Unlike many military airfields, Hollister NAAS was a civilian field before being purchased by the U.S. Navy in early 1942.
After acquiring the property, the Navy constructed two modern runways of over 4,000 feet (1,200 m) at the site for use as a training facility.
The close proximity of Hollister NAAS to the Monterey Bay Torpedo Range allowed for excellent training opportunities.
Hollister NAAS was commissioned in June 1943 and operated through the end of the war until being placed on caretaker status in October 1945.
During its operational period it was an auxiliary field to Alameda Naval Air Station.