Paul Bicknell

Naval Security Group Activity (NSGA) Winter Harbor, Maine, was established in 1935 on the Schoodic Peninsula as a United States Navy radio intercept and direction-finding station. Originally part of the Navy's growing network of signals intelligence (SIGINT) sites, NSGA Winter Harbor played a crucial role during World War II and the Cold War, tracking enemy communications and supporting national security efforts. The facility operated advanced radio and cryptologic equipment, contributing vital intelligence for fleet and national decision-makers. NSGA Winter Harbor was decommissioned in 2002, with its property later transferred to the National Park Service to become part of Acadia National Park.

USS SAIPAN

U.S. Navy

**USS Saipan** refers to two ships in United States Navy history. The first, **USS Saipan (CVL-48)**, was a light aircraft carrier commissioned in 1946 after World War II. She served primarily as a training and transport vessel, later converted to a command ship as **USS Arlington (AGMR-2)**, and was decommissioned in 1970. The second, **USS Saipan (LHA-2)**, was an amphibious assault ship commissioned in 1977, designed to transport and land Marines, helicopters, and equipment during major operations, including peacekeeping in Lebanon and the Gulf War. USS Saipan (LHA-2) was decommissioned in 2007 after three decades of distinguished service.

Portsmouth Naval Hospital, officially known as Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (NMCP), is the oldest continuously operating hospital in the U.S. Navy, established in 1827 in Portsmouth, Virginia. Throughout its history, the hospital has served military personnel and their families, providing critical medical care during major conflicts such as the Civil War, World Wars I and II, and subsequent military engagements. During wartime, the hospital expanded its capacity and capabilities, treating thousands of wounded sailors and Marines. Today, NMCP continues its tradition of excellence, serving as a major medical center for the U.S. Navy and a key component of military healthcare on the East Coast.