State hangers-on flee navy town (4)
I believe the answer is:
avow
'state' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for avow that I've seen before include "Solemnly promise" , "Declare - affirm" , "Declare a promise of fidelity at the altar" , "Asseverate" , "Make a promise" .)
