The Richmond Naval Lighter Than Air Station was a South Florida military installation about 18 miles (29 km) south of Miami, and 3.5 miles (5.6 km) west of US 1. It was an active base during World War II. In September 15 1942, the US Navy purchased 2,000 acres (810 ha); the base was used as a blimp base. Among the ten LTA bases across the nation, 17 large wooden hangars were built, of which Richmond NAS had more (3) than any other base.