Combat Camera Group NAS Norfolk, VA

• Origins in WWII: The Combat Camera Group at NAS Norfolk traces its roots to World War II, when the U.S. Navy recognized the importance of documenting operations for intelligence, training, and public information. • Official Establishment: The unit was formally established in 1951 as the Atlantic Fleet Combat Camera Group, tasked with providing photographic and motion picture coverage for fleet operations. • First Combat Deployments: Photographers and cameramen from the group participated in key Cold War events, including the Cuban Missile Crisis and the recovery of Mercury and Gemini astronauts. • Vietnam War Coverage: Members of Combat Camera documented Navy operations during the Vietnam War, including riverine warfare and aircraft carrier operations. • Advanced Technology: The unit was an early adopter of new imaging technologies, including underwater cameras, infrared film, and digital imaging in the 1980s and 90s. • Operation Desert Storm: Combat Camera personnel provided critical visual documentation during the Gulf War, supporting both combat operations and humanitarian missions. • Supporting Humanitarian Missions: The group documented Navy efforts during disaster relief operations such as Hurricane Katrina and the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. • Women in Combat Camera: The unit was among the first to integrate female photographers and videographers into combat documentation roles. • Merger and Modernization: In the 2000s, Combat Camera Group Atlantic merged with other Navy media units, evolving into today’s Navy Public Affairs Support Element (NPASE). • Iconic Imagery: Combat Camera personnel have captured some of the most enduring images in U.S. Navy history, including dramatic carrier deck operations and humanitarian missions, many of which have been published worldwide.