U.S. Navy

USS Stein (FF-1065) was a Knox-class frigate commissioned by the United States Navy in 1972. Named after Marine Private First Class Tony Stein, a Medal of Honor recipient from World War II, the ship specialized in anti-submarine warfare during the Cold War era. Throughout her service, USS Stein participated in numerous exercises and deployments in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, supporting U.S. interests and allied operations. The ship was decommissioned in 1992 and later sold for scrapping, having served honorably for two decades.

USS Trippe (DE-1075) was a Knox-class frigate commissioned by the United States Navy in 1970. Named after Lieutenant John Trippe, a hero of the First Barbary War, the ship primarily served in the Atlantic Fleet. Throughout her career, Trippe participated in numerous Cold War-era operations, including NATO exercises and deployments to the Mediterranean and Caribbean. She was redesignated as FF-1075 (frigate) in 1975 and remained in service until her decommissioning in 1992, after which she was transferred to the Hellenic Navy as Thraki (F457).

USS *William H. Stanley* (CG-32) is not a historical United States Navy vessel. There is no record of a guided missile cruiser or any other naval ship with the designation CG-32 named *William H. Stanley*. The actual CG-32 was USS *Belknap*, a Belknap-class guided missile cruiser commissioned in 1964. If you are referring to a different vessel or need information about the USS *Belknap* (CG-32), please let me know!

USS Yosemite (AD-19) was a Dixie-class destroyer tender commissioned by the United States Navy in 1944. Throughout World War II, she provided vital repair and maintenance services to the Pacific Fleet, supporting operations at advanced bases such as Ulithi and Leyte. After the war, Yosemite continued her service, supporting fleet operations during the Korean War and the Vietnam War, as well as during peacetime deployments in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. She was finally decommissioned in 1994 after 50 years of distinguished service, earning multiple awards for her essential support roles.

Strike Fighter Squadron 106 (VFA-106), known as the "Gladiators," was established on April 27, 1984, at Naval Air Station Cecil Field, Florida. The squadron serves as the U.S. Navy's East Coast Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) for the F/A-18 Hornet and Super Hornet, tasked with training new naval aviators and maintenance personnel. Over the decades, VFA-106 has played a critical role in preparing pilots and aircrew for deployment to operational fleet squadrons. The unit relocated to Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia, in 1999, continuing its mission as a cornerstone of naval aviation training.

VS-24, known as the "Scouts" and later the "Duty Cats," was a U.S. Navy anti-submarine squadron established in 1943. Originally flying SBD Dauntless dive bombers during World War II, the squadron transitioned to anti-submarine warfare missions with the advent of the Cold War, operating aircraft like the S-2 Tracker and later the S-3 Viking. VS-24 served aboard various aircraft carriers, supporting Atlantic and Mediterranean operations and participating in major exercises and real-world contingencies, including operations in the Persian Gulf. The squadron was disestablished in 2007 after more than six decades of distinguished service.

VS-28, known as the "Gamblers," was a United States Navy anti-submarine squadron established in 1943 during World War II. Originally flying the SBD Dauntless and later the TBM Avenger, the squadron conducted anti-submarine warfare (ASW) operations in the Atlantic theater. After several periods of deactivation and reactivation, VS-28 transitioned to flying the S-2 Tracker and finally the S-3 Viking, providing carrier-based ASW support throughout the Cold War and into the 1990s. The squadron was ultimately disestablished in March 2004 after decades of distinguished service.

Air Development Squadron Six (VXE-6), known as the "Puckered Penguins," was a United States Navy aviation unit established in 1955. Its primary mission was to provide air support for Operation Deep Freeze, the U.S. military’s logistical support of Antarctic research and exploration. VXE-6 operated a variety of aircraft, including ski-equipped LC-130 Hercules and helicopters, enabling transport of personnel, supplies, and scientists to remote Antarctic stations. The squadron played a crucial role in the success of Antarctic exploration until its deactivation in 1999, after which its mission was transferred to civilian contractors.

Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 302 (CBMU-302) was a United States Navy Seabee unit established during the Vietnam War. Commissioned in 1967, CBMU-302 was tasked with providing construction, maintenance, and logistical support for U.S. Navy and allied forces throughout the Western Pacific and Southeast Asia. The unit played a crucial role in building and maintaining infrastructure such as airfields, roads, and base facilities, particularly in support of the Vietnamization effort. After years of distinguished service, CBMU-302 was decommissioned in the early 1970s as U.S. involvement in Vietnam diminished.

**COMCRUDESGRU 1** (Commander, Cruiser-Destroyer Group 1) was a major U.S. Navy surface warfare command headquartered at Naval Base San Diego, 32nd Street. Established in the latter half of the 20th century, the group was responsible for the operational readiness, training, and deployment of assigned cruisers and destroyers in the Pacific Fleet. Over the decades, COMCRUDESGRU 1 played a pivotal role in major exercises, deployments, and real-world operations, including support for carrier strike groups and independent surface action groups. The command was eventually re-designated as Carrier Strike Group 1 (CSG-1) in the early 2000s, reflecting evolving naval organizational structures.

**Commander Fleet Air, Mediterranean (COMFAIRMED)** was a United States Navy aviation command established in the post-World War II era to oversee naval air operations in the Mediterranean Sea. Headquartered in Naples, Italy, COMFAIRMED provided operational control and support for carrier-based and land-based naval aviation units assigned to the U.S. Sixth Fleet. Its primary missions included maritime patrol, anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue, and coordination with NATO allies during the Cold War. The command played a critical role in projecting American air power and maintaining maritime security in the Mediterranean region until its deactivation in the late 20th century.

USS **Taussig (DD-743)** was an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer of the United States Navy. Commissioned in May 1944, Taussig served with distinction in the Pacific Theater during World War II, participating in operations such as the Battle of Okinawa. After the war, she saw extensive action during the Korean War, performing shore bombardment and escort duties. Taussig continued her service through the Vietnam War, before being decommissioned and transferred to the Republic of China Navy in 1974.

**DP A SCHOOL, San Diego Naval Training Center** served as a primary training facility for Data Processing (DP) personnel in the United States Navy. Established during the Cold War era, the school was located at the Naval Training Center (NTC) San Diego, which operated from 1923 until its closure in 1997. At DP A School, sailors received specialized instruction in computer operations, data management, and the maintenance of Navy information systems, reflecting the growing importance of technology in naval operations. Graduates of the school supported fleet-wide administrative and operational functions, contributing to the Navy’s transition into the digital age. Following the BRAC-mandated closure of NTC San Diego, DP training was consolidated at other naval education commands.

Fleet Air Support Unit DaNang (FASU DaNang) was a United States Navy aviation support unit established during the Vietnam War to enhance naval air operations in the I Corps Tactical Zone of South Vietnam. Activated in the early 1960s at Da Nang Air Base, its mission was to provide logistical support, aircraft maintenance, and operational coordination for Navy and Marine Corps aviation units engaged in combat operations. FASU DaNang played a vital role in supporting carrier-based and land-based aircraft with ordnance, fuel, and critical repairs, ensuring sustained air missions against enemy targets. The unit operated until the drawdown of U.S. forces in the region, significantly contributing to the overall effectiveness of American air power during the conflict.

Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron Fifteen (HM-15), also known as the "Blackhawks," was established in 1987. The squadron specializes in airborne mine countermeasures (AMCM) and vertical onboard delivery using the MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter. HM-15 has participated in numerous operations worldwide, including Operations Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom, providing crucial support in clearing naval mines and ensuring safe passage for allied vessels. The unit is based at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, and remains a key asset in the U.S. Navy’s mine warfare and logistics missions.

Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi, located in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, was commissioned in 1950 and has served as a critical hub for U.S. naval aviation in the Pacific region. Initially constructed by the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II, the airfield was taken over by U.S. forces following Japan's surrender. Throughout the Korean and Vietnam Wars, NAS Atsugi played a vital role in supporting air operations, logistics, and reconnaissance missions across Asia. Today, it continues to support U.S. Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force operations, strengthening the U.S.-Japan security alliance in the Indo-Pacific.

NAVADVGRP, short for Naval Advisory Group, was a United States Navy unit established during the Vietnam War to provide crucial support to the Republic of Vietnam Navy (RVNN). Formed in the early 1960s, NAVADVGRP's mission was to advise, train, and assist South Vietnamese naval forces in riverine, coastal, and maritime operations against North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces. The unit played a significant role in implementing the "Vietnamization" policy, gradually transferring operational responsibilities to the RVNN. Throughout its existence, NAVADVGRP contributed to enhancing the combat effectiveness and self-sufficiency of South Vietnam’s navy until the withdrawal of U.S. forces and the end of American involvement in 1973.

Naval Hospital Long Beach was established in 1941 in Long Beach, California, to support the rapid expansion of the U.S. Navy during World War II. The hospital played a critical role in treating wounded service members returning from the Pacific Theater, quickly growing to accommodate thousands of patients. In the postwar years, it continued to provide medical care for Navy personnel and their families, serving as a key medical center during both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. The original facility was eventually closed in the 1990s, with its operations moved to the new Naval Hospital at the nearby Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.

Naval Hospital Newport, located in Newport, Rhode Island, was established in 1913 to provide medical care to Navy personnel and their families. Throughout both World Wars, the hospital played a critical role in treating wounded sailors and supporting the Atlantic Fleet stationed in the area. Over the decades, the facility expanded and modernized, adapting to advances in military medicine and the changing needs of the Navy community. In 1991, the hospital was officially closed as part of a broader realignment of military medical facilities, though medical support for the Newport naval complex continues through a branch health clinic.

Naval Support Facility, Cam Ranh Bay, was established by the United States Navy in 1965 during the Vietnam War to serve as a major logistics and supply hub. Strategically located on Vietnam’s southeastern coast, the facility supported U.S. and allied naval operations by providing fuel, ammunition, repair, and storage services. Cam Ranh Bay quickly became one of the largest and most important deep-water ports in Southeast Asia, enabling the rapid movement of personnel and materiel throughout the theater. The base was handed over to South Vietnamese control in 1972 as part of the U.S. drawdown and Vietnamization efforts.

Naval Communications Station (NAVCOMMSTA) Japan was established in the post-World War II era to support United States Navy operations throughout the Western Pacific. Originally set up in the 1950s, the station provided vital communications, cryptographic, and support services for fleet operations during the Cold War, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Over the decades, NAVCOMMSTA Japan expanded its facilities and capabilities, adapting to advances in communications technology and shifting regional security needs. In the 1990s, the unit was reorganized and became part of the Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station (NCTS) Far East, continuing its mission of providing secure, reliable communications for U.S. and allied forces in the Indo-Pacific region.

**NAVCOMMSTAPHIL** stands for **Naval Communications Station Philippines**, a United States Navy communications facility established at San Miguel, Zambales, following World War II. Commissioned in 1959, NAVCOMMSTAPHIL played a vital role in relaying naval communications throughout the Pacific and supporting U.S. and allied operations during the Vietnam War and the Cold War. The station featured extensive antenna fields and advanced communication equipment, making it a strategic hub for secure military messaging. NAVCOMMSTAPHIL remained operational until 1992, when the U.S. Navy withdrew from the Philippines following the expiration of military basing agreements.

NAVFAC Grand Turk was a United States Navy Sound Surveillance System (SOSUS) facility established on Grand Turk Island in the Turks and Caicos Islands during the early years of the Cold War. Commissioned in 1954, its primary mission was to detect and track Soviet submarines in the Atlantic Ocean using underwater listening technology. The facility played a significant role in anti-submarine warfare and intelligence gathering throughout the Cold War era. NAVFAC Grand Turk was decommissioned in 1980 as advances in technology and changing strategic needs led to the consolidation of SOSUS operations.

NAVFAC Guam, or Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Marianas, traces its origins to World War II when the U.S. Navy established a significant presence on Guam following the island’s liberation in 1944. Initially focused on constructing and maintaining critical wartime infrastructure, the unit played a key role in supporting naval operations in the Pacific Theater. Over the decades, NAVFAC Guam has evolved to provide comprehensive engineering, construction, and facilities management services for all U.S. military branches stationed on Guam and throughout the Marianas. Today, it remains a vital component of U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy, ensuring operational readiness and supporting the strategic posture of American forces in the region.