This 5,000-acre complex comprising the Naval Base San Diego was taken over by the U.S. Army in 1917, after it became part of the allied forces of WWI. The shipyard had originally been established in 1910 by Glenn H. Curtiss, who competed against the Wright Brothers for aeronautical fame.
In 1919, the Navy took the shipyard over, but it was too late to make a significant impact on the war. The shipyard did institute itself, however, as the main port for the Pacific Fleet carriers. The location provided training services for the men who would join the crews of these ships as well. Naval Base San Diego, also known as North Island Shipyard due to its location, became the main support base for the operating forces in the Pacific.
01. Overview
Naval Base San Diego Overview
The location houses six key military flag staffs including Commander Third Fleet, US Pacific Fleet, Commanders Carrier Group One and Seven, Commander Naval Air Force, and Commanders Cruiser Destroyer Groups One and Five. Naval Air Station Island is now the most expansive aerospace employer in San Diego.
Included in its facilities are San Clemente Island, Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, Beach and Naval Air Landing Facility, and Outlying Field Imperial. It also has 130 command stations from Coronado to the entrance of San Diego to the Mexico Border. With over 235 aircraft and two aircraft carriers, USS Constellation (CV 64) and USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), Naval Air Station Island (NASNI) has 23 squadrons and 75 additional tenant commands and activities.
In November 1963 a Navy Submarine Support Facility was established at the Naval Base San Diego as well. Navy downsizing spurred the decommissioning of several command units beginning in April 1995. A final Environmental Impact Statement issued in 1999 resulted in the Navy deciding to upgrade the current facilities and infrastructure at Naval Air Station Island, rather than utilize a different port or build a new one.
Almost a decade later, Naval Base San Diego was still found to have asbestos. In 2006, tons of asbestos were found with large traces found in 2009 and 2010 throughout various areas of the shipyard. Multiple cleanups have ensued to get rid of the toxin, but workers and family members working at the location were at great risk of developing asbestos diseases from primary exposure and secondary exposure.
