7Th Fleet

New Ship Class Begins Logistics Operations in 7th Fleet

Military Sealift Command dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Richard E. Byrd entered the waters of the U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet, marking the first Lewis and Clark-class multi-product combat logistics support ship in service to the 52 million-square-mile region. Byrd replaces MSC combat stores ship USNS Niagara Falls, which has been forward deployed supporting 7th Fleet since 1994. Though the entry into the fleet’s territorial waters was unceremonious, it signals a significant change for Logistics Group Western Pacific, also know as Commander Task Force 73, which will operationally control the ship while in theater. The 689-ft.-long underway replenishment vessel, known as a T-AKE, replaces the current capability of the Kilauea-class ammunition ships and Mars-class combat stores ships, and it also possesses the capability to refuel ships at sea. Byrd has a crew of 124 civil service mariners working for MSC as well as a military detachment of 11 sailors who provide operational support and supply coordination. When needed, Byrd can also carry a supply detachment.  

USS Abraham Lincoln Coming Home

 Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln due soon at Naval Station Norfolk after 8-month deployment. Commanded by Capt. John D. Alexander, Lincoln departed Naval Station Everett, Wash., her home since January 1997, in December 2011 for a scheduled change-of-homeport deployment to Virginia where she is due for a four-year refueling complex overhaul (RCOH). During the RCOH period, Lincoln's nuclear reactors will be refueled

Exercise Foal Eagle 2007 in Full Swing

Essex Amphibious Ready Group and embarked elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit arrived in the Republic of Korea (ROK) on March 5 to conduct Reception Staging Onward-Movement and Integration and Foal Eagle 2007 (RSOI/FE 07), an exercise which will run through the end of March. RSOI/FE is one of two annual command post exercises held by U.S. Forces Korea and conducted with the ROK armed forces. RSOI/FE 07 is designed to demonstrate U.S

Cowpens Team Attends Single-Ship ASW Qualifications at Yokosuka

The U.S. Navy anti-submarine warfare (ASW) team aboard the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Cowpens (CG 63) attended the single-ship ASW qualification course at Yokosuka Naval Base on March 6. “The single-ship ASW qualification course provides ASW teams procedural and tactical training, and evaluation in a multithreat environment for conventional and data-equipped ships,” said Lt. Daryl Adamson, Center for Surface Combat Systems Detachment Yokosuka (CSCS Det

USS Safeguard Completes TOWEX with JDS Amakusa

USS Safeguard (ARS 50) conducted a towing exercise March 15 in the Sea of Japan, working with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Ship JS Amakusa (AMS 4303). The two ships conducted the operations to increase proficiency in towing, and build stronger ties with one another through joint training. “The Safeguard and Amakusa share towing as one of their primary missions, so the opportunity to go out and train [together] strengthens us both,” said Safeguard Commanding Officer, Lt

U.S., Australian Expeditionary Staffs, Ships Begin 1st Phase of Talisman Saber

The U.S. Navy's Expeditionary Strike Group 7 ships left Brisbane, Australia, on June 10, while amphibious ships of Royal Australian Navy began the embarkation of Australian soldiers in northern neighbor Townsville, launching the force integration training (FIT) phase of Talisman Saber 2007 (TS07). TS07 is a joint and combined exercise demonstrating and improving on the U.S.-Australian military alliance that will feature crisis action planning and the execution of contingency response

Sub Threats Top Priority

In November, a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force plane noticed a suspicious object in Japanese waters off Okinawa. News reports at the time said it was a Chinese submarine scouting coastal water routes. The observation sparked a small international incident and illustrated the rising threat of one of the most dangerous weapon platforms available, defense analysts say. The amazing firepower of submarines, according to a congressional report, can take out ships and

USS Port Royal Visits Jakarta

By Ensign Cassidy A. Rasmussen, USS Port Royal Public Affairs Indonesian naval officers stood in formation on the pier and a military band played patriotic songs Dec. 20 as USS Port Royal (CG 73) pushed away from her berth at Tanjung-Priok Port in Jakarta, after a four-day port visit to Indonesia's capital province. "We were thoroughly impressed and honored by the warm welcome extended to us here," said Capt. David B. Adler, Port Royal commanding officer

U.S. Support to ROK Salvage Ops Leadership Change

Commander, Amphibious Force Seventh Fleet, Rear Adm. Rich Landolt, has assumed the duties as the senior naval officer in charge of U.S. Navy assistance to the Republic of Korea (ROK) in their salvage efforts for the ROKS Cheonan Apr. 5. Landolt has been on-site for several days to assess the situation and acclimate his staff to the mission. Additionally, he has met with the ROK lead for the salvage efforts, Vice Adm

U.S. Navy Photo: Light Show off USS Abraham Lincoln

(Oct. 8, 2010) Lighting flashes as the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) transits the Strait of Malacca. Abraham Lincoln is underway on a scheduled deployment to the U.S. 7th and U.S. 5th Fleet areas of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Colby K. Neal/Released)