Twenty-three nations, 47 ships, six submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel will participate in the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise scheduled June 26 to Aug. 1, in and around the Hawaiian Islands. The world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a
The U.S. Navy’s Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) and U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFF) are jointly conducting the annual hurricane preparedness exercise, HURREX/Citadel Gale 2014, from May 5 – 15 in preparation for the upcoming Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean area hurricane season.
Conservators and scientists from Naval History and Heritage Command’s Underwater Archeology Branch (UAB) and Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division (NSWCCD) collaborated to begin a three dimensional laser scanning of the Howell Torpedo, April 30. “The torpedo was lost in 1899 during a tra
Sailors from USS New York (LPD 21) and Coast Guardsmen from USCGC Margaret Norvell (WPC-1105) participated in the Resolve Marine Damage Control Olympics as part of Fleet Week Port Everglades April 29. The Sailors from USS New York’s second team won first place after a tie-breaker with the Coastgua
The U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) was certified ready for sea after successfully completing Crew Certification Phases II and III, May 2. Crew Certification is a five-day process where the Immediate Superior in Command (ISIC) ensures a ship is ready to
Thursday night, 10 April 2014, was another beautiful night on the deck of HMAS Choules when “Hands to Flying Stations” was called. Contently walking towards the Helicopter Control Console, the Ship’s Aviation Officer (SAVO) Lieutenant Commander John Sime, set up for yet another night of flying. Th
Guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61) returned to its Naval Station Norfolk homeport May 4 after a nine-month deployment to the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations. Ramage, which deployed Aug. 7, 2013, supported maritime security operations and conducted theater security cooperation efforts d
Command of USS Stout (DDG 55), an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, officially changed hands during a ceremony May 2 at Naval Station Norfolk. Cmdr. Andrew Fitzpatrick assumed command from Cmdr. Bob Alpigini. Past and present crew members, friends, and family attended the time-honored change of comma
On 30 April, container ship MV Jumme Trader launched a SOS message after a crew member became very ill. The SOS was picked up by the EU Naval Force flagship, FGS Brandenburg and the Force Commander on board immediately directed EU Naval Force French warship, FS Floréal, to provide medical assistance
The U.S. Navy’s first-in-class joint high-speed vessel USNS Spearhead (JHSV 1) left the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations, May 2, after more than three months of operating in the European and African theaters. Since entering the theater in late January, Spearhead conducted maritime security operat
The X-47B unmanned combat air system is gearing up for shore-based flight test activities in preparation for the next round of sea trials this summer. The program’s test team will conduct various test events with the X-47B over the next few months in an effort to mature air traffic control and gro
An MQ-8B Fire Scout sits on the flight deck of USS Freedom (LCS 1) April 30 off the coast of San Diego, Calif. Sailors from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 35 are conducting the first combined operations between the unmanned Fire Scout and the manned H-60 helicopter aboard the littoral c
Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 5 along with the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, numerous U.S. Navy commands, and Australian navy completed a the four-day annual Fleet Synthetic Training-Joint (FST-J) 72 exercise, May 2. As the U.S. Navy’s only forward-deployed CSG, this training hones the skills of warfare
On April 17th, a boarding team of HNLMS Evertsen of the Dutch Navy boarded BigLift’s Happy Dragon in a drill against piracy. The drill took place in the Gulf of Aden. HNLMS Evertsen and Happy Dragon met out at sea to practice a so-called boarding operation. Happy Dragon assumed the part of a captu
