Believe it or not, Brown Field Municipal Airport started as East Field in 1918. It aimed to ease congestion at North Island. The U.S. Army established an aerial gunnery and aerobatics school here.
Major Whitten J. East is the namesake of East Field. He trained at Rockwell Field on North Island. During World War I, he flew over the front lines in France. Sadly, he died in an auto accident in 1918 at age 25.
From 1918 to 1919, pilots trained on the Curtis JN-4D Jenny at East Field. After World War I, the military used it for touch-and-go landings. They also did radio-controlled target drone experiments here.
In 1943, the U.S. Navy took over. The airfield became Naval Auxiliary Air Station Otay Mesa. Later in 1943, its name changed again. It honored Navy Cmdr. Melville S. Brown. He died in a plane crash near Descanso, California, in 1936.
Cmdr. Brown commanded the USS Truxtun when commissioned in 1921. He also served as executive officer of the USS Lexington aircraft carrier. From 1943 to 1946, the Army and Navy trained here. They used various aircraft like the P-38 Lightning and F6F Hellcat.
In 1946, the Navy decommissioned Brown Field NAAS. It became surplus property for San Diego County. The county rented parts of the base for a chicken farm. Chula Vista High School started on the airport property in 1946.
The Navy reopened Brown Field NAAS in 1951. This was due to increased military activity from the Korean War. In 1954, Brown Field Municipal was recommissioned. It supported fleet aircraft, missile programs, and carrier landing practice.
By 1955, NAAS Brown housed several squadrons. These included utility and anti-submarine warfare squadrons. There was also a fleet aircraft service squadron and a missile unit. Aircraft like the F6F Hellcat and F9F Cougar operated here.
On Nov. 2, 1954, the Convair XFY-1 Pogo made a transitional flight here. It took off vertically and landed vertically again. Brown Field became a Vanguard Earth Satellite Tracking Station site in 1957.
On Sept. 1, 1962, the Navy gave Brown Field NAAS to San Diego. It had to remain an airport for public use. In the mid- to late-1960s, Pacific Southwest Airlines trained pilots here. They used Piper Arrows and Beech Bonanzas. PSA also trained Lufthansa pilots at Brown Field. In 1970, Lufthansa training moved to Phoenix.
Today, Brown Field Municipal is a busy general aviation airport. This includes private, corporate, and charter flights. Air ambulance, law enforcement, and fire rescue services operate here. You’ll also see flight training, cargo, skydiving, and banner towing.
The FAA classifies Brown Field Municipal as a reliever airport. It serves general aviation that would otherwise use San Diego International Airport. This reduces congestion for airline passengers.
Brown Field Municipal Airport has two runways. Runway 8L/26R measures 7,972 x 150 feet. Runway 8R/26L measures 3,180 x 75 feet. The airport elevation is 526 feet MSL. Brown Field offers U.S. Customs services. It provides access to state Routes 905 and 125 and Interstates 5 and 805. You’ll find ramp space and a Foreign Trade Zone here too.
Brown Field provides fuel, parking, and tiedowns. Hangars and aircraft maintenance are available. Flight training, aircraft rental, and car rental services are on site. You can even grab a bite at the restaurant. Skydiving and banner towing services add to the excitement at Brown Field.
Brown Field Municipal Airport remains a vital part of San Diego’s aviation landscape. Its rich history and diverse services make it a unique destination. From military training to general aviation, Brown Field continues to serve the community.