The U.S. 7th Fleet command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) arrived in Brisbane, Australia, July 8 in support of exercise Talisman Sabre 2011 (TS11). The exercise enhances joint combat readiness and interoperability between U.S. and Australian air, land and maritime forces and will focus on crisis actio
The forward-deployed Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) and USS McCampbell (DDG 85) will visit Sydney, July 4, for a port visit before participating in Talisman Sabre 2011, a joint-exercise with the Royal Australian Navy. Exercise Talisman Sabre 2011 is a biennial
Captain Jim Gilmour has relieved Republic of Singapore Navy Rear Admiral Harris Chan Weng Yip as Commander Combined Task Force (CTF) 151, during a Change of Command ceremony onboard USS MASON berthed in Djibouti. It is the first time that a Royal New Zealand Naval Officer has commanded a major multi
Long before ‘mentoring’ became a buzz word in the business-world, Big Brothers Big Sisters program has been providing a valuable community service in youth mentoring. HMAS Stirling (Captain Brett Wolski) recently hosted a ship and submarine tour for the Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring program run
The U.S. Navy has exercised contract options funding the construction of the sixth and seventh Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV), as part of a ten-vessel program potentially worth over US$1.6 billion. The construction contract for both vessels is valued at approximately US$313 million. Austal Chief Exe
Excited family members welcomed home the crew of the Australian Warship HMAS Stuart today as she returned to Sydney after a successful six-month mission in the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO). The Anzac Class Frigate was also met on the wharf by Defence Minister Stephen Smith, New South Wales
A recent visit to HMAS Toowoomba by Australian Army and Air Force members of Joint Task Force (JTF) 633, has allowed them to gain a ‘first hand’ appreciation of the diverse range of capabilities the frigate will bring to Operation SLIPPER. Led by Joint Task Force 633 Chief of Staff, Colonel Andrew M
The Governor General, Her Excellency Quentin Bryce, AC, formally graduated the Navy’s newest batch of Officers from the Royal Australian Naval College. For the 115 graduates the ceremony, which was held at HMAS Creswell in Jervis Bay, spelt the completion of the six-month-long New Entry Officers Cou
Ships of the forward-deployed Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) got underway June 23 for a patrol of the Western Pacific region and to participate in the bilateral exercise Talisman Sabre 2011 (TS11). Essex ARG includes amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) and amphibious dock landing ship USS
Seven soldiers and sailors from the Timor-Leste and Papua New Guinea Defense Forces will complete Ship Rider program training aboard amphibious transport dock ship USS Cleveland (LPD 7), the flagship for Pacific Partnership 2011, June 20. The Ship Rider program gives host country service members the
Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced that the tender had been released for a five-year contract for the repair and maintenance of the Navy’s eight Anzac Class frigates. The contract is worth approximately $300 million. Four companies or joint ventures have been short-listed to c
Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare announced that the Australian Government had approved the acquisition of 24 MH-60R Seahawk ‘Romeo’ naval combat helicopters at a cost of over $3 billion. The 2009 Defence White Paper committed the Government to equippin
THE navy has suffered another setback with its amphibious ships after new faults were discovered in HMAS Tobruk, delaying its return to the… By Cameron Stewart (theaustralian) [mappress] Source: theaustralian, June 17, 2011;
Minister for Defence Science and Personnel Warren Snowdon has cleared the way for more women to serve in Navy submarines by formally approving shared female and male accommodation on board every boat. Mr Snowdon said the move, which was a recommendation of the previous Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Rus
