Naval Station Norfolk

Contents

1. Overview
2. Etymology
3. Cultural Impact

A certain patch of Virginia coastline, perpetually bustling with the relentless machinations of the United States Navy , is home to what they insist on calling Naval Station Norfolk. Established in 1917, it’s a prominent fixture in the military landscape. Should your curiosity, however, extend to the truly ancient, the historical naval shipyard nestled in Portsmouth demands a different inquiry; for that, you’ll need to consult the archives on the Norfolk Naval Shipyard .

Part of Navy Region Mid-Atlantic in Norfolk, Virginia , United States

A typical Tuesday, or perhaps a Thursday, on December 20, 2012, saw a rather predictable collection of naval might gracing the waters of Naval Station Norfolk . One could observe the usual suspects: the formidable silhouettes of various destroyers , the ponderous bulk of replenishment oilers (because even instruments of war need a snack), the sleek menace of cruisers , the silent, lurking presence of submarines , the somewhat less glamorous but no less essential frigates , the undeniable behemoths that are aircraft carriers , and, naturally, an amphibious assault ship or two. A veritable parade of steel, designed to remind everyone that even peace is an intensely managed operation.

Site Information

This installation, owned by the United States government and operated with the characteristic precision of the United States Navy , serves as a crucial hub. Its official website, a beacon of efficiency no doubt, offers a digital window into its operations. Geographically, it’s pinned firmly at coordinates 36°56′42″N 76°18′47″W, a precise location for a precise operation.

Site History

The genesis of this sprawling complex dates back to July 4, 1917, a date of rather obvious national significance. It has been in continuous, if sometimes fluctuating, use since then, from 1917 to the present day.

Garrison Information

Currently, the command falls under CAPT Matt Schlarmann, who presumably has the unenviable task of overseeing this colossal enterprise. The primary occupants include the Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic , which manages a significant portion of the Navy’s shore infrastructure, and the Commander, Navy Warfare Development Command , which, one assumes, is perpetually engaged in developing new and exciting ways to engage in warfare.

Naval Station Norfolk stands as a monumental United States Navy base situated in Norfolk, Virginia . It is not merely a port; it is the strategic headquarters and principal home port for the U.S. Navy’s Fleet Forces Command , an entity responsible for organizing, manning, training, and equipping naval forces for deployment globally. The installation itself is a testament to sheer scale, sprawling across approximately 4 miles (6.4 km) of vital waterfront real estate. This includes an impressive 11 miles (18 km) of pier and wharf space, all meticulously carved out of the Hampton Roads peninsula, specifically the area known as Sewell’s Point .

It holds the rather impressive, if somewhat exhausting, title of being the world’s largest naval station. This designation is earned through its unparalleled concentration of U.S. Navy forces, which includes an astonishing 75 ships docked across 14 piers. As if the maritime presence weren’t enough, the station is also intrinsically linked to the skies, boasting 134 aircraft and 11 dedicated aircraft hangars at the adjacently operated Chambers Field . The sheer logistical ballet required to manage such a complex is staggering: Port Services, the unseen hand guiding these behemoths, orchestrates more than 3,100 ship movements annually, tracking their precise arrivals and departures from their designated berths.

And then there’s the air. Air Operations, a unit that presumably never sleeps, conducts an average of over 100,000 flight operations each year. This translates to roughly 275 flights per day, or, if you’re counting, one aircraft taking off or landing every six minutes. It’s a relentless rhythm, a constant hum of activity that underpins global naval power projection. Furthermore, this bustling airfield serves as a critical node for personnel and cargo transport. Over 150,000 passengers, along with a substantial 264,000 tons of mail and cargo, depart annually on Air Mobility Command (AMC) aircraft and various other AMC-chartered flights, all facilitated through the airfield’s dedicated AMC Terminal. It’s a logistical marvel, or perhaps just a testament to the insatiable demands of maintaining a global military presence.

History

An older photograph captures the majestic presence of the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown, a vessel that has since passed into the annals of history, docked at what was then referred to as NOB Norfolk in October 1937. A glimpse into a bygone era, yet still a reflection of the enduring strategic importance of this location.

The land upon which this colossal base now sits bears a more genteel history, having once been the chosen site for the original 1907 Jamestown Exposition . A fleeting moment of cultural celebration before the inevitable march of military expansion claimed its turf.

In 1915, the foundational administrative structure began to take shape with the establishment of the Headquarters of the 5th Naval District . This laid the groundwork for the rapid transformation that was to come. With the United States’ entry into World War I in April 1917, the Navy’s need for a massive operational center on the East Coast became acutely apparent, and rather urgent. Consequently, a bill was swiftly passed, authorizing the purchase of the land and allocating a substantial $1.6 million for the base’s development – a sum that, in those days, was considered rather significant. This legislative act, known as the Military Deficiency Appropriation Bill, effectively greenlit the creation of what would become a naval powerhouse. The exigencies of global conflict meant the base expanded at an almost unprecedented pace, rapidly converting the exhibition grounds into a strategic military asset. A seaplane airfield, a testament to the nascent era of naval aviation, was established in October 1917. Such was its growth and importance that in the following year, it was formally separated from the main base and redesignated as Naval Air Station Hampton Roads. By 1918, the scale of operations was immense, with a staggering 34,000 enlisted men stationed at the base, a testament to the immense mobilization efforts of the war. However, as wars tend to do, this one eventually ended, and with its conclusion, the base, like many wartime expansions, saw a significant reduction in personnel and was placed into a more subdued “standby mode,” awaiting the next global imperative.

Another historical snapshot from 1954 shows the impressive silhouettes of the Iowa-class battleships USS New Jersey and USS Missouri at NS Norfolk, a formidable display of naval engineering and firepower from the mid-20th century.

The lull, however, was temporary. When World War II ignited in Europe in 1939, the base, with its strategic location, inevitably sprang back to life with renewed vigor. The dormant facilities were reactivated, and new infrastructure projects were initiated with a sense of urgency. This included the construction of additional runways specifically designed for aircraft , further integrating the air operations that would later become a distinct part of Naval Air Station Norfolk . Furthermore, specialized ramps were built to accommodate the operations of seaplanes , which played a crucial role for the Navy during the expansive maritime engagements of the war. Approximately 400 acres of additional land were acquired to facilitate this expansion. By 1943, the air station had matured into a central airfield, a critical nexus for naval air operations, and it served as an indispensable training ground for naval air units throughout the remainder of the conflict.

In the aftermath of the Second World War, specifically in March 1946, a directive from the Chief of Naval Operations mandated a significant organizational restructuring. The Commandant of the 5th Naval District was ordered to establish NOB Norfolk and NAS Norfolk as distinct, separate installations. However, this separation was short-lived, as they were soon placed under the unified command of a single Commandant Naval Base, a title that was itself quickly updated to Commander, Navy Region, Mid-Atlantic. This move reflected a broader trend towards consolidating command structures for greater efficiency. Following the conclusion of World War II, NOB Norfolk solidified its position, becoming the principal base for the formidable Atlantic Fleet. Its sheer size and strategic importance cemented its status as one of the largest naval bases in the entire world, a hub of maritime power projection.

A more formal, bureaucratic change occurred on January 1, 1953, when the naval base, having been known for decades by its operational designation, NOB, was officially renamed Naval Station Norfolk (NS Norfolk). A minor detail, perhaps, but one that marked a shift in nomenclature for a permanent fixture.

The base’s role wasn’t confined solely to conventional warfare. In 1968, the Naval Air Station found itself playing a pivotal, if somewhat unexpected, role in President John F. Kennedy ’s ambitious vision of putting a man on the moon . The air station was designated as the Recovery Control Center Atlantic, a critical nerve center that provided the essential command, control, and communication infrastructure for the ships and aircraft involved in the recovery operations for the Apollo 7 mission. It was a brief, yet significant, foray into the realm of space exploration.

The geopolitical landscape shifted dramatically with the conclusion of the Cold War . The 1990s ushered in a period of military drawdown , prompting the Navy to re-evaluate its extensive network of shore installations in an effort to reduce operating costs. As a direct consequence of these fiscal and strategic adjustments, the Navy undertook the logical step of merging the previously distinct Naval Station Norfolk and Naval Air Station Norfolk into a single, cohesive installation. This unification, streamlining operations and command, became official on February 5, 1999, creating the integrated entity known today.

The new millennium brought with it new threats, and the attack on the USS Cole in October 2000, followed by the devastating September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, catalyzed a significant reassessment of security protocols across all military installations. Naval Station Norfolk was no exception. The base underwent substantial upgrades to its security gates and perimeters, an extensive project that cost more than $12.5 million, a necessary, if costly, investment in safeguarding its vital assets and personnel.

More recently, on January 26, 2017, Naval Station Norfolk marked a significant milestone, celebrating its centennial. The commemorative event was fittingly held at the Pennsylvania House, a historic building originally constructed for the very Jamestown Exposition that once occupied the land, a neat full circle acknowledging its deep roots on the base itself.

Incidents

Even the most fortified bastions of military power are not immune to the occasional disruption. On Easter, April 3, 1988, a rather audacious act of protest unfolded when members of the anti-nuclear group Plowshares managed to board the battleship USS Iowa during what was supposed to be a routine public tour. Once aboard, they utilized hammers and symbolic blood to deface the ship’s empty Tomahawk missile launchers, a stark visual statement against nuclear armament.

A far more tragic incident occurred on March 24, 2014, when a shooting at NS Norfolk led to the unfortunate deaths of both a sailor and a civilian. The incident, which cast a pall over the base, took place around 11:20 p.m. EDT aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Mahan. Security forces responded swiftly, ultimately shooting and killing the civilian individual who was alleged to have shot the sailor aboard the vessel. In the immediate aftermath, the base was put on high alert and closed for a short period, a necessary precaution following the unexpected violence on USS Mahan.

More recently, the forces of nature asserted their power. On July 26, 2022, a severe thunderstorm, unleashing winds reportedly reaching 60 miles per hour (97 km/h) and beyond, swept through the area. The storm caused significant damage to nine helicopters assigned to Naval Station Norfolk . Among the damaged aircraft, according to official Navy reports, were the versatile MH-60 Seahawk and the formidable MH-53E Sea Dragon , a stark reminder that even the most advanced military equipment is vulnerable to the unpredictable whims of the weather.

Operational Units

Naval Station Norfolk serves as the indispensable home port for no fewer than four robust carrier strike groups , along with all their assigned ships – a testament to its pivotal role in projecting naval power. Furthermore, the Naval Station graciously plays host to a diverse array of Military Sealift Command ships, those unsung heroes of logistical support, as well as providing a crucial base for the many submarines of the Atlantic Fleet , whose silent patrols underpin global security.

As of the rather specific timeframe of October 2025, the following operational units are either headquartered or homeported with a stern sense of purpose at Naval Station Norfolk :

Carrier Strike Groups (CARSTRKGRU)

Destroyer Squadrons (DESRONS)

Aircraft Carriers

The true behemoths of the fleet, these floating airfields represent the apex of naval power projection.

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69)
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75)
USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77)
USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78)

Cruiser

A single, formidable cruiser, capable of a multitude of missions, makes its home here.

USS Gettysburg (CG-64)

Amphibious Assault Ships

These vessels are the spearhead of any maritime invasion, carrying Marines and their equipment directly to hostile shores.

USS Wasp (LHD-1)
USS Kearsarge (LHD-3)
USS Bataan (LHD-5)
USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7)
USS San Antonio (LPD-17)
USS Mesa Verde (LPD-19)
USS New York (LPD-21)
USS Arlington (LPD-24)
USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD-28)

Guided Missile Destroyers

The workhorses of the fleet, these versatile warships are equipped for air defense, anti-submarine warfare, and striking land targets with precision.

USS Stout (DDG-55)
USS Mitscher (DDG-57)
USS Laboon (DDG-58)
USS Gonzalez (DDG-66)
USS Cole (DDG-67)
USS Ross (DDG-71)
USS Mahan (DDG-72)
USS McFaul (DDG-74)
USS Porter (DDG-78)
USS Oscar Austin (DDG-79)
USS Nitze (DDG-94)
USS James E. Williams (DDG-95)
USS Bainbridge (DDG-96)
USS Forrest Sherman (DDG-98)
USS Truxtun (DDG-103)
USS Gravely (DDG-107)

Military Sealift Command

The essential lifeline of the Navy, these ships provide logistics, transport, and humanitarian aid, ensuring the fleet can operate globally.

USNS Comfort (T-AH-20)
USNS Lewis and Clark (T-AKE-1)
USNS Leroy Grumman (T-AO-195)
USNS Kanawha (T-AO-196)
USNS Patuxent (T-AO-201)
USNS Laramie (T-AO-203)
USNS Supply (T-AOE-6)
USNS Arctic (T-AOE-8)
USNS Zeus (T-ARC-7)
USNS Robert F Kennedy (T-AO 208)
USS Robert E Simanek (ESB-7)

Submarines

As of the rather forward-looking date of September 2025, the following operational submarine units and their respective submarines are headquartered or homeported at Naval Station Norfolk , maintaining their characteristic veil of secrecy.

Commander, Submarine Squadron 6 (CSS 6):
- Los Angeles-class submarines :
  - USS Pasadena (SSN-752)
- Virginia-class submarines :
  - USS New Hampshire (SSN-778)
  - USS New Mexico (SSN-779)
  - USS Oregon (SSN-793)
- Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) USS Barb (SSN-804)
Commander, Submarine Squadron 8 (CSS 8):
- Los Angeles-class submarines :
  - USS Columbus (SSN-762)
  - USS Boise (SSN-764)
  - USS Montpelier (SSN-765)
- Virginia-class submarines :
  - USS John Warner (SSN-785)
  - USS Montana (SSN-794)
  - USS New Jersey (SSN-796)
- Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) USS Massachusetts (SSN-798)
- Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) USS Arkansas (SSN-800)
- Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) USS Oklahoma (SSN-802)

Air Squadrons

For a comprehensive, and likely exhaustive, list of the various air squadrons that grace the skies above and facilities of this extensive base, one is directed to the more specialized, and no doubt equally detailed, article: Naval Station Norfolk Chambers Field § Tenant Commands . One assumes they are quite busy up there.

Tenant/Shore Commands

Beyond the immediate operational units—the ships and aircraft that are the public face of naval power—Naval Station Norfolk also serves as the headquarters for a myriad of shore activities. These entities, less visible but no less critical, are tasked with providing administrative and specialized support not only to the regional operational assets but, in some cases, to the entire Navy. They are the unseen gears in the vast machinery.

As of June 2021, these included a rather extensive roster:

Navy Warfare Development Command : Dedicated to refining tactics and strategies.
Navy Region Mid-Atlantic : The overarching administrative body for the region.
United States Second Fleet : A crucial operational command overseeing forces in the Atlantic.
Carrier Strike Group Four : Responsible for training and certifying carrier strike groups before deployment.
Navy Expeditionary Combat Command: Overseeing specialized combat units like Seabees and explosive ordnance disposal teams.
Naval Reserve Force : The backbone of the Navy’s reserve component.
Navy Fleet Readiness Centers: Facilities dedicated to maintaining and repairing naval aircraft.
Naval Surface Force Atlantic: The command responsible for the readiness of surface ships in the Atlantic.
Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station Atlantic (NCTAMS LANT): The hub for critical naval communications and information warfare.
Navy Exchange Command : Providing retail and support services to naval personnel and their families.
Naval Safety Center : Tasked with preventing accidents and promoting safety across the Navy.
Naval Criminal Investigative Service , Norfolk Field Office headquarters and NCIS Resident Agency (NCISRA) Norfolk, a subordinate component of the Norfolk Field Office: The sharp, silent arm of law enforcement within the naval community, investigating everything from petty theft to espionage.
Commander Navy Installations Command , N6 and N8: Overseeing the infrastructure and resources of naval bases.

Base Housing

For those service members who are accompanied by their families, there exists a public-private venture (PPV) housing initiative managed by Liberty Military Housing. This arrangement provides accommodation options, some of which are conveniently located directly on the property of the base itself. One hopes the commute is tolerable.