JRB New Orleans

Joint Reserve Bases New Orleans is among the military facilities owned by the United States Navy that are in a standby mode, but always ready to join in whenever the situation arises. The base is located in Belle Chase, Louisiana. It is not too far from New Orleans. The base also includes an airfield – Alvin Callender. It is designed with military purposes and never used for civilian flights.

Mission

JRB New Orleans is not among the most active military bases in the country. However, its primary objective is pretty clear. It aims to maintain the troops in a good shape by providing advanced training facilities and sessions. The base is open to both reserve troops and active individuals. Although operated by the United States Navy, it is visited by troops from all the military fields in the country. The base is also responsible for the high quality facilities on site. It may not be the most significant military installation in the country, but it is definitely a great training site that should not be ignored. Besides, some of the facilities are still there since the times the base was an active naval station.

History

The history of JRB New Orleans covers the history of two different installations. The first base was located close to New Orleans. It was commissioned as a naval air station in 1941. Its life was pretty short. Although it successfully served throughout World War Ii and the Korean War, it was disestablished in 1957. In fact, it was unofficially moved in a different site, still close to New Orleans. Its importance was still not convincing enough for the authorities, so the land was given back to the local officials, only to be turned into the University of New Orleans.

In the autumn of 1940, the US Navy was looking for a few spots to establish some new installations. It picked New Orleans, Atlanta and Dallas. The constructions were identical. There were the same number of buildings and centers with the same particular purposes and the precise same build and organization. Over the years, the three bases took different paths. The one in New Orleans was taken through a major modernization process in 1942. It became one of the most prolific naval air stations.

Over the years, the installation was turned into a reserve base. One of its latest major roles was after Hurricane Katrina hit and destroyed New Orleans and the surrounding areas. It was designated as the primary care center by the Department of Defense.

Units

The most important unit at JRB New Orleans is the 159-th Fighter Wing. Some other major and permanent units include the 204-th Strike Fighter Squadron, the command of the 377-th Theater Support or the 54-th squadron of the Fleet Logistics Support. HMLA 773 and VAW 77 are just as important. Aside from these main units, there are some associate tenants that help with the good going of the base. They are temporary and get on and off on a yearly basis.