SCSC Wallops Island

Surface Combat Systems Center Wallpos Island is located on the island with the same name, in Accomack County, on the eastern shores of Virginia. It is an advanced military installation owned by the United States Navy. The center works in a tight collaboration with the flight center of NASA, which is located in the immediate proximity. In fact, it often uses the place for various operations. The place is commanded by John J. Keegan. The installation is not among the largest ones in the country, regardless of its essential objectives. It is operated by not more than 300 individuals, counting both military personnel and civilian employees. There are a few contractors hosted on site too. They are mostly civilian experts and engineers who help the base fulfill its missions. It is named after John Wallop, the original owner of the island back in the 17-th century.

Mission

SCSC Wallops Island represents the future of the United States Navy. Its mission is to develop new and advanced techniques to be later used by the Navy experts. At the same time, the base is responsible for testing the effectiveness of these new techniques and equipments, not to mention about the basic training sessions. In order to fulfill its mission, the base hosts professional and certified personnel only. Each of those experts can brag with at least one degree. Even the contractors used to help them come from professional and accredited fields.

Facilities

SCSC Wallops Island is a small installation consisting of professional experts only. Although it cannot impress from a geographical point of view, it does impress if you take a brief look over the facilities on site. The base has an essential role for the US Navy, therefore there are a lot of money injected in there. This means the facilities stand up to the expectations. When it comes to the general lifestyle, there are society clubs, a commissary, family centers and a lot of other services found in the civilian life too. The recreational sites are just as varied. There are specific sites for the sports fans, not to mention about a lot of American traditional dining facilities and snack bars. As for the healthy status, there are dental clinics, childcare clinics and general health care clinics. Basically, those who live at SCSC Wallops Island have everything they need to feel like home.

History

During its early years as a military station, the island was owned by the Coast Guard. The United States Navy took it over in 1941 and turned it into what it is today. In 1958, NASA joined this site as well, after absorbing NACA. This is how the two institutions got to work together. The results coming from NASA’s tests and research operations are also used by the experts at SCSC Wallops Island. This tight collaboration has seriously contributed at the success rate of both these institutions. Over the years, 19 different satellites have been launched from this base and 16 of them were actually kept in space. During the ’80s, after being mostly run by the NASA, the island got a small place for the returning US Navy as well, with more personnel and equipments.