About this Unit
NS Mayport, officially known as Naval Station Mayport, is a major United States Navy base located near Jacksonville, Florida. Commissioned in December 1942, it was established during World War II to support Atlantic Fleet operations and has since grown into one of the Navy’s largest surface fleet concentration areas. Over the decades, NS Mayport has hosted a variety of vessels, including aircraft carriers, destroyers, and frigates, playing a crucial role during the Cold War and in modern naval deployments. Today, it continues to serve as a strategic hub for Atlantic and Caribbean operations, supporting both U.S. and allied naval forces.
Historical Facts
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Strategic Atlantic Location: Naval Station (NS) Mayport is located near Jacksonville, Florida, at the mouth of the St. Johns River, making it a key strategic location for Atlantic Fleet operations.
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Established in 1942: NS Mayport was commissioned in December 1942, originally serving as a small naval section base to support the war effort during World War II.
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Home to the Fourth Fleet: NS Mayport hosts the headquarters of the U.S. Navy’s Fourth Fleet, which is responsible for naval operations in the Caribbean, Central, and South America.
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Unique Dual Runways and Harbor: It is one of the few naval bases in the United States with both an airfield (Mayport Naval Airfield) and a deep-water harbor capable of servicing major surface combatants.
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USS Saratoga Legacy: One of its most famous homeported ships was the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga (CV-60), which called Mayport home for over 30 years until its decommissioning in 1994.
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Largest Helicopter Base in the Navy: Mayport is home to the largest concentration of naval helicopter assets on the East Coast, supporting both surface fleet and special operations.
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Mayport’s Namesake: The name "Mayport" is derived from the French explorer Jean Ribault, who landed at the mouth of the St. Johns River in 1562 and named the area after the month of May.
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Significant Ship Movements: In 2009, the base was selected as the future homeport for a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, although these plans have since been delayed and revised.
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Humanitarian and Disaster Response: Ships and aircraft from NS Mayport have played crucial roles in humanitarian missions, including disaster relief in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake.
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Community Ties: NS Mayport is a major employer in the Jacksonville area, supporting tens of thousands of military and civilian personnel and maintaining strong ties with the local community through outreach and partnership programs.
