Forward-deployed amphibious dock landing ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46) departed from White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa Nov. 19, after embarking components of Combat Logistics Regiment (CLR) 3 in preparation to offer recovery assistance in distressed areas of the Kingdom of Thailand. Tortuga and the em
Amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) and guided missile destroyer USS Stethem (DDG 63) arrived in Bali, Indonesia, Nov. 20, for a port visit during their deployment to the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean. The visit to Bali will provide Essex and Stethem Sailors and Marines of the 31st Marine E
Sailors considered by Phase I of the Enlisted Retention Board may now view their retention status on BUPERS Online, according to NAVADMIN 354/11. The Phase I ERB reviewed the records of ERB-eligible E-4 and E-5 Sailors from 31 overmanned ratings. The board was charged with reviewing each candidate’s
The Secretary of Defense visited Sailors and shipyard workers Nov. 17, while getting a firsthand look at construction of the Virginia-class attack submarine to be commissioned the USS Mississippi. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta praised the local industrial base’s shipbuilding expertise while spea
The U.S. Navy successfully concluded its largest demonstration of shipboard alternative fuel use Nov. 17, with the successful arrival of the Self Defense Test Ship (SDTS) to Naval Surface Warfare Center Port Hueneme, Calif. The SDTS is a decommissioned Spruance-class destroyer ex-Paul F. Foster (EDD
Commander, United States Fleet Forces Command hosted the second operational planning team conference (OPT) at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek/Fort Story, the week of Nov. 14-18 for Exercise Bold Alligator 2012 (BA-12), scheduled to take place during January and February 2012. Bold Alligator 20
The hot, bright Puerto Rican sun poured its rays down over the Bay of Ponce as the amphibious transport dock USS Ponce (LPD 15) slipped its moorings and turned its bow north, heading home to Norfolk, Va. after a warm and energetic final visit to its last-ever port of call (and namesake city), Ponce,
Sailors deployed aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18) started the first semester of college courses with the ship’s Navy College Program for Afloat College Education (NCPACE) program, Nov. 15. NCPACE is a tuition-free program sponsored by the Navy College Office, and of
Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Norfolk (SSN 714) held a change of command ceremony aboard Naval Station Norfolk, Nov. 18. Cmdr. Gregory M. Zettler relieved Cmdr. Douglas A. Jordan as commanding officer. “Today’s ceremony has its purpose – the transfer of the total authority, responsibility,
Huntington Ingalls Industries announced that the company’s sixth amphibious transport dock, San Diego (LPD 22), successfully completed her U.S. Navy acceptance trial this week. The ship returned to Ingalls Shipbuilding Thursday after a two-day sea trial. “It’s amazing what 25,000 tons of steel can d
The Military Sealift Command (MSC) oceanographic survey ship USNS Henson (T-AGS 63) completed of a month-long, bilateral survey mission with the Indonesian Navy Nov. 16, one of the largest in three decades of hydrographic surveys between the two countries. With an embarked team of 13 U.S. oceanograp
BAE Systems has received a $132 million U.S. Navy task order to provide C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) technical services for military operations around the world. The company will conduct maintenance, upgrades, logistics, training
The forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) embarked four Indonesian military liaison officers during its current deployment, Nov. 14. The embark allowed Indonesian officers to interact with Essex officers and gave each service an opportunity to exchange ideas that will aid in fut
The U.S. Navy laid the keel for its first Zumwalt-class destroyer (DDG 1000), Nov. 17, at General Dynamics-Bath Iron Works shipyard in Bath, Maine. While keel laying was once traditionally the formal recognition of the start of the ship’s construction, today’s advanced modular shipbuilding allows fa
