Amphibious Group News

Aboard USS BOXER in the Arabian Sea, a U.S. Harrier fighter jet takes off from the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer in the Arabian Sea as an oil tanker passes, a nautical mile away.The patrol is "standard" but the situation - growing tension between the United States and Iran - is not.Soon after the roar of the Harrier fades, two combat helicopters and two unmistakable Osprey aircraft with their tiltable rotors land back on the flight deck."We want to make sure that we assure allies in the region and to ensure freedom of navigation and free flow of commerce…

Naval Group has launched the seventh multi-mission FREMM frigate for the French Navy from a specialist facility in Lorient.Known as Alsace, the vessel is the first of the two air defence frigates under the FREMM programme  – Multi-Mission European Frigates – for the French Navy and the ninth multi-missions FREMM frigate.Thirteen months after the keel laying of the first block, the FREMM DA Alsace is released from the construction form of the Naval Group site of Lorient. Ninth multi-missions FREMM frigate, it is also the seventh one for the French Navy, ordered by the OCCAr on behalf of the DGA..In order to answer the operational requirements…

Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE:HII) announced today that Capt. Jonathan Padfield (U.S. Navy, Ret.) has joined the company as Corporate Director of Customer Affairs for amphibious programs. Padfield, whose last assignment for the Navy was commanding officer, Assault Craft Unit Five, began his new position on Monday. "Jon brings a wealth of leadership and maritime experience to our company, and he is going to be an excellent fit for our team," said Dan Holloway, HII's corporate Vice President, customer affairs. "His extensive naval career provides him with a vast understanding and at-sea knowledge of amphibious warships and how they operate and support U.S. Marine Corps and Navy missions.

Navy Secretary Ray Mabus sat down with Navy Times to share his vision for the future of the Navy as he begins his fourth year on the job. Q. Is there anything about the Navy you would like to discuss, anything right off the bat? A. When you look at the new defense strategy, with its emphasis on the Middle East and the Western Pacific, with its requirement for innovative, low-cost, small-footprint presence elsewhere in the globe, with its requirements with engagement with partners, it’s a very maritime strategy. It requires a great Navy and Marine Corps.

More than 4,000 Sailors and Marines from the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (IWO ARG) and 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (24 MEU) departed for deployment from Norfolk and Camp Lejeune, N.C. The deployment is to support Maritime Security Operations, provide crisis response capability, increase theater security cooperation and provide forward naval presence in the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation. The IWO JIMA ARG/24 MEU is comprised of Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 8…

Military Sealift Command Atlantic, the Norfolk, Va.,-based U.S. Navy command responsible for Military Sealift Command ships transporting equipment, fuel, supplies and ammunition in the Western Atlantic Ocean, changed command during a ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk today. Capt. Samuel R. Norton assumed command of MSCLANT from outgoing commander Capt. Michael G. Graham during a 10 a.m. ceremony at the Vista Point Conference Center. Norton last served as commander of amphibious assault ship USS Nassau, which he led on its final deployment prior to decommissioning earlier this year.

Adm. Walter F. Doran became the 30th commander in chief of the world's largest naval command May 4. "We have complete confidence in your ability and we know that you and your commanders and your staff are up to the task," said Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Vern Clark, who was guest speaker during the brief ceremony aboard the historic battleship Missouri moored along Battleship Row here. "Our nation is at war. Adm. Doran, a native of Albany, N.Y., now leads a fleet responsible for more than half the Earth's surface and comprises more than 180 ships, 1,400 aircraft and 232,500 Sailors, Marines and civilians. He took over from Adm. Thomas B. Fargo, who relinquished command of the Pacific Fleet to become commander in chief of the U.S. Pacific Command, headquartered at Camp H.M.

The amphibious transport dock ship USS Trenton (LPD 14), was decommissioned Jan. 17 in a ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk. Immediately following the decommissioning, Trenton was recommissioned and transferred to the Indian Navy, bearing the name INS Jalashwa. The event marks the first time a U.S. Navy vessel has been transferred to the Indian navy. “Trenton will continue to serve all the free nations of the world, just as she served the United States, as we expand ‘the 1,000-ship navy,’” said Rear Adm. Garry Hall, Commander, Amphibious Group 2. In recent months, the crew of Trenton has been working alongside Indian sailors, training them to operate the ship efficiently and safely. The commanding officer of Jalashwa, Indian Navy Capt. B.S.

Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), Adm. Michael G. Mullen, announced the construction of USS Stockdale (DDG 106) at the Western Conference and Exposition (West 2006) at the San Diego Conference Center January 12 in the presence of Mrs. Sybil Stockdale, widow of Navy and Vietnam War hero, Vice Adm. James B. Stockdale. “You and James are examples to all of us,” said Mullen to Stockdale. “Vice Adm. Mullen went on to say that it was the first ship he’s named as CNO and that it was only fitting to name it after James Stockdale. “I can’t even put it into words what this means to me,” said Dr. James B. Stockdale, Jr., son of the vice admiral. “I feel very proud. Stockdale is considered by many to be one of the greatest heroes in U.S. history. He was the highest-ranking POW in the Vietnam War.

The lead ship of the Navy’s newest class of amphibious warship, San Antonio (LPD 17), will be christened during ceremonies July 19 at Northrop Grumman Ship Systems Avondale Operations in New Orleans. Gen. Michael W. Hagee, commandant of the Marine Corps, will deliver the ceremony's principal address. U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas will serve as ship's sponsor. In the time-honored Navy tradition, Hutchison will break a bottle of champagne across the bow to formally christen the ship, named for the city of San Antonio, Texas. San Antonio is the first surface ship ever designed in "virtual reality,” using computer modeling to design most of the ship before any steel was cut.

The USS IWO JIMA (LHD 7), the U.S. Navy's and Marine Corps' newest large-deck amphibious assault ship, left the Pensacola Naval Air Station for her homeport in Norfolk, Va., following commissioning ceremonies here June 30. The new ship, produced in Pascagoula, Miss., by Ingalls Shipbuilding, a Northrop Grumman company, will become the newest member of Amphibious Group Two. "With a crew of about 1,000 sailors keeping order and helping our allies, this will be the best the United States of America has to offer," Gen. Michael J. Williams, USMC, assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, said of the USS IWO JIMA. "The photograph of the Marines raising the flag at Suribachi has become the icon of the United States Marine Corps.

Wärtsilä Corporation has received the contract to supply the diesel generating sets for two new Bay-class Alternative Landing Ships Logistic (ALSL) building for the UK RFA. The four main diesel-generating sets in each ship will be powered by Wärtsilä 26 diesel engines: each ship having two Wärtsilä 8L26 and two Wärtsilä 12V26 engines. Wärtsilä will also deliver an emergency diesel generating set to each ship. Additional ship sets for a further two vessels to be built at BAE Systems Govan yard will also be supplied subject to pending optional contract. The first two ships, newbuilding numbers 141 and 142, are to be built at Swan Hunter (Tyneside) Ltd in the UK. The twin-screw vessels will have diesel-electric propulsion.