NAVFAC , Iceland

• Strategic Location: NAVFAC (Naval Facility) Iceland was located at Keflavik and played a key role in monitoring Soviet submarine activity in the North Atlantic during the Cold War. • SOSUS Network: NAVFAC Iceland was part of the Sound Surveillance System (SOSUS), a network of underwater listening posts designed to detect and track submarines using hydrophones. • Opened in 1966: The facility officially opened in 1966 as a classified installation, operating under strict secrecy due to its sensitive mission. • Cover Story: For many years, the true purpose of the station was concealed, with personnel often telling locals their work involved "oceanographic research." • 24/7 Operations: The base operated around the clock, with watch sections constantly monitoring hydrophone arrays for submarine movements. • Joint Operations: While operated by the U.S. Navy, NAVFAC Iceland often coordinated with NATO and Icelandic authorities, enhancing the alliance’s anti-submarine warfare capabilities. • Technological Advances: The facility used advanced analog and later digital signal processing technology to interpret underwater acoustic data, making it one of the most sophisticated listening posts of its time. • Decommissioning: NAVFAC Iceland was decommissioned in 1996 following the end of the Cold War, as submarine threats in the North Atlantic diminished. • Legacy: Many veterans who served at NAVFAC Iceland recall the unique challenges of living and working in a remote, cold, and often stormy environment, forging lifelong bonds. • Commemoration: The site of the former NAVFAC now features a commemorative plaque, honoring the men and women who served in this vital but often unheralded role in Cold War defense.