Naval representatives from Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru and the United States gathered in the Ricardo Palma auditorium at the Peruvian naval base to officially recognize the beginning of UNITAS Pacific (PAC) at an opening ceremony in Callao, Peru, May 14. Leaders from each country’s navy t
USS Essex (LHD 2) is returning to San Diego May 17, after completing 12 years as the Navy’s only permanently forward-deployed amphibious assault ship in Sasebo, Japan. The crew of USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) took over Essex April 23. “Essex departed San Diego in 2000, to serve as a forward-deployed
After weeks of preparation, the Japan-based, Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington’s (CVN 73) Engineering department successfully tested one of the most critical fire fighting systems May 12-13. Crew members conducted a test of the ship’s countermeasure washdown system, which also help
The Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate USS Underwood (FFG 36) arrived in Callao, Peru, in preparation for UNITAS Pacific 53-12, May 12. Sailors lined the rails in their dress whites while Underwood announced her arrival with a 40mm saluting battery as it entered the channel to the port city. While in
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
