Sailors, operating forward in the U.S. 6th Fleet, conduct daily operations, port visits and engage with allies and partners to maintain a forward presence throughout Europe and Africa and improve maritime security. From all of the operations they conducted, we give you these highlights: While sailin
The guided missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG 86) departed Naval Station Everett March 21 for the first time since July 2014 to complete type commander (TYCOM) sea trials. Following a ten and a half month deployment in 2013 and an eight-month maintenance availability period in 2014-2015, the crew was
Capt. John Schmidt relieved Capt. Brad Cooper as commanding officer of Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG 64) during a ceremony held at Naval Station Mayport, March 27. During Cooper’s tour, Gettysburg was deployed for nine months to the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibi
The officers and crew of the guided missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain (CG 57) hosted friends and family members off the coast of Southern California, March 27. After getting underway, guests experienced a professionally narrated harbor cruise during the outbound transit of San Diego harbor. Once ou
US Navy Vessel to Take Part in Exercise Joint Warrior Two U.S. Navy ships, the guided-missile cruiser USS Anzio (CG 68) and the guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78), led by Commander, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26, departed Norfolk, Va., for Scotland, March 27, to participate in Joint Warri
Sailors aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin (DDG 89) welcomed approximately 4,700 Japanese visitors for the 22nd annual Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka’s (CFAY) Spring Festival, March 29. Guests were treated to displays of damage control equipment and learned abou
After three months of intensive round-the-clock training, the first Maritime Tactical Operator Course (MTOC) graduated on March 26, 2015, and will go on to form Enhanced Naval Boarding Party (ENBP) Team 1. The 13 graduates underwent extensive training in advanced tactics, including hand-to-hand comb
Cmdr. Adam L. Fleming relieved Cmdr. Randy J. Van Rossum as commanding officer of the guided-missile destroyer USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108) during a change of command ceremony at Cesar Chavez Park in San Diego, March 31. During Van Rossum’s tour as commanding officer of Wayne E. Meyer, he led the sh
The Center for Surface Combat Systems (CSCS) conducted a one-week Vertical Launch System (VLS) Self-Assessment and Groom Training (SAGT) pilot course aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61). The pilot was completed March 27. Development of the VLS SAGT course was
Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Ingalls Shipbuilding division has received a $604.3 million contract modification to fund construction of the Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) Aegis guided missile destroyer DDG 121 for the U.S. Navy. The ship is the third of five DDG 51 destroyers the company was awarded
The future USS John Finn (DDG 113) was launched at the Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) shipyard March 28. During launch the drydock was flooded allowing the 637-foot floating dock to slowly submerge until the ship was afloat. Once the drydock was fully submerged, the ship was pulled by tugs to H
Commander, Destroyer Squadron Twenty One (COMDESRON 21) held a change of command ceremony at Pier 2 on board Naval Base San Diego, March 27. During the ceremony Capt. Brian Shipman turned over command of DESRON 21 to Capt. Robert Chadwick. Rear Adm. Ron Boxall, Commander, Carrier Strike Group Three,
The guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) departed Norfolk Naval Station for the last time, March 27, before being forward deployed to Rota, Spain. Porter’s crew of about 270 Sailors are scheduled to operate in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility prior to arrival in Rota. The ship will
For various reasons, the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) has not deployed since 2004. But after a highly successful combat systems ship qualification trial (CSSQT), Wasp has sent a clear, concise, and concussive message to the fleet: She is back in the fight. After completion of a successfu
