Naval Station Norfolk , Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Naval Aviation Depot, Norfolk

Photographed by Charles Wayman

1. Naval Aviation Depot, Norfolk Marker

Inscription. The depot began in 1917 as part of the Naval Air Detachment of six canvas hangers servicing seven seaplanes. Before the depot closed in 1996, its name changed over time from Construction and Repair (1918), Assembly and Repair (1922), Overhaul and Repair (1948) and Naval Air Rework Facility (1967), to Naval Aviation Depot (1987). Reaching peak employment during WWII of more than 8,000, the facility later became Norfolk’s largest employer. Through the decades, as naval aircraft advanced from seaplanes, to fighter jets, to air-to-air missiles, the master mechanics continued to play a leading role in the advancing maintenance technology for the Navy, Air Force, and NATO forces.

Erected 1996 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number KV-2.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Military. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1917.

Location. 36° 56.766′ N, 76° 17.762′ W. Marker is in Norfolk, Virginia. It is in Naval Station Norfolk. It can be reached from

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the intersection of CV Towway Drive and 4th Avenue, on the right when traveling west. On board the Naval Station (and identification card is required to access the base). It is in the "V" area. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Norfolk VA 23511, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Hampton Roads,

specifically in Coastal Virginia,

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: USS Iowa (approx. 1.1 miles away); We remember turret two ... (approx. 1.1 miles away); Virginia and Monitor (approx. 1.1 miles away); Navy Mess Attendant School

Photographed by Kevin W., July 18, 2010

2. Naval Aviation Depot, Norfolk Marker

(approx. 1.1 miles away); USS Cole (DDG 67) Memorial (approx. 1.2 miles away); USS Cole DDG 67 (approx. 1.2 miles away); 1907 Jamestown Exhibition (approx. 1.2 miles away); Naval Air Station Norfolk (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Norfolk.

Naval Aviation Depot, Norfolk, Engine Overhaul Shop circa 1940 image. Click for full size.

Public Domain

3. Naval Aviation Depot, Norfolk, Engine Overhaul Shop circa 1940

Construction and Repair Department, NAS image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Hampton Roads Naval Museum

4. Construction and Repair Department, NAS

A functional diagram of the Construction and Repair Department of the Naval Air Station Norfolk during the 1940s

Naval Aviation Depot, Norfolk image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Hampton Roads Naval Museum

5. Naval Aviation Depot, Norfolk

A-6 Intruders undergo depot level maintenance at Naval Aviation Depot, Norfolk during the 1980s

Photographed by Hampton Roads Naval Museum

6. Naval Aviation Depot, Norfolk

Aerial View of the Norfolk Naval Air Station, Naval Aviation Depot in foreground.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 12, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 12, 2010, by Charles Wayman of Cherry Point, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 3,429 times since then and 149 times this year. Last updated on July 11, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1. submitted on March 18, 2010, by Charles Wayman of Cherry Point, North Carolina. 2. submitted on July 18, 2010, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 22, 2019, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. 6. submitted on April 25, 2019, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.