Jackie Larkins

Naval Air Station (NAS) New Orleans was first established in 1942 on the south shore of Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana, as a key training airfield during World War II. The base played a crucial role in supporting naval aviation training and anti-submarine patrols throughout the war. After WWII, NAS New Orleans became home to various Navy and Marine Corps Reserve aviation units, providing operational readiness and supporting missions during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. In 2011, the installation was realigned and redesignated as Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base (NAS JRB) New Orleans, continuing its legacy as a center for reserve aviation and joint military operations.

NAVRESREDCOM Region Five, or Naval Reserve Readiness Command Region Five, was a key administrative command within the United States Navy Reserve. Established to oversee the readiness, training, and mobilization of Navy Reserve units and personnel across its designated geographic area, Region Five supported both peacetime and contingency operations. Throughout its existence, the command played a vital role in integrating reserve forces with active duty components, ensuring operational effectiveness during exercises and real-world deployments. As part of Navy Reserve restructuring in the early 2000s, NAVRESREDCOM Region Five was eventually disestablished and its functions absorbed into the new Navy Reserve Region Commands.

Helicopter Combat Support Squadron TWO (HCU-2), later redesignated as Helicopter Combat Support Squadron TWO (HC-2), was a United States Navy helicopter unit established in April 1948. The squadron was originally based at Naval Air Station Lakehurst, New Jersey, before moving to NAS Norfolk, Virginia. HCU-2’s primary mission was to provide search and rescue (SAR), vertical replenishment (VERTREP), and logistics support for the Atlantic Fleet. Over its decades of service, the unit operated various helicopters, including the Sikorsky H-19, SH-3 Sea King, and CH-46 Sea Knight, before being disestablished in 1997.

Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 48 (VR-48), also known as the "Capital Express," is a United States Navy Reserve squadron based at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. Established in 1978, VR-48 provides worldwide air logistics support using a fleet of C-40A Clipper aircraft. The squadron’s mission includes transporting personnel, cargo, and mail for Navy operations, supporting both routine and contingency missions. VR-48 has played a vital role in supporting operations in the Middle East and around the globe, contributing to the Navy’s rapid mobility and logistical reach.

**Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit TWO (MDSU 2)**, established in 1966 and later redesignated as **Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit TWO (MOBDIVSALVUNIT 2)**, is a specialized U.S. Navy unit headquartered at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Virginia. The unit’s origins trace back to the Navy’s early efforts in mobile salvage and diving operations, providing critical support during the Vietnam War and subsequent conflicts. MDSU 2 has a storied legacy of conducting underwater salvage, harbor clearance, and expeditionary diving missions worldwide, including responses to maritime disasters and support of combat operations. Over the decades, it has played pivotal roles in recovery missions, humanitarian assistance, and force protection, embodying the Navy’s motto, "Anytime, Anywhere."

**PSD Anacostia** (Presidential Support Detachment, Anacostia) was a specialized United States Navy unit based at Naval Support Facility Anacostia, Washington, D.C. Established during the Cold War era, its primary mission was to provide transportation, security, and logistical support for senior government and military officials, including the President and Vice President. The unit operated a fleet of helicopters and maintained a high state of readiness for rapid response to executive transport needs within the National Capital Region. Over time, its responsibilities and assets were integrated into larger commands such as the Naval Support Activity Washington and Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1), reflecting evolving support requirements for executive missions.

Naval Air Station Atlanta (NAS Atlanta) was established in 1959 in Marietta, Georgia, adjacent to Dobbins Air Reserve Base. Originally created to support the training and operations of Naval Reserve aviation units, the base hosted various squadrons, including fighter, patrol, and helicopter units throughout the Cold War and post-Cold War periods. NAS Atlanta played a crucial role in providing readiness training and logistical support to naval aviators and reservists, ensuring operational capability for both peacetime and contingency missions. The station was officially closed in 2009 as part of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process, with its functions transferred to other installations.

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.

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 Air Facility (NAF) Washington, D.C. was established in 1941 at Andrews Field (now Joint Base Andrews) to provide aviation support for the National Capital Region. Throughout its history, NAF Washington has served as a hub for administrative, logistical, and operational support for Navy and Marine Corps aviation units and transient aircraft. The facility has played a vital role in executive transport missions, VIP flights, and ceremonial duties, supporting senior Department of Defense and government officials. Today, NAF Washington continues its mission as part of Joint Base Andrews, maintaining readiness and support for naval aviation operations in the nation's capital.