Operations
USS Constitution Sails for First Time Since 1997
USS Constitution departed her berth from Charlestown, Mass. Aug. 19, to set sail for the first time since 1997, during an underway demonstration commemorating Guerriere Day. The underway honored the 200th anniversary of Constitution’s decisive victory over the HMS Guerriere during the War of 1812, m
United States Military Sealift Command Exercises Charter Option on Austal WestPac Express
The United States Military Sealift Command (MSC) has exercised the first of three six months options for the ongoing charter of the Austal high speed vessel “WestPac Express”. The option forms part of a 24 month contract that Austal was awarded in December 2011. Austal Chief Executive Officer, Andre
USA: Strike Fighter Squadron 11 Holds Areal Change of Command
The “Red Rippers” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 11 held an aerial change-of-command ceremony in the skies above aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65), Aug. 16. Cmdr. Marcus Lopez relieved Cmdr. Daniel Sullivan as commanding officer. During the ceremony, Sullivan and Lopez flew F/A-18F Super Ho
Russia Holds Keel Laying Ceremony of Diesel Electric Submarine Stary Oskol
Keel-laying ceremony of diesel electric submarine (SSK) Stary Oskol for Russia’s Black Sea Fleet (BSF) took place on friday 17th… (rusnavy) [mappress] Source: Russian Navy, August 20, 2012
USS Winston S. Churchill Holds Change of Command Ceremony
Guided-missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81) held a change of command ceremony at sea in the Gulf of Aden, Aug. 16. Cmdr. Christopher D. Stone relieved Cmdr. Michael E. Hutchens as Churchill’s commanding officer in a ceremony held on the destroyer’s flight deck. Hutchens assumed comman
USS O’Kane Sailors Offer Assistance to USS Porter
Sailors from guided-missile destroyer USS O’Kane (DDG 77) are assisting the crew of guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) to recover from damage sustained in a collision with a large Japanese-owned merchant vessel near the Strait of Hormuz, Aug. 12. Porter transited under its own power to Jeb
USS Carr Assists United States-Flagged Sailing Vessel
Guided-missile frigate USS Carr (FFG 52) assisted a United States-flagged sailing vessel in the Western Caribbean Sea Aug. 14. Carr discovered the U.S. flagged sailing vessel “Bob” which failed to answer calls on the bridge-to-bridge radio. Sailors from Carr manned the rigid hull inflatable boat to
USA: PANAMAX Exercise Concludes
The commander of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command, U.S. 4th Fleet (COMUSNAVSO/C4F) officially concluded the annual 2012 PANAMAX exercise Aug. 16 at Naval Station Mayport, Fla. Rear Adm. Sinclair Harris along with Brazilian Rear Adm. Wilson Pereira de Lima Filho concluded the exercise in which more
US Navy Helicopters Team with CALFIRE to Fight Wildfires in Eastern San Diego County
Navy helicopters teamed with California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection units Aug. 15 to conduct aerial firefighting against several wildfires in eastern San Diego County. At CALFIRE’s request for immediate response support, the Navy is providing three firefighting helicopters equipped wi
USS Carr Retrieves 1,250 Pounds of Cocaine
Norfolk-based frigate USS Carr (FFG 52) retrieved 1,250 pounds of cocaine while being resupplied by an air drop at sea during Operation Martillo, Aug. 15. A long range P-3 patrol aircraft from the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) decreased altitude, passed close to the ship and dropped a single
Vice Chief of Naval Operations Visits Bahrain
The vice chief of naval operations visited Naval Support Activity Bahrain and tenant commands within the 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) to view operations and manpower, host an all hands meeting, and conduct port inspections. Adm. Mark Ferguson stressed the importance of adaptability and fle
UK: HMS Diamond Receives the Highest Praise from World’s Most Famous Aircraft Carrier
Britain’s most advanced warship HMS Diamond received the highest praise from the world’s most famous aircraft carrier as she joined forces with the mighty USS Enterprise in the Middle East. The Type 45 destroyer was invited to join the Big E and her carrier strike group to show what the Royal Navy’s
UK: Drug and Pirate-Busting Merlin Helicopter of HMS Westminster Returns Home
The drug and pirate-busting Merlin helicopter of HMS Westminster is safely back home in Culdrose after seven months making a ‘tangible’ difference in the Indian Ocean. 02 Flight – callsign Red Bull – played a key role in three pirate busts and one drug smuggling take-down, four of the most eventful
Mine Hunter of Royal Netherlands Navy Clears Mine in Westerschelde Shipping Lane
A mine hunter of the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) detonated a heavy sea mine in the Wielingen channel, the very busy southern approach to the Westerschelde. The mine constituted a direct threat to shipping. The previous night, the Navy had received a report of a fishing cutter catching a mine-like