Organization
NAS North Island also operates two other airfields in the Southern California region. One is Naval Auxiliary Landing Facility (NALF) San Clemente Island, located approximately 70 miles northwest of San Diego in the Channel Islands. The other is Outlying Field (OLF) Imperial Beach. Formerly an independent naval air station, OLF Imperial Beach is located in the city of Imperial Beach, on the U.S.-Mexico border, 10 miles south of NAS North Island. The air station was formerly known as Ream Field in 1950's and 1960s.
NAS North Island resembles a small city in its facility content and its operations. It has its own police and fire departments, as well as advanced military security stations. It has large factory-type buildings which comprise the Naval Aviation Depot, employing 3,300 civilians, and its own commissary, Navy Exchange, and housing units. Recreation facilities include officer, chief petty officer and enlisted clubs, movie theater, golf course, tennis courts, bowling alley, parks and beaches.
Its airfield has over 230 stationed aircraft, and its quay wall is homeport to two aircraft carriers: USS Carl Vinson and USS Ronald Reagan. Additionally, the base is home to the Navy's only Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicles, Mystic (DSRV-1) and Avalon (DSRV-2). The DSRV motor vessel support ships are also homeported here.
North Island is headquarters for four major military flag staffs including:
- Commander, Naval Air Forces (COMNAVAIRFOR or CNAF), responsible for maintenance and training of all naval aircraft and aircraft carriers in the Atlantic Fleet, Pacific Fleet, the Naval Air Reserve, and the Naval Air Training Command
- Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMNAVAIRPAC or CNAP), responsible for maintenance and training of all naval aircraft and aircraft carriers in the Pacific Fleet...this is a dual-hatted post in that it is concurrently held by the Commander, Naval Air Forces
- Commander, Carrier Strike Group One and Commander, Carrier Strike Group Seven
- Commander Cruiser Destroyer Group One
With all the ships in port, the population of the station is nearly 35,000 active duty military, selected reserve military, and civilian personnel. DOD Contractors perform transportation flights from the air station to NALF San Clemente Island. These DOD Contractors also provide tactical training warfare for the United States Defense Department in joint efforts with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps. Some of these aircraft include C-26 Metroliner, Learjet, and Gulfstream aircraft.
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