Fort Kodiak was established in 1898. The US Navy established a radio facility on Woody Island in 1911. The CAA and later the FAA had extensive facilities on Woody Island. Construction on the Kodiak Navy Base began in 1939. The navy left in 1971.
The US Navy chose Kodiak for their principal base because of the ice-free waters. It was defended by the army. The same base today is the Coast Guard base. Part of one army gun battery has been partially restored and houses the Kodiak Military History Museum at Ft. Abercrombie State Historical Park.
Upon the launch of Sputnik on Oct 4, 1957, the US Air Force established a satellite tracking and control facility not far from WW II army guns at Chiniak. It operated until 1975.
