USN

The 3rd New York Infantry Regiment was organized in 1861 and served throughout the American Civil War as part of the Union Army. The unit participated in numerous campaigns, including the Peninsula Campaign and the Siege of Suffolk. It saw action in battles such as Antietam and Fredericksburg, earning a reputation for discipline and resilience. The regiment mustered out in 1863, having played a significant role in several key engagements in the Eastern Theater.

**USS Sphinx (ARL-24)** was an Achelous-class landing craft repair ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1945. Originally laid down as LST-963, she was converted during construction to serve as a repair vessel for landing craft, providing critical support during the closing months of World War II. After the war, USS Sphinx participated in various post-war operations and later saw service during the Vietnam War, where she provided repair and logistical support for riverine and coastal forces. Decommissioned in 1971, Sphinx was eventually struck from the Naval Vessel Register in 1975, concluding her distinguished service.

ComDesDiv 12, formally known as Destroyer Division 12, was a unit of the United States Navy that saw distinguished service during the early years of World War II. Commissioned before the war, the division was initially part of the Asiatic Fleet, operating in the Western Pacific and Southeast Asia. During the opening months of the Pacific War, ships of ComDesDiv 12 participated in the defense of the Philippines and the Dutch East Indies, engaging in several notable actions against superior Japanese naval forces. Despite suffering losses, the division’s actions delayed enemy advances and contributed to the broader Allied war effort in the region.

The United States Naval Forces Central Command (USNAVCENT), headquartered in Manama, Bahrain, operates as the United States Fifth Fleet (COMFIFTHFLT). Reactivated in 1995, the Fifth Fleet traces its origins to World War II operations in the Pacific but now focuses on the vital waters of the Middle East, including the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and parts of the Indian Ocean. COMFIFTHFLT is responsible for ensuring maritime security, conducting joint and combined naval operations, and safeguarding the free flow of commerce in a region critical to global energy supplies. Over the years, it has played a key role in operations such as enforcing sanctions, counter-piracy, and supporting major campaigns including Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

USS Forrest Sherman (DD-931) was the lead ship of her class of destroyers in the United States Navy, commissioned on November 9, 1955. Named after Admiral Forrest Percival Sherman, she served prominently during the Cold War, participating in various NATO exercises, Mediterranean deployments, and crisis responses, including the Cuban Missile Crisis. Throughout her career, USS Forrest Sherman was involved in anti-submarine warfare, escort duties, and goodwill visits to numerous foreign ports. After nearly three decades of service, she was decommissioned on November 5, 1982, and later used as a test ship before being scrapped.

FLEASWTRACENPAC, or Fleet Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Center Pacific, was established to provide advanced training in anti-submarine warfare (ASW) for U.S. Navy personnel in the Pacific Fleet. Located in San Diego, California, the center played a crucial role during the Cold War, enhancing the Navy’s capabilities to detect and counter underwater threats from potential adversaries. FLEASWTRACENPAC offered both classroom instruction and practical exercises using the latest sonar technology and tactics. Over the decades, its training programs contributed significantly to maintaining U.S. maritime superiority in the Pacific theater.

The designation "FN USN" typically refers to "Fireman, United States Navy," which is an enlisted engineering rate within the U.S. Navy rather than a specific unit. The Fireman rating has its origins in the early days of steam-powered naval vessels, where Firemen were responsible for maintaining boilers and propulsion systems. Over time, the role evolved to include a broad range of engineering and mechanical tasks aboard ships and submarines, supporting essential operations. Today, U.S. Navy Firemen receive training in various engineering disciplines and often progress into specialized ratings such as Machinist’s Mate or Electrician’s Mate, playing a crucial part in maintaining fleet readiness and operational capability.

Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 8 (HC-8), known as the "Dragon Whales," was a United States Navy helicopter squadron established in 1984. Based at Naval Air Station Norfolk, Virginia, HC-8 provided vital vertical replenishment (VERTREP), search and rescue (SAR), and logistics support for the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. The squadron operated the CH-46 Sea Knight and later the MH-60S Seahawk helicopters, playing a key role in fleet support operations, humanitarian missions, and exercises worldwide. HC-8 was deactivated in 2005 as part of the Navy's reorganization and transition to the Helicopter Sea Combat (HSC) community.

Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light 48 (HSL-48), known as the "Vipers," was established on September 7, 1984, at Naval Air Station Mayport, Florida. The squadron was part of the U.S. Navy’s Atlantic Fleet and operated the SH-60B Seahawk helicopter, specializing in anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, and search and rescue missions. HSL-48 detachments deployed aboard guided missile frigates, destroyers, and cruisers, providing vital aerial support and extending the fleet’s operational reach. In 2015, as part of the Navy’s transition to the MH-60R Seahawk, HSL-48 was redesignated as Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 48 (HSM-48), continuing its legacy of excellence in maritime helicopter operations.