2023 Spring, Liberty Life

Living the Liberty Life

SPRING 2023 / VOLUME 3 ISSUE 3

4 WE ARE THE LIBERTY COAST

5 EVENTS

On the Liberty Coast

6 THE LIBERTY COAST: Charlton and Camden County, Georgia. Nassau and Baker County, Florida

7 THE LIBERTY COAST: Jacksonville and Duval County, Florida

8 THE LIBERTY COAST: Guardians of the Homeland

10 THE LIBERTY COAST: Prepositioned Marines

Publisher / Advertising Sales Sam Taylor, Pro-Military • (904) 860-2465 SamTaylor1342@Gmail.Com

LIBERTY LIFE STAFF:

Art Director

Susan Jones

US Army Veteran Spouse

Contributor

Christina Swanson

US Army & Navy

Civilian Employee

Liberty Life Online

Automotive Advertising

Staci Edwards

Manager@AutoSourceWeekly.com

11 THE LIBERTY COAST’S IRON GATORS: Neighbors, Protectors and Philanthropists.

14 THE LIBERTY COAST: Finest Service to the Finest Fleet

18 THE LIBERTY COAST: Birthplace of the Blues and the Future of Maritime Patrol

19 THE LIBERTY COAST: Cecil’s Evolving New Era

On the Cover: USS Lassen (DDG-82) is one of many navy warships homeported at Naval Station Mayport on The Liberty Coast. She is named for Medal of Honor recipient Commander Clyde Everett Lassen. Lassen piloted a helicopter and recovered two downed Naval Aviators deep inside North Vietnam. (USN Facebook)

Co-Founder Joe Snowberger - Navy Mustang Veteran VetJAX@Outlook.Com

Liberty Life Media welcomes editorial, photographic and calendar contributions. Submit stories, events, people, milestones and military/ Veteran discount offers at www.LibertyLifeMedia.Com

Please share and recycle issues. The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.

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WE ARE THE LIBERTY COAST A Tour of Southeast Georgia and Northeast Florida’s Robust Defense Community

By Joe Snowberger, Navy Mustang Veteran

Southeastern Georgia and Northeast Florida is a beautiful coastal region of pines, rivers, marshes, beaches and . . . military bases?

Nine in fact. Three of which are major naval installations or master bases that, just by themselves, operate over a hundred military aircraft and a fleet of warships and ballistic missile submarines. They also employ thousands of people.

Here, across nine counties, five of the nation’s six military branches of service operate on and off these area bases as well as the Department of Defense (DOD), Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection and others.

Military headquarters in the region include the Navy’s 4th Fleet, the Coast Guard’s Jacksonville Sector, Florida’s National Guard and the Navy Admiral who is the property and facilities manager for all the naval installations in 12 southeastern states, from Kansas to Florida.

The region is indeed a robust and significant contributor to our nation’s defense. In fact, some 50,000 plus military Servicemembers, AKA defenders of our liberty, serve on those nine-plus military bases.

Working alongside them are thousands of DOD employees, defense contractors and pro-military civilian employees. Together they operate and maintain all the associated military aircraft, warships, submarines, cutters, trainers, and equipment.

Another 175,000 of the region’s population are military Veterans and retirees who have adopted the region as their post-military service home.

The military is often referred to as being a family. Must be true as evidenced by the additional 150,000, or so, military and Veteran family members also living among us. Doing the basic math, this steadily growing 375,000 population of active duty, GUARD and reserves, Veterans, and families make up 25 percent of the region’s 1.6 million residents. That is a significant community.

Let’s review. Economically, the military and related businesses across this region is a kinetic business center that annually processes nearly $5 billion and accounts for 18 percent of the workforce.

One in four of the households in a nine county footprint are or were invested in protecting, defending or deterring threats to our liberty and freedom.

There is an Army presence, there are Air Force fighter jets stationed here, two Marine Corps commands, three Coast Guard entities, the Florida Air National Guard, Florida National Guard, Customs and Border Protection and others in addition to the three well-known Navy bases operating in one region of nine counties in southeastern Georgia and northeastern Florida. We are long past being known just as a Navy town; We are The Liberty Coast.

Athenian Owl Restaurant, where traditional Greek food is prepared daily using only the freshest ingredients and authentic imported products. We incorporate traditional family recipes with a modern spin, showcasing our passion for cooking. Join us today for lunch or dinner and learn why it is a local favorite for some of the best Greek food in Jacksonville.

9551 Baymeadows Rd. suite #21-23 Jacksonville, FL 32256 Phone: (904) 503-3008 www.AthenianOwlJaxFl.com

Join us as Liberty Life meanders through the militarily allied counties of Camden, Charlton, Nassau, Duval, Baker, Clay, Bradford, Putnam and St. Johns. We’ll share a glimpse of the diverse collection of military installations and some of the region’s robust military heritage established in the pro-military region from Kings Bay to Lake George. We are The Liberty Coast.

Being pro-military is being supportive and grateful for those you do give of their talents, skills and some of their life’s work endeavoring to ensure our liberty.

The Liberty Coast tour begins on page 6.

The Liberty Hound” statute on Downtown Jacksonville’s southbank represents the robust Navy heritage all across The Liberty Coast. (Photo: Joe Snowberger)

Pro-Military

On the Liberty Coast

St. AUGUSTINE CELTIC MUSIC & HERITAGE FESTIVAL

SATURDAY, MARCH 11 AND SUNDAY, MARCH 12.

10 A.M. UNTIL 10 P.M. ON SATURDAY AND FROM 10 A.M. UNTIL 7 P.M. ON SUNDAY. CelticstAugustine.Com.

Top touring bands from Scotland, Ireland, Canada, and the U.S. will play traditional songs and Celtic rock throughout the two-day festival. An extensive music line-up includes Albannach, Dublin City Ramblers, Seven Nations, Steel City Rovers, La Unica, Syr, Jamison, and Dragonfly. Chad Light is the main stage host and emcee. FREE ADMISSION for active duty and retired military personnel.

35th ANNUAL GEM, MINERAL, JEWELRY, FOSSIL & BEAD SHOW

SHOW & SALE MARCH 24, 25 & 26.

JGMS.Wildapricot.Org

Jacksonville Gem & Mineral Society is proud to present our 35th Annual Jacksonville Gem, Jewelry, Mineral, Fossil, Bead More than 40 Vendors from around the country. Fantastic one of a kind jewelry, rare and beautiful minerals and fossils from around the world. Also on display are jewelry and lapidary supplies, Faceted Gem Stones, Cabochons, Beads, Tools and more.

Spectacular Grand Prize Drawings, Awesome Hourly Door Prizes, See the Fluorescent Rock Display in Full Black light. You will be AMAZED!!!

Jacksonville Fair Grounds, 510 Fairgrounds Place, Jacksonville, Florida. March 24-26, 2023. Fri-Sat 10-6, Sun 10-5, $5 per day or $8 for the weekend, Kids 12 and under free, Scouts in uniform free, $1 off for 65+, or $1 off for Military, Police and Fire.

CLAY COUNTY AGRICULTURAL FAIR

THURSDAY MARCH 30TH, AT 7 PM THROUGH SUNDAY, APRIL 9TH ClayCountyFair.Org

Since 1987 the Clay County Agricultural Fair has provided Clay County and Northeast Florida with an event that’s both fun and educational in a family atmosphere. In fact, the Fair vision says it all “A Family A*Fair”.

The Fair strives to be the showcase for Clay County’s agricultural, educational, civic and commercial interest. It provides an opportunity for citizens to work and have fun together. Volunteers are the lifeblood of the fair. Their dedicated support of sharing time and talents is vital to the fair’s success.

SPRINGING THE BLUES

MARCH 31ST, APRIL 1ST & 2ND 2023

SpringingTheBlues.com

The Springing The Blues presented by Sawgrass Asset Management is one of the world’s finest blues music events, located at the Seawalk Pavilion in downtown Jacksonville Beach. Please join us on March 31st, April 1st & 2nd 2023, for three great days of blues on the beach! Be sure to get your VIP passes now!

The Springing The Blues presented by Sawgrass Asset Management is a free, outdoor blues music festival that celebrates America’s indigenous musical form. The three-day oceanfront event features national, regional and local blues artists on two stages. Springing the Blues is held at Jacksonville Beach’s SeaWalk Pavilion every Spring.

RIDING INTO HISTORY

SATURDAY, APRIL 15, 2023 • 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.

RidingIntoHistory.org

World Golf Village, St. Augustine, Florida • I-95, Exit 323

Enjoy the 23rd Annual Riding into History™ Motorcycle Concours d’Elegance

This Year’s Theme: COMPETITION MOTORCYCLES

The Riding Into History Councours d’Elegance is again held at the World Golf Village. As always, no entry fee for qualified registered motorcycles, great gifts and outstanding awards. Admission tickets for spectators at this link. All proceeds to benefit K9’s for Warriors.

THE LIBERTY COAST:

Charlton and Camden County, Georgia.

From the north, The Liberty Coast begins in Georgia’s beautiful St Mary’s river basin, and includes the very pro-military counties of Charlton and Camden. Founded in 1777, Camden County is a home to the communities of St Mary’s and Kingsland.

On the shores of the Cumberland Sound is a principal naval base, Naval Submarine Base (NSB) Kings Bay. The theme of Kings Bay and its nearly 15,000 workforce and population is deterrence from attack and keeping America safe.

Boomers. Behind the heavily guarded fence line is the east coast home to six Ohio class nuclear-powered ballistic submarines (SSBN) and their Trident II D5 strategic intercontinental missiles. USS Alaska, USS Tennessee, USS West Virginia, USS Maryland, USS Rhode Island and USS Wyoming make up the roster. Each “boomer” can carry 24 Trident II missiles. Each missile can carry eight independently-targeted warheads that can hit separate targets between 4,000 and 7,400 miles away. Each submarine can deliver 192 warheads. Deterrence.

Additionally, two Ohio class boats, now converted guided missile submarines (SSGN), also call NSB Kings Bay home. USS Florida and USS Georgia can each carry over 150 Tomahawk cruise missiles and can carry over 60 Special Forces personnel. Deterrence.

Go Blue. Go Gold. A unique aspect of SSBNs and SSGNs is they each come with two crews, called Blue and Gold. These rotating crews all allow the SSBN to go on their deterrent patrols more frequently and the SSGNs to stay at sea longer, keeping their assets ready to use when

needed. For example, the USS Georgia just returned from being at-sea for over two years, rotating their crews four times. Deterrence.

Among the normal military installation services and the specialized activities needed to keep the fleet of nuclear submarines at sea is the Trident Refit Facility. This is the largest building in Camden County and hosts the largest covered dry dock in the Western Hemisphere. With more than 500,000 square feet, it is a floodable garage for repairing and maintaining nuclear-powered boomers.

While the Ohio class submarine is one of our nation’s premier weapon systems, NSB Kings Bay is busily engaged in an estimated $800 million renovation to its capabilities and facilities to accommodate the new Columbia-class boomers, coming circa 2031.

Naturalists. Kings Bay’s environmental footprint is spectacular, encompassing about 16,000 acres including 4,000 acres of protected wetlands, 27 archeological sites, and home to many animal species, including over 220 birds, 68 mammals, 67 reptiles (5 poisonous snakes), and 37 amphibians. Kings Bay also features the first full-service drive-through US Navy recycling center.

Situated on the bank of the namesake river separating Georgia and Florida, the St. Marys Submarine Museum showcases the history of the silent service.

THE LIBERTY COAST:

Nassau and Baker County, Florida.

Whilethere are no military installations in rural Nassau and Baker counties in the northeastern Florida border area of The Liberty Coast, these communities are home to many of the military Servicemembers, Department of Defense employees and contractors who served or work on Kings Bay as well as numerous other military installations on The Liberty Coast.

Nassau and Baker counties are military community allies with many tightly-knitted Veteran-Serving Organizations with a unified mission of taking care of and honoring its citizens who are and have served in the military.

Did You Know?

Super Tucano? Many on The Liberty Coast are unaware that a combat aircraft, used by numerous foreign countries, is assembled at a facility at Jacksonville’s airport.

A light-attack military aircraft, the A-29 is a favored military aviation asset of countries with limited production and support capabilities. The Super Tucano can operate day and night from remote bases and unpaved runways with minimal ground support.

On the eastern edge of Camden County, the sail of the former Franklin-class fleet ballistic missile submarine USS GEORGE BANCROFT (SSBN 643) rises from a sea of green grass in front of the Naval Submarine Base (NSB) Kings Bay. (Facebook)

USS Georgia (SSGN 729) recently returned to Kings Bay submarine base at the end of a two year deployment. (USN Facebook)

The A-29 Super Tucano turboprop powered light air support aircraft are assembled at a facility at the Jacksonville International Airport. (Photo - Embraer Aerospace)

THE

LIBERTY

COAST:

Jacksonville and Duval County, Florida.

Greater Jacksonville and Duval County consolidated their governments in 1968 and emerged as the largest city in the continental United States. That’s good as a lot of the county is taken up by military bases. Jacksonville is home to six of the nine military installations on The Liberty Coast as well as numerous other commands and the largest Veteran population in the state. The Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, National Guard, Coast Guard and Customs and Border Protection operate here. Working south from the Nassau and Baker County lines, we’ll introduce you to the Duval County defense community network.

DUAL MISSION EAGLES. Located adjacent to and sharing the runways with the Jacksonville International Airport is the Jacksonville Air National Guard Base. It is home to the Florida Air National Guard’s 125th Fighter Wing (125FW), whose main mission is in its name: Fighter.

The 125th Fighter Wing’s primary mission has been air defense since 1961. As a Florida Air National Guard (FANG) asset, the 125FW role is to protect life and property under the Governor of Florida. In its federal role, the 125FW is a U.S. Air Force air sovereignty asset that protects the U.S. airspace and augments defense of the nation.

For both those roles, the FANG is armed with the F-15C Eagle, an American twin-engine, all-weather tactical fighter aircraft designed to meet the USA’s need for a dedicated air superiority fighter.

Routinely, the F-15s, their combat-ready crews and maintenance teams deploy across the globe to perform USAF air superiority and air dominance assignments. Always training, some of the fighter aircraft are always standing by to respond to threats to the homeland, like Russian Bears and Chinese spy balloons.

The FANG’s air base is staffed by both full-time and part-time Air Force and Florida National Guard personnel. Several of the GUARD pilots also fly for commercial airlines. The traditional GUARD and reserve personnel - part time citizen airmen - also have full time civilian jobs like nurses, teachers, welders and IT specialists.

Like the Naval Submarine Base, Kings Bay, the Jacksonville Air National Guard Base is undergoing a significant upgrade to their facilities. The 125th Fighter Wing is preparing to replace the aging F-15s and receive the Air Force’s newest and very sophisticated fighter, the F-35 Lightning II in 2024.

YOUNG MARINES’ WORLD WAR II HISTORY TOUR

A Rare Opportunity to Attend 2023

D-Day Remembrance in Normandy

The supervised trip is planned for June 3 – 15, 2023 to honor those who served in World War II. They plan to visit the following in France and Germany to learn that freedom is not free:

D-Day Remembrance Ceremony in Normandy | Museums Meet some remaining World War II Veterans Cemeteries | Beaches of Normandy | Memorials

Tech. Sgt. Aaron Hartley of the Florida Air National Guard’s Det. 1, 125th Fighter Wing, guides an F-15 Eagle Fighter Wing on the flightline. (Photo by Tech. Sgt. Thomas Kielbasa)

Military Media Brings Us Together Military Media Brings Us Together

The Liberty CoastSM encompasses 9 counties and 9 military bases in SE Georgia and NE Florida and is home to over 375,000 military Servicemembers, Veterans, DOD personnel, and their families.

THE LIBERTY COAST:

Guardians of the Homeland.

ith the motto “Semper Paratus - Always Ready,” the United States Coast Guard (USCG) has a robust and diverse presence on The

As one of our nation’s six military service branches, the multi-mission USCG is responsible for an array of maritime duties, from ensuring safe and lawful maritime commerce, performing rescue missions in severe conditions, supporting safe space launches and disabling smuggling ves-

Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville (Sector Jax) has a huge area of responsibility, covering 40,000 square miles of the Atlantic Ocean and inland waterways ranging from Port Canaveral, Florida to St. Mary’s, Georgia.

Sector Jax’s headquarters is located near the JAXPORT Cruise terminal on Alta Drive where they share a newer facility with the Customs and Border Patrol. Here, the Sector Jax’s Command Center responds to “May Day” calls and provides 24-hour command, control and coordination activities across their large area of responsibility.

Sector Jax’s HQ is also the office of the senior commander of Coast Guard forces in the region. Captain Janet D. Espino-Young is also the Captain of the Port and the Federal Maritime Security Coordinator, just to name a few of the commander’s roles.

Sector Jax has 11 subordinate units, 700-ish Coast Guard “Guardians” and additional reserve and civilian personnel, three small boat stations, five cutters, two aids-to-navigation teams, a marine safety detachment and lots of other stuff.

Working from a micro-base near the mouth of the St Johns River in Mayport Village, the U. S. Coast Guard Coast Guard Station Mayport conducts the traditional operations of the USCG. Here is where the cutters and other water assets are based and where you’ll find one of our favorite gems on The Liberty Coast: The Coast Guard Exchange. With a little bit of everything including awesome gifts, this mini-mart is a great place to stock up on sundry items, bags of ice and other beach and fishing necessities.

Cutting Edge. Overall, Sector Jax performs the traditional Coast Guard activities like search and rescue and maritime safety and navigation support. Most folks are surprised that the USCG is very heavily engaged in the Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) industry, space launch and recovery operations, JAXPORT’s deepening of the waterway, environmental regulation and facilitating greater commerce going forward. All of that probably makes the USCG more relevant than ever.

“In addition to rescues, USCG’s Sector JAX is very busy with 200 space launches a year. (Photo: USCG)”

THE LIBERTY COAST: Prepositioned

Marines

Whileoften considered a “Navy” town, the Marines have two unique operations in Jacksonville. Up first, is the Marine Corps Support Facility - Blount Island Command.

This is not your typical Marine Corps installation. Yes, one will discover fit and battle-ready Marines (aren’t they all?) with their trusty sidekicks, Navy Corpsmen, on this beautiful river island base. However, Blount Island Command is a very specialized port facility and logistics hub that serves as the Marines global equipment locker, repair shop, service garage, armory and food pantry. The island port facility supplies deployed Marines with combat ready equipment and vehicles they need to do what Marines dowhen Uncle Sam dials 9-1-1.

Preposition. The 2,000 acre island is located in the St Johns River, nine miles east of the Atlantic Ocean, along Heckscher Drive. It primarily serves as a cargo facility for the Port of Jacksonville. The Marines lease approximately 262 acres for its Blount Island Command, or “BIC” as it is known. BIC’s impact on our military readiness and responsiveness can be summed up with one word: preposition.

Military equipment and supplies are strategically pre-positioned around the world on self-sustaining ships. The ships contain enough food, equipment, supplies, and ammunition to support about 2,200 Marines for a month.

When needed for a major theater war, training with allies across the globe, or a humanitarian operation or other contingency, the prepositioned ships with the Marine’s vehicles, equipment and supplies already on board are sent to the area. The Marines can be flown into the location and united with the gear.

Strategically this approach greatly improves the nation’s security and the Marines combat readiness as they can quickly respond to a crisis anywhere, anytime.

Blount Island Command is the hub of the global prepositioning program. All 14 ships in the program, each named after Medal of Honor recipients, cycle through BIC via the St Johns River. They off-load equipment for repair, refurbishment and replacement. Then they load up new, upgraded and repaired equipment and vehicles, specifically planned for the projected need.

The principal role of the approximately 250 military/government employees and 1,000 civilian contractors is the cleaning, repairing, painting, maintaining, updating, and inspecting thousands of pieces of equipment and vehicles.

Numerous specialty shops and maintenance facilities staffed by artisans and technicians sprinkle the command’s beautiful island property. This includes a really big car wash and the largest vehicle service garage - called Big Blue - on The Liberty Coast.

Always a highlight of visiting BIC is the chance to observe the pristine beauty of the base and the many waterfowl who enjoy its sanctuary.

An Amphibious Assault Vehicle is off loaded from a prepositioning ship at Blount Island. (Photo USMC Released)

THE LIBERTY COAST’s IRON GATORS: Neighbors,

Protectors and

Philanthropists.

As the Reserve Force of the United States Marine Corps, MARFORRES units train and are ready to be mobilized for active duty in time of war, national emergency, or contingency operations. One of the Marine Corps Reserve Force’s components is the 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion— Bravo Company (4th AAB/B).

As neighbors, the Marines of the 4th AAB/B and their resident alligator named “Sign,” are camouflaged in plain sight, right next door to the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens on the St Johns River in north Jacksonville.

As protectors, the 4th AAB/B are experts in maintaining and driving amphibious assault vehicles (AAV) out the back of Navy amphibious warships ships, motor across the waves loaded with combat-ready Marines and driving these “Iron Gators” up on a beach - bringing their brand of a Marine Corps beach party to a foreign shore anywhere around the world.

As Marine reservists, many personnel assigned to the unit are young adults attending college and/or beginning their civilian careers while serving in the Marines part-time.

As philanthropists, the Marine Reserve Force conducts the national Toys for Tots campaign and the 4th AAB/B Marines are the local facilitators of this annual Santa Claus augmentation program.

Since 1947, Toys for Tots has distributed 548 million toys and served 265 million children. Locally, 8,487 toys were distributed to 7,265 children in 2021. The MARFORRES’s 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion - Bravo Company is not just here to protect our freedoms; they truly do serve The Liberty Coast.

An Assault Amphibious Vehicle loaded with combat-ready Marines bringing their brand of a Marine Corps beach party to a foreign shore anywhere around the world. (Photo USMC Released)

The MArine Reserve Force annual collects and distributes toys to thousands of needy children. (Photo USMC Released)

THE LIBERTY COAST:

Finest Service to the Finest Fleet

One, rightfully so, visualizes Navy warships and a busy seaport when Naval Station Mayport’s role comes up. Since 1942, Mayport has been home to whatever the Navy fleet has had to offer to the defense of the nation.

The mouth of the St Johns River has been home to warships from patrol craft to massive aircraft carriers as well as the various support vessels and harbor craft. The current inventory of warships, some 21 that call Mayport home, include Arliegh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers, littoral combat ships (LCS) and a Coast Guard cutter.

Offering the “Finest Service to the Finest Fleet,” Team Mayport was recently named the Navy’s best shore installation of 2023. There are over 80 tennant commands and services calling Naval Station Mayport home.

The on and off-again plan to homeport a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier on The Liberty Coast seems more off for now. Allied navy ships and submarines still make regular port calls to Mayport Naval Station.

More Than Warships, Much More. As the third largest fleet concentration area in the United States, Mayport has numerous impactful commands and diverse operations. One example is Mayport’s flightline.

The Admiral David L. McDonald Airfield with its 8001 foot runway, can accommodate any DoD aircraft, conducts more than 100,000 helicopter and fixed-wing flights each year and recently averaged processing 13,000 passengers a year. Several Navy SH-60R Seahawk helicopter squadrons operate from the Mayport airfield. These multi-purpose helicopters and their crews deploy aboard and operate from Navy warships.

Jacksonville Beach residents will be seeing the very large MQ-4C Triton Unmanned Aircraft System regularly flying out of Mayport within a few years. Read more about this aircraft size drone at LibertyLifeMedia.Com, search “Triton.”

The warships at Mayport have a huge economic impact and are job producers across The Liberty Coast. Defense firms line Mayport Road and the Jacksonville Area Ship Repair Association is a key trade association. Not far down the river from Mayport is BAE Systems’ Jacksonville Ship Repair facility.

The oldest surviving building in Mayport is The St Johns River light. Standing 85 feet, it was built in 1858, and restored in 1980. The Mayport Lighthouse Association hopes to undertake a full restoration and open the structure to the public.

Hand Salute. Under the trees at the main intersection on Mayport is Stark Memorial Park. On May 17, 1987, 37 Sailors died when two Iraqi missiles struck Mayport-based USS Stark (FFG 31) while deployed in the Persian Gulf. Each year, surviving shipmates and families of those lost gather under the trees to remember and honor their military service.

Mary McGee in her Signature Polka Dot Helmet.

Homeported at NS Mayport, USS Jason Dunham’s (DDG 109) namesake was a Marine corporal posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for service in the Iraq War. (Photo USN)

THE LIBERTY COAST: Birthplace

of the Blues and the Future of Maritime Patrol

Located in southern Duval county on the banks of the St Johns River, NAVAL AIR STATION JACKSONVILLE (NAS JAX) is home to over 100 tennant commands. As the largest Navy base in the southeast region and often recognized as the best in the Navy, NAS JAX’s moniker as a master air base and impactful industrial complex is valid and uncontested.

The base has hosted a cornucopia of naval combat, anti-submarine (ASW), patrol and logistics aircraft since its birth in 1940. The world famous Blue Angels came along in 1946. Today, NAS JAX specializes in anti-submarine warfare (ASW), maritime patrol and reconnaissance support to the Navy, the DoD and allied forces.

Today, NAS JAX continues to be a very busy military airfield with many types of aircraft coming and going.

FAREWELL ORION, WELCOME POSEIDON. After a 60 year era of serving our Navy and many other countries, the iconic P-3 Orion aircraft and her numerous variants have retired. This hugely underrated and perhaps the greatest submarine hunter of all time has passed the torch. It’s very recognizable, four turboprop engine rumble flying over The Liberty Coast will be missed.

Today, the P-8A Poseidon is the Navy’s premier maritime patrol and ASW aircraft. The P-8 is a military version of the Boeing 737 with modified wings, the latest ASW detection systems, a bomb bay to carry torpedoes, in-flight refueling, and even an onboard restroom.

Including the seven active-duty and the reserve P-8A Poseidon squadrons operating from NAS JAX, there are more than 100 aircraft based there.

Often called one of the Navy’s airline, the “Sunseekers” of VR-58 operate Boeing C-40A Clipper aircraft. These military versions of Boeing 737s are used to deliver passengers and cargo across the fleet.

Patrol Squadron Thirty (VP-30), the “Pro’s Nest,” is the Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS). Known as “the RAG,” VP-30 is where P-8A pilots, crews and support personnel train to operate and maintain the Poseidon.

The “Nomads” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron Sixty-Two (VR62) operate the C-130T Herculesaircraft. These four C-130’s are tactical passenger and cargo airlift workhorses focused on logistic support to the fleet.

While their “aircraft” don’t routinely operate from NAS JAX, Unmanned Patrol Squadron 19 (VUP-19) is based there. The pilots of “Big Red” remotely “fly” the MC-Q4 Triton high altitude, very long range, unmanned aerial vehicle - all over the world - while sitting in the mission control center at NAS Jacksonville.

The “Broadarrows” of Patrol Squadron Sixty-Two (VP-62) are a Reserve Force squadron of P-8A’s that support the fleet throughout the world.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection operates various specialized aircraft to support the security of the nation’s southeastern region. There are also Flying Club aircraft operating from NAS JAX.

Romeo’s and Seahawks. It’s not all airplanes at NAS JAX. In addition to Poseidons and Tritons, there are Grandmasters, Jaguars, Spartans, Proud Warriors, and Swamp Foxes hovering and flying from NAS JAX.

The Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing operates five squadrons of the MH-60R Seahawk multi-mission naval helicopter, also called “Romeo.”

While often seen flying down the St Johns River through Downtown Jacksonville on their way to their hangars at NAS JAX, the Romeos and their crews routinely deploy aboard warships in support of critical U.S. Navy missions around the world.

In addition to the expected service-related agencies on a naval air station, NAS JAX tenant commands include a passenger terminal, a hospital, the rescue swimmer and survival training facility, the Navy Band, and the Entomology Center of Excellence - where they study mosquitos. NAS JAX is also the home of the Navy admiral and staff that is responsible for overseeing the 17 Navy installations in 12 southeastern states and Cuba.

The largest industrial employer in the region is also a tenant command and traffic jam-maker on NAS JAX. The over 5,000 civilians, military and contract workers of the Fleet Readiness Center Southeast maintain, repair and overhaul aircraft and engines. These “artisans” are also responsible for a surging rush-hour on the base during the afternoon shift change.

Visitors to NAS JAX may also regularly observe families enjoying the water slide at the big pool, playing baseball at the little league facility or sailing from the marina.

NAS JAX is the birthplace of the Navy’s Blue Angels. (Photo Released)

P-8A Poseidons at NAS JAX.(Navy Photo: Released)

A highlight of NAS JAX is walking through the historic aircraft on display at the Aircraft Heritage Park and the many historic pictures on the walls throughout the command’s headquarters.

An F-14 Tomcat is one of the many aircraft on display at NAS JAX’s Aircraft Heritage Park. (Photo Boy Scout Troop 3157)

THE LIBERTY COAST:

Cecil’s Evolving New Era

Former Major Military Installation? Not So Fast. With as much military legacy as any current or former base on The Liberty Coast, the former Naval Air Station (NAS) Cecil Field is re-defining itself and its next generation impact on our national defense.

Cecil Field played essential roles in the pre-combat training of naval aviators the Pacific and European theaters in WWII, the Vietnam and Gulf Wars. Cecil Field-based reconnaissance fighters captured the aerial evidence of Soviet missile installations in Cuba, launching the Cuban Missile Crisis in the early 1960s.

Thousands of other accomplished naval aviators trained and served at NAS Cecil Field. These included former Prisoner of War (POW) Senator John McCain, then Lieutenant Commander Michael Hoff, the inspiration for the POW/MIA flag and the Gulf War’s first MIA and POW, Michael “Scott” Speicher.

While the former master jet base may have lowered its flag as an official military installation in 1999, one would have a hard time not thinking you are on a military base. DOD, military and Homeland Security commands continue to operate at Cecil today, employing almost four thousand people that include active-duty military, defense and aerospace contractors, Veterans and civilian employees.

Emerging from the former base, the Cecil Airport, Cecil Spaceport and the adjacent Cecil Commerce Center will be impacting our nation’s military and aviation readiness for decades. Let’s catch you up on the ongoings at the former NAS Cecil Field.

In cooperation with the Jacksonville Aviation Authority, the Cecil Airport and Spaceport and the Cecil Commerce Center, numerous defense and aerospace companies operate and employ thousands along the runways. Flightstar, Boeing, LSI, Mantech and even the Florida State College of Jacksonville (FSCJ) have growing

Vintage Navy F-8 Crusader photo-reconnaissance jets on the NAS Cecil flight line. (AirWarrior.Com)

The A-7 Corsair was a fixture at the front gate of the former NAS Cecil Field, now Cecil Airport and Spaceport. (Photo Released)

Continued on page 20

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aviation operations, maintenance or training entities at Cecil’s complex of an airport, spaceport and commerce center.

The U.S. Coast Guard’s Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron is the third USGC command in Duval County and is also one of the very unique military commands on The Liberty Coast. Operating from Cecil Airport, this homeland security asset, appropriately nicknamed “HITRON,” is the only armed USCG aviation command.

Flying the Eurocopter MH-65C Dolphin helicopters, the Guardians specialize in Airborne Use of Force and drug-interdiction missions. Armed with a purpose-built rifled-machine gun, the squadron’s expertly trained aircrews and precision marksmen operate in ocean areas known for drug smuggling.

The HITRON mission is to deploy aboard Navy warships and Coast Guard cutters to fire warning and disabling shots “go-fast” drug smuggling vessels that are in violation of international maritime law.

The 111th Aviation Regiment is a very capable Army aviation unit of the Florida Air National Guard that also operates helicopters from hangars at Cecil Airport. To support the Governor’s needs and remain an Army asset when needed, the squadron operates the diversely capable CH-47 Chinook heavy lift cargo helicopter, the UH-60M Blackhawk utility helicopter and the OH-58 Kiowa, an observation, utility, and direct fire support helicopter. The Army’s Special Forces also maintain a reserve unit at Cecil

A detachment of two types of older P-3 surveillance and interdiction aircraft of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection operate from Cecil Airport runways. The P-3’s, one with the radar frisbee-disc on top, have a mission to conduct long-range patrols of our nation’s coastlines, the open oceans and in drug transit zones in Central and South America to support interception of people and contraband illegally crossing land borders.

SPACE LAUNCHES FROM THE LIBERTY COAST With a brand new 126-foot air traffic control tower and space mission control center, Cecil Spaceport prepares for space operations. Named after the first American astronaut to ride to space on a Russian spacecraft, The Dr. Norman Thagard Mission Control Center will be utilized by operators conducting horizontal space launch operations at the spaceport. The launches of small satellites from aircraft into low earth orbit are expected to commence at anytime.

While routine commercial passenger service is not common at the Cecil Airport and Spaceport, one can routinely see Air Force refueling tankers and other U.S. and foreign military aircraft parked for a layover or refueling stop.

Cecil hosts a retirement village consisting of the former bases’ family housing units. The base’s golf course, while remaining open, also hosts a well-renowned disc golf course. The National POW/MIA Museum and Memorial is being developed at Cecil.

The Jacksonville Aviation Authority’s new 126-foot air traffic control tower and Dr. Norman Thagard Mission Control Center. (Jacksonville Airport Authority photo)