Sailors of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 returned to the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) May 11. Vinson is currently transiting to her homeport in San Diego following a six-month deployment to the Western Pacific and Mid
USS George Washington (CVN 73) departed Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, May 12 to conduct sea trials in preparation for the ship’s next patrol. George Washington sailed from its Truman Bay pier into open waters to begin a certification process that will ensure the ship, its equipment and crew are
Maritime forces participated in a multinational maritime interdiction operation (MIO) training exercise at the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operation Center in Souda Bay, Greece, as part of exercise Phoenix Express 2012 (PE12), May 10. Service members from Moroccan naval vessel Mohamed V (F 611) and g
Sailors assigned to the Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate USS Underwood (FFG 36) rescued six Peruvian fishermen drifting in a disabled vessel off the coast of Peru, May 10. The fishermen were isolated at sea for ten days after developing mechanical problems with their vessel. They were unable to rad
Sailors assigned to U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) toured the Australian Anzac-class Frigate HMAS Ballarat (FFH-155) May 9. Blue Ridge Sailors spent time aboard Ballarat learning about how about the Australian navy operates. They were shown damage control bases, machinery control ro
The Brazilian Navy has successfully carried out a firing trial of an Exocet MM40 missile, equipped with a motor developed, produced and certified by Avibras in partnership with MBDA. This is the first time that the Brazilian Navy has carried out such a test which represents the country’s autonomy in
Senior leaders from the Air Force and Navy affirmed on May 8 that the F-35 joint strike fighter remains the centerpiece of the tactical aircraft program and will play a large part in the services’ ongoing modernization plans. Navy Vice Adm. David J. Venlet, F-35 Lightning II program executive office
Sailors aboard guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) successfully led a simulated strait transit off the eastern coast of the United States May 8. The exercise was designed to test the participant ship’s ability to navigate safely, while also dealing with threats that could be encounte
Nashville Navy Week 2012 kicked off May 7 with crewmembers of USS Tennessee (SSBN 734) on hand at the state capitol building. The Navy Week runs from May 7-13 in the capital city and wraps up with the Great Tennessee Air Show featuring the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. Navy Weeks are designed to showcase [
The Checkmates of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 211 held an airborne change of command ceremony in the skies over deployed aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) May 7. Cmdr. John Bixby relieved Cmdr. James A. McCall as commanding officer (CO), as both flew in F/A-18F Super Hornets, assigned to VF
Guided missile frigate USS Nicholas (FFG 47) assisted partner nation forces with the interdiction of a vessel carrying nearly 2,200 kilograms (4,850 pounds) of cocaine, with an estimated street value of more than $363 million, in the eastern Pacific May 6. The interdiction was conducted as part of O
Sailors from HMS Montrose left their mark in Bermuda – the last of 13 ports of call for their ship before she returns to Devonport in Friday after more than six months away. Upholding a fine naval tradition, they restored the ship’s badge painted on the dockyard wall – alongside more than 200 crests
Staff and students assigned to Surface Warfare Officers School (SWOS) received a visit from the commander of U.S Fleet Forces Command May 2. Adm. John C. Harvey Jr. held a town hall meeting in the Admiral Michael Mullen Auditorium, where he shared his views on the current state of the surface force
The Commanding Officer of USS The Sullivans (DDG 68), was relieved of command May 8, 2012, by Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet, Vice Adm. Frank C. Pandolfe due to loss of confidence in his ability to command. Cmdr. Derick Armstrong was relieved as a result of an unprofessional command climate that was co
