Naval Air Station Pasco

Naval Air Station Pasco was a United States Navy air station located 2 miles (3 km) northwest of Pasco, in Franklin County, Washington, USA. After the war, it was redeveloped into Tri-Cities Airport. One of its auxiliary airfields became Vista Field in Kennewick, but was closed in 2013.

Naval Air Station Pasco
Summary
Airport typeMilitary
OwnerUnited States Navy
LocationTri-Cities, Washington
Elevation AMSL407 ft / 124.1 m
Coordinates46°15′52.84″N 119°07′08.5″W

History

The United States Navy built a naval air training station in the early 1940s at the site of Pasco Airport for World War II. During the first part of the war, the field was used to train beginning pilots for combat training. During the last half of the war, the mission shifted to training established pilots returning from battle in the use of newer aircraft. The field was one of the three busiest Naval aviation training facilities of the war.[1]

After the war, the Navy sold the field to the city of Pasco, but still retains training privileges. Several Navy aircraft, especially the P-3 Orion, use the field for landing and take-off training.

On June 9, 2011, the Port of Pasco Commissioners agreed to preserve the old Navy-built control tower located on the East side of the Tri-Cities Airport, Pasco. A non-profit group has been formed to help the preservation and upkeep of the tower.[2]

References
  1. Geoff Folsom (November 11, 2015), "New exhibit focuses on Pasco's role in World War II", Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, Washington
  2. "Pasco Commissioners vote to save Pasco NAS Control Tower". Archived from the original on March 27, 2012. Retrieved July 13, 2011.
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