Naval Support Activity Naples

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

Overview

Naval Support Activity Naples is located in the greater Naples area of Campania, Italy, and serves as the headquarters of Commander, Naval Forces Europe-Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) and the Commander, Allied Joint Force Command Naples (JFC Naples, NATO). NSA Naples encompasses multiple sites including the main administrative and housing campus at Capodichino (adjacent to Naples International Airport), the operational headquarters at Carney Park, the Naval Air Facility at Capodichino, and various other facilities in the Naples area. Naples is the second-largest U.S. military community in Europe and a critically important strategic and operational hub for both U.S. European Command and NATO Mediterranean operations.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Host Commander, Naval Forces Europe-Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) and Allied Joint Force Command Naples (JFC Naples, NATO); provide installation support for U.S. and NATO personnel in the Naples area; support air operations through Naval Air Facility (NAF) Capodichino.
Major Units: Commander, Naval Forces Europe-Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) headquarters; Allied Joint Force Command Naples (JFC Naples, NATO supreme command for Southern Europe); Naval Air Facility Capodichino (NAF Capodichino, P-8A Poseidon and support aircraft); Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station Naples
Tenant Units: Naval Health Clinic Naples; Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR) elements; Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) Europe elements; various NATO and joint staff organizations

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Naples (population approximately 960,000; metro approximately 3 million) – within metropolitan area; Rome – approximately 225 km north; Pompeii – approximately 25 km southeast; Amalfi Coast – approximately 50 km southeast
Nearest Commercial Airport: Naples International Airport (NAP/Capodichino) – shares infrastructure with NSA Capodichino; major international airport with flights throughout Europe and beyond
Gate Access: Capodichino site main gate; Carney Park access; CAC/military ID required; visitor passes at Visitor Control Center; NATO headquarters areas require separate alliance access

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 6,500
Family Members: Approximately 8,000
Civilian Employees: Approximately 3,000
Total Installation Population: Approximately 17,500

Key Facilities

Medical: Naval Health Clinic Naples – comprehensive primary care, dental, and behavioral health; specialty referrals to Italian hospitals (Federico II University Hospital is excellent) or LRMC Germany for complex cases; Italian national health system accessible via SOFA; Naples has multiple high-quality Italian hospitals
Commissary: Yes – commissary at Capodichino and/or associated sites; important for American food products
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes – Navy Exchange (NEX) and facilities; serves the Naples military community
Fitness & Recreation: Fitness centers; pools; Carney Park recreation area (in an extinct volcanic crater, unique recreation facility with sports fields, pool, and park); golf; bowling; auto skills; Naples and the surrounding Campania region offer incomparable cultural, historical, and culinary experiences
Schools: DoDEA Naples Elementary School; DoDEA Carney Park Elementary; DoDEA Naples Middle School; DoDEA Caserta Elementary (Caserta site); DoDEA Naples High School – comprehensive DoDEA school system serving military children; Naples High School is well-regarded in DoDEA with strong sports and academic programs
Childcare: Child Development Center at multiple sites; waitlists common; register early; Italian childcare (asilo nido) also available
Veterinary Services: Veterinary Treatment Facility on base; wellness and preventive care; Italian veterinarians widely available in Naples
Legal Assistance / JAG: Legal Assistance Office, NSA Naples; appointment-based; NATO SOFA and Italian law matters through JAG; one of the busiest JAG offices in OCONUS Europe given large community

Housing

On-Post Housing: Government quarters across multiple Naples area sites; family housing neighborhoods; condition varies by site; Carney Park, Gricignano, and Capodichino housing areas all available; on-base housing in demand
Average Wait Time: Variable, can be 60-120 days; economy housing in Naples metropolitan area is common for many families
Off-Post Housing: Naples metro communities including Gricignano, Aversa, Caserta, Marano, Pozzuoli, and Bacoli are popular with military families; OHA applies; Neapolitan housing ranges from urban apartments to suburban villas; traffic in Naples is famously chaotic; some families prefer communities further from the urban core; Caserta (Royal Palace, quieter atmosphere) is popular; housing office assistance essential
OHA Rate Reference: Check current OHA rates at Defense Travel Management Office (dtmo.mil); NSA Naples OHA reflects Campania/Naples metropolitan rental costs

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: Contact gaining command; NAVEUR-NAVAF, JFC Naples, and ship/squadron sponsorship programs; Naples is a large, active community with excellent newcomer resources
In-Processing: NSA Naples in-processing; typically 3-5 days; Italy/NATO SOFA briefings; vehicle registration; ration card; medical enrollment; DoDEA school enrollment; NATO access for JFC Naples staff
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Fleet and Family Support Center; enrollment required; EFMP screening before Naples orders; Italian hospital system provides moderate specialist access; LRMC Germany (2.5 hours by air) for complex military medical cases; Naples has multiple Italian university hospitals

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Mediterranean; warm sunny summers (average high 86F/30C in July-August); mild winters (average low 44F/7C in January); low rainfall from May-September; pleasant October-May with some rain; mild and sunny most of the year; Vesuvius creates a unique microclimate
Cost of Living: Low to moderate; Naples and Campania are among Italy’s most affordable regions; excellent local food (Naples is the birthplace of pizza), wine, and seafood at very reasonable prices; OHA typically adequate; exchange and commissary reduce costs further
Nearby Attractions: Pompeii and Herculaneum (UNESCO, preserved Roman cities buried by Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, 25-30 km); Mount Vesuvius (active volcano, 20 km, hikeable); Amalfi Coast (UNESCO, one of the world’s most beautiful coastal drives, 50 km); Capri Island (ferry from Naples, 45 min, world-famous); Naples historic center (UNESCO, 2,500+ years of history, National Archaeological Museum with Pompeii artifacts); Caserta Royal Palace (UNESCO, one of Europe’s largest baroque palaces, 30 km); Carney Park in an extinct volcanic crater; Paestum Greek temples (90 km); Rome (225 km, 1.5 hours by high-speed train); Sicily accessible by train/ferry; Aeolian Islands accessible by ferry/hydrofoil
Spouse Employment: On-base employment through NAF, AAFES/NEX, commissary, DoDEA, and contractor positions; Italian employment requires Italian language; remote work with U.S. employers common; NATO civilian positions available for some spouses; English teaching popular; Naples’ large international community creates some opportunities; FFSC assists; NSA Naples has one of the more active spouse employment networks in OCONUS Navy

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 framework as NAS Sigonella and NSA Gaeta
Host Nation Rules: Italian laws apply off-base; Naples has a unique and intense culture; driving in Naples is a famously aggressive experience; motorcycle theft risk; awareness of petty crime in tourist and market areas; Neapolitan culture is warm, expressive, and deeply rooted in family and community; Camorra (organized crime) presence is real but rarely affects U.S. military families; command security briefings address local awareness
Curfew: No formal SOFA curfew in Italy; unit-level liberty policies apply; Naples nightlife is active and very late by American standards
Ration Card / Customs: NATO ration card; Italian/EU customs; limits on alcohol, tobacco, and electronics; VAT exemptions for SOFA purchases
Vehicle Registration: SOFA registration; Italian mandatory insurance; Italian/SOFA license; driving in Naples is extremely challenging for new arrivals – aggressive traffic, narrow streets, mopeds everywhere; defensive driving essential; right-hand traffic (same as U.S.)
Language and Culture: Italian; Neapolitan dialect is quite distinct; English spoken at tourist areas and near military sites; learning Italian essential for off-base quality of life; Neapolitan culture is one of the world’s most vibrant – pizza, pasta, seafood, espresso, opera (Teatro di San Carlo, the world’s oldest opera house), presepi (nativity scenes), and religious festivals
Currency and Banking: Euro (EUR); on-base banking available; Italian banks in Naples; ATMs widely available; cash common in many Naples establishments especially small shops and restaurants
Travel Restrictions: Free movement throughout Schengen Area; Naples airport and excellent rail connections (high-speed train to Rome 1.5 hours) provide superb European 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; Italy is generally pet-friendly; Naples beach and park access for dogs; Italian veterinarians widely available; Campania’s warm outdoor lifestyle suits pets well

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