NAS JRB Willowgrove, PA Installation Guide

Family Service Center Building 167 NAS JRB Willow Grove, Pa 19090-5030 (215) 443-6033 Duty, (215) 443-6000 DSN:991

Location........................ : RT 611, North. 30 Miles from Philadelphia.

Major Command................... : COMNAVRESFOR Primary Weapon Systems....... : N/A

Mission......................... : Joint Reserve Training Center

Population assigned-served...... : Active Duty and Reserve Active Duty.................. : 1510 Family Members............... : 5000 Retirees..................... : 20000 Civilian Employees........... : 615 Reserve Component Officers... : 866 Reserve Component Enlisted... : 3875

Telephone Access................ : (215)443-1000

History: The origins of NAS Willow Grove date back to 1926 when aviation pioneer Harold Pitcairn bought a large section of farmland on the west side of Doylestown Pike, which is now Route 611. From 1926 to 1942, Pitcairn developed, tested, built and flew many different aircraft, most notable being the Mailwing and the Autogiro. Pitcairn Aviation, from its early beginnings went on to later become Eastern Airlines. In 1942, to help the nation rise to its defense, Pitcairn sold his flying field to the United States Navy. Some 250 Naval personnel took possession of the field that year bringing along with them 30 N3N biplane trainers known as the "Yellow Peril." In January 1943, the field was officially commissioned the United States Naval Air Station Willow Grove. At its wartime peak, NAS Willow Grove housed tens of thousands of servicemen and woman. Following the end of the war, Willow Grove was designated a reserve training station. In 1957, the Navy purchased additional land bordering the station to bring the area to its present total of 1,200 acres. The Korean and Vietnam wars again brought an increase in operations. Today, the mission of NAS Willow Grove is to provide, train and maintain a ready reserve force. In 1994 the base was redesignated a Joint Reserve Base to more accurately reflect our status. In addition to the Navy, the Marine Corps, Army, Air Force, and Pa National Guard reside here.