After years of talking about improving defense ties, Australia and India finally organized their first joint naval exercise. According to the Australian Defense Minister Kevin Andrews, this first bilateral naval exercise, called Exercise AUSINDEX, will be held off India later this month. Andrews add
HMS Queen Elizabeth Fires Up Its Long Range Radar The crew of Royal Navy’s HMS Queen Elizabeth flashed up the new carrier’s long range radar as part of ongoing preparations to ready the leviathan for sea next year. Australia to Demonstrate Amphibious Skills Australia’s newest military capability, th
Amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) arrived in Okinawa, Japan, Aug. 27 to offload the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). Ashland completed an array of exercises throughout her patrol, which began Jun. 3, that culminated in the bi-annual, joint-force exercise Talisman Sabre 2015 in a
The amphibious transport dock ship, USS Green Bay (LPD 20) arrived in Okinawa, Japan Aug. 27. The ship is visiting Okinawa to offload personnel and equipment from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). The offload began with aircraft and personnel from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 (
The 21st annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise between the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and the Royal Thai Armed Forces began Aug. 27 in the vicinity of Sattahip Naval Base. The Thailand phase of CARAT 2015 consists of eight days of shore-based and at-sea training events
The littoral combat ship USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) wrapped up its participation in Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercises with both Indonesia and Malaysia following an Aug. 21 closing ceremony held in Sandakan, Malaysia. In deepening navy-to-navy relationships, Fort Worth visited S
As Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Indonesia drew to a close, the Marines aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42) broke down their rifles, scrubbed their nylon tents, and performed maintenance on the vehicles that took them to the Indonesian shores. While li
As part of Cooperation Afloat and Readiness Training (CARAT) 2015, the amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42) embarked 13 specially-trained Navy personnel from the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) – Far East Detachment in Okinawa. The team of Sailors brought with them an arsenal o
Swedish and Swiss major generals of the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission (NNSC) visited the U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19), Aug. 17, as part of an observation tour. The visit included a tour of the ship and an office call with 7th Fleet Commander Vice Adm. Robert L. Thomas to
Forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) celebrated its 17th birthday August 15. Bonhomme Richard is the third commissioned ship to bear the storied name USS Bonhomme Richard. The ship is named after the aged revolutionary war ship on loan from the King of France which C
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)
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 US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Japan for DDG 7 and 8 AEGIS Combat System, Underwater Weapon System, Cooperative Engagement Capability and associated equipment, parts and logistical support for an estimated cost of $1.5 billion. Under the proposed sale, Japan
Quartermaster 2nd Class Thomas Hoffman, from Los Angeles, Calif., looks through the Big Eyes aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48). The vessel entered Saipan Harbor recently where it provided disaster relief after Typhoon Soudelor made landfall. Ashland is assigned to the Bonh
