Remember Lieutenant Archibald H. Gillespie. This field is named in his honor. Gillespie Field’s story began as a Marine Corps parachute training facility during World War II.
Imagine young marines learning to jump here. They practiced from 1942 to 1944. The field became vital to the war effort. It shaped the skills of countless paratroopers.
After the war in 1946, San Diego County leased Gillespie Field. It transformed the site into a public airport. This marked a new chapter for the airfield. In 1952, the county gained full ownership. Gillespie Field became a permanent part of San Diego.
Today, Gillespie Field supports the local economy. It is home to business parks. These parks provide over 2000 jobs for El Cajon. The airport contributes about $40 million each year.
California Flight Academy has been here since 1973. It is located in the main terminal. Students gain experience with air traffic control. Gillespie Field offers a less hectic training environment.
The San Diego County Sheriff’s ASTREA unit is based here. They provide aerial support for law enforcement. The San Diego Air & Space Museum also has an annex here. You can see aircraft restoration work.
Have you seen the Atlas ICBM rocket? It stands guard at the museum annex. A restored F-102A Delta Dagger is also on display. A Grumman F-14A Tomcat from “Top Gun: Maverick” is here too.
Corey Lynn Fayman even featured Gillespie Field in a Rolly Waters mystery novel. The book “Gillespie Field Groove” uses the airport as a setting. It incorporates local details. The Gillespie Field Cafe inspired a fictional cafe in the book.
The airport has three runways. They support many aircraft operations. In 2016, there were over 226000 operations. Gillespie Field hosts general aviation, air taxi, and military flights.
Gillespie Field has evolved. It began as a military training ground. Now, it serves the community in many ways. It supports aviation, business, and education. Gillespie Field connects San Diego to the skies.