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Naval Support Activity Crane

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Naval Support Activity Crane is a “shore support” facility of the U.S. Navy. Located in Crane, Indiana, the installation is unique among Navy sites–there are some five thousand workers (by one source’s estimate) supporting the missing at NSA Crane, but fewer than 100 of them are uniformed service members.

Find information about NSA Crane, including the main commercial and DSN numbers for the base, information on basic services, base transportation, lodging for TDY and PCSing personnel, and inprocessing.

Mission & Units

NSA Crane is said to have one of the highest concentrations of scientists and engineers in the region. One of the main tenant commands at NSA Crane is the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division and is the third largest Navy installation (based on sheer size).

Important missions and units at Crane include:

  • Army Ammunition Activity
  • Navy Legal Service Office
  • Defense Automated Printing Service
  • Environmental Education Center
  • Naval Criminal Investigative Service
  • VA Health
  • Warfare Center

History

Before it was known as NSA Crane, this installation was created in 1941 as the Naval Ammunition Depot. Named after William Crane, the installation is near the Indiana town of the same name. 

Some 20 years later in the 1960s, NSA Crane found itself under the auspices of the brand-new Naval Ordnance Systems Command. This was the start of the installation’s tech support and logistical support for Navy weapons systems.

In 1974, NSA Crane’s role would change again, being transferred to Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) and by 1975, Crane was redesignated as the Naval Weapons Support Center and the Crane Army Ammunition Activity (CAAA) became a new tenant command.

1992 saw more changes; the facility become Crane Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) with an emphasis on acquisition and technical support for special warfare operations and electronic warfare. 

In 2004, Naval Support Activity Crane was unveiled and tasked with supporting the engineering, ammunition and logistics missions ongoing at the installation. The Navy gets radar engineering, flight systems, and launcher systems support from NSA Crane as well as modeling and simulation support.

Contacts

Main Address And Phone

NSA Crane
300 Highway 361
Crane, IN 47522

812-854-1213
812-864-3524

Important NSA Crane Contact Numbers

  • Housing Office 812-854-3339
  • Child Development Centers 812-854-1721
  • ID card office 317-964-7183
  • Regional Office of the Inspector General 815-854-3061
  • Family and Community Housing 812-854-3339
  • School Liaison 847-688-3440
  • Welcome/Visitor Center 812-854-4521

Surrounding Area

NSA Crane is in Crane, Indiana which is in Martin County. The population is quite small and many stationed there will want to travel 25 miles southwest to Bloomington, Indiana which features fun college-town amenities and a thriving food district with many international delicacies to try from Korea, Thailand, and elsewhere. 

NSA Crane is also 75 miles south of Indianapolis, which features the “Mass Ave” Arts district on Massachusetts Avenue, Garfield Park Conservatory and Gardens, plus the Indiana State Museum in White River State Park. The State Park is also home to Victory Field where Major League Baseball events are held.

Inprocessing and Check-In

All relocating to NSA Crane are directed to contact their gaining unit for check-in requirements. The smaller number of military members assigned here means in-processing is likely handled on a more case-by-case basis. 

Civilians relocating to the base should likewise check with the gaining organization to learn what may be required in the earliest days of employment with the installation.

Health Care

Those relocating to NSA Crane who receive medical care under TRICARE will need to discuss their new duty assignment with a TRICARE rep. Civilians should contact their insurance providers to discuss in-network and out-of-network issues.

Child Care

If you are relocating to NSA Crane, visit MilitaryChildCare.com, which is a DoD online request system for child care.

Household Goods

All PCSing troops inbound to NSA Crane are directed to track and manage their household goods shipments through the Defense Personal Property System at Move.mil.

Dependent And Retiree ID Card Renewal, Replacement, New Issue

ID card services should be scheduled with the ID card office. Call them at 317-964-7183. Walk-in appointments may not be available and you will be required to provide two forms of acceptable, unexpired ID in order to get services.

Schools

The NSA Crane School Liaison Office can help with school choice issues in the local area. Call the School Liaison Office at 847-688-3440. The local area school districts are small, many only have one school or a handful of schools depending on the size of the district. Parents may, depending on where they live, send their children to one of several districts:

  • Eastern Greene
  • Loogootee, Bloomfield
  • North Daviess
  • White River Valley
  • Washington

Housing

New arrivals are advised that rental housing in the immediate area by the installation is “very limited”. Don’t enter into legally binding housing agreements until you have talked with the Housing Service Center about referrals and other local housing issues. Call them at 812-854-3339 or DSN 482-3339

PCS and TDY Lodging

Discuss your options with your gaining command as you may be required to stay off-base in a commercial hotel or other facility. Ask your sponsor about non-availability statements and what to do in order to find temporary lodging within a reasonable distance of the base.

Transportation

The closest major airport to NSA Crane is Indianapolis International which is approximately 80 miles away. Coordinate your arrival with your gaining command as a taxi or shuttle ride from the airport will be lengthy. Tourist season, rush hour complications, and other variables may affect the cost of a commercial taxi or rideshare from the airport.

Vehicle Registration And Driver’s License

Indiana state law requires minimum insurance and safety equipment for all drivers. and for those spouses and dependents who have an Indiana driver’s license that expires while the sponsor is on active duty, “you are exempt from the knowledge and driving skills examination requirements” regardless of the expiration date. This applies as long as the application occurs within 90 days of retirement or separation.

Indiana state law permits qualifying military drivers to keep using their license for ninety days after discharge or post-deployment “regardless of the expiration date of the license”. Drivers are urged to print out a Military Extension Letter, which Indiana state law says must be carried at all times while driving under such conditions.