U.S. Navy

Patrol Squadron 64 (VP-64), known as the “Condors,” was a United States Navy Reserve patrol squadron established on 1 November 1970 at Naval Air Station Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. The squadron operated various maritime patrol aircraft, including the P-3A and later P-3C Orion, conducting anti-submarine warfare (ASW), surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. VP-64 participated in multiple training exercises and operational deployments, supporting both U.S. and NATO maritime security efforts during the Cold War and post-Cold War periods. The squadron was deactivated on 18 September 2004 as part of a broader reorganization of Navy Reserve aviation forces.

VS-38, known as the "Red Griffins," was a U.S. Navy anti-submarine squadron established in 1950. The unit served with distinction during the Korean War, Vietnam War, and throughout the Cold War, operating various carrier-based aircraft such as the S-2 Tracker and later the S-3 Viking. VS-38 was attached to multiple aircraft carriers, providing vital anti-submarine warfare (ASW), surveillance, and maritime patrol capabilities. The squadron was decommissioned in 2004 as part of the Navy’s transition away from dedicated carrier-based ASW squadrons.

VT-23, known as the “Professionals,” was a United States Navy training squadron established in 1958 at Naval Air Station Kingsville, Texas. Originally designated as Advanced Training Unit TWENTY THREE (ATU-23), it was later redesignated VT-23 and became a key component in advanced naval aviator training. The squadron operated several aircraft over its history, including the T-2 Buckeye and later the T-45 Goshawk. VT-23 played a crucial role in preparing Navy and Marine Corps pilots for carrier-based operations until its deactivation in 2010.

The 4th Force Service Support Group (FSSG) has played a crucial logistical role within the United States Marine Corps Reserve, with elements historically stationed at locations such as Subic Bay, Philippines, and Naval Dental Center (NDC) Parris Island. Subic Bay was a key U.S. naval and Marine Corps logistics hub in Asia until its closure in the early 1990s, providing vital support during operations and exercises in the Pacific region. At Parris Island, the NDC component of the 4th FSSG supported Marine recruit training by delivering essential dental and medical services. Throughout its history, the 4th FSSG has demonstrated adaptability and effectiveness in sustaining Marine Corps operations both at home and abroad.

AD-23 is the hull classification symbol for USS *Piedmont*, a Dixie-class destroyer tender of the United States Navy. Commissioned in 1944 during World War II, USS *Piedmont* provided vital repair and logistic support to destroyers and smaller vessels in the Pacific Theater, including during the Battle of Okinawa. After the war, she continued serving through the Korean and Vietnam Wars, ensuring fleet readiness by maintaining and supplying ships in forward areas. *Piedmont* remained in active service until her decommissioning in 1982, marking nearly four decades of distinguished service to the U.S. Navy.

AIMD Powerplant at NAS Norfolk is a specialized division within the Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department, focused on the repair, maintenance, and testing of aircraft engines and related systems for the U.S. Navy’s Atlantic Fleet. Established to support the growing aviation needs at Naval Air Station Norfolk, the unit has played a vital role in ensuring the operational readiness of carrier-based and shore-based aircraft since the mid-20th century. AIMD Powerplant’s skilled personnel maintain and overhaul a variety of turbine and jet engines, contributing significantly to mission success during peacetime operations and combat deployments. Over the decades, the unit has adapted to evolving technologies, continuously enhancing its capabilities to support modern naval aviation.

**USS Paul Revere (APA-220)** was a Haskell-class attack transport that served in the United States Navy. Commissioned in 1944 during World War II, the ship was primarily involved in transporting troops and equipment to various Pacific Theater operations. After the war, APA-220 supported occupation duties in Japan and participated in repatriation efforts. Decommissioned in 1946, the vessel was later recommissioned for service during the Korean War before being finally retired and struck from the Naval Vessel Register.

AR 26, officially known as Artillery Regiment 26, was a unit of the German Wehrmacht active during World War II. Formed in the late 1930s, AR 26 was initially attached to the 26th Infantry Division and participated in the early campaigns of the war, including the invasions of Poland and France. The regiment provided crucial fire support on the Eastern Front, particularly during Operation Barbarossa and subsequent engagements against Soviet forces. AR 26 continued to serve until the final stages of the war, where it faced heavy losses in the defensive battles on the Eastern Front before being disbanded at the war’s end.

USS Sterrett (CG-31) was a Belknap-class guided missile cruiser commissioned by the United States Navy in 1967. Throughout her service, she played a significant role during the Vietnam War, providing naval gunfire support, plane guard duties, and missile defense for aircraft carriers in the Gulf of Tonkin. In the 1970s and 1980s, Sterrett participated in numerous exercises and operations in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, demonstrating the Navy’s global reach during the Cold War. After over two decades of distinguished service, USS Sterrett was decommissioned in 1994 and eventually scrapped.

**Commander, Carrier Group THREE (COMCARGRU-3)**, established in 1944, has played a pivotal role in the United States Navy's power projection and maritime security operations. Initially formed during World War II, the unit participated in major Pacific campaigns, supporting carrier strike operations against Japanese forces. Throughout the Cold War and into the 21st century, COMCARGRU-3 commanded carrier strike groups, leading deployments in the Korean and Vietnam Wars, as well as Operations Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom. The command was eventually redesignated as Carrier Strike Group THREE (CSG-3), continuing its legacy of operational excellence within the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

COMCRUDESFLOT 8, short for Commander Cruiser-Destroyer Flotilla Eight, was a United States Navy formation established during the Cold War. Activated in the early 1960s, COMCRUDESFLOT 8 operated primarily in the Atlantic and Mediterranean theaters, serving as a key surface action group under the U.S. Sixth Fleet. The unit was responsible for overseeing multiple cruisers and destroyers, providing anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine capabilities to support fleet operations and NATO commitments. COMCRUDESFLOT 8 was eventually redesignated as Commander, Cruiser-Destroyer Group Eight (COMCRUDESGRU 8) in the 1970s, reflecting evolving Navy organizational structures.

USS William C. Miller (DE-684) was a Buckley-class destroyer escort commissioned by the United States Navy during World War II. Launched in 1943 and commissioned in 1944, she was primarily tasked with escorting convoys across the Atlantic, protecting them from German U-boat attacks. The ship played a crucial role in anti-submarine warfare and convoy protection until the end of the war. After the war, USS William C. Miller was decommissioned in 1947 and eventually sold for scrap in 1974.

**Military Unit DE1043** Military unit DE1043 was established in 1984 as a mechanized infantry battalion within the Bundeswehr, Germany’s armed forces. Initially stationed in Lower Saxony, the unit played a crucial role in NATO exercises throughout the late Cold War, focusing on rapid deployment and defensive operations. Following German reunification, DE1043 participated in peacekeeping missions in the Balkans under IFOR/SFOR mandates, gaining recognition for its professionalism and adaptability. In recent years, the unit has been involved in multinational training operations and has contributed personnel to deployments in Afghanistan as part of NATO’s Resolute Support Mission.

**F.T.G. GITMO (Fleet Training Group, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba) Military History** The Fleet Training Group (F.T.G.) at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba—commonly known as "GITMO"—was established in 1949 to provide comprehensive training for U.S. Navy ships and crews. Its mission was to ensure operational readiness through intensive exercises in gunnery, damage control, engineering, and tactical maneuvers. During the Cold War, F.T.G. GITMO played a crucial role in preparing Atlantic Fleet vessels, particularly during periods of heightened tension such as the Cuban Missile Crisis. The unit earned a reputation as the Navy's premier training center, instilling discipline and combat proficiency in generations of sailors.

Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Fourteen (HS-14), known as the "Chargers," was established in 1984 as a U.S. Navy helicopter unit. Originally based at Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan, HS-14 operated primarily with the SH-3H Sea King and later transitioned to the SH-60F and HH-60H Seahawk helicopters. The squadron's primary mission was anti-submarine warfare (ASW), but it also provided search and rescue (SAR), anti-surface warfare, and logistics support, often deploying with Carrier Air Wing Five aboard the USS Kitty Hawk and later the USS George Washington. In 2013, HS-14 was redesignated as Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Fourteen (HSC-14), reflecting a broader mission set with the introduction of the MH-60S Seahawk.

Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25 (HSC-25), known as the "Island Knights," is a United States Navy helicopter squadron based at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. Established in 1984 as HC-5 and later redesignated HSC-25 in 2005, the unit operates the MH-60S Seahawk helicopter. HSC-25 provides vital combat support, search and rescue, logistics, and humanitarian assistance throughout the Western Pacific. The squadron is also the Navy’s only forward-deployed vertical replenishment unit in the Pacific, supporting both Navy and joint forces in the region.

Helicopter Training Squadron EIGHTEEN (HT-18), known as "Vigilant Eagles," is a United States Navy helicopter training squadron established on March 1, 1972. Based at Naval Air Station Whiting Field in Milton, Florida, HT-18 was created to meet the growing demand for naval helicopter pilots during the Vietnam War era. The squadron provides advanced helicopter flight training to Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and allied student aviators, primarily utilizing the TH-57 Sea Ranger. Over the decades, HT-18 has played a crucial role in producing highly skilled rotary-wing aviators, ensuring the operational readiness of U.S. and allied naval forces.

The Marine Detachment aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CVA-63) served as an integral unit from the ship’s commissioning in 1961 until the phasing out of shipboard Marine detachments in the late 20th century. Tasked with providing ship security, ceremonial duties, and supporting nuclear weapons security, the Marines played a crucial role during Kitty Hawk’s numerous deployments, including combat operations in the Vietnam War and later in the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf. The detachment participated in significant events such as the 1972 Vietnam Easter Offensive and Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of Saigon. Renowned for their discipline and professionalism, the Marines of the Kitty Hawk contributed to the ship’s operational readiness and naval tradition throughout its distinguished service.

Mine Squadron 10 (MinRon 10), based in Charleston, South Carolina, has played a significant role in U.S. naval mine warfare. Established during the Cold War, the squadron was tasked with the deployment, maintenance, and operational readiness of mine countermeasure ships and personnel. Throughout its service, Mine Squadron 10 participated in numerous training exercises along the Atlantic coast and supported fleet operations to ensure safe maritime navigation. The unit has contributed to advancements in mine detection and clearance techniques, reflecting Charleston’s longstanding importance as a strategic naval hub.

**Naval Air Station (NAS) Kodiak, Alaska**, was established in June 1941 as a key U.S. Navy installation during World War II. Serving as the principal naval air base in Alaska, NAS Kodiak played a crucial role in defending the North Pacific and supporting the Aleutian Islands Campaign against Japanese forces. The base hosted patrol squadrons, reconnaissance missions, and anti-submarine operations throughout the war. After WWII, NAS Kodiak remained active, supporting Cold War and maritime operations, before being transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard in 1972 and re-designated as Coast Guard Base Kodiak.

Naval Air Station (NAS) New York was commissioned in 1943 during World War II, located at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn, New York. Originally established to support naval aviation operations, the station served as a vital training and operational base for Navy and Marine Corps pilots, as well as a hub for anti-submarine warfare patrols along the Atlantic coast. Throughout the war, NAS New York played a crucial role in aircraft maintenance, pilot training, and coastal defense. After the war, the station’s activity gradually declined, and it was decommissioned in 1971, with the site eventually becoming part of the Gateway National Recreation Area.

Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms, located aboard the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, California, has served as a critical medical facility for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps since its establishment in 1952. Originally created to support the health and readiness of Marines and sailors training in the harsh desert environment, the hospital has expanded over the decades to provide comprehensive medical, dental, and emergency care. Throughout its history, Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms has played a vital role in supporting combat operations by ensuring rapid treatment and rehabilitation of service members preparing for and returning from deployments. Today, it remains an essential pillar of military healthcare, serving active duty personnel, their families, and retirees in the region.

Naval Hospital Jacksonville was commissioned in 1941 in response to the increased medical needs of the U.S. Navy during World War II. Located at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida, it has served as a critical healthcare facility for sailors, Marines, and their families throughout numerous conflicts, including the Korean War, Vietnam War, and operations in the Middle East. Over the decades, the hospital has expanded its services and facilities, becoming a leading center for military medicine and training. Today, Naval Hospital Jacksonville remains dedicated to providing high-quality medical care and readiness support to the Navy and the broader military community.

Naval Regional Dental Center San Diego traces its origins to the early 20th century, supporting the rapidly expanding naval presence on the West Coast. Officially established as a dental care hub for fleet and shore-based personnel, it played a crucial role during World War II, providing essential dental services to thousands of sailors and Marines. Over the decades, the center modernized its facilities and expanded its mission to include advanced dental education, research, and comprehensive oral healthcare. Today, it remains a key component of Navy Medicine, ensuring operational readiness and the health of service members in the San Diego region.