The Philippine Navy’s, in an effort to develop a robust island defense force, christened two newly-acquired Landing Craft Heavy (LCH) vessels and two armed Agusta Westland (AW) 109 helicopters in a joint ceremony in Manila. The two LCH vessels were christened as Barkong Republika ng Pilipinas (BRP)
Electric Boat Corp. is being awarded a $22,2 million contract action against a previously awarded contract for the planning and execution of USS North Dakota (SSN 784) post-delivery work period. Electric Boat Corp. will perform planning and execution efforts, including long lead time material procur
The U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) arrived in Busan, Republic of Korea (ROK), Aug. 13, for a port visit in support of embarked Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet’s (C7F) participation in bi-lateral exercise Ulchi Freedom Guardian (UFG). UFG is an annual combined command and control exercise
The Blue crew of the ballistic-missile submarine USS Maine (SSBN 741) conducted a change of ceremony at Deterrent Park on Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, Aug. 13. Cmdr. Kelly Laing, from Idaho Falls, Idaho, relieved Capt. William Johnson, from East Troy, Wisconsin, and assumed the duties and responsibilit
The Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) transited the Strait of Hormuz and entered the Arabian Gulf Aug. 6. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world, and freedom of navigation is critical for all vessel movement in and out of the U.S. 5th Fleet area of
US Navy’s USS Coronado (LCS 4) successfully tracked and neutralized both single and multiple fast inshore attack craft during live-fire testing off the coast of California July 18-22. The ship’s crew and embarked surface warfare (SUW) mission package (MP) detachment conducted test events using the s
In an effort to modernize its naval fleet, the South Korean Navy has launched a new guided missile frigate named Gwangju. This is the sixth in a series of 20 vessels ordered by the Navy to be delivered by 2020. The new frigates are expected to replace the country’s old frigates and corvettes. Gwangj
The visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) team from the guided-missile destroyer USS Stockdale (DDG 106) participated in an anti-piracy operation exercise off the coast of Southern California Aug. 6. After Stockdale Sailors successfully defended another vessel from a simulated pirate attack, their
Royal Navy’s third Astute Class attack submarine HMS Artful has left Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, to commence her Contractor Sea Trials. The 7,400-tonne BAE Systems-built submarine is expected to join the Royal Navy’s fleet around the end of this year. After her sea trials the vessel will set sail to
The past week has been busy for the Sailors of the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Anchorage (LPD 23), as they made necessary main engine repairs. Engineman 1st Class Christine Carvo, the main propulsion leading petty officer, said: We had some indications that there might be a
An MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the Raptors of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 71 prepares to land aboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). The vessel took part in a show of force transit with the guided-missile destroyer USS Chung Hoon (DDG 93), USS Russell (DDG
On Friday 7 August 2015, maritime forces in Puntland carried out a successful operation to rescue crew members from a stricken Yemeni fishing vessel, FV Al Amal, which had run aground on to a Somali beach after it suffered engine problems. Since the Operation Atalanta flagship, ESPS Galicia, was in
The US Coast Guard Cutter Stratton returned to its homeport of Coast Guard Island in Alameda, California, after a 114-day Joint Interagency Task Force South counter drug patrol, Wednesday, to reunite with family members and loved ones. While underway, on June 16 and July 18, Stratton seized two sepa
Australian Navy Hydrographic ship, HMAS Leeuwin has completed a successful tri-nation fisheries operation in the Western Pacific. Operation NASSE was coordinated from Noumea, New Caledonia, and was established to enforce the conservation measures legislated by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheri
