Naval Weapons Station Charleston: Strategic Hub for Trident Subs & Ammo

Naval Weapons Station Charleston (NWSC) is a major United States Navy installation located in Charleston, South Carolina (spanning parts of Charleston, North Charleston, Hanahan, and Goose Creek). It is one of the largest employers in the region (~10,000+ military/civilian/contractor personnel).

Core Missions & Tenants

• Strategic Weapons Facility Atlantic (SWFLANT): **East Coast hub for Trident II (D5) submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) processing.** Receives, stores, maintains, tests, and issues missiles for Ohio-class SSBNs (Kings Bay, GA) and UK Vanguard-class (via US-UK Polaris Sales Agreement).
• Naval Nuclear Power Training Command (NNPTC) / Nuclear Power Training Unit (NPTU): Trains Navy nuclear operators (enlisted & officer) for submarines and carriers.
• Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) / Mobile Diving & Salvage: EOD Group 2, Mobile Diving Salvage Unit 2.
• Ammunition Storage & Distribution: **Largest conventional ammunition depot in the Navy.** Stores, maintains, issues ordnance for Atlantic Fleet.
• Maritime Prepositioning Ship Squadron 2 (MPSRON-2): Pre-positioned equipment/supplies for Marine Expeditionary Brigade.
• Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center (SSC) Atlantic: R&D, engineering, acquisition for C4ISR, cyber, IT.

History

• 1918: Established as Naval Training Camp (WWI).
• 1940s: Expanded to Naval Ammunition Depot, Shipyard functions.
• 1960s: Selected for Polaris/Trident missile program — massive construction (missile magazines, processing facilities).
• 1996: Charleston Naval Base (shipyard) closed via BRAC; **Weapons Station retained and expanded.**

Historic & Cultural Assets

• Charleston Navy Yard Historic District (National Register).
• USS Yorktown (CV-10) — Essex-class carrier museum at Patriots Point.
• Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum — Medal of Honor Museum, Cold War Submarine Memorial, Vietnam Experience.

NWSC remains a **critical strategic asset** for US nuclear deterrence (Trident), conventional readiness, and nuclear training.