NAS Kodak, AK

• Establishment: Naval Air Station (NAS) Kodiak, Alaska, was commissioned in 1941, just months before the United States entered World War II, as a key naval air facility in the North Pacific. • World War II Role: NAS Kodiak played a crucial role during WWII, serving as a base for patrol bombers and seaplanes that conducted anti-submarine and reconnaissance missions in the North Pacific and Aleutian Islands. • Alaska's Largest Naval Base: At its peak, NAS Kodiak was the largest naval base in Alaska, housing thousands of personnel and supporting major operations throughout the Aleutian Campaign. • Aleutian Campaign: Aircraft from NAS Kodiak supported the Battle of the Aleutian Islands, helping to repel Japanese forces from American soil in one of the few WWII campaigns fought on U.S. territory. • Blizzard of 1943: In 1943, NAS Kodiak endured one of the worst blizzards in Alaskan history, with hurricane-force winds, causing significant damage to facilities and aircraft. • Seaplane Base: The base included a large seaplane ramp and facilities for PBY Catalina flying boats, which patrolled the vast, icy waters surrounding Alaska. • Cold War Transition: After WWII, NAS Kodiak remained active during the Cold War as a key listening post and refueling station for aircraft monitoring Soviet activities in the North Pacific. • Coast Guard Takeover: In 1972, the U.S. Navy transferred control of the base to the U.S. Coast Guard, which now operates it as Coast Guard Base Kodiak, one of the largest Coast Guard bases in the world. • Historic Structures: Several original WWII-era buildings and bunkers still stand on the base, and parts of NAS Kodiak are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. • Famous Rescue Missions: The base has been the launching point for numerous dramatic search and rescue missions in the harsh Alaskan environment, earning a reputation for heroism and service.