NAS Chase Field

Naval Air Station (NAS) Chase Field was established in 1943 near Beeville, Texas, as a pilot training facility during World War II. Originally designed to support the U.S. Navy’s need for more aviators, Chase Field played a key role in training naval aviators during the war and continued its mission through the Korean and Vietnam War eras. The base specialized in advanced jet training, notably hosting Training Air Wing Three and serving as a home for various training squadrons. NAS Chase Field remained a critical part of naval aviation training until its closure in 1993 as part of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process.