Silver Strand Training Complex

Initially created in 1920 as the Navy Radio Compass Station, it was renamed in 1940 as the Navy Direction Finder Station when a permanent direction finding station was established.^[7] In 1943, thirty WAVES were stationed there, culminating in 1945 with a total of 112 WAVES;^[8] there they engaged in SIGINT. By 1953, it was known as Naval Radio Receiving Station Imperial Beach, and in 1965 it received its well-known Wullenweber Circular Disposed Antenna Array,^[7] an AN/FRD-10.^[9] In 1971, it was renamed as the Naval Radio Receiving Facility. The last of its type to be built, it ceased operation in 1999.^[10]

In 1942, the United States Army took ownership of 412.14 acres in Coronado Heights and designated it Fort Emory in honor of Brigadier-General William H. Emory, itself being subordinate to Fort Rosecrans, being manned by the 19th Coast Artillery.^[11][12] Armament of the base consisted of four 155 mm guns of Battery Imperial, which were later superseded by the two 6-inch M1905 guns of Battery Grant.^[13] Coastal radars were authorized in 1943.^[14] Construction of a two-gun 16-inch battery (#134) was completed in 1944;^[11][12] however, the guns were never mounted; these guns would have supplemented the 16-inch Battery Ashburn at Fort Rosecrans.^[15][16] In World War II, Fort Emory was garrisoned by the 19th Coast Artillery Regiment, and after October 1944 by the 523rd Coast Artillery Battalion.^[17] The land upon which the fort was located was turned over to the Navy in 1947,^[16] with a single army family as caretaker of the facilities, which were declared surplus a year later;^[11] in 1950 it was finally transferred to the Navy, integrating with the Imperial Beach Radio Station.^[11]

Today the 578 acres (2 km²) facility provides an excellent training environment with waterborne approaches from both the Pacific Ocean and San Diego Bay sides.^[18] Offshore the Coronado Roads area is used for ship systems testing.^[19] The city-like layout of the base also provides a realistic site for critical urban warfare training.^[18]

For amphibious operations training the beaches of the base have been designated Beach White, and Beach Purple, each with two training lanes.^[20] In 2010, the Navy proposed increased training, including mine-sweeping training,^[21] amphibious operations, as well as special warfare operations.^[22] This faced opposition during public hearings by environmentalist, due to possible impact upon the California least tern, San Diego fairy shrimp,^[23] and to a lesser extent the Western snowy plover.^[21][22] Later that year new warning signs were put up by the Navy warning of increased training, and of endangered species.^[4] A ten-year-long, 818-page environmental impact statement was released relating to this proposed increased activity,^[24] it was created with the assistance of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.^[25] Sailors and Marines, training on the Complex are provided maps to avoid environmentally sensitive areas, and conduct clean-ups to minimize impact on those areas supervised by local organizations and the EPA.^[26] In an unrelated proposal, the base's water area will be used for training by the Littoral Combat Ships for antisubmarine warfare;^[27] the Navy has filed its impact upon wildlife with NOAA as it relates to the Marine Mammal Protection Act.^[28]

In September 2014, the Navy proposed demolishing the Wullenweber Antenna Array stating it was obsolete equipment.^[29] By early 2015, the array had been demolished.^[3]

In 2014, the Navy proposed expansion of Special Warfare Command facilities at Silver Strand, dubbed "Naval Base Coronado Coastal Campus"; the proposal had four alternatives, one which would demolish a historic bunker.^[30] Concern has been raised of the effect of planned expansion on Acmispon prostratus (synonym Lotus nuttallianus).^[31] At its outset, the expansion in facilities aboard Silver Strand was over $700 million.^[32] As of February 2016, the Navy plans to tear down the bunker;^[33] it had been planned to be named for Brigadier General George Washington Gatchell, but is identified as #134.^[34] It had been previously used by the Navy as an instruction of SEALs, and had the designation of "Building 99";^[35] it would have been eligible to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.^[30] In August 2016, members of the Kumeyaay nation protested the construction due to concerns about disturbing buried ancestors.^[36] It was estimated that demolition of "Building 99" would be completed by December 2016.^[37] In April 2018, Representative Susan Davis raised concern of sewage spillage from the Tijuana River would have on SEAL training at the complex.^[38] In May 2018, construction continued with five new buildings of the 44 planned to be built, were completed with some already in use.^[39] Upon completion, it is expected that over 3,000 navy personnel will be working aboard the complex.^[40]

In 2015, the Naval Special Warfare Advanced Training Command opened a course on unmanned aerial system, including the Scan Eagle, aboard Silver Strand Training Complex, with additional field activities occurring at Camp Roberts.^[41]

• Official Website
• Environmental Impact Statement
• Steve Schoenherr (29 March 2015). "Military Bases in South Bay". sunnycv.com. South Bay Historical Society.
• "Chapter 7: World War II and After, 1941-1948 (continued)". The Guns of San Diego. National Park Service. 19 January 2005.
• Harbor Defenses of San Diego at the Coast Defense Study Group website
• Stanton, John; Thayer, Bill (7 January 2019). "Fort Emory". fortwiki.com.