USS Vandegrift (FFG 48) and a U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Det., (LEDET), recovered approximately 1,700 pounds of cocaine found adrift in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Central America, Dec. 2. Vandegrift found the drugs while on patrol in support of Operation Martillo. One of Vandegrift’s S
USS Gary (FFG 51), with its embarked helicopter squadron and U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET), seized more than 590 kilos of cocaine after intercepting a “Go Fast” vessel in international waters off the coast of Central America, Nov. 9. The operation was conducted in support of Op
General Dynamics Electric Boat has been awarded a $36.5 million contract modification from the U.S. Navy to develop advanced submarine technologies for current and future undersea platforms. Electric Boat is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics. Under the terms of the modification, Electric
The Blue crew of Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Alabama (SSBN 731) welcomed their new commanding officer during a ceremony at the Naval Undersea Museum in Keyport, Dec. 18. Cmdr. Paul Reinhardt relieved Cmdr. Brad Terry, who assumed command of the Blue crew in May 2012, completed four st
US Navy’s amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24) recently conducted small craft attack team drills as part of its training. The drill included firing a .50-caliber machine gun as well as an M240 machine gun aboard the vessel. Arlington is underway conducting training to sustain missio
On 12 December, the President of the Brazilian Republic, Dilma Rousseff, officially inaugurated the main hall of the submarine construction shipyard, located in Itaguaí in the Bay of Sepetiba. This industrial facility brings together specific resources and tools for the assembly and equipping of Sco
Vice Adm. Robert Thomas, commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, visited U.S. and Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) units at Misawa Air Base Dec. 15. Thomas took the opportunity to learn about the different work centers that help the units accomplish their missions while expressing his appreciation to service memb
Leadership from Navy Expeditionary Forces Command Pacific (Commander, Task Force 75), Naval Special Warfare and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 5 toured littoral combat ship USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) while the ship stopped to refuel in Guam en route to Southeast Asia, Dec. 11. With an eye towar
Interactive software that can dramatically cut the time it takes to plan safe submarine missions is crossing over to the surface fleet and is being installed this month on the guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53), officials announced Dec. 16. Sponsored by the Office of Naval Research (ONR),
The Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Norfolk (SSN 714) was decommissioned Dec. 11 during a ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk. The submarine will remain in Norfolk until in leaves in January to begin the decommissioning process at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, Maine. Norfolk is currently
Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel has directed the Navy “to move forward with a multi-mission small surface combatant based on modified Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) hull designs.” Consistent with the Fleet’s views on the most valued capabilities delivered by a small surface combatant, the modified LCS
Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Louisville (SSN 724) arrived at Changi Naval Base Dec. 5 for a port call as part of her deployment to the Western Pacific. With an augmented complement of nearly 170 officers and men, Louisville showcased the latest capabilities of the submarine fleet in h
After nine lengthy months at the Vigor Shipyards in Seattle, the guided missile destroyer USS Momsen (DDG 92) has completed scheduled repairs and upgrades and returned to Naval Station Everett, Dec. 2. Over the course of the drydock period which began in February, Vigor employees and Momsen Sailors
US Navy’s Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate USS Vandegrift (FFG 48) and a U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) interdicted approximately 1,925 pounds of cocaine in connection with a small vessel while on patrol off the coast of Central America, Nov. 14. One of Vandegrif
