The secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) visited Sailors and Marines assigned to amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18), while the ship was in Aqaba, Jordan, for a port visit, April 26. SECNAV Ray Mabus, was in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility as part of a regional tour to thank
Sailors aboard the guided-missile frigate USS Simpson (FFG 56) concluded their participation in exercise Saharan Express 2012 while underway off the coast of West Africa, April 30. Saharan Express, one of four express series exercises, focused on improving communications and building relationships o
Fleet Base West has experienced a busy first half of 2012, with both HMAS Stirling and West based Fleet Units playing host to several high profile international visitors since January. April was particularly busy with a flurry of VIP visits to the West. The first was from the United States Secretary
The Navy formally transferred ownership of the historic battleship Iowa (BB 61) to the Pacific Battleship Center April 30. The transfer followed the completion of the National Environmental Policy Act and National Historic Preservation Act regulatory requirements. The ship donation contract was sign
USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) departed the Republic of Albania, April 27, after a scheduled port visit where the crew participated in numerous events including a reception and a community relations (COMREL) project. Gunston Hall Sailors and Marines will leave with many lasting memories of strengthened r
Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) Sailors welcomed their new Force Master Chief April 26. Force Master Chief (AW/SW) April Beldo comes to NETC from the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) where she served as the first female African American command master chief onboard a nuclear aircraft carrier. Sh
Guided missile frigate USS Elrod (FFG 55) with an embarked U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) recovered 89 bales of cocaine in support of Operation Martillo on April 20 in the Western Caribbean Sea. An SH-60B Sea Hawk assigned to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 60 Det
Sailors and Marines serving aboard amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) have a unique opportunity to celebrate Earth Day every day, not just April 22 like the rest of the world. Crew members have taken the ship thousands of miles away from its homeport of San Diego and have showed off th
Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Ray Mabus visited Sailors, Marines and family members at Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain, April 25-26. Mabus was in Bahrain as part of a larger visit throughout the region. He reenlisted six Sailors and presented awards to six Sailors during an all-hands call with
U.S. Pacific Fleet’s humanitarian and civic assistance (HCA) mission, known as Pacific Partnership, will deploy aboard U.S. Navy hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) May 1, for a four-month deployment Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Cambodia. Now in its seventh year, Pacific Partnership has be
The Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) completed their transit of the Strait of Gibraltar, April 24. The Iwo Jima ARG, transiting the Strait of Gibraltar, includes Amphibious Squadron 8 (PHIBRON), USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44), USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) and USS
The commander of U.S. 6th Fleet and commander, Striking and Support Forces NATO visited counterparts in the Republic of Albania, April 25. During his visit, Vice Adm. Frank C. Pandolfe hosted a reception for U.S. and Albanian dignitaries aboard the Little Creek, Va., based amphibious dock landing sh
The first ship in the Navy’s new Joint High Speed Vessel class, the future USNS Spearhead (JHSV 1), completed Builder’s Sea Trials, April 19, in Mobile, Ala. JHSV 1 is a versatile, non-combatant, transport ship that will be used for fast intra-theater transportation of troops, military vehicles, and
Ten ships from 12 host nations kicked-off Saharan Express 2012, a multinational exercise in support of Africa Partnership Station (APS), at the pre-sail conference in Dakar April 23. The countries met to coordinate maritime operations prior to the exercise, which focuses on combating illicit activit
