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San Clemente Island
Chronological Military History (1934-2000)
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1950's
Basic Underwater Demolition School (BUDS) commenced training UDT personnel on the island. The initial tent camp was established in Northwest Cove. NOTS Pasadena contracted with the 11th Naval District in San Diego, to use the Navy's underwater test ranges at SCI. 4 The Naval Auxiliary Air Station (NAAS), San Clemente Island, was designated as an Outlying Landing Field (OLF) to Naval Air Station, San Diego. 1 The U. S. Air Force (USAF) 670th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron (AC&W) from Norton Air Force Base, established a radar station manned by approximately 200 military, and 25 civilian technician personnel, These operations were in support of the North American Air Defense (NORAD) command. Barracks, BOQ, and messing facilities were improved for their use. The USAF assumed responsibility for logistic support, utilities, Wilson Cove maintenance, and messing. 1 NOTS initiated the installation of an underwater rocket range haul-down winch facility two miles south of Wilson Cove. Piers, access roads and numerous tracking camera sites were constructed. 4 Administration of San Clemente Island was transferred to Commander, Naval Amphibious Force-Pacific, at the Naval Amphibious Base (NAVPHIBASE), Coronado, under Bureau of Personnel (BUPERS), and a complement of 15 naval personnel were assigned to the island. 3 The East Shore Range was established for shore and underwater launched missiles with ranges up to 15 miles. This range was used for a number of missile tests. The Torpedo Warshot range was installed south of NOTS pier for exploder and warhead evaluation for all Navy torpedoes. 3 In another development program, rocket-assisted anti-submarine torpedoes (ASROC) were also launched on the west side of the island at the Eel Point Shallow Water Range. For the next several years, well into the 60's,
NOTS, China Lake, installed the underwater rocket range (NOTS Pier) 2-1/2 miles south of Wilson Cove. Piers, access roads, and additional tracking camera stations were also constructed. 4 "Operation Pop-Up" began at the NOTS Pier test facility. 4 This was the testing that proceeded the actual underwater launching of a Polaris missile. In December, the 1st Marine Division, 3rd Armored conducted waterborne Amphibious Vehicle Tracked-Howitzer (LVTH) firing in SHOBA. 40 The Polaris test program was started. Air Force messing facilities could not accommodate increased NOTS personnel; therefore the messing, custodial, and guard services were civilian-contracted in March. Public Works support for Polaris tests, maintenance, and minor construction was provided by Public Works Department, China Lake, on a shift basis. NOTS, China Lake use of SCI showed a marked increase with the start of Polaris testing. The Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) reassigned island responsibility from BUPERS to Bureau of Aeronautics (BUAER) and designated the airfield as an Auxiliary Landing Field (ALF) to NAS, North Island. In April, the island administrative control was transferred from the Commander, Naval Amphibious Force, Pacific, to Commander, NAS, North Island. 3 The Polaris Pop-Up Range construction for underwater launch testing was implemented, including a partial grain firing. Equipment was barge-mounted except for shore-based telemetry, control, and staging facilities. The SUBROC Range was established south of the Polaris Range. 4 An article entitled "San Clemente Island-A Sailors Paradise", in the NAS, North Island weekly newspaper, The North Islander" dated December 4, 1959, quoted the Officer-in-Charge LCDR W. R. Gibbs as saying: "San Clemente Island duty is one of the best the Navy has to offer". T. Hutton, BU1, added: "This island is tops. The liberty is good, the recreation is about the greatest, and there is never any boredom. It's truly the answer to a sailor's dream of a duty paradise". 33 Three Navy officers and 39 enlisted men, along with 200 Air Force officers and men, and 25 civilian technicians and specialists, now manned and maintained a radar site and the airstrip. 33 |
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