In 120th year, base officials reflect on changing mission

From factory to research facility, rolling with times

Friday, Jan. 7, 2011

By SARA POYNOR

Staff writer

For Naval Support Facility Indian Head, 2010 was a year of reflection and celebration.

On Sept. 25, the historic naval base celebrated its 120-year history at the Indian Head Village Green Pavilion.

At the event, U.S. Navy Capt. Catie Hanft, commander of Naval Support Activity South Potomac, which manages the Indian Head and Dahlgren, Va., bases, said, "We pay homage to the military men and women, the scientists and technicians, the laborers and tradesmen — from generations gone by — that transformed the backwoods of rural Charles County into a vibrant naval base that would directly influence every major military conflict this nation has known since."

Gary Wagner, NSASP public affairs officer, said that U.S. Navy built the first proving ground for testing naval guns at Indian Head in 1890; however, in 1918, it designated what is now Naval Support Facility Dahlgren as the Naval Proving Ground Lower Station. The move to Dahlgren provided a larger range down the Potomac River.

Over the years, the Indian Head installation has gone through many name changes, with the most recent in 2005.

In 2002, the Department of the Navy opted to centralize the management of Navy bases all around the world by creating a new command known as the Navy Installation Command, Wagner said, adding that turnover took about three years.

When Indian Head became part of Naval Support Activity South Potomac along with Dahlgren, the name changed to Naval Support Facility Indian Head.

NSASP falls under the senior command of Naval District Washington.

Today, NSF Indian Head is home to Indian Head Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center, a world-class energetics center; Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division; the Joint Interoperability Test Command; U.S. Marine Corps Chemical Biological Incident Response Force; Naval Ordnance Safety and Security Activity; and Naval Sea Logistics Center Detachment Atlantic.

According to an IHDIV, NSWC press release in September, 75 percent of all explosives deployed in U.S. weapons have been developed by the IHDIV, which is the largest activity on the historic naval base.

Former technical director Robert Gates said at the town's October meeting that IHDIV's work force is at 1,480 civilians and three military personnel.

"More than half [of the work force] lives in Charles County," Capt. Andy Buduo III said, adding that many are also leaders in various civic organizations and church groups. Some are fourth- and fifth-generation employees

IHDIV, NSWC, has five detachments — Picatinny, N.J.; Earle, N.J.; Yorktown, Va.; Louisville, Ky.; and McAlester, Okla.

The Yorktown detachment, which has about 39 government employees, will move to Indian Head this year.

"We bill ourselves as the largest work force in DOD in energetics," Buduo said.

Over the years, IHDIV, NSWC, has moved from manufacturing to the research, development and safe disposal of energetics materials. Buduo referred to it as the life cycle of energetics, from "cradle to grave."

"When you consider the breadth and diversity of missions accomplished at Indian Head today, when you see the investment in infrastructure and the construction of much-needed, state-of-the-art technical facilities, we can anticipate that Indian Head is positioned to thrive and continue to add to its history as a place where U.S. military capabilities are advanced," Hanft said.

The town and other groups such as the Indian Head Defense Alliance, Charles County Chamber of Commerce and the Western Charles County Business Association have supported the base through the years.

"One of the things we do a lot of is educate and inform the various federal, state and local officials as to the importance of Indian Head," alliance President Dennis Chappell said.

"We get tremendous support from our congressman, Steny Hoyer, and our two senators. … They support various legislative initiatives to help the base through construction or with programs and new facilities. … Without the support from our elected representatives and strong support from the community, Indian Head would have been in severe jeopardy during the last [Base Realignment and Closure round]."

The alliance participates in the Maryland Military Installation Council, which Del. John Bohanan (D-St. Mary's) established in response to the Base Realignment and Closure Commission, Chappell said, adding that "it's a good vehicle for getting exposure to different initiatives to help support the base."