Naval Base Point Loma

• Origins in 1917: Naval Base Point Loma traces its origins to 1917, when the US Army established Fort Rosecrans as a coastal defense site during World War I, before the Navy took over portions for submarine operations. • Submarine Base Established in 1946: After World War II, the US Navy established a dedicated submarine base at Point Loma, making it a hub for Pacific Fleet submarine operations. • Home to Nuclear Submarines: The base became a homeport for nuclear-powered submarines, including fast-attack and guided missile subs, playing a vital role in the US Navy's strategic deterrence. • Historic Ballast Point: Ballast Point, located within the base, is a historic site where Spanish explorer Sebastián Vizcaíno landed in 1602 and where the first Spanish ships entered San Diego Bay. • Location of the Oldest Lighthouse: The original Point Loma Lighthouse, built in 1855, stands on the peninsula, and its light once guided ships into San Diego Bay (though it's no longer operational). • Undersea Warfare Development: Naval Base Point Loma is home to the Undersea Warfighting Development Center Detachment, which develops and tests advanced undersea warfare tactics and technology. • Acoustic Research Facility: The base hosts the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) and the Transducer Evaluation Center (TRANSDEC), a unique underwater acoustic research and testing facility. • Cold War Role: During the Cold War, Point Loma played a crucial part in anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, and testing state-of-the-art naval technology. • Home to the Navy’s Only Floating Dry Dock on the West Coast: The base operates the only active floating dry dock for submarines on the West Coast, providing vital maintenance capabilities. • Connection to SEAL Teams: Naval Base Point Loma supports several Naval Special Warfare units, including SEAL Teams and Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) operations, making it a center for special operations training.