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{{Short description|Military training facility in California, United States}}
{{Infobox military installation
| name = Silver Strand Training Complex
| native_name = Navy Radio Compass Station Navy Direction Finder Station Fort Emory Imperial Beach Radio Station Naval Radio Receiving Station Imperial Beach Naval Radio Receiving Facility
| partof = [[Naval Base Coronado]]
| country =
| image = Silver Strand Training Complex.jpg
| alt = Wullenweber Circular Disposed Antenna Array
| caption = Silver Strand Training Complex antenna array in 2013
| image2 = 
| alt2 =
| caption2 =
| type =
| coordinates = {{coord|32.596389|-117.128056|region:US-CA_type:landmark|display=inline,title}} 
| gridref =
| image_map =
| image_mapsize =
| image_map_alt =
| image_map_caption =
| pushpin_map = USA
| pushpin_mapsize =
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption =
| pushpin_relief = California
| pushpin_image =
| pushpin_label =
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_mark =
| pushpin_marksize =
| ownership = United States Navy
| operator = 
| controlledby = U.S. Special Operations Forces 
| open_to_public = 
| site_other = 
| site_area = 
| code = 
| built = {{Start date|1920}} 
| used = 
| garrison = 
| occupants = United States Naval Special Warfare Command 
}}

'''Silver Strand Training Complex''' ('''SSTC''') is a training facility for [[U.S. Special Operations Forces]]. Located between [[Imperial Beach, California]], and [[Silver Strand State Beach]] near [[San Diego]]. The area is part of [[Naval Base Coronado]] and commanded by that base's Commanding Officer.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cnrsw.cnic.navy.mil/Installations/NAVBASE-Coronado/ |title=Welcome to Naval Base Coronado |work=Commander, Navy Installations Command |publisher=[[United States Navy]] |access-date=16 February 2011}}</ref> While just north of Imperial Beach, it is within the city limits of [[Coronado, California|Coronado]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Sampite-Montecalvo |first=Allison |date=21 July 2017 |title=Poop suit settled between Coronado, I.B. over naval services |url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/communities/south-county/sd-se-sewer-lawsuit-0727-story.html |work=San Diego Union-Tribune |access-date=7 August 2018 }}</ref> The facility was known by locals as the "elephant cage" which is a nickname for the large [[Circularly disposed antenna array|wullenweber]] direction finder antenna. The antenna was used to provide direction finding, primary communication links for [[Submarines in the United States Navy|U.S. Navy submarines]]. The antenna was finally dismantled in 2015,<ref name="Steele">{{cite news |last=Steele |first=Jeanette |date=20 March 2015 |title=Navy SEALs eye dramatic expansion |url=http://m.utsandiego.com/news/2015/mar/20/navy-seals-silver-star-campus-expansion/ |access-date=8 April 2015 |newspaper=San Diego Union Tribune}}</ref><ref name="SDUT" /> even though it was scheduled to be removed in fiscal year 2007.<ref>{{cite web |author=CDR Alvin H. Grobmeier |date=9 December 2007 |title=USN CDAAs |url=http://www.coldwar-c4i.net/CDAA/history.html |access-date=16 February 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Dee Ruzicka |date=May 2007 |title=U.S. Naval Base, Pearl Harbor, Naval Radio Station, AN/FRD-10 Circularly Disposed Antenna Array |url=http://www.navy-radio.com/rcvrs/frd10/frd10-hawaii.pdf |access-date=16 February 2011 |work=Historic American Buildings Survey |publisher=U.S. [[Department of the Interior]]}}</ref>

==History==

===Naval===
[[File:Aerial view of Radio Compass Station looking east, Imperial Beach, California. Altitude 200 feet. - NARA - 295621.jpg|thumb|Navy Radio Compass Station, circa 1925]]
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.<ref name="NIOC">{{cite web |url=http://www.niocsd.navy.mil/history.htm |title=NAVIOCOM San Diego History |date=1 February 2010 |work=Navy Information Operations Command San Diego |publisher=[[United States Navy]] |access-date=16 February 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722200929/http://www.niocsd.navy.mil/history.htm |archive-date=22 July 2011 }}</ref> In 1943, thirty [[WAVES]] were stationed there, culminating in 1945 with a total of 112 WAVES;<ref>{{cite book |title=U. S. Naval Cryptologic Veterans Association |last=McGinnis |first=George P. |year=1997 |publisher=Turner Publishing Company |isbn=978-1-56311-250-8 |page=41 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AbjIjcU7JXcC&dq=%22Imperial%20Beach%20Radio%20Station%22&pg=PA41 |access-date=16 February 2011}}</ref> 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,<ref name="NIOC" /> an [[AN/FRD-10]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fas.org/irp/program/collect/classic_bullseye.htm |title=AN/FRD-10 CLASSIC BULLSEYE |last1=Pike |first1=John |publisher=[[Federation of American Scientists]] |access-date=16 February 2011}}</ref> In 1971, it was renamed as the '''Naval Radio Receiving Facility'''. The last of its type to be built, it ceased operation in 1999.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jproc.ca/rrp/masset.html |title=CFS Masset |date=December 2008 |work=RADIO COMMUNICATIONS AND SIGNALS INTELLIGENCE IN THE CANADIAN NAVY |publisher=Jerry Proc |access-date=16 February 2011}}</ref>

===Army===
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 [[U.S. Army Coast Artillery Corps|Coast Artillery]].<ref name="CSMM">{{cite web |url=http://www.militarymuseum.org/FtEmory.html |title=Fort Emory |date=18 May 2008 |work=[[California State Military Museum]] |publisher=[[California Military Department|California State Military Department]] |access-date=16 February 2011}}</ref><ref name="Linder129">{{cite book|last=Linder|first=Bruce|title=San Diego's Navy|location=[[Annapolis, Maryland]]|publisher=[[Naval Institute Press]]|year=2001|page=129|isbn=1-55750-531-4}}</ref> [[Seacoast defense in the United States|Armament]] of the base consisted of four [[Canon de 155mm GPF|155 mm guns]] of Battery Imperial, which were later superseded by the two [[6-inch gun M1905|6-inch M1905 guns]] of Battery Grant.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Guns of San Diego: San Diego Harbor Defenses, 1796-1947 |last=Thompson |first=Erwin N. |author2=Howard B. Overton |year=1991 |publisher=[[National Park Service]] |location=[[San Diego]] |url=http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/cabr/hrs7a.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120805124453/http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/cabr/hrs7a.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 5, 2012 |access-date=16 February 2011}}</ref> Coastal radars were authorized in 1943.<ref>{{cite book |title=THE GUNS OF SAN DIEGO: San Diego Harbor Defenses, 1796-1947 |last=Thompson |first=Erwin N. |author2=Howard B. Overton |year=1991 |publisher=[[National Park Service]] |location=[[San Diego]] |url=http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/cabr/hrs7b.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110122020813/http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/cabr/hrs7b.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 22, 2011 |access-date=16 February 2011}}</ref> Construction of a two-gun [[16"/50 caliber Mark 2 gun|16-inch battery]] (#134) was completed in 1944;<ref name="CSMM" /><ref name="Linder129"/> however, the guns were never mounted; these guns would have supplemented the 16-inch Battery Ashburn at Fort Rosecrans.<ref>{{cite book |title=THE GUNS OF SAN DIEGO: San Diego Harbor Defenses, 1796-1947 |last=Thompson |first=Erwin N. |author2=Howard B. Overton |year=1991 |publisher=[[National Park Service]] |location=[[San Diego]] |url=http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/cabr/hrs7.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081204093825/http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/cabr/hrs7.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 4, 2008 |access-date=16 February 2011}}</ref><ref name="CDSG">{{cite web |url=http://www.militarymuseum.org/HDSD.html |title=Harbor Defenses of San Diego |author=Mark J. Bernow |work=[[California State Military Museum]] |publisher=[[California Military Department|California State Military Department]] |access-date=16 February 2011}}</ref> In World War II, Fort Emory was garrisoned by the [[19th Coast Artillery (United States)|19th Coast Artillery Regiment]], and after October 1944 by the 523rd Coast Artillery Battalion.<ref>[http://cdsg.org/wp-content/uploads/pdfs/FORTS/CACunits/CACreg1.pdf Gaines, William C., Coast Artillery Organizational History, 1917-1950, ''Coast Defense Journal'', vol. 23, issue 2, p. 13]</ref> The land upon which the fort was located was turned over to the [[United States Navy|Navy]] in 1947,<ref name="CDSG" /> with a single army family as [[caretaker (military)|caretaker]] of the facilities, which were declared surplus a year later;<ref name="CSMM" /> in 1950 it was finally transferred to the Navy, integrating with the '''Imperial Beach Radio Station'''.<ref name="CSMM" />

==Operations==
Today the {{convert|578|acre|km2|0}} facility provides an excellent training environment with waterborne approaches from both the Pacific Ocean and [[San Diego Bay]] sides.<ref name="CNIC">{{cite web|title=Silver Strand Training Complex|url=https://cnrsw.cnic.navy.mil/Installations/NAVBASE-Coronado/|work=CNIC website|access-date=30 May 2011}}</ref> Offshore the ''Coronado Roads'' area is used for ship systems testing.<ref>{{cite news |title=US Navy on the T-AKE As It Beefs Up Supply Ship Capacity |url=http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/us-navy-on-the-take-as-it-beefs-up-supply-ship-capacity-updated-01826/ |newspaper=[[Defense Industry Daily]] |date=3 February 2011 |access-date=17 February 2011}}</ref> The city-like layout of the base also provides a realistic site for critical urban warfare training.<ref name="CNIC" />

For [[Amphibious warfare|amphibious operations]] training the beaches of the base have been designated Beach White, and Beach Purple, each with two training lanes.<ref>{{cite news |last=Zuniga |first=Janine |date=14 March 2010 |title=Comment time extended for Navy's strand plans |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-comment-time-extended-navys-strand-plans-2010mar14-htmlstory.html |work=The San Diego Union-Tribune |access-date=11 January 2020 }}</ref> In 2010, the Navy proposed increased training, including [[mine clearance|mine-sweeping]] training,<ref name="KPBS">{{cite web |url=http://www.kpbs.org/news/2010/feb/26/navy-expansion-proposed-along-silver-strand/ |title=Navy Expansion Proposed Along Silver Strand |author=Megan Burke |author2=Hank Crook |author3=Alison St John |date=26 February 2010 |work=Editors Roundtable |publisher=[[KPBS-FM|KPBS]] |access-date=17 February 2011}}</ref> amphibious operations, as well as special warfare operations.<ref name="SDUTJZ">{{cite news |title=Plans to step up Navy training worry neighbors |author=JANINE ZÚÑIGA |url=http://www.singonsandiego.com/news/2010/feb/23/naval-training-plans-concern-locals/ |newspaper=[[San Diego Union Tribune]] |date=23 February 2010 |access-date=17 February 2011}}</ref> This faced opposition during public hearings by [[environmentalist]], due to possible impact upon the [[California least tern]], [[San Diego fairy shrimp]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Navy's Silver Strand Expansion Could Harm Vulnerable Species |author=Kyla Calvert |url=http://www.kpbs.org/news/2010/aug/12/navys-silver-strand-expansion-could-harm-vulnerabl/ |newspaper=KPBS |date=12 August 2010 |access-date=17 February 2011}}</ref> and to a lesser extent the [[Western snowy plover]].<ref name="KPBS" /><ref name="SDUTJZ" /> Later that year new warning signs were put up by the Navy warning of increased training, and of endangered species.<ref name="SDUT">{{cite news |title=Navy's signs causing beach-goer confusion |author=JANINE ZÚÑIGA |url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/apr/08/security-signs-causing-confusion/ |newspaper=[[San Diego Union Tribune]] |date=8 April 2010 |access-date=17 February 2011}}</ref> A ten-year-long, 818-page [[environmental impact statement]] was released relating to this proposed increased activity,<ref>{{cite news |title=Last chance to comment on new training activities |author=JANINE ZÚÑIGA |url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/jan/13/increased-naval-activity-planned-silver-strand/ |newspaper=[[San Diego Union Tribune]] |date=13 January 2011 |access-date=17 February 2011}}</ref> it was created with the assistance of the [[United States Fish and Wildlife Service]].<ref>{{cite news |title=USFWS Carlsbad Field Office Federal Partnership Recognized by Navy Region Southwest |author=Melanie Ravan |url=http://www.navycompass.com/top-stories/top-stories/2321-melanie-ravan |newspaper=Navy Compass |date=31 August 2010 |access-date=17 February 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315175519/http://www.navycompass.com/top-stories/top-stories/2321-melanie-ravan |archive-date=15 March 2017 }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news |last=Perry |first=Tony |date=21 February 2013 |title=Coronado sailors clean up imperiled birds' nesting areas |url=https://www.latimes.com/local/la-xpm-2013-feb-21-la-me-beach-nesting-20130222-story.html |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |access-date=4 December 2014 }}</ref> In an unrelated proposal, the base's water area will be used for training by the [[Littoral Combat Ship]]s for [[antisubmarine warfare]];<ref>{{cite news |title=Navy eyes wider training area off Hawaii |author=Gidget Fuentes |url=http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2010/08/navy_hawaii_training_080410w/ |newspaper=[[Marine Corps Times]] |date=4 August 2010 |access-date=17 February 2011}}</ref> the Navy has filed its impact upon wildlife with [[National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]] as it relates to the [[Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972|Marine Mammal Protection Act]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/pdfs/permits/sstc_iha_v3.pdf |title=Incidental Harassment Authorization Application for Navy Training Conducted Within The Silver Strand Training Complex |author=Commander, [[United States Pacific Fleet|U.S. Pacific Fleet]] |date=28 December 2010 |work=[[National Marine Fisheries Service]] |publisher=[[National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration]] |access-date=17 February 2011}}</ref>

In September 2014, the Navy proposed demolishing the Wullenweber Antenna Array stating it was obsolete equipment.<ref>{{cite news |last=Steele |first=Jeanette |date=3 September 2014 |title=Navy's mysterious 'elephant cage' retired |url=http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/sep/03/Wullenweber-antenna-silver-strand-navy/ |newspaper=San Diego Union Tribune |access-date=29 January 2015 }} {{cite news |author= |title=Antenna Array Demolition Part Of Proposed Navy Campus |url=http://www.imperialbeachnewsca.com/news/article_7646ebb6-3ada-11e4-87d5-fbfedc1714f4.html |newspaper=Eagle & Times |location=Imperial Beach, California |date=18 September 2014 |access-date=29 January 2015 }}</ref> By early 2015, the array had been demolished.<ref name="Steele"/>

[[File:Disposed Coronado Beltline Rail.jpg|thumb|Construction of the coastal campus of Special Warfare Command seen from [[San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge]], in October 2017.]]
In 2014, the Navy proposed expansion of [[United States Naval Special Warfare Command|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.<ref name=NRHP>{{cite news |author=Abbie Alford |title=First look at future Naval Base Coronado |url=http://www.cbs8.com/story/26276873/first-look-at-future-naval-base-coronado |newspaper=KFMB Channel 8 |date=14 August 2014 |access-date=5 November 2014 }} {{cite news |author=Jeanette Steele |title=Plan for new Navy SEAL campus |url=http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/jul/27/navy-seal-silver-strand-training-complex/ |newspaper=San Diego Union Tribune |date=27 July 2014 |access-date=5 November 2014 }}</ref> Concern has been raised of the effect of planned expansion on ''[[Acmispon prostratus]]'' ([[Synonym (taxonomy)|synonym]] ''Lotus nuttallianus'').<ref>{{cite news |last=Pell |first=Sheila |date=2 December 2014 |title=Environmental roshambo: Navy smashes lotus |url=http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2014/dec/02/stringers-environmental-navy-nuttalls-lotus/# |newspaper=San Diego Reader |access-date=4 December 2014 }}</ref> At its outset, the expansion in facilities aboard Silver Strand was over $700 million.<ref>{{cite news |last=Steele |first=Jeanette |date=12 June 2015 |title=New Navy SEAL campus is a go |url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/military/sdut-navy-seal-campus-record-decision-2015jun12-story.html |work=San Diego Union-Tribune |access-date=1 August 2018 }}</ref> As of February 2016, the Navy plans to tear down the bunker;<ref>{{cite news |last=Graham |first=Marty |date=8 February 2016 |title=Fortress with a view |url=http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2016/feb/08/stringers-fort-emory-ww2-bunker-demolition/# |work=San Diego Reader |access-date=11 April 2017 }}</ref> it had been planned to be named for Brigadier General [[George Washington Gatchell]], but is identified as #134.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=May |first1=Ronald V. |date=Summer 1988 |title=U.S. Army Forts Around San Diego Bay |url=http://soap.sdsu.edu/FortGuijarros/1988Vol2No2/FortGuijarrosVol2No2.pdf |journal=Fort Guijarros Quarterly |volume=2 |issue=2 |page=4 |access-date=11 April 2017 }}</ref> It had been previously used by the Navy as an instruction of SEALs, and had the designation of "Building 99";<ref>{{cite news |last=Axelson |first=David |date=22 January 2016 |title=World War II Era Bunker To Be Demolished On New Navy Coastal Campus |url=http://www.imperialbeachnewsca.com/news/article_65b8f6da-c15d-11e5-a77c-63455fe9a363.html |work=Eagle & Times |location=Imperial Beach, California |access-date=1 August 2018 }}</ref> it would have been eligible to be listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref name=NRHP /> In August 2016, members of the [[Kumeyaay|Kumeyaay nation]] protested the construction due to concerns about disturbing buried ancestors.<ref>{{cite news |last=Baker |first=Debbi |date=31 August 2016 |title=Indians protest Navy building site they say is sacred burial ground |url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/whats-now/sdut-kumeyaay-indians-protest-navy-sacred-burial-ground-2016aug31-story.html |work=San Diego Union-Tribune |access-date=1 August 2018 }}</ref> It was estimated that demolition of "Building 99" would be completed by December 2016.<ref>{{cite report |author=Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. |date=October 2016 |title=Transportation Management Plan |url=https://cnic.navy.mil/content/dam/cnic/cnrsw/Naval%20Base%20Coronado/Documents/Coastal%20Campus%20TMP_Final.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170128110227/https://www.cnic.navy.mil/content/dam/cnic/cnrsw/Naval%20Base%20Coronado/Documents/Coastal%20Campus%20TMP_Final.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 28, 2017 |publisher=United States Navy |access-date=6 August 2018 }}</ref> In April 2018, Representative [[Susan Davis (politician)|Susan Davis]] raised concern of sewage spillage from the [[Tijuana River]] would have on SEAL training at the complex.<ref>{{cite news |agency=City News Service |last=Chambers |first=John |date=23 April 2018 |title=Navy asked to investigate cross-border sewage spills |url=https://fox5sandiego.com/2018/04/23/navy-asked-to-investigate-cross-border-sewage-spills/ |work=KSWB |location=San Diego |access-date=1 August 2018 }}</ref> In May 2018, construction continued with five new buildings of the 44 planned to be built, were completed with some already in use.<ref>{{cite news |last=Groeneveid |first=Jeannie |date=18 May 2018 |title=Navy's Coastal Campus – On Time and On Budget |url=https://coronadotimes.com/news/2018/05/18/navys-coastal-campus-on-time-and-on-budget/ |work=Coronado Times |access-date=1 August 2018 }}</ref> Upon completion, it is expected that over 3,000 navy personnel will be working aboard the complex.<ref>{{cite news |last=Graham |first=Marty |date=27 January 2018 |title=SEAL appeal on the Silver Strand |url=https://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2017/jan/27/stringers-seal-appeal-silver-strand/ |work=San Diego Reader |access-date=1 August 2018 }}</ref>

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, California|Camp Roberts]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Miller |first=Seaman Richard |date=3 June 2015 |title=A New Approach; NSW Opens UAS School |url=https://www.dvidshub.net/news/165362/new-approach-nsw-opens-uas-school |work=Naval Special Warfare Command |via=Defense Visual Information Distribution Service |access-date=1 August 2018 }}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist|26em}}

==External links==
*[https://cnrsw.cnic.navy.mil/Installations/NAVBASE-Coronado/ Official Website]
*[http://www.silverstrandtrainingcomplexeis.com/ Environmental Impact Statement]
*{{cite web |url=http://www.sunnycv.com/southbay/exhibits/military.html |title=Military Bases in South Bay |author=Steve Schoenherr |date=29 March 2015 |website=sunnycv.com |publisher=South Bay Historical Society }}
*{{cite web |url=https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/cabr/hrs7a.htm |title=Chapter 7: World War II and After, 1941-1948 (continued) |author= |date=19 January 2005 |website=The Guns of San Diego |publisher=National Park Service}}
* [http://cdsg.org/the-harbor-defenses-of-san-diego-cdsg/ Harbor Defenses of San Diego at the Coast Defense Study Group website]
*{{cite web |url=http://www.fortwiki.com/Fort_Emory |title=Fort Emory |last1=Stanton |first1=John |last2=Thayer |first2=Bill |date=7 January 2019 |website=fortwiki.com }}

[[Category:Military in San Diego]]
[[Category:Military facilities in San Diego County, California]]
[[Category:South Bay (San Diego County)]]
[[Category:1920 establishments in California]]

Silver Strand Training Complex - Revision history

imported>GreenC bot: Rescued 3 archive links; Move 1 url. Wayback Medic 2.5 per WP:URLREQ#nps.gov