San Clemente Island

 island, military, nature conservation park / area, United States Navy, target (military)

San Clemente Island (SCI) is the southernmost of the eight California Channel Islands. It lies 55 nautical miles (nm) south of Long Beach and 68 nm west of San Diego.

Since 1934, the island has been owned by the U.S. Navy and operated by various naval commands. The island is approximately 21 nm long and is 4-1/2 nm across at its widest point, making it one of the Navy's largest real estate assets.
The Navy uses the island for research, development, testing, evaluation, and training.
More than a dozen range and operational areas are clustered within a 60 mile radius of the island. The Commander-in-Chief, Naval Forces, Pacific (CINCPACFLT) is the major claimant for the island, and Naval Air Station, North Island (NASNI) is responsible for its administration.

The island was named by the Spanish explorer Sebastian Vizcaino, who spotted it on November 23, 1602, which is celebrated as Saint Clement's feast day. Vizcaino, however was not the first to step foot on the island, it was home to a thriving band of the Chumash Indians for some time.

www.scisland.org

History:
www.scisland.org/aboutsci/history/SCI-History.pdf

Photos:
www.scisland.org/Photo-Gallery.dir/Photo-Gallery.php


www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJK5clkzDqs