Frederick Smith

Naval Air Station North Island, located at the north end of the Coronado Peninsula in San Diego, California, is often referred to as the "Birthplace of Naval Aviation." Established in 1917, the base quickly became a central hub for training naval aviators and developing seaplane operations during World War I. Throughout World War II, North Island played a critical role in aircraft maintenance, pilot training, and carrier operations for the Pacific Fleet. Over the decades, it has remained a vital installation, supporting numerous Pacific operations and homeporting several U.S. Navy aircraft carriers and aviation squadrons.

The NAVAL TRAINING CENTER SAN DIEGO (NTC/RTC SAN DIEGO) is a former military base located in San Diego, California. It served as a training facility for the United States Navy from 1923 until its closure in 1997. The base was responsible for training thousands of Navy recruits throughout its years of operation. Today, the site has been redeveloped into a mixed-use community known as Liberty Station.

USS BLUE RIDGE

U.S. Navy

USS **Blue Ridge** (LCC-19) is the lead ship of the Blue Ridge-class command ships in the United States Navy, commissioned in 1970. Designed as a floating command and control center, Blue Ridge has served as the flagship for the U.S. Seventh Fleet, providing vital communications and coordination for naval operations throughout the Indo-Pacific region. The ship has participated in numerous significant operations, including humanitarian assistance missions, joint military exercises, and crisis response initiatives. Renowned for her advanced communications capabilities, USS Blue Ridge continues to play a pivotal role in maintaining U.S. naval presence and readiness in Asia-Pacific waters.

USS Buchanan (DDG-14) was a Charles F. Adams-class guided missile destroyer commissioned into the United States Navy in 1962. Named after Admiral Franklin Buchanan, she served prominently during the Vietnam War, providing naval gunfire support, plane guard duty, and assisting in search and rescue operations. Throughout her career, Buchanan participated in numerous exercises and deployments, including operations in the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans. Decommissioned in 1991, she was eventually expended as a target during a training exercise in 2000.

USS Henry W. Tucker (DD-875) was a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in March 1945. Named in honor of Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class Henry W. Tucker, a World War II Navy medic awarded the Navy Cross posthumously, the ship saw service in the final stages of World War II and extensively during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Throughout her career, Henry W. Tucker participated in numerous combat operations, including naval gunfire support, search and rescue missions, and carrier escort duties. After decades of distinguished service, she was transferred to the Brazilian Navy in 1973, where she served as Marcilio Dias (D-25) until her decommissioning in 1994.

U.S. Naval Communication Station Harold E. Holt, located near Exmouth, Western Australia, was commissioned in 1967 as a joint facility between the United States and Australia. Its primary mission was to provide very low frequency (VLF) radio communications to allied naval forces, particularly submarines operating in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Named after Australian Prime Minister Harold E. Holt, who disappeared in 1967, the station became a key component of Western defense during the Cold War era. Over time, control and operations shifted more towards the Royal Australian Navy, with the U.S. presence gradually reduced.

**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.

Naval Communication Station Imperial Beach, California, was established in 1941 as a vital U.S. Navy facility for radio and communications operations on the West Coast. During World War II and the Cold War, the station played a crucial role in relaying messages between naval units in the Pacific and command authorities in the United States. Its prominent antenna arrays and transmission capabilities made it one of the Navy's most important shore-based communication hubs. The facility was later redesignated as Naval Radio Receiving Facility, and today, it serves as Naval Outlying Landing Field Imperial Beach, supporting helicopter operations for Naval Base Coronado.

The Naval Supply Corps School (NSCS) was established in 1905 in Washington, D.C., to provide specialized training for officers managing the U.S. Navy’s logistics and supply operations. Over the years, the school moved several times, most notably to Athens, Georgia, in 1954, where it became a central institution for the education of Navy Supply Corps officers. NSCS has played a crucial role in preparing officers to support fleet operations worldwide, teaching subjects such as supply management, logistics, and financial management. In 2011, the school relocated to Newport, Rhode Island, where it continues its mission of training and developing Navy Supply Corps professionals.

Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Keyport, commonly referred to as NTS Keyport (Naval Torpedo Station Keyport), was established in 1914 in Keyport, Washington, to serve as a torpedo overhaul and testing facility for the U.S. Navy. Over the decades, its mission expanded to include research, development, and testing of undersea warfare systems, including torpedoes, unmanned underwater vehicles, and mine countermeasures. During World War II and the Cold War, Keyport played a crucial role in advancing undersea weaponry technology and supporting fleet readiness. Today, NUWC Division Keyport remains a vital center for undersea warfare expertise, supporting the Navy’s technological edge and operational effectiveness in maritime domains.

Naval Support Activity Da Nang was a United States Navy base located in Da Nang, Vietnam during the Vietnam War. The base provided support for naval units operating in the region and served as a logistics hub for the Navy's operations in Southeast Asia. It was an important center for naval activities during the war, including conducting search and rescue missions and supporting allied forces. The base was decommissioned in 1973 as part of the United States' withdrawal from Vietnam.