Naval Air Station Alameda, Naval Air Station on San Francisco Bay in Alameda, United States
Naval Air Station Alameda is a former military airfield on Alameda Island in San Francisco Bay, equipped with runways and docking facilities for aircraft carriers. The base stretches along the western shoreline, combining aviation infrastructure with direct waterfront access for naval operations.
Congress authorized construction in 1938 to support carrier air groups and seaplane squadrons before the war began. In April 1942, USS Hornet departed from here carrying bombers for the Doolittle Raid on Japan.
The installation served as the departure point for the Doolittle Raid in 1942, when USS Hornet carried B-25 aircraft for missions against Japan.
The former military base is undergoing redevelopment and is not currently open as a public site with free access. Individual buildings and areas open occasionally for community events or special tours.
Between 1949 and 1953, the station housed the Lockheed R6V Constitution, which remains the largest aircraft ever built for the US Navy. The flying boat reached a wingspan of over 189 feet (57.6 meters) and could accommodate more than 180 passengers.
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