Upon completion of her modifications in October 1948, Norton Sound steamed for her new homeport of Port Hueneme, California. En route she conducted tests with Skyhook balloons. Off the coast of Southern California she underwent a missile training program.

Upon completion of her modifications in October 1948 Norton Sound steamed for her new homeport of Port Hueneme Calif. Enroute she conducted tests with Skyhook balloons and off southern California she underwent a very intensive missile training program.

The Norton Sound was selected on the basis of those reasons. Upon arrival on the West Coast, the Norton Sound was home-ported at Port Hueneme, California. That base was close to the Pacific missile test areas and the shipyards at Long Beach and San Francisco.

Having been home ported at Port Hueneme, California since 30 November 1948, Norton Sound stood out to sea in June of 1962 bound for Norfolk, Virginia and ultimately to Baltimore, Maryland.

The prototype AEGIS system in NORTON SOUND became operational in March 1974. On 16 May 1974 NORTON SOUND, again off Port Hueneme, fired her first naval missile since the TARTAR test in May 1962, a STANDARD medium range SM-1 missile against a FIREBEE drone.

USS Norton Sound (AV-11/AVM-1) was originally built as a Currituck-class seaplane tender by Los Angeles Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company, San Pedro, California. She was named for Norton Sound, a large inlet in West Alaska.

In 1948, the USS Norton Sound was in the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard for seven months while equipment was installed for handling, stowing, launching, and controlling guided missiles. Upon completion of her modifications in October 1948, Norton Sound steamed for her new homeport of Port Hueneme, California.

USS Norton Sound (AVM-1) underway off Port Hueneme, CA., in March 1975, after being modified in 1972-73 to test the AEGIS weapon system. The Mk-26 twin-armed missile launcher for the AEGIS system has replaced the Terrier launcher aft.

Oct 15, 2016 · This presentation on the History of USS Norton Sound, US Navy's first guided missile ship, was made by Dr. Bernard Luskin, Chancellor of the Ventura County Community College District, at the...

USS Norton Sound (AVM-1) Underway off Port Hueneme, Calif., in March 1975, after being fitted to test the AEGIS weapon system. The Mk-26 twin-armed missile launcher for the AEGIS system to starboard aft has replaced the Terrier launcher to port.