Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth (FWH)

Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth (FWH), historically known as Carswell Field, is a premier joint defense facility located five miles west of downtown Fort Worth, Texas. It was the first joint reserve base established in the United States, currently hosting approximately 40 separate commands including Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Army Reserve units. The airfield features a primary 12,000-foot runway and is situated immediately adjacent to the massive Lockheed Martin Aeronautics facility, where the F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter is assembled and tested. The terminal infrastructure at FWH is primarily focused on military logistics and the movement of authorized personnel. There is no public commercial passenger terminal; instead, facilities are designed to handle troop movements, official government delegations, and military transport aircraft. Amenities on the base for authorized personnel include an exchange (PX), a commissary, a library, and various recreational facilities. Security is extremely tight, with all civilian access requiring prior permission (PPR) and sponsorship from a base command or Lockheed Martin official. Visitors must process through the Visitor Control Center located near the main gate on Pumphrey Drive. There are no scheduled commercial airline services operating at NAS JRB Fort Worth. All air traffic is strictly limited to military operations, government-coordinated charters, and authorized private aircraft related to the defense industry. Ground transportation is restricted to military vehicles or pre-approved civilian transport, with easy access to State Highway 183. The base is a critical hub for regional defense and emergency management, maintaining a 24-hour operational status. For travelers requiring scheduled commercial flights, Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW) and Dallas Love Field (DAL) are the primary regional hubs, located approximately 25 and 35 miles away, respectively.