Sailors assigned to the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) in partnership with Marines of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), conducted a visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) training evolution aboard USNS Wally Schirra (T-AKE 8) Aug. 13. “VBSS operations are another way in which
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY) delivered Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Pittsburgh (SSN 720) on-time and under budget, NAVSEA announced Aug. 15. PNSY conducted the Pittsburgh pre-inactivation restricted availability (PIRA) off-yard at Sub Base New London in Groton, Conn. which began Sept.
Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 101, the U.S. Navy’s first F-35C Lightning II carrier variant aircraft squadron, completed its first flight Aug. 14 in its new aircraft at the squadron’s home at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The 1.3 hour flight was made by VFA-101 naval aviator Lt. Cmdr. Chris Tabert. The
Pacific Partnership 2013 concluded its final mission port, the Solomon Islands, Aug. 13. U.S. Navy forces were joined by several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and regional partners that included Australia, Canada, Colombia, France, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, and New Zealand wit
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) arrived in Sydney for a port visit, Aug. 14. “The Sailors for the first time in a while have a chance to go to a port where they felt like they’re home,” said Lassen’s Command Master Chief Jason Haka. “Australia is one of our close
Patrolling the Oceans may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you hear “New Mexico”, but maybe it should be. The Los Angeles class fast attack submarines USS Albuquerque (SSN 706) and USS Santa Fe (SSN 763) recently turned over duties in the U.S. Seventh Fleet area of responsibility, cove
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) hosted U.S. and foreign flag and general officers from throughout Europe, Aug. 11 in support of regional maritime partnerships. U.S. Air Force Gen. Philip Breedlove, commander, Supreme Allied Command, Europe (SACEUR); U.S. Navy Adm. Bruce Clingan, commander, Allied Joint
The 6th Fleet flagship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) arrived in Theoule-sur-Mer, France August 13 to partake in commemorative events honoring the liberation of southern France by Allied forces during World War II. This port call marks the third consecutive year that Mount Whitney will take part in the
Approximately 160 military personnel, including Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet, Rear Adm. Sinclair Harris, and personnel from 19 nations arrived at U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) headquarters Aug. 12 to begin exercise PANAMAX 2013. U.S. and partner nations train in th
On Sunday, 11 August 2013, the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Philip Breedlove, visited the USS Harry S. Truman, a United States nuclear powered aircraft carrier, while it was transiting the Mediterranean on its way to support Maritime Security Operations (MSO) in the Central Command’s are
BAE Systems has received a $6.9 million modification to a previously awarded multi-ship, multi-option cost-plus incentive fee contract to provide for the availability of Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser serving in the United States Navy, the USS Vicksburg (CG 69). The contract includes ship
More than 220 Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3 homeported at Naval Base Ventura County, Port Hueneme, departed for a six-month deployment to the Pacific Region, Aug. 6. The group will arrive in advance of the battalion’s main body to assume control of office spaces, equipmen
The U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) served host to 78 future officers from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., and Navy Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC) units from colleges and universities across America, through three at-sea training phases, J
Sailors from Submarine Group 7 and organizations around the world participated in a Search for Simulated Submarine Casualty Exercise (SMASHEX) at Fleet Activities Yokosuka Aug. 7-8. SMASHEX is a table top exercise to test procedures and practices required in the very unlikely event of a submarine se
