About this Unit
Naval Air Station (NAS) Grosse Ile, located on Grosse Ile in Michigan, was commissioned in 1929 as a Naval Reserve Air Base to train naval aviators. During World War II, the station expanded significantly, serving as a primary training center for Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard pilots, including those flying aircraft such as the Wildcat, Corsair, and Avenger. After the war, NAS Grosse Ile continued to support reserve aviation activities and anti-submarine warfare training during the early Cold War period. The base was eventually closed in 1969, with its facilities later repurposed for civilian use as Grosse Ile Municipal Airport.
Historical Facts
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Origins in World War I: The site that became Naval Air Station Grosse Ile (NAS Grosse Ile) first served as a seaplane base for the US Navy in 1929, but its military aviation roots trace back to World War I with naval air training in the Detroit area.
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Key WWII Training Center: NAS Grosse Ile was one of the most important US Navy pilot training centers during World War II, training over 5,000 pilots between 1941 and 1945.
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Home to the "Hell Divers": The station became famous for the Curtiss SB2C Helldiver dive bombers, which were flown and maintained there for training purposes.
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WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service): NAS Grosse Ile was one of the first naval air stations to host WAVES, with women serving as air traffic controllers, mechanics, and administrative staff during WWII.
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Blimp Operations: During WWII, the station operated K-class blimps for anti-submarine patrols over the Great Lakes, helping to safeguard vital shipping lanes from German U-boats.
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President George H. W. Bush Trained Here: The future president and WWII naval aviator, George H. W. Bush, completed part of his ground school training at NAS Grosse Ile in 1943.
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Postwar Cold War Mission: After WWII, the base became a center for Naval Reserve and Marine Corps Reserve aviation, supporting anti-submarine warfare and training through the 1960s.
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Unique "Grosse Ile Goose" Patch: The station's mascot was the "Grosse Ile Goose," featured prominently on its unit patches and emblems.
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Closure and Legacy: NAS Grosse Ile was closed in 1969 as part of a nationwide round of military base closures. The site now serves as Grosse Ile Municipal Airport, but several original hangars and military buildings still stand as a reminder of its history.
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Restoration and Museums: The Grosse Ile Historical Society maintains exhibits and archives on the base's history, including restored aircraft and memorabilia, preserving its legacy for future generations.
