NAVSTA Mayport

• Strategic Location: NAVSTA Mayport, located near Jacksonville, Florida, is one of the largest naval ports on the East Coast and provides immediate access to the Atlantic Ocean, making it a vital strategic asset for the U.S. Navy. • Established During WWII: The base was officially commissioned in December 1942, during World War II, to support anti-submarine operations and convoy protection in the Atlantic. • Homeport to Aircraft Carriers: Mayport has served as the homeport for several aircraft carriers, most notably the USS Saratoga (CV-60), which was stationed there from 1957 until its decommissioning in 1994. • Largest Helicopter Base: At one point, Mayport was the largest helicopter base on the East Coast, hosting multiple helicopter squadrons supporting a variety of missions. • USS Stark Incident: The guided-missile frigate USS Stark (FFG-31), homeported at Mayport, was attacked by Iraqi missiles in 1987 during the Iran-Iraq War, resulting in 37 sailors killed and highlighting the dangers faced by U.S. Navy ships even in peacetime. • Unique Harbor Design: The harbor at Mayport is a man-made turning basin rather than a traditional river or natural harbor, designed specifically to accommodate large naval vessels. • Home to the "Mayport Miracle": In 1964, Hurricane Dora struck Jacksonville. Thanks to careful preparations at NAVSTA Mayport, the base and its ships suffered minimal damage—a feat that became known as the "Mayport Miracle." • Transition to Littoral Combat Ships: In recent years, Mayport has become the East Coast homeport for the Navy’s new Littoral Combat Ships (LCS), reflecting the Navy’s shift toward modern, agile vessels. • Mayport Lighthouse: The historic St. Johns River Light, also known as the Mayport Lighthouse, sits on the base and is one of the oldest surviving lighthouses in Florida, first lit in 1859. • Community and Humanitarian Missions: NAVSTA Mayport has often served as a staging area for disaster relief and humanitarian missions, including operations after hurricanes and the 2010 Haiti earthquake, demonstrating its importance beyond combat operations.