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home / community / militaryNaval Surface Warfare Center - Panama City Division
Mission:
The mission of NSWC Panama City Division is to conduct research, development, test and evaluation, in-service support of mine warfare systems, mines, naval special warfare systems, diving and life support systems, amphibious/expeditionary maneuver warfare systems, other missions that occur primarily in coastal (littoral) regions and to execute other responsibilities as assigned by Commander, Naval Surface Warfare Center.
Vision:
The premier Naval Systems Laboratory in the Department of Defense, delivering superior technology and joint warfighter capability in littoral warfare that assures SeaPower 21 Naval supremacy, today and tomorrow!
Comm: (850) 235-5107
DSN: 436-5107
We operate collaboratively as one resilient warfare center; a lean, innovative and productive organization, urgently aligned to national US Navy priorities. We are the technical leader in unmanned systems, particularly in the integration & application to littoral warfare mission areas. Located on St. Andrew Bay in Panama City, Florida, NSWC PCD is the Navy's principal organization responsible for RDT&E in its mission areas and other missions that take place in the coastal region. By virtue of its geographical location on the Gulf of Mexico and the Department of Defense's Joint Gulf Test Range, and coupled with its recognized mission areas and technical expertise, the Division is a leading contributor in developing, fielding, and testing Joint expeditionary and coastal operations systems in the littoral environment.
History:
"The Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division traces its origin to the mine countermeasures research conducted during World War II at the Naval Mine Warfare Test Station, Solomons, Maryland. In 1945, equipment, facilities, and personnel were transferred from Solomons to Panama City, where the new facility-commissioned as the U.S. Navy Mine Countermeasures Station-was established on a 373 acre tract located on the shores of St. Andrews Bay. Ten Years later, the Station achieved laboratory status and was renamed the U.S. Navy Mine Defense Laboratory. Over the following decade, the mission expanded to include airborne mine countermeasures, inshore warfare, and swimmer & diver support. The Mine Defense Laboratory became an activity of the Naval Ship Research and Development Center, Carderock, Maryland; and in 1968, was renamed the Naval Ship Research and Development Laboratory, Panama City Re-designation as the Naval Coastal Systems Laboratory occurred in 1972; and in 1978, the installation received the designation Naval Coastal Systems Center (NCSC) to more accurately reflect the braod rang of technical responsibilities. In October, 1991, NCSC was aligned under the Naval Sea Systems Command and subsequently became the Coastal Systems Station, a component of the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division. Today, NSWC Panama City Division is one of the major research, development, test, and evaluation laboratories of the U.S. Navy employing approximately 1,200 civilians and military personnel. It is the principal Navy RDT&E Center for mine warfare systems, operations in the extreme environment, expeditionary maneuver warfare, and maritime special operations." -- Change of Command brochure
Tyndall Air Force Base
Mission:
325th Fighter Wing Mission: Provide World-Class Training to GUARANTEE AIR DOMINANCE!
Vision:
Total Force Professionals sustaining the current force and developing the future of America's Center of Excellence for Air Dominance Training.
Comm: (850) 283-1113
DSN: 523-1113
History
The 325th Fighter Wing was activated at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., on 1 July 1981 as the 325th Fighter Weapons Wing, adopting the emblems, awards and history of its predecessor, the 325th Fighter Group, the "Checkertail Clan" of World War II fame. On 15 October 1983, the wing was re-designated the 325th Tactical Training Wing, and assumed its air superiority training responsibilities as part of the United States Air Force Air Defense Weapons Center. The wing began receiving the F-15 Eagle in April 1984. When the United States Air Force Air Defense Weapons Center was inactivated 12 September 1991, the wing assumed the role as installation host under Tactical Air Command. On 1 October 1991, HQ USAF re-organized the wing as an objective wing and re-designated it as the 325th Fighter Wing. In June 1992, the wing transferred to Air Combat Command, before settling in Air Education and Training Command in July 1993. In May 1996, U. S Air Force officials at the Pentagon announced that Tyndall would host the F/A-22 air superiority fighter, the Air Force's next generation fighter jet. In October 2002, USAF activated the 43rd Fighter Squadron as the first unit in the Air Force to fly the F/A-22 Raptor. A year later, Lieutenant Colonel Jeffery Harrigian delivered the first F/A-22 from factory to Tyndall AFB. In December 2005, the Raptor achieved initial operational capability and was declared operational by Gen Ronald E. Keys, ACC commander. The F/A-22 was re-designated as the F-22A. Raptor training began normalizing in March 2008 when the first F-22 Basic Course began with four new lieutenants constituting a small group try out (SGTO). All four successfully graduated on 31 October 2008. As the 325th Fighter Wing moved into 2009, it prepared for a new chapter in its history with the discussions concerning the future of F-15 training taking center stage. For now, the Checkertails still graduate the best Raptor pilots, Eagle pilots, and Air Battle Managers in the world.
Click HERE to view Tyndall Events Calendar or Click HERE to view Tyndall Announcements. Information and graphic gathered from http://www.tyndall.af.mil/. Please visit the site provided for more information about Tyndall Air Force Base, or vist http://www.af.mil/. Some of the nformation above was gathered from http://nswcpc.navsea.navy.mil/. Please visit the site provided for more information about the NSWC Panama City Base.
Bay Defense Alliance
In response to the growing emphasis on the downsizing of US military infrastructure and the enactment of federal Base Realignment and Closure legislation calling for closure initiatives in 1991, 1993 and 1995, the Bay County BRAC Committee, Inc. was formed. The organization became an independent, not for profit corporation and later changed its name to the Bay Defense Alliance, Inc. The organization was founded by community leaders involved with the Bay County Chamber of Commerce, the Bay County Economic Development Alliance and other key organizations, and the 25-member board includes representation from nearly every major community organization.
Since its inception, the mission of the BDA has been to study every aspect of our military installations and work to preserve and enhance their missions and military value. Working closely with our congressional delegation toward this common goal, the BDA has assisted our installations in securing appropriate funding necessary to sustain operations, ensure growth and complete important military construction projects.
The Bay Defense Alliance also partners with Enterprise Florida, Inc., and the Florida Defense Alliance to make Florida a more defense-friendly state. The BDA works closely with installation leadership to facilitate the Defense Infrastructure Grant program which provides funding for special projects of mutual benefit to our local bases and the community. To date the Defense Infrastructure Grant Program has brought more than $4.5 million in grants to Tyndall AFB and the Naval Support Activity Panama City.
Although legislated BRAC law is now in the phase of implementing decisions, the threat has not diminished. Competition for defense dollars will continue, installations that contribute to our national defense will remain strong and efficient only with the full support of the communities around them and the capable involvement of our elected leadership. Accordingly, the roles of the Bay Defense Alliance and the Florida Defense Alliance are more important than ever in this effort. Please go to www.baydefense.org for more information.
