Naval Air Station (NAS) Joint Reserve Base (JRB) New Orleans in Belle Chasse, Louisiana which is located by the West Bank of the Mississippi River in the greater New Orleans area.
Those familiar with New Orleans, “the Big Easy” will appreciate this base’s location to a variety of local traditions, events, cuisine, and culture. On the base itself, there is an impressive range of missions and training across multiple branches of the military here including active duty, Guard and Reserve units.
Find information about Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans including the main commercial and DSN numbers for the base, information on basic services, base transportation, lodging for TDY and PSCing personnel, and inprocessing.
Mission & Units
NAS JRB New Orleans plays a very unique role as one of only two facilities conceived from the start as a joint air reserve training base. NAS JRB New Orleans trains members of the Navy Reserve and supports a 24-hour training schedule. Units at the base contribute to U.S. air defense missions; those units include the Louisiana Air National Guard.
The base hosts a Navy Reserve strike fighter squadron and a fleet logistics support squadron. NAS JRB New Orleans also provides support for Coast Guard operations.
Important units include:
- Fleet Readiness Center Mid -Atlantic Site New Orleans
- Naval Reserve Professional Development Center
- Navy Intel Reserve Southeast DET NOLA
- Space and Navy Warfare Systems Center
- Naval Air Logistics Office
- Navy Operational Support Center
- Navy Recruiting District New Orleans
- NAS JRB New Orleans
- VFA- 204
- VR-54
- Naval Branch health Clinic Belle Chasse
- Naval Facilities Southeast Public Works
- 377th Theater Sustainment Command
- Military Entrance Processing Station
- 1199nd Terminal Transportation Brigade
- Army Corps of Engineers
- LA Army National Guard
- Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans
- Coast Guard Sector New Orleans
- 159th Fighter Wing (ANG)
- MAG 49 DET C
- Marine Transport Squadron (VMR) Belle Chasse
- 4th Marine Aircraft Wing
- 4th Marine Division
- 4th Marine Logistics Group
- Marine Corps Band New Orleans
- Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 773 Det
History
Starting in 1940, the United States Navy began a move to improve flight training and create a small group of Naval Reserve bases; one in Atlanta, one in Dallas, and another in New Orleans.
NAS JRB New Orleans began in 1941 with a facility in a much different location than we know today; the original site was in northern New Orleans adjacent to Lake Ponchartrain. In 1942, the New Orleans installation was designated a Naval Air Station (NAS) and began operating as a Primary Training Base for Navy pilots in training.
But in 1943, student pilots were no longer the focus of NAS New Orleans; its’ attention turned to training flight instructors. The installation would operate in a more joint service environment starting in 1946 when Marine Corps Air Reservists began training there.
Construction on a new air station started in August 1954 and a brand new NAS New Orleans would begin operating with the added missions of an Air Force Reserve Unit from Ellington AFB, Texas and a Louisiana Air National Guard Unit from Lakefront Municipal Airport. The joint service environment would become an important, key feature of the mission of this unique military base.
The original site operated until 1957; operations were moved wholesale to the new site which is located 15 miles south of New Orleans. The original air station was turned over to the city.
Fast forward to the 90s, when the base was redesignated as a Naval Air Station, Joint Reserve Base in 1994. “This name change was enacted to better attest to the joint nature of the base and its unique mission” according to the JRB NAS New Orleans official site, “…as the only Naval Reserve Facility built specifically to house all branches of military service”.
In the aftermath of 9/11 and for the duration of military operations since that time, members of the 926th Fighter Wing, 3rd Battalion 23rd Marines, and Marine Air Group 42 have been deployed to support the global war on terrorism.
Contacts
Main Base Address And Phone
NAS JRB New Orleans
400 Russell Avenue
Building 555
Belle Chasse, LA 70037
- 504-678-7569
- DSN 312-678-7569
Important Contact Numbers
- Administration Services Division 678-9902/9531
- Ambulance 911
- Army Reserve (377th TSC) 552-5900
- Aviation Support Division 678-4615/4617
- Base Pass 678-3462
- Base Operations 678-3101
- Belle Chasse Academy 433-5850
- Child Development Center 678-3654
- Coast Guard /OPS Duty 393-6032
- Emergency Management Officer 678-4752
- Environmental 678-3824
- Executive Officer 678-9885
- Family Housing 678-3280
- Family Recreation Center 678-4523
- Fire Department 678-3104
- Fire Emergency 911
- Fleet and Family Support Center 678-7569
- Fleet Readiness Center Mid-Atlantic Det. (FRC) 678-3590
- Fleet Logistics Center JAX 678-3719
- Front Gate (Visitor Control Center) 678-3462
- Household Goods (MIL Move) 678-9820
- Housing Referral 678-3280
- ID Card Issue (CSD) 678-9235/9236
- NCIS 678-2257
- Navy Branch Health Clinic BC 678-3660
- Navy Gateway Inns & Suites 678-3419
- Pass Desk (main gate) 678-3462
- Passenger Terminal 678-3101
- Patrician Military Housing 392-7500
- Personal Property Inbound/Outbound 678-9820
- School Liaison Officer 210-7338
- Security 678-3518/3530/3235
- Sexual Assault Prevention and Response 877-995-5247
- 678-9981 TRICARE 800-444-5445
- Unaccompanied Housing 678-7054
Surrounding Area
New Orleans is famous for its’ melting pot of cultures, professional sports, live music, and an impressive range of local food from simple neighborhood restaurants to fine dining. For those interested in fine dining with an emphasis on Creole cuisine, Commanders’ Palace is a recommended stop.
Major league sports lovers will want to take in a New Orleans Saints game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, and there is a House of Blues location for those who like their live music. There are plenty of non-chain live music houses in the area, too including The Spotted Cat Music Club, and Café Beignet (on Bourbon Street), or you can try Fritzel’s European Jazz Pub (also on Bourbon Street) in the French Quarter.
Those new to the area should explore one of many New Orleans city tours-with some agencies you are invited to see “the entire town” in roughly three hours. There are also guided tours of famous New Orleans cemeteries, though it is strongly recommended to stick with the guided tours and not proceed alone after dark. If you are interested in seeing New Orleans from the water, try taking one of many riverboat cruise offerings, and there are similar options for exploring the bayou area.
Those who want a guided look at the French Quarter will not be disappointed to find walking tours of the area including specialty “food walking tours” and “hop on, hop off” bus tours.
Inprocessing and Check-In
Thanks to the joint service environment at NAS JRB New Orleans, you will need to check in with your gaining unit for check-in procedures and in-processing. Each gaining unit, whether permanent party or for those TDY to the base for training purposes, will have their own procedures, schedules, and requirements to check in and begin the process of starting the new assignment.
Those coming to the base on temporary duty are advised to make temporary lodging arrangements as early as possible due to demand, mission requirements, and high volumes of TDY and PCS personnel.
Services
Healthcare
NAS JRB New Orleans has limited healthcare options available; it offers a Branch Health Clinic, (make appointments by calling 504-678-3660) for both active duty and military family members who need outpatient care. Emergency, surgical and hospital care must be arranged via TRICARE (Humana South health agencies).
The closest military facility with expanded hospital-type / inpatient services is at nearby Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi. Emergency room treatment is available at West Jefferson Medical Center or Ochsner Medical Center (TRICARE approved at the time of this writing).
Child Care
Child care at NAS JRB New Orleans is provided by the Child Development Center (CDC). When planning and arranging CDC care, parents should be aware that high demand requires the use of “extensive waiting lists” in some cases. The New Orleans Child Development Center offers services for children 6 weeks to 5 years of age. Full day care is available, with hourly care offered on a space available basis (advanced registration required). Those living on and off base are eligible to use CDC care; call 504-678-3654 to learn more about your options.
CDC waiting lists are managed on a priority basis, based on the date the required paperwork is received and other factors. Single parents and dual military families are given the top priority.
Household Goods
Inbound military members are directed to track and manage their inbound household goods shipments to NAS JRB New Orleans via the Defense Personal Property System at Move.mil. You can also get local assistance from the Inbound Household Goods section at 678-9820.
Dependent And Retiree ID Card Renewal, Replacement, New Issue
All ID card services at NAS JRB New Orleans should be scheduled via the base’s RAPIDS official site. You will need to make one appointment per ID card service required. When you go to your ID card appointment, there are certain forms of ID that are no longer acceptable as primary or secondary identification.
Those include student ID cards of any kind, and expired picture ID to include drivers’ licenses that are expired but on “auto renew”. The dates on your photo ID card must show the card as current at the time services are required.
Schools
NAS JRB New Orleans has many different kinds of school options available including a unique on-base charter school called Belle Chasse Academy serving children of elementary and middle school age.
Other school options include Plaquemines Parish School District in Belle Chasse (three elementary schools, a middle school and a high school), New Orleans Military and Maritime Academy, plus access to an extensive group of public and private schools. School uniforms may be a requirement, and attendance in a given school in the public school district may depend on where the family lives.
Contact the School Liaison Officer at 210-7338 for more information on requirements to transfer into a new school including current immunization policies, transcript requirements, and enrollment dates.
Housing
Government housing at New Orleans is offered in the form of public-private venture (PPV) homes at the Naval Air Station-Joint Reserve Base in Belle Chasse and The Village at Federal City in Algiers (formerly known as Naval Support Activity) There are at the time of this writing more than 900 total units are available. This PPV approach is a partnership between the Department of the Navy and the private company Patrician Management. This PPV approach is said to be a “zero out-of-pocket expense” option for on-base housing.
Sign up for family housing by contacting the New Orleans Housing Office with a completed DD-Form 1746, a copy of the servicemember’s Permanent Change of Station orders, and a “certification of family members” according to the official site.
Single and unaccompanied service members in the ranks between E1 and E4 are “housed on a permanent basis” in Combined Bachelor Housing. Single or unaccompanied service members in the rank of E5 or above will not live in Combined Bachelor Housing “on a permanent basis”.
PCS and TDY Lodging
When headed to NAS JRB New Orleans, it is strongly recommended to make reservations for temporary quarters well in advance. Those traveling here TDY will make different arrangements than those who are on permanent change of station orders.
Those traveling on TDY orders or TAD orders, are directed to make reservations through the SATO reservations desk at 1-800-576-9327. A
Those traveling to NAS JRB New Orleans on any other type of orders will make their arrangements via the Navy Gateway Inns and Suites reservation desk at 504-678-3419 or 504-678-3549.
Transportation
The closest airports to NAS JRB New Orleans are Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (roughly 20 miles away) and Gulfport Biloxi International Airport which is approximately 68 miles away.
The usual commercial taxis, ride sharing services, and shuttles may be available depending on the time of day you arrive and traffic density; due to the distances involved and rush hour conditions it may be best to arrange pickup from the airport with your sponsor from the gaining unit.
Vehicle Registration And Driver’s License
All vehicles entering Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans are required to be registered with the security department in the Consolidated Law Enforcement Operations Center (CLEOC) data base. This requires inbound personnel to register their vehicle in state or have a valid registration from another state.
Proof of insurance is also required. Motorcycle riders are required to use safety gear and a motorcycle safety course will be needed prior to operating a motorized two-wheeled vehicle on base. Drivers should know that vehicles registered in the parishes of Ascension, East Baton Rouge, Iberville, Livingston, and West Baton Rouge are required to get vehicle inspections “in one of those same five (5) parishes” according to the official site.