About this Unit
The U.S. Naval Facility Nicosia, Cyprus, was established in the late 1960s as part of the United States’ effort to enhance its surveillance and communication capabilities in the Eastern Mediterranean during the Cold War. Operated primarily by the U.S. Navy, the facility played a key role in naval intelligence gathering and underwater surveillance, supporting both U.S. and NATO operations in the region. Due to increasing regional tensions and the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, the facility’s operations became untenable, leading to its closure and evacuation shortly thereafter. Despite its brief operational period, the Nicosia facility contributed significantly to U.S. maritime situational awareness in a strategically critical area.
Historical Facts
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Establishment During the Cold War: The U.S. Naval Facility (NAVFAC) Nicosia was established in the late 1950s as part of the U.S. Navy’s global Sound Surveillance System (SOSUS) network during heightened Cold War tensions.
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Undersea Surveillance Mission: The primary mission of NAVFAC Nicosia was undersea surveillance, utilizing highly sensitive hydrophone arrays to detect and track Soviet submarines operating in the Mediterranean Sea.
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Strategic Location: Located at Nicosia International Airport, the facility’s central Mediterranean location was ideal for monitoring naval traffic between Europe and the Middle East.
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Joint U.S.-U.K. Cooperation: NAVFAC Nicosia operated in close coordination with British military bases on Cyprus, especially RAF Akrotiri and the British Sovereign Base Areas.
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Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot Tensions: The facility’s operations were affected by the political and intercommunal tensions in Cyprus, especially during the 1963-64 violence and the 1974 Turkish invasion.
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Evacuation in 1974: Following the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in July 1974, NAVFAC Nicosia was hastily evacuated, with U.S. Navy personnel and dependents airlifted to safety.
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Top Secret Operations: The true nature and capabilities of the SOSUS system and NAVFAC Nicosia’s operations remained classified for decades, with many details only declassified in recent years.
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Limited U.S. Presence in Cyprus: NAVFAC Nicosia was one of the few official U.S. military installations on Cyprus, as the U.S. did not possess sovereign military bases on the island.
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Closure and Legacy: The facility was permanently closed after the events of 1974, marking the end of U.S. Navy SOSUS operations in Cyprus, but its contributions to anti-submarine warfare in the Mediterranean are still acknowledged by military historians.
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Veteran Reminiscences: Former sailors and personnel who served at NAVFAC Nicosia have shared stories of camaraderie, the tense environment of Cold War Cyprus, and the unique challenges of operating in a politically volatile region.
