U.S. Navy

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.

Air Test and Evaluation Squadron One (VX-1), known as the "Pioneers," was established in 1942 at Naval Air Station Quonset Point, Rhode Island. Its original mission was to develop and evaluate airborne anti-submarine warfare (ASW) tactics and equipment for the U.S. Navy. Over the decades, VX-1 expanded its role to include operational testing and evaluation of a wide array of maritime patrol, reconnaissance, and warfare systems, including the P-3 Orion, P-8 Poseidon, and MH-60R/S Seahawk helicopters. Currently based at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, VX-1 continues to play a critical role in advancing naval aviation technology and ensuring fleet readiness.

Air Development Squadron Five (VX-5), known as the "Vampires," was established by the U.S. Navy on 18 June 1951 at Naval Air Station Moffett Field, California. Its primary mission was to conduct operational testing and evaluation of naval aviation weapons and tactics, ensuring new systems were effective and reliable for fleet use. In 1956, VX-5 relocated to Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, California, where it played a crucial role in the development of advanced weapons systems, including air-to-ground ordnance and electronic warfare tools. The squadron remained at the forefront of naval aviation innovation until 1993, when it merged with VX-4 to form Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Nine (VX-9).

The WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) was a unit of the U.S. Navy established during World War II, on July 30, 1942. Created to free up male personnel for combat roles, the WAVES allowed women to serve in non-combat positions such as clerical work, aviation mechanics, and communications. By the end of the war, over 86,000 women had served as WAVES, making significant contributions to the Navy’s wartime operations. Their exemplary service paved the way for the permanent integration of women into the U.S. armed forces after the war.

The USS Sperry (AS-12) was a Fulton-class submarine tender commissioned into the United States Navy in 1942. Named after inventor Elmer Sperry, she provided vital repair, supply, and support services to submarines in the Pacific Theater throughout World War II, including during key operations at Pearl Harbor, Midway, and Guam. After the war, Sperry continued to serve during the Korean and Vietnam Wars, ensuring the operational readiness of the U.S. submarine fleet. Decommissioned in 1982, the USS Sperry earned multiple battle stars and commendations for her decades of dedicated service.

ASU Bahrain, or Area Support Unit Bahrain, serves as the primary U.S. Army support element in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Established to provide logistical, administrative, and operational support, ASU Bahrain plays a crucial role in sustaining U.S. Army and joint forces operating in the region. The unit supports missions related to security cooperation, regional stability, and contingency operations throughout the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility. Over the years, ASU Bahrain has contributed to strengthening U.S.-Bahraini military relations and ensuring the readiness and welfare of deployed personnel.

The Chelsea Naval Hospital was established in 1836 in Chelsea, Massachusetts, making it one of the earliest naval hospitals in the United States. Throughout its history, the hospital provided medical care to Navy personnel, Marines, and occasionally Army soldiers, including during major conflicts such as the Civil War, World Wars I and II, and the Korean War. The facility was renowned for its advanced medical treatments, rehabilitation services, and training of Navy medical staff. After nearly 140 years of service, the Chelsea Naval Hospital was officially closed in 1974, with its historic buildings later repurposed for residential use.

Commander, Destroyer Squadron NINE (COMDESRON 9) is a United States Navy destroyer squadron based in Everett, Washington. Established during World War II, the squadron has a storied history, having participated in both Pacific and Atlantic operations, as well as numerous exercises and deployments during the Cold War. In the modern era, COMDESRON 9 functions as a principal tactical and administrative commander for assigned destroyers, supporting Carrier Strike Group operations and independent missions in the Indo-Pacific region. The squadron continues to play a vital role in maintaining maritime security and readiness for the U.S. Navy.

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.

Mine Squadron 10 (MinRon 10) is a United States Navy unit specializing in mine warfare operations. Established during World War II, MinRon 10 played a significant role in laying and clearing naval mines in the Pacific Theater, supporting amphibious assaults and securing vital sea lanes. Over the decades, the squadron adapted to evolving mine warfare technology, participating in major conflicts such as the Korean War and Vietnam War. Today, MinRon 10 continues to provide expertise in mine countermeasures, ensuring the safety and operational freedom of U.S. and allied naval forces.

Naval Air Station Lakehurst, located in New Jersey, was established in 1921 as a key site for the United States Navy’s lighter-than-air program. The base gained historical significance as the location of the Hindenburg disaster in 1937, when the German airship caught fire while attempting to land. Throughout World War II, NAS Lakehurst served as a major center for blimp operations, anti-submarine patrols, and airship training. In the postwar era, the station transitioned to support Naval aviation testing and aircraft launch and recovery systems, remaining a vital component of Navy research and development.

Naval Communication Station Stockton, California, was established during World War II to serve as a key communications hub for the United States Navy on the West Coast. Its mission included handling vital radio traffic, relaying messages between the Pacific Fleet and naval commands, and supporting fleet operations during and after the war. The station played a significant role throughout the Cold War, evolving with advancements in communication technology to maintain secure and reliable links for naval operations. Eventually, with changing defense needs and modernization, the facility’s functions were reduced and transferred, leading to its closure in the late 20th century.

Naval Hospital Millington, located in Millington, Tennessee, was established during World War II to provide medical care and support for the rapidly expanding Naval Air Station Millington. The hospital played a crucial role in treating service members, training medical personnel, and supporting Navy operations throughout the war and the subsequent decades. As military needs evolved, the hospital continued to serve active-duty personnel, dependents, and retirees in the region. Its mission was eventually absorbed by other Navy medical facilities as part of broader military realignments, but its legacy of service endures in Navy medicine history.

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.

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.

The National Security Agency (NSA), established in 1952, functions as a key intelligence agency for the United States Department of Defense. Charged primarily with signals intelligence (SIGINT) and information assurance, the NSA plays a crucial role in monitoring, collecting, and analyzing foreign communications and data for national security purposes. Throughout the Cold War and into the digital age, the NSA has adapted to emerging technologies, expanding its cyber operations and cryptographic capabilities. While not a traditional military unit, its close integration with U.S. military operations and intelligence communities has made it indispensable to American defense and security efforts.

**NSA Danang and Chu Lai** were key logistics units of the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. The **Naval Support Activity (NSA) Danang** was established in 1965 to provide critical supply, maintenance, and support operations to U.S. and allied forces in the I Corps Tactical Zone. NSA Danang managed port operations, fuel depots, warehousing, and transportation, becoming the largest naval logistics base in South Vietnam. An extension, **NSA Chu Lai**, supported the nearby Marine Corps base and airfield, ensuring a constant flow of ammunition, fuel, and matériel. Both units played vital roles in sustaining combat operations and enhancing the operational reach of U.S. and South Vietnamese forces until their drawdown in the early 1970s.

Naval Weapons Station (NWS) Earle, located in Monmouth County, New Jersey, was commissioned in 1943 during World War II to provide a secure and efficient location for the storage, handling, and shipment of naval ammunition. Its unique layout features a 2.9-mile-long pier extending into Sandy Hook Bay, allowing safe loading and unloading of munitions away from populated areas. Throughout its history, NWS Earle has played a crucial role in supporting the Atlantic Fleet, supplying ordnance for major conflicts including World War II, the Korean War, and operations in the Middle East. Today, NWS Earle remains a vital logistics hub for the U.S. Navy, supporting fleet readiness and national defense.

The Oakland Naval Supply Center was established in 1941 in Oakland, California, as a key logistics and supply hub for the United States Navy during World War II. Serving as one of the largest naval supply depots on the West Coast, it played a crucial role in supporting Pacific Fleet operations by providing essential materials, equipment, and provisions. The center continued its operations through the Korean and Vietnam Wars, adapting to changing military needs and technological advancements. After decades of service, the facility was closed in 1998 as part of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process, marking the end of its significant contributions to U.S. naval logistics.

St. Albans Naval Hospital, located in Queens, New York, was established in 1943 during World War II to provide medical care for wounded sailors and Marines returning from combat. Constructed on the site of the former St. Albans Golf Course, the hospital rapidly expanded to include over 3,000 beds, becoming one of the largest naval medical facilities on the East Coast. Throughout its operational years, St. Albans Naval Hospital played a crucial role in treating veterans from World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. The hospital was decommissioned in 1974, and the site was later repurposed as a Veterans Administration medical center.

USS **Blakely (FF-1072)** was a Knox-class frigate commissioned by the United States Navy in 1972. Designed primarily for anti-submarine warfare during the Cold War, she participated in numerous training exercises, patrols, and fleet operations in the Atlantic and Caribbean. Blakely provided escort services, supported U.S. interests during periods of heightened tension, and took part in multinational NATO exercises. Decommissioned in 1992, she was later transferred to the Turkish Navy, where she served as TCG Akdeniz (F-257).

USS Coontz (DLG-9), later reclassified as DDG-40, was a Farragut-class guided missile destroyer leader commissioned by the United States Navy in 1960. Named after Admiral Robert E. Coontz, the ship served extensively during the Cold War, participating in numerous exercises and deployments, including operations in the Mediterranean with the Sixth Fleet and off the coast of Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Coontz underwent modernization in the late 1960s to enhance her missile and anti-submarine capabilities. She remained active until her decommissioning in 1989, after nearly three decades of distinguished service.

USS Fairfax County (LST-1193) was a Newport-class tank landing ship commissioned by the United States Navy in September 1971. Designed to transport tanks, vehicles, cargo, and troops directly onto shore without docks, she played a crucial role in amphibious operations and training exercises throughout her service. The ship participated in numerous deployments with the Atlantic Fleet, supporting NATO operations and multinational exercises. Decommissioned in 1994, she was later transferred to the Australian Navy, where she continued service as HMAS Manoora (L 52).

USS Fort Snelling (LSD-30) was a Thomaston-class dock landing ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1955. Named after the historic fort in Minnesota, she served primarily in amphibious operations, supporting the deployment of Marines, vehicles, and landing craft. Throughout her career, Fort Snelling participated in significant operations such as the Cuban Missile Crisis quarantine in 1962 and the recovery of the Gemini VI and VII space missions in 1965. The ship remained active during the Vietnam War and other Cold War deployments before being decommissioned in 1984.