Sweetwater Dam Naval Outlying Landing Field facts for kids
The Sweetwater Dam Naval Outlying Landing Field was an airfield used by the U.S. Navy. It helped train pilots during World War 2. This airfield was near Naval Auxiliary Air Station Brown Field and Naval Air Station North Island.
The runway was built in 1944. It was located about 8 miles east of San Diego, California. Today, this area is a neighborhood.
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Naval Outlying Landing Fields (NOLFs) are special airfields. The Navy uses them to support pilot training. During World War 2, many new pilots were needed. NOLFs gave pilots a safe place to practice. They could land and take off without much other air traffic.
The Sweetwater Dam site was perfect for this. It offered flight training without many distractions. Most new pilots went to the Pacific War after their training. The Sweetwater Dam Outlying Landing Field did not have many buildings or support facilities.
The Airfield's History
The Sweetwater Dam Outlying Landing Field had one runway. It was 3,000 feet long and made of asphalt. It ran from east to west. The Navy rented 135.45 acres of land for the airfield. This land came from Rancho de la Nación.
After the war ended, the airfield closed in 1946. It had finished its job of training new pilots.
From Airfield to Airport
In 1949, the runway became a private airport. It was called the Sweetwater Dam Airport. People also called it the Paradise Mesa Airstrip. The airport got its name from the nearby Sweetwater Dam. This dam creates the Sweetwater Reservoir.
The airport closed in 1951.
The Drag Strip Years
After the airport closed, the runway became a race track. It was called the Paradise Mesa Drag Strip. The Oilers Club from Carlsbad, California, helped start it. The first race happened on March 11, 1951.
At its busiest, 25 different clubs used the drag strip. The drag strip closed in 1959.
What is There Today?
Today, houses are built on the site of the old airfield. This area is now called Paradise Hills. You cannot find any signs of the old runway. Part of the site is also where Daniel Boone Elementary School is located.
