U.S. Navy

**PSD Anacostia** (Presidential Support Detachment, Anacostia) was a specialized United States Navy unit based at Naval Support Facility Anacostia, Washington, D.C. Established during the Cold War era, its primary mission was to provide transportation, security, and logistical support for senior government and military officials, including the President and Vice President. The unit operated a fleet of helicopters and maintained a high state of readiness for rapid response to executive transport needs within the National Capital Region. Over time, its responsibilities and assets were integrated into larger commands such as the Naval Support Activity Washington and Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1), reflecting evolving support requirements for executive missions.

RVAW-120, known as the "Greyhawks," is a United States Navy Fleet Replacement Squadron established in 1961. Originally flying the E-1B Tracer, the squadron was tasked with training aircrew and maintenance personnel for airborne early warning operations. In 1977, RVAW-120 transitioned to the E-2 Hawkeye series, becoming the primary training unit for all E-2 Hawkeye and C-2 Greyhound crews. Stationed at Naval Station Norfolk, the "Greyhawks" have played a crucial role in ensuring the readiness and effectiveness of carrier-based airborne command and control missions for over six decades.

SIMA GITMO (Ship Intermediate Maintenance Activity, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba) is a U.S. Navy unit established to provide maintenance and repair services for ships and craft operating in the Caribbean region. Located at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, SIMA GITMO has played a vital role in supporting fleet readiness by offering technical expertise, skilled personnel, and rapid response capabilities for both scheduled and emergency repairs. Throughout its history, the unit has contributed to various military operations, exercises, and humanitarian missions, ensuring that naval vessels remain mission-capable while deployed. SIMA GITMO continues to be an essential logistical asset for U.S. naval operations in the Western Hemisphere.

**SISS ZULU** was a US Navy Shore Intercept Site located at Zeto Point on Adak Island, Alaska, established during the Cold War. The site was part of the larger Adak Naval Complex and operated under the Naval Security Group, with the mission of signals intelligence (SIGINT) collection and monitoring Soviet military activity in the North Pacific region. Known as “ZULU Site,” the facility played a crucial role in electronic surveillance, support of fleet operations, and early warning during periods of heightened tension with the Soviet Union. SISS ZULU was decommissioned in the 1990s as geopolitical circumstances changed and technology advanced, but it remains a testament to the strategic importance of Adak in US military history.

SNN Portsmouth, formally known as the Signal and Navigation Network Portsmouth, was established in the early 1940s as a critical communications and navigation support unit for the Royal Navy based in Portsmouth, England. During World War II, the unit played a pivotal role in coordinating naval operations in the English Channel, providing secure signaling, and supporting Allied amphibious landings, most notably during the D-Day invasion. In the Cold War era, SNN Portsmouth adapted to emerging technologies, focusing on electronic warfare and advanced navigation systems. Today, the unit remains at the forefront of naval communication innovation, supporting fleet readiness and operational security for the Royal Navy.

Tactical Air Control Squadron 22 (TACRON 22) is a United States Navy unit responsible for providing air control and coordination for amphibious operations. Established in 1951, TACRON 22 has supported numerous exercises, operations, and deployments, ensuring effective communication and control between Navy ships and embarked Marine Corps aviation elements. The squadron has played key roles in major operations such as Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom, and numerous humanitarian missions. TACRON 22 continues to deliver critical air traffic control and battle management capabilities to amphibious ready groups and expeditionary strike groups worldwide.

TAH-19 USNS Mercy is a United States Navy hospital ship, commissioned in 1986 and operated by the Military Sealift Command. Originally built as an oil tanker, she was converted to serve as a mobile medical treatment facility, supporting both combat operations and humanitarian missions. Mercy’s notable deployments include Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, tsunami relief in Southeast Asia in 2004, and multiple Pacific Partnership missions delivering medical care to underserved regions. Capable of providing up to 1,000 hospital beds, USNS Mercy continues to play a vital role in both military readiness and global humanitarian assistance.

The United States European Command (EUCOM) headquarters was established on August 1, 1952, in response to growing tensions during the early Cold War and the need for a unified American military presence in Europe. Originally located in Frankfurt, Germany, the headquarters moved to Patch Barracks in Stuttgart, Germany, in 1967. EUCOM’s primary mission has been to coordinate U.S. military operations, planning, and security cooperation across Europe, parts of the Middle East, and Eurasia, working closely with NATO allies. Over the decades, EUCOM has played a key role in deterrence during the Cold War, post-Cold War stabilization efforts, and contemporary security challenges such as counterterrorism and regional crises.

U.S. Naval Station, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, was officially established as a U.S. naval base in 1908, following the signing of a treaty with the Kingdom of Hawaii in the late 19th century. Its strategic location in the Pacific made it a critical hub for American naval operations, particularly during World War II. On December 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor was the site of a surprise attack by Japanese forces, which led to the United States’ entry into the war. Since then, the station has remained a central component of U.S. Pacific defense, supporting naval operations, logistics, and joint military activities in the Indo-Pacific region.

Underwater Demolition Team 21 (UDT 21) was a specialized unit of the United States Navy, established during World War II to conduct amphibious reconnaissance, obstacle clearance, and demolition missions in the Pacific Theater. UDT 21 distinguished itself in major operations, including the Normandy landings (D-Day) and the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. After the war, the team continued to evolve, taking on new missions during the Korean War and the early Cold War period. UDT 21 played a foundational role in the development of Naval Special Warfare, and its legacy lives on as it was eventually integrated into the U.S. Navy SEALs with the establishment of SEAL Team TWO in 1962.

Underwater Demolition Team 4 (UDT-4) was one of the original Navy Underwater Demolition Teams formed during World War II. Established in 1943, UDT-4 played a crucial role in amphibious operations, specializing in reconnaissance, obstacle removal, and demolition ahead of Allied landings in the Pacific Theater. The team participated in significant operations including the invasions of Saipan, Tinian, and Guam, where their actions helped pave the way for main assault forces. After the war, UDT-4 continued to serve in various capacities until its eventual transition into the modern U.S. Navy SEAL Teams during the early 1960s.

The US Naval Facility Pacific Beach, located on the Washington coast, was established in 1951 as part of the Sound Surveillance System (SOSUS) during the Cold War. Its primary mission was to conduct undersea surveillance, using advanced hydrophone arrays to detect and track Soviet submarines operating in the Pacific Ocean. The facility played a crucial role in anti-submarine warfare efforts and contributed significantly to the security of US naval operations in the region. Decommissioned in 1987, the site was later repurposed for other Navy uses, including as a recreation area for military personnel.

**USD Ortolan (ASR-22)** was a Chanticleer-class submarine rescue ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1968. Designed to support deep-sea submarine rescue operations, Ortolan was equipped to operate the advanced Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) system. Throughout her service, Ortolan played a critical role in submarine safety exercises and was an integral part of the Navy's response capability during the Cold War. After decades of service, she was decommissioned in 1995, marking the end of her unique contributions to undersea rescue operations.

USNS Harkness (T-AGS-32) was an oceanographic survey ship of the United States Navy, originally launched in 1967. Assigned to Oceanographic Unit 5, the vessel conducted hydrographic and oceanographic surveys, playing a crucial role in mapping the world’s oceans during the Cold War era. The data collected by Harkness supported naval operations, submarine navigation, and scientific research. Throughout its service, USNS Harkness exemplified the Navy’s commitment to technological advancement and maritime domain awareness before being decommissioned in the mid-1990s.

USS Aldebaran (AF-10) was a stores ship of the United States Navy, commissioned in 1941. Originally built as the SS Stag Hound in 1939, she was acquired and converted by the Navy to support fleet operations by transporting refrigerated stores and dry provisions. During World War II, Aldebaran served extensively in the Atlantic and Pacific theaters, supplying vital goods to naval forces and remote bases. She continued her service after the war, supporting occupation forces and later participating in Korean War logistics, before being decommissioned in 1954.

USS ALFRED A. CUNNINGHAM (DD-752) was an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in November 1944. The ship saw action during the final months of World War II, providing screening and fire support for carrier operations in the Pacific. Following the war, the Cunningham served extensively during the Korean War, conducting shore bombardments and escort duties, and later participated in the Vietnam War with naval gunfire support and patrol missions. After decades of distinguished service, the destroyer was decommissioned in February 1971 and eventually sold for scrap.

USS Alstede (AF-48) was an Alstede-class stores ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1946. Built during the final months of World War II, her primary mission was to transport refrigerated stores and dry provisions to fleet units at sea and remote stations. Throughout her service, Alstede operated in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and later in the Pacific, supporting U.S. naval operations during the Korean War and Cold War. She was decommissioned in 1969, concluding over two decades of vital logistical support to the fleet.

USS Bayfield (APA-33) was a Bayfield-class attack transport commissioned by the United States Navy in 1943. She served as the flagship for the Utah Beach landings during the D-Day invasion of Normandy in June 1944, coordinating the landing of troops and supplies. Later, Bayfield participated in key Pacific operations, including the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa, where she delivered combat forces and provided medical support. After World War II, she assisted in Operation Magic Carpet, bringing American servicemen home, before being decommissioned in 1968.

USS Benewah (APB-35) was a Benewah-class barracks ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1946. Initially serving as a mobile barracks and headquarters, she played a significant role during the Vietnam War, acting as the flagship for the Mobile Riverine Force in the Mekong Delta from 1967 to 1970. Benewah provided vital support to riverine operations, offering command facilities, medical services, and accommodations for both Army and Navy personnel. After her Vietnam service, she was decommissioned in 1971 and later struck from the Naval Vessel Register.

USS **Bonefish** (SS-582) was a Barbel-class diesel-electric submarine commissioned by the United States Navy in 1959. She served primarily in the Pacific Fleet, conducting numerous patrols and participating in training exercises during the Cold War, enhancing anti-submarine warfare capabilities. On April 24, 1988, Bonefish suffered a catastrophic fire caused by an electrical short, resulting in the tragic loss of three crew members. The damage from the incident led to her decommissioning later that year, marking the end of her nearly three-decade service.

USS Boyd (DD-544) was a Fletcher-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in April 1943. During World War II, she served in the Pacific Theater, participating in key operations such as the Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaign, the Mariana and Palau Islands campaign, and the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Boyd was notable for her effective anti-aircraft actions, support of amphibious landings, and rescuing downed aviators. After the war, she was decommissioned in 1946 and later transferred to Turkey in 1980.

USS **Bristol (DD-857)** was a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in March 1945. After shakedown and training, she served in the Pacific near the end of World War II, participating in occupation duties in Japan and China. During the Korean War, Bristol provided naval gunfire support, screened carriers, and conducted patrols, earning five battle stars for her service. In the Cold War era, she took part in NATO exercises and Mediterranean deployments before being transferred to the Republic of China (Taiwan) Navy in 1973, where she served as ROCS Hua Yang until 1995.

USS Buck (DD-761) was an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer commissioned into the United States Navy in 1946. Although she was completed too late to see action in World War II, Buck served with distinction during the Korean War, providing naval gunfire support and screening aircraft carriers. Throughout the Cold War, she participated in various exercises and deployments, serving in both the Pacific and Atlantic fleets. After over two decades of service, USS Buck was decommissioned in 1973 and later scrapped.

USS **Calcaterra (DE-390)** was an Edsall-class destroyer escort commissioned by the United States Navy in 1943. During World War II, she served primarily in the Atlantic, performing convoy escort duties to protect Allied shipping from German U-boat threats. After the war, Calcaterra supported various peacetime operations and training exercises before being decommissioned in 1946. She was later recommissioned for service during the Cold War, including duty as a radar picket ship, before her final decommissioning in 1968.