Naval Air Station Kingsville, Texas, is located two miles east of Kingsville in the southern part of the state just southwest of Corpus Christi and roughly 100 miles from Laredo, Texas. It may seem odd to find the United States Navy in Texas, but this installation is responsible for training Navy and Marine Corps tactical jet pilots; the state of Texas features many such operations including Air Force jet and helicopter training.
Find information about NAS Kingsville 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
Flying training is the main mission of this Naval Air Station; specifically tactical jet training for Navy and Marine Corps pilots. Important missions and units at NAS Kingsville include:
- Ground Training
- Training Air Wing Two
- VT-21
- VT-22
- Fleet and Industrial Supply Center (FLC JAX DET)
- Navy Branch Health Clinic Kingsville
- Public Works / NAVFAC Southeast
History
NAS Kingsville began its history in 1942 as Naval Auxiliary Air Station Kingsville, functioning as an auxiliary field for NAS Corpus Christi. Back then, the mission was similar to today’s operations; training (or in this case, support for training) for Navy pilots.
At the time, both fighter and bomber training was supported, but in 1960 the installation became an all-jet training facility after a brief “intermission” when the site was placed into caretaker status from 1946 to 1951.
In 1968 the airfield became what it is today; redesignated as NAS Kingsville the Air Station began hosting flight training and today is known as one of three centers for Navy jet training operations. Today the Air Station hosts approximately 500 military members (including student jet pilots) and more than 200 civilians.
Contacts
Main Address And Phone Numbers
554 McCain Street, Building 2740
Naval Air Station Kingsville
Kingsville Naval Air Station Kingsville, TX, 78363
- 361-516-6482
- DSN 312-876-6982
Important NAS Kingsville Contact Phone Numbers
- Child Development Center (361) 516-6176
- DEERS Office (361) 516-4728
- Emergency 911
- Fleet and Family Support Center (361) 516-6333
- Morale, Welfare and Recreation (361) 516-6232
- Navy Wounded Warrior (855) 628-9997
- Pass and Tag Office (361) 516-6555
- Public Affairs Office (361) 516-6500
- Suicide Prevention Hotline (800) 273-8255
- School Liaison Officer (361)-537-7595
- Branch Health Clinic (361) 516-6313
- Housing Service Center (361) 516-6498
- Navy Gateway Inns and Suites (361) 516-6321
Surrounding Area
Kingsville, Texas, is roughly 45 miles from Corpus Christi; it’s also near Portland, Texas and San Diego, Texas. The city of Kingsville is roughly 14 square miles and is located in the Gulf Coastal Plain with the Gulf of Mexico about 500 miles from the base.
The immediate area includes attractions like the John Connor Museum which focuses on natural history, and the 1904 Train Depot which is an authentic early American railroad depot. Visitors are encouraged to visit the world-famous King Ranch and the King Ranch Museum. For local shopping, the Kingsville Farmer’s Market as well as the King Ranch Saddle Shop are popular.
Inprocessing and Check-In
There is no centralized in-processing or check-in at NAS Kingsville. All new arrivals (PCSing to the base) are directed to check in with their gaining command the first duty day of arrival.
Those who are reporting to NAS Kingsville command itself should check-in at the Administrative Office during duty hours; after hours, new arrivals must call the Command Duty Officer at 361-218-7182.
Students who are TDY to Kingsville for training such as Training Air Wing Two personnel must report to Student Control, in TW-2 Headquarters Bldg.
Services
Health Care
Branch Health Clinic Kingsville provides outpatient, non-emergency services; call 361-516-6313 for information on appointments, care alternatives, and more. There is no emergency care provided, and after-hours services are not available.
Some specialty care may be available via referral to Naval Health Clinic Corpus Christi, and all PCSing military members should contact their TRICARE rep to determine what in-network options are available in the local area and beyond in Corpus Christi and elsewhere.
Child Care
Childcare onboard NAS Kingsville is provided by both the Child Development Center and Child Development Homes. CDC hours are Monday through Friday (closed for all Federal holidays). CDC care is available for the children of NAS Kingsville military members who are between the ages of six weeks and five years old. Call (361)-516-6176 for waiting list information, sign up procedures and more.
Child Development Home care is for children between the ages of 6 weeks and 12 years of age, on a full, part-time or hourly care basis. Child Development Home care is dependent on having local providers willing and able to be certified to provide the care; there may not always be providers available for this option–call the CDC for more information.
Household Goods
All inbound service members PCSing to Naval Air Station Kingsville are directed to track and manage their household goods shipments via Move.mil and the Defense Personal Property System.
Dependent And Retiree ID Card Renewal, Replacement, New Issue
For all ID card services, contact Pass & ID at (361) 516-6555; this office issues passes, vehicle registration (where applicable) for military and civilians; the NAS Kingsville Pass and Tag office issues ID cards Monday through Friday during normal duty hours.
Walk-ins are subject to delays depending on mission requirements, demand, and other variables. Two forms of unexpired ID may be required and dependents may not receive ID card services with expired state ID or expired government ID.
Schools
There are no DoD schools in the area; school-age children will attend school based on their address and there are four independent public school districts in the area:
- Kingsville ISD (pre-K through 12th grade)
- Santa Gertrudis ISD (pre-K through 12th grade)
- Ricardo ISD (K through 8th grade)
- Riviera ISD (pre-K through 12th grade)
Some schools begin their school year in mid-August others (year-round schools) begin in July.
Ricardo, Riviera, Bishop and Santa Gertrudis may permit “open enrollment” for those who live in one school district but want to send their children to another; this may be handled on a case-by-case basis depending on circumstances.
Student pilots may be restricted from residing in certain parts of the area prone to longer commutes; this can affect school choices. Call the NAS Kingsville’s School Liaison Officer 361-537-7595 to get information on these issues, transfer requirements (which may vary depending on the ISD) and more.
Housing
All PCSing Sailors headed to NAS Kingsville are directed to check in with the Housing Service Center, (on the first floor of the Administration Building) before entering into any legally binding agreement for housing. The Housing Referral office can help with TLF/temporary housing as well as permanent homes.
There is no government housing available, but there is a public/private venture known as Hunter’s Cove, which is open to both military and civilian tenants. Waiting lists apply.
Hunter’s Cove homes are located approximately 10 minutes from the base. Those who are considering housing in nearby Corpus Christi should know there is an extended commute to the base (45 minutes to an hour) that can be made longer and more complicated due to fog, rain, and other weather conditions in season.
Single/unaccompanied Sailors may be eligible for housing on base–there is a single “UH Housing” facility for eligible unaccompanied troops. Reservations for on-base single Sailor housing should be made via the NAS Kingsville Combined Bachelor Housing Office CBQ at 361-516-6321.
PCS and TDY Lodging
Temporary lodging for those who are PCSing to the area is available via the Combined Bachelor Quarters/CBQ/BOQ/BEQ; PCSing individuals and families may have up to 30 days allowed; call ahead for reservations at 61-516-6321. There are no pet-friendly facilities at NAS Kingsville. PCS season and TDY season may make temporary lodging harder to come by–make reservations as early as possible.
Transportation
At press time there is no base transportation, but a duty driver may be available (for official use only) Tuesdays and Thursdays. For emergency transportation requests, call 361-218-7182.
Vehicle Registration And Driver’s License
All drivers on board NAS Kingsville are required to observe all Texas requirements including safety equipment, cell phone use restrictions, and proof of insurance. You are not required to register your privately owned vehicle on-base, but the State of Texas requires all vehicles to be inspected for safety and be issued a written “pass”. Display of a decal is not required.
Texas no longer requires a safety inspection sticker. However, you still must have the vehicle inspected and written approval is provided when you pass the inspection.
Those who arrive in Texas with a valid driver’s license from anywhere else in the United States are not required to get a Texas license or add Texas plates to their vehicles.