U.S. Navy

USS Duluth (LPD-6) was an Austin-class amphibious transport dock commissioned by the United States Navy in 1966. Throughout her service, Duluth participated in numerous major operations, including troop and equipment landings during the Vietnam War and support missions during Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of Saigon in 1975. In subsequent decades, she provided critical support for humanitarian missions and military exercises around the globe, including deployments to the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Storm. After nearly four decades of service, USS Duluth was decommissioned in 2005, leaving a legacy of versatility and dedication to amphibious operations.

Attack Squadron 176 (VA-176), also known as the "Thunderbolts," was a United States Navy attack squadron established on 1 May 1955. The squadron gained distinction during the Vietnam War, notably on 19 October 1966, when one of its A-1 Skyraider pilots, LTJG William T. Patton, shot down a North Vietnamese MiG-17 with Zuni rockets—one of the few piston-engine victories against a jet in history. VA-176 operated from carriers such as USS Intrepid (CVS-11) and participated in numerous combat operations and support missions. The squadron was disestablished on 1 February 1972, after nearly 17 years of service.

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) is a Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier commissioned into the United States Navy in November 1989. Throughout its service, the ship has participated in major operations, including Operation Desert Storm in 1991 and Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, providing critical air support and power projection. The carrier has undergone several deployments to the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean, and Persian Gulf, showcasing American naval presence and deterrence. After a four-year Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH) completed in 2019, USS Abraham Lincoln remains an integral part of U.S. naval operations worldwide.

Naval Air Station (NAS) Quonset Point, located in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, was commissioned in 1941 as a key naval aviation facility during World War II. Throughout the war, it served as a major training and operational base for carrier aircraft, anti-submarine patrols, and the assembly and repair of aircraft. NAS Quonset Point remained active during the Cold War, supporting fleet air operations and housing various squadrons, including those flying the S-2 Tracker and E-1 Tracer. The base was decommissioned in 1974, but its legacy continues through the Quonset Air Museum and the Rhode Island Air National Guard, which still operates at the site.

Naval Hospital Yokosuka was established in 1950 to serve the United States Navy and allied forces in the Western Pacific region. Located at Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, it played a critical role in providing medical care during the Korean and Vietnam Wars, treating both combat casualties and military families. Over the decades, the hospital expanded its capabilities, supporting humanitarian missions and joint exercises with Japanese and allied forces. Today, Naval Hospital Yokosuka remains a key medical facility for U.S. forces in the Indo-Pacific, offering advanced healthcare and supporting regional security and readiness.

US Naval Base Subic Bay, located in the Philippines, served as one of the United States Navy’s largest overseas military installations from 1901 to 1992. Originally established after the Spanish-American War, the base played a crucial role as a ship repair, supply, and logistics hub, particularly during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Throughout the Cold War, Subic Bay was a strategic anchor for U.S. naval operations in the Pacific, supporting fleet movements and regional security efforts. The base was closed and turned over to the Philippine government in 1992 following the expiration of the U.S.-Philippines Military Bases Agreement and the eruption of Mount Pinatubo.

USS Austin (LPD-4) was a Raleigh-class amphibious transport dock commissioned into the United States Navy in 1965. Throughout her service, she played a key role in amphibious operations, including deployments during the Vietnam War, the Lebanese Civil War, and peacekeeping missions in the Mediterranean. Austin participated in numerous joint exercises and humanitarian missions, showcasing her versatility as a platform for transporting Marines, equipment, and landing craft. After over 40 years of active duty, USS Austin was decommissioned in 2006, leaving a legacy of distinguished service in support of U.S. naval operations worldwide.

USS Bennington (CV-20) was an Essex-class aircraft carrier commissioned by the United States Navy in August 1944. She played a significant role in the Pacific Theater during World War II, participating in major operations such as the Battle of Okinawa and air strikes against the Japanese home islands. After the war, Bennington was decommissioned, but later modernized and recommissioned for service during the Korean War and the Cold War, including anti-submarine warfare duties. The ship was finally decommissioned in 1970, earning numerous battle stars for her distinguished service.

USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) is a Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier commissioned into the United States Navy on July 12, 2003. Named after the 40th U.S. President, the ship has served as a centerpiece of American naval power in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Since joining the fleet, Ronald Reagan has participated in numerous operations, including humanitarian missions, joint exercises, and combat deployments in support of the Global War on Terrorism. In 2015, the carrier was forward-deployed to Yokosuka, Japan, where it continues to serve as the flagship of Carrier Strike Group Five, reinforcing U.S. presence and alliances in the Indo-Pacific region.

USS Vancouver

37 members

USS Vancouver (LPD-2) was an Austin-class amphibious transport dock commissioned by the United States Navy in 1963. During the Vietnam War, she played a vital role in amphibious operations, troop transport, and support missions, participating in multiple campaigns and earning several battle stars. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, USS Vancouver continued to serve in the Pacific, taking part in exercises, humanitarian missions, and deployments that reinforced U.S. presence in the region. She was decommissioned in 1992, having served nearly three decades as a key asset in the Navy's amphibious fleet.

Naval Communications Station, Honolulu, Hawaii, was established during World War II to support the expanding communications needs of the U.S. Navy in the Pacific Theater. Serving as a vital hub, the station managed secure radio and telegraph traffic between fleets, commands, and allied forces, playing a crucial role during major operations such as the Battle of Midway and the island-hopping campaigns. After the war, the station continued to evolve, adopting new technologies to support Cold War naval operations and Pacific defense initiatives. Today, its legacy endures as part of the broader communications infrastructure underpinning U.S. military readiness in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Nuclear Power Training Unit (NPTU) NRF Idaho Falls, Idaho, has played a critical role in the training of U.S. Navy nuclear propulsion personnel since its establishment in the 1950s. Located at the Naval Reactors Facility (NRF) within the Idaho National Laboratory, NPTU Idaho Falls provided hands-on training using land-based prototypes of naval nuclear reactors, including models based on submarine and aircraft carrier reactor designs. Thousands of officers and enlisted personnel underwent rigorous instruction and practical experience at the site, ensuring a highly skilled workforce for the Navy's nuclear-powered fleet. The NPTU at Idaho Falls was instrumental in supporting the Navy’s nuclear program for decades, until the decommissioning of its training prototypes, with training now consolidated at other NPTU locations.

USS Chicago (CG-11) was a Baltimore-class heavy cruiser originally commissioned in 1945 as CA-136. After serving briefly at the end of World War II, she was decommissioned, then extensively modernized and recommissioned in 1964 as a guided missile cruiser. As CG-11, USS Chicago served prominently during the Vietnam War, providing naval gunfire support, conducting air defense operations, and serving as a flagship for various task forces. She continued her service in the Pacific Fleet until her decommissioning in 1980.

USS Guadalcanal (LPH-7) was an Iwo Jima-class amphibious assault ship commissioned into the United States Navy in 1963. Named after the pivotal World War II battle, she served as a platform for helicopter-borne Marine assaults, participating in numerous exercises and deployments, including operations in the Mediterranean and Caribbean. Notably, she was involved in the recovery of the Apollo 9 space capsule in 1969. After three decades of service, USS Guadalcanal was decommissioned in 1994, leaving a legacy of support for both military and humanitarian missions.

USS Shreveport (LPD-12) was an Austin-class amphibious transport dock commissioned into the United States Navy on December 12, 1970. Throughout her service, she played a significant role in amphibious operations, supporting Marine Corps deployments and participating in numerous exercises and operations, including Operation Desert Storm in 1991. The ship also provided humanitarian assistance during crises and contributed to peacekeeping missions. USS Shreveport was decommissioned on September 28, 2007, after nearly 37 years of distinguished service.

Patrol Squadron 19 (VP-19), nicknamed the "Big Red," was a U.S. Navy maritime patrol squadron established in 1946. Throughout the Cold War, VP-19 operated various patrol aircraft, including the P-2 Neptune and P-3 Orion, conducting anti-submarine warfare, reconnaissance, and surveillance missions in the Pacific and around the world. The squadron played significant roles in the Korean and Vietnam Wars, providing vital maritime patrol and intelligence support. VP-19 was decommissioned in 1991 after decades of distinguished service.

Patrol Squadron 30 (VP-30), known as the "Pro's Nest," was established on June 30, 1960, at NAS Jacksonville, Florida. Initially tasked as a Fleet Replacement Squadron, VP-30 has trained pilots, naval flight officers, and aircrew for maritime patrol and reconnaissance missions, primarily operating the P-3 Orion and later transitioning to the P-8A Poseidon. Throughout its history, VP-30 has played a critical role in preparing Navy personnel for anti-submarine warfare, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations. As the largest aviation squadron in the U.S. Navy, VP-30 continues to serve as the primary training hub for the maritime patrol community.

Patrol Squadron 31 (VP-31) was a U.S. Navy Fleet Replacement Squadron established on 30 June 1960 at Naval Air Station (NAS) North Island, California. Its primary mission was to train crews and maintenance personnel for patrol squadrons operating the P-2 Neptune, P-3 Orion, and other maritime patrol aircraft. VP-31 played a crucial role in preparing new aircrews for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and maritime reconnaissance missions throughout the Cold War and beyond. The squadron was disestablished on 1 November 1993 as part of Navy post-Cold War drawdowns.

The 32nd Street Naval Dispensary, located at Naval Base San Diego, has a longstanding history of providing essential medical care to U.S. Navy personnel, retirees, and their families. Established during World War II to support the expanding naval operations on the West Coast, the dispensary quickly became a central hub for both routine and emergency medical services. Over the decades, it has adapted to evolving military medical standards, integrating advanced technologies and practices to enhance patient care. Today, the 32nd Street Naval Dispensary continues its mission, playing a vital role in maintaining the health and readiness of the fleet and its support community.

Destroyer Squadron 6 (DesRon 6) is a distinguished unit of the United States Navy, with its origins tracing back to World War II. Commissioned in 1920, DesRon 6 participated in key operations during World War II, including escort duties and anti-submarine warfare in the Atlantic theater. In the decades following the war, the squadron played significant roles in the Korean War, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and various Cold War missions, adapting to evolving naval technologies and tactics. Today, DesRon 6 continues to serve as a vital component of the Navy’s surface combatant force, supporting fleet operations and maritime security across the globe.

Helicopter Combat Support Squadron Six (HC-6), known as the “Chargers,” was established by the United States Navy in 1967. Based primarily at Naval Air Station Norfolk, Virginia, HC-6 provided vital logistics, vertical replenishment, search and rescue, and medevac support for the Atlantic Fleet. The squadron operated various helicopters over its history, including the UH-46 Sea Knight and later the MH-60S Knighthawk. HC-6 played significant roles in numerous operations and humanitarian missions before being disestablished in 2005, with its legacy carried forward by successor units.

USS Fox (CG-33) was a Belknap-class guided missile cruiser commissioned by the United States Navy on May 28, 1966. Originally designated DLG-33 (guided missile frigate), she was reclassified as a cruiser in 1975. Throughout her service, Fox operated extensively in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, including multiple deployments to the Vietnam War, where she provided naval gunfire support and served as a radar picket ship. The ship also played a role in Cold War operations, conducting surveillance and exercises with allied navies until her decommissioning on April 15, 1994.

USS Josephus Daniels (CG-27) was a Belknap-class guided missile cruiser of the United States Navy, commissioned on 8 May 1965. Named after Josephus Daniels, Secretary of the Navy during World War I, the ship served primarily in the Atlantic Fleet, undertaking deployments that included Mediterranean operations with the Sixth Fleet and participation in NATO exercises. Throughout her career, Josephus Daniels provided air defense, surface warfare, and command capabilities, reflecting the evolving role of guided missile cruisers during the Cold War. After nearly three decades of service, she was decommissioned on 21 January 1994 and later scrapped.

USS Okinawa (LPH-3) was an Iwo Jima-class amphibious assault ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1962. Named after the pivotal World War II Battle of Okinawa, she served as a helicopter carrier, supporting amphibious operations and rapid troop deployment. Throughout her career, USS Okinawa participated in the Vietnam War, the recovery of Apollo spacecraft, and numerous Cold War-era exercises and operations. After over 28 years of service, she was decommissioned in 1992 and later sunk as a target in 2002.