[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 126 (Wednesday, July 26, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1061]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           CELEBRATING THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF NAS-KINGSVILLE

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                           HON. FILEMON VELA

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 26, 2017

  Mr. VELA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Naval Air Station (NAS) 
Kingsville as it marks 75 years of service to the U.S. Navy and our 
nation.
  Located in Kingsville, Texas, the Naval Air Station was opened on 
July 4, 1942. Inspired by the establishment of the nearby Naval Air 
Station in Corpus Christi, a group of Kingsville civic leaders 
approached Navy officials at NAS Corpus Christi about creating a 
military airfield in February, 1941. While they did not receive 
official permission at that time, NAS Corpus Christi's commanding 
officer, Captain Alva D. Bernhard, expressed enthusiasm about the idea.
  After the December 7, 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Captain 
Bernhard predicted a military build-up including the influx of new 
trainees which would exceed the capacity of NAS-Corpus Christi, and 
plans to construct a new airfield in Kingsville began.
  The airfield was quickly built on 3,000 acres of land bought from the 
B.O. Sims family. During World War II, the airfield, designated as ``P-
4,'' housed four squadrons. The squadrons taught gunnery skills for 
combat air crews, in addition to fighter and bomber tactics. After the 
war, the base was given to the City of Kingsville, which leased it to 
the Texas College of Arts and Industries. It was primarily used by the 
Department of Agriculture and expanded under the college's ownership.
  The base was reactivated as a military installation in April, 1951, 
as an auxiliary air station, and trained roughly 300 aviators a year 
during the mid-1960s. In 1967, Congress approved $3.8 million in 
funding for NAS-Kingsville, allowing it to improve operation and 
maintenance facilities, as well as troop housing. The base was re-
designated as a naval air station on August 9, 1968. In 1990, it became 
the headquarters for Training Air Wing Two, a mission that continues 
today.
  Training Air Wing Two includes Training Squadron Twenty One and 
Training Squadron Twenty Two. Around 150 students report to Training 
Air Wing Two annually for Undergraduate Jet Pilot Training. The Naval 
Air Station at Kingsville currently occupies 23,000 acres of land, 
spread across four sites, and employs around 1,350 people, in addition 
to training 50 percent of Navy and Marine Corps tactical jet pilots 
every year. Its economic impact on the surrounding community is also 
significant, as it provides roughly $110 million dollars to the local 
area. This economic impact is matched by the installation's community 
outreach program, which includes school mentorship assistance and 
community self-help program assistance.
  NAS-Kingsville has a long history of supporting both the local 
community and the country, and will continue to do so for years to 
come. I rise today to congratulate them on 75 successful years.

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