Southern Indiana Business Report
CRANE – Naval Support Activity Crane, the world’s third largest naval installation, has officially been renamed Naval Weapons Station Crane.
The new name was announced Monday and became official Dec. 1, 2025. The U.S. Navy, in a news release, said the change better aligns with the installation’s mission areas of weapons systems development and testing in addition to the storage of about 25% of the Department of War’s joint conventional munitions.
The release explained that naval support activities generally provide administrative support for headquarters, commands, or service schools. Notably, NWS Crane and its surrounding areas have seen exponential growth and investment in support of the Secretary of War’s priorities of achieving technological superiority and strengthening the Defense Industrial Base through streamlined and innovative acquisition of munitions and technology for the warfighter.
“NWS Crane’s enduring support to our stellar partner commands, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane Division) and Crane Army Ammunition Activity (CAAA), will continue to ensure unmatched warfighter readiness through research, development, testing, and evaluation of advanced weapons, sensors, technology, and ordnance production,” said Cmdr. Luis “Homie” Martinez, commanding officer, NWS Crane. “Team Crane is committed to providing our warfighters the weapons systems and munitions needed to defeat evolving threats to our nation.”
Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic is the regional coordinator for all shore-based naval personnel and shore activities in the Mid-Atlantic region, which encompasses 20 states, 13 installations, and numerous Navy reserve centers from Maine to Virginia and as far west as Illinois.