US Naval Auxiliary Landing Facility San Clemente Island
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NALF San Clemente Island Frederick Sherman Field |
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| Airport type | Military | ||||||||||
| Operator | U.S. Navy | ||||||||||
| Location | San Clemente Island | ||||||||||
| Elevation AMSL | 184 ft / 56 m | ||||||||||
| Coordinates | 33°01′22″N 118°35′19″W / 33.02278°N 118.58861°WCoordinates: 33°01′22″N 118°35′19″W / 33.02278°N 118.58861°W | ||||||||||
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Naval Auxiliary Landing Field (NALF) San Clemente Island (ICAO: KNUC, FAA LID: NUC), also known as Frederick Sherman Field, is a military airport located on San Clemente Island, in Los Angeles County, California, USA. It has been owned by the United States Navy since 1937, but came into its current importance during the past decade. It is the Navy's only remaining live fire range. San Clemente is the southernmost Channel Island, covering 57 square miles (150 km²). The island is approximately 21 nmi (39 km) long and is 4.5 nmi (8 km) across at its widest point. It lies 55 nmi (102 km) south of Long Beach and 68 nmi (130 km) west of San Diego, California.
One of the primary military functions of San Clemente has been to support research and development of many of the Navy's weapon systems. In 1939, the Navy developed the first Landing Craft, Vehicle and Personnel (LCVP) "Higgins Boat" at SCI. This was the beginning of the Naval Amphibious Force, which was one of the key factors in the outcome of World War II. Today SCI's primary function is twofold: (1) to support tactical training of the Pacific Fleet, and (2) to continue as a key research and development facility. SCI provides the Navy and Marine Corps a multi-threat warfare training range. A major part of Navy training takes place on the ranges right off the SCI shores. The primary range covers over 149,000 square miles (386,000 km²) and is the Navy's busiest Fleet airspace. Also included in this training area are two mine exercise areas, the Southern California Anti-Submarine Warfare Range, seven submarine areas, the shallow water Undersea Training Range, and two laser training ranges. In total, SCI is a unique combination of airfields, airspace and ranges unlike any other facility owned by the Navy. It is the only location in the Pacific where surface ships, submarines, aircraft and Navy expeditionary forces can train in all warfare areas simultaneously using shore gunnery, bombardment, air defense, anti sub and electronic warfare
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