Northwest Annex Naval Support Activity, Virginia
The NSA Northwest Annex is located in rural southern Chesapeake, Virginia on the border of North Carolina. Approximately 2/3 of the land is located in Virginia, while the remaining 1/3 is in North Carolina. Northwest is situated adjacent to the Great Dismal Swamp, on 3,600 acres of farm, wood, and swamplands, of which 2,300 acres are forested. Northwest is approximately 40 miles southwest of Virginia Beach, 35 miles south of Norfolk and Portsmouth, 70 miles south of Williamsburg and Yorktown, 35 miles north of Elizabeth City, NC and 60 miles Northwest of the Outer Banks. Cost of living will vary depending on in which area you decide to settle. This region holds a large population of military families both active duty and retired, so there are many local activities, services, and attractions that cater to military customers.
Northwest hosts a diverse group of tenant commands, providing environmental stewardship to preserve the 3,900 acres of farm and wetlands in Southeastern corner of Virginia, to cutting- edge crypto logic support to global U.S. Navy operations. The base's tenant commands include representation from all military services and the Coast Guard. Military members from NATO countries serve on the base as well. The current installation population is approximately 860 Active Duty Military, 420 Family Members, and 185 Civilian Employees.
The mission of Naval Support Activity (NSA) Norfolk, Northwest Annex is to coordinate and provide multi-service shore activity support to 12 tenant activities (including USN, USMC, USCG, and NATO operational and AT/FP training commands) and to the operational forces of the United States and its allies.
In May 1955, the U.S. Naval Radio Station was activated to serve as a receiving facility for naval activities in the Norfolk area. After years of operating and functioning as a naval radio station, in September 1970, the Naval Radio Station Northwest became a component activity of the Naval Communication Station Norfolk. In 1975, the Naval Security Group Activity Northwest was established. Since 1975, the base has continued to change, but it still hosts an interesting and diverse group of tenant commands and personnel.