U.S. Navy

The USS Saratoga was a United States Navy aircraft carrier that served during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. It was named after the Battle of Saratoga, a key American victory during the Revolutionary War. The ship was commissioned in 1956 and remained in active service until 1994 when it was decommissioned. The USS Saratoga was eventually sunk as a target during a naval training exercise in 1998.

Naval Support Activity Da Nang was a United States Navy base located in Da Nang, Vietnam during the Vietnam War. The base provided support for naval units operating in the region and served as a logistics hub for the Navy's operations in Southeast Asia. It was an important center for naval activities during the war, including conducting search and rescue missions and supporting allied forces. The base was decommissioned in 1973 as part of the United States' withdrawal from Vietnam.

NAS Oceana stands for Naval Air Station Oceana, which is a military base located in Virginia Beach, Virginia. It is home to various squadrons of the United States Navy and is one of the largest and busiest air stations in the world. NAS Oceana plays a crucial role in naval aviation operations, training, and support for both the Navy and the Marine Corps. The base also hosts air shows and community events to showcase the capabilities of military aviation.

NAS Pensacola, also known as Naval Air Station Pensacola, is a United States Navy base located in Pensacola, Florida. It serves as the primary training base for Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard aviators, as well as a hub for naval aviation research and development. The base is home to the renowned Blue Angels flight demonstration team and is known as the "Cradle of Naval Aviation." NAS Pensacola also houses the Naval Aviation Museum, which showcases the history and heritage of naval aviation.

The ACB 2 Little Creek stands for Assault Craft Unit Two Little Creek, which is a United States Navy unit based in Little Creek, Virginia. This unit is responsible for operating and maintaining assault craft, such as landing craft, to support amphibious operations. The ACB 2 Little Creek plays a crucial role in transporting personnel, vehicles, and equipment from ships to shore during military operations. They are trained to operate in a variety of environments and are essential for ensuring successful amphibious assaults.

NAS Miramar, also known as Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, is a military airfield located in San Diego, California. It serves as the home to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing of the United States Marine Corps. The base is also used by the Navy's fixed-wing aircraft and serves as a key training and operational hub for both military branches. NAS Miramar is known for its important role in air defense, as well as its history as the former location of the legendary "Top Gun" Fighter Weapons School.

Navy Seals

192 members

The Navy Seals are a special operations force within the United States Navy that specialize in unconventional warfare, counterterrorism, and special reconnaissance missions. They are known for their rigorous and demanding training program, which includes Hell Week, where candidates endure intense physical and mental challenges. Navy Seals have been involved in some of the most high-profile military operations, such as the capture of Osama bin Laden and the rescue of Captain Phillips from Somali pirates. They are recognized for their elite skills, professionalism, and dedication to completing the mission at all costs.

USS Midway (CV-41) was an aircraft carrier commissioned by the United States Navy shortly after World War II, entering service in 1945. Serving for nearly 47 years, she played a pivotal role during the Cold War, participating in major operations such as the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm. Notably, Midway was the flagship during the Gulf of Tonkin incident and was instrumental in the evacuation of Saigon in 1975. Decommissioned in 1992, USS Midway is now preserved as a museum ship in San Diego, California.

The Machinist’s Mate (MM) is a key enlisted rating in the United States Navy, established in 1884 to operate, maintain, and repair shipboard mechanical equipment. Originally, Machinist's Mates were essential for operating steam engines aboard early steel warships, adapting over time as naval propulsion evolved from steam to diesel and nuclear power. During World War II, MMs played a vital role in keeping the Navy’s vast fleet operational across multiple theaters. Today, Machinist’s Mates serve on surface ships, submarines, and at shore facilities, ensuring the functionality of engines, auxiliary systems, and propulsion machinery critical to naval operations.

Naval Air Station (NAS) Lemoore, located in California’s San Joaquin Valley, was commissioned in 1961 to serve as the U.S. Navy’s premier West Coast master jet base. Designed to support advanced jet operations, it quickly became the primary home for Pacific Fleet strike fighter squadrons. Over the decades, NAS Lemoore has hosted various aircraft, transitioning from the F-4 Phantom II, to the F-14 Tomcat, and currently the F/A-18 Hornet and F-35C Lightning II. The base continues to play a critical role in naval aviation training, operations, and power projection in the Pacific region.

USS Ranger (CV-61) was a Forrestal-class aircraft carrier commissioned by the United States Navy in 1957. Serving primarily in the Pacific Fleet, she participated in significant operations during the Vietnam War, providing air support and combat sorties. Over her long career, Ranger also took part in Operation Desert Storm in 1991, launching airstrikes against Iraqi targets. Decommissioned in 1993, USS Ranger earned numerous awards and distinctions, marking her as a key asset in U.S. naval aviation history.

Naval Communications Station Keflavik, Iceland (NAVCOMMSTA Keflavik) was established in 1951 as part of NATO’s strategic presence in the North Atlantic during the early Cold War. Its primary mission was to provide critical communications support for U.S. and allied naval and air operations, monitoring Soviet activity and ensuring secure transmission of military messages across the region. The station played a vital role in anti-submarine warfare and air defense coordination, particularly during periods of heightened tension between NATO and the Warsaw Pact. NAVCOMMSTA Keflavik operated until the late 1990s, when advances in technology and the reduced threat environment led to its closure and consolidation of operations.

The Naval Station Charleston is a military base located in Charleston, South Carolina. It serves as a homeport for various Navy ships and submarines, as well as providing support for maritime operations. The base also offers training facilities for Navy personnel and hosts various military exercises and operations. Overall, the Naval Station Charleston plays a crucial role in supporting the United States Navy's presence and operations in the Southeast region.

Naval Station Norfolk, located in Norfolk, Virginia, was established in 1917 as a key naval base during World War I, originally known as Naval Operating Base Hampton Roads. Throughout World War II, it rapidly expanded to become the largest naval base in the world, serving as a hub for Atlantic Fleet operations and troop deployments. During the Cold War, the station played a vital role in supporting U.S. naval power projection and logistical support for both the Atlantic and Mediterranean theaters. Today, Naval Station Norfolk remains the world's largest naval installation, home to the U.S. Navy’s Atlantic Fleet and serving as a critical center for fleet readiness and operations.

The 14th Naval District was established in 1916, with its headquarters at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, to oversee U.S. Navy operations across the Hawaiian Islands and surrounding Pacific territories. Its strategic location made it central to American naval defense and logistics in the Pacific, particularly during World War II. On December 7, 1941, the 14th Naval District’s jurisdiction included Pearl Harbor, the site of the infamous Japanese attack that drew the United States into the war. Throughout the conflict, the district played a vital role in coordinating repairs, logistics, and defense for the Pacific Fleet, supporting key operations until the war’s end.

USS CARL VINSON

166 members

USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) is a Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier commissioned into the United States Navy on March 13, 1982. Named after Congressman Carl Vinson, a key supporter of American naval power, the ship has played a significant role in major operations, including Operation Desert Strike, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom. The Vinson made global headlines in May 2011 as the vessel from which Osama bin Laden’s body was buried at sea after his death in a U.S. special operations raid. Throughout its service, the USS Carl Vinson has projected American naval air power worldwide, supporting both combat missions and humanitarian assistance.

The **Boiler Technician** (BT) was a vital enlisted rating in the United States Navy, established in the early 20th century to operate and maintain shipboard steam propulsion systems. Boiler Technicians were responsible for the operation, maintenance, and repair of steam boilers, as well as associated equipment such as pumps, blowers, and fuel systems. During World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the Cold War, BTs ensured the Navy’s steam-powered vessels remained mission-capable and ready for combat or support operations. The rating was eventually merged into the **Machinist’s Mate** (MM) rating in 1996, reflecting advancements in naval propulsion technology and the decline of steam-powered ships in the modern fleet.

Naval Air Station (NAS) Alameda, located on Alameda Island in San Francisco Bay, was commissioned in 1940 as a key United States Navy airfield. During World War II, NAS Alameda played a crucial role as a center for the assembly, repair, and deployment of naval aircraft and supported major Pacific Theater operations. In the Cold War era, the station continued to serve as a hub for aviation squadrons, including hosting aircraft carriers and providing logistics and maintenance for fleet operations. The base remained active until its closure in 1997 as part of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) program, but its legacy as a pivotal West Coast naval aviation facility endures.

The Commander in Chief, Atlantic Fleet (CINCLANTFLT), headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, was established in 1906 to oversee United States naval operations in the Atlantic Ocean. Throughout both World Wars, CINCLANTFLT played a pivotal role in securing transatlantic shipping lanes and coordinating anti-submarine warfare. During the Cold War, the command was critical in countering Soviet naval threats and projecting U.S. maritime power across the Atlantic. In 2002, CINCLANTFLT was redesignated as United States Fleet Forces Command, continuing its legacy of operational leadership and readiness.

USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT

139 members

USS *Theodore Roosevelt* (CVN-71) is a Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier commissioned into the United States Navy in October 1986. Named after the 26th President of the United States, the ship has played a critical role in multiple military operations, including Operation Desert Storm in 1991 and Operation Enduring Freedom after the September 11 attacks. The *Theodore Roosevelt* has demonstrated the Navy's global reach by conducting deployments in the Mediterranean, Persian Gulf, and Indo-Pacific regions. Over its service, the carrier has undergone several overhauls and modernization efforts to maintain its combat readiness and continues to serve as a vital asset in U.S. naval power projection.

The 5th Naval District was an administrative region of the United States Navy, established in the early 20th century to oversee naval operations and shore activities along the mid-Atlantic coast. Headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, the district played a critical role during both World Wars, managing naval bases, shipyards, and training facilities in its jurisdiction. Its responsibilities included coastal defense, logistics, and the coordination of naval resources in Virginia, Maryland, and parts of North Carolina. The 5th Naval District was disestablished in 1977 as the Navy reorganized its administrative structure, but its legacy endures in the continued strategic importance of the Norfolk area to the U.S. Navy.

Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, located on the southeastern coast of Cuba, has been under continuous U.S. control since 1903, following the Spanish-American War. Initially established to serve as a coaling and naval station, its strategic location allowed the U.S. Navy to project power throughout the Caribbean. Over the decades, Guantanamo Bay has played roles in regional conflicts, Cold War intelligence, and humanitarian operations. Since 2002, it has become globally recognized as the site of a U.S. military detention facility used in the War on Terror.

The Brownwater Navy was a specialized branch of the United States Navy formed during the Vietnam War to conduct operations in the shallow rivers, canals, and coastal waters of South Vietnam. Officially known as the United States Navy's "Riverine Forces," these units used small, heavily armed boats such as Patrol Boat, River (PBR), Swift Boats (PCF), and Armored Troop Carriers (ATCs) to provide mobility, firepower, and logistical support to U.S. Army and South Vietnamese forces. Brownwater Navy sailors faced constant ambushes, mines, and hostile fire while patrolling the Mekong Delta and other waterways. Their crucial efforts disrupted enemy supply lines, supported ground operations, and played a significant role in counterinsurgency missions throughout the conflict.

Naval Air Station North Island, located at the north end of the Coronado Peninsula in San Diego, California, is often referred to as the "Birthplace of Naval Aviation." Established in 1917, the base quickly became a central hub for training naval aviators and developing seaplane operations during World War I. Throughout World War II, North Island played a critical role in aircraft maintenance, pilot training, and carrier operations for the Pacific Fleet. Over the decades, it has remained a vital installation, supporting numerous Pacific operations and homeporting several U.S. Navy aircraft carriers and aviation squadrons.