James McCartha

The Military Police School at Anniston, Alabama, often referred to as the MAA School or MP School, played a significant role in training military police personnel for the United States Army. Established during World War II, the school provided comprehensive instruction in law enforcement, security operations, and battlefield policing. Thousands of soldiers received specialized training at Anniston, enhancing the Army’s capabilities in maintaining order and discipline both at home and overseas. The school’s legacy includes its contributions to the professionalization of the Military Police Corps before the training mission transferred to Fort Gordon, Georgia, and later to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.

USNS Mount Baker (T-AE-34) was an ammunition ship of the United States Navy, commissioned in July 1972. Named after Mount Baker in Washington State, she was originally designated as USS Mount Baker (AE-34), serving actively in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, supporting fleet operations by delivering munitions at sea. In 1996, she was transferred to the Military Sealift Command and redesignated USNS Mount Baker (T-AE-34), operated by a civilian crew while continuing her vital logistics role. Mount Baker was deactivated in 2010, concluding nearly four decades of distinguished service in naval logistics and underway replenishment operations.

USS Austin (LPD-4) was a Raleigh-class amphibious transport dock commissioned into the United States Navy in 1965. Throughout her service, she played a key role in amphibious operations, including deployments during the Vietnam War, the Lebanese Civil War, and peacekeeping missions in the Mediterranean. Austin participated in numerous joint exercises and humanitarian missions, showcasing her versatility as a platform for transporting Marines, equipment, and landing craft. After over 40 years of active duty, USS Austin was decommissioned in 2006, leaving a legacy of distinguished service in support of U.S. naval operations worldwide.

The Security Police Detachment at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia, was established to provide force protection, law enforcement, and security for one of the U.S. Navy’s most critical strategic assets. Formed in the 1980s alongside the base's activation, the unit is tasked with safeguarding Trident ballistic missile submarines, their crews, and associated facilities. Over the years, Security Police personnel have played a vital role in maintaining high levels of readiness, conducting anti-terrorism operations, and ensuring compliance with Department of Defense security protocols. Their mission remains essential to the operational integrity and deterrence posture of the United States Navy’s Atlantic Fleet submarine force.

The USS SIERRA (AD-18) was a Dixie-class destroyer tender commissioned by the United States Navy in 1944. Serving during the latter part of World War II, the Sierra provided vital repair and maintenance support to the Pacific Fleet, enabling destroyers and other vessels to remain operational in forward areas. After the war, the ship continued its service through the Korean War, the Cold War, and the Vietnam War, supporting fleet operations and participating in numerous deployments. Decommissioned in 1993 after nearly five decades of service, the USS Sierra played a crucial logistical role in maintaining naval readiness throughout its distinguished career.

USS Thorn (DD-988) was a Spruance-class destroyer of the United States Navy, commissioned on February 16, 1980. Built by Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi, Thorn served primarily in the Atlantic Fleet, participating in numerous exercises, deployments, and operations including NATO exercises and Middle East Force deployments. The ship was notable for its roles in maritime interdiction and escort missions, especially during heightened tensions in the Persian Gulf. After over two decades of service, USS Thorn was decommissioned on August 25, 2004, and later sunk as a target during a training exercise in 2006.

The Navy Security Police Detachment at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia, was established to provide critical security and law enforcement services for one of the U.S. Navy’s most strategic facilities. Since its inception in the 1980s, the unit has been responsible for safeguarding the base’s high-value assets, including the Navy’s fleet of Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines. The detachment works closely with other military and federal agencies to ensure the protection of personnel, sensitive materials, and infrastructure. Over the years, the Navy Security Police Det. has adapted to evolving security threats, maintaining rigorous training and readiness to uphold the safety and mission of Kings Bay.

Naval Facility Bermuda was a United States Navy Sound Surveillance System (SOSUS) station established in 1955 on the island of Bermuda. Its primary mission was to track Soviet submarines during the Cold War by detecting underwater acoustic signals in the Atlantic Ocean. Operated by a small contingent of U.S. Navy personnel and civilian technicians, the facility played a crucial role in anti-submarine warfare and maritime intelligence. Naval Facility Bermuda remained operational until 1992, when advances in technology and changes in global geopolitics led to its closure.