About this Unit
The Fleet Hometown News Center (FHNC) was established by the U.S. Navy to connect service members with their local communities by distributing news releases about their achievements and activities. Originally founded during World War II, the center aimed to boost morale on the home front and among sailors by sharing positive stories with hometown newspapers, radio, and television stations. Over the decades, FHNC evolved with technology, moving from traditional press releases to digital communication methods. Today, it continues its mission by highlighting the personal and professional accomplishments of Navy and Marine Corps personnel, fostering a strong link between the military and the public.
Historical Facts
• Origins in World War II: The Fleet Hometown News Center (FHNC) traces its roots back to World War II, when the military recognized the morale-boosting impact of sharing service members’ stories with their local communities.
• Headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia: FHNC is based at Naval Station Norfolk, the world’s largest naval station, making it a central hub for U.S. Navy news dissemination.
• Millions of Stories Shared: Since its founding, FHNC has distributed millions of news releases about Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen to hometown media outlets across the United States.
• Personalized Press Releases: The unit specializes in creating personalized news stories, highlighting individual achievements, promotions, awards, and deployments of service members in their hometown newspapers and TV stations.
• Bridging Civilian-Military Gap: By informing local communities about the achievements of their hometown heroes, FHNC helps foster greater understanding and appreciation of military service among civilians.
• Early Use of Technology: FHNC was a pioneer in automating news releases, using early computer systems to efficiently match service members’ information with their hometown media contacts.
• Wide Branch Coverage: While originally Navy-focused, FHNC eventually included stories from the Marine Corps and Coast Guard personnel, increasing its reach and impact.
• Annual Output: At its peak, FHNC generated and sent out more than 1.5 million news releases each year, making it one of the largest military public affairs operations of its kind.
• Family Connections: Many families learned about their loved ones’ promotions, awards, or overseas deployments through local news stories crafted by FHNC, sometimes before receiving a personal letter or call.
• Modern Evolution: In the digital age, FHNC adapted to include online and social media platforms, ensuring hometown stories reach audiences through newspapers, TV, radio, and digital outlets.
