Vessels
USS Carl Vinson Begins Its Maintenance Period
The crew on board the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) put on hard hats and safety goggles to commence a Chief of Naval Operations planned incremental availability (PIA) period, Aug. 14, just two months after returning to its homeport in San Diego following a near 10-month deployment. Accor
Most Read News August 10 – 16, 2015
Exercise Dawn Blitz 2015 in Final Preps Naval, aviation and ground forces from the United States, Japan, Mexico and New Zealand are scheduled to participate in Exercise Dawn Blitz 2015 off the coast and ashore in Southern California from August 31 to September 9. US, India to Jointly Work on Future
US Navy Extends Raytheon’s JPALS Deal
The U.S. Navy extended Raytheon Company’s Engineering and Manufacturing Development contract on the Joint Precision Approach Landing Systems (JPALS) program. Raytheon will continue testing and analysis in support of auto-land capability and integration of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The contract
DRS Technologies Bags Three Navy Contracts
DRS Technologies Inc., a Finmeccanica Company, has been awarded three contracts potentially worth more than $170 million for programs serving a range of U.S. and Royal Australian Navy ships. The contract work includes network communications, missile launching and combat display systems. The first, U
USS Makin Island Completes Half of Its PMA
The crew of the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) reached the 50 percent completion marker ahead of schedule for the Chief of Naval Operation’s phased maintenance availability (PMA) at its home port of Naval Base San Diego Aug. 5. Commander, Navy Regional Maintenance Center Rear Adm.
USFF Visits Historic French Tall Ship Hermione
Members of the U.S. Fleet Forces (USFF) Logistics Support Unit (LSU) took advantage of an extremely rare opportunity to visit the recently constructed French tall ship Hermione June 6, shortly after the ship completed its maiden voyage to the United States from France. The original ship bearing the
New Commander Appointed for USS Maine’s Blue Crew
The Blue crew of the ballistic-missile submarine USS Maine (SSBN 741) conducted a change of ceremony at Deterrent Park on Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, Aug. 13. Cmdr. Kelly Laing, from Idaho Falls, Idaho, relieved Capt. William Johnson, from East Troy, Wisconsin, and assumed the duties and responsibilit
USS Stockdale’s VBSS Team Stays in Shape
The visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) team from the guided-missile destroyer USS Stockdale (DDG 106) participated in an anti-piracy operation exercise off the coast of Southern California Aug. 6. After Stockdale Sailors successfully defended another vessel from a simulated pirate attack, their
Image of the Day: MH-60R Ready to Land on John C. Stennis
An MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the Raptors of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 71 prepares to land aboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). The vessel took part in a show of force transit with the guided-missile destroyer USS Chung Hoon (DDG 93), USS Russell (DDG
USCG Cutter Stratton Back Home in Alameda, California
The US Coast Guard Cutter Stratton returned to its homeport of Coast Guard Island in Alameda, California, after a 114-day Joint Interagency Task Force South counter drug patrol, Wednesday, to reunite with family members and loved ones. While underway, on June 16 and July 18, Stratton seized two sepa
US Navy’s DESRON 7 Changes Command
Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7 held a change of command ceremony at Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific in Singapore, Aug. 12. Capt. Fred Kacher relinquished command of the DESRON to Capt. H.B. Le in a ceremony presided over by Rear Adm. Charlie Williams, commander, Task Force (CTF) 73. Kacher
BAE Systems to Upgrade US Navy’s Mk 45 Systems
The U.S. Navy has awarded BAE Systems a contract to overhaul and upgrade Mk 45 systems on U.S. Navy Destroyer Class (DDG) ships. The initial contract of approximately $80 million includes the upgrade of six guns to the Mod 4 configuration, with an option for four additional guns expected to be exerc
Image of the Day: LCAC Transfers Marines off USS Kearsarge
A landing craft air cushion (LCAC) transfers Marines and their equipment off of the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3). The operation was conducted while the vessel was carrying out operation in the Atlantic Ocean on August 5. The Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and the 26th Marine Exped
VAQ-133 Conducts Airborne Change of Command
The Wizards of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 133 executed an airborne change of command two hundred feet above the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) Aug. 9 as Cmdr. Darren B. Wilkins was relieved by Cmdr. Blake J. Tornga as commanding officer. Revitalizing a time-honored naval traditi