U.S. Navy

Naval Auxiliary Landing Field (NALF) Crows Landing, located in California’s Central Valley, was established in 1942 as an auxiliary airfield to support the training needs of Naval Air Station Alameda during World War II. The airfield served primarily as a training base for carrier-based aircraft, with pilots practicing takeoffs and landings on its long runways. After the war, the facility continued in use for training and touch-and-go operations until the 1990s, when military activity ceased and the property was transferred to local authorities. Today, remnants of its military past remain, but the field stands as a testament to its critical role in preparing naval aviators for combat during and after World War II.

Naval Auxiliary Landing Field (NALF) Goliad is a United States Navy airfield located near Goliad, Texas. Originally constructed in 1942 as Berclair Auxiliary Army Airfield #9 to support World War II training operations, the site was later transferred to Navy control and became NALF Goliad. It has served primarily as an outlying field for flight training, supporting student aviators from Naval Air Station (NAS) Corpus Christi. Over the decades, NALF Goliad has played a crucial role in the primary and advanced flight training of Navy, Marine Corps, and allied pilots.

Naval Air Rework Facility (NARF) Pensacola, FL, was established during World War II as a critical maintenance and repair hub for U.S. Navy aircraft. Located at Naval Air Station Pensacola, the facility specialized in the overhaul, repair, and modification of a wide variety of naval aircraft and their components. Throughout the Cold War and into the late 20th century, NARF Pensacola played a vital role in supporting fleet readiness and technological advancements in naval aviation. In the 1990s, the facility was redesignated as the Naval Aviation Depot (NADEP) Pensacola before its eventual closure as part of a broader realignment of Navy maintenance operations.

Naval Air Station (NAS) San Nicolas Island, located off the coast of Southern California, has served as a critical asset to the U.S. military since World War II. Originally established in 1944, the island was used by the U.S. Navy as a bombing and gunnery range, supporting the training and development of naval aviators. Over the decades, NAS San Nicolas Island evolved into a premier site for missile testing, weapons evaluation, and advanced research, playing a pivotal role in the development of guided missile technology, including the Regulus cruise missile program. Today, the installation operates as a remote outpost under Naval Base Ventura County, supporting missile launches, unmanned aerial vehicle operations, and a variety of cutting-edge naval research and training missions.

The Naval Absentee Collection Unit (NACU) was established during World War II as part of the United States Navy's efforts to maintain discipline and accountability among its rapidly expanding ranks. Its primary mission was to locate, detain, and process naval personnel who were absent without leave (AWOL) or deserters, ensuring the return of critical manpower to active duty. Operating in coordination with military police and civilian law enforcement, the NACU maintained records and conducted investigations across both domestic bases and overseas stations. Over time, the unit's role was absorbed into broader naval law enforcement and personnel management functions, reflecting changes in military justice and administrative procedures.

Naval Air Reserve Whidbey Island, located at Oak Harbor, Washington, was established in 1970 to support the operational readiness of Naval Reserve aviation units in the Pacific Northwest. The unit provided essential training and augmentation for active-duty squadrons, particularly in electronic warfare and maritime patrol operations. Over the years, it supported multiple reserve squadrons flying aircraft such as the A-3 Skywarrior, EA-6B Prowler, and P-3 Orion. In the early 2000s, the unit's mission and personnel were integrated into broader Navy Reserve restructuring efforts, reflecting evolving strategic needs and advances in aviation technology.

Naval Air Station Monterey, California, was originally established during World War II to support the U.S. Navy’s expanding aviation training and coastal defense requirements. Constructed in 1943, the station played a critical role in pilot training, aircraft maintenance, and anti-submarine patrols along the Pacific coast. After the war, the air station’s mission evolved, and in 1951, it was transferred to the Department of the Army and became part of the Presidio of Monterey, supporting the Defense Language Institute. While no longer an active naval air station, its legacy endures as a testament to Monterey’s contribution to U.S. military aviation history.

Naval Dental Clinic Norfolk, located in Norfolk, Virginia, has served as a key provider of dental care for Navy personnel since its establishment in the mid-20th century. Originally created to support the expanding naval operations at Naval Station Norfolk, the clinic has grown to become one of the largest dental treatment facilities in the U.S. Navy. Over the decades, it has played a crucial role in maintaining operational readiness by ensuring sailors and Marines are dentally fit for deployment. Today, Naval Dental Clinic Norfolk continues to deliver comprehensive dental services, support training missions, and contribute to the overall health and readiness of the fleet.

Naval Hospital Roosevelt Roads was a United States Navy medical facility located at the Roosevelt Roads Naval Station in Ceiba, Puerto Rico. Established during World War II, the hospital provided comprehensive medical care and support for military personnel, their families, and civilian employees stationed in the Caribbean region. Throughout the Cold War, it played a vital role in supporting U.S. naval operations and humanitarian missions in the Atlantic and Caribbean theaters. The hospital continued its service until the closure of the Roosevelt Roads Naval Station in 2004, after which the facility was decommissioned.

The Naval Ice Center (NIC), part of the Naval Oceanography Command Facility (NAVOCEANCOMFAC), has its origins in the U.S. Navy’s longstanding need for accurate ice and oceanographic data to support naval operations in polar regions. Established during the Cold War, NIC was critical in providing timely, actionable ice analyses and forecasts to ensure the safe navigation of submarines and surface vessels, particularly in Arctic and Antarctic waters. Over the decades, NIC has collaborated with national and international partners, including the National Ice Center, to integrate satellite imagery and advanced modeling into its support capabilities. Today, the unit remains a vital element of naval operations, supplying real-time ice intelligence for fleet operations, scientific missions, and strategic planning.

The Naval Supply Depot - Seattle was established during World War II to serve as a vital logistics and supply hub for the United States Navy in the Pacific Northwest. Activated in 1944, the depot rapidly expanded its operations to support wartime demands, handling a wide range of materials including food, fuel, and equipment destined for Pacific Theater operations. After the war, the facility continued to play a significant role in supporting naval activities during the Cold War era. The depot’s operations were eventually consolidated and phased out as military logistics modernized and regional needs shifted.

Naval Unit Fort Meade, located at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, serves as a critical component of U.S. Navy operations in support of the National Security Agency (NSA). Established to provide cryptologic and information warfare expertise, the unit plays a vital role in signals intelligence and cyber operations. Over the years, Naval Unit Fort Meade has contributed to national security by conducting intelligence collection, analysis, and dissemination in collaboration with other military branches and intelligence agencies. Its personnel are highly trained in advanced technical skills, supporting both U.S. Cyber Command and the NSA in safeguarding national interests against evolving global threats.

NAVCOMTELSTA Stockton, California (Naval Communications Telecommunications Station Stockton) was established to provide vital communications support for the United States Navy and other military branches on the West Coast. Activated during World War II, the station played a key role in managing and relaying secure communications between Pacific Fleet units and national command authorities. Over the decades, NAVCOMTELSTA Stockton evolved with advances in technology, transitioning from radio and teletype to satellite and digital communications systems. The station was eventually decommissioned and its functions absorbed into other consolidated Navy communications commands as part of post-Cold War realignments.

**NAVMACPAC**, short for **Naval Material Command, Pacific**, was a key logistics and support unit of the United States Navy operating in the Pacific theater. Established during the height of the Cold War, NAVMACPAC was responsible for coordinating and managing the procurement, storage, and distribution of naval supplies and equipment across the vast Pacific region. The command ensured that forward-deployed naval forces had the necessary material support for operations ranging from routine patrols to major combat engagements. Throughout its existence, NAVMACPAC played a crucial role in sustaining U.S. naval readiness during conflicts such as the Vietnam War and the broader geopolitical tensions in the Asia-Pacific. Over time, its functions were reorganized and absorbed into larger naval logistics commands as part of Department of Defense restructuring efforts.

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.

The Navy Experimental Diving Unit (NEDU) was established in 1927 in Washington, D.C., to serve as the primary research and testing center for the U.S. Navy’s diving and undersea operations. Relocated to Panama City, Florida, in 1975, NEDU became renowned for advancing diving technology, physiological research, and the development of safe decompression procedures. Over the decades, NEDU has played a critical role in evaluating diving equipment, life-support systems, and underwater procedures for both military and civilian applications. Its contributions have significantly enhanced the safety and effectiveness of Navy divers and undersea missions worldwide.

The Navy Food Service Systems Office was established to enhance and oversee the quality, efficiency, and modernization of food service operations across the United States Navy. Originating in the mid-20th century, the office centralized the development and implementation of food service policies, standardized menus, and advanced galley equipment. Its efforts contributed to improved sailor nutrition, morale, and operational readiness both afloat and ashore. Over time, the office played a critical role in integrating new technologies and industry best practices, ensuring that Navy food service remained responsive to evolving needs and mission requirements.

Navy saturation divers are elite military personnel specially trained to conduct deep-sea diving operations using saturation diving techniques, enabling them to work at great depths for extended durations. The concept emerged during the 1960s, as militaries worldwide recognized the need to support submarine rescue, salvage, and covert underwater missions. Using advanced equipment and living in pressurized chambers, saturation divers can perform complex engineering tasks, explosive ordnance disposal, and clandestine operations beneath the ocean. Their expertise has proven vital in both wartime and peacetime, supporting missions such as submarine rescue, recovery of sensitive materials, and maintenance of underwater military infrastructure.

NavySchool E.O.D. (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) at Elgin Air Force Base, Florida, traces its origins to the early days of World War II, when the U.S. military recognized the urgent need for specialized training in bomb and mine disposal. Established as a joint-service training facility, the school has since evolved into the premier center for EOD instruction, providing rigorous courses for Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Army personnel. Over the decades, the unit has played a critical role in preparing EOD technicians for operations ranging from combat zones to humanitarian missions worldwide. Today, NavySchool E.O.D. at Elgin AFB remains at the forefront of explosive ordnance disposal training, integrating cutting-edge technology and tactics to address emerging threats.

NCAGS Miami, or Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping Miami, is a U.S. Navy Reserve unit established to support maritime security operations within the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) area of responsibility. The unit plays a crucial role in facilitating communication and cooperation between military forces and the commercial shipping industry, ensuring the safe passage of merchant vessels in times of conflict or crisis. NCAGS Miami frequently participates in national and multinational exercises, such as PANAMAX, to enhance regional maritime domain awareness alongside partner nations. Through its efforts, the unit contributes significantly to the protection of vital sea lines of communication and promotes stability throughout the Caribbean and Latin American maritime regions.

**NCWGRU/MESGRU ONE (Naval Coastal Warfare Group ONE / Maritime Expeditionary Security Group ONE)** has its origins in the Cold War era, when the U.S. Navy recognized the need for specialized forces to protect harbors, ports, and coastal areas. Originally established as Naval Coastal Warfare Group ONE, the unit was tasked with providing security for critical maritime infrastructure and supporting amphibious operations. In 2004, the unit was redesignated as Maritime Expeditionary Security Group ONE (MESGRU ONE) to reflect its broader expeditionary and security mission, including anti-terrorism, force protection, and maritime interdiction operations. Based on the West Coast, MESGRU ONE has deployed worldwide in support of major operations, safeguarding U.S. and allied assets in conflict zones and high-threat environments.

Navy Information Operations Command (NIOC) Hawaii, established at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, traces its roots back to the Naval Security Group activities in the Pacific during World War II. The unit has played a crucial role in signals intelligence (SIGINT), cyber operations, and information warfare, supporting U.S. Pacific Fleet and national security missions. Over the decades, NIOC Hawaii evolved in response to emerging threats, integrating advanced cyber capabilities and working closely with partners such as the National Security Agency Hawaii. Today, NIOC Hawaii stands at the forefront of U.S. Navy information warfare, providing critical intelligence and cyber support across the Indo-Pacific region.

Navy Reserve Center Tampa, also known as NOSC Tampa, has served as a critical support hub for Navy Reserve operations in the Tampa Bay region. Established to provide administrative, training, and logistical support, the center enables reservists to maintain readiness for mobilization and integration with active-duty forces. Over the years, NOSC Tampa has contributed personnel and resources to various military operations worldwide, including humanitarian missions and overseas deployments. The center continues to foster strong ties with the local community while ensuring that its sailors are prepared to respond to the nation's needs.

NRD Dallas, or Navy Recruiting District Dallas, was established to oversee Navy recruiting operations across northern Texas and parts of Oklahoma. The unit has played a critical role in enlisting new sailors into the United States Navy, supporting the Navy’s personnel needs during both peacetime and periods of conflict. Over the years, NRD Dallas has adapted its strategies to address changing recruitment goals and demographic shifts in its area of responsibility. Through its dedicated outreach in schools, communities, and local events, NRD Dallas has contributed significantly to the Navy’s mission of maintaining a strong and ready force.