Commander, Submarine Group (COMSUBGRU) 7 conducted bilateral talks with the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) March 31 – April 2 at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The 41st Submarine Warfare Committee Meeting (SWCM) brought together representatives from the U.S. and ROK navies. Rear Adm. William R. Merz, commande
The AEGIS Training and Readiness Center (ATRC), which manages and operates Fire Controlman (FC) “C” school, recently hosted the FC Combat Systems Strategic Training Ratings Review (CSSTRR) at Vista Point Catering and Conference Center onboard Naval Station Norfolk, March 31 to April 2. Twenty U.S. N
Cmdr. Kurt Balagna relieved Cmdr. Chester Parks as commanding officer of the Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Annapolis (SSN 760) during a change of command ceremony held at U.S. Naval Submarine Base New London, Connecticut, April 2. Capt. Butch Dollaga, commander, Submarine Development Squadr
General Dynamics NASSCO was awarded a $61,7 million contract for USS Makin Island (LHD 8) fiscal 2015 phased maintenance availability. A phased maintenance availability includes the planning and execution of depot-level maintenance, alterations, and modifications that will update and improve the shi
Lockheed Martin Corp. received an $8,2 million delivery order under a previously awarded contract for the accomplishment of planning and support efforts for Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) 1 and 3. The services provided will include: management services, engineering support, transition efforts to LCS pl
After three months of intensive round-the-clock training, the first Maritime Tactical Operator Course (MTOC) graduated on March 26, 2015, and will go on to form Enhanced Naval Boarding Party (ENBP) Team 1. The 13 graduates underwent extensive training in advanced tactics, including hand-to-hand comb
Navy representatives from seven countries gathered in Rio De Janeiro for the UNITAS Atlantic Initial Planning Conference March 30-Apr. 1. The Brazilian navy hosted the conference to plan for UNITAS 56-15, the 56th iteration of the annual multinational maritime exercise series. Rear Adm. George Balla
Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Jonathan Greenert and Rep. Jeff Miller (R-Fla.) stressed the versatility of the Independence-Class Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) April 1 at a press conference on board Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola. After touring the USS Independence (LCS 2) with the congressma
Commander, Destroyer Squadron Twenty One (COMDESRON 21) held a change of command ceremony at Pier 2 on board Naval Base San Diego, March 27. During the ceremony Capt. Brian Shipman turned over command of DESRON 21 to Capt. Robert Chadwick. Rear Adm. Ron Boxall, Commander, Carrier Strike Group Three,
BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair received a $16,7 million modification to previously awarded contract for USS San Diego (LPD 22) fiscal 2015 selected restricted availability. A select restricted availability includes the planning and execution of depot-level maintenance, alterations, and modificati
For various reasons, the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) has not deployed since 2004. But after a highly successful combat systems ship qualification trial (CSSQT), Wasp has sent a clear, concise, and concussive message to the fleet: She is back in the fight. After completion of a successfu
The Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) began Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST) March 23, 2015. FOST is based out of naval bases in the United Kingdom (UK); it delivers operational training across all disciplines for the Royal Navy and other Navies that wish to make
U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet (USNAVSO) hosted a final planning conference (FPC) for Southern Partnership Station Joint High Speed Vessel 2015 in Mayport, Florida, March 3-4. The FPC was attended by military and civilian representatives from U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM), U.
Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) recently welcomed USS La Jolla (SSN 701) for conversion from an operational fast-attack submarine into a moored training ship (MTS). MTSs are nuclear training platforms used to qualify new nuclear operators. La Jolla and USS San Francisco (SSN 711) are the next-generati
