Flt combat training center atlantic dam neck va

• Origins in WWII: The Dam Neck facility first began operations during World War II, originally serving as a gunnery training center for the U.S. Navy to train anti-aircraft gunners. • Home of "Top Gun": While the famous "Top Gun" program (Navy Fighter Weapons School) started on the West Coast, Dam Neck has hosted advanced fighter and fleet air combat training for decades. • Fleet Combat Training Center Atlantic (FCTCLANT): The command was officially established in 1942 and has since evolved to become a key site for fleet combat training on the Atlantic coast. • Submarine and Surface Warfare Training: Dam Neck has provided both submarine and surface warfare operations training, including anti-submarine tactics and electronic warfare. • Training for Missile Systems: The center has played a pivotal role in training sailors to operate and maintain advanced missile systems such as the Aegis Combat System. • SEAL Teams Proximity: Dam Neck is adjacent to Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek–Fort Story, home to several East Coast Navy SEAL teams, and serves as a training ground for special operations forces. • Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM) Schoolhouse: Dam Neck is known as the primary schoolhouse for Tomahawk missile operators, ensuring the proficiency of crews who launch these long-range precision weapons. • Simulation and Wargaming: The facility employs advanced combat simulations and wargaming centers to prepare sailors for real-world scenarios without leaving shore. • Transition to Center for Surface Combat Systems: In 2004, the Fleet Combat Training Center was reorganized under the Center for Surface Combat Systems, reflecting its enduring importance in naval training. • Historic Beachfront Location: Dam Neck sits on a scenic stretch of Virginia Beach and has evolved from a remote gunnery range to a central hub for high-tech naval warfare training.