History

Galeta Point used to be the site of a highly sophisticated U.S. Navy satellite communications system and an important location for defending the Atlantic sector of the Panama Canal. In fact, the Navy constructed the building of the visitor’s center in the 1950’s; the lab building was once the receiver site. These buildings were transferred to STRI in the late 1960’s after a new receiver building was built and occupied by the U.S. Naval Security Group, Galeta Island unit.

During World War II, antiaircraft weapons positioned on the East and West sides of the Canal were intended to protect the waterway from attacks by German or Japanese forces. Galeta Island was considered the eyes and ears of the Pentagon. Strategic conversations during the take down of the Pinochet government in Chile were monitored from this site. From Galeta, the U.S. also supported British forces during the Maldives War, by determining the location of Argentine ships.