NAVFAC Lewes, DE

• 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.