Naval Station Norfolk

History

Naval Station Norfolk is a United States Navy base in Norfolk, Virginia, that is the headquarters and home port of the U.S. Navy's Fleet Forces Command. The installation occupies about 4 miles (6.4 km) of waterfront space and 11 miles (18 km) of pier and wharf space of the Hampton Roads peninsula known as Sewell's Point. It is the world's largest naval station, with the largest concentration of U.S. Navy forces, with 75 ships alongside 14 piers, and 134 aircraft and 11 aircraft hangars at the adjacently operated Chambers Field. Port Services controls more than 3,100 ships' movements annually as they arrive and depart their berths.

Text adapted from Wikipedia: Naval Station Norfolk (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Timeline

1. April 1917
   In April 1917, shortly after the United States entered World War I, a bill was passed for the purchase of the land, and money was set aside in the amount of $1.6 million for the development of the base.
   Wikipedia
2. October 1917
   In October 1917, the base established a seaplane airfield.
   Wikipedia
3. 1918
   In 1918, it was separated and became Naval Air Station Hampton Roads.
   Wikipedia
4. 1918
   By 1918, there were 34,000 enlisted men at the base.
   Wikipedia
5. 1939
   At the war's end, the base was reduced in personnel and put into a "standby mode." When World War II began in Europe in 1939, the base became more active again.
   Wikipedia
6. 1943
   About 400 acres was acquired and, by 1943, the air station had become a central airfield for operations.
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7. March 1946
   In March 1946, the Chief of Naval Operations ordered the Commandant of the 5th Naval District to place NOB Norfolk and NAS Norfolk as separate installations under the command of Commandant Naval Base, whose title was soon changed to Commander, Navy Region, Mid-Atlantic.
   Wikipedia