Naval Amphibious Base Coronado Naval Amphibious Base Coronado ( NAB Coronado ) is a naval installation located across the bay from San Diego , California . The base , situated on Silver Strand , between San Diego Bay and the Pacific Ocean , is a major Navy shore command , supporting over 30 tenant commands , and is the West Coast focal point for special and expeditionary warfare training and operations . The onbase population is 5 , 000 military personnel and 7 , 000 students and reservists . History . Formally commissioned in January 1944 , Naval Amphibious Base ( NAB ) , Coronado provides a shore base for the operations , training , and support of naval amphibious units on the West Coast . It is one of only two Navy amphibious training bases in the United States . NAB is approximately 1 , 000 acres ( 4 km² ) in size and is composed of the Main Base , training beaches , California least tern preserve , recreational marina , enlisted family housing , and state park . State Highway 75 separates NAB into surfside ( ocean ) and bayside sections . The majority of the bayside is composed of fill materials dredged from San Diego Bay in the early 1940s . Amphibious training is conducted on both surfside and bayside beaches . To the south of the Main Base , the majority of amphibious training activities take place on about of ocean beachfront property , leased from the State of California . A least tern nesting preserve is located on North and South Delta Beach between the NAB Marina and Main Base . NAB is located within the city of Coronado , California , a community of approximately 30 , 000 . The city of Coronado covers nearly of land , and NAB lies south of the main residential and commercial portions of the city . Another naval facility , Naval Air Station ( NAS ) North Island , is located northwest of the city of Coronado . South of NAB is Silver Strand . In June 1943 , the Secretary of the Navy authorized the establishment of the Amphibious Training Base in the San Diego area to meet wartimes demands for trained landing craft crews . These crews were deployed to the South Pacific area of operations , where their successful and historical efforts were contributory to the conclusion of World War II . Training for infantry coordination with naval artillery and attack aircraft was provided at the Naval Gunfire Liaison School and Support Air Control School . The streets of the base bear the names of those famous battles which led to the Empire of Japan ' s defeat : Guadalcanal , Tarawa , Tulagi , and Bougainville , to name a few . The base has also provided training for Underwater Demolition Team s , United States Navy SEALs , Brown - water navy personnel , and Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps midshipmen . In 1946 , the base was renamed Naval Amphibious Base ( NAB ) Coronado and its primary mission was changed to that of providing major administrative and logistical support to the amphibious units which are located on the base . The base also conducts research and tests of newly developed amphibious equipment . Current operations . NAB Coronado is the home to over 30 tenant commands with a population of approximately 5 , 000 personnel , including major commands such as Commander , Naval Surface Forces Pacific ( COMNAVSURFPAC ) , Commander Naval Special Warfare ( SPECWAR ) Command and the Commander Expeditionary Warfare Training Group ( EWTG ) Pacific . Controversy . " The Navy plans to spend $ 600 , 000 for “ camouflage ” landscaping and rooftop adjustments so that 1960s - era barracks at the Naval Base Coronado near San Diego will no longer look like a Nazi swastika ( 卐 ) from the air . The resemblance went unnoticed by the public for decades until it was spotted in aerial views on Google Earth . " Even though the resemblance went unnoticed by staff , the architects and planners too were baffled long after construction , since they had unknowingly designed the structure in the form of a Nazi swastika symbol . The precise building that is in the shape of the Nazi symbol is Bldg 650 which is the National University at Naval Base Coronado ( exact co - ordinates ) .