sentences:  While smaller caliber guns (and missiles) have been used for centuries in naval fire support, very large guns have special capabilities beyond that of mid-range calibres.US battleships were re-activated three times after WWII specifically for NFS, and their 16 inch gunfire was used in every major engagement of the U. S. from WWII to the Gulf War.The battleships and were finally struck from the Naval Vessel Register in 2006, having been kept on in part to fill a naval fire support role.