About this Unit
Naval Air Station Olathe (NAS Olathe), located near Gardner, Kansas, was commissioned in October 1942 as a Naval Reserve Air Base during World War II. Its primary mission was to provide advanced flight training to naval aviators and facilitate operations for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, including training for carrier landings using nearby auxiliary fields. After the war, NAS Olathe became a key center for Naval Air Reserve and Marine Air Reserve units, supporting both Cold War readiness and active training missions. The station continued operations until its closure in 1969, after which the site transitioned to civilian use as the New Century AirCenter.
Historical Facts
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World War II Origins: NAS Olathe was commissioned in October 1942 as a Naval Air Station during World War II, serving as a training base for naval aviators and support personnel.
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Primary Training Hub: The base was a crucial site for primary flight training, especially for pilots learning to fly carrier-based aircraft, including the famed Grumman F6F Hellcat and other Navy planes.
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Location: Located near Gardner, Kansas, about 20 miles southwest of Kansas City, the base was strategically placed inland, away from coastal threats during the war.
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Postwar Role: After WWII, NAS Olathe continued operations, becoming a center for Naval Reserve and Marine Corps Reserve aviation training.
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Naval Air Technical Training Unit (NATTU): From 1951 to 1957, the station was home to the NATTU, which trained thousands of aviation technicians and support staff.
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Radar Station: The base hosted the Olathe Air Force Station, part of the Air Defense Command, with radar and control facilities during the Cold War to guard against Soviet air threats.
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Blue Angels: The legendary U.S. Navy Blue Angels flight demonstration squadron performed at NAS Olathe on several occasions, thrilling thousands of spectators.
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NASA Connection: Mercury astronaut John Glenn trained at NAS Olathe as a Marine Corps pilot, making the base a small but notable part of the early space program's history.
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Decommissioning: The base was officially closed in 1969 due to defense cutbacks, and much of the land was transferred for civilian use, becoming the New Century AirCenter and Johnson County Industrial Airport.
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Historic Legacy: Several original buildings, including hangars and the control tower, are still in use today, and the site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its World War II significance.
