The guided-missile destroyer USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79) approaches the German navy replenishment tanker FGS Spessart (A1442) for a replenishment-at-sea while underway for Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2014. Now in its 42nd year, BALTOPS is an annual, multinational exercise with the goal of enhancing ma
The “Wolf Pack” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 75 was presented the Naval Air Force Pacific 2013 Battle Efficiency award, or Battle “E”, June 19, at Naval Air Station North Island, Calif. “This squadron is remarkable,” said Commander, Naval Air Forces, Vice Adm. David H. Buss. “When
The aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and Carrier Air Wing Two departed from the Southern California operating area June 18 to participate in the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise scheduled June 26 to Aug. 1, in and around the Hawaiian Islands. RIMPAC is the world’s largest i
An F/A-18C Hornet, attached to the “Valions” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 15 lands aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). George H. W. Bush is on a scheduled deployment supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet ar
Ten chief petty officers aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) stood at attention as friends, family and colleagues pinned senior chief anchors upon their collars during a frocking ceremony held in the ship’s hangar bay June 18. Frocked Sailors receive the right to wear the i
BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair, San Diego, California, is being awarded a $20,5 million modification to previously awarded cost-plus-award-fee/incentive-fee contract for guided missile destroyer USS Decatur (DDG 73) fiscal 2014 dry-docking selected restricted availability. A dry-docking selecte
The US Navy awarded a contract to International Shipbreaking Limited of Brownsville, Texas, for the towing, dismantling and recycling of conventionally powered aircraft carriers stricken from service, June 13. Under the contract, the company will be paid $3 million for the dismantling and recyclin
The guided-missile frigate USS Halyburton (FFG 40) flew both the Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) pennant and the Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist (ESWS) pennant June 2 for the first time in over three years. Halyburton earned the right to fly the SWO pennant by meeting the requirement of 80 perce
More than 150 Sailors assigned to Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) were frocked to Petty Officer 3rd Class, Petty Officer 2nd Class, and Petty Officer 1st Class during a frocking ceremony at Huntington Hall, June 16. Frocking is a Navy tradition that dates back to the ear
The amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5) departed Naval Base San Diego June 17 for a deployment to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility. Peleliu will participate in exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC), a large multinational naval exercise, as the command ship for the expeditionary str
Senior Chief Engineman (SW/EXW) Paul A. Gurrola and Sonar Technician (Geographic) (SW) Joseph F. Hart, were frocked to the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer June 5, during a ceremony aboard the Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate USS Vandegrift (FFG 48) currently deployed to the 4th Fl
For a small group of Navy Reservists assigned to Littoral Combat Ship Mine Countermeasures (LCS MCM) Mission Module Unit Mayport, recent months have provided plenty of excitement and hands-on training opportunities aboard the littoral combat ship USS Independence (LCS 2). Three Navy Reserve Sailor
Eighteen midshipmen left the classrooms of the Naval Academy to venture underway with the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109), June 9-13. The midshipmen visited the ship as part of their professional training development; a hands-on requirement of the Naval Acad
Seven Naval Academy Midshipmen returned to Naval Station Norfolk, Friday, following the completion of Professional Training for Midshipmen (PROTRAMID) during surface week aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61). PROTRAMID, a four-week summer training period for