Former Naval Auxiliary Air Station, Vernalis

 Second World War 1939-1945, closed / former military, United States Navy, historic ruins

Commissioned 8 June 1943, NAAS Vernalis was constructed to support two multi-engine patrol squadrons. It was decided in 1944 to swap missions with nearby NAAS Crows Landing, as the concrete runways there better suited for the heavier multi-engined patrols.

With the arrival of the carrier-based squadrons (Air Groups, Torpedo, Fighter, Bomber and Composite) from Crows Landing, a 160-acre strafing range (Diablo Mountain Range, with submarine target painted on rocks) and a crosswind runway were added. Catapult and arresting gear were also installed. At the time, the normal messing and berthing allowance of the station was 333 commissioned officers and 2386 enlisted men.

NAAS Vernalis was placed into caretaker status on 15 October 1945 and abandoned three months later. However, during the period of August 8-25, 1950, the outlying fields at Vernalis and Crows Landing were temporarily reactivated for the purpose of training air groups based at NAS, Alameda and NAS, Moffett Field in carrier landing practice. NAS, Alameda furnished personnel and logistic support.

In 1952 use of certain facilities was permitted to the Air Force for air research and development purposes. Subsequently, all buildings except those occupied by the Air Force were demolished and the property was reassigned to the Chief of Naval Personnel for future requirements. Detachments 3 and 4 ofthe 1110th Air Support Group were located at Vernalis. The beginning and ending date for the Group was approximately June 1954 through December 1954. The mission of the 1110th Air Support Group was to launch, track, and retrieve balloons. The 300-ft. diameter balloons carried electronic equipment for experiments in the stratosphere. Group Headquarters were located at Lowry Air Force Base, Colorado.

A drag strip also operated here during 1969 and 1970. The first drag strip facility was operated on the open asphalt runway, by Mr. Charles Ferry. In October of 1969, Dan Peterson and James Crook took over the drag strip operation and had a new 50 foot wide strip, one half mile long, constructed over the asphalt runway. A low spot in the strip created by a construction mistake prevented high speed cars from running and without these attractions, attendance suffered and the operation was unsuccessful.

In recent years, the 710 acre property has been used for sun-drying of agricultural products and the storage of cannery waste that is subject to spontaneous combustion.

www.militarymuseum.org/NAASVernalis.html
stratocat.com.ar/bases/66e.htm
www.members.tripod.com/airfields_freeman/CA/Airfields_C...