Surface Combat Systems Center Wallops Island, Virginia is a small Navy base located approximately 80 miles south of Norfolk, VA and on the scenic east coast of Virginia. The base is co-located with a NASA Flight Center facility which makes this small Navy operation an important one.
Find information about Surface Combat Systems Center Wallops Island, Virginia including the main commercial and DSN numbers for the base, information on basic services, base transportation, lodging for TDY and PSCing personnel, and inprocessing.
Mission & Units
The mission of the Surface Combat Systems Center Wallops Island includes providing “live and simulated integrated warfare capabilities in a net-centric, maritime environment” for the purposes of “warfighter training” plus testing and developing fleet operations. SCSC Wallops Island features the Ships Self Defense Facility and the Wallops Island Engineering Test Center.
Some 300 troops, civilians, and contractors work at SCSC Wallops Island and provide training and technical engineering support for the U.S. Navy, and these efforts are done in cooperation with the NASA Flight Center, which is co-located with the Navy at Wallops Island.
There are no major units listed on the SCSC Wallops official site except for Surface Combat Systems Center Command. In spite of its small size, this Navy base plays an important role in fleet support.
History
Named after the original 17th century owner of the island, John Wallop, SCSC Wallops Island is much younger than other Navy installations. How much younger? The base celebrated a 20th anniversary in 2009.
Compare that to some Navy facilities with histories stretching back to the American Revolution and you get some sense of how new this operation is. That said, the Navy has a long history of operating in the area; it commissioned the Chincoteague Naval Air Station and the Naval Aviation Ordnance Test Station on Wallops Island in 1941.
1958 saw the Navy giving up operations at Chincoteague Naval Air Station, with NASA moving in to accommodate the expanding agency. In 1980, an agreement between the NASA Wallops Flight Facility and the Naval Surface Warfare Center resulted in a surface ship weapons engineering facility.
In the same decade, Congress authorized the construction of an “Aegis Cruiser – ashore” with the intent of developing combat systems engineering and training operations for Navy Aegis cruisers. In the 1990s the Land-Based Engineering Facility became the support for developmental testing of Ship Self Defense Systems.
In modern times the Navy mission includes partnerships with both NASA and NOAA- the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. SCSC operates the Aegis Engineering and Training Complex, supporting Navy Aegis destroyer and cruiser combat systems. It also continues to operate the Ship Self Defense Facility and the Wallops Island Engineering Test Center in support of Navy aircraft carriers and Destroyers.
Contacts
Main Base Address And Phone Number
Surface Combat Systems Center Wallops Island
30 Battle Group Way
Wallops Island, VA 23337-2283
757-824-1692
There is no DSN option or access to DSN available at SCSC Wallops Island.
Important Contact Numbers
- Command Duty Officer – (757) 894-0769
- Commanding Officer – (757) 824-2272
- Executive Director – (757) 824-1669
- Executive Officer – (757) 824-2067
- Command Master Chief – (757) 824-2577
- Security Officer – (757) 824-2046 FAX: (757) 824-2059
- Public Affairs Officer – (757) 824-1692
- Navy Housing Service Center – (757)-824-5381
Surrounding Area
SCSC Wallops Island has a rural location and newcomers should not expect public transportation. The official site advises those PCSing or coming TDY to the base that a car and current state drivers’
Most will gravitate toward Chincoteague Island nearby with its’ wildlife refuges, The Museum of Chincoteague, outdoor recreation, horse farms, and Black Narrows Brewing company which features craft beer in a family-friendly atmosphere.
Inprocessing and Check-In
Check-in procedures for new arrivals will vary based on a variety of factors including procedures required by the gaining unit. During normal duty
Unaccompanied servicemembers should expect to also stop by the Bachelor’s Quarters to get housing. For accompanied service members, If permanent quarters are not already arranged acquired prior to
Services
Healthcare
SCSC Wallops Island has no healthcare services and military members will access healthcare via TRICARE Remote.
Child Care
Due to the small size of this Navy installation, there is no childcare located
Household Goods
All inbound military members are directed to track and manage household goods shipments to SCSC Wallops Island via the Defense Personal Property system at Move.mil.
Dependent And Retiree ID Card Renewal, Replacement, New Issue
It is strongly recommended to update ID cards and CACs as needed before PCSing or coming TDY to SCSC Wallops Island as such services are extremely limited. You may need to travel to nearby Naval Station Norfolk (approximately two hours away) for such services. You can view the Naval Station Norfolk RAPIDS site for more information on processing times, requirements, and appointments.
Schools
There are no DoD schools on board SCSC.
- Two different proofs of residency such as a lease, mortgage, current gas, electric or water bills;
- A certified birth certificate;
- A physical exam report for elementary students;
- Proof of current immunizations;
- Two emergency contact numbers;
- Prior school report cards where applicable.
Immunization requirements may include:
- DPT
- Polio
- Measles (Rubeola)
- Rubella
- Mumps
- Hepatitis B
- Varicella/Chicken Pox
- Tetanus
- Diphtheria
- Pertussis
There is no School Liaison Office listed for SCSC Wallops Island. Parents will have to contact the individual school or school district in order to learn what requirements may apply for new students.
Housing
There is a limited amount of government housing available at Wallops Island but none of the units are located onboard. They are, however, said to be “within walking distance” to the main Navy installation command building.
Unaccompanied service members PCSing to the base may have the option of residing in the base’s one unaccompanied housing facility but demand and other factors may determine availability. It’s best to contact the base in advance to see what options are available for both accompanied and unaccompanied personnel.
The Navy Housing Service Center (HSC) can help families and unaccompanied service members find off-base private housing which is mainly single family houses and townhomes. Call them at 757-824-5381.
PCS and TDY Lodging
Temporary lodging is provided at SCSC Wallops by Navy Gateway Inns and Suites. This operation declares itself
The small size of this Navy installation makes it difficult to get reservations during peak PCS season, call (757) 824-2064 to learn more about options, advance reservations, and how to obtain a Certificate of Non-Availability to be reimbursed for off-base lodging where applicable.
Transportation
There are two major airports in the area; Salisbury Regional Airport (SBY) 29 miles north in Salisbury, Maryland, and Norfolk International Airport (ORF) 82 miles south of the base. The usual
There is no on-base transportation available. It is best to make arrangements with a sponsor for pickup or alternative transportation due to the distances required to travel, rush hour concerns, etc.
Vehicle Registration And Driver’s License
Active duty members, their spouses, and dependent children of driving age stationed in Virginia may drive with a valid driver’s license issued in another state. There is no requirement to get a Virginia state drivers’ license but those who choose to apply for one must provide acceptable proof of residency such as a lease, utility bill, etc.
Current insurance is required and vehicles registered in the State of Virginia must also have proof of compliance with local emissions requirements. Use of cell phones, texting while driving, and other concerns are subject to base regulation and state law.