After three months of intensive round-the-clock training, the first Maritime Tactical Operator Course (MTOC) graduated on March 26, 2015, and will go on to form Enhanced Naval Boarding Party (ENBP) Team 1. The 13 graduates underwent extensive training in advanced tactics, including hand-to-hand comb
Navy representatives from seven countries gathered in Rio De Janeiro for the UNITAS Atlantic Initial Planning Conference March 30-Apr. 1. The Brazilian navy hosted the conference to plan for UNITAS 56-15, the 56th iteration of the annual multinational maritime exercise series. Rear Adm. George Balla
For various reasons, the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) has not deployed since 2004. But after a highly successful combat systems ship qualification trial (CSSQT), Wasp has sent a clear, concise, and concussive message to the fleet: She is back in the fight. After completion of a successfu
Members of Beachmaster Unit One (BMU 1) Beach Party Team (BPT) Delta returned to homeport Feb. 23 after completing a seven-month deployment with the Makin Island Amphibious Readiness Group (ARG) to the U.S. 5th Fleet and 7th Fleet areas of operation. After several months of predeployment work-ups, B
The Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) began Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST) March 23, 2015. FOST is based out of naval bases in the United Kingdom (UK); it delivers operational training across all disciplines for the Royal Navy and other Navies that wish to make
Marines assigned to Marine Recon Force Detachment enter the well deck of Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) after conducting combat rubber raiding craft (CRRC) raiding practice. Essex is underway participating in a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) with the Essex Amphibio
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Farragut (DDG 99) fires its Mk 45 5-inch lightweight gun while conducting a live-fire exercise. The exercise was undertaken on March 12 in the Atlantic Ocean. Farragut, part of the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group, will conduct operations i
The US sea services released a new maritime strategy, a plan that describes how the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard will design, organize, and employ naval forces in support of national security interests and homeland security objectives. The new strategy, titled, “A Cooperative Strategy for 21s
U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy ships concluded the maritime portion of exercise Foal Eagle, March 11. The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112), USS John S. McCain (DDG 56), and USS Lassen (DDG 82) operated with a total of 16 ROK Navy ships in port and at
Swedish Navy’s Minesweeper Experiences Weapon Malfunctions Swedish Navy’s minesweeper HMS Ulvön (M77) experienced malfunctions during weapon fire tests yesterday south of Ronneby, Sweden. UK Invests More in Submarine Successor Programme The UK’s submarine industry will benefit from £285 million of i
The guided-missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67) returned to Naval Station Norfolk after a seven-month deployment in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations (AOO). Cole, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, departed Norfolk, Aug. 22, 2014 and spent the deployment supporting U.S. national security interests
Ticonderoga class guided-missile cruiser USS Shiloh (CG 67) was named the 2014 Unit Tactics Award recipient for Commander, Carrier Strike Group 5, March 9. In a message announcing the award, the awardees were recognized for their exceptional preparedness and warfighting skill, which is key to improv
U.S. Marines with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Maritime Raid Force depart the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). The Marines embarked a combat rubber raiding craft during Amphibious Squadron Three/Marine Expeditionary Unit Integration Training off the coast of San Diego, M
The Sailors and Marines of Commander, Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 3 and the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (15th MEU) returned to San Diego March 10, following a twelve day at-sea PHIBRON-MEU Integrated Training (PMINT) off the coast of Southern California. During the nearly two-week underway peri
