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History of NAS Moffett Field

Naval Air Station (NAS) Moffett Field, located in Sunnyvale, California, was commissioned in 1933 as a key base for the U.S. Navy's airship program, famously housing the USS Macon in its massive Hangar One. During World War II, the station shifted focus to supporting anti-submarine patrols, training, and operations for Navy blimps and fixed-wing aircraft. After the war, NAS Moffett Field became home to various patrol squadrons flying P-3 Orion aircraft, playing a critical role in maritime surveillance during the Cold War. In 1994, the base was closed as an active naval installation and transferred to NASA, though elements of the Navy and other federal agencies continue to operate there today.

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ABOUT NAS Moffett Field

  • Historic Beginnings (1931): NAS Moffett Field was commissioned on April 12, 1933, originally intended as a base for the U.S. Navy’s airship program, including the famous USS Macon (ZRS-5).
  • Hangar One: The iconic Hangar One, completed in 1933, is one of the world’s largest freestanding structures, covering 8 acres and is visible from miles away.
  • USS Macon Tragedy: The USS Macon, one of only two U.S. Navy rigid airships, was based at Moffett Field and crashed off the California coast in 1935, ending the Navy’s airship era.
  • World War II Operations: During World War II, Moffett Field was heavily used for anti-submarine blimp and patrol plane operations along the Pacific Coast.
  • Transition to Jet Age: Post-WWII, the base transitioned to support jet aircraft and became home to Navy patrol squadrons flying P-2 Neptunes and later P-3 Orions.
  • Astronaut Training: NASA Ames Research Center, established adjacent to Moffett Field in 1939, helped train astronauts for space missions, especially during the Apollo era.
  • Cold War Role: The base played a strategic role during the Cold War, monitoring Soviet submarines and supporting Pacific Fleet operations.
  • Closure as Military Base (1994): NAS Moffett Field officially closed as a Navy base in 1994, with operations transferred to NASA, though some military activities continue.
  • Presidential Visits: The airfield has hosted several U.S. Presidents and foreign dignitaries, including Air Force One landings.
  • Modern Use and Preservation: Today, the site is managed by NASA and is home to research, technology, and museum activities, with Hangar One being a focus of preservation efforts and Silicon Valley innovation.

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