Naval Air Station North Island CA Patch

Naval Air Station North Island Patch 5" x 4.75" Embroidered Patch with Iron-On Backing

Superior Materials: Made with premium polyester thread and durable twill fabric, ensuring long-lasting color and strength.
Advanced Embroidery Technology: Crafted using the most advanced embroidery machinery, guaranteeing intricate detail, sharp lines, and consistent quality every time.
Easy Iron-On Application: Features a heat-activated adhesive backing for quick, no-sew attachment. Simply position, iron, and press for a secure bond.
Versatile Use: Perfect for personalizing jackets, backpacks, uniforms, or any fabric surface that needs a touch of personality.
Durable and Washable: Designed to withstand everyday wear and occasional washing without fading or fraying.

Formations & Origins
Naval Air Station North Island—often referred to as the “Birthplace of Naval Aviation”—sits proudly at the northern tip of Coronado Island in San Diego, California. Commissioned in 1917, the base’s roots stretch back even further, to the earliest experiments in military aviation. In fact, it was here in 1911 that aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss trained the first Navy pilots on rudimentary seaplanes, making North Island hallowed ground in naval aviation history.

The base officially opened during World War I to support seaplane operations, and its importance only grew with the emergence of aircraft carriers and the naval aviation branch. Over the decades, North Island became a cornerstone of U.S. Navy air power on the Pacific coast.

Notable Commanders
Naval Air Station North Island has been under the command of many influential leaders, including admirals who would go on to command carrier strike groups and entire fleets. Among the most notable was Admiral William “Bull” Halsey, who received his flight training at North Island before becoming one of the most revered Navy leaders of World War II.

It was also the workplace of Rear Admiral John Towers, one of the Navy’s earliest aviators and the man responsible for laying down the foundation of naval air warfare doctrine during the interwar period.

Major Campaigns/Operations
NAS North Island has supported nearly every major naval campaign in the Pacific since its inception:

• World War II: Served as the primary launch and maintenance hub for carrier air wings deploying to the Pacific theater. Thousands of aviators trained there before heading into battle across the South Pacific.

• Korean War & Vietnam War: North Island continued to outfit and maintain carrier air groups heading into the Pacific, while also managing returning aircraft and injured personnel.

• Operation Desert Storm & Beyond: The base supported the surge of carrier operations during the Gulf War, and it continues to provide aviation maintenance, logistics, and training for modern operations in the Middle East, Indo-Pacific, and global response efforts.

• Post-9/11 & GWOT: North Island has supported rotational deployments for carrier groups bound for Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as humanitarian and counterterror missions in the Pacific.

Specialized Role/Equipment
Today, NAS North Island is home to:

• Aircraft carriers, including the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) and the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) when in port

• Helicopter squadrons, maritime patrol units, and Fleet Readiness Centers

• Specialized facilities for maintenance of rotary and fixed-wing aircraft

• Fleet Air Reconnaissance and communications squadrons

• Advanced simulators and flight training infrastructure

The base also houses the Commander, Naval Air Forces (COMNAVAIRFOR), which oversees all aviation assets in the Pacific Fleet.

Acts of Heroism
The story of North Island isn’t just about jets and hangars—it’s about the men and women who flew, fixed, and fought.

From the early test pilots who risked their lives pushing primitive planes off wooden runways, to the squadrons launched from North Island that helped turn the tide at Midway and the Coral Sea, the base has always been synonymous with courage.

After 9/11, North Island-based squadrons flew some of the first Navy missions into Afghanistan. In 2004, during tsunami relief in Southeast Asia, helicopters launched from carriers out of North Island delivered food, medicine, and aid to hundreds of thousands.

Every patch sewn into a flight suit at NAS North Island carries with it the weight of generations who answered the call.

Legacy & Notable Achievements
Naval Air Station North Island is more than a base—it is a symbol of U.S. naval might, heritage, and innovation. It’s where naval aviation was born, where it was tested, and where it evolved into one of the most dominant air forces in history.

From wood-and-fabric biplanes to nuclear-powered supercarriers with fifth-generation fighter jets, North Island has adapted and led the way. The base has earned multiple accolades for efficiency, sustainability, and force readiness.

Wearing this patch is more than a nod to location—it’s a tribute to a century of naval air power, of roaring engines and salt air, of silent professionalism and airborne legacy. It means you stood on the same runways as legends and carried their mission into the next generation.