The Navy’s first-in-class mobile landing platform, USNS Montford Point (MLP 1), successfully completed final contract trials Sept. 13. Final contract trials (FCT) are the final in-depth examination of a newly constructed ship while still under warranty to the shipbuilder. FCT are conducted by the Na
U.S. and Japanese diplomatic and military leaders agreed to revise the 1997 Guidelines for U.S.-Japan Defense Cooperation, increase security and defense collaboration in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond, and advance the realignment of American troops in Japan. U.S. Secretary of State John F. Kerry
On Tuesday 1 October 2013, Italian warship ITS Zeffiro conducted a Friendly Approach with a Yemeni dhow in the waters of the Gulf of Aden. ITS Zeffiro sent a Djiboutian linguist with the warship’s security team to the dhow in order to investigate the nature of the crew’s activities. The security tea
Australian Minister for Defence Senator David Johnston today announced the entry of the Royal Australian Navy Fleet into Sydney Harbour for the International Fleet Review. Senator Johnston said the International Fleet Review was planned in partnership with the NSW Government and the City of Sydney a
A major multinational military exercise is set to get underway in October with dozens of ships, aircraft and land units participating across Scotland. Exercise Joint Warrior is a tri-service multinational exercise held during the spring and autumn of each year. Providing high quality tactical traini
The forward-deployed Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Mustin (DDG 89) arrived in Pyeongtaek, Republic of Korea (ROK), for a port visit Sept. 27. Mustin is currently on patrol in the 7th fleet area of operations supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. Mustin
NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), General Philip Breedlove, paid a visit to Standing NATO Maritime Group TWO (SNMG2) flagship ESPS BLAS DE LEZO accompanied by Commander Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM) Vice Admiral Peter Hudson during Exercise BRILLIANT MARINER 2013. SACEUR and MARCOM
Sailors and Marines aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4), and the amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18), visited Singapore for their second port visit since entering the 7th Fleet area of responsibility, Oct. 2. The two ships are currently deployed in the U.S. 7th F
The United States and South Korea have agreed to establish “a bilateral strategy for tailored deterrence against … North Korean nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction,” U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said during a press conference in Seoul, South Korea yesterday. The tailored dete
Friends and family of Sailors aboard the Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Asheville (SSN 758) welcomed home Asheville’s crew October 2nd following a six-month deployment to the Western Pacific. The deployment supported the Chief of Naval Operations’ Maritime Strategy, which includes marit
BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair, located in San Diego, Calif., has received a USD 7.79 million modification to previously awarded contract for USS Higgins (DDG 76). Under the contract, BAE Systems will provide planning and execution of depot-level maintenance, alterations, and modifications that w
HMAS Newcastle’s Ship’s Company has combined to remove a dangerous maritime hazard in the Gulf of Oman. Newcastle’s embarked Seahawk helicopter, Gremlin, identified a partially submerged container that was believed to have come loose from a local dhow recently and reported the issue to the ship for
A large fleet of warships from NATO’s Response Force (NRF) are taking part in Exercise “Brilliant Mariner 2013” which is currently underway in the Mediterranean Sea. This training exercise enables NATO’s maritime force to respond to operational needs or crisis situations anywhere in the world, as an
The U.S. Defense Department and other government agencies responsible for national security will carry out their missions despite the government shutdown, U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said in Seoul, South Korea yesterday. The secretary, traveling in the Asia-Pacific this week for high-level me
