Naval Air Station Oceana

Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana is located in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The U.S. Government acquired the site in 1940, and construction began in 1941. The station was commissioned in 1943 to provide additional capacity for naval air units operating from NAS Norfolk. Originally a Naval Auxiliary Air Station, it was designated a Master Jet Base in the 1950s. Historically, the installation hosted F-4 Phantom II, A-6 Intruder, and F-14 Tomcat squadrons. F/A-18 Hornet operations were established at the base in 1999 following the closure of NAS Cecil Field. The airfield is designated Apollo Soucek Field.

Operated by the U.S. Navy under Navy Region Mid-Atlantic, NAS Oceana is the headquarters for Strike Fighter Wing Atlantic and Carrier Air Wings 1, 3, 7, and 8. As the sole East Coast Master Jet Base, the station hosts all East Coast strike-fighter (VFA) units. The installation’s mission is the training and deployment of Atlantic Fleet strike fighter squadrons.

The base encompasses 6,820 acres, including the Dam Neck Annex and the Naval Auxiliary Landing Field Fentress. The station hosts multiple squadrons of F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, an adversary squadron of F/A-18A+ Hornets, and a logistics squadron operating C-40 Clipper aircraft. VFA-106 serves as the Fleet Replacement Squadron for the F/A-18E/F. Tenant commands include the Fleet Readiness Center Mid-Atlantic, which provides intermediate and depot-level maintenance, and the Strike Fighter Weapons School Atlantic. Additional units include the Landing Signal Officer School, the Fleet Area Control and Surveillance Facility Virginia Capes, and the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit Oceana. Marine Aviation Training Support Group 33 is stationed at the base to support Marine Corps personnel assigned to flight training units.