Vessels
USS Essex Leaves Hong Kong after a Visit
The amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) and the embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) departed Hong Kong after completing a five-day port visit, June 10. The visit served as the first port call for Essex, which departed San Diego May 11 for a regularly-scheduled deployment. Essex is cu
USS Rushmore Says Goodbye to Indonesia
The Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47) departed Manado, Indonesia, after a four-day port visit, June 9. During the visit, Sailors and Marines were welcomed to a variety of activities through Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) tours. Cmdr. Thomas Stephens, Rushm
India’s INS Vikrant Undocks at Cochin Shipyard
The largest and the first Indian indigenously-built, 40,000 tonne aircraft carrier (IAC) to be christened as INS Vikrant on comissioning was undocked yesterday, June 10, at a ceremony held at the Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL). The ship, being built at CSL, would be required to undergo a series of fi
USS Chancellorsville Joins US 7th Fleet
The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) and its crew of 350 Sailors entered the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility, June 11. Chancellorsville, the first Aegis Cruiser to be outfitted with Aegis Baseline 9, will enhance presence in the 7th Fleet AOR by conducting
ADF: Personal Reasons Push HMAS Toowoomba Sailor to Suicide
Defence has taken steps to further strengthen mental health policies for Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel following an inquiry into a sailor’s death on HMAS Toowoomba during a port visit to Mumbai in 2011. A Commission of Inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Able Seaman Ew
Spanish Navy’s OPV Infanta Cristina Docks in Madagascar
Spanish Navy’s offshore patrol vessel (OPV) ‘Infanta Cristina’, currently integrated into the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) fighting piracy in the Indian Ocean, made a port of call in Madagascar. In the course of the scheduled training activities to enhance Maritime Security in the region, 1
Image of the Day: USS Antietam Prepares for RAS
Sailors aboard the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam (CG 54) prepare to receive a fuel line during a replenishment-at-sea with the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Rappahannock (T-AO 204). The operation was conducted on June 9 in the waters near Guam. Antie
USS Rushmore Aids 65 People in Makassar Strait
US Navy’s USS Rushmore (LSD 47) rendered assistance to 65 people on makeshift bamboo rafts in the waters between the Indonesian islands of Kalimantan and Sulawesi June 10. Shipboard lookouts spotted the distressed persons waving orange and white flags. Rushmore’s commanding officer, Cmdr. Thomas Ste
Australian Navy Commissions Romeo Squadron
The MH-60R Seahawk ‘Romeo’ became part of 725 Squadron in a ceremony at HMAS Albatross in Nowra, New South Wales, on 11 June. Australian Minister for Defence, the Hon Kevin Andrews said the introduction of the Romeo helicopter marked a significant enhancement of the strength of the Fleet Air Arm. Th
USS George Washington’s CVW 5 Carries Out MISSILEX
Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, embarked aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), completed an at-sea missile exercise (MISSILEX), June 7. A MISSILEX is conducted annually to meet training and readiness requirements for strike fighter squadrons (VFA). Participating squadron
USNS Comfort Continues CP-15 Deployment
The Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) departed Colon, Panama, on June 9 after completing an eight-day mission stop in support of Continuing Promise 2015 (CP-15). CP-15 mission personnel worked alongside volunteers from Panama’s Ministry of Health, government and medical p
New Commander aboard USCGC Healy
US Coast Guard Cutter Healy recently received a new commander during a change of command ceremony at Coast Guard Base Seattle. Capt. Jason Hamilton took command of the Cutter from Capt. John Reeves on Wednesday, June 3. Reeves retired from his 23-year Coast Guard career upon his relief as commanding
USS George Washington Concludes COE Evaluation
The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, successfully completed a combat operational efficiency (COE) evaluation, June 5. The COE certification, often called the “blue-water” certification, allows the ship and air wing team
US 7th Fleet Ships Exercise First ERSS Concept
Medical personnel aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42) and the guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) participated in the first Expeditionary Resuscitative Surgical System (ERSS) during a surgical drill June 4-5. A team of medical officers and hospital corpsmen f