DeLand Naval Air Station
Encyclopedia
Naval Air Station DeLand was a United States Naval Air Station located in DeLand, Florida
from 1942-1946. After the war, the airfield and associated infrastructure was redeveloped into DeLand Municipal Airport
band played for the opening of the base. Following extensive military construction, NAS DeLand's primary focus was advanced training for Navy flight crews in land-based PBO Ventura
and PB4Y-2 Privateer patrol bombers, and carrier-based SBD Dauntless
dive bombers.
The first planes to arrive were the Venturas. They were not there for training, but were patrolling the coast of Florida
looking for German
submarines. When the SBD Dauntless
dive bombers began to arrive, along with pilots and crew members, the "Venturas" were reassigned to Brazil
for patrol duty. The SBDs were aircraft that were being replaced by newer dive bombers in the Pacific Fleet
; it was the SBDs that sank the four Japan
ese carriers at the Battle of Midway
. Many of DeLand's citizens were employed at the base and were paid wages that were significant coming out of the depression.
Several of the U.S. Navy's former and present day maritime patrol and reconnaissance (VP) squadrons operating the P-3 Orion
trace their squadron lineage to being initially established at NAS Deland during World War II.
Nine Mile Point on Lake George was also under NAS Deland's control and was used as a practice bombing site with a Navy PBY Catalina
seaplane stationed nearby in the event of an aircraft mishap on the lake. The Lake George site is still used today as part of the Navy's Pinecastle Range complex in the Ocala National Forest
that is managed by NAS Jacksonville.
The DeLand Naval Air Station also had an outlying Field (OLF) in New Smyrna Beach, and bombing targets near Paisley
, Hawkinsville, the Indian River Lagoon
, and east of Lake Dias.
In 1944, training in the carrier-based F6F Hellcat
fighter was also added to NAS DeLand's mission.
Outlying Field New Smyrna Beach refueled and rearmed planes practicing landings at OLF Spruce Creek and conducting target practice over the Atlantic Ocean. The planes occasionally carried 500 pound bombs when they were over the ocean just in case there was a spotting of a German
U-boat
. Sometimes, the occasional whale was mistaken as a U-boat and was bombed. NAS DeLand also had two sailors stationed at the Springs to patrol Lake Woodruff.
.
in DeLand, Florida
, the DeLand Naval Air Station Museum was dedicated in 1995 and focuses on the history of the DeLand Naval Air Station and United States Navy
history. Exhibits include an F-14 Tomcat
, a TBF Avenger
torpedo bomber
, a Korean War
MASH
helicopter
, a 1954 U.S. Army jeep
, military artifacts, vintage photographs, memorabilia.
DeLand, Florida
DeLand is the county seat of Volusia County, Florida. In 2006, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's population to be 24,375. It is part of the Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had an estimated population of 436,575 in 2006...
from 1942-1946. After the war, the airfield and associated infrastructure was redeveloped into DeLand Municipal Airport
DeLand Municipal Airport
DeLand Municipal Airport , also known as Sidney H. Taylor Field, is a city-owned public-use airport located three miles northeast of the central business district of DeLand, a city in Volusia County, Florida, United States.Although most U.S...
Official Opening
In 1942, the City of DeLand donated the facility that was located on the grounds to the U.S. Navy and it was renamed Naval Air Station DeLand on 17 November. The airfield officially opened after several months of land acquisition and building construction. CAPT Tom Turner, the air station's first commanding officer, officiated. A Navy band had not been formed, so the DeLand High SchoolDeLand High School
DeLand High School is a public high school in DeLand, Florida established in 1922, with an enrollment of 3,616 students, a student/teacher ratio of 16.5, and a graduation rate above 90%.-Controversies:...
band played for the opening of the base. Following extensive military construction, NAS DeLand's primary focus was advanced training for Navy flight crews in land-based PBO Ventura
Lockheed Hudson
The Lockheed Hudson was an American-built light bomber and coastal reconnaissance aircraft built initially for the Royal Air Force shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War and primarily operated by the RAF thereafter...
and PB4Y-2 Privateer patrol bombers, and carrier-based SBD Dauntless
SBD Dauntless
The Douglas SBD Dauntless was a naval dive bomber made by Douglas during World War II. The SBD was the United States Navy's main dive bomber from mid-1940 until late 1943, when it was largely replaced by the SB2C Helldiver...
dive bombers.
The first planes to arrive were the Venturas. They were not there for training, but were patrolling the coast of Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
looking for German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
submarines. When the SBD Dauntless
SBD Dauntless
The Douglas SBD Dauntless was a naval dive bomber made by Douglas during World War II. The SBD was the United States Navy's main dive bomber from mid-1940 until late 1943, when it was largely replaced by the SB2C Helldiver...
dive bombers began to arrive, along with pilots and crew members, the "Venturas" were reassigned to Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
for patrol duty. The SBDs were aircraft that were being replaced by newer dive bombers in the Pacific Fleet
United States Pacific Fleet
The United States Pacific Fleet is a Pacific Ocean theater-level component command of the United States Navy that provides naval resources under the operational control of the United States Pacific Command. Its home port is at Pearl Harbor Naval Base, Hawaii. It is commanded by Admiral Patrick M...
; it was the SBDs that sank the four Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese carriers at the Battle of Midway
Battle of Midway
The Battle of Midway is widely regarded as the most important naval battle of the Pacific Campaign of World War II. Between 4 and 7 June 1942, approximately one month after the Battle of the Coral Sea and six months after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States Navy decisively defeated...
. Many of DeLand's citizens were employed at the base and were paid wages that were significant coming out of the depression.
Several of the U.S. Navy's former and present day maritime patrol and reconnaissance (VP) squadrons operating the P-3 Orion
P-3 Orion
The Lockheed P-3 Orion is a four-engine turboprop anti-submarine and maritime surveillance aircraft developed for the United States Navy and introduced in the 1960s. Lockheed based it on the L-188 Electra commercial airliner. The aircraft is easily recognizable by its distinctive tail stinger or...
trace their squadron lineage to being initially established at NAS Deland during World War II.
Military Training and Exercises
As many as 331 officers and 1,140 enlisted men were stationed at NAS DeLand by early 1944. NAS DeLand also maintained an outlying field at Spruce Creek (OLF Spruce Creek) for use in carrier landing training, and boat facilities were maintained on Crescent Lake and at DeLeon Springs for use in rescuing downed pilots.Nine Mile Point on Lake George was also under NAS Deland's control and was used as a practice bombing site with a Navy PBY Catalina
PBY Catalina
The Consolidated PBY Catalina was an American flying boat of the 1930s and 1940s produced by Consolidated Aircraft. It was one of the most widely used multi-role aircraft of World War II. PBYs served with every branch of the United States Armed Forces and in the air forces and navies of many other...
seaplane stationed nearby in the event of an aircraft mishap on the lake. The Lake George site is still used today as part of the Navy's Pinecastle Range complex in the Ocala National Forest
Ocala National Forest
The Ocala National Forest is the second largest National Forest in the U.S. state of Florida and covers approximately of Central Florida. It is located three miles east of Ocala and southeast of Gainesville...
that is managed by NAS Jacksonville.
The DeLand Naval Air Station also had an outlying Field (OLF) in New Smyrna Beach, and bombing targets near Paisley
Paisley, Florida
Paisley is a census-designated place in Lake County, Florida, United States. The population was 734 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, Hawkinsville, the Indian River Lagoon
Indian River Lagoon
The Indian River Lagoon is a grouping of three lagoons: Mosquito Lagoon, Banana River, and the Indian River, on the Atlantic Coast of Florida. It was originally named Rio de Ais after the Ais Indian tribe, who lived along the east coast of Florida....
, and east of Lake Dias.
In 1944, training in the carrier-based F6F Hellcat
F6F Hellcat
The Grumman F6F Hellcat was a carrier-based fighter aircraft developed to replace the earlier F4F Wildcat in United States Navy service. Although the F6F resembled the Wildcat, it was a completely new design powered by a 2,000 hp Pratt & Whitney R-2800. Some tagged it as the "Wildcat's big...
fighter was also added to NAS DeLand's mission.
Outlying Field New Smyrna Beach refueled and rearmed planes practicing landings at OLF Spruce Creek and conducting target practice over the Atlantic Ocean. The planes occasionally carried 500 pound bombs when they were over the ocean just in case there was a spotting of a German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
U-boat
U-boat
U-boat is the anglicized version of the German word U-Boot , itself an abbreviation of Unterseeboot , and refers to military submarines operated by Germany, particularly in World War I and World War II...
. Sometimes, the occasional whale was mistaken as a U-boat and was bombed. NAS DeLand also had two sailors stationed at the Springs to patrol Lake Woodruff.
Decommissioning
Following the end of World War II, the base closed as an active naval installation on March 15, 1946. Its control tower also closed and ownership of the air station returned to the City of DeLand as an uncontrolled civilian airport. After the city resumed control of the field, it became DeLand Municipal AirportDeLand Municipal Airport
DeLand Municipal Airport , also known as Sidney H. Taylor Field, is a city-owned public-use airport located three miles northeast of the central business district of DeLand, a city in Volusia County, Florida, United States.Although most U.S...
.
DeLand Naval Air Station Museum
Located in the historic Chief Master at Arms HouseChief Master at Arms House
The Chief Master at Arms House is a historic site in DeLand, Florida, United States. It is located at 910 Biscayne Boulevard. The building is the home of the DeLand Naval Air Station Museum. On February 15, 2002, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.-References:* at * at...
in DeLand, Florida
DeLand, Florida
DeLand is the county seat of Volusia County, Florida. In 2006, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's population to be 24,375. It is part of the Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had an estimated population of 436,575 in 2006...
, the DeLand Naval Air Station Museum was dedicated in 1995 and focuses on the history of the DeLand Naval Air Station and United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
history. Exhibits include an F-14 Tomcat
F-14 Tomcat
The Grumman F-14 Tomcat is a supersonic, twin-engine, two-seat, variable-sweep wing fighter aircraft. The Tomcat was developed for the United States Navy's Naval Fighter Experimental program following the collapse of the F-111B project...
, a TBF Avenger
TBF Avenger
The Grumman TBF Avenger was a torpedo bomber developed initially for the United States Navy and Marine Corps, and eventually used by several air or naval arms around the world....
torpedo bomber
Torpedo bomber
A torpedo bomber is a bomber aircraft designed primarily to attack ships with aerial torpedoes which could also carry out conventional bombings. Torpedo bombers existed almost exclusively prior to and during World War II when they were an important element in many famous battles, notably the...
, a Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
MASH
Mobile Army Surgical Hospital
The Mobile Army Surgical Hospital refers to a United States Army medical unit serving as a fully functional hospital in a combat area of operations. The units were first established in August 1945, and were deployed during the Korean War and later conflicts. The U.S...
helicopter
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
, a 1954 U.S. Army jeep
Jeep
Jeep is an automobile marque of Chrysler . The first Willys Jeeps were produced in 1941 with the first civilian models in 1945, making it the oldest off-road vehicle and sport utility vehicle brand. It inspired a number of other light utility vehicles, such as the Land Rover which is the second...
, military artifacts, vintage photographs, memorabilia.