NORFOLK, Va. — All aboard! These folks are getting a rare inside look into the crown jewel of the U.S. naval defense system and the sailors who work here.
“A glimpse into the inner sanctum of where they work, how they do what they do, some of the trials and tribulations,” said retired Navy Captain Bob Kennedy.
“This base was opened in 1917,” he adds.
“I think people need to know the importance of an installation like this and how it is woven into the defense of our beautiful country,” Kennedy says.
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Bob narrates an hour-long bus tour, taking visitors through the more than 4,600 acres of the largest concentration of U.S. Navy forces in the world.
“There are some 55,000 active-duty individuals who work at Naval Station Norfolk; they’re joined by another 17,000 DOD civilians,” he explains.
The tour covers the two main areas of the military installation.
“One is the aviation side, which has our airfields and squadrons. Then we’ll work our way up the coastline, and then we’ll go to the pier area, which is the home of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet,” he continues.
And that’s the area that gets the most attention. Pierside, you’ll find destroyers, submarines, and the biggest of all, aircraft carriers.
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“You don’t understand the size until you get close to them. They are huge; it’s hard to comprehend,” says Sue Connor, who is visiting with her husband, Richard. This is their third time in Hampton Roads but the first time touring Naval Station Norfolk.
“I love this kind of thing. I’ve always had an interest in military and naval,” she said. “I was really impressed. Great information,” Richard adds.
This is the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic that tours have been allowed. Norfolk Naval Base Commanding Officer Captain Matt Schlarmann tells me it is the perfect time to start showing off our military might again.
“This year marks the Navy’s 250th birthday, and for every day of those 250 years, the United States Navy has been in Hampton Roads, so we’re very much an identity in the region,” he said.
Tours are offered by Victory Rover Naval Base Cruises year-round for $22 per person. You are required to go through a short security screening that takes about 5 minutes before you board.
A big salute to Naval Station Norfolk and the sailors who work there, as they are positively Hampton Roads.
