Naval Air Station Pasco
Encyclopedia
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
.
. 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. 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.
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...
air station located 2 miles (3 km) northwest of Pasco
Pasco, Washington
Pasco is a city in and the county seat of Franklin County, Washington, United States.Pasco is one of three cities that make up the Tri-Cities region of the state of Washington...
, in Franklin County, Washington, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. After the war, it was redeveloped into Tri-Cities Airport
Tri-Cities Airport
Tri-Cities Airport may refer to:*Tri-Cities Airport in Endicott, New York, United States *Tri-Cities Airport in Pasco, Washington, United States...
.
History
The United States Navy built a naval air training station in the early 1940’s at the site of Pasco Airport for World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. 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. After the war, the Navy sold the field to the city of Pasco
Pasco, Washington
Pasco is a city in and the county seat of Franklin County, Washington, United States.Pasco is one of three cities that make up the Tri-Cities region of the state of Washington...
, but still retains training privileges. Several Navy aircraft, especially 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...
, 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.