Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Ray Mabus visited Sailors, Marines and family members at Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain, April 25-26. Mabus was in Bahrain as part of a larger visit throughout the region. He reenlisted six Sailors and presented awards to six Sailors during an all-hands call with
U.S. Pacific Fleet’s humanitarian and civic assistance (HCA) mission, known as Pacific Partnership, will deploy aboard U.S. Navy hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) May 1, for a four-month deployment Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Cambodia. Now in its seventh year, Pacific Partnership has be
The Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) completed their transit of the Strait of Gibraltar, April 24. The Iwo Jima ARG, transiting the Strait of Gibraltar, includes Amphibious Squadron 8 (PHIBRON), USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44), USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) and USS
The commander of U.S. 6th Fleet and commander, Striking and Support Forces NATO visited counterparts in the Republic of Albania, April 25. During his visit, Vice Adm. Frank C. Pandolfe hosted a reception for U.S. and Albanian dignitaries aboard the Little Creek, Va., based amphibious dock landing sh
The first ship in the Navy’s new Joint High Speed Vessel class, the future USNS Spearhead (JHSV 1), completed Builder’s Sea Trials, April 19, in Mobile, Ala. JHSV 1 is a versatile, non-combatant, transport ship that will be used for fast intra-theater transportation of troops, military vehicles, and
Ten ships from 12 host nations kicked-off Saharan Express 2012, a multinational exercise in support of Africa Partnership Station (APS), at the pre-sail conference in Dakar April 23. The countries met to coordinate maritime operations prior to the exercise, which focuses on combating illicit activit
Two Sailors assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11, were each awarded their Seabee Combat Warfare Specialist (SCWS) qualification by Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Ray Mabus in a ceremony held on Camp Leatherneck, April 24. Yeoman 2nd Class Deron M. Bennett, from Lakewood, N.J., a
Families and friends welcomed back the guided-missile destroyer USS Russell (DDG 59) at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, April 23, following completion of a successful eight-month deployment to the western Pacific and Arabian Gulf. “I am exceptionally pleased and proud of the tremendous performance o
The Ohio-class guided missile submarine USS Michigan (SSGN 727) arrived at HMAS Stirling April 22 for a visit as part of its deployment to the western Pacific. With a crew of approximately 155, Michigan will conduct a multitude of missions and showcase the latest capabilities of the fleet. “We on Mi
The U.S. Navy began naval exchange activities with the Vietnamese navy April 23 in various locations throughout Vietnam, continuing a series of naval activities between the U.S. and Vietnam that last occurred in July 2011. This five-day collaboration will focus on non-combatant events and skills exc
Sailors assigned to aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) completed a replenishment-at-sea (RAS) with Military Sealift Command fast combat support ship USNS Supply (T-AOE 6), April 18. During the RAS, Enterprise took on supplies, such as food, mail and fuel, among other necessities, essential to
Throughout the week of April 16-20, approximately 40 staff members from Naval Hospital Bremerton (NHB) have departed to report for Pacific Partnership 2012. Pacific Partnership 2012 (PP12), the largest annual humanitarian and civic action (HCA) mission in the Asia-Pacific region, will begin May 1, a
Navy has expanded rating designation opportunities for Professional Apprentice Career Track (PACT) Sailors, the non-designated workforce in the fleet, officials said April 20. “Currently the Navy has a healthy complement of PACT Sailors supporting the Fleet – more than 7,800 – and we plan to bring i
The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU)in conjunction with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) completed joint and bilateral exercise CJCS Exercise African Lion 2012, April 17. The exercise between the Kingdom of Morocco and the U.S. military services served as integrated field training for t