The Salton Sea Test Base, also known as the Naval Auxiliary Air Station Salton Sea, was an expansive military installation that played a crucial role in naval aviator training and atomic bomb practice runs from 1942 until 1993. This historic site is located on the west shore of the Salton Sea in Imperial County, California, approximately eight miles south of Salton City.

At its peak, the base covered a staggering 20,000 acres and housed numerous facilities that catered to the needs of naval aviators and other military personnel. Among these structures were sea plane hangars, boat docks, and apartments for the stationed servicemen and their families. These facilities allowed for rigorous training exercises and weapons testing in a unique desert environment.

The Salton Sea Test Base also served as the set for numerous Hollywood productions during its operational years. The distinctive landscape and abandoned infrastructure provided filmmakers with an unmatched backdrop for creating engaging stories and capturing striking visuals.

Although the base was officially decommissioned in 1993, much of its original infrastructure remains, albeit overgrown by desert brush and scrubby trees. The site now stands as a testament to a bygone era of military might and serves as a reminder of the important role it played in training some of the nations finest naval aviators.