About this Unit
Naval Air Station Lakehurst, located in New Jersey, was established in 1921 as a key site for the United States Navy’s lighter-than-air program. The base gained historical significance as the location of the Hindenburg disaster in 1937, when the German airship caught fire while attempting to land. Throughout World War II, NAS Lakehurst served as a major center for blimp operations, anti-submarine patrols, and airship training. In the postwar era, the station transitioned to support Naval aviation testing and aircraft launch and recovery systems, remaining a vital component of Navy research and development.
Historical Facts
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Historic Beginnings: Naval Air Station Lakehurst was established in 1921 as a center for airship operations and soon became the primary hub for U.S. Navy lighter-than-air (LTA) activities.
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Hindenburg Disaster: On May 6, 1937, NAS Lakehurst was the site of the infamous Hindenburg disaster, when the German passenger airship LZ 129 Hindenburg caught fire and was destroyed while attempting to dock, resulting in 36 fatalities.
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Largest Hangar: Lakehurst's Hangar One, built in 1921, is one of the world's largest freestanding wooden structures, designed to accommodate massive airships such as the USS Shenandoah.
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Airship Innovation: The base was crucial in the development and testing of several U.S. Navy airships, including the USS Akron and USS Macon, both of which served as flying aircraft carriers.
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World War II Role: During WWII, NAS Lakehurst served as a training and operations center for anti-submarine blimps, which patrolled the Atlantic coast to protect shipping from German U-boats.
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Catapult and Arresting Gear Testing: Lakehurst is renowned for its Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment (ALRE) testing facilities, vital for the development of steam catapults and arresting gear used on aircraft carriers.
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Joint Base Integration: In 2009, NAS Lakehurst was combined with McGuire Air Force Base and Fort Dix to form Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, one of the largest military installations in the U.S.
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Presidential Visits: In the 1930s and 1940s, the base was visited by several notable figures, including President Herbert Hoover, who observed airship operations.
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Ghost Stories: NAS Lakehurst is rumored to be haunted, with tales of apparitions and unexplained phenomena, especially in Hangar One and the surrounding airfield, attributed to the Hindenburg disaster and other accidents.
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Modern Mission: Today, the base supports a variety of missions, including Navy engineering, aviation testing, and serves as a vital logistics and support hub for the U.S. military.
