USS Chancellorsville Finishes Combat Systems Upgrades Naval Sea Systems Command completed the first-ever Air Defense Cruiser Aegis Baseline 9 combat systems upgrade for USS Chancellorsville (CG 62), March 29. The upgrade, part of the Navy’s Cruiser Modernization program, began in April 2012 at BAE S
The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Chosin (CG 65) returned to its homeport of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Nov. 22 from a deployment to the Western Pacific. Commanded by Capt. Patrick Kelly, the ship and its crew of nearly 340 Sailors departed Hawaii on April 30th and conducted integ
A multi-million dollar contract has been signed with Thales Australia for in-service support on four Royal Australian Navy (RAN) ships, Australian Chief Executive Officer of the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO), Mr Warren King, announced today. Mr King said the $46 million contract provides suppo
A 10-nation military exercise provides the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) with a unique opportunity to enhance its core skills in planning, coordinating and controlling forces and operations. “The simulated scenarios unfolding in this exercise mirror the kinds of situations that NZDF personnel fac
Hobart welcomed the first Collins Class submarine visit to the region for five years, with the arrival of HMAS Farncomb into port late last week. Commanding Officer, Commander Byron Williamson said the routine port visit allowed the submarine to be resupplied and provided some rest and recreation to
The UK’s Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) ship, Fort Victoria, simultaneously refueled the Australian ship, HMAS Melbourne, and the Norwegian ship, HNoMS Fridtjof Nansen, in balmy conditions off the north-eastern coast of Somalia. This risky manoeuvre requires nerves of steel from each ship’s captain and
Akaroa Harbour, in the Canterbury Region of New Zealand, formed a training ground on 6 November for a rehearsal of amphibious landings taking place within Exercise Southern Katipo 2013 that started two days ago. Around 200 battle-ready troops and 280 tonnes of equipment and vehicles embarked in HMNZ
An air and maritime exercise involving Australia and its regional security partners starts today in Malaysia. Exercise Bersama Lima 2013 is a Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) activity involving Australia, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Malaysia and New Zealand. Commander Australian Contingent,
An experienced pair of hands guides the way to help HMAS Sirius prepare for a relatively short notice deployment to Asia. The battle tanker, which has recently completed a short period of programmed maintenance, had her program changed to support the Australian Defence Force contribution to Exercise
On her way home from Operation LANDSCAPE, HMAS Choules stopped off in Townsville and used the newly commissioned Berth 10 to clear customs and quarantine. This was the first operational use of the new facility since it was commissioned in late October. Commanding Officer Choules, Commander Ashley Pa
The New Zealand Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral (RADM) Jack Steer, thanked Royal Australian Navy personnel for their contribution within the last year in assisting the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) in various operations from onboard HMNZS Wellington. RADM Steer was able to personally thank the Australia
Defence Material Organisation (DMO) has successfully completed a vehicle load trial on NUSHIP Canberra in the first Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) Harbour Acceptance Trial to be done in Australia. The ship moved from its location at BAE Williamstown in Victoria, across the bay to Webb Dock to underta
USS Zumwalt Successfully Launched General Dynamics Bath Iron Works successfully launched the Navy’s first Zumwalt-class destroyer Oct. 28 at their Bath, Maine shipyard. The future USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) will be the lead ship of the Navy’s newest destroyer class, designed for littoral operations and
HMAS Success has successfully completed her first Replenishment at Sea (RAS) as part of Sea Qualification Trials, just days after returning to sea. In flat seas and heavy rain Success held a steady course in preparation for HMAS Darwin (CMDR Terrence Morrison) to approach and hook up for the RAS (L)