The USS Valcour served as a rotational flagship from 1965 to 1972 for Commander, Middle Eastern Force (COMMIDEASTFOR). Today, the ship’s bell is proudly displayed outside of a building at Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain. Although the ship was sold for scrap in May 1977, the ship’s bell is a constant reminder of the U.S. Navy presence in the Middle East.

One of the earliest photos of the USS Valcour’s bell at NSA Bahrain is from July 4, 2003.  Vice Adm. Timothy J. Keating, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) and Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet, rang the ship's bell as part of a ceremony at NSA Bahrain.  The ceremony commemorating America’s independence day featured the ringing of 13 bells aboard U.S. military installations throughout the world simultaneously at 2 p.m. eastern standard time.

“The U.S. Navy is the service branch for history, heritage, and tradition,” said Lt. Cmdr. Erich Grawunder, Task Force Shore Battlespace chief staff officer and avid military historian.

Grawunder discussed the importance of remembering naval heritage.

“Before NSA Bahrain supported the NAVCENT headquarters building, the base supported USS Valcour as a command and control ship for the NAVCENT commander's predecessor, COMMIDEASTFOR," said Grawunder. "Command and Control, also known as C2, has been critical of military operations since the days of the Roman Empire.  USS Valcour's Bell is a reminder of how C2 was conducted before our Navy had technological advances such as the internet and teleconferencing systems.” 

USS Valcour started out as a seaplane tender, AVP-55, upon commissioning on July 5, 1946. The ship was eventually reclassified as Miscellaneous Command Flagship (AGF-1) on Dec. 15, 1965.  Departing Norfolk, VA in August, 1949, USS Valcour made the first of 16 deployments to the Middle East, earning the name “the Galloping Ghost of the Arabian Coast” during its tenure.  As a true work horse for COMMIDEASTFOR, USS Valcour was recognized by the Chief of Naval Operations and earned several awards including two Battle Effectiveness Awards for its many accomplishments.

From the mid-1950s to mid-1960s, USS Valcour deployment highlights included extinguishing fires on an Italian tanker, Argea Prima, near the entrance of the Arabian Gulf and visiting the Seychelles, the first visit by a U.S. navy warship in 48 years. Valcour was eventually relieved by USS La Salle (AGF-3), in November 1972 and decommissioned in January 1973.

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