From Virginia One

The Norfolk Naval Base---the world's largest naval base---certainly demonstrates the magnitude of America's military strength. The long line of destroyers, aircraft carriers, submarines and support ships tied up at Norfolk is truly an impressive sight.

Norfolk's naval significance dates from the Civil War when the famous battle of the ironclads, The Monitor and The Merrimack, occurred in Hampton Roads harbor. Today there are 100 ships, 32 aircraft squadrons and 35 shore based activities in the South Hampton Roads command. The Norfolk Naval Base extends over 3,400 acres and provides a great deal of interesting information and sights.

INSIDER'S TIP

The tour is on a city bus with a navy guide giving commentary. For the best view of the ships, sit on the right side as you board the bus. The bus stays some distance from the ships. The tour is worth taking because of the unique chance to see the entire base but you will get a much closer view of the ships from the Victory Rover that offers a 2-hour Naval Base Cruise departing from the dock by Nauticus. Call (757) 627-7406 for information.

Tours leave daily between from the Naval Base Tour Office. They leave on the half-hour during the summer months and take about 45 minutes. Note: Security is much tighter now after 9/11. You will be asked to show a picture ID and any handbags or camera bags are carefully searched and you must pass through an airport-like metal detector. The schedule changes in the off-season with fewer tours so be sure to call (757) 444-7955 in advance for current times. No reservation is required. Current admission fees: $7.50 for adults, $5 for seniors and children 3-11 years old.

It seems everything is bigger at the Norfolk Naval Base! Fleet Industrial Supply Center boasts that it is the "World's Largest Store." It is open daily year-round and employs 1,605 civilians and 53 military personnel. It's easy to see why this Norfolk facility has a $48 million federal payroll.

Near the top of the military payroll are the Flag Officers. Along "Admiral's Row" you'll see replicas of famous homes from various states built in 1907 for the Jamestown Exposition and all now used as officers' homes. For example, the Georgia House is a copy of the summer home of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's mother, known for a time as the Little White House. A typical colonial homestead represents Delaware. A lovely porticoed Virginia plantation house is the quarters of the Supreme Allied Commander of NATO. Along this fascinating drive there is also a scaled-down replica of Independence Hall.

Based at Norfolk are Sea King, Sea Knight and Sea Sprite helicopters. All weather early warnings, surveillance coordination, search and rescue missions and numerous other functions are carried out by the Eighth Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadrons home ported at Norfolk. You are sure to see some of the Hawkeye planes they fly.

What's a military installation without confusing shorthand? On the tour you pass both the FASOTRAGRULANT and the NCTAMSLANT. The former is a sophisticated flight simulator facility. The latter is the largest and most complex communication station in the world.

All of the above is just icing on the cake as far as most visitors are concerned. They come to see the ships and there are plenty to see! As you enter the two-mile waterfront area the first you see, berthed along Pier 12, are the world's largest warships. You'll learn how to tell the difference between the nuclear-powered and conventional-powered ships. (Just a hint: it has to do with the color of the antennas.) You may see a nuclear powered aircraft carrier such as the America or the Eisenhower. These massive ships are 18 stories high and as long as three football fields plus an extra 100 feet at both ends. The size comes into focus when you learn that each link in the anchor chain weighs 350 pounds. The warships carry more than 6,200 men each. Due to recent changes in the laws, women can now serve in combat onboard aircraft carriers. The USS George Washington already has a contingent of women.

Next, at the Cargo Ship Pier, you'll see many different types of boats and ships: destroyers, cruisers, amphibious ships, helicopter ships, fleet oilers and tugs. On weekends from 1:00 to 4:30 P.M. there are usually two ships that you can board although these rarely include aircraft carriers and submarines. The final part of the harbor portion of the tour takes you past the workhorses of the Atlantic Fleet---more destroyers and cruisers plus submarines and submarine tenders.

Directions: Take the I-295 loop around Richmond and pick up I-64 east to Norfolk. After you cross the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel take Exit 564 for the naval base. The tours depart from the Naval Tour and Information Center at 9079 Hampton Blvd. Some visitors mistakenly try to enter the Navy Base looking for the tour but the touring center is right on Hampton Blvd.