It lost its status as an Orlogsstasjon (navy base) in 2002 and was consequently closed down in 2009 by the government of prime minister Jens Stoltenberg.

The base also has external docks capable of accommodating larger ships, among other US Navy SSN's and SSBN's.

In 2005, an accident in a scuba exercise inside the base led to the death of SBS commander Lieutenant Colonel Richard van der Horst.

[6] In March 2022, James May suffered a broken rib when he crashed a Mitsubishi Evo in one of the tunnels during a competition between the show's presenters to see who could drive (and stop) the fastest while filming for a special episode of The Grand Tour, and was taken to the hospital.

In 2015, WGS entered into a long-term contract to supply strategic logistics support for Norwegian and allied forces, among others the storage of ammunition.