Calendar of Events
San Diego Centennial of Naval Aviation Kick-off Celebration
Naval Aviation Film Screening: Hollywood & North Island
Date: February 5, 2011
Time: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Location: Lowry Theater, Naval Air Station North Island (NASNI)
The Coronado Historical Association (CHA), in collaboration with the Office of Morale, Welfare & Recreation of Navy Region Southwest and the USS Midway museum’s Historian Karl Zingheim, will present a two-hour educational program on Saturday, February 5, from 2-4 pm, at the Naval Air Station North Island (NASNI) Theater. “Hollywood and North Island” will feature a variety of movie clips and a full-length film that portrays North Island and its naval aviators.
Karl Zingheim will present a montage of clips from various films and speak about North Island as a shooting location for Hollywood films. In the lobby of the theater, CHA will provide a preview of their newest exhibit, WINGS OF GOLD: CORONADO AND NAVAL AVIATION exhibit. A feature film made in 1941, Dive Bomber, starring Fred MacMurray and Errol Flynn, will be shown. The film is in color and includes many scenes shot on base at Naval Air Station North Island.
During the event, CHA will honor Frank “Spig” Wead, a former naval aviator whose career was known for his flight against British pilots in the international seaplane races off the Isle of Wright in 1923, when American naval fliers took all the honors. His life took a turn after an accident in 1926, just after moving into his home in Coronado. Running down the stairs after hearing his daughter scream, he fell and broke his neck resulting in paralysis.
A determined and hardworking man, Frank turned to screenwriting and has to his credit Hell Divers (1931), Airmail (1932), Ceiling Zero (1936), Test Pilot (1938), The Citadel (1938), Dive Bomber (1941), and Destroyer (1943). John Ford directed a film called The Wings of Eagles in 1957, starring John Wayne, portraying Wead’s contributions to naval aviation.
This event is free and open to the general public. Civilians are welcome to walk into the base via the Pass & Decal parking lot, adjacent to the Stockdale Gate, on the corner of 3rd Street and Alameda Boulevard. Once on base it’s a short walk to the theater. Walk straight ahead, turn left at the first signal light and the theater will be on the right hand side. If you would like to RSVP and pre-register your vehicle to drive on base for the Film Festival, please call 619-545-0046 or email Debora.Allen@navy.mil. For information about the Film Festival, please call 619-545-8042.
5K Beach Run
Date: February 9, 2011
Registration: 10:30 am
Race Starts: 11:30 am
Location: Breakers Beach, Naval Air Station North Island (NASNI)
Free to all MWR patrons and active duty service members. Walkers are welcome. All pre-registered participants will receive a t-shirt and goodie bag. For more information, please call 619-767-7054.
Centennial of Naval Aviation Golf Tournament
Date: February 11, 2011
Check-in: 11:00 am
Shotgun Start: 12:00 pm
Location: Sea ‘N Air Golf Course, Naval Air Station North Island (NASNI)
Format: 4 Person Scramble
Fee: $30 E1-E3 / $40 E4-E6 / $65 E7 & Above / $85 DoD & Guest (includes cart)
Enjoy a picturesque coastal view while you golf! Tournament features include complimentary range balls, goodie bags, and drawings. A box lunch will be provided during the round and hors d’oeuvres will be served at the awards ceremony. Awards given to Closest to the Pin, Longest Drive and 1st, 2nd and 3rd place teams. For more information, please call 619-545-9659.
Centennial of Naval Aviation Kick-Off VIP Reception
Date: February 11, 2011
Time: 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Location: San Diego Air and Space Museum
For additional information about this event, please contact the 100th Anniversary of Naval Aviation Foundation by email at info@navalaviation100.org or by phone at 619-814-1352. Visit the Foundation website at www.navalaviation100.org. This event is sold out.
100th Anniversary Parade of Flight and North Island Open House
Date: February 12, 2011
Time: All day – Base Gates Open at 8 am / Venue Gates Open at 9 am / Parade of Flight Begins 1 pm
Location: Naval Air Station North Island (NASNI), Coronado, California
Naval Air Station North Island (NASNI) welcomes all to participate in the Centennial of Naval Aviation’s kickoff event on February 12, 2011. Watch Navy, Marine and Coast Guard aircraft, from pre-WWI to the present Blue Angels F/A-18 jets, as they parade over San Diego Bay. Enjoy this spectacular aerial review from the NASNI show center, which offers the best vantage point. On the ground, guests are encouraged to view 75+ historic static aircraft, classic car show, Metal Mulisha motorcycle jump demonstrations and LIVE entertainment. Tour the Navy’s USS John C. Stennis aircraft carrier and an LHA, second only to a carrier in size and aircraft capacity. This Celebration of Naval Aviation kickoff event is open to the public — admission and parking are free. Activities include:
- Parade of Flight
- A-1 Triad Demonstration
- Live Stage Entertainment
- Classic Car Show (Full – registrations no longer accepted)
- Metal Mulisha Motorcycle Stunt Shows
- Ship Tours
- Food and Beverage
- Souvenir Booths
- Walk Around Entertainers
- Kids Zone
- Ultimate Video Game Party Truck
- Centennial Village
Centennial of Naval Aviation Kick-Off Gala
Date: February 12, 2011
Time: 6:30 – 11:00 pm
Location: USS Midway Museum
For additional information about this event, please contact the 100th Anniversary of Naval Aviation Foundation by email at info@navalaviation100.org or by phone at 619-814-1352. Visit the Foundation website at www.navalaviation100.org. This event is sold out.
Community Celebration of Naval Aviation Highlights
- Coronado Historical Association Naval Aviation Lecture Series: 19-26 Mar 2011. www.coronadohistory.org.
- Navy Legacy Days San Diego: 31 May-4 Jun 2011. Onboard the USS Midway. www.midway.org.
- San Diego Fleet Week: Sep 2011. www.fleetweeksandiego.org.
- Miramar Air Show: 1-2 Oct 2011. Sponsored by MCCS. www.miramarairshow.com.
- Coronado Library Centennial Exhibit: Jan-Dec 2011.The Coronado Public Library will be commemorating the Centennial of Naval Aviation throughout 2011 with a special exhibition highlighting the progress of naval aviation from its beginning in 1911 to its role in the modern world. The hundred year story of U.S. Naval Aviation will be told in six chronological bi-monthly exhibits. The exhibits will showcase scale models of naval aircraft, historical photographs, uniforms, original paintings, flight gear, pilot log books, and other memorabilia. Of note will be a small-scale diorama of North Island and how it changed over the decades.
For more information about the exhibition or scheduled events call 619-522-7390 or visit www.coronado.lib.ca.us. The Coronado Library is located at 640 Orange Avenue, Coronado, Ca. Open Monday-Thursday 10-9, Friday-Saturday 10-6 and Sunday 1-5. All programs and events at the Coronado Library are free to the public. - Flying Leathernecks Museum: Jan-Dec 2011. View vintage Marine Corps aircraft and aviation items. www.flyingleathernecks.org
- San Diego Airport Art Display: Jan-Jun 2011. In the Commuter Terminal 4 cases dedicated to Naval Aviation, sponsored by San Diego Navy League.
- San Diego Air and Space Museum Centennial Exhibit: Feb-Dec 2011. www.sandiegoairandspace.org
- USS Midway Centennial Exhibit : Feb-Dec 2011. www.midway.org
- Wings of Gold: Coronado and Naval Aviation. Coronado Historical Association Museum of History & Art: Opens 4 Feb 2011. Educational programs, activities and films will complement the exhibit. POC Susan Enowitz, 619-435-7242, director@coronadohistory.org or www.coronadohistory.org.
- Coronado Historical Association Naval Aviator Yard Sign Initiative: Look for signs in front of houses where Naval Aviators past and present have lived as you drive around Coronado or come by the association for a map. www.coronadohistory.org
