As a result of the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina there will be no permanent change of station moves to NSA New Orleans or to any unit at NSA or in the vicinity through 31 December 2005.
Family members will be allowed to return as soon as it is safe to do so, however, everyone should give the decision to return thoughtful consideration.
Despite the impression given by news reports that destruction of housing is nearly total, some residents will find that their homes are relatively, or even completely, undamaged. Yet even the fortunate few would be returning to an area where there has been massive and long-term damage to the physical and civic infrastructure, which will affect everyone's daily life for some time to come. For example:
- Public schools in St. Bernard Parish are closed until September 2006. It's too early to say definitely, but it seems likely that some facilities will not re-open for more than a year. In addition, many private schools were damaged and some will not re-open soon.
- Many businesses have been destroyed and some will never be able to re-open. Many other former employers, although less damaged, still face large immediate financial losses and reduced revenue in the near future. Some will fail.
- Recent experiences with recovery after hurricanes in Florida showed a great increase in the frequency and number of serious accidents among both workers and people cleaning up in and around their homes. Yet there has been a significant reduction in the overall ability to respond to medical emergencies. The large civilian hospitals are damaged and many of their staff members are still evacuees. At this writing only one of four hospitals in the city of New Orleans is open.
At the same time, undoubtedly some private schools will find ways to meet additional demand and some home-school support organizations will creatively increase their support. In addition, many businesses will probably expand rapidly due to the enormous increase in construction and re-construction, and there may even be labor shortages in some fields. Enormous resources are being poured into the task of restoring emergency medical services. When the Services allow families to return it will mean that housing is available and reasonably secure, so we're not saying "Stay away!" -- just that you should make a well-informed decision.
Your situation will be different in some significant way(s) from that of others. Be sure that you have as much reliable, current information that is relevant to your family's circumstances as possible.
NOTE
The remainder of this file contains pre-Katrina information that is no longer relevant, and some of which will not be accurate when things return to normal. That information will be changed as the recovery develops.
This category contains information on organizational units and activities on Naval Support Activity. It includes commands, telephone contacts, basic safety and vehicle information and items that are unique to this area. It also includes statistics and history regarding the installation.
Naval Support Activity, New Orleans, LA Commanding Officer: Captain W.S. Stuart Executive Officer: CDR M.A. Niles Command Master Chief: BMCM C. Boozer
Major Command: Commander Naval Reserve Force
Mission: The primary mission is to provide logistical support for tenant activities and other commands as assigned by Chief of Naval Operations. To carry out this mission, we are supported by a daytime population of about 3,865 active duty personnel, 2,700 civilian and contract employees, 700 military family members residing on base and 2,700 retirees in the surrounding community.
Telephone Access....: All numbers listed are in the 504 area code except as indicated. DSN is 678-xxxx for Naval Support Activity and Naval Air Station, Joint Reserve Base. The xxxx denotes the last four digits of the commands' phone number.
For direction to the Naval Support Activity, and Naval Air Station, Joint Reserve Base, refer to "MUST KNOW ITEMS"
HISTORY
For more than 125 years the Navy has called the west bank of the Mississippi River in New Orleans home. In February 1849 acerb on which the Naval Support Activity now stands was purchased for an intended Navy yard. The Navy yard was not built, however, and the land was leased for farming. In May of that year additional ground was purchased by the Navy to enlarge the original site.
In November 1901 the Naval Dry Dock (YFD#2) arrived and the U.S. Navy Station was formally established. In 1902 the Commandant, Eighth Naval District received almost $4 million for new buildings and improvements to the station. Additional property was obtained giving the Navy almost three fourth of a mile of valuable river frontage.
The original buildings, some of which still stand, were completed on the site in 1903. Also located on the grounds is a plantation home, built in 1840. Today that home is known simply as Quarters "A" and is occupied by the area's senior Naval flag officer. Quarters "A", an Antebellum Creole style country home, was placed on the National Register in 1993. Quarters "A" sits on what was once Bienville's personal concession.
The Naval Station remained open until September 1911. Following four years of inactivity, it was reopened in 1915 as an industrial Navy yard for repair of vessels. The station continued in full operation until June 1939 when it was placed in a maintenance status. In December 1939 the station was reactivated and eventually became a base to handle transient naval personnel.
In September 1944 the station was designated the U.S. Naval Repair Base. However, just three years later it was redesignated as the U.S. Naval Station, a name it held until January 1962 when it became the Headquarters, Support Activity, New Orleans. This latter name came about to reflect the fact that the Headquarters, Eighth Naval District was aboard the station as a regular tenant.
Located on the east bank of the Mississippi River are the three largest buildings of the Naval Support Activity. The three giant buildings that tower six floors above the river each contain over one-half million square feet of floor space and house a major part of NAVSUPPACT tenants.
The 30 acres of land and the three buildings have a history that began in June of 1919 when the buildings were constructed for the U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps for use as a general depot during World War I.
These buildings were partially used by the QM Corps after completion until February 1931 when Buildings 601 and 602 were leased to the Board of Commissioners, Port of New Orleans.
With the advent of World War II the lease was canceled and the installation reverted to complete use by the military. After the QM Corps gave up the buildings the official title became the New Orleans Port of Embarkation. In 1955 the tract of land was known as the New Orleans Army Terminal. In 1965 the name was changed to the New Orleans Army Base.
There was an expanding naval presence in the lower Mississippi Delta in the middle 60's. In June 1966 the New Orleans Army Base was transferred to the Navy. July 1966 saw the disestablishment of the Headquarters, Support Activity and the establishment of the Naval Support Activity to reflect the changing mission of the station. With this change in mission and designation both sides of the river began serving as the Naval Support Activity for the first time.
Recently renovated housing and the nation's first on base charter school nearby make New Orleans one of the finest duty stations in the world. Members living on base at NSA New Orleans get preferred status to send their children to Belle Chasse Academy onboard NAS JRB New Orleans just a short drive away. Renovated units are available with no waiting list. Professionally managed by the nation's best PPV manager, Patrician Management, the site features a responsive staff eager to meet your needs with 24 hour emergency maintenance service. Basic Allowance for Housing covers it all with no out of pocket expense.
NSA New Orleans: Installation
Installation Overview
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Name : Naval Support Activity
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Address : 2300 General Meyer Avenue
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City : New Orleans
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State : LA
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Zip : 70142-5007
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Phone : 504 678-2104
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Fax :
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Web Address : http://www.navy.mil/navresfor/nsa
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