Do you know what freedom sounds like? Anyone residing near Naval Air Station Oceana can certainly tell you. NAS Oceana is the Navy’s East Coast “Master Jet Base,” and a hive for F/A-18 Hornets and Super Hornets with eighteen Hornet squadrons. Over seven miles of runways are utilized by close to 15,000 military personnel to support Strike Fighter Aircraft Joint/Inter-Agency Operations.

The prime Virginia Beach coastline that NAS lies on was once a dismal, swampy marshland. The base began as an auxiliary airfield for the Norfolk area installations, but after World War II the small field expanded. In 1952, Naval Air Station Oceana was commissioned and has seen many improvements—most notably the arrival of jets in 1954.

Today, NAS Oceana occupies almost 6,000 acres and has 250 aircraft. Base housing is available, but you’ll likely be on a wait list. There are many privatized housing communities located throughout the Southside cities and a high inventory of homes are usually available for rent or sale. Virginia Beach is an enviable locale and military families flock from all over the Southside to live here. A knowledgeable real estate agent can be a huge help in this region.