The U.S. Navy completed an MQ-8B Fire Scout demonstration aboard U.S. Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) Bertholf (WMSL 750) on Dec. 12 as part of the Coast Guard’s ongoing efforts to assess the potential for future unmanned air system (UAS) operations from the 418-foot National Security Cutter class. The 1
The time honored title of commodore was passed from one senior leader to another during a change of command ceremony for Commander, Amphibious Squadron 5 (PHIBRON 5), Dec 14. The formal program was held in the fo’c’sle of amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), where Capt. Vic Cooper trans
USS Tortuga’s (LSD 46) Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Thomas Goudreau and Executive Officer, Cmdr. John Fleming, were relieved of their duties Dec. 16, due to loss of confidence in their ability to safely operate and navigate the ship and their credibility to lead the crew. At approximately 7:30 a.m. on
Fire Controlman 2nd Class Mathew Vogel, left, from Bolton, Mo., and Operations Specialist Seaman Ryan Larson, from Bothell, Wash., fire a .50-caliber machine gun at simulated targets during a small-craft attack team exercise aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67). Cole is conducting n
U.S. 6th Fleet officially welcomed its new commander at Naval Support Activity Naples Capodichino in Naples, Italy, Dec. 14. Vice Adm. James G. Foggo III officially assumed command of U.S. 6th Fleet from Vice Adm. Phil Davidson. Davidson will take the reins of U.S. Fleet Forces Command in Norfolk. D
U.S. Marines and Sailors with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), along with members of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces, began exercise Red Reef 15 Dec. 7 in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. Red Reef is a biennial, bilateral exercise between the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Ar
The US Navy’s newest submarine squadron stood up Dec. 15 at Naval Support Activity Bahrain. Commander, Submarine Squadron (CSS) 21 replaces the Commander, Task Force (CTF) 54 detachment as the organization charged with supporting submarines forward-deployed to the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U
BAE Systems San Francisco Ship Repair is being awarded a $15,2 million firm-fixed-price contract for a 60-calendar day shipyard availability for the regular overhaul and dry docking of USNS Matthew Perry (T-AKE 9). Work will include: clean and gas free tanks, voids, cofferdams, and spaces; deck non-
The guided-missile destroyer USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79) is moored pierside at Marathi NATO Pier Facility in Souda Bay, Greece. Oscar Austin, homeported in Norfolk, is conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe and
Sailors aboard Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gridley (DDG-101) received approximately 120 supply pallets during a replenishment-at-sea, Dec. 02. The pallets were received via vertical replenishment (VERTREP) between the Gridley and Military Sealift Command Fleet Replenishment Oile
U.S. Navy frigate USS Vandegrift (FFG 48) returned from its final deployment Dec. 12, where it operated in the U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR). The ship will begin to make preparations for decommissioning after 30 years of service. During this final dep
Senior leaders from U.S. 7th Fleet visited Colombo, Sri Lanka and Male, Maldives and attended the Galle Dialogues international Maritime Conference Dec. 1-6, building relationships to improve maritime security in the Indo-Asia Pacific. While in Sri Lanka, 7th Fleet leaders met with officials from th
The U.S. Navy’s duty oiler in the Mediterranean Sea, fleet replenishment oiler USNS Leroy Grumman (T-AO 195), is currently finishing a six-month deployment to the Mediterranean Sea supplying the U.S. Navy and its allies with fuel and supplies at sea, Dec. 11, 2014. Grumman, a Military Sealift Comman
US Navy’s Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) arrived to Souda Bay, Greece, on December 10. The vessel pulled into the Marathi NATO pier facility during a scheduled port visit. Leyte Gulf, homeported in Norfolk, is conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of
