Fentress Naval Auxiliary Landing Field (NFE), Chesapeake, VA

(Where Fentress,VA township was previously located)

36.7 North / 76.16 West (Southwest of Oceana NAS)

"Fentress (Navy)", as depicted on a 1944 Regional Aeronautical Chart

Fentress was originally commissioned on 4/15/43 as one of several satellite airfields for Norfolk NAS. The base was primarily home to composite squadrons of FM Wildcats & TBM Avengers that would eventually serve on small CVE escort carriers. Fentress could accommodate up to 3 squadrons, typically composed of 9 Wildcats & 12 Avengers. Several composite squadrons passed through Fentress in 1943. The base was designated as a night flying field in 1944, and Field Carrier Landing Practice night training commenced. The base's complement peaked in 1944 with a total of 1,384 personnel. Aircraft assigned to Fentress included six SNJs, an NE Piper Cub, a PBY Catalina amphibian, and a GH Howard. A new construction program was begun in 1944. Fentress temporarily closed for a month for the installation of runway lighting.

A WW2-era National Archives picture of the Fentress ramp.

By the end of WW2, the Fentress airfield consisted of four 2,500' concrete runways, along with numerous taxiways & large ramp areas. Fentress was placed in Caretaker status in 1946, and became an Outlying Landing Field for NAS Oceana. According to Robert Crabtree, “When WWII was over all the buildings were locked & boarded up. They hired one local man as caretaker named McClanahan.”

According to Robert Crabtree, CWO Davidson was the first commander of NALF Fentress after it was reopened. In the postwar period, with higher-performance aircraft starting to be operated from Oceana, with their attendant need for much longer runways, a modern 8,000' paved Runway 5/23 was built at Fentress at some point between 1946-51. Robert Crabtree served at Fentress starting in 1951. He recalled, “All furnishings, tools, pencils, some weapons & ammunition were uncovered when we moved in. I had purchased a commercial speed graphic camera & set up my own darkroom in one of the empty buildings. The Oceana Crash & Salvage Crew sent a crash crew to NALF Fentress on a daily basis to stand-by for carrier practice shortly after adding the 8,000' runway. A short time later a crew of about 35 men were sent there full-time. Many of these people were Reservists & their talents varied making this crew most unique & interesting.” Robert continued, “Fentress was located deep in the Dismal Swamp. We were about 8 miles away from the one good bar there named Kay's Place that we all visited almost on a daily basis. The Navy allowed us to use a vehicle to make one run twice a day to the nearest bus stop. For convenience we stole a bus stop sign & installed it in front of the bar. Most of the time our vehicle of choice was our Navy ambulance.”

 

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