Naval Air Station Key West, Naval air station in Boca Chica Key, Florida.
Naval Air Station Key West is a military facility on Boca Chica Key in Florida that supports combat aircraft and naval operations in the southern United States. The installation features runways, hangars, and training areas that span the entire island.
The Navy established an air station here in December 1940 to strengthen coastal defense during World War II. Later expansions enabled jet operations and made the site a key training center.
The base carries the local nickname "Fighter Town at Sea," reflecting its primary role in preparing pilots for carrier operations. Crews from across the Navy arrive here to refine their skills in the warm southern waters before deployment.
The grounds sit roughly 6 kilometers (4 miles) east of downtown Key West on a separate island. Access is limited to public roads, as this is an active military base with security checkpoints.
The location just 93 miles (150 kilometers) from Cuba made the base a front-line position during the 1962 missile crisis. Reconnaissance aircraft launched from here daily to monitor Soviet missile sites.
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