Raytheon Company signed a $65.5 million contract to deliver five Phalanx Block 1B Close-In Weapon Systems to the Republic of Korea Navy for the new Ulsan-1 class FFX ship program. The direct commercial sale calls for the systems to be installed on the 2,300-ton frigate-class ships starting in April
Pacific Fleet (PF) task force consisting of Guard missile cruiser Varyag, large ASW ships Admiral Vinogradov and Admiral Tributs, and destroyer Bystry took the sea to perform assigned combat training tasks, told PF Information Support Group to Central Navy Portal. Over 15 other PF ships based at sou
U.S. 7th Fleet held a change of command ceremony on board the command flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) Sept. 7. Vice Adm. Scott R. Van Buskirk was relieved by Vice Adm. Scott H. Swift at the ceremony. “It has been the thrill of my career to briefly command in the best job of […]
The banter of voices that can be heard over head-sets and loud speakers begins; “Air warning red, aircraft at 40 miles, not responding to warnings.” The guns crews lean back at their gun mounts, clad in anti flash hoods and gloves, waiting on the command to engage. “30 seconds time on top, all posit
ANZAC and East Timor defence forces have come together for a successful joint military exercise in East Timor. Exercise Tubaraun involved elements of the International Stabilisation Force (ISF), the East Timor Defence Force (F-FDTL) and the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). The amphibious RAN landing ves
The Minister for Defence, Stephen Smith, and Minister for Defence Materiel, Jason Clare, today announced that the amphibious ship HMAS Kanimbla would be decommissioned. In September 2010 the Chief of Navy imposed an operational pause on HMAS Kanimbla due to seaworthiness concerns. Since then, Defenc
At a ceremony held on board Austal’s next generation 102 metre trimaran this morning, Austal was awarded a contract for the design, construction and through-life support of eight new patrol boats for the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service. This contract is Austal’s second significant c
Maritime Civil Affairs Team (MCAT) 103 returned from Pacific Partnership 2011 Aug. 5 after a five-month deployment that took them to five Pacific countries. MCAT 103 facilitated, supported, and assessed civil-military operations while deployed aboard USS Cleveland (LPD 7) in Tonga, Vanuatu, Papua Ne
The forward-deployed amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42) and embarked Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) arrived in Brisbane, Australia for a port visit, Aug 3. There are several events scheduled while the ship is visiting Brisbane. The ship will play host to a bi
The amphibious command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) and embarked U.S. 7th Fleet staff arrived in Cairns, Australia July 27 as part of the ship’s summer patrol to foster positive relations with regional partners. The crew and embarked staff will have an opportunity to enjoy an area of Australia known
The city of Townsville welcomed the forward-deployed amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42) Sailors and embarked Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) to the city during an official ceremony held at the Army Museum North Queensland July 8. Germantown is in Townsville, A
The fifth and final phase of Pacific Partnership 2011 (PP11) has come to an end with the departure of the PP11 team from the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). The flagship for the mission, USS Cleveland, arrived in the FSM on 3 July with representatives from the Australian, Canadian, Malaysian,
Thirty-one trainees from various categories of employment within the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) have been kitted-up with extreme weather protection gear for their upcoming Antarctic trip-of-a-lifetime. The group, which includes Marine Technicians, Medics, and Communications Information Systems sail
Sea Kings will be worked hard during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2011 (TS11) which will be the aircrafts last major exercise before they face retirement after a career of 35 years. The three 817 Squadron Sea Kings were flown overland from HMAS Albatross to the exercise area at Shoalwater Bay in seven an
