California State Military
DepartmentCalifornia State Military
DepartmentNaval Aviation at Watsonville during World War II consisted of two facilities. The new CAA built airport became a carrier aircraft station as an auxiliary of Alameda. The Navy never liked mixing heavier than-air operations with blimp operations if avoidable. Therefore, the local airport was taken over and an NAAF for blimp use established -- this facility was an auxiliary of Moffett.
In 1939, the Civil Aviation Adminitration (CAA) offered to build an airport at Santa Cruz, the largest city in Santa Cruz County and the county seat, if the necessary land was provided. After Santa Cruz turned down the proposal, the CAA then approached the City of Watsonville -- the second largest city in the county. A small airport existed four miles southsouthwest of town, but it was inadequate for the modern facility planned by the CAA. Watsonville floated a bond issue for $125,000 to purchase 330 acres, 2.5 miles northwest of town. The CAA completed its initial work by the end of 1941. During 1942, the CAA made additional improvements spending a total of $740,000 on the project that resulted in a 4,500 and a 4,000-ft. macadam runway. In mid-1943, the Navy leased the airport's 288 acres from Watsonville and purchased 35 additional acres to build administration and barracks buildings. Navy construction began in July 1943, and the station commissioned on October 1.
In October, VB-18 with 36 SBDs arrived along with a detachment of CASU 19 in support. On November 14, VF-28 and 24 F6Fs flew into Watsonville for a two week stay. On December 9, VB-18 departed for Crows Landing, replaced by VF-26's and VF-27's 48 F6Fs. In December, the station suffered its first fatality in the crash of a VF-27 F6F. That month, CASU 35 relieved CASU 19.
In February 1944, VF-26 and VF-27 moved to other stations as VT-28 and VF-28 arrived. The CASU merry-go-around continued as CASU 37 relieved CASU 35. From March to July 1944, CAG 22's VF-22 and VT-22 trained aboard. CAG 23's fighter and torpedo squadrons were present from July to October. On July 16, an F6F of VF-23 hit the tower of the local radio station. The pilot later died of injuries. During the year, the Navy spent $1.2 million enlarging the station to accommodate 90 aircraft. Improvements included a new administration building, four barracks and a BOQ, and a Gunnery Training building. In November, the CASU situation stabilized with the forming of CASU 64 that absorbed the personnel of CASU 37. The end of the year found VC-33 and VOC-2 at the station. VOC 2, an observation composite squadron, had a complement of 23 FM-2s and six TBM Avengers.
On January 15, 1945, CAG 8, the first large air group arrived after reforming at Alameda. CAG 8's 96 aircraft consisted of VF-8 with F6Fs, VBF-8 also with F6Fs, VB-8 with SB2Cs, and VT-8 with Avengers. On May 17, CAG 8 departed for Alameda prior to embarking for Hawaii. Shortly thereafter, CAG 4 came aboard with a similar make up excepting that its VBF squadron was equipped with Corsairs. The diverse Corsair squadron consisted of F3As, FGs, and F4Us. CAG 4 departed for Groton, Connecticut after VJ-Day. On October 15, 1945, the station went on caretaker status.
The airport was opened for civilian use and the Navy finally turned over all facilities to the City in March 1947. Until 1963, some of the former Navy buildings were used as a school. Today, the airport is used by general aviation.
The first airport was established in Watsonville in 1930. A group of investors and aviation enthusiasts formed a corporation known as the "Watsonville Airport, Inc." The corporation issued 5,000 shares of stock, mostly purchased by local citizens. With the funds raised, 85 acres were bought four miles southsouthwest of Watsonville. Although Watsonville is located in Santa Cruz County, the property purchased was across the county line in Monterey County -- the most reasonably priced land available at the time. An aircraft carrying California Governor James Rolph made a low pass cutting a ribbon, officially pening the airport on May 9, 1931.
In 1942, the Navy leased the airport and established an auxiliary blimp base of Moffett. The station opened August .6, 1943. Moffett's ZP-32 usually maintained a detachment of one to two K-ships at the base that conducted patrols of the Monterey area. The facility had three asphalt runways -- the longest 2,300 ft. and three blimp mooring circles. Apparently the entire airfield was paved or oiled. Peak complement consisted of nine officers and 96 enlisted men with barracks for 15 officers and 101 men. The Navy utilized the existing 60 x 60-ft. hangar on the airport. Although the NAAF was officially a separate command, facilities were minimal at best and NAAS Watsonville was undoubtedly relied upon for much of its administrative support as well as supply of the 1,001 items needed to operate an airbase. As far as is known, nothing unusual or of note occurred at the facility during the war.
Following the war, the Navy returned the 87 acres to the corporation. When the heavier-than-air station northwest of town was deeded to the City, the former blimp facility was abandoned. In May 1947, the corporation sold the property to an individual who used it for a cattle feed lot.
Copied with the permission of the author from United States Naval Air Stations of World War II.