New Navy Barracks Open for Junior Shipboard Sailors

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Josh Cassatt, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The Navy officially opened the doors of a new combined bachelor housing complex at Naval Base Coronado (NBC) during an afternoon ribbon-cutting ceremony, March 26.

John W. Finn Hall, a 262-room billeting facility for junior enlisted aircraft carrier and squadron personnel, will provide housing for 1,051 Sailors whose commands will be berthed on the island of Coronado.

"Today marks a very important day for the Navy and Naval Base Coronado," said Commander, Navy Region Southwest, Rear Adm. Dixon Smith. "We opened up another thousand beds for our Sailors who are assigned to our ships."

The completion of John W. Finn Hall marks the first time since 1976 that a new barracks facility has been built at NBC.

"This is a fantastic facility constructed to give our young Sailors on the Navy and Marine Corps team a break," said Capt. David Lepard, the force weapons officer at Navy Region Southwest. "They will be able to come ashore, to come home every night to a facility like this, knowing they have a place to relax."

For Sailors stationed aboard aircraft carriers, like Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Blanca McKnight of USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), the availability of off-ship housing is welcomed and appreciated.

"I think having these barracks will help me feel happier and it will definitely feel more homely," McKnight said. "It's somewhere I can go at the end of the day and take my mind off work."

The barracks facility was named after John W. Finn, a decorated World War II veteran who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the attack on Pearl Harbor.

On Dec. 7, 1941, Finn manned a .50-caliber machine gun in an exposed area and returned fire, despite suffering injuries, during the attack by Japanese airplanes.

"John Finn was a remarkable role model, and to name this complex after him, there is no better choice," Smith said. "He was a native of San Diego County, he was stationed here as a young Sailor, retired and came back here, passed away here, and buried here. He is part of San Diego, and there is no better thing we can do to recognize him and his history than 'Finn Hall.'"

With a price tag of $66 million, the new facility features dual occupancy rooms with a kitchenette, laundry area, and community rooms and recreation areas. The grounds have basketball and volleyball courts, exercise areas, and barbecue and picnic areas.

"It's so much better," McKnight said. "You come home at night and have a washer and dryer, double sinks, a full bath, and a stove. You can cook and do laundry at the same time. It's like your own apartment in there."

The construction of the barracks is part of the Navy's Homeport Ashore Initiative, which is designed to improve the quality of life for Sailors by giving them a place to live ashore when their ships are in port.