after which the site was repurposed for civilian use, but its legacy as a premier naval aviation training center remains significant in U.S. military history.