Commander, Task Force 63/Military Sealift Command Europe and Africa (CTF-63/MSCEURAF), held a change of command ceremony at Naval Support Activity Naples Aug. 21. Capt. John Rinko relieved Capt. Richard Soucie as commander. The guest speaker, Vice Adm. Frank C. Pandolfe, commander, U.S. 6th Fleet, a
The Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (BOXARG) is scheduled to depart Aug. 23 for a deployment to the 5th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility. The BOXARG, which includes USS Boxer (LHD 4), USS New Orleans (LPD 18) and USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49), will focus on maritime security operations and theater se
Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 4 held a change of command ceremony aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) Aug. 13. Capt. James P. Cody relieved Capt. John B. Skillman as commander of PHIBRON 4 while the ship was underway in the Gulf of Aden. Cody previously served as the PHIBRON 4 d
Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus concluded a visit to Senegal Aug. 22, the last stop on a multi-nation visit focused on reinforcing existing partnerships with African nations. “Senegal is the backbone of the Navy and Marine Corps’ martime cooperation in West Africa,” said Mabus. “We have a strong and
Sailors assigned to Pre-commissioning Unit (PCU) America (LHA 6) joined administrators and students from Central Elementary School at a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Pascagoula, Aug. 19. Over the last two weeks Sailors spent more than 200 hours rebuilding a patio damaged during Hurricane Katrina. The p
U.S. 6th Fleet flagship, USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), concluded a 4-day port visit to Theoule-sur-Mer, France, after taking part in several events honoring the 69th anniversary of the liberation of Provence, Aug. 17. “This year is the 69th anniversary, and I was fortunate enough to be in southern Fra
Dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42) departed Cairns, Australia after a routine port visit Aug. 15 to 19. Roughly 30 Sailors and Marines volunteered at a local hospital during the visit, playing games with patients, sharing jokes, and generally uplifting the spirits of more than 100 patients. “
The U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) hosted Japanese guests while at sea, Aug. 20. The distinguished visitors were given a general orientation of an underway U.S. Navy aircraft carrier to better understand George Washington’s strategic mission in the U.S.
Center for Service Support (CSS) emergency management team provided evacuation and emergency preparedness training to Sailors and civilians for this hurricane season, Aug. 20. “You can’t take the threat of hurricanes lightly,” said Command Master Chief (SW/SCW/AW) Ray Rosado. Rosado said that every
A DC-3 coastal survey airplane from Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANO) visited 4th Fleet headquarters Aug. 20 for a capabilities demonstration prior to a scheduled deployment to the Caribbean Sea and Central America. The DC-3 collects oceanographic and hydrographic data from the world’s oceans a
Navy Sailors and Divers from Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 2, embarked aboard the Navy’s rescue and salvage ship USNS Grasp (T-ARS-51), found and salvaged a downed F-16 aircraft off the coast of Virginia, Aug. 6-20. The downed aircraft was one of two F-16 fighter jets from the 113th Wing, D.
Bollinger Shipyards, Inc. has delivered the CHARLES DAVID JR, the seventh Fast Response Cutter (FRC) to the United States Coast Guard. The announcement was made by Bollinger executive vice president of new construction, Chris Bollinger, “We are very pleased to announce another successful on-time and
Upon the recommendation of the Chief of Naval Operations, the Secretary of the Navy has approved the initial step to reduce, eliminate or consolidate a net of 35 Navy flag officer positions in the ranks of rear admiral (lower half) (O-7), rear admiral (O-8), and vice admiral (O-9) Navy officials ann
Guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG 64) accomplished its 1,000th helicopter landing of 2013 Aug. 16, while conducting maritime security operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet Area of Responsibility. Embarked Helicopter Maritime Strike (HSM) 74 Detachment 2, played a major part in helping Gettysburg
