Visiting the lakehurst naval air engineering station. Oct 25, 2014 lakehurst, new jersey hindenburg crash site naval air station lakehurst hd 2014. In addition to nas lakehursts rich airship history, the station has served as a center for research into aircraft ejection seats and carrier aircraft. See more on the history of nas patuxent river here naval aviations early years. Jul 21, 2014 hindenburg crash site lakehurst naval air station, lakehurst, nj official website lakehurst historical society tour information direct link tour information directions cathedral of the air, 264 hope chapel road, lakehurst, nj 08733 where all tours start, this is outside of the base back in midjune, i went with family and friends over to lakehurst to check out the hindenburg. Based on hours of research with primary sources, including dozens of interviews with military personnel and civilian participants, sky ships tells the story of the u.
The area evolved from a gas warfare proving ground during world war i to the focal point of lighterthan air operations in the united states. Blimp history plus historic lakehurst airship base stories. Discover hindenburg crash site in lakehurst, new jersey. On a crisp afternoon, 1 april 1948, the future of naval aviation was changed forever. Hindenburg crash site lakehurst naval air station, lakehurst, nj official website lakehurst historical society tour information direct link tour information directions cathedral of the air, 264 hope chapel road, lakehurst, nj 08733 where all tours start, this is outside of the base back in midjune, i went with family and friends over to lakehurst to check out the hindenburg crash site. He was ramsey fellow in naval aviation history at the national air and space museum in 1999 2000 and then research associate in 2000 02. Rare photographs and material from the archives of the navy lakehurst historical society chronicle more than eightyfive years of base activity. His publications include scientific papers, articles, and six books. First international airport in the united states at nas lakehurst. Therefore, it does not license or charge permission fees for use of such material and cannot grant or deny permission to publish or otherwise distribute the material. The history of naval air engineering station lakehurst dates back to 1917. The success of the commercial rigid airship peaked in 1936 with transatlantic round trips between central europe and the americas by hindenburg and by graf zeppelin ending with the infamous fire in 1937.
Navy lakehurst heritage center tours 2020 all you need. Nlhs, incs current archives include hundreds of artifacts and thousands of photographs and assorted memorabilia relating to navy lighter than air. Navy lakehurst historical society, inc is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the distinguished heritage of naval air station lakehurst. The area evolved from a gas warfare proving ground during world war i to the focal point of lighterthanair operations in the united states. This photo history explores the famed naval air station at lakehurst from 1917 to the early 1970s, showing you all eras of its rich history.
Navy lakehurst heritage center tours 2020 all you need to know. Location formally known as naval air engineering station naes, lakehurst is located only 25 miles from mcguire and dix afb on the eastern portion of joint base mcguiredixlakehurst, nj and sits on 7,400 of the joint bases 42,000 acres. There in 1923 the shenandoah, the first american airship, made its maiden flight, and in 1929 the graf zeppelin began and ended a 21day, 21,500mile 34,600km, roundtheworld trip. Although navy lakehurst will forever be remembered as the site of the hindenburg disaster, many other significant events have taken place here. Because i have access to the base, i could go into hanger 1 under supervision and look around some of the other sites. This is were the helicopter roots in us military useage were.
Lakehurst was home to a naval air engineering station the center of the naval airship project. Wanted to read about where father was stationed in the navy in 1940s. The base is now known as the lakehurst naval air engineering station. Graf zeppelin started round the world flight at lakehurst.
In june 1934, while assigned to the latter ship, he was promoted to lieutenant junior grade. The oldest portion of the installation began as an ammunition proving ground near the resort town of. I harnessed local knowledge and history books to follow the sites and the roads. Naval air station lakehurst in new jersey was homeport for several of the largest machines ever to navigate the air.
Navy lakehurst historical society museum lakehurst, nj. Joint base mcguiredixlakehurst jb mdl is a united states military facility located 18 miles. The naval air station in lakehurst, new jersey, has a rich and bittersweet history. Naval air engineering station lakehurst, the common name of the lakehurst unit of joint base mcguiredix lakehurst, is a united states navy base located approximately 25 miles 40 km eastsoutheast of trenton, new jersey. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers.
Lakehurst apv3 was built as seatrain new jersey in 1940 by sun shipbuilding co. Navy began flying aircraft in 1911, followed by the united states marine corps in 1912, and there have never been as many aviation functions at one facility as there are now at naval air station patuxent river. Parachutists float to earth after being dropped from a blimp over the air station during world war ii. Naval air engineering station lakehurst, part of joint base mcguiredix lakehurst jbmdl, is located in burlington county, new jersey and falls under the jurisdiction of the air mobility command. Commissioned in 1921, lakehurst naval air station, became the hub of naval. Social media search naval history and heritage command. Navy lakehurst historical society, inc is a non profit organization dedicated to preserving the distinguished heritage of naval air station lakehurst. Lakehurst joint base mcguiredix lakehurst 485 walsh rd, naval air engineering station lakehurst joint base mcguiredix lakehurst, nj. Lakehurst naval air station naval air technical training center presently occupies 7,400 acres of flat lowlands just north of lakehurst, new jersey. Navy pilots apparently encountering a strange aircraft as. Navy lakehurst heritage center tours 2020 all you need to. Hindenburg crash site and lakehurst naval air station. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that. It was then acquired by the united states army as camp kendrick during world war i.
This is the story of their missions, from the mundane to the heroic saving of lives. Lakehurst joint base mcguiredixlakehurst directory. Naval air station, lakehurst by rick zitarosa, ronald m. In new book, retired air force major claims alien was killed at joint base mcguiredix lakehurst. The hindenburg disaster occurred on may 6, 1937, in manchester township, new jersey, united states. The navys lighterthanair program was conducted at lakehurst through the 1930s. Lakehurst naval air station, new jersey images of america. Construction started in hanger one on zr1 shenandoah. The german passenger airship lz 129 hindenburg caught fire and was destroyed during its attempt to dock with its mooring mast at naval air station lakehurst. Collectively known as navy lakehurst, the organizations mission is aircraft platform interface, which is the safe effective operation of aircraft to, from, and on all aviation platforms.
I was the civilian fire chief at nas lakehurst now called naval air engineering station, naval air warfare center, lakehurst retired 96, after 30 years and started at nasl just after the airships left, and. Zr3 entering hangar first time, naval air station, lakehurst. However, filer said he knows for a fact that the story is true. Lakehurst, naval air station twentyeighth rick zitarosa, kevin pace, ronald montgomery on. Lakehurst maxfield fields history began as a test range for ammunition being manufactured for the imperial russian army in 1916. The burning of the hindenburg, which took 36 lives, occurred there may 6, 1937 as the hydrogenfilled german zeppelin was being moored.
Providing administrative control adcon support for us navy sailors assigned operational control opcon under the usafs 87th air base wing and 305th air mobility wing at joint base mcguiredix lakehurst. Naval air station, lakehurst nj images of america kevin pace, ronald. Lakehurst maxfield fields history began as a test range for ammunition being. Naval air station, lakehurst by kevin pace, 9780738511603, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. The area evolved from a gas warfare proving ground during world war i to the focal point of lighterthan air operations in. Military experimented with carrying airplanes on large ships in the sky. Location formally known as naval air engineering station naes, lakehurst is located only 25 miles from mcguire and dix afb on the eastern portion of joint base mcguiredix lakehurst, nj and sits on 7,400 of the joint bases 42,000 acres. Navy established the lakehurst naval air station in new jersey. The library of congress does not own rights to material in its collections. In new book, retired air force major claims alien was killed at joint. Nas lakehurst still has two operating 5,000 feet runways. Naval air station nas lakehurst, new jersey caption. It is the northeasts largest naval aviation installation.
The shenandoah 1923 was the first airship to use the station, and transatlantic airships made it their u. Commissioned in 1921, lakehurst naval air station, became the hub of naval lighterthan air activity. Naval air warfare center aircraft division lakehurst, bldg 150, route 547. Under jurisdiction of the naval air systems command navair, lakehurst os the largest naval aviation installation in the northeast. Navy lakehurst historical society, inc is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the distinguished heritage of naval air station lakehurst, located in lakehurst, new jersey, usa. Vintage productions presents 1950s1960s usn lakehurst naval air station squadron patch. Lakehurst, naval air station twentyeighth by rick zitarosa. The naval air systems command navair provides material support for navy aircraft and airborne weapons systems 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from. Naval support activity nsa lakehurst is a multifunction organization dedicated to. The navys aerial facilities at lakehurst would eventually come to comprise 3 distinct airfields, with a total of 6 large hangars.
History joint base mcguiredix lakehurst formed as the result of the 2005 base realignment and closure commission. It was then gained by the united states army as camp kendrick during world war i. At lakehursts eastern edge is the naval air station associated in the history of flight with rigid, lighterthanair craft. Lakehurst maxfield field, formerly known as naval air engineering station lakehurst naes lakehurst, is the naval component of joint base mcguiredixlakehurst jb mdl, a united states air forcemanaged joint base headquartered approximately 25 miles 40 km eastsoutheast of trenton in manchester township and jackson township in ocean. After witnessing germanys modest success with zeppelins during world war i, the u. During an attempt to land at lakehurst naval air station, the. It was the intended destination of the rigid airship lz 129 hindenburg prior to the hindenburg disaster on may 6, 1937, when it burned while landing. The original lakehurst airfield is located on the eastern side of the base. Lakehurst history begins as a munitionstesting site for the imperial russian army in 1916. Enjoyed your scrapbook from the lta days at lakehurst. It served in this capacity until 1921, at which point it was commissioned by the us navy as a naval air station. The naval air station in lakehurst, new jersey, has a rich and bittersweet history steeped in success and tainted with tragedy. Lakehurst maxfield field, formerly known as naval air engineering station lakehurst naes. Following a brief tour on board the destroyer crowninshield, in july 1936 he was assigned to naval air station, lakehurst, new jersey for training and duty with lighterthan air aircraft dirigibles and balloons.
K type blimps in one of the air station s airship hangars, circa 19421943. Brennan, us navy retired2 this series is an introductory overview of nearly 10 decades of naval. A group of retired veterans will help you take a step back in time to the glory days of navy lakehurst. The oldest portion of the installation began as an ammunition proving ground near the resort town of lakehurst. Mar 12, 2003 the naval air station in lakehurst, new jersey, has a rich and bittersweet history steeped in success and tainted with tragedy. The site of one of history s most indelible and horrific tragedies. You can touch history by visiting the lakehurst site, formerly navy, but now a combined dix army mcguire air force and lakehurst navy base. Naes lakehurst, together with fort dix and mcguire afb, form a 42,000 acre military complex known as joint base mcguiredix lakehurst, also called jb mdl. See inside new jerseys hidden hindenburg museum whyy. Its history begins as a munitionstesting site for the imperial russian army in 1916. Has good information on the lighter than air part of nas lakehurst.
Lakehurst, new jersey hindenburg crash site naval air. Hindenburg crash site lakehurst, new jersey atlas obscura. Naval air station, lakehurst arcadia publishing history books. In new book, retired air force major claims alien was killed at joint base mcguiredixlakehurst. Althoff is a geologist and historian of naval aviation and science in the arctic. Mcguire air force base for additional information and history. Joint base mcguiredixlakehurst formed as the result of the 2005 base realignment and closure commission. In 1921, the navy purchased camp kendrick from the army and renamed it naval air station lakehurst. Naval air engineering station lakehurst military wiki fandom. Joint base mcguiredixlakehurst mcguire air force base. The united states navy purchased the property in 1921 for use as an airship station and renamed it naval air station lakehurst. Naval air station, lakehurst the naval air station in lakehurst, new jersey, has a rich and bittersweet history steeped in success and tainted with tragedy. It was established as camp kendrick and it belonged to the us army.
We only ship outside the us via global international priority mail. Visit the heritage center to learn about lakehursts rich airship history and visit the site of the hindenburg disaster. Navy lakehurst historical society, inc is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the distinguished heritage of naval air station lakehurst, located in lakehurst, new jersey. Then use this accommodations guide to learn about nearby hotels, motels, and other lodging. Nlhs, incs current archives include hundreds of artifacts and thousands of photographs and assorted memorabilia relating to navy lighterthan air aeronautics as well as various tenant commands e.
The jb mcguiredix lakehurst commissary carries a wide variety of grocery items, always at the lowest prices in town. Since 2009, its official name is naval air engineering station lakehurst, a unit of joint base mcguiredixlakehurst jb mdl. The naval air engineering station navairengsta is the shore station management component of the naval air warfare center aircraft division lakehurst. Lakehurst is a borough in ocean county, new jersey, united states. Naval air engineering station lakehurst, the common name of the lakehurst. The united states navy purchased the property in 1921 for use as an airship station and renamed it naval air station lakehurst nas lakehurst.
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