construction of the air station was undertaken in 1936 with funds provided by the federal public works administration. the m.h. golden co. was the contractor. the area had to be dredged from the bay and filled and brought up to grade level. long piles were driven in the soil at the building sites for stabilization. the contract called for one hangar with lean-to, a mess hall, a barracks building, two aprons, a runway to the field, and a small wooden seaplane ramp. during and prior to this time a coast guard air detachment was maintained on lindbergh field in one-half of a commercial hangar. this detachment was led by elmer f. stone after may 21, 1935. stone is one of coast guard aviation's most colorful figures.