Naval Communication Station Harold E Holt North West Cape Austrilla

• Strategic Location: Naval Communication Station Harold E. Holt is located near Exmouth, Western Australia, at the tip of the North West Cape, making it a vital communications site due to its remote yet geopolitically significant position. • Named After a Prime Minister: The station is named after Harold E. Holt, the Australian Prime Minister who mysteriously disappeared while swimming in 1967. • Built During the Cold War: Construction began in 1963 as a US-Australian joint project, primarily to enhance communication with US and allied submarines operating in the region during the Cold War. • Very Low Frequency (VLF) Transmitter: The station houses one of the most powerful VLF transmitters in the Southern Hemisphere, capable of communicating with submerged submarines over vast distances. • Iconic Antenna Array: The facility is famous for its "Spider Web" array – 13 tall masts, the tallest being 387 meters (1,270 ft), arranged in a giant circle and visible from miles away. • US-Australian Collaboration: For decades, the site was operated by the US Navy, but operational control was transferred to the Royal Australian Navy in 1992, although the US maintains access. • Pine Gap’s Sister Site: The station, like Pine Gap near Alice Springs, is a key component of the Australia-US intelligence and defense partnership, supporting signals intelligence and communications. • Secrecy and Conspiracy Theories: Due to its remote location and secretive nature, the base has been the subject of many conspiracy theories regarding its true purpose, including alleged weather control and UFO research. • Cyclone Proofing: The base and its towers have withstood multiple cyclones, including Cyclone Vance in 1999, which was one of the most powerful ever to hit Australia. • Cultural and Environmental Significance: The station is located near the Ningaloo Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Local Indigenous groups have also highlighted the cultural importance of the land where the base is located.