About this Unit
F.T.G. Ford Island, Hawaii, refers to the Fleet Training Group located on Ford Island in Pearl Harbor. Established during the Cold War era, the unit was responsible for providing advanced tactical and operational training to Pacific Fleet ships and crews. Its mission included realistic battle exercises, damage control drills, and readiness evaluations to ensure naval units were prepared for deployment. The strategic location at Ford Island allowed close integration with other Pearl Harbor commands, enhancing the overall combat effectiveness of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. Over the decades, F.T.G. Ford Island played a vital role in maintaining the preparedness and proficiency of U.S. Navy forces in the Pacific theater.
Historical Facts
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Ford Island's Strategic Location: Ford Island, located in the center of Pearl Harbor, became a key military hub due to its sheltered anchorage and strategic position in the Pacific.
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Origin of the Name: The island was named after Dr. Seth Porter Ford, who purchased it in the 1860s. It was later acquired by the U.S. military for aviation and naval purposes.
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Birthplace of Naval Aviation in Hawaii: Ford Island was home to early naval aviation in the Pacific, featuring one of the first seaplane bases for the U.S. Navy in the region.
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Attack on Pearl Harbor: On December 7, 1941, Ford Island was at the center of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Battleships moored around the island suffered heavy damage, and the island itself was bombed and strafed.
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F.T.G. - Fleet Training Group: The Ford Island Fleet Training Group (F.T.G.) was responsible for training Pacific Fleet ships and crews in anti-air, anti-surface, and damage control operations, especially during and after WWII.
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Underwater Wreckage: The waters around Ford Island still contain the sunken remains of battleships and other vessels from the Pearl Harbor attack, making it a site of historical and archaeological significance.
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Historic Hangar Row: Several aircraft hangars on Ford Island date back to the 1930s and 1940s, and still bear bullet holes and scars from the 1941 attack.
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USS Arizona Memorial Neighbor: The USS Arizona Memorial, one of the most visited war memorials in the U.S., sits in the waters just off Ford Island, accessible by boat from the island.
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Role in Cold War and Beyond: Ford Island's F.T.G. continued to play a vital role during the Cold War, adapting training and readiness programs for new technologies and changing naval tactics.
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Modern-Day Legacy: Today, Ford Island is home to the Pacific Aviation Museum and remains an active part of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, preserving its legacy as a center of military innovation and remembrance.
