Naval Air Station Meridian

Naval Air Station Meridian supports the Fleet, the Fighter and the Family by training to fight from the sea to deter aggression and, if deterrence fails, win our nation's wars quickly and decisively. In order to do this, they focus on three primary lines of effort: Modernizing their facilities, Strengthening their relationships with neighboring communities, and Improving the quality of life for their NAS Meridian Family.

The tradition of training began on July 14, 1961, when the $60 million air station opened after 3 years of construction. Now the base is valued at nearly $1 billion and more importantly has an economic impact on our community of $430 million.

In order to provide cutting edge opportunities for their tenant commands, including Training Air Wing One, Naval Technical Training Center, Marine Aviation Training Support Squadron One, Naval Operational Support Center, and the Regional Counterdrug Training Academy, they must leverage new technologies and facilities that enable their students to learn quickly to be tougher, stronger, and smarter than our adversaries. They have already made considerable progress towards this goal. At the airfield for example, they have completed the installation of a new air search radar and approach control facility to enable the use of state-of-the-art technology. NAS also has a new lighting system to aid pilots when making approaches in bad weather. By the end of this year, construction will begin to install new precision approach radars and a wildlife exclusion fence, leaving NAS Meridian as the new standard in modern airport facilities.

Secondly, NAS continues to work to maintain the great relationships they enjoy with our local community. Due to the geography of the base, they rely on their neighbors to maintain the outstanding record of success involving operations in three counties. NAS remains poised to work hand-in-hand with their neighbors to solve common issues that will make both NAS Meridian and our surrounding communities stronger, providing a better future for all of us. To this end, they completed construction of a 6MW solar power station on NAS property that helps their energy resiliency while supplying power to the local community electrical grid. They are also very excited about a new wildlife study they are embarking on with Federal, County, and City representatives as well as the U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, Mississippi Air National Guard, and Mississippi State University. Results of this study will make Mississippi more attractive to businesses in the aerospace industry. NAS will continue their strong tradition of ensuring Sailors, Marines, and civilians will be out in the local community, volunteering their time, talent, and treasure in the local schools, churches, sports teams, and civic organizations, helping to make the Meridian area a great place to live.

Finally, NAS will do their very best to ensure a high quality of life for their Sailors, Marines, and civilians. There are over 2,800 people who live, work, and play on board NAS Meridian and each one of them deserves the best education and job opportunities that our great country has to offer. Through cooperation with the Governor's Office, NAS has made great strides in effecting legislature that will improve local schools and employment opportunities for Navy Families, benefiting both the military and local residents.

Meridian and the surrounding communities are a special place and NAS Meridian is proud to be a partner in forging a brighter future for all of us.

Naval Air Station Meridian
255 Rosenbaum Ave, Meridian, MS