Naval Air Station Ellyson Field
Encyclopedia
Naval Air Station Ellyson Field was a former U.S. Navy training base, established in Escambia County, Florida
in 1940 at the outset of World War II
as an auxiliary facility to Chevalier Field
at Naval Air Station Pensacola
, Florida. Originally designated Base Field 01913 (Site 3), located on the west side of Escambia Bay
16 miles northeast of NAS Pensacola, construction on an expanded facility, officially named Ellyson Field in honor of CDR Theodore G. “Spuds” Ellyson
, the Navy’s first aviator, began on 26 February 1941.
It last served the Navy as a helicopter training facility through December 1973, by which time conflicts with air traffic patterns for what is now known as Pensacola Gulf Coast Regional Airport, located just south of the station, coupled with the reorganization of Naval Air Training Command
, led to a decision to close the field. Helicopter training was moved to Whiting Field
, Florida, and flight operations were discontinued on 28 December 1973.
The base was declared a non-aviation activity and claimed by the Naval Education and Training Program Development Center. Following the training center’s move to Saufley Field
, Florida, in 1979, Ellyson was declared excess and the gates were permanently closed.
It is now an industrial park with only a few of the Navy buildings still standing. These include the operations building, the two hangars, the academic training building, the dispensary and the BOQ that served the Navy personnel assigned to Ellyson. Portions of the ramp areas also still exist but the runway grid has been completely redeveloped.
Escambia County, Florida
Escambia County is the westernmost county in the U.S. state of Florida. The 2010 population was 297,619. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county is 296,772. Its county seat is Pensacola.- History :...
in 1940 at the outset of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
as an auxiliary facility to Chevalier Field
Chevalier Field
Chevalier Field was the original non-seaplane aircraft landing area at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. Established originally in 1922 as Station Field, it was located on the northeast side of the Navy base, on the western edge of Pensacola Bay and south of Bayou Grande...
at Naval Air Station Pensacola
Naval Air Station Pensacola
Naval Air Station Pensacola or NAS Pensacola , "The Cradle of Naval Aviation", is a United States Navy base located next to Warrington, Florida, a community southwest of the Pensacola city limits...
, Florida. Originally designated Base Field 01913 (Site 3), located on the west side of Escambia Bay
Escambia Bay
Escambia Bay is a bay located mostly in Santa Rosa County and partly in Escambia County, Florida, in the far western Florida Panhandle. The city of Pensacola is located on the western side, and the town of Milton is located on the northeastern end of the two-pronged bay. Both places are the...
16 miles northeast of NAS Pensacola, construction on an expanded facility, officially named Ellyson Field in honor of CDR Theodore G. “Spuds” Ellyson
Theodore Gordon Ellyson
Theodore Gordon Ellyson, USN , nicknamed "Spuds", was the first United States Navy officer designated as an aviator . Ellyson served in the experimental development of aviation in the years before and after World War I. He also spent several years before the war as part of the Navy's new...
, the Navy’s first aviator, began on 26 February 1941.
It last served the Navy as a helicopter training facility through December 1973, by which time conflicts with air traffic patterns for what is now known as Pensacola Gulf Coast Regional Airport, located just south of the station, coupled with the reorganization of Naval Air Training Command
Naval Air Training Command
The Naval Air Training Command is a two star command that administers the training of student Naval Aviators, Naval Flight Officers, Naval Aircrew, aircraft maintainers and controllers...
, led to a decision to close the field. Helicopter training was moved to Whiting Field
Naval Air Station Whiting Field
Naval Air Station Whiting Field is a United States Navy base located near Milton, Florida, in central Santa Rosa County, and is one of the Navy's two primary pilot training bases . NAS Whiting Field also provides training for U.S. Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Air Force student pilots, as well as...
, Florida, and flight operations were discontinued on 28 December 1973.
The base was declared a non-aviation activity and claimed by the Naval Education and Training Program Development Center. Following the training center’s move to Saufley Field
Saufley Field
Saufley Field is a military airport located five nautical miles west of the central business district of Pensacola, in Escambia County, Florida, United States. It is an active U.S...
, Florida, in 1979, Ellyson was declared excess and the gates were permanently closed.
It is now an industrial park with only a few of the Navy buildings still standing. These include the operations building, the two hangars, the academic training building, the dispensary and the BOQ that served the Navy personnel assigned to Ellyson. Portions of the ramp areas also still exist but the runway grid has been completely redeveloped.