USN

COMUSNAVSO/COMFOURTHFLT, or Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command / U.S. Fourth Fleet, traces its origins to World War II, when the original Fourth Fleet was established in 1943 to counter Axis naval threats in the South Atlantic. After deactivation in 1950, the command’s mission was assumed by other naval entities until its reestablishment in 2008 to address modern security challenges in the Caribbean, Central, and South American regions. Today, COMUSNAVSO/COMFOURTHFLT conducts a range of missions including maritime security, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and multinational exercises to strengthen partnerships and promote regional stability. Headquartered at Naval Station Mayport, Florida, the command operates as the naval component of U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM).

CSTSC MARE ISLAND

U.S. Navy

Unit with 78 member associations.

Carrier Air Group FIVE (CVG-5), later redesignated as Carrier Air Wing FIVE (CVW-5), was originally established in 1943 during World War II as a carrier-based aviation unit of the United States Navy. The unit gained distinction for its operations in the Pacific Theater, participating in key battles and supporting major campaigns. After the war, CVG-5 continued to serve through the Cold War, adapting to new aircraft and missions. In 1973, CVW-5 became the only continuously forward-deployed U.S. Navy air wing, operating from Japan aboard various aircraft carriers and playing a crucial role in maintaining regional security in the Western Pacific.

Carrier Air Wing One (CVW-1) is a distinguished United States Navy aircraft carrier air wing established in 1938, originally designated as Ranger Air Group. Throughout World War II, CVW-1 participated in major Atlantic and Pacific operations, earning a formidable combat reputation. Over the decades, the wing has operated from numerous aircraft carriers, taking part in key conflicts such as the Korean War, Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm, and the Global War on Terrorism. Today, CVW-1 remains an integral component of U.S. naval power projection, deploying aboard carriers like USS Enterprise (CVN-65) and USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75).

**USS Mustin (DD-413)** was a Sims-class destroyer commissioned into the U.S. Navy in 1939. During World War II, she participated in major Pacific campaigns, including the Battle of the Coral Sea, the Battle of Midway, and the Solomon Islands operations, providing vital screening and fire support. Mustin earned five battle stars before being decommissioned in 1946. During the Korean War, the **Admiral’s Staff, Hunter Killer Task Force 81** was a key naval unit tasked with anti-submarine warfare and surface action in support of United Nations operations. Operating in the Sea of Japan and surrounding waters, the staff coordinated hunter-killer groups, improving the fleet’s ability to counter enemy submarines and safeguard vital sea lines of communication.

USS Maddox (DD-732) was an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer of the United States Navy, commissioned in 1944. She saw extensive action during World War II in the Pacific, providing fire support during landings at Iwo Jima and Okinawa and surviving several kamikaze attacks. After the war, Maddox served in the Korean War, conducting shore bombardment and patrol duties. Notably, in August 1964, Maddox was involved in the Gulf of Tonkin Incident, which led to the escalation of U.S. military involvement in Vietnam. The ship was decommissioned in 1969 and later transferred to the Republic of China Navy.

The **Deep Submergence Unit (DSU)** is a specialized component of the United States Navy focused on undersea rescue and recovery operations. Established in 1971 at Naval Air Station North Island, California, the DSU was created in response to the loss of the submarine USS Thresher (SSN-593) and the need for rapid deep-sea rescue capabilities. The unit has operated and maintained a variety of submersible vehicles, including the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV), supporting both U.S. and allied submarine rescue missions worldwide. Over the decades, the DSU has played a critical role in advancing deep-sea technology and ensuring the safety of submariners through rigorous training and international collaboration.

The Defense Atomic Support Agency (DASA) operated a facility at Lake Mead Base near Las Vegas, Nevada, during the height of the Cold War. Established in the late 1950s, the base supported DASA’s mission of overseeing and coordinating U.S. nuclear weapons testing and related activities, particularly at the nearby Nevada Test Site. Personnel at Lake Mead Base provided logistical, scientific, and technical support for atomic test operations, including radiological safety and data collection. The base remained active into the early 1970s, contributing to America's nuclear readiness before its functions were absorbed by successor agencies.

The Defense Media Activity (DMA) was established on October 1, 2008, consolidating several military media organizations into a single Department of Defense field activity. Its roots trace back to World War II-era military broadcasting and print services, evolving through organizations such as the American Forces Information Service, Armed Forces Radio and Television Service, and various branch-specific media outlets. DMA’s mission is to provide news, information, and entertainment to U.S. military personnel and their families worldwide, operating platforms like the American Forces Network (AFN) and Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS). Headquartered at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, DMA continues to support military readiness and morale through multimedia communication and public affairs initiatives.