Over the past decade, a collaborative effort has investigated submerged wrecks of historic naval aircraft in the Gulf of Mexico, offshore Pensacola, Florida. This project originated from the initiative of University of West Florida students, who partnered with local scuba divers. It has since expanded to include archaeologists from the Naval History and Heritage Command's Underwater Archaeology Branch, Navy divers from the Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVO), and the NAVO Fleet Survey Team. The primary objective has been to locate, document, and interpret these submerged cultural resources. To achieve this, the project has employed a multifaceted approach encompassing hydrographic surveys, underwater archaeological diving methodologies, complemented by archival research and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analysis. This discussion will delve into the employed methodology, key findings regarding the aircraft wrecks, and the significance of this research for understanding Pensacola's historical naval aviation activities.

The Republic of the Marshall Islands plays host to a diversity of modern conflict remains, ranging from the World War II-era to present day use in radar and missile operations. Roi-Namur, located within Kwajalein Atoll, epitomizes this militarized past. Serving as a Japanese outpost, the coralline islet was the site of a devastating bombardment in 1944 that preceded an assault by United States Marines. Roi-Namur was quickly captured and transformed from a debris-strewn battlefield into a capable airbase. At the war’s conclusion, efforts to expediate the ‘roll up’ of facilities led to a mass dumping of decommissioned aircraft and other military equipment in the lagoon. Discarded surplus joined wartime casualties, namely Japanese ships and planes sunk prior to the invasion. A recent survey of maritime heritage from both the shore and in the lagoon, demonstrate the unparalleled progression of Roi-Namur’s conflict landscape from World War II through the Atomic Age.

In 1943, the U.S. military launched an assault against the Aleutian Island of Attu, beginning the first and only World War II battle fought on North American soil. The skirmish marked the climax of Attu’s wartime history, which included the Japanese army’s invasion, the imprisonment of Native Unangan people, and months of aerial harassment by U.S. forces. Eight decades later, the Battle of Attu, and by extension, the North Pacific Theatre, remains the least studied campaign of World War II. To rectify this situation, a team of archaeologists and remote sensing experts conducted the first-ever underwater survey associated with Attu. This project utilized a combination of synthetic aperture sonar and photogrammetric documentation to ascertain images of Attu’s submerged heritage, with archival research into the island’s past making site identification possible. These initial results are intended to shine a light on the “Forgotten Battle” and the people whose lives were affected.

The Civil War submarine H.L. Hunley was never officially commissioned by the Confederate Navy and was developed by a private group of private citizens with the specific purpose of conducting warfare against the enemy. As a result of its private origins, many historians and archaeologists have labeled Hunley a privateer. This paper will explore how the label privateer does not match the submarine's ultimate role and how a new designation is required to better understand the world's first successful attack submarine. This paper will explore the role of the submarine through a more modern lens to demonstrate how Hunley was ahead of its time, not only in technology but in how warfare would be conducted in the modern age.

The recent discovery of the archeological remains of a now submerged yellow fever hospital and post cemetery at Fort Jefferson in Dry Tortugas National Park led to a myriad of interesting research questions and management challenges. Since its initial discovery, additional historical and archeological research has revealed considerable information on both burial practices and memorialization efforts for those who perished at the isolated fortification. Additionally, park staff have worked to document, transcribe, and interpret the stories of more than 200 men, women, and children who died at Fort Jefferson and to make meaningful connections with current generations, utilizing genealogical research to identify possible descendants. Management efforts have also focused on the development of partnerships with the U.S. Army to develop means to document, interpret, protect, and memorialize those who perished at Fort Jefferson. This paper will provide updates on research efforts, management strategies, and interpretation efforts surrounding this unique discovery.