USN

SBU-20, or Special Boat Unit 20, was a United States Navy special operations unit established to provide maritime special operations capabilities, particularly in coastal and riverine environments. Activated during the Cold War, SBU-20 operated out of Little Creek, Virginia, and specialized in inserting and extracting SEAL teams, conducting reconnaissance, and supporting unconventional warfare missions. The unit played a significant role in developing small boat tactics and participated in various training exercises and real-world operations throughout the 1980s and early 1990s. In 2002, SBU-20 was redesignated as Special Boat Team 20 (SBT-20), reflecting its integration into the Naval Special Warfare Command structure.

SEAL Team 2 is one of the original United States Navy SEAL teams, established in January 1962 and based on the East Coast at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Virginia. The unit was formed to conduct unconventional warfare, special reconnaissance, direct action, and counter-terrorism missions, primarily focusing on operations in the cold weather and arctic environments of Europe during the Cold War. Throughout its history, SEAL Team 2 has participated in numerous significant military operations, including missions in Grenada, Bosnia, Afghanistan, and Iraq. The team is renowned for its expertise in maritime operations, clandestine infiltration, and its adaptability to challenging environments worldwide.

SEAL Team One is one of the original two SEAL Teams established by the United States Navy in January 1962, following President John F. Kennedy’s call for elite, unconventional warfare units. The unit was initially headquartered in Coronado, California, and focused its operations in the Pacific and Southeast Asia. SEAL Team One gained extensive combat experience during the Vietnam War, conducting reconnaissance, direct action, and unconventional warfare missions. Over the decades, the team has participated in numerous conflicts and operations, continuing its legacy as a premier maritime special operations force.

Tactical Air Control Squadron 21 (TACRON 21), based at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Virginia, is a United States Navy unit specializing in air control for amphibious operations. Established in 1944 during World War II, TACRON 21 (originally as VTC-21) has provided critical air traffic control and coordination between naval and Marine Corps aviation assets during major amphibious assaults and exercises. Over the decades, the squadron has supported operations from the Mediterranean to the Middle East, ensuring seamless integration of air power in joint and coalition environments. Today, TACRON 21 continues to play a vital role in supporting U.S. Navy Expeditionary Strike Groups, delivering command and control expertise for both peacetime training and combat deployments.

Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) El Toro was established in 1942 near Irvine, California, to support World War II aviation operations. Throughout its history, it served as a major West Coast base for Marine Corps aviation, hosting fighter, attack, and transport squadrons during conflicts such as the Korean War, Vietnam War, and the Gulf War. El Toro was a critical hub for training, deployment, and logistical support, contributing significantly to USMC air power in the Pacific and beyond. The air station was officially decommissioned in 1999, with its operations relocated to MCAS Miramar, and the site has since been redeveloped for civilian use.

The USNCB Trading Center at Port Hueneme, California, traces its roots to World War II, when the base was established in 1942 as the primary West Coast home for the U.S. Navy’s Construction Battalions, better known as the Seabees. Serving as a vital logistics and training hub, Port Hueneme played a crucial role in deploying construction units and supplies to the Pacific theater. Over the decades, it evolved into the Naval Construction Battalion Center, supporting Seabee operations worldwide. The Trading Center specifically facilitated procurement, supply distribution, and material readiness, ensuring Seabee units remained equipped for rapid response and construction missions across the globe.

USNS Mount Baker (T-AE-34) was an ammunition ship of the United States Navy, commissioned in July 1972. Named after Mount Baker in Washington State, she was originally designated as USS Mount Baker (AE-34), serving actively in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, supporting fleet operations by delivering munitions at sea. In 1996, she was transferred to the Military Sealift Command and redesignated USNS Mount Baker (T-AE-34), operated by a civilian crew while continuing her vital logistics role. Mount Baker was deactivated in 2010, concluding nearly four decades of distinguished service in naval logistics and underway replenishment operations.

The United States Naval Training Center (USNTC) Bainbridge, located in Port Deposit, Maryland, was established in 1942 during World War II as a major training facility for Navy recruits. At its peak, Bainbridge processed and trained hundreds of thousands of sailors, serving as a critical hub for boot camp, technical schools, and officer candidate training. The base continued to operate through the Korean War and into the Cold War era, adapting its mission to meet evolving Navy needs. USNTC Bainbridge was decommissioned in 1976, and the property was eventually transferred to local authorities, but its legacy remains significant in Navy history.

USS Allagash (AO-97) was a Cimarron-class fleet oiler commissioned by the United States Navy on January 21, 1946. Designed to provide fuel and logistical support to naval vessels, Allagash served primarily in the Atlantic Fleet during the early Cold War era. Throughout her service, she participated in numerous fleet exercises and operations, ensuring the operational readiness of carrier task forces and other warships. USS Allagash was decommissioned on October 1, 1968, after over two decades of vital service, and was later struck from the Naval Vessel Register.