CHRISTOPHER GANNON

Naval Weapons Station Charleston, located in South Carolina, was established in 1941 to support the U.S. Navy’s ordnance requirements during World War II. Over the decades, the installation expanded its mission to include the storage, maintenance, and shipment of conventional and nuclear munitions for Atlantic Fleet ships and submarines. During the Cold War, the station played a vital role in supporting the Navy’s fleet ballistic missile submarines and became a key hub for logistical and technical operations. In 2010, it was merged with other local military facilities to form Joint Base Charleston, continuing its legacy of supporting U.S. military operations.

USS Dahlgren (DDG-43) was a Farragut-class guided missile destroyer of the United States Navy, commissioned on April 8, 1961. Named after Rear Admiral John A. Dahlgren, the ship played a significant role during the Cold War, conducting anti-air and anti-submarine operations in both the Atlantic and Mediterranean theaters. Dahlgren participated in numerous NATO exercises and provided vital support during crises, showcasing American naval power and interoperability with allied forces. After over two decades of service, she was decommissioned on July 31, 1992, and later scrapped.

The Naval Special Warfare Command (NSWC) was established in 1987 as the naval component of U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). Headquartered in Coronado, California, NSWC oversees the elite Navy SEALs, Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen (SWCC), and supporting units. Its origins trace back to World War II frogmen and Underwater Demolition Teams, which pioneered maritime special operations. NSWC has since played a crucial role in major conflicts and counterterrorism operations worldwide, including the Global War on Terror, continually evolving to address emerging maritime threats.

Naval Station Norfolk, located in Norfolk, Virginia, was established in 1917 as a key naval base during World War I, originally known as Naval Operating Base Hampton Roads. Throughout World War II, it rapidly expanded to become the largest naval base in the world, serving as a hub for Atlantic Fleet operations and troop deployments. During the Cold War, the station played a vital role in supporting U.S. naval power projection and logistical support for both the Atlantic and Mediterranean theaters. Today, Naval Station Norfolk remains the world's largest naval installation, home to the U.S. Navy’s Atlantic Fleet and serving as a critical center for fleet readiness and operations.

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.

USS Nicholas (FFG-47) was an Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate of the United States Navy, commissioned on March 10, 1984. Named after Major Samuel Nicholas, the first Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, the ship served for over 28 years. During her active service, Nicholas participated in multiple operations, including drug interdiction missions in the Caribbean, escort duties in the Persian Gulf during Operation Earnest Will, and anti-piracy operations off the coast of Africa. The frigate was decommissioned on March 17, 2014, after a distinguished career supporting U.S. naval strategy and global maritime security.

USS SANTA BARBARA (AE-28) was a Kilauea-class ammunition ship commissioned by the United States Navy on July 11, 1970. Homeported in Naval Weapons Station Earle, New Jersey, she provided underway replenishment of ammunition and explosives to fleet units, playing a vital logistic role during the Cold War and supporting operations in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Caribbean. SANTA BARBARA participated in numerous NATO exercises and deployments with the U.S. Sixth Fleet, ensuring combat readiness for naval strike groups. The ship was decommissioned on December 30, 1998, after nearly three decades of distinguished service.

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.

USS Donald B. Beary (FF-1085) was a Knox-class frigate commissioned by the United States Navy in 1972. Named after Rear Admiral Donald B. Beary, the ship served primarily as an anti-submarine warfare platform during the Cold War, operating in both the Atlantic and Mediterranean. Throughout her service, she participated in numerous NATO exercises, patrol missions, and multinational operations, contributing to maritime security and alliance cooperation. The ship was decommissioned in 1994 and later transferred to Turkey, where she served as TCG Karadeniz (F-255).