Naval Weapons Station Earle

Naval Weapons Station Earle operates a receipts, storage, segregation and issue (RSSI) ordnance facility to support the Atlantic fleet including Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard, and DoD conventional ammunition requirements, and also provides homeport services for assigned T-AOEs & T-AE. Today Earle continues to be the Navy's premier Weapons Station.

Long before the opening hostilities of the Second World War, high-ranking officers of both the Army and the Navy realized it would eventually be necessary to establish a base for the loading of explosives somewhere in the Port of New York, focal point for all important rail lines of the Country.  By 1943 the need had become urgent.  The declaration of war had vastly increased shipments of explosives, the bulk of the loading falling upon Caven Point Army Depot in Jersey City NJ.  During both World Wars, Caven Point's proximity to key rail networks and the ports of New York and New Jersey made it invaluable for the marshalling of troops, munitions and materials heading for front lines in Europe.  However, because of its proximity to densely populated areas, and proximity to “military facilities,” Caven Point was considered an extreme hazard.  Studying the problem, the Army and the Navy reached the same conclusion:  the south side of Sandy Hook Bay was the ideal strategic location.  Though sights were initially set on Port Monmouth, due to costs, a coastal site in the Leonardo section of Middletown was selected, along with a large unimproved area of Monmouth County 12 miles to the south.   Connecting the two areas would be an almost direct rail and road corridor now called Normandy Road.  Collectively, the facility provided the desired proximity to commercial rail facilities, New York City, New York Harbor, and the open-ocean; yet was remote to dense populations, bridges, tunnels, and shipping channels.  Initially estimated to cost $25M, a reduced $14M plan was approved by the Secretary of the Navy and, on August 2, 1943, construction began on what was to be Naval Ammunition Depot Earle – named in honor of Rear Admiral Ralph Earle, the Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance during the First World War.  NAD Earle was commissioned on December 13, 1943, by which time the War and Navy Departments had collaborated to expand the project to include facilities for Army ammunition.   Substantially complete by June 1, 1944, the cost for NAD Earle ultimately totaled $51.8M.   Quickly the focal point for ordnance shipping, NAD Earle loaded the majority of ammunition used by the Allies for the invasion of Normandy, an achievement for which Normandy Road is so named.  Earle continued to develop after World War II, keeping pace with the changing needs of the Navy and DoD during the Cold War.  In 1974, Earle's name was officially changed to Naval Weapons Station Earle.  In subsequent years, Earle proved its strategic worth as the DoD transshipment site for ordnance used in Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. 

https://cnrma.cnic.navy.mil/Installations/NWS-Earle/About/History/

Naval Weapons Station Earle serves over 2,000 military, DoD civilians and families. This number changes every year due to PCS and Transitioning members and civilians. 

 9,957 people, 07722 is the 248th most populated zip code in the state of New Jersey out of 590 zip codes.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Colts Neck township, Monmouth County, New Jersey

Naval Weapons Station Earle serves over 2,000 military DoD civilians and families. This number changes every year due to PCS and Transitioning Service members.

Welcome Aboard NWS Earle, Colts Neck New Jersey. Our main-side complex, located in Monmouth County, is nestled within an upscale community of horse farms, fruit orchards and country estates. Located in Colts Neck, New Jersey, NWS Earle is one of the most serene and beautiful Navy installations in the country. It is set within over 11,000 acres of mostly wooded land in which wildlife outnumbers people. Our waterfront site, located 14 miles away in Leonardo, is situated in Sandy Hook Bay, overlooking the New York Harbor and the Atlantic Ocean. The base operator's or quarter deck's phone number is 732-866-2500.

Go With Us Ground Transportation serves the Monmouth County area. They have information at the Ground Transportation Counter, located adjacent to the baggage area at Newark Airport. You may contact Go With Us at 773-363-0001

From Newark Airport

1. Exit the airport onto Routes 1 & 9 South. Follow signs to Route 78 West.
2. Take Route 78 West to the exit for Garden State Parkway South.
3. Continue on Garden State Parkway South to Exit 123, Route 9, Sayreville/Old Bridge.
4. Continue on Route 9 for several miles.
5. Merge onto Route 18 South via ramp on left toward Asbury Park/Shore Points.
6. Continue on Route 18 South for several miles to Exit 19B, Route 34 South, Pt. Pleasant.

The base will be approximately one mile on the left on Route 34 North.

During normal working hours, report to NWS Earle Administration Department, Bldg C-2. After normal working hours, ask the Front Gate Security Detachment to contact the Command Duty Officer for assistance.

For personnel reporting for duty aboard ships homeported at Naval Weapons Station Earle report to the Leonardo waterfront gate. You will be directed to your ship for completion of check-in. If your ship is underway you must report to COMLOGRU TWO Det Earle located in Building R-3A. If you are reporting to the Mobile Mine Assembly Group report to the Mainside area on Route 34. Command Duty Officer can be contacted by calling the quarter deck at 732-866-2500.

How to Get To Naval Weapons Station Earle – Mainside

From the north:
Take the Garden State Parkway South to the Route 9 exit (123) near South Amboy. Take Route 9 south approximately 8 miles to Route 18(left lane exit). Take Route 18 south approximately 10 miles to the Route 34 south exit. The entrance to Naval Weapons Station Earle will be on the left side at the first light.

From the south:
Take the New Jersey Turnpike north and get off at exit 7A (I-195 east/Shore Points). Continue on I-195 east to exit 35B which is Route 34 north. Follow Route 34 north for approximately 7 miles. The base will be on the right side of the road.

Destination Address:
201 Route 34, Colts Neck, NJ, 07722

How To Get To Waterfront

From Mainside or points south:
From the main gate, proceed north on Route 34 to Route 537. Make right onto Route 357 and continue to Hockhockson Road, make right, cross the tracks and turn left onto Normandy Road. Proceed north approximately 10 miles and bear left onto East Rd. Proceed on East Road a mile to Route 36. Make a right onto Route 36. After 1 mile, take jug handle right turn to cross back over Route 36 to Waterfront entrance.

From the north:
Take the Garden State Parkway south to exit 117, and take Route 36 east. Stay on Route 36 approximately 7 miles.  As above, take jug handle to Waterfront Gate.

Destination Address:

801 Highway 36, Leonardo, NJ 07737  

Please note the Garden State Parkway is toll road and will require an EZ pass or cash on hand. 

Source: Getting Here (navy.mil)

How to Get To Naval Weapons Station Earle – Mainside

From the north:
Take the Garden State Parkway South to the Route 9 exit (123) near South Amboy. Take Route 9 south approximately 8 miles to Route 18(left lane exit). Take Route 18 south approximately 10 miles to the Route 34 south exit. The entrance to Naval Weapons Station Earle will be on the left side at the first light.

From the south:
Take the New Jersey Turnpike north and get off at exit 7A (I-195 east/Shore Points). Continue on I-195 east to exit 35B which is Route 34 north. Follow Route 34 north for approximately 7 miles. The base will be on the right side of the road.

Destination Address:
201 Route 34, Colts Neck, NJ, 07722

How To Get To Waterfront

From Mainside or points south:
From the main gate, proceed north on Route 34 to Route 537. Make right onto Route 357 and continue to Hockhockson Road, make right, cross the tracks and turn left onto Normandy Road. Proceed north approximately 10 miles and bear left onto East Rd. Proceed on East Road a mile to Route 36. Make a right onto Route 36. After 1 mile, take jug handle right turn to cross back over Route 36 to Waterfront entrance.

From the north:
Take the Garden State Parkway south to exit 117, and take Route 36 east. Stay on Route 36 approximately 7 miles.  As above, take jug handle to Waterfront Gate.

Destination Address:

801 Highway 36, Leonardo, NJ 07737  

Please note the Garden State Parkway is toll road and will require an EZ pass or cash on hand. 

Source: Getting Here (navy.mil)

Currently, there is no base transportation on this installation. Please contact your Command Sponsor for base transportation arrangements.

732-866-2500 Quarter Deck, CDO 732-558-3362, Security 732-866-2291/2290, Port Services 732-8667100, Pass and ID 732-866-2243 (Main side)