Huntington Ingalls Industries, its Ingalls Shipbuilding division, has been awarded a $51.3 million cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for life-cycle engineering and support services on the U.S. Navy’s USS San Antonio (LPD 17) class of amphibious transport dock ships. This is the second of four annual opti
Rear Adm. Mark H. Buzby, Commander, Military Sealift Command (MSC), visited submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40), Nov. 20, to assess the ship’s material condition and the progress of work since MSC integrated the ship with civil service mariners (CIVMAR) in February 2010. Navy Capt. Pete Hildret
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
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.
Paying a 2-day visit to Tbilisi, US Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus met with Georgia’s main power-wielding ministers. He discussed military reforms and bilateral cooperation issues with Georgian defense minister Bachana Akhalaia. According to national defense ministry, the agenda included Georgia’s
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
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
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
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,
The President of the United States of America, Barack Obama, addressed troops at RAAF Base Darwin as part of his visit to Australia. Hosted by the Prime Minister of Australia, Julia Gillard, the President spoke to an enthusiastic crowd of approximately 1,800 people, consisting of Australian Defence
US Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus will visit Azerbaijan in Nov 20-21, reports US Embassy in Baku. Meeting with Azerbaijani officials, Mabus will discuss bilateral cooperation in security. US Department of the Navy comprises two services – US Navy and US Marine Corps. Secretary of the Navy reports t
U.S. 7th Fleet command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) completed three days of sea trials Nov. 16, after extensive training, a planned maintenance period and a successful light off assessment. According to Blue Ridge Damage Control Assistant Lt. Jerry Belmonte, the crew was fully engaged in preparation