Naval Weapons Station Yorktown

110416-N-3312P-002 USA (Apr. 16, 2011) YORKTOWN, VA (April 16, 2011) A powerful tornado cut a path through Naval Weapons Station (WPNSTA) Yorktown, April 16, tearing up trees and and spreading debris throughout the 15,000 acre installation. The tornado, classified an F3 by the National Weather Service, damaged more than 500 acres of forest and caused $200,000 in damage to WPNSTA Yorktown.

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091111-N-3312P-003 USA (Nov. 11, 2009) Descendants of Sgt. Maj. Edward Ratcliff place a wreath and flags on his gravestone on Veteran's Day, Nov. 11. Ratcliff is buried at "Cheesecake" Cemetery aboard Naval Weapons Station (WPNSTA) Yorktown. On September 29, 1864, during the Battle of Chaffins Farm in New Market Heights, Virginia, Ratcliff led his men into the enemy works after his commanding officer was killed. For his heroism and selfless devotion to duty, he was awarded the nation's highest military decorationthe Medal of Honor, and promoted to the rank of Sergeant Major.

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110216-N-3312P-001 USA (Feb. 16, 2011) MA1 Brian Rusk, Naval Weapons Station Yorktown Military Working Dog Supervisor, instructs MA2 Logan McMichael on proper training techniques for his dog, Lara. Rusk was named the 2010 Sailor of the Year for WPNSTA Yorktown.

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110112-N-3312P-001 USA (Jan. 12, 2011) Captain Lowell D. Crow relieved Captain Charles B. Marks III as Commanding Officer, Naval Weapons Station (WPNSTA) Yorktown in a ceremony at WPNSTA Yorktown, January 12. Captain Marks will retain Command of Navy Munitions Command (NMC) CONUS East Division in Yorktown, Virginia. The move was done to split the responsibilities of these two major commands.

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101210-N-3312P-001 USA (Dec. 10, 2010) NC1(SW/AW) Jennifer O'Leary lays a wreath at the grave of Sergeant Major Edward Ratcliff, the first African-American to be awarded the Medal of Honor, Dec. 10, aboard Naval Weapons Station Yorktown. In attendance were Ratcliff descendants, including his grandson, Edward Radcliffe III, who served in Army during World War II in the Signal Corps and worked at WPNSTA Yorktown for more than 32 years. The wreath laying was part of the annual "Wreaths Across America" campaign to lay holiday wreaths at the graves of veterans across the United States.

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101129-N-3312P-001 USA (Nov. 29, 2010) Captain Chuck Marks, Commanding Officer, Naval Weapons Station (WPNSTA) Yorktown, and Dan Smith, Superintendant, Colonial National Historical Park, help unveil a painting of Captain John Smith's arrival at the Algonquian village of Kiskiak, Nov. 29, at the Indian Field Creek viewing area on the Colonial Parkway. The painting by artist Gail Duke was commissioned by the York County Historical Museum to commemorate the English explorer's Christmas encounter with the Kiskiak Indians in 1608. The Kiskiak once resided on the land now occupied by WPNSTA Yorktown where the installation borders with the York River. (Photo by Mark O. Piggott)

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101009-N-0000S-001 USA (Oct. 9, 2010) OAK HILL, W.Va. (October 9, 2010) Competitors race down the New River in "Duckie" whitewater two-man kayaks during the 2010 Wilderness Challenge, Oct. 9. Military teams from all branches of service compete in various extreme outdoor events, including an 8K mountain run, 13 mile whitewater raft race, 7 mile duckie race, 10-mile mountain bike, and 14 mile mountain hike for the coveted trophy of best competitive military team.

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100911-N-3312P-002 USA (Sep. 11, 2010) 100911-N-3312P-002 WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (Sept. 11, 2010) - Members of the Colonial Williamsburg Fife and Drum Corps lead the parade down Duke of Gloucester Street at the 9/11 Remembrance Day & Freedom Walk, Sept. 10, in Colonial Williamsburg, Va. A Joint Service Color Guard, comprised of service members from Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, Yorktown Coast Guard Training Center, Fort Eustis and Langley Air Forces Base, are followed by "First Responders" from James City County, York County and the City of Williamsburg. Sponsored by the Greater Williamsburg Chamber and Tourism Alliance, the Freedom Walk honors the victims of 9/11, First Responders and America's military personnel. (Photo by Mark O. Piggott)

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