Todd Hack

Naval Air Reserve Whidbey Island, located at Oak Harbor, Washington, was established in 1970 to support the operational readiness of Naval Reserve aviation units in the Pacific Northwest. The unit provided essential training and augmentation for active-duty squadrons, particularly in electronic warfare and maritime patrol operations. Over the years, it supported multiple reserve squadrons flying aircraft such as the A-3 Skywarrior, EA-6B Prowler, and P-3 Orion. In the early 2000s, the unit's mission and personnel were integrated into broader Navy Reserve restructuring efforts, reflecting evolving strategic needs and advances in aviation technology.

The Defense Information School (DINFOS) was established in 1964 at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana, consolidating various U.S. military public affairs and visual information training programs. Its mission is to provide joint-service training in public affairs, journalism, broadcasting, and multimedia for the Department of Defense, international military students, and U.S. government agencies. In 1995, DINFOS relocated to Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, where it continues to evolve its curriculum to meet the modern information environment. Over the decades, DINFOS has trained tens of thousands of military communicators, playing a crucial role in shaping effective military messaging and information dissemination worldwide.

Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD), often referred to as "Balboa Hospital," traces its origins to 1917 when it was established to care for sailors during World War I. Located in Balboa Park, San Diego, the facility rapidly expanded to meet the growing medical needs of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, especially during World War II and subsequent conflicts. Over the decades, NMCSD has developed into one of the largest and most advanced military medical centers, providing comprehensive healthcare, training, and research. Today, it serves active duty personnel, veterans, and their families, maintaining a critical role in military readiness and humanitarian missions.

Naval Public Affairs Support Element (NPASE) West, based in San Diego, California, is a unit within the U.S. Navy dedicated to providing public affairs and visual information support to naval operations across the western United States and Pacific regions. Established to enhance the Navy’s communications capabilities, NPASE West deploys Sailors trained in journalism, photography, videography, and multimedia production to document missions and share the Navy’s story with the public. The unit regularly supports fleet exercises, humanitarian operations, and major naval events, ensuring accurate and timely information dissemination. Through its efforts, NPASE West plays a critical role in maintaining transparency and fostering positive relations between the Navy and the public.

USS Deyo (DD-989) was a Spruance-class destroyer commissioned into the United States Navy on March 22, 1980. Named after Admiral Morton L. Deyo, the ship served primarily in the Atlantic Fleet, participating in numerous exercises, deployments, and operations, including Operation Desert Storm in 1991 where she provided naval gunfire support and escorted coalition vessels. Throughout her service, USS Deyo conducted missions ranging from anti-submarine warfare to maritime interdiction, exemplifying versatility and combat readiness. After over two decades of active duty, she was decommissioned on November 6, 2003, and subsequently sunk as a target during a training exercise in 2005.

USS Nimitz

U.S. Navy

The USS Nimitz is a supercarrier in the United States Navy and is one of the largest warships in the world. It was commissioned in 1975 and named after World War II Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz. The Nimitz is capable of carrying over 80 aircraft and has a crew of around 6,000 sailors and airmen. It has been involved in various military operations around the world, including the Gulf War and the War on Terror.

Naval Air Station (NAS) Meridian, located near Meridian, Mississippi, was commissioned on July 14, 1961, as a key training facility for the United States Navy. Originally established to address the need for expanded naval aviation training during the Cold War, the station quickly became home to advanced jet flight training programs. Over the decades, NAS Meridian has played a critical role in producing skilled naval aviators and supporting operational readiness, hosting Training Air Wing ONE and Training Squadron NINE (VT-9). In addition to its primary aviation mission, the base also supports other tenant commands and has been recognized for its contributions to national defense and community partnership.

Naha Air Base, located in Okinawa, Japan, has a rich military history dating back to World War II, when it was initially constructed and utilized by the Imperial Japanese Army Air Service. Following the Battle of Okinawa in 1945, the base was seized and expanded by United States forces, becoming an important hub for the U.S. Air Force during the postwar occupation and throughout the Cold War. In 1972, with the reversion of Okinawa to Japanese sovereignty, control of Naha Air Base was transferred to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF). Today, it serves as a key base for the JASDF, housing the 9th Air Wing and playing a vital role in the air defense of Japan’s southwestern region.