NAS Atlanta

NAS Atlanta, Georgia as it was known over the history, is a military base located close to Marietta. Over the last years, the base was known as General D. Lucius Clay National Guard Center. The place is in the immediate proximity of a different air base – Dobbins, wherewith it shared the runways.

History

The construction was approved in 1955. The US government decided to look after a wide flat field that would allow way longer runways compared to what the bases at those times had. The place was actually a small camp that was taken over. Since there were no political threats at those times, the base construction took 4 years and was complete in 1959. It is a relatively long period of time if you take in consideration the World War II bases that were built within months. The objectives of the base changed more times over the years. However, the constant improvements and upgrades turned the base into one of the most advanced military bases in the United States of America. As a matter of fact, it was awarded with the Edwin F. Conway Trophy two times – 1987 and 1993, as the most effective Naval Air Station. Some staff members also received numerous awards during those times. The upcoming years brought in even more rewards.

If the history didn’t bring in any notable events in the history of the base, NAS Atlanta is more famous in the USA for the excellent Navy Lake Site. Navy Lake Site is a unique recreational site inside the base. It is open to active, reserve and even retired soldiers. The US Army has a similar facility, but it is not as popular. The place is often used by various units to exercise training techniques, while the reserve and retired military personnel relies on it to stay in shape. The 2005 commission for base realignment and closure didn’t forget the base and closed it in 2009. On September, 26-th, both civilians and military superiors took part at a final ceremony. The base was given to the local State Department of Defense and is currently used for its operations. As soon as the move was done, the official web site of the base was closed within hours.

Mission

The general mission of NAS Atlanta was to deal with the training sessions for Marine Corps and Navy reservists, whether they were used in aviation or non aviation missions. The command was run by over 900 individuals, both military troops and civilian people employed there.

Units

Over the year, dozens of units – tenant, associate or permanent – went through the gates of NAS Atlanta for temporary missions, training sessions or while looking for a base to call home. Some of the most important units that inhabited the base over the last years include the Carrier Air Wing Reserve 20, the Fleet Logistics Squadron 46, the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 142, the Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron or the Carrier Airbone Early Warning Squadron 77. A few of the units established here actually managed to stay for more than a few months.