After a successful launch two years ago, a second Brunswick Naval Air Station reunion has been planned for this summer for those that were stationed or worked at the base.

The reunion committee has announce the second biennial reunion will take place at Brunswick Landing Aug. 10-12.

Brunswick Naval Air Station opened during World War II as a training ground for British and Canadian pilots. It was deactivated for five years before the Navy reopened it in 1951. Maritime patrol aircraft operated from the base which employed about 5,000 people at its peak when there were more than a dozen squadrons stations there.

Thousands of people served at BNAS before the base was decommissioned in 2011. It was renamed Brunswick Landing and continues to transform through the redevelopment efforts of the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority.

The first reunion, held in July 2016, drew more than 250 attendees.

The reunion is opened to anyone who had any job on the base, at the annex in Topsham or had a family member who served or worked at either location.

Rear Adm. William “Trey” Wheeler, a career naval flight officer and Commander of the Patrol and Reconnaissance Group will be the guest speaker at the dinner and proceed over the memorial service.

This year’s reunion begins with a Welcome Back Reception at the Corey E. Garver American Legion Post 202 in Topsham on Friday, Aug. 10 from 5-9 p.m., with a barbecue served from 5-8 p.m. Preregistration is requested and costs $10 per person to be paid at the door.

The reunion events will move to the Brunswick Naval Museum and Memorial Gardens at Brunswick Landing on Saturday, Aug. 11. A memorial ceremony will be held at 3 p.m. in the Memorial Gardens to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the loss of 24 men from two crews during combat operations in the Vietnam War in 1968.

The Brunswick Naval Museum and Memorial Gardens will be open and tours available during the reunion.

A large tent with refreshments from Spirits Catering will be available so those attending can catch up with former colleagues and friends. A catered dinner by Ned’s Bakes and BBQ with lobster, steak, chicken will follow, along with presentations and merriment. The last day to order dinners is July 25.

The reunion will feature several events and registration is mandatory. There will be a discounted registration until May 31, after which the regular registration fee is $20 per person.

More information about the events, registration, and sponsorship opportunities can be found at nasbreunion.org or the NASB Reunion page on Facebook.

Those who want to help support the reunion weekend can email the Naval Air Station Brunswick reunion committee at Nasbreunion@gmail.com.