NAVFAC Pt. SUR

• 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.