Naval Air Station Willow Grove

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NAS JRB Willow Grove
IATA: NXX - ICAO: KNXX
Summary
Airport type		Military
Operator		US Navy
Serves		Willow Grove, Pennsylvania
Elevation AMSL		362 ft (110.3 m)
Coordinates		40° 11' 59.4" N 75° 08' 53.4" W
Runways
Direction	Length		Surface
Direction	ft	m	Surface
15/33	8,002	2,439	PEM

Naval Air Station/Joint Reserve Base, Willow Grove began in 1926 when Harold Pitcairn constructed a hangar and a grass airstrip in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania.

From 1926 to 1942 he used the airfield for design, development, construction and testing of a number of aircraft, including the Mailwing which was put into use by the United States Postal Service.

After the start of World War II, the United States purchased the grounds, and launched a classified anti-submarine warfare program at the base.

Following the war it became a reserve training station, a duty it continues to this day. As part of its joint recruitment efforts, the base is an annual host to one of the largest airshows on the East Coast.

[edit] Base Realignment and Closure, 2005

On May 28, 2006, The Base Realignment and Closure commission recommended that this base be closed. This may be subject to change by the President of the United States and the United States Congress.This will be a tough blow,because BRAC has closed almost all the military facilities in the Philadelphia region, taking numerous jobs with them.

Willow Grove Air Force Base To Close

UPDATED: 6:20 pm EST January 4, 2007

Willow Grove, Pa. -- Air Force C-130's will soon be gone from the Willow Grove joint reserve base.

The Air Force Reserve is deactivating the 913th Airlift Wing, which means 1,200 reservists and civilian employees will lose their jobs at Willow Grove.

But the Air Force said it will help those people find jobs at other units around the country.

The 913th Airlift Wing is scheduled to close by Oct. 1.