David Weed

COMSIXTHFLEET, also known as the Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet, is a major operational fleet of the United States Navy with headquarters in Naples, Italy. Established in 1950, the Sixth Fleet has played a critical role in maintaining maritime security and projecting American naval power throughout the Mediterranean Sea and surrounding regions. Over the decades, COMSIXTHFLEET has participated in numerous operations, including peacekeeping missions, humanitarian assistance, and joint exercises with NATO allies. The unit continues to serve as a forward-deployed force, responding to crises, deterring aggression, and supporting U.S. and allied interests in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

The U.S. Naval Air Station (NAS) San Juan, Puerto Rico, was established during World War II as an important facility for maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare in the Caribbean. Commissioned in 1942 at Isla Grande, the base supported operations to protect Allied shipping lanes from German U-boat threats and served as a hub for naval aviation in the region. Following the war, NAS San Juan continued to play a key role in regional security and training exercises throughout the early Cold War period. The base was eventually decommissioned and its facilities were transferred to local authorities, becoming part of what is now the Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport.

Naval Station Newport, located in Newport, Rhode Island, traces its origins to the establishment of the Naval Torpedo Station on Goat Island in 1869, marking the beginning of Newport's critical role in U.S. naval operations. Over the decades, the station evolved into a major center for naval education and training, notably becoming home to the prestigious Naval War College in 1884. During World War II, Newport served as a key site for officer training and research in torpedo development. Today, Naval Station Newport remains a vital hub for Navy education, hosting multiple commands including the Naval Undersea Warfare Center and the Officer Training Command Newport.

USNS Harkness (T-AGS-32) was an oceanographic survey ship of the United States Navy, originally launched in 1967. Assigned to Oceanographic Unit 5, the vessel conducted hydrographic and oceanographic surveys, playing a crucial role in mapping the world’s oceans during the Cold War era. The data collected by Harkness supported naval operations, submarine navigation, and scientific research. Throughout its service, USNS Harkness exemplified the Navy’s commitment to technological advancement and maritime domain awareness before being decommissioned in the mid-1990s.

USS Wainwright (CG-28) was a Belknap-class guided missile cruiser commissioned into the United States Navy in 1966. Named after a distinguished family of naval officers, Wainwright served extensively during the Vietnam War, providing naval gunfire support and conducting search and rescue operations. Throughout the Cold War, the cruiser participated in numerous NATO exercises, Mediterranean deployments, and operations to project American naval power. USS Wainwright was decommissioned in 1993 after nearly three decades of service, leaving a legacy of versatility and dedication to national defense.

Naval Air Station (NAS) Brunswick, located in Brunswick, Maine, served as a critical installation for U.S. Navy maritime patrol operations from its commissioning in 1943 until its closure in 2011. Initially established during World War II, the base supported anti-submarine warfare (ASW) missions in the Atlantic, playing a key role in protecting Allied convoys from German U-boat threats. During the Cold War, NAS Brunswick was home to patrol squadrons flying aircraft such as the P-2 Neptune and the P-3 Orion, maintaining vigilance against Soviet naval activity in the North Atlantic. The base continued to support maritime patrol and reconnaissance missions until its deactivation, after which the facilities were repurposed for civilian use.

CSTSC MARE ISLAND

U.S. Navy

Unit with 78 member associations.

RTC SAN DIEGO

U.S. Navy

Unit with 330 member associations.