U.S. Navy

USS Shenandoah (AD-26) was a Shenandoah-class destroyer tender commissioned by the United States Navy in 1945. She provided vital maintenance, repair, and logistical support to destroyers and other vessels, primarily serving the Atlantic Fleet. Throughout her career, Shenandoah participated in numerous Cold War operations, Mediterranean deployments, and NATO exercises, strengthening U.S. naval readiness. After decades of service, she was decommissioned in 1980 and eventually sold for scrapping, marking the end of her distinguished support role in the Navy.

USS Springfield (CLG-7) was a Cleveland-class light cruiser of the United States Navy, originally commissioned in 1944 during World War II. After serving in the Pacific theater, she was decommissioned post-war but later extensively modernized and recommissioned in 1960 as a guided missile cruiser (CLG-7). As a flagship for various Sixth Fleet commanders, Springfield played a significant role in NATO operations and Cold War deterrence in the Mediterranean. She was decommissioned in 1974 and ultimately scrapped, marking the end of her distinguished service.

Attack Squadron 153 (VA-153), known as the "Blue Tail Flies," was a United States Navy attack squadron established in August 1948. The squadron served primarily with the Pacific Fleet, flying aircraft such as the AD Skyraider and later the A-4 Skyhawk. VA-153 participated in significant operations during the Korean War and the Vietnam War, conducting strike missions from aircraft carriers. The squadron was disestablished on October 1, 1977, after nearly three decades of service.

Patrol Squadron 11 (VP-11), known as the "Proud Pegasus," was a U.S. Navy maritime patrol squadron established in 1952. The unit was primarily based at Naval Air Station Brunswick, Maine, and operated various models of the P-2 Neptune and later the P-3 Orion aircraft. VP-11 conducted anti-submarine warfare, maritime surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, supporting NATO and U.S. operations during the Cold War. The squadron was decommissioned in 1997 as part of post-Cold War force reductions.

Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 30 (VR-30), known as the "Providers," is a United States Navy Reserve squadron established in 1960. Initially based at Naval Air Station Alameda, California, the squadron has operated various logistics aircraft, including the C-130 Hercules and the C-40A Clipper, to provide vital airlift support for Navy personnel and cargo worldwide. VR-30 has played a key role in supporting fleet operations, humanitarian missions, and rapid response efforts by delivering supplies and personnel to both domestic and international locations. The unit is now based at Naval Air Station North Island, continuing its legacy of reliable and flexible air logistics support for the Navy and joint forces.

Sea Control Squadron 31 (VS-31), known as the "Topcats," was a U.S. Navy anti-submarine warfare squadron established in 1948. Originally flying the Grumman TBM Avenger, the squadron later operated the S-2 Tracker and, most notably, the S-3 Viking. VS-31 served with distinction in both the Atlantic and Mediterranean, conducting carrier-based anti-submarine and sea control missions aboard various aircraft carriers. The squadron was deactivated in 2008, concluding over six decades of operational service.

Fleet Combat Training Center Pacific (FCTCPAC) has served as a cornerstone of U.S. Navy readiness since its establishment in 1981. Located in San Diego, California, FCTCPAC provides advanced tactical and technical training to surface fleet units, ensuring operational proficiency across a wide spectrum of warfare areas. The center specializes in integrated training exercises, developing combat skills in anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare, as well as command and control operations. Over the decades, FCTCPAC has played a critical role in preparing Pacific Fleet ships and crews for deployment, enhancing the combat effectiveness and survivability of naval forces in the region.

**FOCCPAC** stands for Force Operations Command, Pacific, a fictional military unit often used in military simulations and wargames. Established in the early 21st century, FOCCPAC was created to coordinate joint operations among allied forces in the Asia-Pacific region, responding to emerging security challenges. The unit specializes in rapid deployment, amphibious operations, and intelligence coordination, playing a central role in multinational exercises such as RIMPAC. Over the years, FOCCPAC has earned a reputation for operational excellence and adaptability in dynamic and complex environments.

Harbor Clearance Unit One (HCU-1) was a specialized U.S. Navy unit established in 1966 during the Vietnam War to provide salvage, diving, and clearance operations in Southeast Asia. The unit's primary mission was to clear harbors, rivers, and coastal waters of sunken vessels, unexploded ordnance, and other hazards to navigation, thereby ensuring the safe movement of military and civilian shipping. HCU-1 operated a variety of craft and utilized advanced diving equipment, often working under dangerous conditions in combat zones such as Da Nang, Cam Ranh Bay, and the Mekong Delta. The unit played a crucial role in maintaining logistical supply lines throughout the conflict and contributed significantly to postwar salvage and clearance operations in the Pacific region.

Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Four (HS-4), also known as the "Black Knights," was established in 1952 by the United States Navy. The squadron gained international recognition during the Apollo space missions, notably recovering the Apollo 11 astronauts after their historic 1969 moon landing. Throughout its history, HS-4 operated various rotary-wing aircraft, including the HSS-1 Seabat and later the SH-60F Seahawk, conducting anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue, and fleet support missions. HS-4 was eventually redesignated as Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Four (HSC-4) in 2012, continuing its legacy with expanded mission capabilities.

The LSD/LPD-17 Classron, often referring to the combined operational grouping of San Antonio-class (LPD-17) amphibious transport docks and Whidbey Island/Harpers Ferry-class (LSD-41/49) dock landing ships, represents a critical evolution in US Navy amphibious warfare capabilities. Established to streamline training, maintenance, and deployment efficiency, the Classron concept enables interoperability and flexible response for embarked Marine Expeditionary Units. These ships have supported a wide range of missions, from major combat operations in the Middle East to humanitarian assistance across the globe. Their advanced command-and-control suites, well decks, and aviation facilities make them central to modern expeditionary strike groups and rapid crisis response.

Naval Air Station (NAS) Keflavik, Iceland, was established by the United States Navy in 1951 as part of a defense agreement with Iceland and NATO. Strategically located on the North Atlantic, the unit played a critical role during the Cold War, supporting anti-submarine warfare operations and monitoring Soviet naval activity. NAS Keflavik hosted a variety of U.S. Navy, Air Force, and NATO units, serving as a key refueling, logistics, and surveillance hub. The station remained active until 2006, when U.S. forces withdrew and the base was returned to Icelandic control, though it remains available for NATO operations.

Naval Air Station Glynco was established in 1942 near Brunswick, Georgia, as a key site for the U.S. Navy during World War II. Originally constructed to serve as a blimp base, NAS Glynco played a vital role in anti-submarine patrols along the Atlantic coast, deploying lighter-than-air airships to protect shipping lanes from German U-boats. After the war, the station transitioned to become a training center, eventually hosting the Naval Air Technical Training Center and the Naval Flight Officers School. NAS Glynco remained an important training and operational facility until its closure in 1974, after which the site was repurposed as the Brunswick Golden Isles Airport and Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.

The Naval Damage Control Training Center - Philadelphia was established during World War II to address the urgent need for advanced training in shipboard damage control techniques. Located at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, the center provided instruction to thousands of sailors in firefighting, flood control, chemical defense, and emergency repairs to ensure combat survivability of Navy vessels. The facility featured realistic mock-ups and hands-on scenarios, preparing crew members to effectively respond to battle damage at sea. Over the decades, the center played a crucial role in enhancing fleet readiness until its eventual closure as part of post-Cold War military restructuring.

NAVCAMSLANT (Naval Communication Area Master Station, Atlantic), located in Norfolk, Virginia, has played a vital role in U.S. Navy communications since its establishment in the mid-20th century. The unit was responsible for managing and ensuring the security of naval communications across the Atlantic, supporting both peacetime operations and crisis responses. Throughout the Cold War and into the modern era, NAVCAMSLANT provided command, control, and communications support to fleet and shore commands, utilizing evolving technologies to maintain reliable and secure information flow. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, NAVCAMSLANT underwent organizational changes, eventually merging into what is now Navy Information Operations Command (NIOC) Norfolk, continuing its legacy of excellence in naval communications and cyber operations.

The National Naval Medical Center (NNMC) Bethesda, often referred to as "the President's Hospital," was commissioned in 1940 in Bethesda, Maryland. Serving as the United States Navy’s flagship medical facility, NNMC played a crucial role in treating wounded service members from World War II through modern conflicts. Over the decades, it became renowned for its advanced medical care, research, and as the primary healthcare provider for U.S. presidents and other high-ranking officials. In 2011, NNMC merged with Walter Reed Army Medical Center to form the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, continuing its legacy of military medicine excellence.

SIMA Norfolk, or Shore Intermediate Maintenance Activity Norfolk, was a key United States Navy maintenance unit based at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia. Established to provide intermediate-level repair and maintenance services, SIMA Norfolk supported the operational readiness of the Atlantic Fleet’s surface ships and submarines. The unit specialized in a variety of technical services, from hull and mechanical repairs to electronics and ordnance work. Over the decades, SIMA Norfolk played a crucial role in enabling rapid fleet turnaround and mission success until its functions were integrated into larger regional maintenance centers as part of Navy modernization efforts in the early 21st century.

Special Warfare Unit One is a specialized maritime special operations force within the Republic of Korea Navy, established in the late 20th century to address evolving security challenges on the Korean Peninsula and beyond. Modeled after the U.S. Navy SEALs, the unit focuses on a wide range of missions including reconnaissance, direct action, counter-terrorism, and unconventional warfare in maritime environments. Special Warfare Unit One has participated in numerous joint exercises with allied forces and has contributed to international peacekeeping and anti-piracy operations, notably in the Gulf of Aden. Over the years, the unit has developed a reputation for rigorous training standards, operational versatility, and a high level of professionalism within the South Korean armed forces.

USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) is the lead ship of the Arleigh Burke-class of guided-missile destroyers in the United States Navy, commissioned on July 4, 1991. Named after Admiral Arleigh A. Burke, the ship has played a prominent role in numerous naval operations, including enforcing no-fly zones, maritime security missions, and joint exercises with allied navies. Equipped with the Aegis Combat System, the destroyer has demonstrated advanced air, surface, and subsurface warfare capabilities. Over its service, USS Arleigh Burke has received multiple awards for excellence and remains a vital asset in the Navy’s surface fleet.

USS Caron (DD-970) was a Spruance-class destroyer commissioned into the United States Navy in 1977. Throughout her service, Caron participated in numerous exercises and operations, including deployments to the Mediterranean and Persian Gulf, as well as involvement in Cold War naval confrontations. Notably, in 1986 and 1988, USS Caron was involved in incidents with Soviet forces in the Black Sea while asserting freedom of navigation rights. The ship served until 2001, when she was decommissioned and later sunk as a target during a training exercise in 2002.

USS Concord (AFS-5) was a Mars-class combat stores ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1968. Designed to provide underway replenishment of food, stores, and ammunition to naval combat forces, Concord played a vital logistical role during the Cold War, supporting fleet operations across the Atlantic and Mediterranean. Throughout her service, the ship participated in numerous exercises and deployments, ensuring sustained naval readiness. After over two decades of service, USS Concord was decommissioned in 1992 and later transferred to the Military Sealift Command as USNS Concord (T-AFS-5), continuing her support role until her final inactivation in 2009.

USS Donald B. Beary (FF-1085) was a Knox-class frigate commissioned by the United States Navy in 1972. Named after Rear Admiral Donald B. Beary, the ship served primarily as an anti-submarine warfare platform during the Cold War, operating in both the Atlantic and Mediterranean. Throughout her service, she participated in numerous NATO exercises, patrol missions, and multinational operations, contributing to maritime security and alliance cooperation. The ship was decommissioned in 1994 and later transferred to Turkey, where she served as TCG Karadeniz (F-255).

USS Eldorado (AGC-11) was an amphibious force command ship commissioned by the United States Navy in August 1944. Designed as a floating command center, she played a pivotal role in the Pacific Theater during World War II, serving as the flagship for several major operations, including the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. After the war, Eldorado participated in the occupation of Japan, and later saw service during the Korean War, supporting United Nations operations. The ship was decommissioned in 1972, having earned multiple battle stars for her distinguished service.

USS Essex (LHD-2) is a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship commissioned into the United States Navy on October 17, 1992. Throughout its service, the Essex has played a key role in numerous military operations, including supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 by deploying Marines and equipment to the Persian Gulf. The ship has also participated in humanitarian missions, such as disaster relief efforts following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and the 2013 Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. Homeported in San Diego, California, USS Essex continues to serve as a vital component of the U.S. Navy’s amphibious readiness and rapid response capabilities in the Pacific and beyond.