Alameda highlight
Former Naval Air Station Alameda
Naval Air Station Alameda operated from 1940 to 1997 and is now Alameda Point, a mixed-use waterfront district with employment, housing and cultural attractions.
The United States Navy acquired land on the west end of Alameda Island starting in 1930, building what became Naval Air Station Alameda. Operations commenced on November 1, 1940, following Congressional appropriations and construction of runways and facilities on wetlands that were filled to create an airfield. Throughout World War II and the Cold War, the base served as a major naval air facility, hosting squadrons and supporting Pacific operations. The facility remained active for 57 years until its closure on April 25, 1997, following a Base Realignment and Closure action by Congress.
The former base, now called Alameda Point, has undergone extensive redevelopment managed by the City's Base Reuse Division. Over 100 businesses now operate there, employing more than 1,000 workers in maritime operations, light industry and services that take advantage of the site's deep-water access. The city has pursued mixed-use development including new residential neighborhoods, the Seaplane Lagoon Ferry Terminal connecting to San Francisco, commercial spaces and waterfront parks. Historic buildings from the naval era remain and are being preserved as part of the redevelopment, honoring the site's military heritage while creating new community uses.
Alameda has a significant military connection: active-duty personnel, veterans and their families are part of the community served by this site. Military families often move through different life stages—deployment, reassignment, transition to civilian work—each with distinct financial needs. A term policy that covers the years of highest obligation helps families manage those transitions with security.