Branch: U.S. Navy
Location: Corpus Christi, Texas
Installation Type: Naval Air Station
Status: Active

Overview

Naval Air Station Corpus Christi was established in 1941 and is located on the southern Texas Gulf Coast near the city of Corpus Christi. The installation serves as a premier primary flight training center for student naval aviators and is jointly operated with the U.S. Army. NAS Corpus Christi supports tenant commands from multiple military branches and plays a critical role in producing military pilots for the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.

Mission & Units

• Primary Mission: Primary flight training for student naval aviators, naval flight officers, and Coast Guard aviators using fixed-wing aircraft.
• Major Units: Training Air Wing FOUR (TW-4), which operates Training Squadrons VT-27, VT-28, and VT-35; Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA) support functions; Army Aviation Center of Excellence (tenant).
• Tenant Units: U.S. Army Aviation, U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Corpus Christi, Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division detachment, and various contractor support organizations.

Location & Access

• Nearest Major City: Corpus Christi, TX — approximately 7 miles from the base main gate.
• Nearest Commercial Airport: Corpus Christi International Airport (CRP) — approximately 15 miles from the installation.
• Gate Access: Main gate operates 24 hours, 7 days a week. CAC or valid military ID required for active duty; visitors must obtain a visitor pass at the visitor control center. Real ID-compliant driver’s license required for civilian visitors beginning May 2025.

Population

• Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 3,000–3,500
• Family Members: Approximately 5,000–6,000
• Civilian Employees: Approximately 3,500 (including contractors)
• Total Installation Population: Approximately 12,000–14,000

Key Facilities

• Medical: Branch Health Clinic Corpus Christi — provides primary care, dental, and limited specialty services; Naval Hospital Corpus Christi was closed, with referrals to Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) in San Antonio for specialty care.
• Commissary: Yes — full-service commissary located on base, open daily with standard hours.
• Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes — Navy Exchange (NEX) main store with automotive, retail, and food court services.
• Fitness & Recreation: Multiple fitness centers, outdoor pool, MWR recreational facilities, bowling center, marina with boat rentals, and golf course (Rooster Run Golf Course).
• Schools: Served by Corpus Christi Independent School District (CCISD); no DoDEA schools on this installation.
• Childcare: Child Development Center (CDC) on base; waitlists are common and early enrollment registration is recommended upon PCS orders receipt.
• Veterinary Services: Veterinary Treatment Facility on base — offers immunizations, preventive care, and limited treatment for pets of active duty personnel.
• Legal Assistance / JAG: Legal Assistance Office located on base — appointments required for most services; walk-in hours available for limited matters.

Housing

• On-Base Housing: Managed by Lincoln Military Housing; approximately 900 family housing units in various bedroom configurations on and near the installation.
• Average Wait Time: Varies by grade and family size; typically 2–6 months for E-5 and above.
• Off-Base Housing: Neighborhoods in Corpus Christi, Portland, and Robstown offer affordable options. Average rent for a 3-bedroom home ranges from approximately $1,200–$1,800/month (2024–2025 estimates).
• BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) website.

PCS & Newcomer Info

• Sponsorship Program: Contact the gaining unit’s administrative office or personnel office to request a sponsor before arrival. The Navy’s sponsor program pairs incoming service members with current personnel.
• In-Processing: Report to the Personnel Support Detachment (PSD) and the installation Welcome Aboard Center; in-processing typically takes 3–5 business days.
• EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): EFMP office located within the Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) on base; enrollment is mandatory for active duty members with qualifying dependents. Contact FFSC for current enrollment procedures and point of contact.

Local Area & Quality of Life

• Climate: Hot, humid subtropical climate with mild winters and hot summers; hurricane season runs June–November, with occasional tropical storm threats.
• Cost of Living: Low to moderate relative to the national average; Corpus Christi is among the more affordable coastal cities in the United States.
• Nearby Attractions: Padre Island National Seashore (one of the longest undeveloped barrier islands in the world), Texas State Aquarium, USS Lexington Museum on the Bay, Schlitterbahn Corpus Christi waterpark.
• Spouse Employment: Corpus Christi has a moderate job market driven by oil and gas, healthcare, education, and tourism sectors; remote work opportunities supplement local employment options for military spouses.

Contact & Resources

• Official Website: https://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrse/installations/nascorpuschristi.html
• Main Installation Phone: (361) 961-2811
• MWR Website: https://www.navymwr.org/installations/corpus-christi
• ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) Corpus Christi — located on base; contact via the main installation operator at (361) 961-2811 or visit the FFSC directly for counseling, relocation assistance, deployment support, and financial readiness services.

Last updated: 2026-02-22
Sources: CNIC official installation page (cnic.navy.mil), Lincoln Military Housing, Navy MWR, Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO), Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA) public affairs.; Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law