Aviation
USS Bonhomme Richard Medevacs a Marine
A Marine, assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) was medically evacuated (medevac) from the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) by an MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft, assigned to Marine Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 262 (reinforced). Though the Marine’s lif
USS Blue Ridge Concludes Hong Kong Visit
U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) departed Victoria Harbor, March 24, following four days of cultural exchanges throughout Hong Kong. During the visit, Sailors and Marines took the opportunity away from work and volunteered their time with various local organizations, strengthening the
US, Japanese Forces Start Multi-Sail 2015
Personnel and ships from Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and U.S. Navy Forward Deployed Naval Forces (FDNF) from Japan led by Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15 kicked off Multi-Sail 2015, March 22, in Guam. Multi-Sail is an annual DESRON 15 led exercise that is designed to assess combat syste
US Navy 7th Fleet Waves Goodbye to Langkawi, Malaysia
Sailors and aircraft from U.S. Navy 7th Fleet departed Langkawi, March 21, at the conclusion of the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) 2015 with a deeper understanding of regional nations. LIMA, a biennial event held in Malaysia since 1991, has now become a premier desti
Japan Receives Biggest Warship Since WWII
The biggest Japanese warship since the WWII was delivered to Japan’s Maritime Self Defense Force. The vessel, named Izumo, represents the latest move in Japan’s expansion of naval capabilities. Reuters quoted Gen Nakatani, Japan’s Minister of Defense, as saying that “the vessel can serve in a wide r
USS Blue Ridge Docks in Hong Kong
U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) arrived in Victoria Harbor March 20 for a port visit in Hong Kong. Blue Ridge has been regularly visiting Hong Kong since forward deploying to Yokosuka, Japan in 1979, and will take part in cultural exchanges and community service activiites with the l
HMAS SUCCESS Joins NATO’s Counter-Piracy Operation
The Royal Australian Navy Oiler HMAS SUCCESS (OR 304) joined NATO’s counter-piracy Operation OCEAN SHIELD on Monday, 23 March 2015, joining New Zealand (2014) and Ukraine (2013) as partner contributors to the operation in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean. HMAS SUCCESS, commanded by Captain Justin J
ROK JCS Learns LCS Capabilities aboard USS Fort Worth
Chairman of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Choi, Yoon-hee visited the littoral combat ship USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) March 16 during the ship’s inaugural port visit to Busan. While on board Fort Worth, Choi toured the ship and gained a better understanding of how the U.S. Navy i
US 7th Fleet Takes Part in LIMA 2015
Sailors, aircraft and a ship from U.S. 7th Fleet arrived at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA), March 15-16. Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet Vice Adm. Robert Thomas, two F/A-18F Super Hornets from the “Diamondbacks” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 102, a P-8A Poseidon mar
Malaysian Officials Board USS Bonhomme Richard
Malaysian Armed Forces and delegates from the State of Sabah, Malaysia, visited the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) and the embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), Feb. 27. Participants were given the opportunity to embark Bonhomme Richard via an MV-22 Os
Mine Warfare Staff Conference at CTF 76 Concludes
Commander, Amphibious Force 7th Fleet, Commander, Mine Countermeasures Squadron (MCMRON) 7, and Japan Maritime Self Defense Force Commander (JMSDF), Mine Warfare Force concluded a three day mine warfare staff conference at CTF 76 headquarters February 25. This year’s conference highlighted an increa
Pelicans Strengthen Bonds with Philippine Forces
The Pelicans of Patrol Squadron (VP) 45 hosted members of the Philippine air force and navy aboard a U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon for a familiarization flight to increase understanding and showcase the capabilities of the Navy’s newest maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft during a detachment to Cl
USS Lassen, Japanese Destroyers Engage in Drills
The Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) conducted bilateral operations with two Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) destroyers in support of region surface warfare operations, Feb. 11 and 13. Lassen executed helicopter cross-deck operations, surface warfare tactics
USS Green Bay Becomes Part of US 7th Fleet AOR
USS Green Bay (LPD 20) arrived in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations Feb. 10, bringing the Navy’s latest technology to its largest numbered Fleet. Green Bay, the forward deployed San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship, is en route to Sasebo, Japan, to replace the decommissioned Austin-c