[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 135 (Friday, September 18, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1319-E1320]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF NAVAL AIR STATION JACKSONVILLE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ANDER CRENSHAW

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 18, 2015

  Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 75th 
anniversary of Naval Air

[[Page E1320]]

Station Jacksonville, one of the United States Navy's pivotal bases. 
For Jacksonville citizens, this anniversary brings back a flood of 
memories. Many began their journeys here as young sailors ready to go 
to sea. They enlisted and scattered far and wide. Now, years later, 
many of these same sailors will commemorate this important base. For 
these sailors their sea anchor is right here in this military friendly 
town.
   In 1938, before there was an NAS Jax--as we lovingly call the base--
there were citizens who lobbied the Hepburn Board as it searched for a 
new naval base in the Southeast. The citizens voted to support bonds to 
purchase the property and construction began in 1939.
   The base was commissioned on Oct. 15, 1940, with Captain Charles P. 
Mason serving as its first commanding officer. Walt Disney drew a logo 
for the new base depicting Donald Duck in flight gear and sporting gold 
wings emerging from an egg as NAS Jacksonville was given birth.
   As America entered World War II, construction and the pace of 
training increased at NAS Jax. Soon, there were three runways operating 
as well as seaplane ramps. An overhaul and repair facility was begun to 
rework the station's planes. Today, that facility is called the Fleet 
Readiness Center Southeast, and they still inhabit some of the original 
buildings from the 1940's.
   By 1949, NAS Jacksonville was the plane capital of the East Coast 
and handled 60 percent of the fleet's air striking force in the 
Atlantic area from pole to pole. As the Navy led the dawning of the jet 
age, the first jet carrier air groups and squadrons came to 
Jacksonville. So it was only natural that the Navy's first Flight 
Demonstration Team--later known as the Blue Angels--got its start at 
NAS Jacksonville. Fleet Air Wing 11, now the Patrol and Reconnaissance 
Wing 11, relocated to the station followed in the 1970s by Helicopter 
Antisubmarine Wing, U.S. Atlantic, and its squadrons.
   Over the ensuring decades, NAS Jacksonville supported the Navy's 
efforts during wartime and peace. Its pilots and planes flew in combat 
and training. Planes and other airframes were retired and new ones put 
into the inventory. As with other bases, buildings were added, old 
buildings were renovated, and personnel came and went.
   Today, the runways are being totally rebuilt. The new airframe is 
heavier and larger than its predecessor and after 75 years of service, 
those original runways are being recycled. In a way, today's pilots 
will still be taking off and landing on the history of those who went 
before them.
   NAS Jacksonville is a recent two-time winner of the Commander's in 
Chief, Naval Installations Command Excellence Award and is home to the 
newest manned and unmanned systems that Naval Aviation has in its 
inventory.
   The Navy has led in advancing innovation because the Navy must 
ensure our maritime supremacy and national security. NAS Jacksonville 
has for 75 years been the face of that strength in Northeast Florida. 
Our citizens hear the sounds of freedom in support of our Nation's 
defense. NAS Jax has been a constant in my life and in the lives of all 
in Jacksonville. The greatness of this premier base is woven into the 
memories of all who have shared in the pride of having NAS Jacksonville 
within our city limits.
   I salute the 75th Anniversary of Naval Air Station Jacksonville, 
which continues to be a major employer and economic stimulator, but 
more importantly, its personnel continues to contribute through their 
hard work and dedication to the important missions of our Nation's 
defense.

                          ____________________