History of CCAD
In the early 1940s, the area which is now the Corpus Christi Naval Air Station was developed to train Navy aviators to fly seaplanes and carrier-based aircraft. In addition, they operated an aircraft overhaul and repair facility until June 30, 1959.
The facility sat idle for nearly two years until the Army took possession of the large hangars and other buildings located on a 15-acre tract. The Army Aeronautical Depot Maintenance Center (ARADMAC) began operations on April 21, 1961. ARADMAC was tasked with helicopter repair and maintenance for three engines and four airframes. The first Huey UH-1 helicopter was overhauled in 1962 and by 1968, the facility was in full operation, providing repair and overhaul services to approximately 400 helicopters.
During the mid-sixties, a Navy seaplane tender ship was recommissioned by the Army as the Army’s first floating helicopter maintenance facility and named the USNS Corpus Christi Bay. It operated in Southeast Asian waters during the Vietnam War and was manned by ARADMAC personnel. It was deactivated in 1975.
In 1974, the name was changed to Corpus Christi Army Depot, employing more than 3,200 civilian employees and serving the growing Army inventory of helicopters. It currently provides helicopter maintenance, repair, recapitalization, and overhaul capability to all the U.S. military services, as well as several foreign governments.
Today, CCAD occupies facilities valued at over $746 million on approximately 154 acres on the Naval Air Station.
CCAD employees have served in Operation Desert Shield/Storm, Somalia, Haiti, Bosnia, and are currently serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
In June 1993, CCAD assumed work on Navy SH-60B Seahawk, Marine AH-1 Super Cobra, and Air Force MH-60 Pavehawk helicopters. Work is also done on the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps UH-1N helicopters.
In September 2000, CCAD entered into its first private industry partnership with General Electric Aircraft Engines to provide technical, engineering, logistical and parts support for the T700 engine line. Since then, CCAD has formed three more partnerships with Boeing Company, Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation and Honeywell International.
CCAD received its ISO9001:2000 certification in November 2005 and has since upgraded its certification to Aero Space (AS)9110. By doing so, CCAD has secured its future within the Department of Defense.
