NAS Key West FL

• Established in 1917: Naval Air Station Key West was first established during World War I, making it one of the oldest naval air stations in the United States. • World War II Expansion: During World War II, the base expanded rapidly to become a major training and anti-submarine warfare center, protecting shipping lanes from German U-boats. • Cuban Missile Crisis Role: NAS Key West played a pivotal role during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis as a forward operating base for reconnaissance and surveillance flights over Cuba. • John F. Kennedy Visits: President John F. Kennedy visited Key West several times, including during the Cuban Missile Crisis, emphasizing the strategic importance of the station. • Home of the "Conch Republic": The base is closely tied to the unique local culture of Key West, sometimes humorously referred to as the "Conch Republic." • Top Gun Training: NAS Key West is renowned for its air combat training facilities, especially for fighter pilots, and is a regular site for dissimilar air combat training, similar to "Top Gun." • Joint Interagency Task Force South: The base hosts the Joint Interagency Task Force South, a major command combating illicit trafficking in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. • Unique Geography: Its location at the southernmost tip of the continental U.S. gives pilots access to vast over-water training airspace, making it ideal for advanced flight operations. • Hurricane Resilience: Despite being in a hurricane-prone region, the base has repeatedly bounced back from major storms, including Hurricane Irma in 2017. • International Training: NAS Key West frequently hosts allied and partner-nation air forces for joint exercises, making it a hub of international military cooperation.