Monny Hanna

USS Aubrey Fitch (FFG-34) was an Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate of the United States Navy, commissioned on October 9, 1982. Named after Rear Admiral Aubrey Fitch, the ship served primarily in the Atlantic Fleet, participating in numerous operations including NATO exercises, counter-narcotics patrols in the Caribbean, and deployments to the Mediterranean and Persian Gulf. Notably, USS Aubrey Fitch played a role in Operation Earnest Will, escorting reflagged Kuwaiti tankers during the Iran-Iraq War. After a distinguished service career, the frigate was decommissioned on December 12, 1997, and later scrapped.

**USN RTC Tampa** (United States Navy Reserve Training Center, Tampa) served as a key training and administrative facility for Navy Reserve personnel in the Tampa, Florida area. Established during World War II, the center played a vital role in preparing reservists for active duty, supporting both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. Throughout the Cold War and into the late 20th century, USN RTC Tampa continued to provide essential training, mobilization, and support functions for Navy operations. The center fostered strong ties with the local community and contributed to the readiness and effectiveness of the Navy Reserve until its closure and realignment in later years.

Naval Station Norfolk, located in Norfolk, Virginia, was established in 1917 as a key naval base during World War I, originally known as Naval Operating Base Hampton Roads. Throughout World War II, it rapidly expanded to become the largest naval base in the world, serving as a hub for Atlantic Fleet operations and troop deployments. During the Cold War, the station played a vital role in supporting U.S. naval power projection and logistical support for both the Atlantic and Mediterranean theaters. Today, Naval Station Norfolk remains the world's largest naval installation, home to the U.S. Navy’s Atlantic Fleet and serving as a critical center for fleet readiness and operations.

USS Yosemite (AD-19) was a Dixie-class destroyer tender commissioned by the United States Navy in 1944. Throughout World War II, she provided vital repair and maintenance services to the Pacific Fleet, supporting operations at advanced bases such as Ulithi and Leyte. After the war, Yosemite continued her service, supporting fleet operations during the Korean War and the Vietnam War, as well as during peacetime deployments in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. She was finally decommissioned in 1994 after 50 years of distinguished service, earning multiple awards for her essential support roles.

Recruit Training Command Orlando, commonly known as RTC Orlando, was a major United States Navy boot camp located in Orlando, Florida. Opened in 1968, it was established to help meet the growing training demands during the Vietnam War era. RTC Orlando was notable as one of the first Navy training commands to integrate female recruits after the creation of the all-volunteer force in the 1970s. The base trained tens of thousands of sailors until it was closed in 1994 as part of a series of military consolidations, with operations transferred to the remaining Recruit Training Command at Great Lakes, Illinois.

Naval Submarine Base New London is a United States Navy base located in Groton, Connecticut. It is home to the Navy's Submarine School, which provides training for officers and enlisted personnel on operating and maintaining submarines. The base also serves as the primary East Coast homeport for Navy submarines, providing a strategic location for national defense operations. Naval Submarine Base New London plays a crucial role in the Navy's submarine fleet readiness and overall mission capability.

Naval Station Mayport (NAVSTA Mayport), located near Jacksonville, Florida, was commissioned in December 1942 to support World War II naval operations. Initially established as a minor naval base, it quickly expanded and became a crucial site for Atlantic Fleet operations, particularly anti-submarine efforts during the war. Over the decades, Mayport has served as homeport to various aircraft carriers, destroyers, and guided-missile cruisers, playing a vital role in U.S. naval readiness and global deployments. Today, NAVSTA Mayport continues to serve as a major operational hub for the U.S. Navy, supporting both surface ships and helicopter squadrons.

USS **Thomas S. Gates (CG-51)** was a Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser commissioned into the United States Navy on December 22, 1987. Named after Thomas S. Gates, the 7th Secretary of Defense, the ship served as a multi-role warship capable of air defense, surface warfare, and strike operations. Throughout her service, Thomas S. Gates participated in numerous deployments, including operations in the Mediterranean Sea, the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Storm, and counter-narcotics missions in the Caribbean. After nearly two decades of service, she was decommissioned on December 15, 2005.

The Great Lakes Naval Training Center, located in North Chicago, Illinois, is the United States Navy's largest training facility. It was established in 1911 and continues to provide basic training for enlisted sailors. The center boasts state-of-the-art facilities and training programs to prepare recruits for active duty in the Navy. With a long history of excellence in training, the Great Lakes Naval Training Center plays a crucial role in shaping the future of the US Navy.

USS Robert H. McCard (DD-822) was a Gearing-class destroyer of the United States Navy, commissioned in 1946 and named in honor of Marine Gunnery Sergeant Robert H. McCard, a Medal of Honor recipient. Throughout her service, she participated in Cold War operations, including NATO exercises and Mediterranean deployments with the 6th Fleet. The ship supported naval blockade and patrol duties during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 and later served in the Vietnam War, providing naval gunfire support and escort services. Decommissioned in 1975, the USS Robert H. McCard was subsequently transferred to the Turkish Navy, where she continued her service as TCG Kocatepe (D354).

Naval Air Station Pensacola Corry Station, located in Pensacola, Florida, was originally established in 1923 as a Navy auxiliary airfield. During World War II, the station played a pivotal role in training naval aviators and supporting the broader war effort. In the 1960s, Corry Station transitioned from aviation to a focus on communications and cryptologic training, becoming the Navy's premier center for information warfare education. Today, it serves as the Center for Information Warfare Training, providing instruction to Navy and joint service personnel in cyber operations, intelligence, and information technology.