UK’s Portsmouth-based minehunter, HMS Cattistock returns to service after a major life-extension upgrade. The re-dedication ceremony marking this occasion took place in Portsmouth Naval Base yesterday, Nov. 2. The upgrade, carried out by BAE Systems in Portsmouth, includes new engines and means that
The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Hampton (SSN 767) held a change of command ceremony at Naval Base Point Loma, San Diego, on October 30. Cmdr. Theron Davis relieved Cmdr. Lincoln Reifsteck as commanding officer. Under Reifsteck’s command, Hampton successfully deployed twice to the Wes
US Navy’s new Expeditionary Fast Transport 6 (EPF 6) USNS Brunswick has successfully completed Navy acceptance trials on October 23. The ship, which was constructed by Austal USA, is the sixth ship of the EPF class. The EPF class ships were formerly known as Joint High Speed Vessels (JHSV). The ship
Royal Australian Navy is getting ready to decommission HMAS Sydney this week after her 32 years of service. The ceremony, to be held on Saturday, alongside at the vessel’s home port of Garden Island, Fleet Base East, Sydney, will mark the end of more than three decades of service for this vessel, wh
The U.S. 6th Fleet command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) arrived in Lisbon, Portugal, on November 1, for a scheduled port visit and embarkation of Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO personnel. While in Portugal, Mount Whitney’s crew will take the opportunity to host distinguished g
The amphibious dock landing ship, USS Germantown (LSD 42) returned to White Beach, Okinawa after completing III Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) exercise Blue Chromite 16. The operations were a combined effort that included 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines attached to the 4th Marine Regiment embarked aboa
UK and the Royal Navy started the construction of a permanent naval base at the Mina Salman Port, Bahrain, on October 31. The works on the new base will include upgrades to the existing facilities at the Port, providing the Royal Navy with a forward operating base and a place to plan, store equipmen
The Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (KSGARG) entered the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations (AOO) Oct. 31, after completing theater security operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet. The KSGARG is comprised of the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), the amphibious transport dock USS Arlington (LP
The Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) departed the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations (AOO) Nov. 1. While on station in the U.S. 5th Fleet AOO, the ARG and MEU supported theater security cooperation efforts and provided a forward naval presence w
The amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), elements of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), and the Turkish navy completed Egemen 2015, Oct. 28. Egemen is a Turkish-led and hosted amphibious exercise designed to increase tactical proficiencies and interoperability among participants. Ca
The amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42) wrapped up a series of strategic amphibious exercises with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as part of the Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX). Major Ben Reid, Commander of Special Forces Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) of the
HMA Ships Stuart and Arunta, usually based on opposite sides of Australia, met when they were both in Busan, South Korea. Since departing Fleet Base West in late August, Arunta has had a busy program exercising and conducting visits to India, Malaysia, Philippines and Japan. Stuart’s crew had simila
US Navy’s Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Houston (SSN 713) returned to Pearl Harbor from the final scheduled deployment to the Western Pacific Region, Oct. 28. Steaming more than 35,000 nautical miles, Houston conducted a variety of operations vital to national security and bilateral ex
Austal USA was awarded a $53.4 million contract to procure long-lead materials for the 11th Expeditionary Fast Transport for the U.S. Navy. The award covers materials including main propulsion engines, generators, water jets, main reduction gears, and other long-lead time items. Austal’s EPF program
