USN

Tactical Air Control Squadron 21 (TACRON 21), also known as TACRON TWO ONE, is a United States Navy unit specializing in amphibious air control and command. Established in 1951, TACRON 21 provides air traffic control and coordination between naval vessels and embarked Marine Corps aviation assets during amphibious operations. The squadron plays a crucial role in ensuring safe and effective airspace management for carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups. Over the decades, TACRON 21 has supported numerous deployments and exercises worldwide, contributing significantly to the Navy-Marine Corps team’s expeditionary capabilities.

Task Force 117, also known as the Mobile Riverine Force (MRF), was established in 1967 as a joint U.S. Army and Navy unit during the Vietnam War. Within this force, River Squadron 9 (RivRon 9) operated River Division 91 (RivDiv 91), conducting extensive riverine operations in the Mekong Delta. Their mission included transporting troops, providing fire support, and disrupting Viet Cong supply lines along the complex waterways. Through coordinated amphibious assaults and patrols, Riv Div 91 played a crucial role in the success of Task Force 117’s efforts to maintain control of critical river routes and bolster South Vietnamese security.

USS **Turner Joy (DD-951)** was a Forrest Sherman-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in 1959. Named after Admiral Charles Turner Joy, the ship gained historical significance as one of the vessels involved in the Gulf of Tonkin Incident in August 1964, an event that led to increased U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. Throughout her service, Turner Joy participated in multiple combat operations, including naval gunfire support and patrol duties off the coast of Vietnam. After a distinguished career, she was decommissioned in 1982 and later preserved as a museum ship in Bremerton, Washington.

USS Gregory (DD-802) was a Fletcher-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in 1944. She served in the Pacific Theater during World War II, participating in key operations including the assaults on Iwo Jima and Okinawa, where she provided fire support and screened larger vessels. After the war, Gregory was involved in occupation duties in the Far East before being decommissioned in 1946. She was later reactivated for the Korean War, serving with distinction before her final decommissioning in 1964.

USS Grant County (LST-1174) was a De Soto County-class tank landing ship of the United States Navy, commissioned in 1957. Designed to transport tanks, vehicles, cargo, and troops directly onto shore without docks or piers, she played a critical role in amphibious operations during the Cold War era. Throughout her service, Grant County participated in training exercises, NATO operations, and support missions in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Atlantic regions. She was decommissioned in 1973 and subsequently transferred to the Italian Navy, where she served as Caorle (L 9023) before being retired.

The U.S. Naval Field Station, Sinop, Turkey, was established in 1957 as a critical signals intelligence (SIGINT) facility during the Cold War. Operated primarily by the U.S. Navy and National Security Agency (NSA), its strategic location on the Black Sea allowed for effective monitoring of Soviet military communications and missile activities. The station played a key role in intelligence gathering until diplomatic changes and advancements in technology led to its closure in 1992. Throughout its operation, Sinop significantly contributed to U.S. and NATO intelligence capabilities in the region.

Underwater Demolition Team TWELVE (UDT-12) was one of the U.S. Navy's elite special warfare units, established during World War II to conduct reconnaissance, demolition, and obstacle-clearing operations in advance of amphibious assaults. Activated in 1944, UDT-12 played a crucial role in the Pacific Theater, notably supporting landings at Okinawa by clearing mines and obstacles from beaches under enemy fire. Following the war, the team continued to serve in various capacities during the Korean War, adapting to new missions including intelligence gathering and sabotage operations. UDT-12's legacy contributed to the evolution of modern Navy SEAL teams, reflecting the transition from traditional demolition roles to broader special operations capabilities.

The US Navy Armed Guard was a special branch of the United States Navy established during World War II to protect merchant ships from enemy attack. Created in 1941, the Armed Guard consisted of Navy personnel assigned to operate the defensive guns and communications equipment aboard American and Allied merchant vessels. Facing threats from German U-boats, aircraft, and surface raiders, the Armed Guard played a critical role in ensuring vital supplies reached their destinations across the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Despite harsh conditions and high casualty rates, members of the Navy Armed Guard contributed significantly to the Allied war effort by safeguarding the maritime supply lines.

The US Navy Hospital, Key West, Florida, has served as a vital medical facility for the United States Navy since its establishment in the early 19th century. Originally built to support naval operations in the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico, the hospital played a crucial role during conflicts such as the Spanish-American War and World War II, providing care for wounded and ill service members. Throughout its history, the hospital has adapted to meet the changing needs of the fleet, offering both emergency and routine medical services. Today, it continues to support the readiness and health of military personnel stationed at Naval Air Station Key West and throughout the region.