Naval Facility Centerville Beach (site)

USA / California / Ferndale /
 military, historical layer / disappeared object, United States Navy
One of the many underwater listening stations that were part of the Sound Surveillance System (SOSUS) and the Integrated Undersea Surveillance System (IUSS), which were used to track Soviet submarines.

Naval Facility Centerville Beach was commissioned on 25 March 1958. From the original compliment of ninety-five personnel and sixteen buildings, it grew to 280 personnel and twenty-four major structures. The facility was located approximately 260 miles north of San Francisco and 100 miles south of the Oregon border. It was situated on thirty-seven acres of rolling pasture land on a 320 foot cliff overlooking the Eel River Valley to the North and bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the West. In addition to its operational responsibilities, NAVFAC Centerville Beach also marked the location of the Readiness Training Facility from 1978 to 1985. After weathering three earthquakes in 1992, NAVFAC Centerville Beach was re-terminated at NOPF Whidbey Island and decommissioned 30 September 1993 after nearly thirty-five years of dedicated service.

In 1992, NAVFAC Centerville Beach survived 3 earthquakes registering 6.9, 7.0, and 7.1 on the Richter scale.

www.public.navy.mil/subfor/cus/Pages/NAVFAC_Centerville...
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SOSUS
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   40°33'51"N   124°21'2"W

Comments

  • I was there 78-79
  • I participated in the environmental remediation of the site while with the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Environmental Detachment at Made Island Naval Shipyard and it was one of the most enjoyable weeks of my career.
  • I served there in 1962/63. Great duty station. Travis Cothron, RM2, USN
  • My husband worked for the DOD there at Centerville from 1974 until it closure in 1993.
  • Was his first name Larry?
  • I served in the Seabees there....with a guy named Dale Cashman
  • I was there in 62/63, Seabees mechanic, married Tom Johnson CS1 daughter, he was in charge of the Mess hall
  • I was there in 1961 -1962 as a Sonar Oceanographer. Some of the guys I was stationed with , remained in the area, Ernie Bender. Bob Durfey. We used to go to Fortuna on liberty. Bob Hoffman
  • I hope You and Larry are doing good. Sure do miss the old days and building that Harley up for Larry
  • Bo Hoskins (Beauregard) stationed there 71-72. CO was Capt Shields. I was an RM2. LTJG Thunburg Ens Crane RM Stocker Fast Eddie Edmondson etc.
  • Looking for someone who was at this base in 1958 and went by the name "Woody."
  • Looking for a man who went by the name Woody Woodruff and was stationed there between 1956 & 1959.
  • Was there 1968 - 69.... had a Chief named Rooney.... was a prick... otherwise really fun billet
  • I remember you... I think Larry Fuller played guitar and I jammed with him a few times. Tom Bacoka CE2 Public Works. The Home of Excellence
  • Stationed there in '92 and part of '93, but closed. Was a great place and loved the people there. RM2 Edwin Bahten
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This article was last modified 11 years ago