Forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), flagship of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), departed Jan. 24 for a deployment in the 7th Fleet area of operations. Bonhomme Richard will embark Marines of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU), take par
USNS Spearhead, the US Navy’s first Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV), sailed away from the Austal USA shipyard Jan. 19 en route to its layberth in Little Creek, Va. Manned for the first time by the ship’s crew, Spearhead will now begin a period of operational test and trials prior to conducting missio
The commander of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 60 visited Sailors aboard guided-missile destroyer USS Gonzalez (DDG 66) during a port visit Jan. 18. Capt. John Esposito and members of his staff visited the ship, where he held an all-hands call on the flight deck. Esposito told the crew what they could
The Lake County Council of the Navy League of the United States hosted their first Sailor of the Year Awards Dinner at the Port O’ Call Banquet and Conference Center, Jan. 19. Rear Adm. Ricky Williamson, commander, Navy Region Midwest, was the keynote speaker as 18 senior and junior Sailors as well
The “Island Knights” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25 embarked the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship, USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), the flagship of commander, Amphibious Force 7th Fleet, in preparation for an underway in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, Jan. 23. As a regular part of
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard hosted a plaque hanging ceremony for USS Topeka (SSN 754) recognizing the official start of Topeka’s engineered overhaul in Kittery Jan. 23. In this time-honored tradition, the ship’s Commanding Officer Cmdr. James Belz joined Shipyard Commander Capt. Bryant Fuller, Topeka
Military and civilian maritime professionals finalized the training agenda for exercise Saharan Express 2013 (SE13) during the final planning conference at the Royal Moroccan Navy Headquarters in Casablanca, Jan. 21-23. Militaries from West Africa, Europe, and the United States joined together to pl
The Navy announced plans Jan. 23 to promote safety and provide education and awareness on the dangers of irresponsible alcohol use and the negative impact it has on mission accomplishment, by introducing the use of alcohol detection devices (ADD) across the fleet. As part of the Secretary of the Nav
The Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate USS Thach (FFG 43) arrived Jan. 20 to the 4th Fleet’s Area of Responsibility (AOR) for a scheduled six-month deployment to conduct Operation Martillo. Thach’s crew of 220 Sailors and embarked Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment Team (LEDET) will conduct Count
Sailors stationed aboard guided-missile destroyer USS Mahan (DDG 72) participated in a community service project at a Naples-area orphanage during their port visit, Jan. 14. The Sailors took a break from enjoying the local history and cuisine to give back to the community that has hosted them by vis
The sixth year of bilateral medical engagements with the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces began on January 21 in Phnom Penh, Kampot Province, at the Phnom Penh Preah Ket Melea Hospital. Approximately 14 Marines and sailors from 3rd Medical Battalion, part of Combat Logistics Regiment 35, 3rd Marine Logi
Coast Guard Cutter Dependable offloaded 1,210 pounds of cocaine with an estimated wholesale value of more than $14 million to Homeland Security Investigations in Key West, Fla., Tuesday. An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) Jacksonville, Fla., depl
Underwater Construction Team (UCT) 1 divers, from Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story ,Va., conducted semiannual training Jan. 16-17 in Key West, Fla., to hone their specialized skill set in variety of construction projects in the ocean environment. “This training is conducted every six
The Kitsap County commissioner chair presented certificates of appreciation Jan. 18 to Naval Hospital Bremerton staff members for their volunteer efforts at the Kitsap Veterans 2012 Fall Stand Down. “On behalf of the Kitsap County commissioners and the Kitsap County Veterans Advisory Board, I thank
