About this Unit
NAVFAC Lewes, Delaware was a U.S. Navy Facility established in 1962 as part of the Sound Surveillance System (SOSUS) network during the Cold War. Its primary mission was to detect and track Soviet submarines using undersea listening technology. Operated by a small contingent of Navy personnel and civilian technicians, the facility played a crucial role in anti-submarine warfare operations along the Atlantic coast. NAVFAC Lewes remained active until its decommissioning in 1981, after which its mission and assets were transferred or closed as part of post-Cold War drawdowns.
Historical Facts
• World War II Origins: NAVFAC Lewes began as a coastal defense installation during World War II, part of the Harbor Defenses of the Delaware to protect shipping lanes and the entrance to Delaware Bay from enemy submarines and ships.
• Sound Surveillance System (SOSUS): In 1962, Lewes became home to a Naval Facility (NAVFAC) as part of the secretive SOSUS network, which used underwater hydrophones to detect Soviet submarines during the Cold War.
• Secrecy and Cover Story: The true mission of NAVFAC Lewes was classified, so the site was officially described as an "oceanographic research facility" to the public and local community.
• Critical Cold War Role: Data from NAVFAC Lewes was relayed to the Naval Oceanographic Processing Facility, playing a crucial role in monitoring Soviet submarine activity in the Atlantic.
• Unique Architecture: The facility was constructed with reinforced concrete and featured soundproofed operations rooms to house sensitive acoustic equipment and classified communication lines.
• Local Employment and Community Impact: The facility employed both military and civilian personnel from the Lewes area, becoming a significant presence in the local economy and community life.
• Closure and Decommissioning: NAVFAC Lewes was closed in 1981 as advancements in technology and changing strategic needs rendered many SOSUS units obsolete.
• Legacy and Historic Recognition: Some of the original buildings remain and are now part of the University of Delaware’s College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment, preserving the site’s military heritage.
• Connection to Fort Miles: NAVFAC Lewes was located near Fort Miles, another key WWII installation, and the two sites shared historical ties in coastal defense and surveillance missions.
• Veteran Reunions: Former personnel of NAVFAC Lewes have held reunions and contributed oral histories, helping to declassify and preserve the unique stories and contributions of the site in American military history.
