Navy installation in Crane, renamed

CRANE–Naval Support Activity Crane (NSA Crane), the world’s third largest naval installation located 35 miles south of Bloomington in Crane, Indiana, has officially been renamed Naval Weapons Station Crane (NWS Crane).

Naval support activities generally provide administrative support for headquarters, commands, or service schools.  The renaming of Crane, which became official on December 1, 2025, better aligns with the installation’s primary mission areas in weapons systems development and testing, in addition to the storage of approximately 25 percent of the Department of War’s joint conventional munitions. 

Notably, NWS Crane and its surrounding areas have seen exponential growth and investment in support of the Secretary of War’s priorities: achieving technological superiority and strengthening the Defense Industrial Base through streamlined, innovative acquisition of munitions and technology for the warfighter.

“NWS Crane’s enduring support to our stellar partner commands, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane Division) and Crane Army Ammunition Activity (CAAA), will continue to ensure unmatched warfighter readiness through research, development, testing, and evaluation of advanced weapons, sensors, technology, and ordnance production,” said Cmdr. Luis “Homie” Martinez, commanding officer, NWS Crane. “Team Crane is committed to providing our warfighters the weapons systems and munitions needed to defeat evolving threats to our nation.”