Air Force Base Near Brunswick, Ga

Brunswick, Georgia, is home to the Brunswick Golden Isles Airport, formerly known as Glynco Jetport and Naval Air Station Glynco. The airport is located about 5 miles north of the city and primarily serves general aviation, with one commercial airline also operating from the site. During World War II, the Naval Air Station Glynco served as an operational base for lighter-than-air airships or blimps, playing a crucial role in coastal and maritime patrol, as well as convoy escort duties.

On the other hand, a search for Air Force Bases (AFB) near Brunswick, Georgia, did not yield any results. However, there is a Naval Air Station (NAS) Brunswick located in Maine, which is over 1000 miles away from Brunswick, GA. This base was closed in 2011 and primarily served as a training facility for Canadian and British forces during World War II.

Naval Air Station Glynco was renamed Brunswick Golden Isles Airport

Naval Air Station Glynco, Georgia, was an operational naval air station from 1942 until its closure in 1974. In August 1942, the United States Navy began building the air station on 2,400 acres of land in the northern part of Glynn County, Georgia. The base was named NAS Glynco, an abbreviation of Glynn County, and served as an operational base for lighter-than-air airships, commonly known as blimps.

NAS Glynco played a crucial role during World War II, with blimps conducting coastal and maritime patrols, as well as escorting convoys and protecting vulnerable ships delivering essential war materials. After the war, the base continued to be active, with the Navy even considering expanding it into a Master Jet Base. However, by the end of 1974, NAS Glynco was identified for closure as part of post-Vietnam budget reduction measures.

Following the closure of NAS Glynco, the Glynn County community formed the Glynco Steering Committee to attract new civilian users to the airfield. Their efforts were successful when, 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 retained control of the airfield, which was designated the official county municipal airport in 1975.

The Glynco Jetport, as it was initially known, underwent a renaming process in 2003 to better reflect its location and serve as a more accurate destination for travelers and pilots. Thus, the airport was renamed the Brunswick Golden Isles Airport, reflecting its proximity to Brunswick, Georgia, and the surrounding Golden Isles area.

The new name, Brunswick Golden Isles Airport, not only provided a more descriptive and appealing name for the airport but also helped to promote the region and highlight its attractions for visitors and locals alike. The renaming was accompanied by improvements to the airport's facilities and services, encouraging the expansion of general aviation, charter airline, and scheduled airline traffic.

The airport is located 5 miles north of Brunswick, Georgia

The airport in question is the Brunswick Golden Isles Airport, formerly known as Glynco Jetport and, before that, Naval Air Station Glynco. It is located 5 miles north of Brunswick, Georgia, in Glynn County. The airport has a single runway and is mostly used for general aviation, but it is also served by one commercial airline.

The airport has a rich history, dating back to its establishment as a naval air station in 1942. During World War II, it served as an operational base for lighter-than-air airships, commonly known as blimps, which played a crucial role in coastal and maritime patrol, as well as convoy escort duty. The base continued to operate until 1974, when it was decommissioned and transferred to civilian control.

The Glynn County community played an active role in shaping the airport's future. The Glynco Steering Committee, comprising community leaders, successfully attracted new civilian users to the airfield, ensuring its continued operation. As a result, the former naval air station found new life as a civilian airport, serving the local community and contributing to the economic development of the region.

Today, the Brunswick Golden Isles Airport is managed by the Glynn County Airport Commission, which has undertaken a series of upgrades and repairs to enhance the airport's service and facilities. The airport's name was also changed in 2003 to better reflect its location and destination for travellers and pilots.

The US Navy began building the air station in August 1942

In just 14 months, workers at the new air station built two enormous wooden hangars, measuring 1,058 feet long, 297 feet wide, and 182 feet tall. These hangars were designed to house an eight-ship fleet and provide maintenance for blimps from other bases. The base played a crucial role during World War II, with Airship Patrol Squadron 15 (ZP-15) being the principal unit based at the air station during this time.

The blimps based at NAS Glynco had advanced capabilities for sustained flight and state-of-the-art electronic submarine detection. They flew thousands of hours on coastal and maritime patrol, as well as convoy escort duty, protecting vulnerable ships delivering essential war materials. The convoy escort program has been recognised as one of the most successful defence operations of the war.

In addition to the blimp operations, a runway for fixed-wing aircraft was also constructed at NAS Glynco. The base contributed significantly to advancements in communications and electronics equipment, as well as new search and rescue procedures.

NAS Glynco remained operational until 1974, playing a vital role in the Cold War and Vietnam War. During this time, the base's runway was expanded to over 8,000 feet in length, and it became a centre for advanced training for Naval Aviation Observers, later redesignated as Naval Flight Officers (NFO). The base also housed important air traffic control schools, providing training for US Navy and Marine Corps personnel.

Despite plans to decommission the base in 1949, NAS Glynco remained active until the end of 1974 due to its valuable contributions to anti-submarine warfare capabilities. The base's closure in 1974 came as a surprise to the local community, as it had a significant economic impact and was a strong element of local identity in Glynn County.

The base was closed in 1974

The Naval Air Station Glynco, formerly known as Brunswick's Glynco Naval Air Station, was an important strategic military location during World War II. The base was operational from 1942 until its closure in 1974.

During the war, the base played a crucial role in protecting the coast of Georgia from German U-boats. It served as the largest blimp base in the world, with blimps patrolling the coastal areas and safely escorting almost 100,000 ships without any losses to enemy submarines. The base was also involved in the production of Liberty ships and "Knot" ships for the U.S. Maritime Commission, with over 16,000 workers contributing to the war effort.

After the war, the base continued to operate and was retained in an active status due to tensions in Korea, which led to the Navy recognising the value of airship anti-submarine warfare capabilities. The base was home to Airship Patrol Squadrons 2 (ZP-2) and 3 (ZP-3), as well as the Airship Training Unit (ZTG). However, the Navy slowly began to dismantle the airship program, and in 1959, the blimp hangars were demolished.

In the 1960s, as lighter-than-air operations declined, fixed-wing aircraft operations increased, and the base's runway was lengthened to accommodate them. The base's mission expanded to include advanced training for Naval Aviation Observers, who would later be redesignated as Naval Flight Officers (NFOs). This training was crucial for the next generation of carrier-based multi-crew aircraft.

Despite its significant contributions and influence in Glynn County, NAS Glynco was identified for closure by the end of 1974 as part of post-Vietnam budget reduction measures. The base's closure came as a surprise to the local community, who had benefited economically and socially from its presence. However, the community took proactive steps to attract new civilian users to the airfield, and in 1975, the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) selected the site for a consolidated training academy. The airfield was designated as the official county municipal airport, and these developments proved invaluable to the future prosperity of Brunswick and the Golden Isles.

The Glynn County Airport Commission was established in 1980 to manage the airport

The Glynn County Airport Commission was established in 1980 to manage and develop opportunities for two airports in the county: Brunswick Golden Isles Airport and McKinnon St. Simons Island Airport. The commission has nine members, made up of community leaders, who serve rotating three-year terms.

The commission has been responsible for a series of upgrades and repairs to improve services and facilities at the airports. In 2003, the Brunswick airport was renamed from Glynco Jetport to Brunswick Golden Isles Airport to better reflect its destination for travellers and pilots. A new $10 million airport terminal was completed in 2005, reflecting the local tradition of hospitality for passengers.

The Glynn County Airport Commission has continued to attract new users to the airports and secure grants for further improvements. In 2009, the McKinnon concrete parking ramp was replaced with the help of a $6 million federal grant. In 2010, the FAA granted the Airport Commission $2.99 million for a major drainage overhaul at the Brunswick airport.

The history of aviation in Glynn County dates back to 1938 when the Malcolm B. McKinnon Airport opened on St. Simons Island. In 1942, the U.S. Navy began building Naval Air Station Glynco, which served as a base for blimps until 1974. In 1975, the former naval air station was converted to civilian use and designated the official county municipal airport.

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