Operations
US Air Force B-1B Lancers train with destroyer USS Sterett in South China Sea
Two U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancers flew a 10-hour mission from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, to train with the U.S. Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett (DDG 104) in the South China Sea on June 8. The joint training was organized under Pacific Command’s continuous bomber pre
Chinese Navy ships visit Sydney, Australia
Returning from a counter-piracy deployment in the Gulf of Aden, the 25th Task Group of the People’s Liberation Army – Navy arrived in Sydney, Australia, for a three-day port visit on June 8. The Task Group consisting of two guided missile frigates, Hengyang and Yulin, and one replenishment ship,Hong
French Navy Atlantique 2 MPA on first ever operation Sophia flight
A French Navy Atlantique 2 maritime patrol aircraft conducted its first ever operational flight as part of EUNAVFOR’s Mediterranean Sea operation Sophia on June 7. An upgraded version of the Breguet Atlantic that made its first flight in 1961, Atlantique 2 is joining four other aircraft from Spain,
Completed Nimitz carrier strike group deploys from San Diego
U.S. Navy’s aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and destroyers USS Kidd (DDG 100) and USS Shoup united with other ships and units of their carrier strike group in San Diego to officially start their deployment on June 5. USS Nimitz and Arleigh Burke-class destroyers USS Kidd (DDG 100), and USS Shou
Kership launches French Navy’s first Offshore Support and Assistance Vessel ‘Loire’
Kership, a joint venture between DCNS and Piriou, launched the French Navy’s first Offshore Support and Assistance Vessel (BSAH) Loire, on June 1. Named after French rivers Loire, Rhone, Seine and Garonne, the BSAH vessels will be used for the deployment of forces for State operations at sea. French
En route home, USS George H.W. Bush strikes ISIS from the Med
U.S. Navy’s George H.W. Bush carrier strike group (GHWBCSG) on Tuesday continued strike missions against ISIS positions after crossing the Suez Canal on Monday. USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) and the cruisers and destroyers accompanying it are currently on the return leg of their deployment after com
US Navy awards General Dynamics $105m for USS Makin Island dry-docking
The U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command has awarded General Dynamics a $105.3 million contract for the dry-docking maintenance of Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island. During its phased maintenance availability, Makin Island is set to undergo a combination of maintenance, modernization and
USS Abraham Lincoln completes flight deck qualifications
U.S. Navy’s Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) completed its Flight Deck Carrier (FDC) qualifications during an underway period in the Atlantic Ocean. The certification ensures that Abraham Lincoln’s flight deck as well as the sailors who conduct flight operations is capable
US Coast Guard cutter concludes patrol with $147m drugs seized
The crew of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Valiant returned to Naval Station Mayport on June 6 after seizing an estimated $147 million worth of cocaine. They also assisted in the removal of another $170 million of contraband interdicted by other Coast Guard cutters and apprehending 10 suspected drug smuggl
After Japan, US Navy attack submarine visits South Korea
Almost exactly a month after visiting Japan, U.S. Navy’s Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Cheyenne (SSN 773) arrived in Busan, Republic of Korea (ROK) for a port visit on June 6. Both port calls are part of the submarine’s regularly scheduled deployment to the Western Pacific but come at a tim
Scavengers loot Australian WWII ship sunk in Java Sea
A recent dive on the wreck of the Royal Australian Navy’s World War II cruiser HMAS Perth revealed that due to illegal salvage activity, only 40 percent of the vessel is in place. The findings are the result of a joint dive conducted by maritime archaeologists from the Australian National Maritime M
UK, France, US sign submarine cooperation agreement
United Kingdom, France and the United States are stepping up their submarine cooperation with an agreement signed by the three countries’ naval leaders on June 1. The agreement outlines anti-submarine warfare activities of the three countries as they operate in waters of Western Asia. Commander, U.S
Damen cuts first steel for Australian antarctic supply research vessel (ASRV)
Construction of Australia’s new antarctic supply research vessel (ASRV) started in Romania with a steel-cutting ceremony on May 31. Dutch shipbuilder Damen is in charge of constructing the vessel at its Galati, Romania, shipyard. The shipbuilder is constructing the ASRV for Serco Defence, a subsidia
America ARG ships start final pre-deployment test
Ships gathered around the U.S. Navy’s amphibious assault ship USS America got underway from San Diego to start their final certification exercise (CERTEX) on May 31. The amphibious ready group (ARG), composed of amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego (LPD 22) and the amphibious dock landing sh