Key West Diary 18

Welcome to the Naval Air Station NAS Key West (Boca Chica) Florida, one of four military installations in Key West and the only one with a marina that accepts large boats. This military marina that only accepts active duty and retired members is the only reason we were able to stay in Key West as long as we did. The going rate for the marinas in Key West is $3.50 to $4.00 per foot per night, with some charging extra for electricity. At the NAS marina the rate was $1.00 per foot, including electricity.

Every time we left the base and came back on, I was required to show my military ID. Since I have an old style ID (retired in 1987) many of the security personnel had never seen one and had to give us the once over before allowing us on base.

The Base Operations building that is still in use from when I brought a detachment of HMX-1 Marines to Key West in 1983. We flew three presidential aircraft down here during the winter to test a new piece of equipment in a "hot, humid, climate".

One of the enlisted barracks with the base logo painted on it.

Several retired fighter and attack aircraft that used to fly out of Key West and that are now on permanent display. This is the A-4 Skyhawk.

The EA-6A Intruder

The mighty F-4 Phantom. This particular aircraft shot down a Russian Mig over North Vietnam during the Vietnam war.

The RA-5C Vigilante. This aircraft set the world altitude record of 91,500 ft that stood for more than twenty years.

A small memorial to the crew of the P-2 Neptune that was killed flying out of Key West.

The Navigator Bar and Grill was a great place for a quick meal sitting out on the beach or under the Tiki Hut.

 We had to take the picture below from the car. This is the current fighter aircraft that is based here, the F/A-18 Super Hornet. Many times during the day and into the night we would be serenaded with the tremendous noise of these aircraft taking off and landing. I told Sara it was "the sound of freedom". Sometimes the sound of freedom felt like the boat was vibrating apart.

Our slip at the marina overlooking the lagoon.

ITHAKA, all cleaned up and ready to depart paradise.

Sara and I kept asking ourselves why we are leaving paradise..........

Only for more adventures ahead !!!