Naval Air Station - RICHMOND

Home of the 25 ships of ZP-21

(Patrol, Airship Squadron 21)

and

Airship Wing 2

Welcome Aboard!

This page IS NOT an official U.S. Navy site. This page is maintained by volunteers and "Friends of Naval Air Station - Richmond"

If you would like to visit the U.S. Navy OFFICIAL page, click here.

Naval Air Station, Richmond

In 1942, as World War II heated up and the United States became move involved, the U.S. government ordered a massive buildup in military facilities. One of these facilities was Naval Air Station, Richmond. Located on about 2,500 acres of land (1,012 hectares) in the then near wilderness, 20 miles (30.6 km) south of the city of Miami, Florida, the Navy started construction of a major airship or "LTA" air station. Naval Air Station, Richmond, takes its name from the "Richmond Lumber Company" which had built a saw mill on the property around the turn of the century, to harvest and process he large stands of "Dade county pine", a type of pine tree noted for its high sap content which makes it almost totally impervious to insect and termite infestation and is so hard after drying and aging, that it is often worked with metal working tools.

The base grew quickly, using native timber and millions of board-feet of lumber shipped in from the Pacific-Northwest. Three large airship hangars and all of an active navy base's support buildings and barracks were soon completed.

Amidst all of the pomp and ceremony that accompanies almost all military events, the base was commissioned on 15 September, 1942. (Your Webmaster does not have all of the details of the base's opening ceremonies and crew compliment at this time. As this information is forwarded to me, this page will be updated and revised.

The three hangars, several blimps, numerous other aircraft and many of the other structures were destroyed during the huge hurricane that swept across the southern tip of Florida, 14 and 15 September, 1945.

Read about the "Burning of NAS Richmond"

Read the story of the ONLY U.S. Navy airship ever lost to enemy fire. THE BATTLE OF THE BLIMP AND THE SUB.

In late 1995, the decision was made to create an exhibit detailing the history and important role the base played during World War II. On 16 September, 1995, over 200 people assembled on the apron of what was Hangar 1, Naval Air Station, Richmond, to honor and commemorate the 50th anniversary of World War II. Colors were presented by Navy Sea Cadets. The invocation was by Mr. Ken Fox, former machinist mate, who was stationed at NAS Richmond. Ms. Maggi Cook read the Dade Heritage Trust resolution of support. Ms. Connie Greer presented a plaque, accepted for the veterans by LCDR. James Sinquefield (retired), former WWII blimp pilot. A speech by NAS Curator YN1 Anthony Attwood, USNR, was followed by a tour of the base by NAS Curators, Cesar Becerra and Alan Crockwell.

The groundbreaking was at the NAS boiler room. Handling the "Gold Shovel", were CDR Paul Reiman, USN, Commanding Officer, Navy Recruiting District, Mrs. Robertson, wife of W.W. II blimp skipper, Allan McElhiney, NAS Fort Lauderdale Curator, and Cole Crockwell, son of Alan Crockwell and future Navy Historian.

Also on hand were LCDR Tomas Zapata, USCG, LCDR Paul Gilson, Navy League, MSCM Bob Browdy, USN (Retired), LT Steve Lorcher, USN, Alex Durr, Association of Naval Aviation, and a host of other good folks!

The Grand Opening of the Naval Air Station, Richmond exhibit occurred 14 September, 1996. This was an official "Miami Centennial '96" event.

If you would like to visit another site with loads of information about Blimps and Airships, click here!

Homepage of the Naval Airship Association.

Join the "Friends of Richmond Naval Air Station"

Membership Form

The NAS Richmond crew is: James Sinquefield, LCDR, USN (retired), our "Pilot"; YN1 Anthony Attwood, USNR, our "Navigator"; Cesar Becerra, our "Sparks"; Alan Crockwell, our "Gunner"; and Gold Coast Museum Director, Connie Greer, our "Ground Controller".

The Friends of NAS Richmond is an informal, non-profit association of aviation buffs, veterans, patriotic, community minded citizens, servicemen and women dedicated to preserving for future generations, the rich military heritage of historic South Florida.