LOCATION - The base 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, wooded, 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 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.
HISTORY - 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 was disestablished and 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.
MISSION - The mission of Naval Support Activity, Norfolk, Northwest Annex (Northwest) 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. For further information on unit listings at Northwest please go to the topic area for Major Unit Listings under Installation Information.
POPULATION SERVED - Northwest hosts several tenant commands and personnel from various services. Military members from foreign NATO countries serve on the base as well. The current installation personnel total is 2,581.
SPONSORSHIP - It is wise to keep in close contact with your command sponsor. Your sponsor will be the primary point of contact at your new command, providing you with important information about your new command and the surrounding communities. If you have "hard copy" orders and a sponsor has not contacted you, contact your gaining command to request one. If you are unsure of where to go, you can stop by the Military Information Booth at the Norfolk International Airport or the USO of Hampton Roads at the Norfolk or Newport News/Williamsburg International Airports or contact the Northwest Quarterdeck so you can be directed appropriately. Be sure to have your service record and orders when you check-in. To contact the NSA Norfolk, Northwest Annex Quarterdeck call 757-421-8000.
If your sponsor does not meet you personally upon arrival to the area, military personnel should report to commands as follows:
USCG CAMSLANT personnel please call 757-421-6240 (24 hour line) to report. Marine Corps Security Force Training Company personnel please call 757-421-8582 during working hours or 757-421-8100 after hours to report. NCSA SGT F-3 (NATO) personnel please call 757-421-3838 (24 hour line) to report. Training Support Hampton Roads Northwest Service Center personnel please call 757-421-8109 during working hours or 757-629-9499 after working hours to report. For further information on check-in procedures please go to the topic area for Check-In Procedures under Installation Information.
TEMPORARY QUARTERS - Combined Bachelor Housing at Northwest has approximately 733 total beds for military or civilian personnel. The majority of the spaces are no-cost beds reserved for active duty personnel. For Space A or no-cost travelers, reservations should be made in advance by calling the Combined Bachelor Housing directly at 757-421-8282. For all other travelers, please call 877-986-9258 for reservations. Cost for your room will be approximately $25 or $45 per night with an additional charge for extra travelers over the age of 12. There are cribs available for families with small children. Also, there are facilities and accommodations available for individuals with handicaps or special needs. Please call ahead if you need special accommodations or assistance. Unfortunately, no pets are allowed.
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE - Please make sure to check in with your Northwest relocation specialist, Amy Hutchison, at Fleet and Family Support Center Northwest at 757-421-8770. Relocation specialists can provide a number of different services to help you with your relocation needs. Some of the services provided by the relocation specialist include the following: personalized one-on-one relocation counseling to assist you with relocation needs, welcome aboard packages to orient you to your new community, and a lending locker which provides household items to relocating personnel at no charge.
CRITICAL INSTALLATION INFORMATION - Please remember that the Navy will now issue warnings to service members, civilian employees, and visitors to the base who are pulled over for using a non-hands free cell phone while driving. Please remember not to use a non-hands free cell phone while driving on base.