Naval Air Station Patuxent River

Naval Air Station Patuxent River
U.S. Navy photo by Liz Goettee · Public domain · source
Name	Naval Air Station Patuxent River
Caption	Aerial view of the air station.
Location	St. Mary's County, Maryland
Type	Naval Air Station
Coordinates	38, 17, 07, N...
Built	1942–1943
Used	1943–present
Controlledby	United States Navy
Garrison	Naval Air Systems Command

Naval Air Station Patuxent River. Commonly known as NAS Pax River, it is a United States naval air station located in St. Mary's County, Maryland on the Chesapeake Bay. Established during World War II, it serves as the Navy's primary center for research, development, testing, and evaluation of naval aviation systems. The station is the headquarters for the Naval Air Systems Command and hosts numerous associated warfare centers and test squadrons.

History

The station's construction began in 1942 on land acquired from tobacco farms and marshland, consolidating flight test operations previously scattered at Naval Air Station Anacostia and other facilities. It was commissioned in April 1943, with its first commander being Admiral John S. McCain Sr.. During the war, it was crucial for testing aircraft like the F4U Corsair and TBF Avenger. The post-war era saw it become the Navy's principal flight test center, especially after the establishment of the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School in 1945. The Cold War brought testing of advanced jet aircraft such as the F-8 Crusader and A-6 Intruder, and the station later played key roles in projects like the F-14 Tomcat and V-22 Osprey.

Facilities and operations

The air station encompasses over 6,400 acres and features a complex of runways, including the 11,800-foot-long Runway 14/32, one of the longest on the U.S. East Coast. Its primary mission is conducted at the adjacent Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, which operates extensive ranges over the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Test Ranges. Key facilities include the Atlantic Range Facility, the Manned Flight Simulator complex, and the Force Warfare Aircraft Test Directorate. The airfield supports a high volume of test flights for systems ranging from unmanned aerial vehicles like the MQ-8 Fire Scout to next-generation platforms such as the F-35 Lightning II.

Tenant commands and units

The installation is dominated by the presence of Naval Air Systems Command, which oversees all naval aviation procurement. Major tenants include the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, and the Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 1. Other significant units are the Naval Air Technical Data and Engineering Service Command, the Naval Aviation Logistics Command, and the Marine Corps Aviation Training Support Group. Operational fleet support is provided by Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28 and various detachments from the United States Coast Guard.

Environmental impact and conservation

Due to its location on the ecologically sensitive Chesapeake Bay watershed, the station manages significant conservation programs. It contains over 3,000 acres of forest and wetlands, including designated habitats for species like the Bald Eagle and the endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker. The station works with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on initiatives such as the National Environmental Policy Act compliance and Endangered Species Act consultations. Efforts include shoreline restoration, Atlantic White Cedar reforestation, and monitoring of marine life in the Patuxent River.

In popular culture

The base and its testing mission have been featured in several films and novels, most notably in the 1986 film *Top Gun*, where the character "Goose" was stated to have attended the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School. The station's work is also depicted in the nonfiction book *The Right Stuff* by Tom Wolfe, which chronicles the early days of the test pilot program. It has served as a filming location for documentaries by the Discovery Channel and the History Channel focusing on military aviation technology and history.

Category:United States Navy bases Category:St. Mary's County, Maryland Category:Airports in Maryland