The guided-missile destroyer USS McFaul (DDG 74) departed Naval Station Norfolk today on a regularly scheduled deployment to the Arabian Sea to participate in counter-piracy operations. The crew, commanded by Cmdr. Daniel J. Gillen, has been preparing for this deployment since they returned from the
United States Ambassador to Australia, Jeffrey Bleich, and US Consul General in Perth, Aleisha Woodward, today visited Austal’s Henderson facility. There they met with Austal’s Chairman John Rothwell after touring the facility where the designs for the US Navy’s Independence-variant Littoral Combat
Members of Combined Task Force (CTF) 151, embarked aboard guided-missile destroyer USS Halsey (DDG 97), met with Russian leadership aboard the Russian anti-submarine warfare ship Admiral Tributs, Feb. 19. The meeting gave the two naval leaders the opportunity to discuss counter-piracy operations and
The U.S. Navy has exercised contract options funding the construction of the eighth and ninth Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV), as part of a ten-ship program potentially worth over US$1.6 billion. The construction contract for these vessels is valued at approximately US$321.7 million. Austal USA’s Pre
Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. announced today that its Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division has received a $383 million cost-plus-fixed-fee, level-of-effort contract option to continue planning work for the refueling complex overhaul (RCOH) of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Abrah
The guided-missile destroyer, USS Sampson (DDG 102), departed for a scheduled six-month, independent deployment to the Western Pacific and U.S. Central Command areas of responsibility, Feb. 24. “Sampson’s crew has worked extremely hard in preparation for this deployment. We are trained and prepared
Guided-missile frigate USS Simpson (FFG 56) departed Ghana after a three-day Africa Partnership Station (APS) port visit, Feb. 21. The visit featured medical training and shipboard damage control with sailors from the Ghanaian navy, tours of the ship for high-school students from the American Intern
The vice chief of naval operations (VCNO) concluded a two-day visit to Singapore Feb. 23. Adm. Mark Ferguson met with Chief of the Singapore Navy, Rear Admiral Chee Pang, toured facilities at Changi and Sembawang naval bases, and spoke to U.S. Sailors at an all hands call. “I am visiting regional pa
Sailors assigned to forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46) and Marines with elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) arrived in Laem Chabang, Feb. 21, for a port visit. Tortuga Commanding Officer Cmdr. Adrian D. Ragland talked about how proud he was of all of the S
The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) garnered two departmental efficiency awards for its Safety and Engineering departments as part of Commander, Naval Air Forces 2011 Battle Efficiency assessment in a message released Feb. 10. Nimitz Safety received a Green “S”, and Engineering received a Purpl
Marines from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and Sailors deployed aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) celebrated the life and service of Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Kyler L. Estrada during a memorial service on board the ship, Feb. 17. Estrada, a Fleet Marine Force S
Sailors assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) supported the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) by participating in NMCRS Day, Feb. 19. In addition to a series of recent fundraising raffles, events included a slam dunk contest and three-point shootout in the
The Seattle “Sea Gals,” official cheerleaders for the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks, performed for Sailors and Marines deployed aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) Feb. 13 as the ship conducted operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. The event, sponsored by Armed Fo
The “Kestrels” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 137 received the 2011 Strike Fighter Wing Pacific (CSFWP) Scott Kirby Award for Ordnance Excellence, Feb. 6. The award recognizes proficiency, professionalism and safety in ordnance handling and delivery. The Kestrels’ Aviation Ordnance (AO) division w
