Lacheta Saul

The United States Naval Forces Central Command (USNAVCENT), headquartered in Manama, Bahrain, operates as the United States Fifth Fleet (COMFIFTHFLT). Reactivated in 1995, the Fifth Fleet traces its origins to World War II operations in the Pacific but now focuses on the vital waters of the Middle East, including the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and parts of the Indian Ocean. COMFIFTHFLT is responsible for ensuring maritime security, conducting joint and combined naval operations, and safeguarding the free flow of commerce in a region critical to global energy supplies. Over the years, it has played a key role in operations such as enforcing sanctions, counter-piracy, and supporting major campaigns including Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

USS DIXON (AS-37) was a L. Y. Spear-class submarine tender commissioned by the United States Navy on August 7, 1971. Designed to provide maintenance, logistical support, and supplies to nuclear-powered attack submarines, Dixon served primarily with the Pacific Fleet, homeported in San Diego, California. Throughout her service, she played a crucial role in supporting submarine operations during the Cold War, ensuring fleet readiness and operational effectiveness. After nearly three decades of service, USS DIXON was decommissioned on December 15, 1995.

USNS Big Horn (T-AO-198) is a Henry J. Kaiser-class underway replenishment oiler operated by the United States Navy’s Military Sealift Command. Launched on 7 July 1992 and delivered in 1992, Big Horn has played a vital role in supporting fleet operations by delivering fuel and supplies to U.S. Navy ships at sea. The vessel has participated in numerous exercises and operations, including deployments to the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern waters. Throughout its service, USNS Big Horn has contributed significantly to maintaining the Navy’s operational readiness and global reach by ensuring sustained maritime logistics support.

USS Kinkaid (DD-965) was a Spruance-class destroyer commissioned into the United States Navy on December 9, 1976. Named in honor of Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid, the ship served extensively in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, supporting carrier battle groups and conducting various operations, including Middle East Force deployments and Operation Desert Storm in 1991. Throughout her service, USS Kinkaid participated in joint exercises with allied navies and performed escort, anti-submarine, and surface warfare missions. After nearly three decades of active service, she was decommissioned on January 6, 2003, and later sunk as a target in 2004.

PINECASTLE DET ASTOR, FL, traces its origins to the Cold War era, when it was established as a remote detachment to support training and operational requirements for larger units based at Pinecastle Air Force Base (later McCoy AFB) in Central Florida. The detachment, located near the town of Astor, was primarily used for range support, munitions testing, and as a staging area for air-to-ground training missions. Over the decades, PINECASTLE DET ASTOR played a crucial role in providing realistic training environments for bomber and fighter crews, particularly during the heightened readiness periods of the 1950s and 1960s. Though its operational tempo has shifted with changing military needs, the site remains a testament to the region's enduring contribution to United States airpower and training excellence.