Conducts First

Freedom (LCS 1) Begins Builder's Sea Trials

The nation's first Littoral Combat Ship, Freedom (LCS 1) was put to sea for the first time, marking the beginning of Builder's Sea Trials for the first-in-class coastal surface combatant. The 378-ft. Freedom, designed and built by a Lockheed Martin Lockheed Martin Corporation-led industry team, is conducting Builder's Sea Trials in Lake Michigan. The trials -- which are a coordinated effort between the U.S. Navy and the Lockheed Martin team -- will include operational testing of the vessel's propulsion, communications, navigation and mission systems, as well as all related support systems. "Freedom is now under way. Our team is looking forward to this trials period to demonstrate all the capabilities our unique design for LCS will bring to the Navy," said Joe North, director for Lockheed Martin's Littoral Combat Ship program.  Following the completion of Builder's Sea Trials, Freedom will return to Marinette Marine to prepare for Acceptance Trials that will be conducted by the U.S. Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey. LCS 1 will be delivered to the Navy later this year and home ported in .

This Day in Naval History – May 14

1801 - Tripoli declares war against the United States 1836 - U.S. Exploring Expedition authorized to conduct exploration of Pacific Ocean and South Seas, first major scientific expedition overseas. LT Charles Wilkes USN, would lead the expedition in surveying South America, Antarctica, Far East, and North Pacific. 1845 - First U.S. warship visits Vietnam. While anchored in Danang for reprovisioning, CAPT John Percival commanding USS Constitution

Dock Landing Ship 'USS Tortuga' Leaves for Spring Deployment

The first Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) landing ship 'USS Tortuga' leaves homeport for deployment in the 7th Fleet's area of responsibility. The forward deployed Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46), part of the Bonhomme Richard ARG, dsparts its homeport, for its spring deployment in the 7th Fleet Area of Responsibility. Tortuga will take part in an Amphibious Integration Training (AIT) and Certification Exercise (CERTEX)

This Day in Naval History - Jan. 24

From the Navy News Service 1942 - During the World War II Battle of Makassar Strait, U.S. destroyers attack a Japanese convoy in the first naval surface action in the Pacific. 1986 - The Coral Sea (CV 43) and Saratoga (CV 60) carrier battle groups conduct freedom of navigation exercises in and near the Gulf of Sidra, demonstrating the long-standing United States' refusal to recognize Colonel Khadafi's attampt to include the gulf in Libyan territorial waters,

This Day in Naval History - May 14

By Navy News Service 1801 - Tripoli declares war against the United States. 1836 - U.S. Exploring Expedition authorized to conduct exploration of Pacific Ocean and South Seas, first major scientific expedition overseas. 1845 - First U.S. warship visits Vietnam. 1975 - Marines recapture Mayaguez, go ashore on Koh Tang Island and release the crew.

Sperry Marine to Perform VDR Annual Inspections

Northrop Grumman Corporation's Sperry Marine business unit has received service approval from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) to conduct annual performance testing of shipboard voyage data recorder (VDR) installations. Sperry Marine is the first company in the marine industry to obtain classification society approval for VDR performance testing as required by the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) convention. According to Andy Fraser, director of worldwide service for Sperry Marine

DDGs Successfully Conduct CEC Testing

Two Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, undergoing their final stages of construction, successfully conducted the first-ever DDG 51 class Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) testing during the week of April 8-12, 2002. On April 10, USS Shoup (DDG 86) conducted a two-way transfer of radar data with USS Cape St. George (CG 71). Cape St. George was in the Gulf of Mexico near Pascagoula preparing for a joint exercise.

This Day in Naval History - July 02

From the Navy News Service:   1923 - Commissioning of Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. 1926 - Distinguished Flying Cross authorized by Congress. 1937 - Amelia Earhart disappears in Pacific. Navy conducts extensive unsuccessful search. 1945 - USS Barb (SS 220) bombards Japanese installations on Kaihyo Island, Japan; first successful use of rockets against shore positions. 1946 - Establishment of VX-3 to evaluate adaptability of helicopters to naval

ESG 5 Comes Together for Integrated Exercise

Bonhomme Richard Public Affairs USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) brought its Navy and Marine Corps team back together Jan. 22 to participate in a pre-deployment integrated training exercise, one of the final preparations for the ship's upcoming deployment. Ships assigned to Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 5, including USS Denver (LPD 9), USS Rushmore (LSD 47), USS Milius (DDG 69), USS Chosin (CG 65) and USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93) got underway to kick off the pre-deployment training evolution

This Day in Naval History – May 25

1952 - USS Iowa bombards Chongjin, Korea. 1973 - Launch of Skylab 2 mission, which was first U.S. manned orbiting space station. It had an all Navy crew of CAPT Charles Conrad, Jr., USN. (commanding), CDR Joseph P. Kerwin, USN and CDR Paul J. Weitz, USN. During the 28 day mission of 404 orbits, the craft rendezvoused with Skylab to make repairs and conduct science experiments. Recovery by USS Ticonderoga (CVS-14)