Naval Support Activity Gaeta

Branch: U.S. Navy
Location: Gaeta, Lazio, Italy
Installation Type: Naval Support Activity
Status: Active

Overview

Naval Support Activity Gaeta is located in the historic port city of Gaeta, in the Lazio region of Italy, approximately 130 kilometers south of Rome and 75 kilometers north of Naples, on the Tyrrhenian Sea coast. NSA Gaeta is the homeport for the flagship of U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF), USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20). The base provides logistical support, administration, and community services for the Gaeta military community. Gaeta is one of the smallest and most picturesque U.S. military communities, offering an authentic Italian coastal town experience that is unique among OCONUS installations.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Homeport and support USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20, flagship of Commander, Naval Forces Europe-Africa); provide installation services for Navy personnel and families assigned to Gaeta and associated commands.
Major Units: NSA Gaeta (installation command); USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20, Landing Craft Command, Flagship of NAVEUR-NAVAF)
Tenant Units: Various staff officers and billets associated with USS Mount Whitney; NAVEUR-NAVAF flagship staff; limited tenant activities

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Gaeta city (population approximately 20,000) – immediately adjacent; Formia – approximately 10 km southeast; Naples – approximately 75 km southeast; Rome – approximately 130 km northwest
Nearest Commercial Airport: Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) – approximately 130 km northwest (via A1 autostrada); Naples International Airport (NAP) – approximately 90 km southeast; both are major international airports
Gate Access: Main gate at the port area; CAC/military ID required; visitor passes at Visitor Control Center; ship access for USS Mount Whitney controlled separately

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 1,500 (including ship’s company of USS Mount Whitney and shore-based staff)
Family Members: Approximately 2,000
Civilian Employees: Approximately 300
Total Installation Population: Approximately 3,800

Key Facilities

Medical: NSA Gaeta medical clinic – primary care, dental, and behavioral health; specialty referrals to Italian hospitals in the area or Naples for more complex care; medevac to LRMC Germany or CONUS for major cases; Italian health system accessible through SOFA
Commissary: Yes – commissary on base; essential given remote location relative to major cities
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes – small Navy Exchange (NEX); smaller than major bases given installation size
Fitness & Recreation: Fitness center; pools; limited on-base recreation; Gaeta’s coastal location provides swimming, sailing, and beach access; Italian cultural opportunities are exceptional; Rome and Naples are extraordinary day trip destinations
Schools: DoDEA Gaeta Elementary School; older students may attend DoDEA at NSA Naples (75 km) or local Italian schools; DoDEA options are limited for secondary school students; families must plan for older children’s education
Childcare: Child Development Center on base; very limited capacity given small installation; register early; Italian childcare available locally
Veterinary Services: Limited on-base veterinary services; Italian veterinarians available locally in Gaeta and nearby towns
Legal Assistance / JAG: Legal Assistance Office; appointment-based; small installation JAG support

Housing

On-Post Housing: Very limited government quarters on base; most military families live in Italian economy housing in Gaeta and surrounding area
Average Wait Time: Very limited on-base housing; economy housing is the norm for nearly all families
Off-Post Housing: Gaeta city, Formia, Minturno, and surrounding Lazio/Campania coastal communities; OHA applies; Italian housing in Gaeta is charming Mediterranean-style with tile floors and terraces; living in an authentic Italian coastal town is one of the great experiences in the U.S. military OCONUS catalog; some housing has sea views; housing office assists; bilingual support available
OHA Rate Reference: Check current OHA rates at Defense Travel Management Office (dtmo.mil); NSA Gaeta OHA reflects Lazio coastal Italian rental costs

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: Contact gaining command; NSA Gaeta and USS Mount Whitney sponsorship programs; Gaeta is a small, close-knit community where newcomer support is particularly important
In-Processing: NSA Gaeta in-processing; typically 3-5 days; Italy/NATO SOFA briefings; vehicle registration; ration card
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Fleet and Family Support Center; enrollment required; EFMP screening critical before Gaeta orders given limited on-base medical and small installation size; Naples (75 km) and Rome (130 km) provide better specialist access

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Mediterranean; warm sunny summers (average high 83F/28C in July-August); mild winters (average low 42F/6C in January); low rainfall; approximately 250+ sunny days per year; Tyrrhenian Sea breezes; one of the most pleasant climates of any military installation
Cost of Living: Low to moderate; Gaeta and the southern Lazio coast are very affordable by Italian standards; excellent local seafood, produce, and wine at low cost; OHA typically adequate; this is one of the best quality-of-life assignments in the Navy for cost-to-experience ratio
Nearby Attractions: Gaeta’s historic medieval upper town (Gaeta Castle, Cathedral of Sant’Erasmo, split rock known as Monte Orlando); beaches on the Gulf of Gaeta; Formia and the Cicero’s Tomb; Monte Orlando Regional Park; Naples (75 km) – one of the world’s great cities with UNESCO historic center, pizza culture, Pompeii (30 min from Naples), Amalfi Coast (1 hour from Naples); Rome (130 km) – Colosseum, Vatican, Trevi Fountain, the Sistine Chapel; Caserta Royal Palace (one of Europe’s largest baroque palaces, 60 km); Cinque Terre (4 hours north); Amalfi Coast and Capri accessible as day trips from Naples; Sicily by ferry; ferry to Ischia and Ponza islands (accessible from Formia)
Spouse Employment: Very limited in Gaeta; on-base employment through NAF, NEX, and contractor positions; Italian employment requires Italian language and EU work authorization; remote work with U.S. employers common; small tight-knit community where flexibility and creativity in employment are essential; Rome (130 km) within commute range for some; FFSC assists

OCONUS-Specific Information

SOFA: NATO Status of Forces Agreement (NATO SOFA) and Italian Bilateral Infrastructure Agreement govern U.S. personnel; Italy is a NATO founding member; same Italian SOFA framework as NSA Naples and NAS Sigonella
Host Nation Rules: Italian laws apply off-base; Mediterranean lifestyle – late meals, afternoon rest, lively evening social culture; Gaeta is a small Italian city with strong local identity; Italian social customs and hospitality characterize the local community; recycling rules vary by municipality
Curfew: No formal SOFA curfew in Italy; unit-level liberty policies apply; Italy has no adult curfew
Ration Card / Customs: NATO ration card for tax-free purchases; Italian customs and EU rules apply; limits on alcohol, tobacco, and electronics; VAT exemptions for SOFA personnel on authorized purchases
Vehicle Registration: SOFA vehicle registration; Italian mandatory insurance; Italian/SOFA license; right-hand traffic (same as U.S.); Italian coastal roads can be narrow and winding; traffic in Italian towns is aggressive by American standards
Language and Culture: Italian; Gaeta has limited English outside tourist/business context; learning Italian is essential for full integration and quality of life; Gaetan culture is traditional southern Italian maritime culture – family-oriented, seafood-centered, community-focused; neighbors and local shopkeepers are generally welcoming to U.S. military families
Currency and Banking: Euro (EUR); on-base banking limited; Italian bank account recommended; ATMs available in Gaeta and Formia; cash preferred in many local establishments
Travel Restrictions: Free movement throughout Schengen Area; Italy’s rail network and Fiumicino airport (130 km) provide excellent international access; unit travel policies apply
Mail: FPO AE address assigned; FPO mail through military postal system; Italian Poste Italiane for local delivery
Pets: EU pet passport or USDA-endorsed EU Health Certificate required; ISO microchip mandatory; rabies vaccination current; USDA endorsement required; dogs may require tapeworm treatment; Italy is generally very dog-friendly; Gaeta’s outdoor coastal lifestyle accommodates pets very well; Italian veterinarians available locally

Last updated: 2026-02-23
Sources: https://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnreurafcent/installations/nsagaeta.html; https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/in-depth-overview/naval-support-activity-gaeta; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NavalSupportActivityGaeta, Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law