Aviation
US destroyers visit Japan after drills with Korean Navy
U.S. Navy’s guided-missile destroyers USS Decatur (DDG 73) and USS Momsen (DDG 92) arrived in Sasebo, Japan for a regularly scheduled port visit, June 2-4. The two ships recently concluded a series of evolutions with the Republic of Korea Navy in the waters around the Korean Peninsula, in late May.
Insitu to start production of first drone systems for US Navy
The U.S. Navy has awarded Insitu Inc., a Washington-based UAV manufacturer, a contract to produce initial six RQ-21A Blackjack unmanned aircraft systems. Under the $71.55 million contract, Insitu, a Boeing company, will deliver the air vehicles, ground control stations, launch and recovery equipment
US Navy destroyers train with Republic of Korea Navy ships
Two U.S. Navy’s guided-missile destroyers, USS Decatur (DDG 73) and USS Momsen (DDG 92) conducted bilateral exercises with the Republic of Korea Navy in the waters around the Korean Peninsula, May 20-22 and 25. Over the course of several days, the two countries performed various evolutions, such as
USNS Mercy evacuates sailor from South Korean submarine
U.S. Navy’s hospital ship USNS Mercy performed a medical evacuation to help a ROK Navy sailor in need of medical attention. The U.S. Navy ship on May 26 received orders from Commander Task Force (CTF) 73 to render medical assistance to a Republic of Korea Navy (ROK-N) submarine in the mid-pacific. M
USS Mount Whitney makes final port call before BALTOPS 2016
U.S. Navy’s amphibious command ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) arrived in Lisbon, Portugal May 24. The ship is in port to embark Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO) staff members and to refuel before heading to the Baltic Sea to participate in BALTOPS 2016. Mount Whitney is designe
Australian first P-8A Poseidon takes to the skies
Australia’s first P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft recently completed its maiden flight. The aircraft flew a short distance from Renton Airfield to Boeing Field in Washington State USA, to where the P-8A’s mission systems will be installed as part of project AIR 7000. The $5.4 billion P-8A pro
USS Mount Whitney becomes first amphibious command ship to land an MV-22B Osprey
U.S. Navy’s amphibious command ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) made history May 23 as she became the first ship of her kind to have an MV-22B Osprey land on her flight deck. The MV-22B and crew are part of “The Thunder Chickens” of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 (VMM-263), based out of Marine
Russian Navy to commission Project 11356 frigate Admiral Essen
The Russian Navy will commission the second Admiral Grigorovich-class frigate Admiral Essen on May 27, Yantar Shipyard announced May 23. Admiral Essen will be transferred to the Russian Navy a day before the flag-raising ceremony, Yantar added. The Kaliningrad-based shipyard is responsible for the c
USS America passes flight deck recertification
U.S. Navy’s Marine-aviation optimized amphibious assault ship USS America departed its homeport of San Diego for flight deck recertifications on May 16. This was done to prepare the ship for its future role as part of Amphibious Squadron 3 and Expeditionary Strike Group 3. Just short of 36 hours aft
Spanish Navy frigate Méndez Núñez to join SNMG 1
Spanish Navy’s F-100 frigate Méndez Núñez is scheduled to integrate into the Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 until the end of September. The Méndez Núñez (F-104) will relieve her sister ship Álvaro de Bazán (F-101). Spanish Navy Rear Admiral José Enrique Delgado Roig took command of SNMG-1 in Decembe
US, Royal Thai Navy train in Andaman Sea
Ships from the U.S. and the Royal Thai Navy kicked off the Exercise Guardian Sea in the Andaman Sea on May 23. The bilateral naval training in which the two navies will hone skills in anti-submarine warfare and maritime domain awareness is set to last until May 27. This year’s Guardian Sea exercise
Photo: USS Portland christened
The U.S. Navy christened the amphibious transport dock Portland (LPD 27) on May 20 in front of approximately 1,000 guests. Ship’s sponsor, Bonnie Amos, smashed a bottle of sparkling wine across the bow of the ship, officially christening Portland. U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Christopher Owens, direc
Royal Navy of Oman receives first High Speed Support Vessel
The Royal Navy of Oman has taken possession of the first High Speed Support Vessel, RNOV Al Mubshir. The RNOV Al Mubshir is the first of two 72 metre High Speed Support Vessels (HSSVs) to be delivered to the Royal Navy of Oman under a US$124.9 million design, construct and integrated logistics suppo
US Navy CVW commander achieves 1000th carrier-arrested landing
A U.S. Navy Commander responsible for the Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 attached to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis recently completed completed his 1,000th career carrier-arrested landing, or trap, aboard the carrier. Capt. Rich “Snap” Brophy flew a F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to