North Island Naval Air Station (NAS) in San Diego, California, is one of the most historic military airfields in the United States. It has been a part of the United States Navy since 1911, making it the first naval air station in the United States.

The base was originally established in 1911 as the Navy's first aviation facility. It was originally called Naval Air Station North Island and was located on Coronado Island. The airfield was initially used to train naval aviators, but it quickly became an important hub for the U.S. Navy in the Pacific during World War I and World War II. During the war, the base was used to train thousands of pilots and aircraft mechanics and to provide a launching point for aircraft carriers, battleships and cruisers.

At the end of World War II, the base was renamed Naval Air Station North Island and was used as a center for research, testing and development of new aircraft, weapons and technology. The base also served as a home for naval aviation for many decades.

In 1966, the name of the base was changed to Naval Air Station North Island (NASNI). This was done to better reflect the base's mission and to avoid confusion with the nearby Naval Air Station Miramar. NASNI is the largest naval air station in the United States, covering over 4,000 acres.

The airport code for NASNI is NZY. This code was derived from the first two letters of the base's official name, “Naval Air Station North Island.”

NASNI is a major hub for military and commercial flights. There are more than 50 daily commercial flights that serve the airport. Major airlines that fly to NASNI include United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Alaska Airlines.

In addition to the commercial flights, NASNI also serves as a major hub for military aircraft. The base is the home of the Third Marine Aircraft Wing, which operates a variety of military aircraft, including F/A-18 Hornets, MV-22 Ospreys, and C-130 Hercules aircraft. The base also hosts a number of other military aircraft, including the F-35 Lightning II, the E-2 Hawkeye, and the AV-8B Harrier II.

NASNI is also home to the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, better known as the Blue Angels. The Blue Angels are the navy's elite flight demonstration team and their shows are a major tourist attraction in San Diego.

Overall, NASNI is an important part of the history and culture of San Diego. It has played a major role in the United States Navy's air operations for over a century, and it continues to serve as an important hub for military and commercial air traffic.