NAS Corpus Christi

NAS Corpus Christi is located in the Coastal Bend area of south Texas. Summer temperatures usually range in the mid to upper-90s and winter temperatures are generally in the 50s with maybe one good freeze during the winter months. Because Corpus is located in the "Coastal Plain" region of Texas, you can expect winds consistently ranging from 10 - 15 knots and up to 20 knots regularly. It is not uncommon to have winds above student limits (25 knots). In short, you'll learn to be a better pilot than your conterparts in Florida.

For Marines you will PCS move and will be given 7 days (3 days travel, 4 days proceed) from Pensacola. Navy, will only get the 3 days travel - so you may graduate API or Primary on Friday and check into Corpus on Monday. You will check into Training Wing 4 and hang out in the pool for a little while. Marines will additionally check into MATSG-22 for pool duties. Expect to report Monday through Friday in your alphas at 0730. There will be an inspection by one of the Captains during check-in.

The Primary training squadrons are VT-27 (Boomers) and VT-28 (Rangers). The Advanced multi-engine squadrons are VT-31 (Wise Owls) and VT-35 (Stingrays). VT-31 flies the T-44A and VT-35 uses the TC-12B. When you check in to the Wing you can expect to be assigned a pick up date and a squadron. While each squadron has its own personality, to include some positive and some negative idiosyncracies, each is essentially identical. The training is the same in both Primary squadrons, as it is the same in Florida.

Corpus course rules - rules applied to the general traffic flow for Navy aircraft in the area - are generally simpler than those in Milton. The outlying fields - airports used for touch and go training - are much closer, as is the training airspace. Meaning it take less time to transit between areas leaving more time for practicing manuevers.

As far as Corpus life, there are numerous places to live very near the base. A "long" commute would be 15-20 minutes, however there are many options closer than that. For those with families, base housing is very new and very nice. Corpus night life is divided between "the island" and downtown. Padre Island runs along the coast near the city and is home to many of the student haunts and more Buffett-esqe beach bars. Downtown is geared more toward the 20-something crowd ranging from Texas A&M Corpus Christi students, locals and of course military. The city has under gone a series of efforts to clean up the downtown area and make it safer for everyone. They block off streets in the area creating a block of bars free of traffic. Police patrol the area heavily so don't get drunk and stupid.

The Sparkling City by the Sea is home to the USS Lexington, the State Aquarium, semi-pro hockey team the "Rayz," Astro's farm team the "Hooks," and birthplace of Whataburger - so theres one on every corner for that late night Breakfast on a Bun craving. There is plenty of authentic Mexican food, fresh seafood and some good burgers. San Antonio, home of the Alamo, Austin, the state capital and home of the University of Texas, and Houston, home of heat and humidity are all within regular liberty limits. So enjoy the time there but focus on training.