USN

The Nuclear Power Training Unit (NPTU) NRF Idaho Falls, Idaho, has played a critical role in the training of U.S. Navy nuclear propulsion personnel since its establishment in the 1950s. Located at the Naval Reactors Facility (NRF) within the Idaho National Laboratory, NPTU Idaho Falls provided hands-on training using land-based prototypes of naval nuclear reactors, including models based on submarine and aircraft carrier reactor designs. Thousands of officers and enlisted personnel underwent rigorous instruction and practical experience at the site, ensuring a highly skilled workforce for the Navy's nuclear-powered fleet. The NPTU at Idaho Falls was instrumental in supporting the Navy’s nuclear program for decades, until the decommissioning of its training prototypes, with training now consolidated at other NPTU locations.

US Naval Base Subic Bay, located in the Philippines, served as one of the United States Navy’s largest overseas military installations from 1901 to 1992. Originally established after the Spanish-American War, the base played a crucial role as a ship repair, supply, and logistics hub, particularly during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Throughout the Cold War, Subic Bay was a strategic anchor for U.S. naval operations in the Pacific, supporting fleet movements and regional security efforts. The base was closed and turned over to the Philippine government in 1992 following the expiration of the U.S.-Philippines Military Bases Agreement and the eruption of Mount Pinatubo.

USS Chicago (CG-11) was a Baltimore-class heavy cruiser originally commissioned in 1945 as CA-136. After serving briefly at the end of World War II, she was decommissioned, then extensively modernized and recommissioned in 1964 as a guided missile cruiser. As CG-11, USS Chicago served prominently during the Vietnam War, providing naval gunfire support, conducting air defense operations, and serving as a flagship for various task forces. She continued her service in the Pacific Fleet until her decommissioning in 1980.

Patrol Squadron 19 (VP-19), nicknamed the "Big Red," was a U.S. Navy maritime patrol squadron established in 1946. Throughout the Cold War, VP-19 operated various patrol aircraft, including the P-2 Neptune and P-3 Orion, conducting anti-submarine warfare, reconnaissance, and surveillance missions in the Pacific and around the world. The squadron played significant roles in the Korean and Vietnam Wars, providing vital maritime patrol and intelligence support. VP-19 was decommissioned in 1991 after decades of distinguished service.

Patrol Squadron 31 (VP-31) was a U.S. Navy Fleet Replacement Squadron established on 30 June 1960 at Naval Air Station (NAS) North Island, California. Its primary mission was to train crews and maintenance personnel for patrol squadrons operating the P-2 Neptune, P-3 Orion, and other maritime patrol aircraft. VP-31 played a crucial role in preparing new aircrews for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and maritime reconnaissance missions throughout the Cold War and beyond. The squadron was disestablished on 1 November 1993 as part of Navy post-Cold War drawdowns.

Naval Communications Station, Honolulu, Hawaii, was established during World War II to support the expanding communications needs of the U.S. Navy in the Pacific Theater. Serving as a vital hub, the station managed secure radio and telegraph traffic between fleets, commands, and allied forces, playing a crucial role during major operations such as the Battle of Midway and the island-hopping campaigns. After the war, the station continued to evolve, adopting new technologies to support Cold War naval operations and Pacific defense initiatives. Today, its legacy endures as part of the broader communications infrastructure underpinning U.S. military readiness in the Indo-Pacific region.

USS Bataan (LHD 5) is a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship commissioned into the United States Navy on September 20, 1997. Named in honor of the heroic defense of the Bataan Peninsula during World War II, the ship has played a pivotal role in numerous military and humanitarian operations worldwide. Over its service, USS Bataan has participated in major deployments, including Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and disaster relief efforts such as Hurricane Katrina and the 2010 Haiti earthquake. The ship continues to serve as a versatile platform for Marine Corps and joint force operations, exemplifying the Navy’s expeditionary capabilities.

USS Guadalcanal (LPH-7) was an Iwo Jima-class amphibious assault ship commissioned into the United States Navy in 1963. Named after the pivotal World War II battle, she served as a platform for helicopter-borne Marine assaults, participating in numerous exercises and deployments, including operations in the Mediterranean and Caribbean. Notably, she was involved in the recovery of the Apollo 9 space capsule in 1969. After three decades of service, USS Guadalcanal was decommissioned in 1994, leaving a legacy of support for both military and humanitarian missions.

USS Okinawa (LPH-3) was an Iwo Jima-class amphibious assault ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1962. Named after the pivotal World War II Battle of Okinawa, she served as a helicopter carrier, supporting amphibious operations and rapid troop deployment. Throughout her career, USS Okinawa participated in the Vietnam War, the recovery of Apollo spacecraft, and numerous Cold War-era exercises and operations. After over 28 years of service, she was decommissioned in 1992 and later sunk as a target in 2002.