Here is a little background information on the Charleston SC Naval Weapons Station (NWS) that might be of general interest to anyone relocating to Charleston SC, and for any military service members that will be PCSing to Charleston SC and will be looking to buy a home in the Charleston SC real estate market.

The Charleston SC Naval Weapons Station is actually located in Goose Creek, on the west bank of the Cooper River. The Charleston NWS covers over 17,000 acres of land, including 10,000 acres of forest and wetlands. There are over 16 acres of waterfront land, 4 deep water piers, 38 miles of railroad and 292 miles of road. 

Originally commissioned in 1941 as the United States Naval Ammunition Depot,  the Charleston Naval Weapons Station was used as an ammunition collection and distribution point during World War II. Ammunition manufactured throughout the country was shipped to the Charleston NWS and loaded onto ships being built at the Charleston Naval Shipyard. After the war, the NWS oversaw the removal of ordnance from ships.

Renewed activity at the base began in the 50's when it's mission was expanded to include the handling of guided missles. In 1960, the Polaris Missile Facility Atlantic (POMFLANT) was constructed within the base.

Today, the Charleston SC Naval Weapons Station has expanded  it's mission as a training facility for the Naval Nuclear Power Training Command, Nuclear Power Training Unit, Propulsion Facility, and Border Patrol satellite acedemy. It also houses the Naval Consolidated Brig, Mobile Mine Assembly Unit, Explosive Ordnance Detachments, Marine Corps Reserve Center, and the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center (which is the largest employer in the Charleston SC area).

The Charleston NWS houses 60 Tomahawk SLCM munitions and 85 nuclear aerial bombs for deck-based aircraft. It is also home to the first C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) engineering center for the Navy, the SPAWAR Systems Center, Charleston (SSCC).

If you are PCSing to Charleston SC, chances are you will be looking to buy a home in the Charleston SC real estate market close to the Charleston SC NWS. To make PCSing to Charleston SC easier, you should work with a Charleston SC realtor that specializes in helping military sevice members buy a home in Charleston SC, and can help you determine what areas in and around the Charleston SC Naval Weapons Station might be the right place for your next home.

Jeff McIlhenny is a licensed Realtor with Weichert Realtors Palmetto Coast in Mt Pleasant SC and seves the entire Charleston SC real estate market. He can be reached at 843-452-2953 or jeffm@weichertpc.com.