Adm. Phil Davidson assumed command of U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFF), Dec. 19, following his promotion to the rank of Admiral. The small ceremony was officiated via teleconference by Adm. Bill Gortney, commander of U.S. Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command in Colorado Spri
Austal USA is being awarded a $14,3 million cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to a previously awarded contract to exercise an option for class services in support of the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program. Austal will provide engineering and design services, as well as affordability efforts to reduce
The Boeing Co., Seattle, Washington, is being awarded a not-to-exceed $171,1 million undefinitized modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of a P-8A training system in support of the P-8A training requirements for the government of Australia. In addition, t
Five Royal New Zealand Navy Seasprite helicopters have been sold to Peru, Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee announced today. Brownlee says: Our recent purchase of eight new, more sophisticated Seasprite helicopters meant the older model Seasprites were available for sale and a deal has been struck wit
The guided-missile destroyer USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53) held a change of command ceremony at Bravo Pier at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Dec. 17. Cmdr. Matthew Hall relieved Cmdr. Andrew Thomson as commanding officer of John Paul Jones. In command since June 21, 2013, Thomson led the ship and cr
Interactive software that can dramatically cut the time it takes to plan safe submarine missions is crossing over to the surface fleet and is being installed this month on the guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53), officials announced Dec. 16. Sponsored by the Office of Naval Research (ONR),
Vice Chief of Naval Operations (VCNO) Adm. Michelle Howard visited Naval Air Station (NAS) Key West and conducted an all-hands call, Dec. 15. During Howard’s visit, she toured annexes, received a first-hand look at on-base housing provided by Balfour Beatty Communities and addressed Sailors and Coas
Leaders of the U.S. and British navies agreed on a shared vision for closer cooperation Dec. 11, the culmination of a yearlong effort that will build on a long-standing maritime partnership over the next 15 years. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert and his counterpart in the United Kin
Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 successfully completed flight deck certification Dec. 12 in the Pacific Ocean, after a 16-month Docking Planned Incremental Availability period. Representatives from each CVW9 squadron embarked Stennis Dec. 5 to
U.S. 6th Fleet officially welcomed its new commander at Naval Support Activity Naples Capodichino in Naples, Italy, Dec. 14. Vice Adm. James G. Foggo III officially assumed command of U.S. 6th Fleet from Vice Adm. Phil Davidson. Davidson will take the reins of U.S. Fleet Forces Command in Norfolk. D
Representatives of more than 20 Navy and Marine Corps commands met Dec. 9-11 at Naval Station Mayport to plan for Southern Partnership Station-Joint High Speed Vessel (SPS-JHSV) 2015, a four-month deployment that will focus on subject-matter expert exchanges with partner nations. U.S. Naval Forces S
BAE Systems San Francisco Ship Repair is being awarded a $15,2 million firm-fixed-price contract for a 60-calendar day shipyard availability for the regular overhaul and dry docking of USNS Matthew Perry (T-AKE 9). Work will include: clean and gas free tanks, voids, cofferdams, and spaces; deck non-
The guided-missile destroyer USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79) is moored pierside at Marathi NATO Pier Facility in Souda Bay, Greece. Oscar Austin, homeported in Norfolk, is conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe and
Lockheed Martin Corp., Mission Systems and Training, is being awarded a $235,3 million firm-fixed-price contract for MK 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) electronic and mechanical modules and related equipment. The MK 41 VLS provides a missile launching system for CG 47 and DDG 51 class surface com