ESG Aerosystems Inc.‘s International Training Center is located on the premises of the Keystone Heights Airpark in Starke, Florida. Keystone Airpark is the perfect location for operational Maritime Patrol Aircraft training. It is close to Naval Air Station Jacksonville, home of Maritime Patrol Squadron THIRTY (VP-30), the largest flying squadron in the U.S. Navy. This enables ESG Aerosystems Inc. to be tightly integrated into the international MPA community. At the same time, Keystone Airpark is just far enough off the beaten tracks to provide maximum flexibility in flight operations to ESG Aerosystems Inc. and our strategic partner, MHD ROCKLAND Services.
History of Keystone Heights Airpark
1942 – Construction by the United States Army Air Force, South-West of Camp Blanding
WW II – 42J is the home base for the AAFSAT Strategic Reconnaissance School operating F-3 Havoc, P-39D Air Cobras as well as L-2 and L-3 Grasshoppers.
1943 – 313th Fighter Squadron moves to Keystone, bringing their P40 Warhawks which were later replaced with P47 Thunderbolts
1945 – The forces deactivate the airfield
1947 – The City of Keystone Heights acquires the airport from the Federal Government