U.S. Navy

Training Squadron SEVEN (VT-7), known as the “Eagles,” is a United States Navy training squadron established in July 1960 at Naval Air Station (NAS) Meridian, Mississippi. Its primary mission is to train Navy and Marine Corps student naval aviators in advanced jet flight training, culminating in carrier qualification. Over the decades, VT-7 has flown several aircraft types, including the T-2 Buckeye and the T-45 Goshawk. The squadron has played a crucial role in preparing thousands of pilots for operational fleet assignments, earning a reputation for excellence in naval aviation training.

Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Four (VX-4), known as the "Evaluators," was established by the U.S. Navy in 1950 at Naval Air Station Point Mugu, California. Its primary mission was to conduct operational test and evaluation of airborne fighter weapons systems, tactics, and equipment, particularly for Navy carrier-based aircraft. Over the decades, VX-4 played a crucial role in the development and refinement of air-to-air missiles, radar systems, and electronic warfare capabilities, notably contributing to the advancement of the F-4 Phantom II and F-14 Tomcat programs. In 1994, VX-4 was disestablished and its functions merged into VX-9, continuing its legacy of supporting naval aviation excellence.

The 2/6th Battalion was an Australian infantry unit raised as part of the Second Australian Imperial Force during World War II. Formed in October 1939, it was assigned to the 17th Brigade, 6th Australian Division. The battalion saw action in the Middle East, participating in the North African campaign, including the battles of Bardia and Tobruk, and later fought in the Greek and Syrian campaigns. After returning to Australia, the 2/6th served in the Pacific theater, engaging in operations in New Guinea and the Aitape–Wewak campaign before being disbanded in 1946.

Amphibious Construction Battalion TWO (ACB 2), also known as "The Atlantic Battalion," was established in 1943 to provide critical ship-to-shore logistics and engineering support for amphibious operations during World War II. Over the decades, ACB 2 has played a vital role in major conflicts and humanitarian missions, including support during the Korean War, Vietnam War, and various operations in the Middle East. The unit specializes in constructing, operating, and maintaining expeditionary port facilities and causeways, enabling rapid deployment and sustainment of naval and joint forces. Today, ACB 2 continues its legacy as a key component of the U.S. Navy's Seabees, supporting both combat and disaster relief missions worldwide.

Airborne Early Warning Squadron 11 (VAW-11), also known as "Aewron 11," was a United States Navy squadron established in 1952. Its primary mission was to provide airborne early warning and command and control capabilities, initially operating the Grumman AF-2W Guardian and later transitioning to the E-1 Tracer aircraft. VAW-11 played a critical role in fleet air defense and surveillance during the Cold War era, particularly in the Pacific theater. In 1967, the squadron was disestablished and reorganized into several independent detachments, leading to the creation of modern VAW squadrons that continue its legacy today.

ATSB Ben Keo was an Advanced Tactical Support Base operated by the United States Navy and South Vietnamese forces during the Vietnam War. Located near the Cambodian border along the Vam Co Tay River in Tay Ninh Province, it played a critical role in supporting riverine operations and interdicting enemy supply routes along the waterway. Established in the late 1960s, the base served as a logistics and patrol hub for the Mobile Riverine Force and other units conducting operations in the region. ATSB Ben Keo was frequently subjected to enemy mortar and rocket attacks until its closure and transfer to South Vietnamese control as part of the U.S. withdrawal process in the early 1970s.

The Coastal Surveillance Centers (CSCs) were established during the Vietnam War as part of Operation Market Time, a joint United States and South Vietnamese effort to interdict the movement of supplies by sea to the Viet Cong. Operational from the mid-1960s, these centers were strategically located along the South Vietnamese coastline, where they coordinated intelligence gathering, radar surveillance, and rapid response by naval and air assets. Staffed by U.S. Navy advisors and South Vietnamese personnel, the CSCs played a pivotal role in monitoring maritime traffic, relaying information to patrol craft and aircraft to intercept suspicious vessels. Their efforts significantly hindered North Vietnamese supply lines and contributed to the larger counterinsurgency campaign in Southeast Asia.

COMOCEANSYSPAC, or Commander, Oceanographic Systems Pacific, was a specialized U.S. Navy command headquartered on Ford Island, Hawaii. Established during the Cold War, its mission was to oversee undersea surveillance systems and oceanographic data collection across the vast Pacific theater. The unit played a crucial role in anti-submarine warfare, operating and maintaining the Sound Surveillance System (SOSUS) arrays, which provided early warning of Soviet submarine movements. COMOCEANSYSPAC contributed significantly to maritime intelligence and naval operations until its functions were reorganized under newer commands in the post-Cold War era.

FLEASWTRACENPAC, or Fleet Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Center Pacific, was established to provide advanced training in anti-submarine warfare (ASW) for U.S. Navy personnel in the Pacific Fleet. Located in San Diego, California, the center played a crucial role during the Cold War, enhancing the Navy’s capabilities to detect and counter underwater threats from potential adversaries. FLEASWTRACENPAC offered both classroom instruction and practical exercises using the latest sonar technology and tactics. Over the decades, its training programs contributed significantly to maintaining U.S. maritime superiority in the Pacific theater.

Helicopter Combat Support Special Squadron FIVE (HCS-5), also known as the "Firehawks," was a United States Navy Reserve helicopter squadron established in 1988. The unit was based at Naval Air Station Point Mugu, California, and operated the HH-60H Seahawk helicopter. HCS-5 provided combat search and rescue (CSAR), special warfare support, and vertical replenishment missions, often deploying to the Persian Gulf and supporting Operations Desert Storm, Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom. The squadron was deactivated in December 2006 as part of a Navy-wide restructuring of reserve helicopter forces.

USS Henry W. Tucker (DD-875) was a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in March 1945. Named in honor of Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class Henry W. Tucker, a World War II Navy medic awarded the Navy Cross posthumously, the ship saw service in the final stages of World War II and extensively during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Throughout her career, Henry W. Tucker participated in numerous combat operations, including naval gunfire support, search and rescue missions, and carrier escort duties. After decades of distinguished service, she was transferred to the Brazilian Navy in 1973, where she served as Marcilio Dias (D-25) until her decommissioning in 1994.

Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light 40 (HSL-40), known as the "Airwolves," was established in October 1985 at Naval Air Station Mayport, Florida. The squadron’s primary mission was to provide training for pilots and aircrew in the operation of the SH-60B Seahawk helicopter, focusing on anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare tactics. HSL-40 played a crucial role in preparing crews for deployment with Atlantic Fleet surface combatants, ensuring operational readiness and proficiency. In 2012, following the U.S. Navy’s reorganization of helicopter squadrons, HSL-40 was redesignated as Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 40 (HSM-40).

Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light 41 (HSL-41), also known as the "Seahawks," was established on January 21, 1983, at Naval Air Station North Island, California. It was the U.S. Navy's first squadron dedicated to training pilots and aircrew on the SH-60B Seahawk helicopter, specializing in anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare. HSL-41 played a crucial role in preparing crews for deployment to the Pacific Fleet, ensuring operational readiness through rigorous instruction and evaluation. In 2006, the squadron was redesignated as Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 41 (HSM-41) as part of the Navy's transition to the MH-60R Seahawk platform.

USS Tripoli (LPH-10) was an Iwo Jima-class amphibious assault ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1966. Designed to embark, transport, and land elements of a Marine landing force by helicopter, she played a significant role during the Vietnam War, participating in multiple combat and evacuation operations. Tripoli also served during the Gulf War in 1991, where she sustained damage from a mine while supporting Operation Desert Storm but continued critical mine countermeasure operations. After decades of service, USS Tripoli was decommissioned in 1995, leaving a distinguished legacy in amphibious warfare and naval aviation support.

Mine Division 73 was a United States Navy mine warfare unit active during the Cold War, specializing in mine countermeasures operations. Among its ships was USS Conquest (MSO-488), an Aggressive-class ocean minesweeper commissioned in 1955. USS Conquest participated in training exercises, fleet maneuvers, and readiness missions along the U.S. East Coast, Caribbean, and occasionally in the Mediterranean as part of NATO operations. The ship and its division played a crucial role in ensuring safe passage for naval and commercial vessels by detecting and clearing naval mines until Conquest’s decommissioning in 1971.

Naval Air Station Olathe (NAS Olathe), located near Gardner, Kansas, was commissioned in October 1942 as a Naval Reserve Air Base during World War II. Its primary mission was to provide advanced flight training to naval aviators and facilitate operations for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, including training for carrier landings using nearby auxiliary fields. After the war, NAS Olathe became a key center for Naval Air Reserve and Marine Air Reserve units, supporting both Cold War readiness and active training missions. The station continued operations until its closure in 1969, after which the site transitioned to civilian use as the New Century AirCenter.

Naval Air Station (NAS) Sand Point, located in Seattle, Washington, was commissioned in 1920 as a key aviation facility for the U.S. Navy. Throughout the interwar period and World War II, NAS Sand Point served as a vital training and support base for naval aviators and aircraft operations in the Pacific Northwest. The station played a significant role in aircraft assembly, maintenance, and pilot training, contributing to the U.S. Navy's aerial readiness during critical wartime years. After the war, the base's importance declined, and it was eventually decommissioned in 1970, with much of the site later repurposed for civilian use, including Magnuson Park.

Naval Communication Station Harold E. Holt, located at North West Cape in Western Australia, was commissioned in 1967 as a joint United States-Australian facility. Its primary mission was to provide very low frequency (VLF) radio communications to United States and Royal Australian Navy submarines operating in the Indian and Western Pacific Oceans. The base featured a powerful VLF transmitter and became a critical communications link during the Cold War era. In 1992, the station was transferred to full Australian control, though it continues to support allied defense communications today.

Naval Station Pascagoula was a United States Navy installation located on Singing River Island near Pascagoula, Mississippi. Commissioned in 1992, the base served as a homeport for the Navy’s Spruance-class destroyers and other surface combatants, providing vital support and maintenance facilities. Over its operational years, the station played an important role in regional and national defense, supporting fleet readiness and participating in various training exercises. Due to post-Cold War realignment and Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) decisions, Naval Station Pascagoula was officially closed in 2006, with its ships reassigned and facilities transferred to local authorities.

Naval Support Activity Mid-South, located in Millington, Tennessee, traces its origins to 1917 when it was established as Park Field, an Army Signal Corps training base during World War I. The installation was transferred to the U.S. Navy in 1942, becoming a major center for aviation technical training and personnel management. Over the decades, the base evolved into a crucial hub for Navy human resources, housing the Navy Personnel Command and other important administrative units. Today, NSA Mid-South plays a vital role in supporting the operational readiness and administrative needs of the U.S. Navy, serving thousands of military and civilian personnel.

The Naval Special Warfare Command (NSWC) was established in 1987 as the naval component of U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). Headquartered in Coronado, California, NSWC oversees the elite Navy SEALs, Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen (SWCC), and supporting units. Its origins trace back to World War II frogmen and Underwater Demolition Teams, which pioneered maritime special operations. NSWC has since played a crucial role in major conflicts and counterterrorism operations worldwide, including the Global War on Terror, continually evolving to address emerging maritime threats.

The Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) is the United States Navy's premier intelligence agency, established in 1882, making it the oldest member of the U.S. Intelligence Community. Originally founded to advance naval readiness by collecting information on foreign naval capabilities, ONI played a pivotal role in both World Wars by providing critical intelligence on enemy fleets and maritime operations. Throughout the Cold War, the office expanded its focus to include Soviet naval movements and technological advancements. Today, ONI supports global maritime operations by delivering timely intelligence, analysis, and assessments to the Navy and other national security partners.

**PSA Norfolk** (Public Works Center, formerly known as Public Works Center Norfolk and later as Public Works Department Norfolk) has played a pivotal support role for the U.S. Navy in the Hampton Roads area since World War II. Established to provide essential base operations and infrastructure services, the unit has ensured the operational readiness of the Norfolk Naval Base, the world’s largest naval station. Over the decades, PSA Norfolk has supported fleet activities through maintenance, utilities, construction, and emergency response, adapting to evolving technological and logistical demands. Its continued mission is crucial in sustaining the Navy’s presence and capabilities on the U.S. East Coast.

Reconnaissance Attack (Heavy) Squadron 1 (RVAH-1), known as the "Smokin' Tigers," was a United States Navy squadron established in November 1955. Originally designated as Heavy Attack Squadron 1 (VAH-1), the unit flew the A-3 Skywarrior before transitioning to the RA-5C Vigilante in 1964 and becoming RVAH-1. The squadron played a significant role in aerial reconnaissance during the Vietnam War, conducting high-risk photographic missions over hostile territory. RVAH-1 continued to serve through the Cold War era until it was disestablished in January 1979 as part of the phase-out of the Vigilante aircraft.