Jamaica has long had a vibrant civil aviation industry, with the first flight reported in the island on 21 December 1911. This was eight years after the world recorded its first powered flight by the Wright brothers. Nineteen years later, on 3 December 1930, the first commercial flight, a Consolidated Commodore twin-engine flying boat operated by Pan American Airways (which eventually became Pan American World Airways), landed in Kingston Harbour.

The year 1934 was also another historic period for the nation's aviation industry when Dr. Albert Ernest Forsythe and C. Alfred "Chief" Anderson (the fathers of African American aviation) arrived in Jamaica from Cuba. This was the first time a land plane arrived at the island by air.

Palisadoes was selected as the site for the capital's airport because of its nearness to Kingston, its capacity to support both land and seaplanes, and its accessibility via road and water. The airfield was initially built between 1938 and 1939 by local authorities to function as a civil airport for Kingston, but it was taken over after the onset of the Second World War.

World War II

In August 1940, the Royal Navy initiated the development of the Palisadoes airfield as a Naval Air Station, under the jurisdiction of HMS Malabar in Bermuda, which was commissioned as part of HMS Malabar III on 1 August 1940, whilst under construction. The station became operational by July 1941, known as RNAS Palisadoes, it was re-commissioned as an independent command, as HMS Buzzard on 12 July 1941. The initial Fleet Air Arm squadron to arrive at the station was 829 Squadron, with six Fairey Swordfish torpedo bombers from HMS Formidable on 23 August. The ship was en route to the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Virginia, for repairs following battle damage. Shortly thereafter, 810 Squadron's six Fairey Swordfish arrived, from HMS Furious on 1 October.

In early November 1941, a group of four Hawker Sea Hurricanes fighter aircraft from 880 Squadron arrived at the station after being disembarked from HMS Indomitable on 4 November for a four-day period. Subsequently, on 28 November, additional aircraft from HMS Indomitable arrived, including another detachment of three Hawker Sea Hurricanes from 880 Squadron and eighteen Fairey Fulmars, a fighter and reconnaissance aircraft from 800 Squadron. Both squadrons departed on 2 December, boarding HMS Illustrious. The following day, all aircraft for HMS Indomitable re-embarked, only to return on 6 December, this time with a detachment of two Hawker Sea Hurricanes alongside the Fairey Fulmars.

The initial formation of six new Fairey Swordfish squadrons took place at RNAS Palisadoes on 10 December, with the commissioning of 834 Squadron, a unit designated for Torpedo-Bomber and Reconnaissance missions, which was equipped with four Fairey Swordfish. Five of these newly established squadrons were designated for the forthcoming American-built escort carriers that were set to commence operations in the upcoming months. 834 Squadron was assigned to the first of these vessels, HMS Archer.

On 12 December, the Fairey Fulmars of 800 Squadron re-embarked aboard HMS Indomitable, while the Hawker Sea Hurricanes left the following day. Consequently, only the four Fairey Swordfish from 834 Squadron remained stationed at the base throughout the Christmas and New Year period, diligently preparing for their carrier, which was scheduled for March 1942.

The second Fairey Swordfish squadron, designated 816, was officially commissioned on 1 February 1942, equipped with four Fairey Swordfish aircraft. This squadron was assigned to the newly commissioned escort carrier HMS Avenger. Subsequently, 835 Squadron was commissioned on 15 February, also with four Fairey Swordfish, followed by 836 Squadron on 1 March, which was equipped with six Fairey Swordfish.

Following a brief workup period, 835 Squadron relocated to the RN Air Section at US Naval Air Station Norfolk, Virginia, arriving on 12 March. Next to depart was 834 Squadron, which embarked on HMS Archer on 19 March. 816 Squadron followed, arriving at Naval Air Station Norfolk on 22 March. The six Fairey Swordfish of 836 Squadron, now the only operational unit at the station, continued their workup throughout April and the beginning of May. On 1 May, they were joined by 837 Squadron, which was formed at this location with four Fairey Swordfish. Once their workup was complete, 836 Squadron departed for the RN Air Section at Naval Air Station Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn, New York City.

In June 1942, floatplane support duties were added to the responsibilities of HMS Buzzard, which was tasked with servicing Vought Kingfisher observation floatplanes and Supermarine Walrus amphibious maritime patrol aircraft from armed merchant cruisers (AMC) and Royal Navy vessels. The final squadron to be established at RNAS Palisadoes was 840 Squadron, which was commissioned on 1 June with six Fairey Swordfish.