"This site is dedicated to all those that served our country both military and civilian, especially those that served on board NAS Grosse Ile, Michigan."

For those of you who may not have visited "The Naval Air Station Grosse Ile Virtual Museum" before, take the time to read this short introduction.

The web site is a virtual museum dedicated to Naval Air Station Grosse Ile and the men and women that served there both military and civilian. It is a collection of stories and pictures from the early beginning in the 1920s through the next 40 years of service to our nation until its decommissioning in 1969 and also extends on to NAF Detroit. We have tried to be as accurate as possible. While mistakes may have been made, none were intended and we will correct them as soon as possible after they are discovered. We also have to take into account that many buildings were used for different purposes over its 40 year history and also terminology changed over the years. To move from one page to the next click on the title of the page and to return use the back button on your browser. Also you may want to use the reload or refresh button to make sure you are viewing our latest updates.

You may want sign up for the NASGI Yahoo email groups list. It is for the exchange of information and general chit chat between those of us that are interested in the history of naval aviation and NAS Grosse Ile. You never know you may run across some old shipmates and friends.

That is it for the introduction, so stay and visit as long and often as you like. 
 

Guestbook	NAS Grosse Ile Virtual Museum	Counter

NASGI VIDEOS

NAVAL AVIATION COMES TO GROSSE ILE, MI Revised: 12 November 2006 Naval Reserve Air Base Grosse Ile was commissioned 7 September 1929, but the air station traces her roots back to July 1925 when 4 Naval reservists started an aviation unit in Detroit. Also the airship ZMC-2 is included in this section. The Navy's only all metal airship. THE DEPRESSION YEARS Revised: 12 September 2005 Like other bases of this era, NRAB Grosse Ile, MI grew slowly. By the end of 1930 the first Marine unit had been commissioned. WW II & THE 40s AT NASGI Revised: 28 April 2013 Only 30 years after the Navy had acquired its first aircraft and 14 years after naval aviation had come to Grosse Ile, it would face a war that would change the world forever. NASGI IN THE 50s Revised: 04 July 2005 The age of the jet is on the horizon and the end is in the future but not before NASGI shows her stuff in two more wars. NASGI THE LAST DECADE Revised:  11 January 2007 The air station entered the 60s on a 604 acre installation training over 2000 Navy and Marine Reservist. GROSSE ILE TODAY Revised: 18 June  2004 NAS Grosse Ile is now a civilian airport. There are still signs of the old NAS there, so come and visit the airport web site. They now have located in what was Hanger 1 the Township Hall and a museum and garden dedicated to the old base and the men and women that serviced there. NASGI MUSEUM Revised: 23 December 2001 The plans for a museum at the Grosse Ile Airport have now been realized. There is now a museum in what once was Hanger 1 and a Memorial Garden is in the works and a plaque has been placed at the entrance of the Garden. IN MEMORY OF OUR BRITISH BROTHERS Revised: 13 Decemebr 2002 Now includes a partial list of our  British Brothers Over the years both American and British trained at NAS Grosse Ile. This page is dedicated to the memory of all those that gave their all. AIRCRAFT OF NAS GROSSE ILE Revised: 21 May 2018 This page provides a tour of the aircraft that served at NAS Grosse Ile. I have tried whenever possible to include pictures of actual aircraft that served at the base. NASGI FIRE DEPARTMENT Revised: 12 June 2010 NAS Grosse Ile Crash and Rescue was always there when needed.  This section is devoted to the men and equipment that served so dutifully. REUNION COLLECTION& PAPERWORK COLLECTION Revised: 16 July 2012 As we all know the United States government loves paperwork and the United States Navy is no exception.  These are a few papers that have survived over the years.  Photos that have not been included else where will also be found in this section CRASHES AND RESCUES Revised: 16 May 2014 The Navy's unsung Heroes are the men and women who are part of the Fire, Crash and Rescue Services. To every Airman, the services of these dedicated people provide a sense of security in case of accident. Part of every operation, anywhere in the world, they support the other more visible and better advertised missions of the Navy. About the only time they receive recognition is for Civilian Rescues performed. PHOTO LINKS PAGE Revised: 12 November 2020 These are the personal photo collections of our NAS Grosse Ile shipmates from the beginning to after the base was closed. Some collections may also include pictures from NAF Detroit. I would like to extend my personal thanks to all those that have contributed to this portion of our museum. ALUMNI LIST Revised: 24 June 2020 This is a list of and the photos of some of our shipmates from the years NAS Grosse Ile was commissioned. AUX. FIELDS SET 1     SET 2    SET 3 Revised: 27 December 2011 These are the NASGI's aux. landing fields as they were in May 2001. NASGI MAGAZINES Revised: 14 October 2006 These are the PDF copies of Flight magazine published by NASGI's starting during WWII. Copyright © 97NASGIVM   Revised: January 29, 2023 NASGI BASE ROSTER Revised: 28 January2023 Now includes a partial list of our  British Brothers This is a partial list of former NASGI personal and their addresses. We have attempted to keep it up to date, but due to the number of personnel that were assigned over the years there is sure to be out dated  and inaccurate information.  We do make every effort to correct any mistakes as soon as possible and put it before any other work on the site. Please take into consideration the number of people that went through Grosse Ile and understand that due to this and the time lapse it is all but impossible to be completely accurate in all cases. PERSONAL HISTORIES and SEA STORIES Revised: 28 March 2013 This link will take you to a collection of stories about the personnel of NAS Grosse Ile as told by former NASGI personnel. REUNION @ AIR SHOW NAVAL & MARINE RANKS DISCLAIMER 2004 GROSSE ILE AIR SHOW NAS MEMORIAL GARDENS LINKS New link added 16 November 2017 Indy Stearman Flight 21 May 2018 WJ5O 10 METER BEACON LIST

SHIPMATE OBITUARIES CPO Jim Nicklin passed away 24 June 2021 NASGI VIDEOS