NAS Glenview

• World War II Origins: NAS Glenview (Naval Air Station Glenview) was commissioned in 1942 and served as a major training base for naval aviators during World War II. • Lake Michigan Aircraft Carriers: During WWII, pilots trained for carrier landings and takeoffs on two converted paddle-wheel ships, USS Wolverine and USS Sable, operating out of NAS Glenview on Lake Michigan. • Aircraft Recovery: Many aircraft that crashed into Lake Michigan during carrier qualification exercises out of Glenview have been recovered and restored, some now displayed at museums, including the National Naval Aviation Museum. • Presidential Visits: NAS Glenview hosted President George H.W. Bush, himself a WWII naval aviator, on several occasions. • Blue Angels Performances: The Blue Angels, the Navy's flight demonstration squadron, performed at NAS Glenview airshows multiple times, thrilling Chicago-area crowds. • Cold War Role: During the Cold War, the base was home to a Naval Air Reserve, Marine Air Reserve, and Coast Guard Air Station, playing a key role in regional air defense and search-and-rescue operations. • O’Hare Link: NAS Glenview was sometimes referred to as "Chicago’s second airport" before the rise of O'Hare International Airport as a major hub. • Home to Blimps: During its history, the air station also operated blimps for anti-submarine patrols and training, a unique sight over the Midwest. • Closure and Redevelopment: The base was formally closed by the BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure) process in 1995, and the area was redeveloped into "The Glen," a mixed-use community, with some historic structures preserved. • Naval Air Station Glenview Museum: The original control tower and a hangar were saved and now house the Glenview Hangar One Museum, preserving the legacy and stories of the base.