Naval Weapons Station Yorktown

• Established in World War I: Naval Weapons Station Yorktown was created in 1918 as the Navy Mine Depot to support U.S. mine warfare during World War I, rapidly constructed to meet urgent wartime needs. • Strategic Location: The station is located on the Virginia Peninsula, along the York River, close to the historic site of the 1781 Siege of Yorktown—the decisive battle of the American Revolutionary War. • Largest Naval Ordnance Depot: During World War II, the facility became the largest naval ordnance depot in the world, storing and supplying massive quantities of munitions for Allied forces. • German POW Labor: During WWII, German prisoners of war were housed at the facility and employed in non-sensitive labor roles, such as maintenance and agriculture. • Underwater Weapons Testing: The York River's unique characteristics made it ideal for testing underwater ordnance, including torpedoes and mines, contributing to technological advances. • Support to Multiple Conflicts: The station has supported U.S. military operations in every major conflict since World War I, including Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, and the Global War on Terror. • Historic Rail Connection: The Chesapeake and Ohio Railway built a dedicated spur line to the station during WWI, facilitating rapid shipment of munitions and supplies. • Home to Navy Munitions Command Atlantic: Today, the station is the headquarters for Navy Munitions Command Atlantic, which oversees the Navy's Atlantic Fleet ordnance logistics. • Environmental Stewardship: The station encompasses over 10,000 acres, much of it forested or wetland, and has won awards for its conservation and wildlife management programs. • Co-location with Cheatham Annex: Naval Weapons Station Yorktown operates jointly with Cheatham Annex, a logistics and supply hub, making it a critical node in the Navy's global supply chain.