[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 14615-14616]
[From the U.S. 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 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

[[Page 14616]]

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.

                          ____________________