U.S. Navy

FASOTRAGRULANTDET Cecil Field, or Fleet Aviation Specialized Operational Training Group Atlantic Detachment Cecil Field, was a United States Navy training unit located at Naval Air Station Cecil Field in Florida. Established during the Cold War era, the detachment provided advanced operational and tactical training for naval aviators and flight crews, with a focus on anti-submarine warfare and electronic warfare. Through hands-on instruction and simulation, the unit played a crucial role in preparing aircrews for deployment aboard Atlantic Fleet carriers and patrol squadrons. FASOTRAGRULANTDET Cecil Field continued its mission until the base's closure in 1999, after which its functions were absorbed by other commands.

The Fleet Combat Training Center Atlantic (FCTCLANT) was established in the mid-20th century to enhance the combat readiness of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. Located in Dam Neck, Virginia, FCTCLANT provided advanced training in naval warfare tactics, electronic warfare, and weapons systems operation for surface ship crews and battle groups. Over the decades, the center evolved its curriculum to incorporate emerging technologies and respond to changing global threats, supporting both peacetime operations and combat deployments. FCTCLANT played a vital role in ensuring the tactical proficiency and effectiveness of Atlantic Fleet personnel throughout the Cold War and into the 21st century.

Fleet Hospital 23 is a United States Navy deployable medical unit, activated to provide comprehensive medical support to military personnel during operations and contingencies. Established during the Gulf War era, Fleet Hospital 23 was designed as a rapidly deployable, modular hospital capable of delivering advanced medical care in austere environments. The unit has participated in a variety of training exercises and mobilizations, maintaining readiness to support both combat and humanitarian missions worldwide. Over the years, Fleet Hospital 23 has played a vital role in ensuring the health and welfare of service members during critical operations.

Fleet Hospital 5 is a U.S. Navy deployable medical facility, first commissioned in 1984 to provide advanced medical support to naval and joint forces during contingency operations. The unit was notably deployed during Operation Desert Storm in 1991, where it provided critical care to coalition forces in Saudi Arabia. Fleet Hospital 5 has since participated in humanitarian missions and exercises worldwide, demonstrating rapid deployment and adaptability in diverse environments. Over the years, the unit has played a vital role in supporting combat operations and disaster relief efforts, underscoring its importance within Navy Medicine.

Fleet Weather Center Pearl Harbor (FWC Pearl Harbor) was established in October 2010 as part of the U.S. Navy's efforts to consolidate and enhance meteorological and oceanographic support in the Pacific region. The unit traces its heritage to earlier naval weather activities in Hawaii, dating back to World War II, when weather forecasting played a vital role in Pacific operations. FWC Pearl Harbor provides critical weather, oceanographic, and space environment support to U.S. Pacific Fleet operations, enabling safe and effective naval missions. Today, it remains a key component of the Navy’s global METOC (Meteorology and Oceanography) enterprise, ensuring mission success through timely and accurate environmental information.

HC-16, also known as Helicopter Combat Support Squadron SIXTEEN, was a United States Navy helicopter unit established in 1971. Based primarily at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, HC-16 provided logistics support, search and rescue, and vertical replenishment services to the fleet. The squadron operated various rotary-wing aircraft, including the UH-3H Sea King, and played a crucial role in supporting naval operations along the Gulf Coast and beyond. HC-16 was disestablished in 1994 as part of post-Cold War restructuring within the Navy's helicopter forces.

Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (Light) 33, or HSL-33, was a United States Navy helicopter squadron established on 1 March 1973. Based at Naval Air Station North Island, California, the squadron operated the SH-2 Seasprite helicopter, specializing in anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and supporting Pacific Fleet surface ships. HSL-33 provided critical airborne ASW capabilities, search and rescue, and utility missions during its service. The squadron was decommissioned on 30 September 1994 as part of post-Cold War force reductions.

USS LST-1027 was a tank landing ship built for the United States Navy during World War II. Commissioned in June 1944, she was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and participated in key amphibious operations, including the Leyte landings in the Philippines. After the war, LST-1027 performed occupation duty in the Far East until early 1946. She was decommissioned later that year and struck from the Navy list, marking the end of her service.

Mobile Inshore Undersea Warfare Unit 22 (MIUWS-22) was a United States Navy Reserve unit specializing in coastal and harbor defense. Activated during the Cold War, MIUWS-22 was tasked with providing surveillance, detection, and security against enemy underwater and surface threats in inshore waters. The unit operated a range of command, control, and communications equipment, as well as manned observation posts and deployed patrol craft as part of its mission. MIUWS-22 participated in various training exercises and deployments, supporting both national defense and allied operations before being reorganized as part of broader Navy coastal warfare restructuring.

Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi Yokosuka, Japan, commonly referred to as NAVCOMFAC Yokosuka, has served as a vital communications and support installation for the United States Navy in the Western Pacific since its establishment in the mid-20th century. The facility played a crucial role during the Korean War, Vietnam War, and throughout the Cold War by providing essential communications, logistics, and administrative support to U.S. naval operations in the region. Over the years, NAVCOMFAC Yokosuka has adapted to evolving technological advancements, ensuring secure and efficient communications for the Seventh Fleet and allied forces. Today, it continues to be a cornerstone of U.S.-Japan security cooperation, supporting regional stability and rapid response capabilities in the Indo-Pacific.

The Naval Air Development Center (NADC) in Johnsville, Pennsylvania, was established during World War II as the Naval Aircraft Modification Unit in 1944. Its primary mission was to conduct research, development, testing, and evaluation of naval aviation systems, including avionics, human factors, and flight technology. Notably, NADC Johnsville played a pivotal role in early U.S. space programs, training Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo astronauts in its state-of-the-art human centrifuge facility. The center remained a cornerstone of naval research until its closure in 1996, after which its legacy continued through various successor organizations and the preserved centrifuge landmark.

Naval Auxiliary Landing Field (NALF) San Clemente Island, located off the coast of Southern California, has served as a vital training and testing site for the U.S. Navy since its establishment during World War II. Originally constructed in the early 1940s, the airfield provided a remote environment for carrier landing practice and weapons testing, away from populated areas. Over the decades, NALF San Clemente Island has supported a wide range of military operations, including aviation training, amphibious exercises, and special warfare training. Today, it remains a key component of the Navy’s Pacific training complex, hosting joint exercises and supporting fleet readiness.

Naval Air Station Willow Grove, located in Horsham Township, Pennsylvania, was established in 1926 as a private airfield before being acquired by the U.S. Navy in 1942 during World War II. The base served as a key training and operational site for naval aviation units, including anti-submarine warfare and reserve squadrons. Over the decades, Willow Grove became a joint reserve base, hosting Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Army, and Pennsylvania Air National Guard units. The installation was closed in 2011 as part of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process, with its mission and assets transferred to nearby facilities.

Naval Communication Station Sicily (NAVCOMMSTA Sicily) was established in the early 1960s near Niscemi, Sicily, to provide critical communications support for U.S. and NATO naval forces in the Mediterranean region. As part of the Naval Communications Command, the station operated high-frequency radio transmitters and receivers, enabling secure and reliable communications between deployed ships, aircraft, and shore installations during the Cold War. NAVCOMMSTA Sicily played a significant role in supporting U.S. Sixth Fleet operations and contributed to the overall strategic presence of NATO in Southern Europe. In the late 1990s, its mission and assets were realigned under Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station (NCTS) Sicily, reflecting advancements in communications technology and changing operational requirements.

Naval Communications Station (NAVCOMSTA) Yokosuka, Japan, was established in the early 1950s to support U.S. Navy operations in the Western Pacific following World War II. Strategically located within the U.S. Fleet Activities Yokosuka complex, the unit provided critical communications, cryptographic, and electronic support for naval and joint forces throughout the region. NAVCOMSTA Yokosuka played a vital role during the Korean and Vietnam Wars, ensuring reliable command and control links between deployed fleets and higher headquarters. Over time, its mission evolved with advances in technology, and the station eventually transitioned into what is known today as the Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station (NCTS) Far East.

NAVFAC (Naval Facility) Iceland was established during the Cold War as part of the United States Navy’s Sound Surveillance System (SOSUS) network, tasked with monitoring Soviet submarine activity in the North Atlantic. Located at the Naval Air Station Keflavik, it began operations in 1966 and played a crucial role in undersea surveillance, using advanced acoustic arrays to detect and track submarine movements. The facility’s work significantly contributed to NATO’s maritime defense by providing early warning and enhancing anti-submarine warfare capabilities. NAVFAC Iceland remained operational until its closure in 1996, following the post-Cold War reduction in military threats and advances in surveillance technology.

Naval Training Center (NTC) Dam Neck, Virginia, traces its origins to World War II, when it was established in 1942 as a gunnery training center for Atlantic Fleet sailors. Over the decades, it evolved into a premier site for naval training, specializing in combat systems, missile systems, and electronic warfare. The installation became home to the Fleet Combat Training Center Atlantic, providing advanced instruction for both officers and enlisted personnel. Today, it is known as Training Support Center Hampton Roads, Dam Neck Annex, playing a vital role in preparing sailors for modern naval operations.

Naval Technical Training Center (NTTC) Pensacola, located at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, has played a pivotal role in the training of U.S. Navy personnel since its establishment. Originally part of the broader training mission at NAS Pensacola, NTTC was formally organized to centralize and enhance technical instruction for various Navy ratings, including cryptologic technicians, intelligence specialists, and information technology professionals. Throughout its history, NTTC Pensacola has adapted to evolving technological and operational needs, ensuring sailors receive cutting-edge education in support of fleet readiness. Today, the command remains a cornerstone of Navy technical training, preparing thousands of students annually for vital roles in the fleet and joint operations.

PMOLANT Charleston, South Carolina, stands for Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory Atlantic, a key support unit within the U.S. Air Force’s Air Force Metrology and Calibration (AFMETCAL) Program. Established to support the maintenance and calibration of precision measurement equipment, PMOLANT Charleston has played a vital role in ensuring the accuracy and reliability of test, measurement, and diagnostic equipment for military operations across the eastern United States and overseas. Located at Joint Base Charleston, the unit’s highly trained technicians provide critical calibration services to multiple branches of the armed forces, supporting both peacetime readiness and wartime operations. Over the years, PMOLANT Charleston has adapted to technological advancements and evolving defense requirements, remaining an essential asset for military operational excellence.

River Division 532 (RIVDIV 532) was a unit within the U.S. Navy's Mobile Riverine Force during the Vietnam War. Established in the late 1960s, RIVDIV 532 operated heavily armored river patrol boats (PBRs) and monitors, conducting combat and patrol operations along the Mekong Delta's complex waterways. The division played a crucial role in Operation Game Warden and other missions, providing fire support, troop transport, and interdiction of Viet Cong supply lines. RIVDIV 532 was renowned for its adaptability in the challenging riverine environment, contributing significantly to U.S. efforts to control the delta and disrupt enemy activity.

River Division 111 (RivDiv 111) was a unit of the United States Navy's Mobile Riverine Force during the Vietnam War. Established in 1967, RivDiv 111 operated heavily armed Patrol Boat, River (PBR) craft to conduct river patrols, interdiction, and support operations primarily in the Mekong Delta. The unit played a critical role in Operation Game Warden, aimed at denying Viet Cong forces the use of vital waterways for movement and supply. RivDiv 111 engaged in numerous combat encounters, often under heavy fire, and contributed significantly to controlling the complex riverine environment until its deactivation in 1970.

Reconnaissance Attack (Heavy) Squadron 13 (RVAH-13), known as the "Bats," was a U.S. Navy squadron established on January 3, 1961. Initially designated as Heavy Attack Squadron VAH-13, it was later redesignated as RVAH-13 in 1964 with the transition to the RA-5C Vigilante, a supersonic carrier-based reconnaissance aircraft. RVAH-13 played a significant role in photographic reconnaissance missions during the Vietnam War, flying numerous combat sorties from aircraft carriers. The squadron was decommissioned on October 1, 1976, as part of the post-Vietnam drawdown and retirement of the RA-5C Vigilante from active service.

SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team ONE (SDVT-1) is a specialized United States Navy unit formed in 1983, originally designated as SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team ONE (SDV Team ONE). Based in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, SDVT-1’s primary mission is to conduct undersea special operations using SEAL Delivery Vehicles (SDVs), which are submersible platforms designed to insert and extract SEALs clandestinely. The team has participated in numerous real-world operations and training exercises throughout the Indo-Pacific region, supporting national objectives and enhancing maritime special operations capabilities. SDVT-1 is a key component of Naval Special Warfare, providing expertise in underwater mobility and clandestine infiltration for U.S. and allied forces.

Tactical Air Control Squadron TWELVE (TACRON 12), based in San Diego, California, is a United States Navy aviation command and control unit. Established in 1951, TACRON 12 has provided crucial air control support to amphibious assault operations, coordinating air traffic and supporting embarked Marine and Navy forces. The squadron has participated in numerous deployments aboard amphibious assault ships, contributing to operations in regions such as the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean, and the Middle East. TACRON 12 continues to play a vital role in ensuring the safe and effective integration of air power during joint and combined amphibious operations.