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Naval Air Station Corpus Christi Economic Impact, 2023
Background
Naval Air Station (NAS) Corpus Christi, established in 1941, was the only primary, basic and advanced training facility in the United States, as well as the largest pilot training facility in the world, at time of inception. NAS Corpus Christi is headquarters to the Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA).1 CNATRA oversees training operations throughout the Southeast Region, stretching from Texas to Florida. The largest tenant at NAS Corpus Christi is the Corpus Christi Army Depot (CCAD). CCAD occupies nearly 140 acres of the station and is the largest industrial employer in South Texas and the largest helicopter repair, overhaul and maintenance center.2
NAS Corpus Christi is home to Training Air Wing Four (TRAWING 4), one of five training air wings under CNATRA. TRAWING 4 has been training military pilots since 1972 and contains a combined strength of approximately 800 officers and enlisted personnel and more than 180 aircrafts.3 TRAWING 4 training program is approximately 18 months long and produces approximately 600 new aviators each year.4
The Comptroller’s office and the Texas Military Preparedness Commission collected economic data from each of the state’s 14 U.S. military installations. These data were collected using a survey designed to ensure consistency in determining the total direct and indirect contribution of the base’s populations to state-level employment, gross domestic product, output and disposable personal income (Exhibits 1 and 2).5
As of 2023, this command is home to a total of 7,159 direct employees, of which 2,030 are active-duty military personnel. The Comptroller’s office estimates the population directly affiliated with NAS Corpus Christi contributed at least $4.6 billion to the Texas economy in 2023.6
Notes: “Total direct employment” refers to both actual Full Time and full time equivalent (FTE) employees. For part-time employees, their FTE is calculated based on their hours divided by the standard 40-hour work week; “total employment” refers to both direct and indirect employment, meaning “total direct employment” as noted above plus any indirect employees such as temporary contractors; “output” refers to the total value of all goods and services (both final and intermediate) produced in Texas; “gross domestic product” refers to the total value of all final goods and services produced in Texas; “disposable personal income” refers to post-income-tax income.
The Comptroller’s economic impact analysis represents a conservative estimate of the economic impact of NAS Corpus Christi on Texas. Each installation’s distinctive characteristics contribute to the Texas economy in different ways.
Source: NAS Corpus Christi
Economic Impact
Estimated Total Contribution to the Texas Economy, NAS Corpus Christi, 2023
Contribution
Value
Total direct employment
7,159
Total employment (direct and indirect)
21,340
Output
$4,689,867,000
Gross domestic product
$2,818,766,000
Disposable personal income
$1,401,242,000
Source: Regional Economic Models Inc. (REMI)
Employment and Other Populations
Description
Full Time Equivalent (FTE)
FULL-TIME DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Active Duty Army
20
Active Duty Navy
1,090
Active Duty Air Force
0
Active Duty Marine Corps
387
Active Duty Coast Guard
0
Active Duty National Guard/Reserve
533
FULL-TIME CIVILIAN PERSONNEL
Appropriated
3,691
Non-Appropriated
231
OTHER FULL-TIME PERSONNEL
Full Time Employees Not Listed Elsewhere
0
PART-TIME DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Army Reserve
0
Navy Reserve
0
Air Force Reserve
0
Marine Corps Reserve
0
Coast Guard Reserve
0
PART-TIME CIVILIAN PERSONNEL
Appropriated
0
Non-Appropriated
0
OTHER
Contractors, Total (staff)
1,207
Average Daily Student Load
900
TOTALS
Total Direct FTE Employment
7,159
Total Number of Dependents
0
Total Indirect FTE Employment
14,181
End Notes