Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields: Virginia: Norfolk … · Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields: Virginia: Norfolk area described the Norfolk Naval Air Station as having a seaplane

Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields: Virginia: Norfolk area

Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields:

Virginia: Norfolk area© 2002, © 2014 by Paul Freeman. Revised 12/11/14.

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Dover Airport (revised 3/17/14) - Glenrock Airport (revised 12/11/14) - Monogram NAAS (revised 5/7/13)

(Original) Norfolk NAS / Chambers Field (revised 12/10/13) - Norfolk NAS Seaplane Base (revised 12/10/13)

South Norfolk Airport (revised 10/27/13) - Whitehurst NOLF (revised 8/25/10)

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Norfolk Naval Air Station Seaplane Base, Norfolk, VA

36.95 North / 76.28 West (Northwest of Norfolk, VA)

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The Norfolk seaplane base, as depicted on the 1932 Washington-Hampton Air Navigation Map #4.

The “Naval Air Detachment, Naval Operating Base, Hampton Roads” was established in 1917,

with a complement of 5 officers, 3 aviators, 10 enlisted sailors, and 7 aircraft.

The aircraft, all seaplanes, were flown across the James River from Newport News,

and moored to stakes in the water until canvas hangars were constructed.

The new location offered sheltered water in an ice-free harbor, perfect for seaplane landings,

good anchorage on the beach front, accessibility to supplies from Naval Station Norfolk, and room for expansion.

Its mission was to conduct anti-submarine patrols, train aviators & mechanics, and run an experimental facility.

When the United States became involved in World War I, the size of the the Navy's air component was eagerly expanded.

The training of aircraft mechanics began in January 1918 at the Norfolk detachment & the first patrol was conducted 5 months later.

By now, the air detachment was recognized as one of the most important sources of trained naval aviators.

In recognition of its importance, on 8/27/18, the detachment became Naval Air Station Hampton Roads,

a separate station under its own commanding officer, Lt. Cmdr. P.N.L. Bellinger.

As World War I came to an end, the former NAS Hampton Roads saw erratic growth,

growing to nearly 167 officers, 1,227 enlisted men and 65 planes.

But, it was after the war that demobilization had threatened the future of naval aviation.

Within seven months of the war's end, Navy manpower fell to less than half its wartime highs.

On 7/12/21, the name was changed again under the command of Capt. S.H.R. Doyle, to NAS Norfolk,

with direct reporting to the Bureau of Aeronautics in Washington, D.C.

The earliest depiction which has been located of the Norfolk seaplane base

was on the 1932 Washington-Hampton Air Navigation Map #4.

The Airport Directory Company's 1933 Airport Directory (courtesy of Chris Kennedy)



described the Norfolk Naval Air Station as having a seaplane landing area

in Willoughby Bay to the east of the field.

A 1935 Navy Aviation Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy) depicted Chambers Field as a “Landing Field”,

with the buildings to the southeast being labeled “Naval Air Station”.

In an aerial photo looking southeast at Chambers Field from a 1934 Navy Aviation Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy),

the original seaplane base was visible behind the airfield.

During World War II, Naval Air Station had a direct combat support role in the area of anti-submarine patrols.

President Roosevelt's response to the start of the war in Europe was the National Emergency Program of Sept. 8, 1939.

It resulted in fantastic growth for all Navy activities in the Norfolk area.



The combat support role began on 10/21/39,

when a 600-mile-wide Neutrality Zone was declared around the American coast.

Four Norfolk-based patrol squadrons, VP-51, VP-52, VP-53 and VP-54 were among the first units to enforce the zone.

The Hepburn Board had made recommendations to Congress in 1940 that would also double the size & workload of the station.

Since Chambers & West Fields were encroaching on the activities of the Naval Operating Base, it was decided to expand to the east.

East Camp, with an area of about 1,000 acres between the east side of Naval Station & Granby Street,

had been sold off by the Army at the end of World War I.

Congress authorized its repurchase in early 1940.

On June 29 of that year, a contract was signed with the Virginia Engineering Company for the expansion of the station.

The cost of expansion and construction was to reach more than $72 million.

Hangars, a new dispensary, 3 runways, magazine areas, warehouses, barracks and docking areas were patterned after similar existing airfields.

The plan was revised and approved by Capt. P. Bellinger, returning as commanding officer 20 years after first holding the job.

Bellinger insisted that as many structures as possible be permanent ones.

The air station was still largely composed of temporary hangars & workshops left over from World War I.

Many were unsafe & costly to maintain.

Some 353 acres were eventually reclaimed at a cost of $2.1 million.

Two large hangars, ramps for seaplanes, barracks, officer quarters and family housing were built.

This construction cut off Mason Creek Road & the Navy compensated the city by improving Kersloe Road between Hampton Boulevard & Granby Street.

Norfolk responded by renaming the road, Admiral Taussig Boulevard, in honor of the retiring commander of the Naval Operating Base.

In July 1940, the Federal government began dredging Willoughby Bay

and the Naval Air Station seaplane operating area at Breezy Point was constructed from reclaimed marshlands at the mouth of Mason Creek.

By the time President Roosevelt visited at the end of July,

the station was clearly reaching the point where it could support ships engaged in war overseas.

The July 1941 Norfolk Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy) depicted Chambers Field as well as the adjacent seaplane base.

In 1941, the possibility of U.S. involvement in the war looked more likely.

Construction of more new facilities was pushed forward to match increased requirements.



These new requirements led to enlarging the construction project to 5 times its original scope.

At the completion of the first round of construction, Breezy Point's capacity was estimated at 72 seaplanes.

Locally, Fleet Air Wing 5 units flew under its operational command of the 5th Naval District.

Wing 5 units involved consisted of scouting squadrons, 12 Kingfisher seaplanes, and VPs 83 & 84 equipped with PBY5A Catalinas.

By 1942, NAS Norfolk was home to 24 fleet units.

From January-April 1942, the Eastern Sea Frontier recorded 82 sinkings by U-boats.

During the same period, only eight U-boats were sunk by U.S. Forces.

Eventually, coastal convoys were instituted & more aircraft became available.

German U-boats moved elsewhere & sinkings decreased.

To move closer to their patrol areas and free up space for the training of new squadrons,

NAS Norfolk-based patrol squadrons transferred their operations from Breezy Point to Chincoteague and Elizabeth City.

An undated photo of a Grumman F4F-3S Wildcatfish – a version of the Wildcat fighter mounted on Edo floats,

which conducted rough-water landing tests from Norfolk in June 1943.



The 1945 AAF Airfield Directory (courtesy of Scott Murdock) depicted “Norfolk NAS (Seaplane) (Breezy Point)”

as having 3 large hangars, with 4 seaplane ramps.



An undated (WW2 era?) National Archives photo of Martin PBM Mariners on the Norfolk seaplane ramp.

An undated (WW2 era?) Navy aerial photo showing Chambers Field at the top left, the new East Field at the bottom center,

and the seaplane base at the top right.



“Chambers (Navy)”, “East Field (Navy)”, and the Norfolk seaplane base were all still depicted as active

on the April 1946 Washington Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).

The 1950 USAF Pilot's Handbook (courtesy of Chris Kennedy)

depicted the “NAS Norfolk (Breezy Point Anchorage)” seaplane base.



A September 1960 aerial view by Thomas McManus looking southwest at the Norfolk Breezy Point seaplane base,

with several VP-44 Martin P5M-2 flying boats (and what appears to be one R4D) on the ramp in the foreground,

and Chambers Field in the background.

Photographed from a VP-44 P5M-2 shortly after rotating.

Norfolk Sectional Charts through 1961 (according to Chris Kennedy) still depicted the “NAS Norfolk (Breezy Point)” seaplane base.



A May 1961 photo by Thomas McManus looking north at a VP-44 Martin P5M-2 flying boat on the ramp at Breezy Point.

Note the open bomb bay doors, aft of the engine.

Thomas recalled, “This was the last P5M in service with VP-44,

as we were in the process of transitioning to the P2V-5F Neptune.

All of our P5M's had all been reassigned to NAS North Island, CA, for service with Pacific fleet squadrons.

November 1961 we deployed to Sigonella, Sicily

and at the completion of our deployment in May of 1962 we returned to CONUS,

however not to Norfolk, but to NAS Patuxent River MD, where we were the

first VP squadron to receive the P-3 Orion.”

Thus 1961 was the end of seaplane operations at NAS Norfolk.

However a 1963 aerial picture depicted 9 aircraft on the ramp of the seaplane base.

It was not evident whether they were seaplanes or landplanes, though.

By the time of the 1964 Norfolk Sectional Chart (according to Chris Kennedy),

the Norfolk seaplane base was no longer depicted at all.

Perry Rotzell recalled, “In 1978, there were still landing lights in Willoughby Bay.

They were mounted on pilings, in the exact same arrangement you see on an IFR field.


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They were parallel to the current main runway at the naval station. The lights were gone in 1983.

I once rode me bicycle on the seaplane ramp (oh, the freedom of those long-ago days!).

I stood on one of the ramps & noticed how time and water had eroded large chunks of concrete out of seaward end.

That ramp would not hold, say, a P-5 Mariner even then.”

As seen in the 1990 USGS aerial photo, although seaplane operations were no longer conducted at NAS Norfolk,

the former seaplane ramp remained intact, along with the 3 former seaplane hangars.

A dozen E-2 Hawkeyes were visible parked on the ramp, along with a number of helicopters.



A May 7, 1995 Navy aerial view by Robert Sitar,

looking southeast at the old PBY/PBM seaplane ramp & hangars at the Norfolk Naval Air Station,

with several Navy MH-53E helicopters parked on the ramp.



A circa 2005 aerial photo looking north at 2 MH-53E helicopters on the former NAS Norfolk seaplane apron,

with one of the former seaplane ramps leading down into the water at the top of the photo.



A 2006 photo by Scott Shea of “The Old SP-31 Hangar (the last squadron that occupied the spaces is HM-14).

They are about to demolish this hanger very very soon (maybe next week!).”

Scott Shea reported in 2006, “Hangars SP-1 & SP-2 have been completely torn down.

That was the hangars that housed the PBMs & PBYs.

SP-31 (which is one of the last of the hangars on the seaplane line) will be torn down this week.

I was stationed with HM-14, who have been in that hangar for over 10 years.

They were previously in hangar LP-14, which will be torn down as well.

Most of the original hangars on base are either being torn down or have been converted into warehouses.

The HM-14 Vanguards (an MH-53E squadron), is now in a new hangar where SP-1 & SP-2 once stood.

A lot of history went away with those hangars being torn down.”



A 2006 photo by Scott Shea of the Norfolk flightline.

Scott reported in 2006 that the location previously occupied by hangars SP-1 & SP-2 are “now occupied by 1 aircraft hangar (now building SP-36)

and next to that on the right in the photo is the new Airborne Mine Countermeasures (AMCM) Building

to house the minesweeping gear & the Seabees for HM-14.

The Hangar on the left is SP-31 that is about to be demolished. The new hangar (SP-36) is HM-14's new hangar.

They operate 12 Sikorsky MH-53E Sea Dragon Helicopters. I am a crew chief for that squadron.”

Scott Shea reported in 2006, “The seawall is now all helicopters.

There are 2 other squadrons that operate H-60s on that line as well that are obscured behind the old SP-31 hangar.

They are HSC-4 & HCS-2. HCS-2 is the Fleet replacement Aircrew and Pilot squadron for MH-60Ss.

To the end of the line is the new AIMD Norfolk building

where they rebuild electrical components & engines for the aircraft based here at Chambers.

HC-4 (also a MH-53E Squadron) for the time being is working out of MILVANS in between the 2 new buildings shown in the picture.”

Scott continued, “This new line also has 3 different helicopter pads,

the 'Dragon pad' (to the left of the MK-105 Magnetic Mine Sweeping gear that can be scene on the old seaplane ramp),

the 'Wolf Pad', and the 'Angel Pad'.

The 'Dragon pad' now has pad lights that were added in 2003, prior to that, we used to have to land at Chambers field & taxi over the taxiway

that connects the airfield to the seaplane line whenever we landed at night.

Currently that taxiway is being used as a road as the bridge that is on A street has been closed due to it being dangerous.

The Wolf & Angel pads are to the left of the picture.”

Scott continued, “The 2 new buildings that you see in the picture were built in 2005

and opened just this year (March 2006) after the old hangars were demolished in 2004.

The new hangar for the MH-53E is only large enough to accommodate maybe 3 (definitely 2) spread MH-53E inside the hangar.

The rotor arc is 79' long, so add maybe 20' to either side of that & that's how large the hangar is.

We could put 4 spread MH-53E in the old SP-31 hangar.

The old SP-31 hangar also has some sort of elevator, presumably for loading ordinance to the old PBMs & PBYs.”

Scott continued, “Right now SP-31 & the small COMHELTACWING building at the end to the right

are all that is left standing of the old seaplane base.

The buildings behind the seaplane line areas are still there, including barracks & schoolhouses.

The old seaplane ramps are still somewhat used today.http://www.airfields-freeman.com/VA/Airfields_VA_Norfolk.htm (15 of 64)5/9/2015 6:06:50 AM


One shown in the picture is used for our 'Sled Ops', when we use the Mk.105 minesweeping gear.

This one is located near the 'Dragon Pad',

the boat crews use another ramp to launch the boats for the Sled Ops.

Both of the ramps do not look in great condition

and they definitely couldn't support the weight of much more than a truck & a boat on a trailer.”

A July 2011 photo by Paul Freeman looking along the former Norfolk seaplane flightline.

The site of the Norfolk Seaplane Base is located northwest of the intersection of 5th Street & A Street.

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(Original) Norfolk Naval Air Station / Chambers Field, Norfolk, VA

36.95 North / 76.3 West (Northwest of Norfolk, VA)



The Norfolk Navy airfield, as depicted on the 1932 Washington-Hampton Air Navigation Map #4.

The use of this site in Norfolk for aviation dates back to 1917,

when the “Naval Air Detachment, Naval Operating Base, Hampton Roads” was established.

However, initial operations here involved seaplanes.

The date of construction of the Chambers Field landplane airfield has not been determined.

NAS Norfolk was credited with developing an arresting device

to train pilots for deck landings aboard the fleet's first aircraft carrier, USS Langley (CV-1).

At the same time, the station also began work on the development of the catapult.

In January 1923, the Secretary of the Navy ordered a detailed study

of the capacity of the bases & stations during war & peace.

In comparing the development of the fleet & shore establishments, only Hampton Roads met the requirements.

Lighter-than-air operations, important for off-shore patrols during the war, ceased in 1924.

In an effort similar to base closure struggles the military has today,

civilian employees of the Assembly & Repair Department (forerunner of the former Naval Air Depot)

joined the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce in successfully fighting the planned suspension of aircraft overhaul work.

The training of air groups from newly-commissioned aircraft carriers such as Langley, USS Saratoga, and USS Lexington

demanded expansion, but appropriations were meager for shore establishments.

The Airport Directory Company's 1933 Airport Directory (courtesy of Chris Kennedy)

described the Norfolk Naval Air Station as being located as the east end of the Naval Operating Base, opposite Fort Monroe.

It was said to consist of a 103-acre rectangular sod field, measuring 2,500' x 2,200', with a single 2,000' cinder runway.

A hangar was said to be marked with “USN Norfolk”.



The expansion of shipboard aviation in the 1930's brought renewed emphasis to Naval Air Station Norfolk.

Reverting back to its experimental roots, development & testing of catapult & arresting gear systems took the highest priority at the Air Station.

The commissioning of the aircraft carriers Wasp, Ranger, Yorktown and Hornet

increased the tempo of routine training in navigation, gunnery, and aerial bombing as new air wings formed prior to World War II.

This demanded expansion, but appropriations for shore activities were meager.

Although congressional approval was gained in 1934 for the purchase of land

that would expand the airfield by 540 acres, the matter was dropped.

The earliest depiction which has been located of the Norfolk Navy airfield

was on the 1932 Washington-Hampton Air Navigation Map #4.

A 1935 Navy Aviation Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy) depicted Chambers Field as a “Landing Field”,

with the buildings to the southeast being labeled “Naval Air Station”.



The earliest photo which has been located of Chambers Field was an aerial view looking southeast

from a 1935 Navy Aviation Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).

It described the “Hampton Roads Naval Air Station” as consisting of a 2,500' x 2,200' sand loam field.

A hangar was said to be marked with “U.S.N. Norfolk”.

The January 1, 1936 Department of Commerce Airway Bulletin described NAS Norfolk as a nearly square sod field, measuring 2,500' x 2,400'.

It was said to have one 2,200' cinder runway.



A circa 1938-39 aerial view looking north showed the original Chambers Field,

shortly before the addition of the new East Field or the Seaplane Base.

At the outbreak of war in Europe on 9/1/39,

Naval Air Station encompassed 236 acres with 2 small operating areas: Chambers Field & West Landing Field.

The West Landing Field was west of the former exposition boat basin, and was occasionally used for aircraft operations.

The July 1941 Norfolk Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy) depicted Chambers Field, as well as the adjacent seaplane base.

In 1941, the possibility of U.S. involvement in the war looked more likely.

Construction of more new facilities was pushed forward to match increased requirements.

Directives from Washington meant facilities had to be developed to operate 5 aircraft carrier air groups,

7-9 patrol squadrons, the fighter director school,

and the Atlantic Fleet operational training program for 200 pilots prior to their fleet assignment.

Further requests were made to provide training & maintenance facilities

for British aircrew from HMS Illustrious & HMS Formidable.

In all, these new requirements led to enlarging the construction project to 5 times its original scope.

At the completion of the first round of construction, East Field was estimated to have the capacity for 410 land planes

while Breezy Point's capacity was estimated at 72 seaplanes.



An 11/7/41 Navy aerial photo showing Chambers Field at the top left, the new East Field at the bottom center,

and the seaplane base at the top right.

The original Chambers Field was closed to transient aircraft during WW2.

Aircraft could taxi from Chambers under their own power directly to carrier piers, to be hoisted aboard ship.



“Chambers (Navy)”, “East Field (Navy)”, and the Norfolk seaplane base were all still depicted as active

on the April 1946 Washington Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).

The original Chambers Field was evidently closed at some point between 1946-50,

as it was depicted as “NAS Norfolk (Chambers Field) (Closed)” on the 1950 USAF Pilot's Handbook (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).

It depicted the field as having 3 paved runways (with the longest being a 2,580' northeast/southwest strip),

with a large circular paved area in the center.



A September 1960 aerial view by Thomas McManus looking southwest at Chambers Field,

with the Breezy Point seaplane base in the foreground.

A 1963 aerial photo showed a foreshortened set of runways (18/36 & 9/27), perhaps intended only for helicopter operations.

A large number of aircraft of various types were visible on the east side of the field.



A January 1978 DOD aerial photo of the original Chambers Field, showing several remaining runway segments.

A closeup from the January 1978 DOD aerial photo showing a large number of aircraft (A-6s, A-7s, helicopters, etc.) on the original Chambers Field.



Perry Rotzell recalled, “The large building across one of the old runways at the former Chambers field was the Naval Air Depot.

I had some electronics-related training there in 1980.

They rebuilt F-14s & A-6s in those days. There were some heavily damaged F-14's stored there.

Some were obviously striped of parts, while others had torn-off wings & what-not.

And it was exciting to stand in the parking lot and watch H-46's do touch & go's.

They flew about 30' above your car.”

Perry Rotzell continued, “The NAD closed in the mid-1990's.

At that time, the P-2 Neptune patrol bomber, 'Truculent Turtle',

famous for an unrefueled non-stop flight from Australia to Ohio, was stored near the NAD.

I was able to climb into the gutted cockpit & check it out.”

Perry Rotzell continued, “There was a 250' tall communications tower adjacent to the west end of the right hand helicopter runway.

There were some weird looking covers over some of the protruding antennas.

One cover, which looked just like 2 aluminum bowls joined together, had a huge dent in it.

A friend told me a helicopter had damaged the bowl with its rotors.”

Two of the former runways were still depicted on the 1989 USGS topo map,

which labeled the site as a “Heliport”.

A large building had been built over the northeast side of the site.



The 1990 USGS aerial photo showed 2 former runways of the original Chambers Field still remained intact,

but were marked for “Helos only”.

Over a dozen helicopters were visible parked on ramps on the southwest side of the field,

and a ramp to the northeast held a dozen F-14 Tomcat fighters, as well as other smaller jet aircraft.



A circa 2000-2005 USGS aerial photo looking northeast at the original Chambers Field.



A circa 2005 aerial photo looking north at a collection of aircraft at the center of Chambers Field which presumably have been grounded,

including an F/A-18, 2 E-2s, and 2 F-14s.



A circa 2005 aerial photo looking north at a hangar along the southern edge of Chambers Field

with a CH-46 & several MH-60s.

The site of the original Chambers Field is located northwest of the intersection of Hornet Street & Avionics Loop.

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Dover Airport, Wallaceton, VA

36.61 North / 76.39 West (South of Norfolk, VA)


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Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields: Virginia: Norfolk … · Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields: Virginia: Norfolk area described the Norfolk Naval Air Station as having a seaplane