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
Naval, aviation and ground forces from the United States, Japan, Mexico and New Zealand are scheduled to participate in Exercise Dawn Blitz 2015 off the coast and ashore in Southern California from August 31 to September 9. Dawn Blitz 2015 (DB15) is a multinational amphibious exercise designed to tr
Combined Task Force (CTF) 151 has conducted a joint operation with partners from across the international community, both military and non-military, aimed at encouraging the maritime community to work together to promote legitimate trade and fair use of the sea in the Horn of Africa region. The oper
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
The amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18) completed a material inspection by the Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV), at Naval Base San Diego, July 30. The extensive three-day assessment of the entire ship was evaluated by dozens of subject-matter experts assigned to INSURV. Me
Spanish Navy’s offshore patrol vessel Meteoro, homeported in Las Palmas, Canary Islands, is on its way to join the counter-piracy Operation Atalanta in the Indian Ocean. This deployment is part of the Spanish commitment with this EU mission which started back in 2008 to fight piracy in the Gulf of A
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) arrived in Haifa, Israel, for a scheduled port visit August 9, 2015. The port visit serves to enhance U.S.-Israeli relations as the two nations work together for a stable, secure and prosperous region. Porter, forward-deployed to R
US Navy’s amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) departed Saipan on August 9. The vessel was in Saipan Harbor August 7 – 9 providing disaster relief in the aftermath of Typhoon Soudelor, which devastated the island on August 2-3. Agencies including the Government of Guam, American Red Cro
The Royal Australian Navy’s ships are progressively getting a facelift – sporting a new paint scheme that is turning heads. On 29 July, hydrographic vessels, HMA Ships Benalla and Shepparton made the slow descent off the Tropical Reef Shipyard in Cairns slipway and back into the water gleaming in th
The Philippine Navy held an arrival ceremony for the two Landing Craft Heavy (LCH) vessels gifted by the Australian Navy on August 7. These LCHs, which will soon be commissioned as the BRP IVATAN (AT298) and BRP BATAK (AT 299), both a Balikpapan Class Landing Craft Heavy, will boost the Navy’s capab
The amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) pulled into Guam for a four-day port visit, Aug 3. The ship’s crew and the embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) participated in three community service events; Umatac Village Cleanup, Juan M. Gerrero Elementary School painting and Chagui
BMT Group (BMT), design, engineering and risk management consultancy, has taken on a higher level of sponsorship of the Submarine Institute of Australia (SIA). Established in 1999, the SIA is the nation’s premier organisation for promoting submarine matters. The SIA’s objective is to promote informe
Sailors from the amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24) and Marines assigned to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) completed composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX), Aug. 7, while operating as part of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (KSGARG). COMPTUEX is designed to pre
US Navy’s amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay (LPD 20) arrived in Guam for a port visit, Aug. 7. Green Bay traveled to Guam from Australia after participating in Talisman Sabre 2015, a bilateral exercise executed with Australian military forces. While operating in the region, the crew had t
