Spanish Frigate Feature Aegis System
Spain's Izar, for the Spanish Navy, reently launched the second of four frigates that are part of its F-100 program. All four frigates will be equipped with the Lockheed Martin Aegis Combat System. The ship, Almirante Juan de Borbon (F-102), was launched in ceremonies at the Izar shipyard in Ferrol, Spain. In addition, the keel was laid for F-103 during today's ceremonies. Lockheed Martin Naval Electronics & Surveillance Systems (NE&SS) is the combat system engineering agent on the F-100 program. The first ship in the class, Alvaro de Bazan (F-101), is scheduled to be commissioned in October. The Spanish Navy selected the Aegis Combat System for its F-100 frigate program in 1996.
Spanish Ship Joins TR Strike Group
A ceremony held aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) (TR) May 4 recognized the ongoing friendship between Spain and the United States with the joining of a Spanish ship to the TR Carrier Strike Group. Alvaro de Bazan (F 101), a medium-size Spanish frigate, is now officially a part of Carrier Strike Group 2. “We are pleased and honored to welcome Alvaro de Bazan to Norfolk, Va., and into the TR strike group,” said Commander, Carrier Strike Group 2 Rear Adm. James A. Winnefeld. “This project was born in 2003 with the highest leaders of the Navy, and the Memorandum of Understanding was signed a week ago. High-ranking officials from the Spanish navy, marine corps, air force and army attended the ceremony along with U.S. officials from Joint Forces Command, Fleet Forces Command and U.S.
Theodore Roosevelt Returns From Deployment
Thousands of friends and family members gathered at Naval Station Norfolk for the return of USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), March 11, following a six-month deployment to the Persian Gulf in support of the global war on terrorism. The early morning arrival of Theodore Roosevelt didn’t deter the crowd. Family members waited in the early Saturday morning chill, anticipating the return of their loved ones. “It’s like Christmas all over again,” said Diane Drach, mother of Machinist's Mate Fireman Ashley Drach, who is stationed aboard Theodore Roosevelt. While deployed, Theodore Roosevelt and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8 launched 5,412 sorties totaling nearly 19,362 flight hours in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Maritime Security Operations (MSO).
