U.S. Navy

Naval Air Station (NAS) Twin Cities, located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was established in 1926 and served as an important training and support facility for the U.S. Navy. During World War II, the installation played a key role in pilot training, aircraft maintenance, and logistics, supporting the Navy’s expanding aviation needs. Throughout the Cold War, NAS Twin Cities continued to serve as a hub for Naval Reserve aviation operations and hosted various squadrons and training programs. The base was eventually closed in 1996 as part of the Department of Defense’s Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) initiatives, but its legacy endures in the region’s military and aviation history.

Naval Hospital Oak Harbor, located at NAS Whidbey Island in Washington, has served the healthcare needs of Navy personnel and their families since its commissioning in 1968. Originally established to support the growing military population at the base, the hospital has expanded its services over the decades to include comprehensive medical, dental, and mental health care. During periods of conflict, including Operations Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom, the hospital has played a crucial role in preparing and supporting deployed medical personnel. Today, Naval Hospital Oak Harbor continues its mission by providing high-quality care to active duty members, retirees, and their families, reflecting a longstanding tradition of military medical excellence.

Naval Base Kitsap Bangor, located on the Kitsap Peninsula in Washington state, traces its origins to the 1942 establishment of the Bangor Ammunition Depot during World War II. The installation was originally tasked with storing and supplying ordnance for the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Fleet. In 1973, Bangor was selected as the home port for the Navy’s new fleet of Trident ballistic missile submarines, leading to significant expansion and modernization. In 2004, it merged with Naval Station Bremerton to form Naval Base Kitsap, becoming a critical hub for submarine operations, nuclear maintenance, and strategic deterrence in the Pacific Northwest.

Naval Facility Barbados was a United States Navy Sound Surveillance System (SOSUS) station established on the island of Barbados in 1957 during the height of the Cold War. Its primary mission was to provide undersea surveillance of Soviet submarine activity in the Atlantic Ocean, contributing valuable acoustic data to the U.S. anti-submarine warfare effort. Operated by a small contingent of U.S. Navy personnel and civilian technicians, the facility played a crucial role in monitoring undersea traffic until advances in technology and shifting strategic priorities led to its closure in 1979. The decommissioning of Naval Facility Barbados marked the end of over two decades of quiet but significant contribution to U.S. maritime security in the Caribbean region.

The Naval Intelligence Command (NIC) was established in 1967 as a central organization to coordinate and manage United States Navy intelligence operations. Headquartered at the National Maritime Intelligence Center in Suitland, Maryland, the NIC was responsible for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating maritime intelligence to support naval operations worldwide. Throughout the Cold War, the NIC played a crucial role in tracking Soviet naval movements and providing strategic assessments to fleet commanders and national leaders. In 1993, the NIC was restructured and its functions were absorbed by the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI), continuing its legacy of maritime intelligence support for the U.S. Navy.

The Naval Reserve Center, Bessemer, Alabama, was established to support the training and readiness of Navy Reserve personnel in the southeastern United States. Activated during the mid-20th century, the center provided facilities for reservists to maintain their skills and prepare for mobilization, particularly during periods of heightened national defense needs such as the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Over the decades, NRC Bessemer played a crucial role in community engagement and fostering relationships between the Navy and local citizens. The center was eventually closed as part of broader base realignment and restructuring efforts, but its legacy endures through the many sailors who trained there.

The Naval Security Station (NAVSECSTA), located in Washington, DC, was established in 1939 as a central hub for naval communications and cryptologic operations. During World War II, it played a crucial role in intercepting and deciphering enemy communications, significantly aiding Allied intelligence efforts. Throughout the Cold War, NAVSECSTA served as the headquarters for various Navy cryptologic and intelligence activities, eventually becoming part of the Naval Security Group Command. In 1995, the facility was renamed the Nebraska Avenue Complex and transitioned to other government uses, but its legacy in naval intelligence endures.

Naval Station Sangley Point, located in Cavite City, Philippines, has a storied military history dating back to the Spanish colonial era when it served as a key naval facility. Taken over by the United States after the Spanish-American War in 1898, Sangley Point became the headquarters for the U.S. Navy’s Cavite Naval Yard and played a significant role in naval operations during World War II before its destruction and subsequent recapture. After Philippine independence, the base was transferred to the Philippine Navy in 1971, becoming a major logistics and operations hub. Today, Sangley Point remains a strategic asset for the Philippine military, supporting naval, air, and coast guard operations in Manila Bay and beyond.

Naval Communication Station (NAVCOMSTA) Asmara was a United States Navy communications facility located near Asmara, in what was then Ethiopia (now Eritrea). Established in the early 1950s during the Cold War, the base served as a critical signals intelligence and communications relay site due to its strategic location in the Horn of Africa. NAVCOMSTA Asmara provided essential support for U.S. Navy operations in the region, monitoring Soviet naval activity and facilitating secure communications between U.S. military units. The station remained active until 1977, when deteriorating U.S.-Ethiopian relations and regional instability led to its closure and the withdrawal of American personnel.

NAVCONSTA Cheltenham, short for Naval Communications Station Cheltenham, was a key United States Navy communications facility located in Cheltenham, Maryland. Established during World War II, the station played a vital role in processing and relaying classified naval communications, supporting operations across the Atlantic and beyond. Throughout the Cold War, NAVCONSTA Cheltenham remained an important hub for secure message traffic, cryptographic work, and technical training. The facility was eventually decommissioned in the 1990s as communications technology advanced and operations were consolidated at other commands.

NAVFAC Bermuda (Naval Facility Bermuda) was a United States Navy Sound Surveillance System (SOSUS) station established on the island in 1955 during the height of the Cold War. Its primary mission was to detect and track Soviet submarines operating in the Atlantic Ocean using underwater listening devices and advanced acoustic technology. The facility played a crucial role in anti-submarine warfare efforts by providing valuable intelligence to both U.S. and allied naval forces. NAVFAC Bermuda remained operational until its closure in 1992, after the end of the Cold War and advances in surveillance technology reduced the need for such installations.

The Navigational Aides Support Team (NAVAIDSUPTEAM) was established in the early 1990s to provide specialized technical support for the maintenance and operation of navigational aids essential to military air operations. Comprised of highly trained electronics and avionics technicians, the unit ensured the reliability of systems such as TACAN, VOR, and ILS at airfields in both domestic and deployed environments. NAVAIDSUPTEAM played a crucial role in enabling safe and effective flight operations during major campaigns, including Operations Desert Storm and Enduring Freedom. Their expertise has been instrumental in maintaining continuous navigational coverage, directly supporting mission success and pilot safety.

Navy Inshore Undersea Warfare Group Two (IUWG-2) was established as part of the U.S. Navy’s initiative to enhance harbor defense and coastal security, particularly during the Cold War era. IUWG-2 specialized in inshore undersea warfare operations, including surveillance, detection, and protection against underwater and surface threats to naval installations and anchorages along the East Coast of the United States and deployed locations. The group operated a combination of active and reserve personnel, utilizing advanced sonar, underwater sensors, and patrol craft to fulfill its mission. IUWG-2 played a vital role in safeguarding critical maritime assets until its functions were integrated into the Maritime Expeditionary Security Force in the early 21st century.

SEAL Team 6, officially known as the United States Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU), was established in 1980 in response to the failed Iranian hostage rescue mission. Initially created to serve as the U.S. Navy’s premier counter-terrorism unit, SEAL Team 6 quickly became renowned for its expertise in hostage rescue, special reconnaissance, and direct action missions. Over the years, the unit has participated in numerous high-profile operations, most notably the 2011 raid in Pakistan that led to the death of Osama bin Laden. SEAL Team 6 remains one of the most elite and secretive units within the U.S. military, specializing in missions that require precision, secrecy, and skill.

USS Chehalis (PG-94) was a patrol gunboat of the United States Navy, launched on June 15, 1943, during World War II. Originally built as a Canadian corvette (HMCS *Chebogue*) and transferred to the U.S. under the Lend-Lease program, she was recommissioned as USS Chehalis. The vessel served primarily on escort and patrol duties in the North Atlantic, helping to protect convoys from German U-boats. After the war, Chehalis was returned to the Royal Navy in 1944 and subsequently decommissioned.

Naval Recruiting District (NRD) Buffalo was established to oversee and coordinate U.S. Navy recruiting efforts in Western and Central New York, as well as parts of Pennsylvania. Activated in the mid-20th century, NRD Buffalo played a vital role in enlisting thousands of men and women into naval service during periods of both peace and conflict, including the Cold War and post-9/11 eras. Headquartered in Buffalo, New York, the unit managed numerous recruiting stations and outreach programs to maintain Navy personnel strength and readiness. NRD Buffalo continued its mission until its eventual consolidation with other districts as part of broader Navy recruiting realignments in the 2010s.

Naval Regional Medical Center (NRMC) Charleston, established in 1970 in Charleston, South Carolina, served as a key medical facility for the U.S. Navy and other military personnel in the southeastern United States. The center provided comprehensive healthcare, including surgery, emergency care, and specialized medical services, supporting both active-duty members and their families. Throughout its operational years, NRMC Charleston played a vital role in medical readiness and the treatment of service members during conflicts such as the Vietnam War and Gulf War. In 1998, following military restructuring and realignment, the facility transferred its functions to the Department of Veterans Affairs, becoming part of the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center.

Navy Reserve Training Center (NRTC) Orlando served as a critical hub for training and supporting Navy Reserve personnel in Central Florida. Established to provide administrative, operational, and logistical support, NRTC Orlando enabled reservists to maintain readiness and integrate seamlessly with active-duty forces. Throughout its history, the center hosted drills, professional development, and mobilization preparations for sailors assigned to various reserve units. Its presence contributed significantly to the Navy’s mission by ensuring a well-prepared reserve force ready to respond to national and global requirements.

Naval Security Group Activity (NSGA) Skaggs Island was a United States Navy installation located near Vallejo, California, operational from 1942 to 1993. Originally established during World War II as a radio intelligence and direction-finding station, its primary mission was signals intelligence (SIGINT) collection and cryptologic operations throughout the Cold War. NSGA Skaggs Island played a vital role in monitoring and intercepting communications of potential adversaries, supporting national defense and fleet operations across the Pacific. The station was decommissioned in 1993 as part of broader post-Cold War military restructuring, and the property was later transferred to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The **North West Territorial Guard Platoon (NWTGP)** was established in the early 1940s to provide a local defense force for the remote regions of northern Canada during World War II. Comprised mainly of indigenous volunteers and local settlers, the NWTGP was tasked with patrolling vast wilderness areas, guarding key infrastructure, and monitoring for potential enemy incursions along the Arctic approaches. Despite limited resources and harsh environmental conditions, the unit played a crucial role in maintaining security and supporting allied operations in the region. After the war, the NWTGP was gradually disbanded, but its legacy endures as a symbol of resilience and dedication among the northern communities it served.

Radioman "C" School at Bainbridge, Maryland, played a crucial role in the United States Navy’s communications training during the mid-20th century. Established during World War II at the Naval Training Center Bainbridge, the school provided advanced instruction for Navy Radiomen, focusing on complex radio equipment, cryptographic procedures, and fleet communication protocols. Graduates of Radioman C School were assigned to ships and shore stations worldwide, ensuring secure and reliable communications during both peacetime and conflict, including the Cold War era. The school operated until the base’s closure in 1976, leaving a legacy of highly trained communications specialists in the Navy.

Recruit Training Command (RTC) San Diego, commonly known as "Boot Camp," was a major United States Navy training center operational from 1923 to 1997. Company 207-71 was one of the many recruit companies that trained at RTC San Diego, with the "71" signifying the year 1971. New recruits in Co 207-71 underwent rigorous basic training, including physical conditioning, seamanship, and naval customs, preparing them for service in the fleet. During the Vietnam War era, RTC San Diego played a critical role in readying thousands of sailors, including those in Co 207-71, to meet the Navy's operational demands.

SACLANT DET 122, or Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic Detachment 122, was a specialized NATO military unit established during the Cold War to enhance maritime surveillance and anti-submarine warfare capabilities in the Atlantic theater. Operating under the command structure of SACLANT, the detachment played a crucial role in monitoring Soviet naval activity and securing sea lines of communication between North America and Europe. Its personnel were drawn from various NATO member states, reflecting the alliance's integrated approach to collective defense. Over the years, SACLANT DET 122 contributed to numerous joint exercises and real-world operations, bolstering NATO’s readiness and deterrence posture until its missions were reorganized following the end of the Cold War.

SBU-20, or Special Boat Unit 20, was a United States Navy special operations unit established to provide maritime special operations capabilities, particularly in coastal and riverine environments. Activated during the Cold War, SBU-20 operated out of Little Creek, Virginia, and specialized in inserting and extracting SEAL teams, conducting reconnaissance, and supporting unconventional warfare missions. The unit played a significant role in developing small boat tactics and participated in various training exercises and real-world operations throughout the 1980s and early 1990s. In 2002, SBU-20 was redesignated as Special Boat Team 20 (SBT-20), reflecting its integration into the Naval Special Warfare Command structure.