USS Ford (FFG 54) successfully transited from the ship’s homeport in Everett, Wash., to San Diego, March 2, using 25,000 gallons of a 50/50 algae-derived, hydro-processed algal oil and petroleum F-76 blend in the ships LM 2500 gas turbines. USS Ford’s transit on the algal blend marks the first demon
The Naval Sea System Command’s Office of the Director of Ocean Engineering Supervisor of Salvage and Diving (SUPSALV) recently began developing a prototype hyperbaric aluminum welding capability that will permit underwater welds to the U.S. Navy’s aluminum- hulled ships. The hyperbaric aluminum weld
Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southeast gathered at their headquarters building in Jacksonville, Fla. March 5 to celebrate the 70th birthday of the Seabees. “Today is a special day,” said Commanding Officer Capt. John Heinzel. “Let’s kick this off by singing the Song of the Seabees.”
Guided-missile frigate USS Simpson (FFG 56) has the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), MQ-8B Fire Scout embarked for solo missions, a U.S. Navy first during a full deployment, March 7. The Fire Scout is the Navy’s only unmanned aircraft to operate on land and at sea. The Fire Scout is a vertical take-of
The commander of Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) visited the Surface Warfare Officers School in Newport for a familiarization tour March 5. Rear Adm. Don Quinn assumed duties as commander of NETC in January 2012 and recently toured SWOS and other Newport-area commands that report to NETC
USS Topeka (SSN 754) deployed from Naval Base Point Loma for a scheduled six-month western Pacific deployment March 6. The Los Angeles-class, fast-attack submarine’s deployment is in support of the Chief of Naval Operations’ Maritime Strategy. Topeka’s missions will focus on maritime security operat
U.S. Navy personnel attended a birthday celebration honoring the Navy Reserve’s 97th year of establishment at the Navy Memorial March 2. Chief of Navy Reserve (CNR) Vice Adm. Dirk J. Debbink, spoke during the celebration where he retold many key points in the Navy Reserve’s history. “Our Navy Reserv
Measurement Technology NW (MTNW) has announced an award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to upgrade winch monitoring technology for the Coast Guard Icebreakers Healy and Polar Sea. This award brings new MTNW hardware and software technology to the support of winch operations, which are mis
The secretary of the Navy held an All Hands call on board USS Bataan (LHD 5) which was televised and streamed live on the web to the fleet March 5, announcing the establishment of the 21st Century Sailor and Marine initiative. Secretary Ray Mabus explained that the initiative consolidates a set of o
Hydroid, Inc., a subsidiary of Kongsberg Maritime, the leading manufacturer of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), announced that it has delivered a REMUS 6000 AUV system to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), to be used by the Navy in deep ocean operations. The REMUS 6000 AUV is the
Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) embarked more than 2,000 Marines of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and departed White Beach Naval Facility in Okinawa, Japan for the ARG’s amphibious integration training (AIT), and certification exercise (CERTEX) March 4. Amphibious assault ship USS Esse
Forward-deployed amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42) returned to Sasebo after participating in Cobra Gold 2012 (CG12), March 5. Germantown departed Sasebo Jan. 30 to onload Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) in White Beach, Okinawa, Feb. 1 prior to beginning CG12,
Sailors from Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) visited the ship’s namesake in Baltimore, March 2, to participate in a flag changing ceremony and to tour the historic fort. The visit precedes the ship’s visit to Baltimore for the Commemoration of the War of 1
The Marine Link reports that US Navy and US Coast Guard rescued a dhow in the Arabian Gulf. USS Firebolt (PC 10) and USCGC Maui (WPB 1304) conducted a search and rescue mission for survivors of a capsized Iranian cargo dhow during which the USS Firebolt spotted and rescued a survivor from the cargo
