Newport now maintains inactive ships at its pier facilities, along with the United States Coast Guard and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration research vessels.

[3] In 1983, contamination was suspected on 18 areas to pose a threat to human health and/or the environment and in 1989 the base was added to the National Priorities List (NPL).

[3] The petroleum tanks housed at Naval Station Newport are overseen by the federal Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), but the firefighting systems were maintained by the Navy.

[7] During the Civil War, the US Naval Academy was temporarily moved from Annapolis, Maryland to Newport to avoid any potential conflicts relating to the insurgency.

The enacting of the Selective Service Act of 1917 brought an average of 15,000 men each month for training, and while women were not eligible for the draft, they began enrolling in the Navy at this time.

[11] As of September 2014, the Rhode Island Aviation Hall of Fame was trying to move the decommissioned USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) moored at Pier 2 at the station.

On December 5th, 2023 the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration awarded a construction contract for new Atlantic Marine Operations Center to be completed by 2027.

[13] Naval Station Newport provides the facilities and infrastructure essential to support the operations of tenant commands and visiting fleet units.