USN

Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (Light) 36 (HSL-36) was a United States Navy helicopter squadron established on 1 June 1973. The unit operated the SH-2 Seasprite helicopter, providing anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and utility support primarily to surface combatants as part of the Navy’s Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System (LAMPS) program. HSL-36 was based at Naval Air Station Norfolk, Virginia, and played a key role in enhancing fleet readiness during the Cold War by deploying detachments aboard frigates and destroyers. The squadron was disestablished on 30 September 1984 as part of a broader reorganization of Navy helicopter forces.

Kamiseya, Japan, was the site of a significant U.S. Navy communications facility established during the post-World War II era. Originally commissioned in 1945, Naval Security Group Activity (NSGA) Kamiseya played a crucial role in signals intelligence collection and cryptologic operations throughout the Cold War. The base was instrumental during the Korean and Vietnam Wars, providing vital intelligence support to U.S. and allied forces in the Pacific region. After decades of service, the facility was closed in the late 1990s, with its missions transferred to other locations.

Naval Air Reserve Training Unit (NARTU) NAS Alameda was established during World War II at Naval Air Station Alameda, California, to support the training and readiness of Naval Air Reserve personnel. The unit played a vital role in maintaining and preparing reserve squadrons for rapid mobilization during periods of conflict, including the Korean War and the early Cold War years. NARTU NAS Alameda provided flight training, aircraft maintenance, and operational support for a variety of naval aircraft and crews. The unit continued its mission until the realignment and eventual closure of NAS Alameda in the late 1990s as part of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process.

Naval Air Station (NAS) Beeville, located near Beeville, Texas, was established in 1943 during World War II to serve as a training base for naval aviators. Originally known as Chase Field, the facility played a key role in training pilots for carrier-based operations, particularly jet aircraft, during the Cold War era. Reactivated in 1952, NAS Beeville became renowned for its advanced jet training programs, including those for the Navy's A-4 Skyhawk and TA-4J aircraft. The base operated until its closure in 1992, after which the site was repurposed for civilian use, but its legacy as a premier naval aviation training center remains significant in U.S. military history.

Naval Training Center Bainbridge, located in Bainbridge, Maryland, was commissioned in 1942 during World War II as a major training site for the United States Navy. At its peak, the center trained hundreds of thousands of recruits, playing a critical role in preparing sailors for wartime service. After World War II, Bainbridge continued to serve as a recruit training and specialized instruction center, notably during the Korean and early Vietnam Wars. The base was officially closed in 1976 as part of military realignment, having trained over 500,000 sailors during its years of operation.

Naval Communication Station San Juan, Puerto Rico (NAVCOMMSTA San Juan PR) was established in the mid-20th century as part of the U.S. Navy’s global communications network. Its mission was to provide reliable radio and message traffic support to fleet units operating in the Caribbean and Atlantic regions, serving as a critical link during the Cold War era. The station supported numerous naval operations, participating in regional exercises and ensuring secure communications for both U.S. and allied forces. NAVCOMMSTA San Juan was eventually decommissioned as advances in technology and changing strategic priorities led to the consolidation of naval communications facilities worldwide.

Naval Support Activity Annapolis (NAVSTA Annapolis) is a key installation of the United States Navy located in Annapolis, Maryland. Established in 1911 to support the nearby United States Naval Academy, the base has provided essential logistical, administrative, and operational support to the Academy and the Navy at large. Over the decades, NAVSTA Annapolis has expanded its mission to include support for tenant commands, family housing, and various training functions. Today, it remains a vital component in ensuring the readiness and success of Naval Academy midshipmen and the broader naval mission in the National Capital Region.

Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC) San Diego has played a vital role in supporting the United States Navy Reserve forces in Southern California. Established to provide administrative, logistical, and training support, NOSC San Diego ensures Reserve Sailors are ready for mobilization and deployment worldwide. Throughout its history, the unit has been instrumental in preparing Reservists for operations ranging from humanitarian assistance to combat missions. Its enduring commitment to readiness and service has made NOSC San Diego a cornerstone of Navy Reserve operations on the West Coast.

**RTC** (Recruit Training Command) is a foundational military unit responsible for the initial training of enlisted personnel, particularly within naval forces such as the United States Navy. Established in the early 20th century, RTCs have served as the "boot camp" where recruits undergo physical conditioning, learn military discipline, and receive instruction in basic naval procedures and traditions. Over the decades, RTCs have adapted their programs to meet the evolving needs of modern warfare, incorporating advanced technology and updated training methodologies. Today, RTC remains a critical institution, shaping civilians into capable and disciplined sailors ready to serve their nation.

SEAL Team 4 is a United States Navy SEAL team established in 1983 and based at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Virginia. The unit primarily focuses on operations in the Caribbean, Central, and South America, specializing in counter-narcotics, counter-terrorism, and special reconnaissance missions. SEAL Team 4 has played a significant role in supporting U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), often working closely with partner nations to train and assist their special operations forces. Over the years, the team has participated in numerous classified operations and humanitarian missions throughout the Western Hemisphere.

Shore Intermediate Maintenance Activity (SIMA) Newport, RI, was established to provide essential maintenance and repair services to the U.S. Navy’s Atlantic Fleet ships homeported or visiting the Newport area. Originating during the Cold War era, SIMA Newport played a critical role in ensuring fleet readiness by performing a wide range of technical and logistical support functions, including ship repairs, equipment overhauls, and technical training. The unit worked closely with other naval commands and supported numerous deployments and operations through its skilled workforce. With changes in naval force structure and the drawdown of homeported ships in Newport, SIMA Newport was eventually disestablished in the late 1990s, marking the end of an important chapter in the region’s military support history.

U.S. Naval Communication Station Harold E. Holt, located near Exmouth, Western Australia, was commissioned in 1967 as a joint facility between the United States and Australia. Its primary mission was to provide very low frequency (VLF) radio communications to allied naval forces, particularly submarines operating in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Named after Australian Prime Minister Harold E. Holt, who disappeared in 1967, the station became a key component of Western defense during the Cold War era. Over time, control and operations shifted more towards the Royal Australian Navy, with the U.S. presence gradually reduced.

USS **Basilone (DD-824)** was a Gearing-class destroyer of the United States Navy, named in honor of Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone, a Medal of Honor recipient from World War II. Commissioned in 1949, Basilone served extensively during the Cold War, participating in NATO exercises, Mediterranean deployments, and patrols in the Atlantic. The destroyer also supported operations during the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Vietnam War, providing naval gunfire support and escort duties. Decommissioned in 1977, USS Basilone was later transferred to the Hellenic Navy of Greece, where she served as *Nearchos* until her retirement.

The USS Bigelow (DD-942) was a Forrest Sherman-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in 1957. Named after Medal of Honor recipient Elmer Charles Bigelow, the ship served primarily in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, participating in various fleet exercises and NATO operations during the Cold War. Bigelow was notable for her role in the naval quarantine during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 and for providing gunfire support during the Vietnam War. After over two decades of service, she was decommissioned in 1982 and eventually scrapped in 1992.

USS Cayuga (LST-1186) was a Newport-class tank landing ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1970. Designed for rapid deployment of tanks, vehicles, and troops directly onto shore, Cayuga played a significant role during the Vietnam War, providing logistical support and participating in amphibious operations. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, she served with the Pacific Fleet, supporting training exercises, humanitarian missions, and fleet maneuvers. The ship was decommissioned in 1994 after over two decades of distinguished service.

USS Claude V. Ricketts (DDG-5) was a Charles F. Adams-class guided missile destroyer commissioned into the United States Navy in 1962, originally named USS Biddle before being renamed in honor of Admiral Claude V. Ricketts in 1964. The ship served extensively during the Cold War, participating in NATO exercises, Mediterranean deployments, and crisis response operations, including the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Lebanon crisis of 1982. Claude V. Ricketts was notable for being the first American naval ship to operate as a fully integrated multinational crew under the "Mixed Manning Demonstration" with personnel from several NATO countries. After a distinguished career spanning over two decades, the destroyer was decommissioned in 1989 and subsequently scrapped.

USS Compass Island (AG-153) was a United States Navy auxiliary vessel commissioned in 1956, originally converted from the Liberty ship SS Garden Mariner. Designed as a navigational research ship, she played a crucial role in developing and testing the shipboard inertial navigation systems that would later be used in the Navy’s ballistic missile submarine fleet. Compass Island was instrumental in supporting the Polaris missile program by providing a stable platform for cutting-edge navigation experiments. She was decommissioned in 1971, after making significant contributions to naval navigation and missile guidance technologies.

USS Corry (DD-817) was a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in 1946. Named after Lieutenant Commander William M. Corry, a World War I naval aviator and Medal of Honor recipient, the ship served primarily in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, participating in NATO exercises and Cold War operations. Corry underwent modernization under the FRAM I (Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization) program in the early 1960s, enhancing her anti-submarine warfare capabilities. The destroyer was decommissioned in 1981 and subsequently transferred to the Hellenic Navy of Greece, serving as Kriezis until her final decommissioning.

USS Dyess (DD-880) was a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in 1945. Named in honor of Lieutenant Colonel Aquilla J. Dyess, a Marine Corps hero of World War II, the ship served with distinction during the Cold War era. Dyess participated in multiple Mediterranean deployments with the 6th Fleet, supported Korean War operations, and conducted various Atlantic and Caribbean exercises. The destroyer was decommissioned in 1970 and later transferred to the Greek Navy, where she served as Kimon before being retired.

USS England (CG-22) was a Leahy-class guided missile cruiser of the United States Navy, commissioned in 1963. Named in honor of Ensign John C. England and the famed WWII destroyer escort that sank six enemy submarines, CG-22 served primarily in the Pacific Fleet. Throughout the Cold War, the ship participated in numerous operations, including Vietnam War combat support, carrier escort duties, and multinational exercises. USS England was decommissioned in 1994 after over three decades of distinguished service.

USS Fletcher (DD-992) was a Spruance-class destroyer commissioned into the United States Navy on July 30, 1980. Named after Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher, she served primarily in the Pacific Fleet, participating in numerous exercises, deployments, and operations, including support roles during the Gulf War. Throughout her service, Fletcher was known for her versatility, conducting anti-submarine warfare, escort duties, and maritime security operations. She was decommissioned on October 1, 2004, and later sunk as a target during a training exercise in 2008.

USS Frederick (LST-1184) was a Newport-class tank landing ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1970. Designed for amphibious operations, she was capable of transporting tanks, vehicles, cargo, and troops directly onto shore without docking facilities. Throughout her service, Frederick participated in numerous exercises and deployments in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, supporting U.S. and allied operations, including humanitarian missions and training exercises. Decommissioned in 2002, she was later transferred to the Mexican Navy, where she continues to serve as ARM Usumacinta (A-412).

The USS James K. Polk (SSBN-645) was a Benjamin Franklin-class fleet ballistic missile submarine commissioned by the United States Navy in 1966. Named after the 11th President of the United States, she played a critical role in the nation's strategic deterrence mission during the Cold War, conducting numerous deterrent patrols armed with Polaris and later Poseidon ballistic missiles. In 1994, following the end of the Cold War and arms reduction treaties, she was converted to an attack submarine (SSN-645) and served briefly in this new role. The USS James K. Polk was decommissioned in 1999, concluding over three decades of distinguished service.

USS Kansas City (AOR-3) was a Wichita-class replenishment oiler commissioned by the United States Navy in June 1970. Designed to provide fuel, ammunition, and supplies to ships at sea, she played a crucial logistical role during the Vietnam War and later Cold War operations. Throughout her service, Kansas City participated in numerous exercises and deployments in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, supporting carrier battle groups and other naval forces. After over two decades of active duty, she was decommissioned in October 1994 and ultimately struck from the Naval Vessel Register.