Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7, embarked aboard aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), began flying the first combat sorties in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Aug. 9. These missions will provide direct support to coalition forces on the ground in Afghanistan. The support include
The F-35 Lightning II accomplished a significant test milestone Aug. 8 when the aircraft successfully released a weapon in flight. BF-3, a short take-off and vertical landing F-35 variant, executed an inert 1,000-pound GBU-32 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) separation weapon over water in an Atl
Amazonas, the first of three BAE Systems built Ocean Patrol Vessels being delivered the Brazilian Navy, departed the UK for Rio de Janeiro this morning after her crew completed a rigorous programme of Flag Officer Sea Training with the Royal Navy off the South coast. Supported by a team from BAE Sys
Clare Curran serves on the Royal Navy’s Flagship which is providing the Command and Control Headquarters for the Maritime Force Commander in Weymouth Bay, Dorset – keeping the seas safe for the Olympic sailors. HMS Bulwark is playing a key role in the policing operation and Clare has a vital part to
The Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert visited Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island to speak with Sailors and answer questions Aug. 7. The CNO addressed Sailors assigned to Whidbey Island’s Electronic Attack and Reconnaissance squadrons and tenant commands during an all hand
As of August 4th, 2012, HNLMS Rotterdam is the flagship of NATO counterpiracy operation Ocean Shield. The Landing Platform Dock took over the tasks of air defence and command frigate HNLMS Evertsen in the waters off the coast of Somalia. Along with the Rotterdam’s 320-strong crew, Commodore Ben Bekk
U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) departed Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Aug. 7, to patrol the southeast Asian-Pacific region. With Capt. Will Pennington at the helm for the first time since he assumed command July 27, Blue Ridge will continue to strengthen partnerships through exercises
The Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate USS Underwood (FFG 36), recovered 49 bales of narcotics from the Caribbean Sea during Operation Martillo, Aug. 3. Underwood pursued a “go-fast” speed boat late Tuesday evening, Aug. 2, but it dumped its load before Underwood was able to effect a b
On Monday Huntington Ingalls Industries began construction on the amphibious transport dock LPD 27. The ship, being built at the company’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division, is the 11th ship in the USS San Antonio (LPD 17) class of ships. “This is the 11th LPD in what has become a hot production line,”
The Secretary of State for Defence, The Rt Hon Philip Hammond MP, visited the Royal Navy’s Flagship HMS Bulwark at sea on August 2 in Weymouth Bay during the ship’s operational duties as the afloat Command And Control Headquarters in support of the maritime policing and security mission at the Olymp
Australian Navy Clearance Divers are playing a key role at RIMPAC 2012, both in Hawaii and on the US mainland. Their focus is on mine countermeasures – the largest collection of Mine Counter Measures (MCM) capacity ever deployed by Australia on this exercise. Commander Doug Griffiths is in charge of
Commander Block took command of the ship following four years deployed to, or supporting, operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. On assuming command of the Portsmouth based frigate, he said “It is an immense honour to have been appointed in command of this highly sophisticated, well trained ship which
HMAS Darwin has successfully exercised complex ship and air launched torpedo delivery during the multinational maritime exercise RIMPAC 2012. Firing one MK46 torpedo from Darwin and two Mk46 torpedos from embarked S-70B-2 Seahawk “Valkyrie”, Darwin demonstrated a combined ability to detect and count
The U.S. Navy has awarded Raytheon Company a $51.7 million contract for low rate initial production of the Rolling Airframe Missile Block 2. The contract includes options, which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to more than $105 million. RAM Block 2 features enhanced
