Camp Davis
Encyclopedia
Marine Corps Outlying Field (MCOLF) Camp Davis is a military use airport located 1 nautical miles (1.9 km) southeast of the central business district of Holly Ridge
, in Onslow County
, North Carolina, United States. It is used a training facility by the United States Marines
of Camp Lejeune
and MCAS New River
.
as an antiaircraft artillery training facility. Manned by about 20,000 officers and men, Camp Davis was attached to the First Army, Fourth Corps Area. It was an expansive facility consisting of more than 3,000 buildings on 45538 acres (184 km²) with access provided by newly-built railroad spurs leading into the camp.
Between 1942–43, two 5000 feet (1,524 m) paved runways were built for Camp Davis Army Air Field (AAF). Part of the runway for the airfield was built through one of the old Civil War fort's walls.
Camp Davis AAF's Runway 5/23 was wider, and was intended for use by transports, while Runway 19/01 was narrower and intended for use by single-engine aircraft. Most of the aircraft operated from Camp Davis runways were single-engine aircraft used to tow targets for the anti-aircraft artillery units.
In 1944 the anti-aircraft training facility was transferred to another base, and on 17 February 1946, Camp Davis was closed.
Circa 1 June 1946, a portion of the Camp Davis area formerly used by the Army as the Coastal Artillery Anti-Aircraft Firing Range (present-day Surf City, North Carolina
) was transferred to the United States Navy
. The Navy temporarily used the site for the development and testing of early surface-to-air missiles under the name Operation Bumblebee until 28 July 1948. Camp Davis was declared surplus and was dismantled for salvage and sale. At that time, the Navy apparently gave up the leases on the land and it was returned to the original landowners.
In 1954, the Marine Corps took out a new lease for approximately 955 acres (3.9 km²) on the former Camp Davis airfields & surrounding land from International Paper
Company. In recent years, the Marine Corps has used Camp Davis as a satellite airfield for helicopter units based at the nearby New River airstation. Runway 18/36 was resurfaced with concrete in 1997, possibly for use by V-22 Osprey
s.
s which are designated 5/23 and 18/36. Both runways have concrete surfaces measuring 5000 by 150 feet. The older runway 5/23 is not currently in use, while newer runway 18/36 is using for helicopter assault landing exercises.
Holly Ridge, North Carolina
Holly Ridge is a town in Onslow County, North Carolina, United States. The 2008 estimated population was 908. It is part of the Jacksonville, North Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Holly Ridge is located at ....
, in Onslow County
Onslow County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 150,355 people, 48,122 households, and 36,572 families residing in the county. The population density was 196 people per square mile . There were 55,726 housing units at an average density of 73 per square mile...
, North Carolina, United States. It is used a training facility by the United States Marines
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
of Camp Lejeune
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune is a United States military training facility in North Carolina. The base's of beaches make it a major area for amphibious assault training, and its location between two deep-water ports allows for fast deployments.The main base is supplemented by five satellite...
and MCAS New River
Marine Corps Air Station New River
Marine Corps Air Station New River is a United States Marine Corps helicopter base in Jacksonville, North Carolina, in the eastern part of the state. In 1972, the airfield was named McCutcheon Field for Brigadier General Keith B. McCutcheon, one of the fathers of Marine Corps helicopter aviation...
.
History
In late December 1940, Camp Davis was built by the United States ArmyUnited States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
as an antiaircraft artillery training facility. Manned by about 20,000 officers and men, Camp Davis was attached to the First Army, Fourth Corps Area. It was an expansive facility consisting of more than 3,000 buildings on 45538 acres (184 km²) with access provided by newly-built railroad spurs leading into the camp.
Between 1942–43, two 5000 feet (1,524 m) paved runways were built for Camp Davis Army Air Field (AAF). Part of the runway for the airfield was built through one of the old Civil War fort's walls.
Camp Davis AAF's Runway 5/23 was wider, and was intended for use by transports, while Runway 19/01 was narrower and intended for use by single-engine aircraft. Most of the aircraft operated from Camp Davis runways were single-engine aircraft used to tow targets for the anti-aircraft artillery units.
In 1944 the anti-aircraft training facility was transferred to another base, and on 17 February 1946, Camp Davis was closed.
Circa 1 June 1946, a portion of the Camp Davis area formerly used by the Army as the Coastal Artillery Anti-Aircraft Firing Range (present-day Surf City, North Carolina
Surf City, North Carolina
Surf City is a town in Pender and Onslow counties in the U.S. state of North Carolina. The population was 2,057 at the 2008 census. It is located on Topsail Island....
) was transferred to the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
. The Navy temporarily used the site for the development and testing of early surface-to-air missiles under the name Operation Bumblebee until 28 July 1948. Camp Davis was declared surplus and was dismantled for salvage and sale. At that time, the Navy apparently gave up the leases on the land and it was returned to the original landowners.
In 1954, the Marine Corps took out a new lease for approximately 955 acres (3.9 km²) on the former Camp Davis airfields & surrounding land from International Paper
International Paper
International Paper Company is an American pulp and paper company, the largest such company in the world. It has approximately 59,500 employees, and it is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee.-History:...
Company. In recent years, the Marine Corps has used Camp Davis as a satellite airfield for helicopter units based at the nearby New River airstation. Runway 18/36 was resurfaced with concrete in 1997, possibly for use by V-22 Osprey
V-22 Osprey
The Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey is an American multi-mission, military, tiltrotor aircraft with both a vertical takeoff and landing , and short takeoff and landing capability...
s.
Facilities
MCOLF Camp Davis has two runwayRunway
According to ICAO a runway is a "defined rectangular area on a land aerodrome prepared for the landing and take-off of aircraft." Runways may be a man-made surface or a natural surface .- Orientation and dimensions :Runways are named by a number between 01 and 36, which is generally one tenth...
s which are designated 5/23 and 18/36. Both runways have concrete surfaces measuring 5000 by 150 feet. The older runway 5/23 is not currently in use, while newer runway 18/36 is using for helicopter assault landing exercises.