The first known presence of Navy activity in the Solomons area occurred in 1927 by the US Shipping Board, later known as the Maritime Commission. The US Shipping Board used the southern portion of what is currently known as NRC Solomons, including Third Cove, as anchorage for interned German ships from World War One (NDW Public Works Center, 2003).
The Navy established the Solomons Complex in 1941, with the Naval Ordnance Laboratory (NOL) as the first occupant. Activities at NOL included research on magnetic, electric, and acoustic countermine testing (NAVFACWASH, 2009c). Later, the Navy established the Naval Mine Warfare Test Station to support research, development, and testing of Navy mine warfare and countermeasures. The Navy continued development on the installation with the establishment of the Naval Ordnance Laboratory Test Facility (NOLTF) in 1947. The NOLTF conducted high and low altitude aircraft drops (primarily mines), torpedo shots in the river, and other explosive tests in mine warfare until 1950. From 1948 to 1950, the Navy acquired additional buildings and open space to create the Naval Civil Engineering Laboratory, which conducted research and development of amphibious equipment. Torpedo work was phased out in 1958 and the torpedo shop was converted into amphibious assembly areas (NAVFACWASH,
2009a).
As a result of an assessment of the installation in 1967, NDW recommended that the land could serve two purposes. NOLTF could continue to operate in the southern part of the installation as an industrial site, while the remaining property could serve as a recreation area. In 1969, the Navy began to convert the northern portion of the installation to a recreational facility for eligible current, retired, and reserve military personnel, Department of Defense (DoD) civilians, family members, and guests, and in 1971 NRC Solomons was officially dedicated. In the 1970s, NOLTF underwent several reorganizations and was eventually deactivated in 1982 due to a reduced workload and impacts to local commercial fisheries. Today, the industrial area supports the Naval Mine Warfare Test Station (NMWTS) and Ground Support Equipment (GSE) for Naval Air Systems Command Support Equipment Facility (NAVAIR SEFAC)
(NAVFACWASH, 2009c; NAVFACWASH, 2009a).
Best Friends SA Cinde McClurg EN1 Tommy Thompson EN1 Rick Leshko SK1 Thomas McDaniel EM1 Bill Short EN2 Cliff Kleinik SN Darren Nunez BM3 Keith Saunders EN1/DV Bob Kupko BM1/DV Terry Karlie BM1/DV Ernie Fairbanks MS1 Orlando Frilles
Best Moment There were so many "best moments." Most of which can't be added to a family web site. Ask me sometime & I may tell you.
Worst Moment Falling 18 feet head first, down the aft shaft alley on the Ex-USS Valcour. They told me in the ER at Prince Frederick that my neck was broken. So were several ribs, an ankle & probably a leg. No internal bleeding but they weren't sure what was going on in my head because that had hit so hard. What I ended up with was a cervical strain & a concussion from hell. I spent 10 days in Bethesda trying to keep my eyes uncrossed. In later years, I've developed 3 ruptured discs in my neck from the fall. Only reason I am still walking is the fact that I passed out on the way down when my brain said "this is going to hurt." But I did bounce really well.
Chain of Command LCDR Robert Johnson/LCDR Mike McMillian CWO3 Stott BMMC/MDV Dale Ribbick BMC Ronald Kovi
Other Memories I was scheduled to be the first woman in the pilot program to put women aboard sea going vessels. In my 7th week of boot I sprang both ankles at one time. Set me back 3 weeks. SA Cinde McClurg & I were part of the working crew on the YSD 72. The crew was small but when we went out we carried EOD divers with us. The boat was even smaller. There was no seperate head or berthing. It was definitely an adventure. Shortly after I arrived Cinde decided she was more suited for office work. That left me on the crew of the D. I learned a lot about myself. I had to give as good as I got. I wouldn't trade that expierence for anything.
