Sarah West is first and foremost a Royal Navy Officer. She is emphatically not a woman in a man’s world. That she is the first woman to be given Command of one of the Navy’s major warships might be historically significant. But to Lieutenant Commander West it is simply career progression. In April o
The religious ministries team aboard amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18) launched its “United Through Reading” (UTR) program Nov. 16, for Sailors and Marines to use throughout the ship’s deployment. UTR provides the opportunity to keep an open line on communication with loved one
Black Sea Fleet (BSF) task unit consisting of frigate Smetlivy and rescue ship Epron has returned to Sevastopol from the Mediterranean Sea. The ships took part in the IONIEX 2011 Russo-Italian exercise regularly held since 2004. Mariners of the two countries jointly practiced search operations again
The Royal Navy Sandown class mine countermeasure vessel has been affiliated with the town since 1998. Since then many local people have enjoyed meeting the ship’s company and seeing her come into harbour. But, it was only back in March this year, during her last visit that she was honoured to be awa
Amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) successfully completed its Light Off Assessment (LOA) Nov. 18, taking one step closer to finishing its four-month Phased Maintenance Availability (PMA) at BAE Systems Shipyard in Norfolk. The assessment was conducted by Afloat Training Group Atlantic (AT
Guided-missile frigate USS Ford (FFG 54) returned to Everett Nov. 17, after a six-month deployment to the western Pacific. Ford departed Everett in May 2011. During deployment, the ship participated in the multinational Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise. CARAT training scena
Hawaii-based Destroyer Squadron 31 completed a week of dynamic training as ships returned to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Nov. 17-18, from the latest Koa Kai exercise in Hawaiian waters. It was the first time U.S. Navy ships were joined by a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) surface ship f
The ship was conducting training off the South West coast when she was alerted to the situation and quickly closed to help and support a Coastguard helicopter already on route to assist the casualty on board the yacht, Skean Dhu. The sea state and accompanying swell meant that the Coastguard helicop
Carrier Strike Group 1 (CSG-1) held a change of command ceremony on board USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) Nov. 18. Rear Adm. Thomas K. Shannon relieved Rear Adm. Samuel Perez as commander, CSG-1. CSG-1 was formally established Oct. 1, 2009, and is comprised of Carl Vinson, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17, USS Bu
Spanish warship SPS INFANTA CRISTINA completed operating under EUNAVFOR, after 81 days working for Operation ATALANTA. During her time in the Operation, SPS INFANTA CRISTINA escorted one vessel chartered by the World Food Program (WFP), assisting the delivery of 15,789 metric tons of food aid to Som
Aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), along with embarked squadrons and staffs of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8 and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 22, arrived in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR), Nov. 20. George H.W. Bush completed five months of combat operations in the U.S. 5th Fl
Forward-deployed amphibious dock landing ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46) departed from White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa Nov. 19, after embarking components of Combat Logistics Regiment (CLR) 3 in preparation to offer recovery assistance in distressed areas of the Kingdom of Thailand. Tortuga and the em
Amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) and guided missile destroyer USS Stethem (DDG 63) arrived in Bali, Indonesia, Nov. 20, for a port visit during their deployment to the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean. The visit to Bali will provide Essex and Stethem Sailors and Marines of the 31st Marine E
Aberdeen-based Hydro Group, a global designer and manufacturer of underwater cables and connectors for subsea, underwater, topside and onshore applications, is supplying products for a project underway by the Turkish Navy to build the largest acoustic range in the world. Hydro Group is manufacturing