About this Unit
Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base (NAS JRB) Fort Worth, located in Fort Worth, Texas, was established in 1994 on the former site of Carswell Air Force Base, which dates back to 1942. The installation was created to support joint operations for Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Army Reserve units, making it one of the first joint reserve bases in the United States. Throughout its history, NAS JRB Fort Worth has played a vital role in training and supporting reserve and active-duty forces, including providing logistical and operational support for overseas contingencies. Today, the base continues to serve as a key military facility, hosting tenant commands such as the Navy’s Strike Fighter Squadron 112 and the Air Force Reserve’s 301st Fighter Wing.
Historical Facts
• Origins as Army Airfield: NAS JRB Fort Worth originally opened in 1942 as Tarrant Field Airdrome, later renamed Fort Worth Army Air Field, serving as a major training base during World War II.
• Home to Iconic Aircraft: The base has produced and hosted legendary aircraft, including the B-24 Liberator bomber during WWII, and later, the B-36 Peacemaker—the largest mass-produced piston-engine aircraft ever built.
• Convair and Lockheed Martin Legacy: Adjacent to the base is the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics facility (formerly Convair), where thousands of military aircraft, such as the F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-35 Lightning II, have been built and tested.
• Transition to Joint Reserve Base: In 1994, the base was redesignated as Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth—the first joint reserve base in the United States, supporting Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Army, and Texas Air National Guard units.
• VIP Visitors: Over the decades, the base has hosted numerous distinguished guests, including President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who visited during WWII to review aircraft production and military readiness.
• Historic Control Tower: The original WWII-era control tower, still standing today, is a local historic landmark and reminder of the base’s legacy.
• Strategic Location: NAS JRB Fort Worth is uniquely situated within the city limits of Fort Worth, Texas, making it one of the few active military airfields located inside a major metropolitan area.
• Support for Disaster Relief: The base has repeatedly served as a staging area for disaster response operations, including Hurricane Katrina and other emergencies across the region.
• Home to the “Lone Star Guardians”: The 136th Airlift Wing, Texas Air National Guard, operates from NAS JRB Fort Worth, flying C-130 Hercules aircraft on missions worldwide.
• Community Engagement: The base regularly hosts airshows, educational programs, and community events, strengthening ties between the military and North Texas residents.
