About this Unit
NAVFAC Point Sur (Naval Facility Point Sur) was a United States Navy Sound Surveillance System (SOSUS) station located near Point Sur, California. Commissioned in 1958 during the Cold War, its primary mission was to detect and track Soviet submarines using undersea listening technology. The facility played a vital role in anti-submarine warfare by providing valuable intelligence to the U.S. Navy’s Atlantic and Pacific Fleets. NAVFAC Point Sur remained operational until its decommissioning in 1984, after which the site was eventually preserved as part of Point Sur State Historic Park.
Historical Facts
• Coastal Location: NAVFAC Point Sur (Naval Facility Point Sur) was located on the picturesque Big Sur coastline of California, taking advantage of its remote and strategic location for military operations.
• SOSUS Mission: Point Sur was part of the Sound Surveillance System (SOSUS), a chain of underwater listening posts designed to detect and track Soviet submarines during the Cold War.
• Operational Years: NAVFAC Point Sur was commissioned in 1958 and remained active until its closure in 1984, serving for over 25 years as a vital part of U.S. anti-submarine warfare.
• Top Secret Operations: The true mission of NAVFAC Point Sur was highly classified for decades; personnel often told locals their work was related to "oceanographic research."
• Unique Architecture: The facility included distinctive "sound surveillance" buildings and antenna fields, which were camouflaged to blend into the natural environment and reduce their visibility from sea and air.
• Women in Uniform: NAVFAC Point Sur was notable for being among the first Navy commands to have a significant percentage of female personnel in operations roles, especially as sonar technicians.
• Point Sur Lighthouse Proximity: The facility was located near the historic Point Sur Lighthouse, often leading to stories blending the histories and ghost tales of both sites.
• 24/7 Operations: The staff worked around the clock, maintaining constant vigilance for any sign of foreign submarine activity off the U.S. west coast.
• Decommissioning and Legacy: After its closure, much of the property was transferred to California State Parks, becoming part of Point Sur State Historic Park, where guided tours now share its Cold War history.
• Cold War Impact: The intelligence and tracking data from NAVFAC Point Sur was pivotal during crises such as the Cuban Missile Crisis, providing early warning and strategic information to U.S. naval forces.
