U.S. Navy

Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron One (HS-1), known as the "Seahorses," was established at Naval Air Station Jacksonville (NAS Jax), Florida, in 1951. As the U.S. Navy’s first helicopter antisubmarine warfare (ASW) squadron, HS-1 pioneered tactics and training for rotary-wing ASW operations during the Cold War. Throughout its history, HS-1 played a key role in developing helicopter doctrine, serving as the Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) to train generations of pilots and aircrew. The squadron was decommissioned in 1997, leaving a lasting legacy in naval aviation and antisubmarine warfare.

Naval Air Facility Litchfield Park, located near Phoenix, Arizona, was established during World War II in 1941 as a support and maintenance base for naval aircraft. Initially serving as a training and storage facility, it became a key site for aircraft repair and overhaul, particularly for aircraft returning from the Pacific Theater. After the war, the base continued its operations, notably as a storage and reclamation center for surplus Navy and Marine Corps aircraft during the postwar drawdown. The facility was eventually closed in 1968, and the site later became Phoenix Goodyear Airport.

Naval Facility Cape Hatteras was a United States Navy Sound Surveillance System (SOSUS) shore terminal located on Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Commissioned in January 1956, it served as a critical node in the early-warning network designed to detect and track Soviet submarines during the Cold War. The facility processed underwater acoustic data collected by an array of underwater listening devices (hydrophones) positioned offshore. After decades of service contributing to U.S. undersea surveillance, Naval Facility Cape Hatteras was decommissioned in June 1982 as technological advancements rendered some SOSUS stations redundant.

NAVAL Hospital Beaufort, South Carolina, was commissioned in April 1949 to provide medical care for Navy and Marine Corps personnel in the Lowcountry region. Strategically located near Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort and Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, the hospital has played a crucial role in supporting both recruit and operational readiness for over seven decades. Throughout its history, the hospital has adapted to changing military needs, expanding its facilities and services to include family members and retirees. NAVAL Hospital Beaufort remains a vital part of the military health system, upholding a tradition of excellence in patient care and medical support.

The Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility (NISMF) is a United States Navy organization responsible for the storage, maintenance, and disposal of decommissioned naval vessels. Established after World War II, its primary mission is to preserve ships in reserve fleets, often referred to as “ghost fleets” or “mothball fleets,” for potential future reactivation or disposal. NISMF sites have been located in places such as Bremerton, Washington; Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Over the decades, the facility has played a crucial role in managing the Navy’s surplus ships, supporting fleet readiness, and facilitating the recycling or sinking of obsolete vessels as artificial reefs.

Naval Magazine Guam, established during World War II in 1944, played a crucial role as a major ammunition storage and distribution facility in the Pacific Theater. Located on the island of Guam, it provided essential logistical support during the liberation of the Marianas and subsequent operations leading to the end of the war. Throughout the Cold War and into the present, Naval Magazine Guam has continued to serve as a vital ordnance storage and handling site for the U.S. Navy and allied forces in the Indo-Pacific region. Its strategic location ensures rapid response capability and support for military operations across the Western Pacific.

The Naval Reserve Training Center (NRTC) in Georgetown, South Carolina, served as a pivotal facility for training Naval Reservists in the region during the mid-20th century. Established to bolster the readiness of local reservists, the center provided essential instruction in seamanship, naval operations, and emergency procedures. Throughout its years of operation, the Georgetown NRTC supported national defense efforts by preparing sailors for active duty during times of conflict, including the Cold War era. The facility played an important role in fostering community connections to the Navy before being decommissioned as military training needs evolved.

The Naval School Deep Dive System, located at Point Loma in San Diego, traces its origins to the U.S. Navy's commitment to advancing underwater operations and diving technology. Established in the mid-20th century, the school has served as a premier training center for deep-sea diving, submarine rescue, and underwater salvage operations. Over the decades, it has been instrumental in developing and refining deep-dive protocols, equipment, and safety standards for Navy divers. The unit continues to support critical missions, ensuring personnel are expertly trained to operate in challenging underwater environments around the globe.

The Naval School of Health Sciences Portsmouth was established in Portsmouth, Virginia, as part of the U.S. Navy’s commitment to training highly skilled medical personnel. Originally founded in 1972, the school provided advanced education and technical training for Navy corpsmen, dental technicians, and other enlisted medical specialties. Over the decades, it played a crucial role in preparing Navy medical staff for service in both peacetime and combat operations worldwide. In 2005, the school was realigned under the Medical Education and Training Campus (METC) as part of a broader consolidation of military medical training programs.

The Naval Undersea Research And Development Program was established during the early years of the Cold War to advance the United States Navy's capabilities in undersea warfare and technology. Tasked with pioneering research in sonar, underwater vehicles, and anti-submarine warfare, the unit played a crucial role in developing innovations that enhanced naval operations beneath the surface. Throughout its history, the program collaborated with academic institutions, defense contractors, and other military branches to address emerging threats and maintain technological superiority. Its efforts contributed significantly to the Navy's ability to detect, track, and counter adversarial submarine activities, ensuring American dominance in the undersea domain.

NAVCAMS WESTPAC Guam, or Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station Western Pacific, Guam, was established to provide critical communications and information systems support to U.S. military forces in the Pacific region. Originating during the Cold War era, the unit evolved from earlier naval communications activities on Guam dating back to World War II, when the island served as a vital strategic hub. Over the decades, NAVCAMS WESTPAC has played a pivotal role in ensuring secure, reliable, and rapid communications for fleet operations, particularly during regional contingencies and humanitarian missions. Today, the unit remains an essential part of the U.S. Navy’s global communications network, supporting both peacetime operations and crisis response in the Indo-Pacific theater.

NAVCOMMSTA Londonderry, N.I. (U.S. Naval Communications Station Londonderry, Northern Ireland) was established by the United States Navy during World War II in 1942 as part of the Allied effort in the Battle of the Atlantic. The station served as a key communications and cryptographic hub, supporting U.S. naval operations, convoy escorts, and anti-submarine warfare in the North Atlantic. After the war, NAVCOMMSTA Londonderry continued to play a vital role during the Cold War, providing secure communications between the U.S. and its NATO allies. The station was eventually closed in 1977, marking the end of over three decades of American naval presence in Northern Ireland.

NAVCOMSTA San Juan, Puerto Rico (Naval Communications Station San Juan) was established in the early 1950s as a key United States Navy communications hub in the Caribbean. Its mission was to provide secure and reliable communications for fleet units, shore installations, and allied operations throughout the Atlantic and Caribbean regions. During the Cold War, NAVCOMSTA San Juan played a vital role in supporting naval operations, intelligence gathering, and coordination with other U.S. and NATO assets. The station continued its operations until the late 1990s, when technological advances and restructuring led to its decommissioning.

NAVMARTRIJUIC Norfolk, VA, stands for Naval Maritime Transportation Reserve Unit Joint Intelligence Center, located in Norfolk, Virginia. Established to support naval intelligence and logistics operations, the unit has played a crucial role in ensuring the efficient movement of personnel, equipment, and information for the U.S. Navy and its joint partners. Over the years, NAVMARTRIJUIC has provided critical intelligence support for maritime operations and exercises along the East Coast and globally. The unit’s integration with both active duty and reserve components has enhanced readiness and operational effectiveness in support of national security objectives.

NAVRADSTA T Totsuka, or Naval Radio Station Totsuka, was a key United States Navy communications facility located in Totsuka, near Yokohama, Japan. Established in the aftermath of World War II, the station served as a critical relay point for naval communications throughout the Western Pacific region during the Cold War. NAVRADSTA Totsuka played an essential role in supporting U.S. Seventh Fleet operations, intelligence gathering, and maintaining secure lines of communication with other U.S. and allied forces. The station was eventually decommissioned as newer technologies and consolidated facilities rendered its functions obsolete, marking the end of its decades-long contribution to U.S. naval operations in the Pacific.

NAVRADSTA (T) Cutler, formally known as Naval Radio Station (Transmitter) Cutler, is a United States Navy facility located in Cutler, Maine. Established during World War II, the station became fully operational in 1961, serving as a key component for Very Low Frequency (VLF) radio communications. Its primary mission has been to transmit secure communications to submarines operating in the Atlantic Ocean, particularly nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines. The facility is renowned for its massive VLF transmitter and distinctive antenna array, making it one of the most powerful and recognizable naval communication stations in the world.

Navy Medicine East was established as a regional medical command within the United States Navy, responsible for overseeing medical treatment facilities along the eastern United States and abroad. Activated in August 2005, it provided leadership, coordination, and support to ensure the readiness and healthcare of Navy and Marine Corps personnel, as well as their families. Headquartered in Portsmouth, Virginia, Navy Medicine East managed a network of military hospitals and clinics, supporting operational forces and humanitarian missions. In 2019, as part of a larger reorganization, its responsibilities were merged into the newly formed Medical Forces Atlantic (MEDFORLANT), streamlining Navy medical command and control.

The Navy Meteorology and Oceanography Command (NAVMETOCCOM), now known as Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (CNMOC), traces its origins to the early 19th century when U.S. naval officers first began systematic weather and ocean observations. Formally established in 1975, the command unified various meteorological and oceanographic functions to provide vital environmental information, supporting naval operations worldwide. Over the decades, CNMOC has advanced the U.S. Navy's capabilities by integrating cutting-edge technology in weather prediction, ocean surveillance, and climate analysis. Today, the command plays a critical role in ensuring the Navy’s global operational readiness by delivering precise meteorological and oceanographic data to fleet and joint forces.

The Navy Security Police Detachment at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia, was established to provide critical security and law enforcement services for one of the U.S. Navy’s most strategic facilities. Since its inception in the 1980s, the unit has been responsible for safeguarding the base’s high-value assets, including the Navy’s fleet of Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines. The detachment works closely with other military and federal agencies to ensure the protection of personnel, sensitive materials, and infrastructure. Over the years, the Navy Security Police Det. has adapted to evolving security threats, maintaining rigorous training and readiness to uphold the safety and mission of Kings Bay.

The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD) at China Lake, California, was established in 1943 as the Naval Ordnance Test Station to support World War II weapons research and testing. Located in the Mojave Desert, China Lake became a premier site for developing and testing naval airborne weapons, including the legendary Sidewinder missile. Over the decades, the facility expanded its mission to include research, development, acquisition, testing, and evaluation of cutting-edge naval weapons and systems. Today, NAWCWD China Lake remains a critical hub for the U.S. Navy, driving innovation in weapons technology and supporting fleet readiness worldwide.

**NCS ADAK (Naval Communications Station Adak)** was established on Adak Island in the Aleutian Islands, Alaska, during World War II. Originally built as a critical communications and logistics hub for U.S. Navy operations in the North Pacific, NCS ADAK played a vital role in supporting the Aleutian Islands Campaign against Japanese forces. During the Cold War, the station expanded its mission, providing advanced communications, electronic surveillance, and intelligence support as part of the broader U.S. defense posture against the Soviet Union. The station was decommissioned in 1997 following the post-Cold War military drawdown, marking the end of more than five decades of strategic service.

Navy Cargo Handling Battalion (NCHB) 33, previously known as Navy Cargo Handling and Port Group (NCHPGRU) 33 and also referred to as Navy Cargo Handling Battalion (NCHB) 33 or Naval Cargo Handling Battalion (NCWRON) 33, is a United States Navy Reserve unit specializing in expeditionary logistics and cargo operations. Activated in 1994, NCWRON 33 provides highly trained personnel capable of conducting cargo handling, port operations, and supply support in both combat and humanitarian missions worldwide. The unit has supported numerous major exercises and operations, including deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, as well as disaster relief efforts. NCWRON 33 is headquartered at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Virginia, and continues to play a vital role within the Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group (NAVELSG).

NOCC Guam, or the Naval Oceanographic Command Center Guam, was established in the late 1960s to support U.S. naval operations in the Pacific region during the Cold War. The unit provided critical meteorological, oceanographic, and navigational data to fleet units, enhancing mission planning and operational safety. NOCC Guam played a vital role in submarine and surface ship operations, particularly during periods of heightened tensions and regional conflicts. The center was eventually decommissioned as technological advances and restructuring within the U.S. Navy consolidated oceanographic support functions.

Naval Ocean Processing Facility (NOPF) Ford Island, HI, was established as a key component of the U.S. Navy’s Integrated Undersea Surveillance System (IUSS) during the Cold War. Commissioned in the 1980s, NOPF Ford Island’s primary mission has been the analysis and processing of undersea acoustic data collected by the Sound Surveillance System (SOSUS) arrays in the Pacific Ocean. The facility played a crucial role in anti-submarine warfare, providing early warning and tracking of potential submarine threats in the Pacific theater. Over the years, NOPF Ford Island has evolved with advancing technology, continuing its vital role in maritime security and undersea surveillance for the U.S. Navy.