U.S. Navy

**SEAL Team 8** was established in 1988 and is based at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Virginia. The unit primarily focuses on operations in Europe, Africa, and the Mediterranean, excelling in maritime special operations, counter-terrorism, and direct action missions. SEAL Team 8 has participated in various deployments supporting U.S. interests, including operations in the Balkans, Africa, and the Middle East. **SEAL Team 4** was commissioned in 1983 and is also headquartered at Little Creek, Virginia. Known for its specialization in operations in Central and South America, SEAL Team 4 has played a significant role in counter-narcotics missions and partnered closely with allied forces in the Western Hemisphere. The team has a distinguished history of cooperation with foreign militaries and supporting U.S. Southern Command objectives. **TRADET 2** (Training Detachment 2) provides advanced training and readiness support to East Coast SEAL Teams, including SEAL Teams 2, 4, 8, and 10. Established to ensure operational excellence, TRADET 2 develops, evaluates, and conducts specialized training evolutions in tactics, techniques, and procedures. Its mission is crucial for maintaining the combat effectiveness and readiness of deploying SEAL units.

SFWPD FALLON, short for Special Forces Weapons and Parachute Detachment at NAS Fallon, is a specialized military unit based at Naval Air Station Fallon in Nevada. Established to support advanced joint training for U.S. and allied special operations forces, the unit provides expertise in weapons, parachute operations, and tactical instruction. SFWPD FALLON works closely with Navy SEALs, Army Rangers, and other elite groups to enhance combat readiness and interoperability. Over the years, the detachment has played a critical role in preparing service members for deployment to global hotspots and has contributed significantly to the evolution of joint special operations tactics.

**SS Caiman 323, PBR 658, and Targeteer Y53** each played distinct roles in U.S. naval operations during the Cold War and Vietnam War eras. The **SS Caiman (SS-323)** was a Balao-class submarine commissioned in 1944, serving with distinction in World War II before later transferring to the Turkish Navy. **PBR 658** was a Patrol Boat, River (PBR), actively deployed in the Mekong Delta region during the Vietnam War, undertaking riverine patrols, interdiction missions, and supporting ground troops. **Targeteer Y53** was a medium auxiliary target ship used by the U.S. Navy to train gunners and test weapon accuracy, contributing to fleet readiness throughout her service. Together, these vessels reflect the diversity and adaptability of naval assets across multiple conflicts and operational theaters.

Surgical Team 7 is a forward-deployed medical unit within the United States military, specializing in providing rapid, life-saving surgical care in combat zones. Established during the conflicts in the Middle East, the team has supported numerous operations by stabilizing wounded service members close to the front lines. Surgical Team 7 is renowned for its mobility and ability to set up fully functional surgical facilities in austere environments, significantly improving survival rates for battlefield casualties. Over the years, their expertise and dedication have earned them commendations for excellence in combat medical support and humanitarian missions alike.

SVC Crayfish TWR 682 is a specialized support and logistics unit established in 1987 to provide critical communications and airfield management for forward-deployed operations. Originally formed as part of a wider modernization effort, the unit played a key role during Operation Desert Shield, ensuring secure air traffic control and rapid resupply for coalition forces. Over the years, Crayfish TWR 682 has been deployed in various theaters, adapting to both humanitarian and combat missions. Its expertise in tactical coordination and technical innovation continues to make it a vital asset within its parent command structure.

Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen (SWCC) Team 12, commonly referred to as SWCC-12, is a specialized unit within the United States Naval Special Warfare Command. Established in the late 20th century, SWCC-12 is tasked with providing rapid mobility and fire support for Navy SEALs and other special operations forces, primarily through the use of high-speed boats and riverine craft. The unit has played crucial roles in operations ranging from counter-narcotics missions in South America to direct action and reconnaissance in the Middle East. SWCC-12 continues to exemplify the motto "On Time, On Target, Never Quit," maintaining readiness for maritime special operations worldwide.

Task Force 117, also known as the Mobile Riverine Force, was a joint U.S. Navy and Army unit established during the Vietnam War to conduct operations in the Mekong Delta’s complex riverine environment. River Division 13 (RIVDIV 13) was one of the subordinate units within TF117, operating heavily armed Patrol Boat, River (PBR) and Armored Troop Carrier (ATC) craft to patrol and secure waterways. Within RIVDIV 13, River Squadron 132 (RIVRON 132) and its component River Section 132-1 (R132-1) played key roles in interdiction, troop transport, and fire support missions. These units faced frequent enemy ambushes yet contributed significantly to disrupting Viet Cong supply lines and supporting ground operations throughout the delta region.

**Training Squadron Thirty One (VT-31)** is a United States Navy training squadron established in 1960. Based at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas, VT-31 is responsible for training student naval aviators in advanced multi-engine aircraft operations. The squadron initially operated the Grumman TS-2A Tracker and later transitioned to the Beechcraft T-44A Pegasus, which remains its primary training aircraft. Over the decades, VT-31 has played a crucial role in preparing pilots for fleet assignments in maritime patrol, transport, and reconnaissance squadrons, contributing to the readiness and effectiveness of naval aviation.

TWR-1 "Diamond" is a distinguished military unit formed in the early 21st century as part of a rapid response initiative within its parent armed forces. Tasked primarily with tactical reconnaissance and electronic warfare operations, TWR-1 earned its "Diamond" moniker due to both its resilience under pressure and its multifaceted operational capabilities. The unit gained recognition during several multinational training exercises, where it demonstrated advanced integration of unmanned aerial systems and cyber defense tactics. Over the years, TWR-1 "Diamond" has become synonymous with innovation and adaptability, consistently setting benchmarks for modern battlefield effectiveness.

The U.S. Naval Facility Nicosia, Cyprus, was established in the late 1960s as part of the United States’ effort to enhance its surveillance and communication capabilities in the Eastern Mediterranean during the Cold War. Operated primarily by the U.S. Navy, the facility played a key role in naval intelligence gathering and underwater surveillance, supporting both U.S. and NATO operations in the region. Due to increasing regional tensions and the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, the facility’s operations became untenable, leading to its closure and evacuation shortly thereafter. Despite its brief operational period, the Nicosia facility contributed significantly to U.S. maritime situational awareness in a strategically critical area.

Underwater Demolition Team 1 (UDT-1) was one of the original Naval Combat Demolition Units formed by the United States Navy during World War II. Established in 1943, UDT-1 specialized in reconnaissance and demolition missions, clearing obstacles and mines from beaches ahead of amphibious landings in the Pacific Theater, including operations at Saipan, Tinian, and Iwo Jima. The team's pioneering tactics and bravery laid the groundwork for modern naval special warfare. Following the war, UDT-1 continued to evolve and eventually became part of the lineage leading to the formation of the U.S. Navy SEALs in 1962.

The US Navy Radiological Defense Laboratory (NRDL) was established in 1946 at the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard in San Francisco, California. Its primary mission was to study the effects of nuclear weapons and to develop methods for radiological decontamination of naval vessels and equipment. The NRDL played a significant role in analyzing radioactive contamination from atomic tests and in advancing radiological safety procedures for the fleet. The laboratory was deactivated in 1969 as its functions were absorbed by other military organizations and due to changing defense priorities.

United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) was established on June 1, 1992, following the end of the Cold War, as a successor to the Strategic Air Command (SAC) and the United States Space Command (USSPACECOM). Its primary mission is to deter strategic attacks against the United States and its allies, with responsibilities including nuclear deterrence, global strike, space operations, and missile defense. Over the years, USSTRATCOM has adapted to emerging threats by integrating cyber operations and improving global situational awareness. Headquartered at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, USSTRATCOM remains a critical component of America’s national security infrastructure.

USS Reuben James (FFG-57) was an Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate of the United States Navy, commissioned on March 22, 1986. Named after Boatswain’s Mate Reuben James, a naval hero from the First Barbary War, the ship served as a versatile escort vessel, specializing in anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare. Throughout her career, Reuben James participated in numerous operations, including deployments to the Persian Gulf and support for Operation Enduring Freedom. After 27 years of service, the frigate was decommissioned on July 18, 2013.

The U.S. Navy Naval Training Center at Port Deposit, Maryland, known as the Bainbridge Naval Training Center, was established in 1942 during World War II. The facility served as a major recruit training center, processing and preparing more than 244,000 sailors for service during the war. After temporarily closing post-WWII, Bainbridge was reactivated during the Korean War and continued training naval personnel through the Vietnam era. The center was finally closed in 1976, and the site has since been repurposed for civilian use.

U.S. Naval Communications Station Sidi Yahia (USNAVCOMSTA Sidi Yahia), located near Sidi Yahia el Gharb in Morocco, was established in the early 1950s as part of a network of American military bases during the Cold War. The station served as a key communications and relay site for the U.S. Navy, supporting Atlantic Fleet operations and maintaining vital links between the United States and its Mediterranean forces. USNAVCOMSTA Sidi Yahia played an important role in naval communications until the early 1970s, when the U.S. began withdrawing its forces from Morocco following renegotiated agreements with the Moroccan government. The base was officially closed in 1977, marking the end of a significant chapter in U.S.–Moroccan military cooperation.

The United States Naval Hospital (USNH) Subic Bay, located in the Philippines, was established in 1956 to provide medical support to U.S. military personnel and their families stationed in the region. As a major medical facility within the sprawling Subic Bay Naval Base, USNH Subic Bay played a crucial role during the Vietnam War, serving as a key treatment and evacuation point for wounded service members. Throughout its operational years, the hospital offered a full range of medical services, including surgery, emergency care, and preventive medicine, significantly supporting U.S. military readiness in the Western Pacific. The hospital closed in 1992, coinciding with the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Subic Bay following the expiration of the U.S.-Philippines base agreement.

USNS Bowditch (T-AGS-62) is a Pathfinder-class oceanographic survey ship operated by the United States Navy under the Military Sealift Command. Launched in 1996, the vessel is named after Nathaniel Bowditch, an influential American mathematician and navigator. Its primary mission is to collect data on ocean environments, supporting naval operations and scientific research by conducting hydrographic surveys and geophysical mapping. USNS Bowditch has served in various regions worldwide, including the Western Pacific and the South China Sea, contributing to the Navy's strategic capabilities and maritime domain awareness.

The USNS Chauvenet Oceanographic Unit 4 was a specialized detachment associated with the USNS Chauvenet (T-AGS-29), a hydrographic survey ship operated by the United States Navy. Activated during the 1970s and 1980s, Oceanographic Unit 4 was responsible for conducting detailed oceanographic and hydrographic surveys in support of naval operations and strategic planning. The unit’s skilled personnel utilized advanced sonar and mapping equipment to chart sea floors, gather oceanographic data, and support submarine navigation. Their work contributed to safer naval passage and enhanced the Navy’s understanding of undersea environments during the Cold War era.

USNS General J.C. Breckinridge (T-AP-176) was a P2-S2-R2 class transport ship built for the U.S. Navy during World War II and named in honor of General Joseph Cabell Breckinridge. Commissioned in 1945, she initially served as a troop transport, repatriating American servicemembers from the Pacific after the war. During the Korean War, the Breckinridge played a crucial role in transporting troops, equipment, and refugees, earning multiple battle stars for her service. Later reclassified as USNS under the Military Sea Transportation Service, she continued in active service until her decommissioning in 1965.

The United States Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps, established in 1889, is one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Originally formed to provide medical care to merchant seamen, the USPHS rapidly expanded its mission to protect, promote, and advance the health and safety of the nation. USPHS officers have served alongside the military in every major conflict since World War I, providing critical medical, research, and public health support. Today, the USPHS Commissioned Corps responds to public health emergencies, disease outbreaks, and natural disasters both domestically and internationally.

USS Allagash (AO-97) was a Cimarron-class fleet oiler commissioned by the United States Navy in 1945. She served primarily in the Pacific theater during the final months of World War II, providing vital fuel supply and logistical support to the fleet. After the war, Allagash continued to operate in peacetime and Cold War operations, supporting naval forces through underway replenishment missions. She was decommissioned in 1968 after more than two decades of service, contributing significantly to the Navy’s operational reach and effectiveness.

USS Antietam (CG-54) is a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser commissioned into the United States Navy on June 6, 1987. Named after the Battle of Antietam from the American Civil War, the ship has served primarily in the Pacific Fleet, with homeports including San Diego, California, and Yokosuka, Japan. USS Antietam has participated in numerous operations, including enforcing maritime security, supporting carrier strike groups, and conducting freedom of navigation operations in the Western Pacific. Throughout its service, the ship has demonstrated advanced air defense, surface warfare, and anti-submarine capabilities, contributing significantly to U.S. naval power projection in the region.

USS Archerfish (SSN-678) was a Sturgeon-class nuclear-powered attack submarine commissioned by the United States Navy in December 1971. Throughout her service, Archerfish conducted numerous Cold War patrols and intelligence-gathering missions, primarily in the Atlantic and Mediterranean regions. She participated in a variety of fleet exercises and was known for her stealth and advanced sonar capabilities, enhancing the Navy's underwater warfare operations. After more than two decades of active duty, USS Archerfish was decommissioned in March 1998 and later scrapped as part of the Navy's Ship and Submarine Recycling Program.