During its years of operation, Naval Station Puget Sound was used as a facility to train naval aviators.

By mid-1941, thanks to a large expansion in the naval aviator program, squadrons could no longer train newly arrived aviators.

At the beginning of World War II, the 55th sent its personnel to units fighting overseas and continued to train aviators for squadrons in Europe and the Pacific.

The mission of NAS Clinton was to train naval aviators.

It succeeded the Royal Navy's Central Depot and Training Establishment which had been training naval aviators at Cranwell since 1916.

An important assignment was training aviators in the use of her advanced facilities.

Returning to Norfolk, she continued the never-ending task of training new aviators, constantly maintaining her readiness for instant reaction to any demand for her services brought on by international events.

The squadron trained naval aviators and naval flight officers in the employment of the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II.

More than 80 aircraft were bought for public collection funds, in order to train aviators.

Wilbur Wright trained military aviators at this location.