Support Center Portsmouth VA

• Historic Beginnings: Support Center Portsmouth, VA, is located on the site of the oldest continuously operating naval shipyard in the United States, established in 1767 as the Gosport Shipyard. • Name Change: The facility was originally known as the Naval Shipyard Portsmouth before becoming the Support Center Portsmouth, VA, reflecting its evolving mission to provide broader support services. • Civil War Impact: During the Civil War, the shipyard was seized by Confederate forces and later retaken by Union troops, playing a pivotal role in naval engagements in the region. • Ironclad Innovation: The famous Confederate ironclad CSS Virginia (formerly USS Merrimack) was constructed here, which fought the USS Monitor in the historic Battle of Hampton Roads. • Support Center Mission: The Support Center is a critical facility that provides administrative, logistical, and operational support to various naval commands and tenant units in the region. • Base Realignment: In the 1990s, as part of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process, the Support Center consolidated functions from other regional facilities to enhance efficiency. • Community Connection: The Support Center is known for its strong partnerships with the city of Portsmouth, hosting joint events and supporting local initiatives for service members and their families. • Disaster Response: The Support Center has played a vital role in coordinating emergency response and recovery efforts during hurricanes and other natural disasters affecting the Hampton Roads area. • Environmental Stewardship: The facility is engaged in ongoing environmental restoration projects, including cleaning up historic industrial sites and protecting the Elizabeth River ecosystem. • Modernization Efforts: In recent years, Support Center Portsmouth has undergone significant upgrades to its infrastructure and technology to better serve the evolving needs of today’s Navy and Department of Defense personnel.