Brown Field

"The airport originally named East Field, opened in 1918 as an aerial gunnery and aerobatics school. Later it was used for U.S. Navy drone experiments. The name was changed to NAAS Otay Mesa in 1943, and later that same year it was changed again to NAAS Brown Field. Except for the period 1947 -1951, the airport was used for military purposes until 1962. Since then, Brown Field has served as a general aviation airport, and port-of-entry for private air craft coming into the United States through Mexico. The airport's most notable feature is the 8,000' long, and 200' wide runway which can accommodate any aircraft. It is a legacy of Brown Field's long military history. Located north of the U.S. - Mexico border, Brown Field (SDM) is a port-of-entry into the United States for private air craft coming from Mexico into California. Brown Field is also heavily used by military and law enforcement agencies. A U.S. Customs Service office is located at Brown Field as well as several aviation related businesses. A restaurant, travel agency, and other services are also located at the airport." (City of San Diego)

"In conjunction with the World War I development of San Diego's North Island, the Army established an airfield at Otay Mesa, 16 miles southeast. In 1918, the field was named in honor of Major Killian East, who had been killed in an automobile accident near Mitchell Field, N.Y. The Army invested $17,580 in East Field using it for formation and acrobatic training. During the 1920s and 1930s, military and civilian aviation used the airfield. Located five miles from the coast, Otay Mesa has an elevation of 500 ft. and is less subject to ocean fog that reduced flying hours at other airfields in San Diego. After the beginning of World War II, the Navy improved the airfield. During the first of 1943, construction began on buildings. Just three months later, the station commissioned on March 17, as NAAS Otay Mesa. By the end of June, VC-20, VC 21, VC-25, and VC-35 had passed though the base, while Air Group 38 and 40 were on board. The squadrons were supported by a detachment of North Island's CASU 5. The same month, two Link trainers were installed and an aircraft recognition training building completed. On August 25, the Navy dedicated the field as NAAS Brown Field in honor of Cdr. Melville S. Brown, who had been killed in an aircraft accident in 1936. Cdr. Brown's sword was hung in the Officer's Mess. Brown Field consisted of 805 Navy-owned acres. Barracks existed for 378 officers and 1992 enlisted men. Brown had 6,000-ft., 5,000-ft., and 3,500-ft. runways of asphalt and concrete construction. At the peak, station aircraft consisted of one GB Beech, a GH Howard, an AE hospital plane, and a Stearman. OLF Sweetwater was assigned to and maintained by the station. Brown closed in 1946 and became a civilian airport. The Korean War necessitated reopening the field as an ALF on November 1, 1951 -- the east/west run way was later extended to 8,000 ft. The station became home base to a utility squadron, two antisubmarine squadrons, and a Regulus air missile unit. In 1954, Brown recommissioned as an NAAS. On November 2, 1954, Convair's XFY-1 Pogo made its first flight from vertical takeoff to horizontal flight and back to vertical for landing. In the last few years of the station's existence, it was home to Douglas AD Skyraiders before the Navy closed Brown for the last time during 1962." (Shettle)



Brown Field
Brown Field
Brown Field
Brown Field

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revised 9/24/04 by Schoenherr | Otay Valley | Local History