Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story is a sizable base for the United States Navy’s Atlantic Fleet,covering nearly 15,000 acres in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Their mission is to provide premier support and services to their resident commands, their military and civilian personnel, and their families in order to enable our forces to execute their assigned missions.
Virginia Beach has a relaxed climate. Its winters often provide very little snow and its summers are hot and humid. Rainfall is typical in this region, especially during the summers where an average of 47 inches of rain falls each year. Due to its position on the Atlantic Ocean, it is sometimes, subjected to Hurricanes, though not often.
The Joint Base is surrounded by additional military bases including Naval Air Station Oceana, The Coast Guard Finance Center, The Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Sector Hampton Roads Coast Guard Base, Medical Center Portsmouth Navy Base, Naval Support Activity Norfolk, Naval Station Norfolk, and Fort Monroe Army Base. With regular traffic, all of these bases can be reached in 30 minutes or less.
The closest airport to Joint Expeditionary Base-Fort Story is Norfolk International Airport, a 10 minute drive from Base.
Quick Facts
| Coordinates | 36° 54' 57.62" N 76° 11' 26.27" W |
|---|---|
| City | Virginia Beach, VA 23459 |
| Phone | 757-462-7385 |
| DSN | 253-7385 |
History
Fort Story History
The base was created in 1914 and was named Cape Henry Fort Story after General John Patton Story. During World War I, Fort Story was brought into the Coast Defense of the Chesapeake Bay and was designated a Harbor Defense Command. The Fort remained largely inactive until World War II when the Headquarters of the Harbor Defense Command was moved to the Base. Towards the end of the war it converted from a fortified coast artillery garrison to a convalescent hospital for returning veterans. Fort Story was declared a permanent installation on December 5, 1961. On July 1, 1962, it was designated a Class I sub-installation of Fort Eustis.
Little Creek History
At the start of World War II, the Navy utilized a bean field just several miles outside of Norfolk to set up this installation. Four bases were constructed on this area-Camp Bradford, Camp Shelton, U.S. Naval Frontier Base, and Amphibious Training Base. The primitive base made life difficult for the personnel who often could not keep their uniforms clean because of the environment and the rugged base made for more intense summer and winter seasons. During World War II over 200,000 Naval personnel and 160,000 Army and Marine Corps personnel trained at Little Creek. Following the War, the Base became a permanent installation of the Navy in 1946. Today more than 13,000 members of the Marines, Navy, and civilian employees utilize the base.
Religious Services
Several locations on and around the base hold religious services on Sunday’s at the Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story Chapel.
Catholic Mass is held at Little Creek Sunday’s at 12:15 p.m.
Catholic Mass is held at Fort Story at 9:00 a.m.
Protestant Mass is held at Little Creek at 10:30 a.m.
For information, please call 757-462-7427.
Morale, Welfare, and Recreation
There are many opportunities for military personnel to get the most out of their time on base. In the entertainment sector, Gator Theater offers inexpensive movie tickets for both conventional and 3D movies as well as free movie tickets for Sunday shows. A 32 lane bowling alley is available on site as well as an 18 hole golf course. Both Little Creek and Fort Story have a Library and Liberty Center which include video game playing stations, arcade style video games, darts, an indoor basketball game, outdoor lawn games, foosball, ping pong, air hockey and pool tables.
A calendar of events can be found here.
A fleet and family support center is also available to personnel who would like assistance in parenting, financial, deployment, and relocation programs. The number to reach these services is 757-462-7563.
Lodging
Navy Gateway Inns and Suites offer on base lodging for visitors averaging at $70 per night. Pets are permitted with an additional fee of $20 per night.
Navy Lodge Little Creek offer similar lodging arrangements ranging from $66 to $115 per night depending on the size and style of each suite.
One of the most favorably rated hotels with reasonable prices near Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek – Fort Story is the Best Western: Holiday Sands Inns and Suites with room costs ranging between $57 and $115 dollars per night.
Schools
Personnel often want to secure a strong education for their children. To understand where students living near the base will attend school, please refer to the School Locator and Map Center from the Virginia Beach City Public Schools.
For information on registering children to the school district, please refer to this website.
Both Fort Story and Little Creek offer youth and children programs including a child development center for ages 6 weeks to five years old.
Things to Do
As the name suggests, Virginia Beach is located along the Atlantic Coast and offers many free water and beach activities, especially during the summer months. Some free activities also include Cape Henry Lighthouse, The Virginia Military Aviation Museum, The Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Virginia Legends Walk to name several. Other activities in close proximity to the base include The Virginia Aquarium, Norfolk Botanical Garden, and numerous natural parks.
A detailed list of events and activities, including can be found here.
Colonial Williamsburg known for its ample historic buildings and tours is just a 45 minute drive from Base as well as Busch Gardens Williamsburg amusement park.