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28-557: On July 16, 1957, the first shovel of earth was thrown, marking the beginning of the Naval Auxiliary Air Station (NAAS), which was commissioned July 19, 1961. Captain W.F. Krantz, USN received the golden key to the air station, and senior Mississippi U.S. Senator John C. Stennis was the guest speaker for the ceremony that opened the $ 60 million base. At that time, the operations area was named McCain Field in honor of

56-459: A household in the CDP was $ 18,641, and the median income for a family was $ 16,597. Males had a median income of $ 18,250 versus $ 15,240 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $ 6,080. About 56.1% of families and 54.2% of the population were below the poverty line , including 58.3% of those under age 18 and 80.6% of those age 65 or over. The Neshoba County portion of Bogue Chitto is served by

84-501: A separate runway, Joe Williams Outlying Landing Field (OLF), approximately 25 miles northwest of the main air station. Joe Williams OLF is an 8,000 foot long runway located in a rural area between the communities of Bogue Chitto and De Kalb . The field is used to reduced traffic congestion at the main air station, primarily when students are conducting Field Carrier Landing Practice in preparation for initial aircraft carrier qualification. HH-1N Huey helicopters were formerly used by

112-499: A separate runway, Joe Williams Outlying Landing Field (OLF), approximately 25 miles northwest of the main air station. Joe Williams OLF is an 8,000 foot long runway located in a rural area between the communities of Bogue Chitto and De Kalb . The field is used to reduced traffic congestion at the main air station, primarily when students are conducting Field Carrier Landing Practice in preparation for initial aircraft carrier qualification. HH-1N Huey helicopters were formerly used by

140-588: Is a census-designated place (CDP) situated in Kemper and Neshoba counties, Mississippi . The population was 864 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Reservation and the population is 93% Choctaw. During Freedom Summer of 1964 and a voter registration drive, three civil rights workers: James Chaney , Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner , were killed by Ku Klux Klan members about 10 miles north of Bogue Chitto on

168-519: Is a military airport located 11 miles northeast of Meridian, Mississippi in Lauderdale County and Kemper County , and is one of the Navy's two jet strike pilot training facilities. On July 16, 1957, the first shovel of earth was thrown, marking the beginning of the Naval Auxiliary Air Station (NAAS), which was commissioned July 19, 1961. Captain W.F. Krantz, USN received the golden key to

196-431: Is water. As of the 2020 United States census , there were 864 people, 114 households, and 92 families residing in the CDP. As of the census of 2000, there were 533 people, 160 households, and 127 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 84.6 inhabitants per square mile (32.7/km ). There were 169 housing units at an average density of 26.8 units per square mile (10.3 units/km ). The racial makeup of

224-753: The Choctaw words "bok" (creek) and "chito" (big). Much of the Mississippi Choctaw Indian Reservation is in Neshoba County with a portion extending into western Kemper County . Bogue Chitto is one of 8 communities in the nation. According to the United States Census Bureau , the CDP has a total area of 6.3 square miles (16.4 km ), of which 6.3 square miles (16.3 km ) are land and 0.04 square mile (0.1 km ) (0.63%)

252-491: The CDP was 5.82% White , 0.38% African American , 92.68% Native American , and 1.13% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino comprised 0.38% of the population. There were 160 households, out of which 40.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 31.9% were married couples living together, 31.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.6% were non-families. 11.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.1% had someone living alone who

280-560: The Stennis Center, it was officially commissioned April 17, 1974. NAS Meridian was selected and upgraded to a Major Shore Command on October 1, 1982. In March 1984, NAS Meridian was one of 15 installations chosen for the Department of Defense Model Installation Program. In September 1985, the enlisted galley was dedicated to the memory of Marine Lance Corporal Roy M. Wheat , a Mississippi native and Medal of Honor recipient who

308-518: The air station, and senior Mississippi U.S. Senator John C. Stennis was the guest speaker for the ceremony that opened the $ 60 million base. At that time, the operations area was named McCain Field in honor of the late Admiral John S. McCain, Sr. of Teoc , Mississippi . Training Squadron SEVEN ( VT-7 ) arrived at NAAS Meridian July 12, 1961, then split to form its sister squadron, Training Squadron NINE ( VT-9 ) on December 15. In September 1965, hundreds of planes from Florida bases arrived to escape

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336-529: The command. The Air Operations Department employs 230 military and civilian personnel to operate NAS Meridian/McCain Field and Naval Outlying Landing Field (NOLF) Joe Williams. Their primary mission is to support Commander, Training Air Wing ONE , the wing's subordinate training squadrons and its associated T-45 Goshawk aircraft in the conduct of undergraduate strike pilot training. Additional services are furnished to support operations for NAS and transient military aircrews. Air Traffic Control Division operates

364-528: The command. The Air Operations Department employs 230 military and civilian personnel to operate NAS Meridian/McCain Field and Naval Outlying Landing Field (NOLF) Joe Williams. Their primary mission is to support Commander, Training Air Wing ONE , the wing's subordinate training squadrons and its associated T-45 Goshawk aircraft in the conduct of undergraduate strike pilot training. Additional services are furnished to support operations for NAS and transient military aircrews. Air Traffic Control Division operates

392-495: The command. Responsibilities include: processing military personnel matters with the Personnel Support Activity Detachment, Meridian; processing special requests, leave and TAD orders, evaluations and command correspondence; maintaining command directives and correspondence files; providing duplicating services and messenger systems; and coordinating administrative systems and services throughout

420-779: The control tower and radar final control systems. They provide flight planning services and issue clearances and instructions to pilots for all phases of military flight operations within the vicinity of the airport. Ground Electronics Maintenance Division (GEMD) ensures all assigned UHF , VHF and FM radio communications, air navigation aids, weather monitoring/reporting equipment and precision approach radars required to conduct safe and effective flight operations around NAS Meridian and its outlying field operate at or above designated performance standards. GEMD also provides sound support services and functions as point of contact for matters related to 3M, frequency management, equipment configuration and computer repair/assistance. NAS Meridian maintains

448-779: The control tower and radar final control systems. They provide flight planning services and issue clearances and instructions to pilots for all phases of military flight operations within the vicinity of the airport. Ground Electronics Maintenance Division (GEMD) ensures all assigned UHF , VHF and FM radio communications, air navigation aids, weather monitoring/reporting equipment and precision approach radars required to conduct safe and effective flight operations around NAS Meridian and its outlying field operate at or above designated performance standards. GEMD also provides sound support services and functions as point of contact for matters related to 3M, frequency management, equipment configuration and computer repair/assistance. NAS Meridian maintains

476-412: The dedication of the new Naval Technical Training Center (NTTC). Known locally as the Stennis Center, it was officially commissioned April 17, 1974. NAS Meridian was selected and upgraded to a Major Shore Command on October 1, 1982. In March 1984, NAS Meridian was one of 15 installations chosen for the Department of Defense Model Installation Program. In September 1985, the enlisted galley was dedicated to

504-405: The late Admiral John S. McCain, Sr. of Teoc , Mississippi . Training Squadron SEVEN ( VT-7 ) arrived at NAAS Meridian July 12, 1961, then split to form its sister squadron, Training Squadron NINE ( VT-9 ) on December 15. In September 1965, hundreds of planes from Florida bases arrived to escape the wrath of Hurricane Betsy . The Naval Auxiliary Air Station continued to grow, and by July 1968,

532-548: The memory of Marine Lance Corporal Roy M. Wheat , a Mississippi native and Medal of Honor recipient who was killed in Vietnam . NAS Meridian supports aviation and technical training, and other tenant activities. Departments working under the NAS Commanding Officer form the backbone for the entire installation's functioning. The Administrative Services Department provides general administrative services for

560-665: The night of June 21, 1964. Their bodies were discovered by the FBI and other law enforcement, buried in an earthen dam on the Old Jolly Farm in Neshoba County, Mississippi in August 1964. The murders galvanized national attention and contributed to passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 . The events were the subject of the 1988 drama film Mississippi Burning . The name Bogue Chitto, meaning "Big Creek," comes from

588-425: The station became a full Naval Air Station . The years brought an increase in building development and family housing units. In 1968, and again in 1969, 300 aircraft from Naval Air Station Pensacola , Florida arrived to escape the fury and destruction of Hurricane Gladys and Hurricane Camille , respectively. In August 1971, Training Air Wing ONE (TRAWING ONE) was commissioned and Training Squadron NINETEEN (VT-19)

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616-678: The station's Search and Rescue personnel to provide 24-hour rescue coverage of the Eastern Mississippi/Western Alabama area. The 25-member SAR team consisted of pilots, aircrewmen and hospital corpsmen who were trained in first aid, helicopter rappelling and tree extraction. The team also assisted in a wide variety of civilian emergencies, such as searching for missing persons, assisting with aircraft and boating mishaps and occasional MEDEVAC missions. Naval Auxiliary Air Station Naval Air Station Meridian or NAS Meridian ( ICAO : KNMM , FAA LID : NMM )

644-516: The station's Search and Rescue personnel to provide 24-hour rescue coverage of the Eastern Mississippi/Western Alabama area. The 25-member SAR team consisted of pilots, aircrewmen and hospital corpsmen who were trained in first aid, helicopter rappelling and tree extraction. The team also assisted in a wide variety of civilian emergencies, such as searching for missing persons, assisting with aircraft and boating mishaps and occasional MEDEVAC missions. Bogue Chitto, Mississippi Bogue Chitto

672-470: The wrath of Hurricane Betsy . The Naval Auxiliary Air Station continued to grow, and by July 1968, the station became a full Naval Air Station . The years brought an increase in building development and family housing units. In 1968, and again in 1969, 300 aircraft from Naval Air Station Pensacola , Florida arrived to escape the fury and destruction of Hurricane Gladys and Hurricane Camille , respectively. In August 1971, Training Air Wing ONE (TRAWING ONE)

700-448: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.33 and the average family size was 3.48. In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 34.1% under the age of 18, 11.1% from 18 to 24, 31.0% from 25 to 44, 16.9% from 45 to 64, and 6.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.7 males. The median income for

728-533: Was also established. The Wing motto became "Readiness for Victory at Sea through Training." That October saw the arrival of the TA-4J, the new advanced jet trainer based on the A-4 "Skyhawk." In April 1973, President Richard M. Nixon , accompanied by Senator John C. Stennis and many other high-ranking military and civilian officials, attended the dedication of the new Naval Technical Training Center (NTTC). Known locally as

756-406: Was commissioned and Training Squadron NINETEEN (VT-19) was also established. The Wing motto became "Readiness for Victory at Sea through Training." That October saw the arrival of the TA-4J, the new advanced jet trainer based on the A-4 "Skyhawk." In April 1973, President Richard M. Nixon , accompanied by Senator John C. Stennis and many other high-ranking military and civilian officials, attended

784-711: Was killed in Vietnam . NAS Meridian supports aviation and technical training, and other tenant activities. Departments working under the NAS Commanding Officer form the backbone for the entire installation's functioning. The Administrative Services Department provides general administrative services for the command. Responsibilities include: processing military personnel matters with the Personnel Support Activity Detachment, Meridian; processing special requests, leave and TAD orders, evaluations and command correspondence; maintaining command directives and correspondence files; providing duplicating services and messenger systems; and coordinating administrative systems and services throughout

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