Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story  In-depth Overview

Mission

Provide premier support and services to:

• our resident commands
• our military and civilian personnel and their families in order to enable our warfighting forces to execute their assigned missions.

Vision

Joint Expeditionary Little Creek-Fort Story will foster a culture of transparency, compliance, and innovation to continue to build on an outstanding service to the Fleet, our supported expeditionary forces, and their families.

Joint Expeditionary Base (JEB) Little Creek-Fort Story History

On October 1, 2009, JEB Little Creek-Fort Story was established as the first Joint Base in Hampton Roads. JEB Little Creek-Fort Story is the country's premier installation for housing and training the nation's Expeditionary Forces.  It is one command with two properties: JEB Fort Story and JEB Little Creek.  The Joint Expeditionary Base is comprised of the former Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek and the Army Post of Fort Story.  Fort Story witnessed the humble beginnings of our country at the 1607 first landing site. Little creek began as a dynamic training ground for World War II amphibious forces.  Together they comprise the crown jewel of America's military bases.

Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek's History

On July 16, 1942, a Navy truck drove off the scenic Ocean View-Virginia Beach highway and stopped in a waterlogged bean field of the Whitehurst farm. Early in World War II Navy planners saw a necessity for landing large numbers of American troops on foreign shores in the face of enemy gunfire. Training would be needed before men were proficient in the complicated art of the amphibious assault, which would enable U.S. troops to drive to the heart of the enemy.

During the early phases of World War II, the base was literally a combination of farmland and swamps where four bases were constructed-Camp Bradford, Camp Shelton, U.S. Naval Frontier Base, and Amphibious Training Base.

Camps Bradford and Shelton were name for the former owners of the land. At first, Camp Bradford was a training base for Navy Seabees, but in 1943 it was changed into a training center for the crews of the LSTs (landing ship tank). Camp Shelton was an armed guard training center for blue jackets serving as a separation center.

The Frontier Base was the forwarding center for Amphibious Force personnel and equipment destined for the European Theater. The Amphibious Training Base (also known as "Little Creek") was the center for all types of amphibious training. During World War II over 200,000 naval personnel and 160,000 Army and Marine Corps personnel trained at Little Creek.

The four bases were partially inactivated at the end of hostilities of World War II. Later they were consolidated into one installation named the Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek with a commissioning date of August 10, 1945. It was designated a permanent base in 1946.

The base has grown over the years developing into a strategic expeditionary oriented command. Today, it is the primary east coast base providing essential personnel supporting Overseas Contingency Operations.

Joint Expeditionary Base Fort Story's History

Fort Story became a military installation in 1914 when the Virginia General Assembly gave the land to the U.S. Government "to erect fortifications and for other military purposes." The War Department named this land in Cape Henry Fort Story after Gen. John Patton Story, one of the most noted coast artillerymen of his day.

As World War I gained momentum in Europe, Fort Story was integrated into the Coast Defenses of Chesapeake Bay, which included Fort Monroe (Headquarters) and Fort Wool. June 9, 1925, Fort Story was designated a Harbor Defense Command. As the events of World War I entered the pages of history, Fort Story began a period of post-war inactivity which lasted until the beginning of World War II.

As World War II approached, Fort Story began extensive development. In 1941, the Headquarters of the Harbor Defense Command was moved from Fort Monroe to Fort Story. Two additional harbor defense installations were added to the network in 1941.

By September 1944, Fort Story began a transition from a heavily fortified coast artillery garrison to a convalescent hospital for returning veterans of World War II. At the time of its closing March 15, 1946, the hospital had accommodated more than 13,472 patients.

At the close of World War II, Fort Story again changed its mission. The first amphibious training at Fort Story began in 1946 with the arrival of the 458th Amphibious Truck Company and the famous Army DUKWS. Fort Story was officially transferred to the Transportation Training Command, Fort Eustis. It was designated a Transportation Corps installation for use in training amphibious and terminal units in the conduct of Logistics-Over-The-Shore operations.

Fort Story was declared a permanent installation on December 5, 1961. On July 1, 1962, it was re-designated a Class I sub-installation of Fort Eustis. For more information, please visit the Little Creek homepage.

JEB Little Creek-Fort Story

• 14,170 military personnel
• 2,428 civilians

Metro area population of Virginia Beach: 1,482,000

JEB Little Creek-Fort Story

• 14,170 military personnel
• 2,428 civilians

Joint Expeditionary Base, Little Creek Fort Story covers approximately 2,120 acres of land. It is sited at the extreme northwest corner of the city of Virginia Beach and extends to the city of Norfolk. The Hampton Roads Region has a high population of military members due to the many different military installations including Army, Air Force and Marines. The entire area is very military friendly and there are many activities and points of interest for service members and families to enjoy. Among the attractions of Virginia Beach are a highly acclaimed public education system, state-of-the-art health care facilities, the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center, a world-class 20,000 seat amphitheater, and a multipurpose Sportsplex. All of this is located on 38 miles of shoreline and 28 miles of City beaches. Residents enjoy a moderate climate, a wide variety of outdoor activities, and the ever-changing beauty of the four seasons. JEB Little Creek's base quarter deck phone number is 757-462-7386 or DSN 312-253-7386. JEB Ft. Story's base operator is 757-422-7305 or DSN 312-438-7305.

Arriving by Car

Driving direction to JEB Little Creek Fort Story from Interstate 95. In Emporia you will exit I-95 (Exit #11) onto Route 58 East (towards Norfolk and Virginia Beach) to Interstate 64 West (toward Norfolk, Hampton and Richmond) to Northampton Blvd. exit, Route 13 East, stay on Northampton to the Independence Blvd. exit (Rt.225) and follow signs to the Amphibious Base.

Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek Fort Story is located off Interstate 64. Follow I-64 East through the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel into Norfolk. Take the Northampton Blvd exit Rt. 13 (east) to Independence Blvd. (Rt. 225) and follow the signs to the Amphibious Base.

Airports

At Norfolk International Airport you will find a Navy representative on duty in the airport information booth to assist you. The booth is manned from 8:00 am to 12 midnight seven days a week. The uniformed military personnel have information about all bases in the Hampton Roads area; transportation, duty office telephone numbers, ombudsman telephone numbers and emergency assistance numbers.

Arriving with Orders for Commands Other than Ships - During Normal Working Hours

Unaccompanied -- Report to your tenant command. If arriving after 3:00 pm, report to BEQ (building 3601) or BOQ (building 3408).  Remember, to report to your command on the next business day. If your orders are for a ship, report directly to that ship. If the ship is deployed, report to Transient Personnel Department.

Accompanied -- If you are accompanied, follow the above steps and report to your command. If permanent quarters have not been acquired prior to your check in, temporary quarters will need to be obtained. If you made reservations at the Navy Lodge, report there.  If you have not made reservations, there may be rooms available. If no rooms are available at the Navy Lodge, you can check the availability in the visiting quarters or obtain temporary lodging off base. (The Navy Lodge will assist you with civilian temporary lodging.)

Fort Story is located directly on the ocean front of the Atlantic. Arriving personnel will travel Interstate 64 East, onto Northampton Blvd, to Shore Drive exit. The Main Gate, opened 24 hours, is located off Shore Drive as it becomes Atlantic Ave. The back gate, located off Shore Drive, is operational 5:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. daily. Fort Story requires all arriving personnel to show proper military I.D. in order to gain entry.

All active duty Army personnel must in-process into Fort Story through Fort Eustis central In-Processing Center.

Driving Directions

From the North

Take I 95-S to I 295-E around Richmond to I 64-E. Take exit 282 (Northampton Blvd Exit) and follow Rt. 13 for four miles. Take the last exit before the Bay Bridge Tunnel and veer right onto Rt. 60 (Shore Drive) travel five miles. Fort Story is a left turn at the flashing red light. After passing the guard house, take first left, then first right. This gate may be closed, if it is continue approx. 3 miles to the first stop light and turn left. This will lead you to the Main Gate. Continue straight approximately 2 miles and you will see the Cape Henry sign on the right.

From the South

Take I 95-N to Route 58-E to I 64-W. Take exit 282 (Northampton Blvd) and follow Rt. 13 for four miles. Take the last exit before the Bay Bridge Tunnel and veer right onto Rt. 60 (Shore Drive) travel five miles. Fort Story is a left turn at the flashing red light. After passing the guard house, take first left, then first right. If gate is closed, continue approx. 3 miles to the first stop light and take a left. This will lead you to the Main Gate. Continue straight approximately 2 miles and you will see the Cape Henry sign on the right.

Airports

The Norfolk International Airport is located 15 miles West of the installation on Interstate 64. The Williamsburg & Newport News International Airport is located 45 miles west of Fort Story. There is no public transportation from either of the airports to the installation. Rental cars and private limo services are available at both Airports and on Fort Story.

Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek FOC'SLE Shuttle Van. The shuttle on JEB Little Creek will run as requested with 10 working days advance notice, and there is a five person minimum occupancy requirement.  Call the Liberty Desk at 757-462-3117 for details.

Little Creek Base Operator: 757-462-7386  Little Creek Base Quarterdeck: 757-462-7385 or DSN 312-253-7385 Ft. Story Base Operator: 757-422-7385 or DSN 312-438-7305.