The Ombudsman Resource for NALO Families
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History of NAS JRB New Orleans
Mission
“Supporting the Fleet, the Fighters, and the Families.”
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Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans is truly one of a kind — the first base in the nation designed, built, and operated as a joint air reserve training center for all branches of the Armed Forces.
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Our mission is simple but strong: to provide an effective training and operational environment that supports the fleet, the fighters, and the families of our active duty, reserve, and National Guard members who live, work, and train here.
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Every day, that mission comes to life across the base — in the air, on the ground, and throughout the community. From flight operations and maintenance to family programs, education, and recreation, NAS JRB New Orleans is dedicated to excellence in service and to the people who make it home.
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For additional information about NAS JRB New Orleans, please visit the installation homepage.
History
The story of Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans stretches back more than 80 years and mirrors the growth and spirit of the Gulf Coast itself.
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The Navy’s presence began in 1941 along Lake Pontchartrain, where the original Naval Reserve Air Base trained thousands of pilots during World War II. As the city expanded, so did the Navy’s needs, prompting the move 15 miles south to Alvin Callender Field in Belle Chasse. The new base was commissioned in December 1957 and soon became home to a growing number of Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Air National Guard, and Coast Guard units.
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In 1994, the base was officially renamed Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans, marking its unique mission as the first installation built specifically to support all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.
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NAS JRB has played a vital role in both defense and humanitarian efforts. Following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, it became the center of Department of Defense rescue and recovery operations—airlifting over 10,000 personnel and more than 18 million pounds of relief supplies, and serving as the primary search-and-rescue airfield for New Orleans.
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Today, the base continues to serve proudly while also fostering a strong sense of community. Belle Chasse Academy, the first charter school on a military installation, provides education for K–8 students. More than 900 family housing units line quiet neighborhoods filled with walking and running paths, parks, and playgrounds. Families enjoy a range of amenities including a fitness center, sports complex, recreational vehicle park, and year-round community programs.
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NAS JRB New Orleans isn’t just a strategic installation—it’s a place where service members and their families build meaningful lives, support one another, and take pride in being part of the greater New Orleans community.
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For additional information about NAS JRB New Orleans, please visit the installation homepage.