Coronado's Most Read Newspaper & Community Website

Navy moving more helicopters to North Island

As the Navy shifts its focus to the geopolitics of the Pacific, San Diego will become even more of a hub for helicopters over the next five years.

Four more squadrons are coming to North Island Naval Air Station, starting later this year through 2016. The group consists of three newly created squadrons and one moved from Jacksonville, Fla. The Navy has proposed the action, and later this year will issue a final decision on it.

It means 800 extra people working at the Coronado base, nearly all of them in uniform, and almost $70 million in construction work to accommodate the addition of 52 helicopters.

It also will mean more noisy rotor blades chugging overhead.

Read the entire Union Tribune story here.

Tags: military, navy

3 members like this

Comment by Kathy Williams Campbell on March 10, 2011 at 7:35pm: Ahh, the price of freedom!

Comment by C. Michelle Olson, Author on March 10, 2011 at 10:31pm: A great and positive story. :)

Comment by MIKE GAPP on March 14, 2011 at 2:06pm: As someone who used to run out of those helicopters as soon as they hit the ground, they bring back good memories - 'sorry if they bug folks.

Just be glad you aren't being caked with red mud from rotor wash as you catch a ride out. LOL.

Mike Gapp

Comment by Breen Hardin on March 14, 2011 at 3:10pm: noisy rotor blades...

I am so thankful for those "noisy rotor blades" and the mission those pilots are doing. My husband trained at North Island for 6 months and I am so thankful for the time we had there. The helos and jets constantly flying around just reminded me of the freedom that we are so blessed with. You're lucky to have such fine men and women flying over you daily.

Comment by jimbolaya on April 15, 2011 at 8:07am: Sorry but if you live on First Avenue you can't hear yourself think. I wonder if they can't put them somewhere that's a little less populated instead of greatly degrading the quality of life and tourism in the most beautiful part of Coronado and the city. I say there's enough helicopters already.