Adam R Cole News

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 operations in land, sea and air maneuvers. More than 20,000 U.S. and 12,000 Australian personnel will participate in the military training exercise set to enhance interoperability and regional stability.

Thirty Japanese contractors serving under Ship Repair Facility (SRF) Detachment Sasebo were recognized May 25 for providing speedy maintenance and repairs to USS Juneau (LPD 10) and USS Tortuga (LSD 46) to get them underway in order to meet operational commitments. The repair facility workers fixed Tortuga’s 20-ton boom and Juneau’s refrigeration system in a compressed time frame. Deputy Commander, Amphibious Force, 7th Fleet, Capt. Brian T. Smith, presented each with a command coin and thanked them for their efforts. “Once again, Ship Repair Facility Detachment Sasebo met the challenges of keeping our ships operationally ready,” said Smith. “You quickly restored these vital systems, which allowed these two ships to sail on time.

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Adam R. From middle-of-the night physical training to airfield security tactics to underwater detonations or planning for a humanitarian assistance/disaster relief mission; training milestones were achieved in a multitude of missions areas for the United States, Royal Thai and Republic of Singapore combined Naval forces (CNAVFOR) during Cobra Gold 2007, which officially concluded May 18. Most of the field training exercises in diving, mobile security and mine countermeasures concluded one day prior to the final ceremony with a culminating training session. "When I look at this year's exercise, I see incredible engagement taking place, both within the particular training scenarios and outside of it," said Commander, Task Force 76, Rear Adm.

- Mine countermeasures ship USS Patriot (MCM 7) pulls into port at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, becoming the first U.S. Navy ship to utilize the air base’s recently built port and harbor facility. While in Iwakuni, crew members of the Sasebo, Japan-based ship will have an opportunity to interact with the local population and Iwakuni-based Japanese Self Defense Force personnel. U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Adam R. Sasebo, Japan-based minesweepers USS Guardian (MCM 5) and USS Patriot (MCM 7) successfully completed mine sweeping operations with the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) as part of Foal Eagle 2007 on March 30.

U.S. Sailors and Marines expressed heartfelt good-byes to their Republic of Korea (ROK) counterparts who disembarked ships of the Sasebo, Japan-based Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ESXARG) on April 1. The ARG-wide off-load came at the conclusion of Foal Eagle '07, the annual joint/combined exercise meant to improve interoperability and combat readiness between U.S. and ROK forces and build on the long-standing alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea. The exercise culminated in a combined amphibious landing March 29, which was a testament to the two forces' interoperability in the Foal Eagle Amphibious Task Force (FE-ATF). The landing displayed the flexibility of the 7th Fleet's amphibious ships USS Essex (LHD 2), USS Tortuga (LSD 46) and USS Juneau (LPD 10).

Mine warfare ship USS Patriot (MCM 7) is anchored in the waters just off of Hong Kong island as the crew makes a scheduled port visit. Patriot Sailors and embarked Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit Five (EODMU-5), are visiting Hong Kong after several relationship enhancing visits and interoperability-focused exercises throughout Southeast Asia. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Adam R. By Chief Electricians Mate (SW) Noel B. CHINHAE, Republic of Korea (NNS) -- The crew of USS Patriot (MCM 7) arrived in Chinhae, Republic of Korea, March 21 in preparation for the upcoming bilateral exercises Reception, Staging, Onward Movement and Integration (RSOI) and Foal Eagle (FE) 07.

Sasebo, Japan-based USS Patriot (MCM 7) arrived in Brunei for a scheduled port visit June 25, meant to enhance the relationship between the U.S. and Brunei. The visit will be highlighted by a number of social and goodwill opportunities between Patriot Sailors and the people of Brunei, including top dignitaries, members of the Royal Brunei Navy and special-needs kids. “Our primary mission here is to interact with the people of Brunei so that we can work to create a stronger mutual relationship between the United States and Brunei,” said Lt. Cmdr. Richard D. Brawley, Patriot commanding officer. Events planned during the port visit included a softball and soccer game between Patriot crew members and the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN); a ship tour and reception for U.S.