As of August 4th, 2012, HNLMS Rotterdam is the flagship of NATO counterpiracy operation Ocean Shield. The Landing Platform Dock took over the tasks of air defence and command frigate HNLMS Evertsen in the waters off the coast of Somalia. Along with the Rotterdam’s 320-strong crew, Commodore Ben Bekk
Two midshipmen from the Royal Norwegian Naval Academy trained aboard amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5) from July 18 to Aug. 7 as part of the Foreign Exchange Training of Midshipman (FOREXTRAMID) program. This program is managed by Naval Service Training Command in coordination with Operati
The 63rd annual Seattle Seafair Fleet Week concluded Aug. 6 when U.S. Navy ships USS New Orleans (LPD 18), USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) and USS Halsey (DDG 97) departed from the Port of Seattle. A parade of ships and air show kicked-off Fleet Week Aug. 1 as local spectators observed U.S. Navy, Coast Guar
The Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate USS Underwood (FFG 36), recovered 49 bales of narcotics from the Caribbean Sea during Operation Martillo, Aug. 3. Underwood pursued a “go-fast” speed boat late Tuesday evening, Aug. 2, but it dumped its load before Underwood was able to effect a b
The Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) and the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) held an all hands call on Naval Base Kitsap Aug. 6. CNO Adm. Jonathan Greenert and MCPON (SS/SW) Rick West spoke with Sailors assigned to the aircraft carriers USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), USS Ronald Reagan (
The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2 arrived at Naval Station Norfolk, Aug. 7, concluding an eight-month deployment to the U.S. Navy’s 5th, 6th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility. While deployed, aircraft assigned to CVW-2 flew more
The Navy’s newest littoral combat ship, the future USS Fort Worth (LCS 3), departed from the Marinette Marine Corp. shipyard in Marinette, Wis., Aug. 6, beginning its journey to her commissioning site in Galveston, Texas, before heading to her eventual homeport of San Diego, Calif. Fort Worth is the
Momentous event for the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya took place recently as the Fighter’s wheels touched the deck for the first time. MiG-29KUB, piloted by the hero of the Russian Federation, honored test pilot of the RF, Colonel, Nikolay Diorditsa made a few approaches over the ship at differe
Sailors and Marines of multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) celebrated the halfway point of their deployment Aug. 1, while deployed in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. Iwo Jima’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) department hosted the ship’s halfway point with a day
Sailors assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) attended a series of Return and Reunion training classes July 23 to Aug. 3, following eight months at sea and just prior to the ship’s arrival in Norfolk. The Norfolk Fleet and Family Services office coordinated class
The newest U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Richard Etheridge, the Coast Guard’s second Sentinel Class patrol boat was commissioned at Port Everglades on Friday. The Sentinel Class Fast Response Cutters are designed to conduct maritime drug interdiction, alien migrant interdiction, search and rescue, nationa
The Deputy Fleet Commander, Vice Admiral Jones CB, paid a visit to HMS Defender on August 3, and became the first Flag Officer to step onboard the Navy’s newest Warship under the White Ensign. The visit gave Vice Admiral Jones the chance to welcome HMS Defender into Portsmouth and to take a look at
On July 6, US Senator Jeff Sessions joined Austal, General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems and General Dynamics Bath Iron Works personnel in completing the Combat Systems Light Off milestone in the second Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship, Coronado (LCS 4). Senator Sessions operated th
HMAS Perth has completed an advanced air warfare weapons event during a multinational firing serial at Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2012, the world’s largest maritime exercise in Hawaii. HMAS Perth joined HMAS Darwin in a six-ship formation with Canadian and US ships that conducted a coordin