NAS Grosse Ile, Michigan

• 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. • 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. • 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. • 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. • 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. • 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. • 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. • Unique "Grosse Ile Goose" Patch: The station's mascot was the "Grosse Ile Goose," featured prominently on its unit patches and emblems. • 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. • 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.