The guided-missile destroyer USS McFaul (DDG 74) departed Naval Station Norfolk April 22, for an independent deployment in support of ballistic missile defense, maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 4th, 5th, and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility. McFaul w
The Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) successfully completed a two-week Certification Exercise (CERTEX) April 21 off the coast of Southern California. CERTEX is the final integrated-training event for the Essex ARG and 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). Capt. Clint Carroll, commander, Amphibious
US Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) recently selected Sailors of the Year (SOY) for for Shore, U.S. Pacific Fleet Sea, U.S. Fleet Forces Sea, and U.S. Navy Reserve, respectively. In four separate ceremonies, Steelworker 1st Class Brenton Heisserer, Logistics Specialist 1st Class Blanca Sanchez, Boats
General Dynamics NASSCO is being awarded a $24,1 contract for littoral combat ships (LCS) sustainment execution in support of LCSs homeported in or visiting San Diego, California. This sustainment execution contract is for both LCS variants. The company will be to provide planned maintenance, facili
Bluefin Robotics has successfully delivered new vehicles to the United States Navy that will increase the Navy’s capability to remotely search and investigate ship hulls, harbor sea floors, and other underwater infrastructure for limpet mines, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and other objects of
The “Providers” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 30 held a change of command ceremony March 26 at Naval Air Station (NAS) North Island in San Diego. During the ceremony, Cmdr. Samuel C. Bryant relieved Cmdr. Chadwick J. White as the 43rd commanding officer of VRC-30. White, a native of Swai
The Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) departed Belize City April 19. This marks the completion of the first mission stop for Continuing Promise 2015 (CP-15). Continuing Promise is a collaborative effort with partner nations to conduct civil-military operations including h
The Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) and the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Anchorage (LPD 23) conduct maneuverers during a strait transit exercise. The drills were conducted in the Pacific Ocean on April 16. Essex is underway participating in a certificatio
U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (USNAVSO)/U.S. 4th Fleet delegates met with members of the Brazilian Navy to discuss upcoming interactions and cooperation efforts between their navies during the U.S. Navy and Brazilian Navy Operational Naval Committee (ONC) conference, March 30 – April 1. ONC Bra
Capt. Francis X. Castellano relieved Capt. Robert D. Katz as commanding officer of guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) during a change-of-command ceremony, April 17. Katz commanded Vella Gulf during a six-month deployment to the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations. While deployed, Vella Gulf
Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 8 held a change of command ceremony at Norfolk Naval Station, April 17. Rear Adm. Victorino G. Mercado was relieved by Rear Adm. Bret C. Batchelder as commander, Carrier Strike Group 8, which includes the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group. Mercado assumed command of CSG
US Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus recently announced that the next Freedom-variant littoral combat ship (LCS) will be named USS St. Louis. The future USS St. Louis, designated LCS 19, will be the seventh ship to bear the name. The first St. Louis, a sloop of war, was launched in 1828. It spent the
Three out of four Royal Canadian Navy vessels will receive a final salute from their current and former sailors, soldiers, airmen and airwomen on their respective coasts this spring and summer. On September 19, 2014, Vice-Admiral Mark Norman, Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), announced the
Her Majesty’s Canadian Ships (HMCS) Whitehorse and Nanaimo returned to Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt, B.C., after a deployment on Operation Caribbe. The combined efforts of Whitehorse and Nanaimo during this operation aided the United States Coast Guard (USCG) in the interception of more than 5,800