Military Presence In Brunswick, Ga

Brunswick, Georgia, has a rich military history, notably as the former site of the Glynco Naval Air Station, which played a crucial role during World War II. Established in 1942, the base was home to the Navy's fleet of airships, commonly known as blimps, which patrolled the southern Atlantic coast, defending against German submarines. Today, Brunswick's military presence continues, with the Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay and Fort Stewart Hunter Army Airfield located nearby.

Naval Air Station Glynco

Naval Air Station (NAS) Glynco was a former naval air base located in Glynn County, north of Brunswick, Georgia. It was established in 1942 as a base of airship operations, specifically for the Navy's fleet of airships or blimps, which were used for coastal patrol and maritime convoy escort during World War II.

NAS Glynco was the only facility in the world at the time to employ all known forms of flight, including airships, propeller aircraft, jets, and helicopters. The base played a crucial role in defending the southern Atlantic coast during World War II and contributed significantly to the cultural and economic life of Brunswick and Glynn County. It was also involved in the development of new communications and electronics equipment, as well as search and rescue procedures.

The base covered 2,400 acres and featured two enormous wooden hangars measuring 1,058 feet long, 297 feet wide, and 182 feet tall. These hangars housed an eight-ship fleet of blimps and provided maintenance for blimps from other bases. Airship Patrol Squadron 15 (ZP-15) was the principal unit based at the air station during World War II, and the base was capable of supporting sustained flight and state-of-the-art electronic submarine detection.

NAS Glynco operated until 1974, with the property later being divided between the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) and the county airport, now known as Brunswick Golden Isles Airport. The base's legacy has gained recent interest, with new exhibits installed at the FLETC visitor's centre and Brunswick Airport, as well as a history brochure available at the Brunswick Public Library.

Brunswick Golden Isles Airport

The airport covers an area of 2,003 acres (811 ha) at an elevation of 26 feet (8 m) above mean sea level. It has a single runway, designated 7/25, with an 8,001 by 150 ft (2,439 by 46 m) asphalt and concrete surface. The airport has been host to many air shows over the years, including "Wings over the Golden Isles" in 2017.

The history of the airport dates back to World War II when it was known as Naval Air Station Glynco (NAS Glynco), serving as a base for the Navy's fleet of airships or blimps. These blimps played a crucial role in patrolling the coast and detecting German submarines during the war. After the war, NAS Glynco continued to operate and even saw an expansion of its runway to accommodate fixed-wing aircraft operations. However, by the 1970s, the base was identified for closure as part of post-Vietnam budget reduction measures.

In 1975, the Glynn County community formed the Glynco Steering Committee to attract new users to the facility. Their efforts were successful, and the former NAS Glynco site became home to the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC). Meanwhile, the airfield was retained and designated as the official county municipal airport. In 2003, it was renamed Brunswick Golden Isles Airport to better reflect its location and purpose. The new passenger terminal, completed in 2005, showcases the local tradition of hospitality for travellers.

Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay

The base was established in 1978, and the first Trident submarine, Tennessee, arrived in January 1989. Since then, Kings Bay has been an operating submarine base, with nine more Trident submarines arriving by 1997. The base is also the home port for the USS Florida and USS Georgia, which were converted into guided-missile submarines in 2006 and 2008, respectively.

The Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay is one of thirteen military bases in Georgia and is among the most popular military installations in the southern part of the state. The base offers a range of lifestyle options for those who live there, from country living to small-town or metropolitan city life.

The Morale, Welfare & Recreation (MWR) department at the base is dedicated to meeting the needs of its customers and enhancing entertainment, recreation, and fitness options for military members, their families, retirees, and civilians. The MWR has earned the prestigious Commissions for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) and the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) Gold Medal twice, in 2014 and 2022.

Fort Stewart Hunter Army Airfield

The history of Fort Stewart Hunter Army Airfield dates back to 1929 when the Savannah City Council recommended the Belmont Tract as the future site of the Savannah Municipal Airport. The airport became known as Hunter Municipal Airfield in May 1940, honouring Lieutenant Colonel Frank O'Driscoll Hunter, a World War I flying ace and native of Savannah. In 1941, the airfield was dedicated as the Savannah Army Air Base and became a base for several Antisubmarine groups during World War II.

In 1967, the airfield was transferred to the US Army and renamed Hunter Army Airfield, operating in conjunction with Fort Stewart located 45 miles southwest. The combined facilities were designated the United States Army Flight Training Center, including the Army's first attack helicopter school. In 1973, Hunter AAF was deactivated, but it reopened in 1975 to serve as a support facility for the 24th Infantry Division at Fort Stewart.

Today, Fort Stewart Hunter Army Airfield is home to approximately 5,500 soldiers, airmen, coast guardsmen, and Marines. It is known for its efficient deployment capabilities, thanks to its lengthy runway and ample aircraft parking area. The base also offers various services for military families, including child and youth services, leisure travel assistance, and employment development resources.

Glynco Steering Committee

The Glynco Steering Committee was formed in 1975 by a group of 19 community leaders in Glynn County, Georgia, to attract new civilian users to the airfield following the closure of Naval Air Station (NAS) Glynco.

NAS Glynco was an operational naval air station from 1942 to 1974, located 5 miles north of the city of Brunswick, in Glynn County, Georgia. It was constructed as an operational base for lighter-than-air airships, commonly known as blimps, and played an important role in defending the southern Atlantic coast during World War II.

The Glynco Steering Committee's efforts were successful, and in 1975, the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) selected the former NAS Glynco site for a consolidated training academy for federal law enforcement personnel. The community also retained the airfield, which was designated the official county municipal airport in the same year.

The Role of the Glynco Steering Committee

The role of the Glynco Steering Committee was to support the project, provide advice and guidance, and make decisions on issues that arose. They were responsible for ensuring that the project's objectives were aligned with broader business goals and holding the project team accountable for agreed deliverables and scope items.

Composition of the Glynco Steering Committee

The Glynco Steering Committee was likely composed of senior stakeholders, such as community leaders and local government representatives, as well as experts in relevant fields.

Impact of the Glynco Steering Committee

The work of the Glynco Steering Committee had a significant impact on the local economy and population of Glynn County. The establishment of the FLETC training academy and the retention of the airfield as the official county municipal airport contributed to the future success of Brunswick and the Golden Isles.

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