Vessels
Philippine Navy expanding Rafael Ramos base to support larger ships
The Philippine Navy is set to benefit from an upgraded Rafael Ramos naval base in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, which will be upgraded under a PHP1 billion (approx. US$18.6M) project, the Philippine News Agency said in a report. Following the upgrades, which will include dredging, new wharfs, beaching ramps
US, Philippine Navy start week-long South China Sea exercise
The US and Philippines navies started seven days of interactions as part of maritime training activity (MTA) Sama Sama at Naval Station Ernesto Ogbinar in San Fernando City, Philippines. The week-long engagement kicked off July 9 and will focus on the full spectrum of naval capabilities. Expeditiona
Eastern Shipbuilding Group completes critical design review for US Coast Guard OPCs
Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG) announced it has completed its final critical design review (FCDR) for the US Coast Guard’s offshore patrol cutter (OPC) program. The FCDR was accomplished on June 29, 2018, after a week of discussions, demonstrations, and design presentations by ESG’s design team to
US Navy identifies sailor who died in small boat accident
The US Navy has identified the sailor who died from injuries sustained in a small boat incident in the Red Sea on July 8. The sailor, assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109), was identified as Ensign Sarah Mitchell, 23, of Feasterville, Pennsylvania. M
19-nation Black Sea drill Sea Breeze 2018 kicks off
The Ukraine-hosted and US Navy-led international exercise Sea Breeze kicked off in Odessa, Ukraine, on July 9. According to the Ukrainian defense ministry, a total of 19 nations are taking part in the drill which is aimed at enhancing interoperability among participating nations and strengthen regio
US Navy sends two destroyers through Taiwan Strait
The US Navy has sent two Arleigh Burke-class destroyers through the Taiwan Strait in what is the first such move since July 2017. The passage of USS Mustin and USS Benfold was first reported by Taiwanese media and later confirmed by the Taiwan defense ministry and US Navy officials. The Chinese fore
New Zealand picks P-8A Poseidon as its new maritime patrol aircraft
New Zealand is buying four Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft from the United States to replace its ageing Orions, the government announced July 9. The four aircraft will replace the six P-3K2 Orion maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) that have been operated by the Royal New Zealand Air Force
US Navy sailor dies during small boat operations in Red Sea
A US Navy sailor assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) died from injuries sustained during small boat operations on July 8. According to the US Naval Forces Central Command, the sailor was medically evacuated to a hospital in Aqaba, Jordan, and was pronounced dead at 12
USS Coronado wraps up IOT&E for MQ-8C Fire Scout
US Navy littoral combat ship USS Coronado (LCS 4) completed the first comprehensive Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) for the MQ-8C Fire Scout on June 29. The ship’s crew worked with the Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 1 (VX-1) for the IOT&E which will inform decision-makers on how be
US Navy destroyer, command ship arrive in Ukraine for exercise Sea Breeze
US Navy destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) and command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) arrived in Ukraine ahead of the start of exercise Sea Breeze 2018. Only USS Porter pulled into the Ukrainian port city of Odessa prior to the exercise. The two ships entered the Black Sea on July 6 and July
Anti-submarine warfare exercise Dynamic Mongoose concludes
The NATO-led anti submarine warfare (ASW) exercise Dynamic Mongoose 2018 concluded off the coast of Norway on July 6. Ships, submarines, aircraft and personnel from 8 allied nations converged on the North Atlantic Ocean while host nation Norway provided support from the Harstad and Narvik harbors as
Australian frigate home after seizing over 33 tons of narcotics
Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Warramunga returned home on July 8, concluding a record-breaking deployment to the Middle East. Minister for defense, Senator Marise Payne, joined Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Mike Noonan, on the wharf to congratulate the crew on their record breaking deployment. Du
Report: Japan to send JS Kaga to South China Sea, Indian Ocean mission
Japan is likely to send its Izumo-class helicopter carrier to the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean this year as well. The two-month deployment of the 27,000-ton JS Kaga comes as Japan aims to boost its presence in this strategically important region, Reuters reported citing two unnamed Japanese
US Navy’s tenth EPF aces builder’s trials
The US Navy’s tenth expeditionary fast transport vessel Burlington (EPF 10) completed builder’s trials on June 29. The week of trials began dockside at the Austal USA Shipyard in Mobile, Alabama. EPF 10 engaged in pierside dock trials with the Supervisor of Shipbuilding Gulf Coast working with the s