Mission
The mission of Naval Air Station, Corpus Christi, Texas, is to provide the best possible service and facilities to our customers with pride. Our function is to maintain and operate facilities, and provide service and material, to support operations of aviation facilities and units of the Naval Air Training Command and other tenant activities and units.
We will complete our mission through clear and concise communication and continual pursuit of improvement. We will optimize the use of our diverse workforce and air station resources to support tenant commands, and regional goals and objectives.
Our overall command assignment is pilot training. The Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA), headquartered here, oversees the training operation throughout the Southeast Region, from Texas to Florida. Under CNATRA's command are five training air wings, 16 training squadrons, more than 14,000 Navy and civilian personnel, the Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Naval Aviation Schools Command and the National Museum of Naval Aviation. Established in August 1971, the Naval Air Training Command moved to its present headquarters in July 1972.
Training Air Wing Four (TW-4) was established in March 1972. It is comprised of four individual units: Training Squadrons Twenty-seven (VT-27), Twenty-eight (VT-28),Thirty-one (VT-31) and Thirty-five (VT-35). VT-27 and VT-28 are two of five primary training squadrons (the other three are located at Whiting Field in Milton, Fla.). They fly the T-6B Texan II, a single-engine turbo-prop, two-seat, basic training aircraft. VT-31 and VT-35 provide advanced multi-engine training in the T-44A King Air. VT-31 is also responsible for intermediate phase flight training for future E-2C Hawkeye and C-2A Greyhound pilots. VT-35 was established as a Joint Advanced Multi-engine Training Squadron in October 1999. The historic establishment was the first time that a Navy squadron was formed under the command of a United States Air Force officer. Until 2013, when Air Force student pilot training ended in TW-4, command of the squadron alternated annually between the Air Force and Navy.
Other aircraft aboard the Naval Air Station include Army helicopters that are re-worked and tested, as well as the P-3 Orion, flown by US Customs and Border Protection.
The largest tenant command at NAS Corpus Christi is the Corpus Christi Army Depot (CCAD). CCAD occupies nearly 140 acres leased from the station and is the largest industrial employer in South Texas. Established in 1961 as a relatively small maintenance facility for fixed-wing aircraft, CCAD has evolved into the Army's largest helicopter repair, overhaul and maintenance center.
Other major tenants at NAS Corpus Christi include the United States Marine Aviation Training Support Group; and the United States Customs and Border Protection Service. In all, there are more than 25 tenant commands and activities located on board the station.
History
In 1519, on the Roman Catholic Feast Day of Corpus Christi, Spanish explorer Alonzo Alverez de Pineda discovered a lush semi-tropical bay on the southern coast of Texas. The bay, and the city that later developed, took the name of the feast day celebrating the "Body of Christ". Corpus Christi began as a frontier trading post, founded in 1838-39 by Colonel Henry Lawrence Kinney. It remained an obscure settlement until July 1845, when U.S. troops under General Zachary Taylor set up camp at the settlement in preparation for war with Mexico. In the late 1930's, the U.S. was becoming more involved with the war in Europe. More pilots were needed for what seemed an inevitable second world war. The Navy saw a need for a new and larger pilot training facility and its eyes fell on Corpus Christi. Commissioned on March 12, 1941, Naval Air Station Corpus Christi commenced flight operations. For more information see the NAS Corpus Christi homepage. The city is now the largest city on the Texas coast and is the nation's largest exporter of crude oil and fifth-largest port in total tonnage.
Population
The 2024 Census Bureau Estimates Corpus Christi has a population today of 316,595 which makes it the 8th largest city in Texas. The metropolitan area population is estimated to be between 460,000 - 485,000. The larger Corpus Christi-Kingsville-Alice Combined Statistical Area (CSA) has over 517,000 residents. The Sparkling City by the Sea has about 2,048 people per square mile (734/square kilometer).
Military OneSource list the local base population as just over 43,200.
NAS Corpus Christi Personnel:
- Active Duty 2,836
- Commands 22
- Family Members 7,090
- Retirees 12,555
- Reserve & Guard 1,185
- Retirees Family members 12,555
- Civilian Employees 4,403
- Reserve & Guard Family members 2,963
- Grand Total 43,287
Location
Naval Air Station (NAS) Corpus Christi located in South Texas on the southeast side of the city. Corpus Christi and the surrounding region is culturally rich and diverse, offers excellent educational opportunities, beautiful climate, land- and sea-based recreation, a strong economy, exceptional healthcare facilities, and affordable living that is "exceptionally friendly" to the military. Base information 361-961-2811 DSN 861-2811
Directions
Driving Directions
Naval Air Station Corpus Christi is located in the Flour Bluff area, 10 miles southeast of the City of Corpus Christi, and across Corpus Christi Bay.
We are located approximately 45 miles east of Naval Air Station Kingsville, 150 miles south of San Antonio, and approximately 200 miles south-southwest of Houston.
Corpus Christi is located approximately 150 miles from the Mexican border. Drivers should follow Texas Highway 358/South Padre Island Drive to the NAS Drive exit (clearly marked with NAS-CCAD signs) just before the causeway that crosses over to Padre Island. The South (Main) Gate is located one mile from the causeway bridge and is open 24 hours a day. (Ocean Drive provides a beautiful coastline ride from Corpus Christi to the base's North Gate. The North Gate has limited hours from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.)
From Portland:
- On US 181 travel toward Corpus Christi
- Continue on US-181 S. to TX-286
- Take TX-286 S to TX-358
- Take TX-358 E NAS-CCAD
- Take the 358/South Padre Island Drive exit (Look for NASCC-CCAD sign)
- Continue on 358/South Padre Island Drive approximately 15 miles
- Exit on NAS Dr; continue on NAS Dr to NASCC South Gate entrance
From San Antonio:
- On IH 37 merge onto TX-358
- Take the 358/South Padre Island Drive exit (Look for NASCC-CCAD sign)
- Continue on South Padre Island Drive/SPID approximately 15 miles
- Exit on NAS Dr; continue on NAS Dr to NASCC South Gate entrance
Airport
Limousine and taxi transportation, as well as city bus service, is available from the Corpus Christi International Airport to Naval Air Station Corpus Christi. Driving Directions From the Corpus Christi Airport:
- Go towards the Airport Exit on International Blvd
- Turn right on service road
- Take the TX-44 ramp; merge on TX-44
- Take the TX-358 exit; merge on TX-358
- Take the SOUTH PADRE ISLAND DR/SPID exit (Look for NASCC-CCAD sign)
- Continue on South Padre Island Drive/SPID approximately 15 miles
- Exit on NAS Dr; continue on NAS Dr to NASCC South Gate entrance
The google map link below is to our main gate. The pass & tag office located on the right just before the entrance.
Main Gate
