Vessels
USS Pennsylvania Recognized for Outstanding Work
The Blue and Gold crews of USS Pennsylvania (SSBN 735) were named as the recipients of the 2014 Trident Submarine Outstanding Performance Award Feb. 13 in a letter signed by Commander, Submarine Force U.S. Pacific Fleet Rear Adm. Philip G. Sawyer. The award, which is also known as the Olympic Bowl T
US Navy Vessels End IDCERTEX
Five U.S. Navy ships concluded a two-week independent deployer certification exercise (IDCERTEX) off the coast of Southern California and Hawaii Feb. 20. The exercise provided a multi-ship environment to train and certify independent deployers in surface warfare, air defense, maritime interception o
US Navy Tests Trident II D5 Fleet Ballistic Missiles
The U.S. Navy conducted successful test flights Feb. 22 of two Trident II D5 Fleet Ballistic Missiles built by Lockheed Martin. This brings the D5 missile’s record to 155 successful test flights since design completion in 1989, a 25-year-plus reliability record unmatched by any other large ballistic
Austal Lays the Keel for Future LCS 12
On February 18, 2015, Austal and the US Navy held a keel-laying ceremony for the future USS Omaha (LCS 12), the fourth Independence-variant LCS class ship built at Austal under the 10-ship, $3.5 billion block buy contract awarded to Austal as prime contractor by the Navy in 2010. Captain Tom Anderso
USS Alaska’s Crews Receive MUC
USS Alaska (SSBN 732) Blue and Gold crews were presented the Meritorious Unit Commendation (MUC) for increased warfighting readiness that enhanced global and national security Feb. 23 in a ceremony on Naval Submarine Base, Kings Bay. According to the award citation from Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV
MDA Tests Aegis BMD Weapon System
The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and Sailors aboard the USS CARNEY (DDG-64), USS GONZALEZ (DDG-66) and USS BARRY (DDG-52) successfully completed a flight test yesterday involving the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) weapon system. At approximately 2:30 a.m. EST, three short-range ballistic miss
NMAWC Changes Command
Commander, Naval Mine and Anti-Submarine Warfare Command (NMAWC) held a change of command ceremony at Naval Base Point Loma Feb. 23. During the ceremony, Rear Adm. Russell E. Allen assumed command from Rear Adm. William Merz. Merz assumed command of NMAWC in October 2013 as a career submariner and w
Canadian, US Navies Engage in TFEX
Royal Canadian and U.S. Navy ships will participate in a Task Force Exercise (TFEX) off the coast of Virginia and the Carolinas, beginning Feb. 23. Exercise participants from the Royal Canadian Navy include Commander, Canadian Fleet Atlantic; the Tribal-class destroyer HMCS Athabaskan (DDG 282); and
USS San Diego Awards First Marine ESWS Qualification
Amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego (LPD 22) saw its first Marine to achieve the prestigious enlisted surface warfare qualification on February 13. Sgt. Arielle Coleman, a Marine assigned to 11TH Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) from Gainesville, Florida, received the ESWS qualification, a s
USS Fort Worth Ends At-Sea Workups
LCS Crew 103 Rough Riders and the littoral combat ship USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) completed at-sea workups Feb. 24 following last week’s crew swap, the first of three crew swaps during the ship’s maiden 16-month deployment to the Asia-Pacific. Embarked with the surface warfare mission package for the en
HII Receives Further USS America Works
Huntington Ingalls Inc. is being awarded a $6,7 million modification to previously awarded contract for the first increment of the Coordinated Shipboard Allowance List (COSAL) in support of USS America (LHA 6). The items from the LHA 6 COSAL support outfitting the ship for testing and deployment. Th
Makin Island ARG on Its Way Home
Nearly 4,500 Sailors and Marines with the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) is scheduled to return to San Diego Feb. 25, following a seven-month deployment to the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet areas of operations. Deployed since July 25, the Mak
BAE Systems Awarded Additional USS O’Kane Repair Deal
BAE Systems is being awarded a $6,7 million undefinitized contract action to previously awarded contract for additional repair and alteration of USS O’Kane (DDG 77). USS O’Kane will be undergoing a scheduled drydocking selected repair availability which is the opportunity in the ship’s life cycle to
USS Forrest Sherman Finishes COMPTUEX
Sailors from the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98) returned to Naval Station Norfolk, Feb. 6, after bolstering their joint warfighting capabilities during a composite unit training exercise (COMPTUEX) held off the coasts of Virginia, the Carolinas and Florida