For the next 20 years, the government used the property for various purposes, and for a time leased the airfield to a flying service.

After the start of WWII, the Navy took over the property and bought an additional 1,279 acres (518 ha) for an air station and a technical training school.

The Navy utilized the air station the entire war for primary training with an ultimate total of 350 N2S Stearmans.

A total of 16 outlying fields were established for flight training, some of which were hard surfaced and are in evidence today.

Naval Support Activity Mid-South is one of the largest single employers in the state of Tennessee, with approximately 6000 military, civilian and contractor employees on 1,950 acres (7.9 km2).