U.S. Navy

Naval Air Reserve Training Unit (NARTU) NAS Alameda was established during World War II at Naval Air Station Alameda, California, to support the training and readiness of Naval Air Reserve personnel. The unit played a vital role in maintaining and preparing reserve squadrons for rapid mobilization during periods of conflict, including the Korean War and the early Cold War years. NARTU NAS Alameda provided flight training, aircraft maintenance, and operational support for a variety of naval aircraft and crews. The unit continued its mission until the realignment and eventual closure of NAS Alameda in the late 1990s as part of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process.

Naval Air Station (NAS) Beeville, located near Beeville, Texas, was established in 1943 during World War II to serve as a training base for naval aviators. Originally known as Chase Field, the facility played a key role in training pilots for carrier-based operations, particularly jet aircraft, during the Cold War era. Reactivated in 1952, NAS Beeville became renowned for its advanced jet training programs, including those for the Navy's A-4 Skyhawk and TA-4J aircraft. The base operated until its closure in 1992, after which the site was repurposed for civilian use, but its legacy as a premier naval aviation training center remains significant in U.S. military history.

Naval Training Center Bainbridge, located in Bainbridge, Maryland, was commissioned in 1942 during World War II as a major training site for the United States Navy. At its peak, the center trained hundreds of thousands of recruits, playing a critical role in preparing sailors for wartime service. After World War II, Bainbridge continued to serve as a recruit training and specialized instruction center, notably during the Korean and early Vietnam Wars. The base was officially closed in 1976 as part of military realignment, having trained over 500,000 sailors during its years of operation.

Naval Communication Station San Juan, Puerto Rico (NAVCOMMSTA San Juan PR) was established in the mid-20th century as part of the U.S. Navy’s global communications network. Its mission was to provide reliable radio and message traffic support to fleet units operating in the Caribbean and Atlantic regions, serving as a critical link during the Cold War era. The station supported numerous naval operations, participating in regional exercises and ensuring secure communications for both U.S. and allied forces. NAVCOMMSTA San Juan was eventually decommissioned as advances in technology and changing strategic priorities led to the consolidation of naval communications facilities worldwide.

Naval Support Activity Annapolis (NAVSTA Annapolis) is a key installation of the United States Navy located in Annapolis, Maryland. Established in 1911 to support the nearby United States Naval Academy, the base has provided essential logistical, administrative, and operational support to the Academy and the Navy at large. Over the decades, NAVSTA Annapolis has expanded its mission to include support for tenant commands, family housing, and various training functions. Today, it remains a vital component in ensuring the readiness and success of Naval Academy midshipmen and the broader naval mission in the National Capital Region.

Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC) San Diego has played a vital role in supporting the United States Navy Reserve forces in Southern California. Established to provide administrative, logistical, and training support, NOSC San Diego ensures Reserve Sailors are ready for mobilization and deployment worldwide. Throughout its history, the unit has been instrumental in preparing Reservists for operations ranging from humanitarian assistance to combat missions. Its enduring commitment to readiness and service has made NOSC San Diego a cornerstone of Navy Reserve operations on the West Coast.

**RTC** (Recruit Training Command) is a foundational military unit responsible for the initial training of enlisted personnel, particularly within naval forces such as the United States Navy. Established in the early 20th century, RTCs have served as the "boot camp" where recruits undergo physical conditioning, learn military discipline, and receive instruction in basic naval procedures and traditions. Over the decades, RTCs have adapted their programs to meet the evolving needs of modern warfare, incorporating advanced technology and updated training methodologies. Today, RTC remains a critical institution, shaping civilians into capable and disciplined sailors ready to serve their nation.

SEAL Team 4 is a United States Navy SEAL team established in 1983 and based at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Virginia. The unit primarily focuses on operations in the Caribbean, Central, and South America, specializing in counter-narcotics, counter-terrorism, and special reconnaissance missions. SEAL Team 4 has played a significant role in supporting U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), often working closely with partner nations to train and assist their special operations forces. Over the years, the team has participated in numerous classified operations and humanitarian missions throughout the Western Hemisphere.

Shore Intermediate Maintenance Activity (SIMA) Newport, RI, was established to provide essential maintenance and repair services to the U.S. Navy’s Atlantic Fleet ships homeported or visiting the Newport area. Originating during the Cold War era, SIMA Newport played a critical role in ensuring fleet readiness by performing a wide range of technical and logistical support functions, including ship repairs, equipment overhauls, and technical training. The unit worked closely with other naval commands and supported numerous deployments and operations through its skilled workforce. With changes in naval force structure and the drawdown of homeported ships in Newport, SIMA Newport was eventually disestablished in the late 1990s, marking the end of an important chapter in the region’s military support history.

U.S. Naval Communication Station Harold E. Holt, located near Exmouth, Western Australia, was commissioned in 1967 as a joint facility between the United States and Australia. Its primary mission was to provide very low frequency (VLF) radio communications to allied naval forces, particularly submarines operating in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Named after Australian Prime Minister Harold E. Holt, who disappeared in 1967, the station became a key component of Western defense during the Cold War era. Over time, control and operations shifted more towards the Royal Australian Navy, with the U.S. presence gradually reduced.

USS Cayuga (LST-1186) was a Newport-class tank landing ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1970. Designed for rapid deployment of tanks, vehicles, and troops directly onto shore, Cayuga played a significant role during the Vietnam War, providing logistical support and participating in amphibious operations. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, she served with the Pacific Fleet, supporting training exercises, humanitarian missions, and fleet maneuvers. The ship was decommissioned in 1994 after over two decades of distinguished service.

USS Claude V. Ricketts (DDG-5) was a Charles F. Adams-class guided missile destroyer commissioned into the United States Navy in 1962, originally named USS Biddle before being renamed in honor of Admiral Claude V. Ricketts in 1964. The ship served extensively during the Cold War, participating in NATO exercises, Mediterranean deployments, and crisis response operations, including the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Lebanon crisis of 1982. Claude V. Ricketts was notable for being the first American naval ship to operate as a fully integrated multinational crew under the "Mixed Manning Demonstration" with personnel from several NATO countries. After a distinguished career spanning over two decades, the destroyer was decommissioned in 1989 and subsequently scrapped.

USS Compass Island (AG-153) was a United States Navy auxiliary vessel commissioned in 1956, originally converted from the Liberty ship SS Garden Mariner. Designed as a navigational research ship, she played a crucial role in developing and testing the shipboard inertial navigation systems that would later be used in the Navy’s ballistic missile submarine fleet. Compass Island was instrumental in supporting the Polaris missile program by providing a stable platform for cutting-edge navigation experiments. She was decommissioned in 1971, after making significant contributions to naval navigation and missile guidance technologies.

USS Corry (DD-817) was a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in 1946. Named after Lieutenant Commander William M. Corry, a World War I naval aviator and Medal of Honor recipient, the ship served primarily in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, participating in NATO exercises and Cold War operations. Corry underwent modernization under the FRAM I (Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization) program in the early 1960s, enhancing her anti-submarine warfare capabilities. The destroyer was decommissioned in 1981 and subsequently transferred to the Hellenic Navy of Greece, serving as Kriezis until her final decommissioning.

USS Dyess (DD-880) was a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in 1945. Named in honor of Lieutenant Colonel Aquilla J. Dyess, a Marine Corps hero of World War II, the ship served with distinction during the Cold War era. Dyess participated in multiple Mediterranean deployments with the 6th Fleet, supported Korean War operations, and conducted various Atlantic and Caribbean exercises. The destroyer was decommissioned in 1970 and later transferred to the Greek Navy, where she served as Kimon before being retired.

USS England (CG-22) was a Leahy-class guided missile cruiser of the United States Navy, commissioned in 1963. Named in honor of Ensign John C. England and the famed WWII destroyer escort that sank six enemy submarines, CG-22 served primarily in the Pacific Fleet. Throughout the Cold War, the ship participated in numerous operations, including Vietnam War combat support, carrier escort duties, and multinational exercises. USS England was decommissioned in 1994 after over three decades of distinguished service.

USS Fletcher (DD-992) was a Spruance-class destroyer commissioned into the United States Navy on July 30, 1980. Named after Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher, she served primarily in the Pacific Fleet, participating in numerous exercises, deployments, and operations, including support roles during the Gulf War. Throughout her service, Fletcher was known for her versatility, conducting anti-submarine warfare, escort duties, and maritime security operations. She was decommissioned on October 1, 2004, and later sunk as a target during a training exercise in 2008.

USS Frederick (LST-1184) was a Newport-class tank landing ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1970. Designed for amphibious operations, she was capable of transporting tanks, vehicles, cargo, and troops directly onto shore without docking facilities. Throughout her service, Frederick participated in numerous exercises and deployments in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, supporting U.S. and allied operations, including humanitarian missions and training exercises. Decommissioned in 2002, she was later transferred to the Mexican Navy, where she continues to serve as ARM Usumacinta (A-412).

The USS James K. Polk (SSBN-645) was a Benjamin Franklin-class fleet ballistic missile submarine commissioned by the United States Navy in 1966. Named after the 11th President of the United States, she played a critical role in the nation's strategic deterrence mission during the Cold War, conducting numerous deterrent patrols armed with Polaris and later Poseidon ballistic missiles. In 1994, following the end of the Cold War and arms reduction treaties, she was converted to an attack submarine (SSN-645) and served briefly in this new role. The USS James K. Polk was decommissioned in 1999, concluding over three decades of distinguished service.

USS **John Rodgers (DD-983)** was a Spruance-class destroyer commissioned into the United States Navy in 1979. Named after three generations of distinguished naval officers, the ship served with distinction during the Cold War, participating in numerous exercises and deployments, including operations in the Mediterranean and Persian Gulf. In 1991, she supported Operation Desert Storm, providing escort and naval gunfire support. After over two decades of active service, USS John Rodgers was decommissioned in 1998 and later sunk as a target in 2001.

USS Kansas City (AOR-3) was a Wichita-class replenishment oiler commissioned by the United States Navy in June 1970. Designed to provide fuel, ammunition, and supplies to ships at sea, she played a crucial logistical role during the Vietnam War and later Cold War operations. Throughout her service, Kansas City participated in numerous exercises and deployments in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, supporting carrier battle groups and other naval forces. After over two decades of active duty, she was decommissioned in October 1994 and ultimately struck from the Naval Vessel Register.

USS KIRK (FF-1087) was a Knox-class frigate commissioned by the United States Navy in 1972. Named after Admiral Alan G. Kirk, the ship served primarily in the Western Pacific, participating in anti-submarine warfare and escort missions during the Cold War. USS KIRK is most renowned for its humanitarian role in Operation Frequent Wind in 1975, where it assisted in the evacuation of South Vietnamese refugees at the end of the Vietnam War, helping save thousands of lives. The frigate was decommissioned in 1993 and later transferred to the Taiwanese Navy, where it served as ROCS Fen Yang (FFG-934).

USS Klondike (AR-22) was a Shenandoah-class destroyer tender commissioned by the United States Navy in 1945. Designed to provide repair and maintenance support to destroyers and smaller vessels, she was quickly deployed to the Pacific theater near the end of World War II. After the war, Klondike served with the Pacific Fleet, supporting naval operations during the Korean War and throughout the Cold War era. Decommissioned in 1970, the USS Klondike played a vital role in maintaining the operational readiness of the U.S. Navy’s destroyer forces for over two decades.

USS McCandless (FF-1084) was a Knox-class frigate of the United States Navy, commissioned in 1972 and named in honor of Rear Admiral Byron McCandless and his son, Rear Admiral Bruce McCandless. Designed primarily for anti-submarine warfare during the Cold War, she conducted numerous operations and exercises in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, supporting fleet missions and NATO allies. The ship played a vital role in patrolling and protecting sea lanes, as well as participating in search and rescue missions. Decommissioned in 1994, USS McCandless was later transferred to Turkey, where she served as TCG Trakya (F-254).