Naval Base Ventura County

Branch: U.S. Navy
Location: Point Mugu / Port Hueneme, California
Installation Type: Naval Base (Combined)
Status: Active

Overview

Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) was established as a consolidated installation combining Naval Air Station Point Mugu and Naval Construction Battalion Center (NCBC) Port Hueneme, located on the southern California coast in Ventura County. Formally consolidated in 2000 under Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) directives, the installation encompasses two geographically separate sites roughly 10 miles apart. NBVC supports a diverse tenant population including aviation, test and evaluation, and Navy Seabee mission sets, making it one of the more operationally diverse naval bases on the West Coast.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Provide installation support to tenant commands conducting naval aviation test and evaluation, fleet readiness, and naval construction (Seabee) operations.
Major Units:
Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD) — Point Mugu site, responsible for air weapons development and testing
Commander, Naval Air Forces Pacific (tenant functions)
Naval Construction Battalions (Seabees) — headquartered at Port Hueneme; multiple active and reserve Seabee units including NMCB-5, NMCB-7, NMCB-18, and NMCB-25
Amphibious Construction Battalion 1 (ACB-1)
Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Southwest (tenant)
Point Mugu Sea Range — one of the largest sea ranges on the Pacific Coast used for weapons testing
Tenant Units: Various defense contractors and government agencies supporting weapons test and evaluation; VX-30 (Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 30)

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Oxnard, CA (adjacent); Los Angeles, CA (approximately 60 miles southeast)
Nearest Commercial Airport: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) — approximately 60 miles southeast; Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) — approximately 45 miles northwest; Oxnard Airport — approximately 5 miles from Port Hueneme gate
Gate Access: Multiple installation access points at both Point Mugu and Port Hueneme. CAC or valid DoD identification required for active duty, retirees, and dependents. Visitor passes available at the visitor control center; photo ID and vehicle registration required. Gate hours vary; check with the Provost Marshal’s Office for current schedules.

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 4,000-5,000 across both sites
Family Members: Approximately 6,000-8,000
Civilian Employees: Approximately 4,000-6,000 (including government civilians and contractors)
Total Installation Population: Approximately 15,000-19,000

Key Facilities

Medical: Naval Health Clinic Ventura County — primary care and specialty services for active duty and eligible beneficiaries; referrals to Naval Medical Center San Diego or civilian network for higher-level care
Commissary: Yes — commissary located at Point Mugu; full-service grocery commissary serving the installation
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes — Navy Exchange (NEX) main store at Point Mugu; smaller NEX Express at Port Hueneme; gas stations, car care, and specialty shops available
Fitness & Recreation: Multiple fitness centers at both Point Mugu and Port Hueneme; outdoor recreation facilities, sports fields, picnic areas, and beach access; MWR programs including equipment rental and recreation programs
Schools: Local public schools through Oxnard Union High School District, Hueneme Elementary School District, and other Ventura County school districts; no DoDEA schools on installation
Childcare: Child Development Centers (CDC) at Point Mugu and Port Hueneme; waitlists common — early enrollment recommended; Family Child Care (FCC) homes available as supplement
Veterinary Services: Military veterinary clinic on installation providing preventive care, vaccinations, and limited services for active duty pets; appointment required
Legal Assistance / JAG: Legal Assistance Office available on installation; combination of walk-in and appointment-based services; contact the Staff Judge Advocate’s office for current hours

Housing

On-Base Housing: Managed by Lincoln Military Housing; family housing available at both Point Mugu and Port Hueneme neighborhoods; housing includes a range of unit sizes from 2-bedroom to 4-bedroom homes; some older housing stock has been renovated
Average Wait Time: Varies by rank and unit size; typically several months to over a year for popular configurations; check with the housing office upon PCS orders receipt
Off-Base Housing: Nearby communities include Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Camarillo, Ventura, and Thousand Oaks; average rent ranges from approximately $2,000-$3,500/month for 2-3 bedroom units depending on location and amenities; Ventura County has a high cost of living relative to the national average
BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) website.

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: Sponsor requests can be made through the gaining command’s administrative department; service members are encouraged to contact their sponsor well in advance of PCS move
In-Processing: Report to the Naval Base Ventura County Welcome Center / Installation Personnel Support Detachment (IPSD); in-processing typically takes 2-5 days and includes medical, dental, and administrative appointments
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): EFMP enrollment and support through Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) NBVC; contact FFSC for current enrollment procedures and community resource referrals; early enrollment recommended prior to PCS

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Mediterranean climate with mild year-round temperatures; average highs in the 60s-70s F; coastal fog (June Gloom) common in late spring and early summer; minimal rain, primarily in winter months
Cost of Living: High relative to national average; housing is the primary cost driver; groceries, transportation, and utilities also above average compared to much of the U.S.
Nearby Attractions: Channel Islands National Park (accessible by ferry from Ventura/Oxnard); Ventura Harbor and beaches; Los Angeles metropolitan area attractions (approximately 1 hour); wine country in Santa Barbara and Paso Robles; hiking in Los Padres National Forest
Spouse Employment: Ventura County offers employment opportunities in healthcare, education, government, and service sectors; proximity to Los Angeles and Thousand Oaks tech and corporate corridor improves options; military spouse licensing reciprocity laws in California apply; FFSC offers employment assistance programs

Contact & Resources

Official Website: https://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrsw/installations/nbvc.html
Main Installation Phone: (805) 989-1110 (Point Mugu); (805) 982-4711 (Port Hueneme)
MWR Website: https://www.nbvcmwr.com/
ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) NBVC — (805) 989-6792 (Point Mugu) / (805) 982-4348 (Port Hueneme); offers counseling, deployment support, relocation assistance, and financial readiness programs

Last updated: 2026-02-22
Sources: CNIC NBVC official page (cnic.navy.mil), MilitaryINSTALLATIONS.mil, Lincoln Military Housing NBVC, Navy MWR NBVC