Cecil Field (KVQQ)

Joseph29 · Post by **Joseph29** » 16 Jul 2008, 06:21

Do any military planes use Cecil Field? There is scenery for Cecil Feld but I don't want to install it if Im not going to get any AI there.

SMOC · Post by **SMOC** » 16 Jul 2008, 12:47

If memory serves, it was scheduled to be closed by the BRAC of '95. I think sometime in last '90s or early 00's they finally closed down... at least in terms of aircraft.

ronniegj · Post by **ronniegj** » 16 Jul 2008, 14:46

This page indicates that a P3 departed just a little while ago:

http://flightaware.com/live/airport/KVQQ

and this page indicates that the is an Army National Guard Unit situated there, as well as some sort of Boeing facility. :

http://flightaware.com/resources/airport/KVQQ

However, Cecil is no longer an active Naval Air Station. I suspect that the military still uses the field the same way as it uses Williams just outside of Phoenix, Az. Check the scenery to see if it claims to model the field as it more or less is now, or if it is only retro in nature. I suspect that most buildings that were there before the departure of NAS Cecil Field would still be there, so it may not be too far off even if it is retro, as long as it isn't WWII retro.

Ron

aerogator · Post by **aerogator** » 16 Jul 2008, 15:27

This page indicates that a P3 departed just a little while ago

This P-3 was apparently a US Customs Service P-3 instead of one from NAS JAX. I wonder if they run drug interdiction flights out of there?

ronniegj · Post by **ronniegj** » 16 Jul 2008, 16:24

I did a check on flightaware for past flights and this guy is apparently making regular flights to/from Costa Rica and occasionaly to NAS Oceana.
When listed as type L188 info indicates it has some pretty advance awac's type equipment on board. Short answer, probably yes!

Ron

Victory103 · Post by **Victory103** » 16 Jul 2008, 23:30

The good ole days of VQQ are long gone, with all the F-18's and S-3's flying around.

FL Army Guard (UH-60/CH-47/OH-58 ) uses it now along with a Boeing repair center, so if you have an E-6 from Tinker AFB there, that would be correct. USCBP also keeps P-3's there as well as USCG HITRON MH-68 drug chasers, although the H-68's (A109) has been returned and replaced by HH-65C. I might have to dig up an older version of the HH-65 for AI.

Joseph29 · Post by **Joseph29** » 17 Jul 2008, 00:28

Thanks for the insight guys. I downloaded the scenery but will hold off on installing it until I know for sure I will have AI for it.

(I do have a E-6 from Tinker AFB flying there)

pgd · Post by **pgd** » 17 Jul 2008, 03:19

Fact or Fiction?

I had heard there was talk during the latest BRAC about "re-militarizing" Cecil for the East coast Hornets to alleviate NAS Oceana, and the NAS Brunswick P-3's coming south to NAS JAX?

Any ideas or confirmation?

dworjan · Post by **dworjan** » 17 Jul 2008, 16:44

That one is true. The residents of the Norfolk/Hampton Roads area complained about the increased jet noise from Oceana and fought to get the base either closed or scaled back. Another typical case of people moving next to an airport and then complaining about the noise.

The Navy and BRAC investigated the possibility of reopening Cecil Field as a NAS. Cecil Field is on the west side of the city of Jacksonville, and while it is not far from the city center, it is still out in the woods, and likely will be for some time, as development has not been proceeding in that direction.

However, the city of Jacksonville basically told the BRAC that they'd have to pry Cecil Field from their cold dead fingers. Once the NAS Cecil Field was axed by BRAC, Jax spent several million dollars on the field, turning it into an industrial park. The city was more than a little upset that the money they had invested would go to waste, and all the new tenents would be kicked out.

So that idea fizzled out, and NAS Oceana survived the latest round of BRAC attacks. Cecil Field remains a civil airfield, and a very successful industrial park. As previously mentioned, there are several government tenents on the airfield, including HITRON Jacksonville and the FL National Guard.

Chris Dworjan

pgd · Post by **pgd** » 18 Jul 2008, 00:15

Thanks for the update!

djnocturnal · Post by **djnocturnal** » 18 Jul 2008, 02:29

I know a few months back some hornets from beaufort stopped at cecil field, i think one was even broke down there before they came here to holloman for training. at least that was what i was told.