Vessels
Second Zumwalt destroyer aborts builder’s trials due to electrical problems
Electrical issues forced the US Navy’s second Zumwalt-class destroyer Michael Monsoor (DDG-1001) to abort builder’s trials just one day after leaving the shipyard. The future USS Michael Monsoor got underway from the General Dynamics Bath Iron Works site on December 4 but was forced to return on Dec
US Navy to receive ninth expeditionary fast transport ship USNS City of Bismarck
The US Navy is set to receive USNS City of Bismarck (T-EPF 9), its ninth expeditionary fast transport ship, later this month. As one of the navy’s newest ship classes, the non-combatant EPFs provide warfighters with a ship that can be configured and reconfigured to take on any number of missions fro
German minehunter FGS Sulzbach-Rosenberg returns from SNMCMG1 deployment
German Navy minehunter FGS Sulzbach-Rosenberg returned to its homeport in Kiel on December 12, concluding its NATO deployment. The minehunter spent the past five months as part of the Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1. The group spent time training and clearing mines in areas ranging from F
Iwo Jima amphibious group ready for deployment
The US Navy amphibious ready group (ARG) assembled around the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima is ready to deploy after tackling the final pre-deployment hurdle. Sailors aboard the three ships constituting the ARG completed a combined composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX) December 9, provi
USS Theodore Roosevelt launches combat sorties into Afghanistan
US Navy aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt on December 7 launched combat sorties into Afghanistan as part of Pentagon’s operation Freedom’s Sentinel, the US Navy announced. Worth noting is the fact that the Roosevelt’s carrier air wing flew two different mission on the same day, one into Afghan
US Coast Guard commissions fast response cutter Jacob Poroo
The US Coast Guard commissioned USCGC Jacob Poroo, its 25th fast response cutter (FRC), in a ceremony in New Orleans on December 8. The cutter is the second FRC stationed in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and in the Coast Guard’s Eighth District, which encompasses all or part of 26 states, including the p
Australia bolsters naval shipbuilding workforce retention strategy
In a bid to keep as many skilled naval shipbuilders within the industry, the Australian defense industry minister announced that shipbuilders currently working on the air warfare destroyer project would transition to support Collins-class submarine sustainment work as the destroyer project winds dow
After hull-puncture delay, USS Fitzgerald starts journey to US
After developing a new crack in its hull during the first departure from Yokosuka, US Navy destroyer USS Fitzgerald started its voyage to the US for a second time on December 9. Fitzgerald was initially loaded aboard heavy lift vessel MV Transshelf in late November to be transported to Pascagoula, M
US Coast Guard christens National Security Cutter Midgett (WMSL 757)
The US Coast Guard christened its eighth Legend-class National Security Cutter Midgett (WMSL 757) during a ceremony in Pascagoula, Mississippi, on December 9. Jazania O’Neal, granddaughter of Midgett’s namesake, is the ship’s sponsor. She christened the ship by breaking a bottle of sparkling wine ac
Australian Navy frigate HMAS Darwin retires after 33 years of service
Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Darwin concluded her 33 years of service and was decommissioned in a ceremony at her homeport of Garden Island, Sydney. In a ceremony on December 9, Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Tim Barrett, paid tribute to the service of the ship’s company past and present. “Darwin
US Coast Guard intercepts cocaine-carrying semi-submersible at sea
A US Coast Guard cutter has intercepted a cocaine-smuggling semi-submersible in international waters following a multi-day interagency operation. The intercept took place on November 13, according to the US Customs and Border Protection agency whose air and marine operations (AMO) crew pursued the v
USS Nimitz enters Washington homeport after six-month deployment
US Navy aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and the rest of the Washington-based ships from its carrier strike group returned to Naval Station Everett concluding a six-month deployment. Nimitz entered its homeport on December 10, accompanied by Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Shou
New electrical enclosures on US Navy ships could bring $76m in savings
A US Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) team has developed new composite-material shipboard electrical enclosures which could save the navy over $76 million in recurring maintenance and sparing costs over a 30-year period. Shipboard electrical enclosures, such as those used for power junction and co
NATO strengthens ties with merchant shipping community in Mediterranean Sea exercise
A NATO exercise involving warships from Italy, Greece and Turkey and the international merchant shipping community is taking place in the international waters of the central and eastern Mediterranean Sea. This focused security patrol is being conducted in coordination with a Naval Cooperation and Gu