Naval Support Activity Naples, located at the former Royal Italian Air Force base at Capodichino near Naples, Italy, serves as the headquarters of US Naval Forces Europe (NAVEUR) and Allied Joint Force Command Naples, and as the primary shore support installation for Sixth Fleet Mediterranean operations. The US Navy presence at Naples was established during the post-WWII occupation period and expanded through the Cold War as the primary Mediterranean headquarters installation. NSA Naples personnel — from Sixth Fleet staff officers to logistics and administrative ratings — occupied the Capodichino installation buildings for the duration of their Naples assignment.

Post-WWII-Era Building Infrastructure

NSA Naples’ building complex reflects the post-WWII US military occupancy period:

  • Post-WWII barracks and administrative buildings at Capodichino — the US Navy occupation of the former Capodichino airbase and the subsequent construction of American support facilities in the late 1940s and 1950s used military construction materials and standards of that era, incorporating asbestos-containing construction materials in the building interiors consistent with the period’s construction practice
  • Cold War-era expansion buildings — the expansion of NSA Naples facilities through the 1960s-1970s to support Sixth Fleet headquarters operations added additional buildings using asbestos-containing floor tile, ceiling tile, and mechanical system insulation consistent with US military overseas base construction standards of that era
  • Headquarters building mechanical systems — the administrative and headquarters buildings at NSA Naples used asbestos-insulated HVAC and plumbing system piping in the building mechanical systems serving the Cold War-era building complex

Sixth Fleet Headquarters Operations

NSA Naples served as the operational hub for Sixth Fleet Mediterranean operations:

  • Flag and staff officer assignment — Sixth Fleet staff officers and NAVEUR headquarters personnel assigned to NSA Naples occupied the station’s headquarters buildings and working spaces — primarily Cold War-era construction with asbestos-containing building materials — for the duration of their Naples tours
  • Fleet logistics and support operations — logistics, supply, and administrative ratings supporting Sixth Fleet operations from NSA Naples occupied the station’s support buildings with daily exposure to asbestos-containing construction materials in the building interiors

VA Claims for NSA Naples Veterans

VA presumptive service connection under 38 CFR § 3.309(d) covers asbestos exposure at naval shore installations overseas. Veterans who served at NSA Naples in post-WWII-era or Cold War-era buildings and have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related lung cancer may qualify for VA disability benefits.