Nearly 4,000 Sailors and Marines from the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) arrived in Pearl Harbor, Nov. 21 for a scheduled port visit. The Makin Island ARG is comprised of the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), which serves as the com
Virginia-class fast attack submarine USS Texas (SSN 775) arrived in Yokosuka Nov 22 for a port call over the Thanksgiving holiday, as part of its western Pacific deployment. With a crew of approximately 121 enlisted and 18 officers, this marks the first western Pacific deployment for Texas and the s
The aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) returned to her forward operating port of Yokosuka, Japan Nov. 22 wrapping up the ship’s 2011 patrol. The patrol consisted of four port visits and two major exercises while cruising more than 50,000 nautical miles across the western Pacific Ocean.
URS Federal Technical Services, Germantown, Md., is being awarded a $7,575,930 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-11-C-6282) to exercise options for professional support services to Team Submarine in support of towed array systems, associated component systems, and hull sensor syste
The religious ministries team aboard amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18) launched its “United Through Reading” (UTR) program Nov. 16, for Sailors and Marines to use throughout the ship’s deployment. UTR provides the opportunity to keep an open line on communication with loved one
Amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) successfully completed its Light Off Assessment (LOA) Nov. 18, taking one step closer to finishing its four-month Phased Maintenance Availability (PMA) at BAE Systems Shipyard in Norfolk. The assessment was conducted by Afloat Training Group Atlantic (AT
Guided-missile frigate USS Ford (FFG 54) returned to Everett Nov. 17, after a six-month deployment to the western Pacific. Ford departed Everett in May 2011. During deployment, the ship participated in the multinational Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise. CARAT training scena
Hawaii-based Destroyer Squadron 31 completed a week of dynamic training as ships returned to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Nov. 17-18, from the latest Koa Kai exercise in Hawaiian waters. It was the first time U.S. Navy ships were joined by a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) surface ship f
Aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), along with embarked squadrons and staffs of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8 and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 22, arrived in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR), Nov. 20. George H.W. Bush completed five months of combat operations in the U.S. 5th Fl
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
