Eric Mason

Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka (COMFLTACTS Yokosuka), located in Yokosuka, Japan, is a major United States Navy shore command and the largest overseas U.S. naval installation. Established in 1945 following Japan’s surrender at the end of World War II, the facility has served as a strategic hub for U.S. naval operations in the Western Pacific. COMFLTACTS Yokosuka supports the U.S. Seventh Fleet and hosts numerous forward-deployed ships, including aircraft carriers, destroyers, and submarines. Over the decades, the base has played a vital role in regional security, disaster relief, and fostering U.S.-Japan military cooperation.

The Hospital Corps School at Great Lakes, Illinois, was established in 1913 to train enlisted personnel of the United States Navy in medical skills, forming the backbone of the Navy’s Hospital Corps. Throughout the World Wars, Korean War, and Vietnam War, the school rapidly expanded, preparing tens of thousands of Hospital Corpsmen to serve with distinction both ashore and alongside Marines in combat zones. Renowned for its rigorous training, the school emphasized both medical proficiency and readiness for battlefield conditions. In 2011, the Hospital Corps School at Great Lakes was closed, and training was consolidated with other military medical training programs at the Medical Education and Training Campus (METC) in San Antonio, Texas.

USS Thach (FFG-43) was an Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate of the United States Navy, commissioned on 17 March 1984. Named after Admiral John Thach, a World War II naval aviator and tactician, the ship was primarily engaged in escort, patrol, and anti-submarine warfare missions. Throughout her service, USS Thach participated in various operations, including counter-narcotics deployments in the Caribbean and multinational exercises in the Pacific and Middle East. After nearly three decades of service, she was decommissioned on 1 November 2013.

**Trident Refit Facility Bangor** (TRFB), located at Naval Base Kitsap in Bangor, Washington, was established in 1981 to provide maintenance and refit services for the U.S. Navy’s Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs). As one of only two Trident Refit Facilities in the United States, TRFB plays a crucial role in supporting the Navy’s strategic deterrent mission by ensuring the operational readiness, modernization, and repair of these submarines. Over the decades, TRFB has expanded its capabilities to include support for guided-missile submarines (SSGNs) and other fleet assets. Its skilled workforce of military personnel and civilian employees continues to uphold a legacy of excellence in submarine maintenance and national security support.

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.

Naval Recruit Training Command (RTC), located at Great Lakes, Illinois, is the United States Navy’s only boot camp. Established in 1911, it has trained millions of sailors for service, especially during major conflicts like both World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, and the Global War on Terrorism. Throughout its history, Great Lakes has adapted its training programs to meet evolving naval needs, incorporating advances in technology, tactics, and diversity. Today, RTC Great Lakes remains a critical institution, transforming civilians into sailors and serving as the gateway to the modern Navy.