Naval Support Activity Panama City's History
Naval Support Activity, Panama City had its origin in the mine countermeasures research conducted during World War II at the U.S. Naval Mine Warfare Test Station, Solomons, Maryland. In 1945, equipment, facilities, and personnel were transferred from Solomons to Panama City, Florida, to occupy a 373-acre tract along St. Andrew Bay. This same tract was used as a Naval Section Base in 1942, the U.S. Naval Amphibious Training Base in 1944, and was inactivated in June 1945. It was established as the U.S. Navy Mine Countermeasures Station July 20, 1945.
From July 1945 to January 1992 NSA PC has undergone a myriad of name changes to include U.S. Navy Mine Defense Laboratory, Naval Ship Research and Development Laboratory Panama City, Naval Coastal Systems Laboratory and Naval Coastal Systems Center.
In January 1992, NCSC was re-designated the Coastal Systems Station (CSS), Dahlgren Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center, reporting to the Naval Sea Systems Command.
On October 1 2003, CSS was reorganized as a part of the alignment under Commander, Navy Installations. During this reorganization, the base was renamed Naval Support Activity, Panama City, reporting to the Commander, Navy Region Southeast. The R&D mission workforce was renamed the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Panama City. The primary mission and work areas of the base remained unchanged.
NSA PC hosts many diverse tenant commands and other activities: Naval Surface Warfare Center, Panama City Division; Center for Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Diving; Deployable Joint Command and Control Joint Program; Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit SIX; Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center; Navy Experimental Diving Unit; Navy Munitions Command Detachments; Naval Branch Health Clinic; Naval Criminal Investigative Service; Navy Exchange; Veterans Administration Primary Care Clinic; U.S. Coast Guard 8th District Panama City Station, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
The Activity totals 657 acres and houses 221 buildings. The unique conditions in the Gulf of Mexico, coupled with mission synergy make NSA PC, an ideal location for fleet training and littoral warfare missions. NSA, Panama City employs approximately 3000 civilian and military personnel with an annual payroll of more than $294 million. The Activity contracts services, buys local goods and maintains an active construction program. Its economic impact is more than $500 million annually. Throughout its existence, NSA, Panama City and its tenants have continued to evolve to meet the demanding requirements of the U.S. Navy - to defend today and to plan for tomorrow in response to national needs.