Naval Support Facility Dahlgren

Welcome to Naval Support Facility Dahlgren

Welcome to Naval Support Facility (NSF) Dahlgren, Va. The history of this unique naval installation dates to 1918 when the “Lower Station” of the Naval Powder Factory at Indian Head, Md., was established in Virginia’s Northern Neck on 4,000 acres bounded by the Potomac River and Machodoc Creek in King George County. What began as a gun test facility has since evolved and expanded to include numerous scientific and response-force missions serving all branches of the United States armed forces.

Installation Information

Naval Support Facility Dahlgren, Va., was initially established in 1918 on 4,000 acres bounded by the Potomac River and Machodoc Creek in King George County as a remote extension of Maryland’s Indian Head Proving Ground to be used for testing naval guns. The Dahlgren site was named the Lower Station, Dahlgren Naval Proving Ground in honor of Rear Admiral John Adolphus Dahlgren. The location on the Potomac River was specifically chosen for the development of a long ballistic range on the Potomac River, required for the testing of modern, high-powered munitions.

What began as a gun test facility has since evolved and expanded to include numerous scientific and response-force missions serving all branches of the United States armed forces. In addition to its military value, today Naval Support Facility (NSF) Dahlgren makes a significant economic contribution to the local community and the installation’s Navy commands, as a whole, serve as the largest employer in King George County.

6509 Sampson Rd.
Suite 217
Dahlgren, VA 22448-5108

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News

Bases Support Record Number of Families for the Holidays

Dahlgren, VA // Jan. 10, 2011

Employees and contractors at Naval Support Facility (NSF) Dahlgren, Va. and NSF Indian Head, Md. supported 187 families and over 500 children as part of this year’s holiday assistance program coordinated by Naval Support Activity South Potomac.

Navy Strategies Reduces Pollutants

Naval Support Activity South Potomac // November 16, 2010

Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) standards have been developed for the Chesapeake Bay. The TMDL is the level of pollution load a water body can receive and remain healthy. The primary pollutants of concern to be addressed by the new standards are nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorous, and sediment from surface runoff.

USO Looking for Volunteers

Naval Support Activity South Potomac // November 16, 2010

With the opening of a new USO Center at Naval Support Facility (NSF) Dahlgren in July, service members and their families at both Dahlgren and NSF Indian Head have access to a unique “home away from home” at both bases.

Shoreline Project Improves Potomac River Ecosystem

Naval Support Facility Indian Head, Md. // November 16, 2010

Deputy Secretary for the Maryland Department of Environment, Robert Summers, toured the on-going shoreline stabilization project at Naval Support Facility (NSF) Indian Head recently and was briefed on the overall effort to mitigate erosion along several miles of the base’s shoreline with the Potomac River and Mattawoman Creek.