Guided-missile destroyer USS Mason (DDG 87) arrived in Palermo, Italy for a scheduled port visit, on March 31. The port visit is designed to continue Naval Forces Europe-Africa’s efforts to strengthen maritime partnerships with European nations in order to improve maritime safety and security in t
The Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (BOXARG), with embarked 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), began participation in Exercise Ssang Yong 2014 March 27 off the coast of the Republic of Korea (ROK) with the ROK navy and Marine Corps. Ssang Yong, which means “twin dragons,” is an annual combined exe
Service members and civilians involved in the scheduled deployment of the joint high speed vessel USNS Spearhead (JHSV 1) this summer to the U.S. Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations met March 25 and March 26 at Naval Station Mayport to finalize plans for the mission. The Spearhe
Nearly 30 years after she was commissioned in 1984, U.S. Navy Cmdr. Pete Ehlers, commanding officer of USS Robert G. Bradley (FFG 49), decommissioned the ship on March 28, at a Naval Station Mayport ceremony. Lt. Gen. Joseph L. Votel, commander, Joint Special Operations Command, was the guest spea
The amphibious assault ship USS Boxer received the 2013 Battle Effectiveness (Battle E) Award for Commander, Amphibious Squadron One. The announcement was made via naval message from Commander, Naval Surface Force Pacific, March 20. In addition to the 2013 award, Boxer also was the recipient in 20
Ships and embarked squadrons from the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HST CSG) completed operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations (AOR) March 28. The strike group completed a 120-mile transit of the Suez Canal, marking the end to more than seven straight months of operations in th
The U.S. Navy formally decommissioned Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Miami (SSN 755), on March 28, during an indoor ceremony at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine. Past and present crew members, their families and other invited guests attended the event. “Admiral, the watch is sec
Korea Opts for Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Aircraft The Republic of Korea has formally selected the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II aircraft for its F-X fighter acquisition program. USS Elrod Takes Over Escort Duties of Libyan Seized Tanker The U.S. Navy’s USS Elrod relieved the USS Stout of
The U.S. Navy’s top admiral, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert, spent time last weekend at the Navy’s Arctic Ice Camp and embarked aboard the USS New Mexico (SSN 779) as it participated in Ice Exercise 2014 (ICEX) with USS Hampton (SSN 767) beneath the Arctic Ocean. “It’s necessa
Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) launched a MK46 exercise torpedo (EXTORP) March 22, during a live-fire anti-submarine warfare event as part of Multi-Sail 2014. Multi-Sail 2014 is an annually held Destroyer Squadron 15 (DESRON 15) exercise in the 7th Fleet Ar
The Dutch Navy’s Holland-class offshore patrol vessel takes fuel from a Fast Fleet Tanker of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Service RFA Wave Knight in the Caribbean Sea. The Dutch patrol vessel is deployed to the Caribbean Sea since February, to aid to counter-smuggling operations together with US Coas
The amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5) was named the recipient of the 2013 Battle Effectiveness (Battle E) Award for Commander, Amphibious Squadron Three, March 20, marking the second consecutive year Peleliu has earned the prestigious award. Peleliu competed with other ships within its A
Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Mark A. Mayo, 24, was killed during a shooting incident at Naval Station Norfolk March 24. Mayo was assigned to Naval Security Forces, Naval Station Norfolk. A Hagerstown, Md. native, Mayo enlisted in the Navy in October 2007 and reported to Naval Station Norfolk in May 20
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) launches a Harpoon during a live-fire exercise. McCain is participating in Multi-Sail 2014, an annual exercise in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. [ma