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Boxer News

26 Jan 2023

3D Printing: Navy Builds Up Additive Manufacturing on Ships

Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) onloads a 3D printer during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022, July 8, 2022.  
U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Ace Rheaume

The U.S. Navy has long valued the potential of additive manufacturing (AM) and 3D Printing.AM refers to the depositing of material layer by layer to create an object. For the Navy, itā€™s not practical to carry every replacement part for every system on a ship, and it can be difficult to forecast if or when parts will fail. AM provides a flexible source of supply in being able to make parts instead of ordering them and waiting for them to arrive, especially for warships at the far end of the supply chain.

31 Oct 2022

US Charges former Boxer Over $1 Billion Containership Cocaine Seizure

Photo of MCS Gayane moored in Philadelphia after U.S. Customs and Border Protection's record cocaine seizure in 2019. (Photo: U.S. Customs and Border Protection)

A former heavyweight boxer from Montenegro was charged by the U.S. Department of Justice on Monday with trafficking in 22 tons of cocaine worth over $1 billion, most of which was part of one of the largest cocaine seizures in American history.Goran Gogic, 43, was arrested on Sunday night while trying to board a flight to Zurich from Miami International Airport, after being indicted by a grand jury in New York.Prosecutors charged Gogic with three counts of violating the federal Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act, and one count of conspiracy.

27 Jun 2022

Does Australia Need ā€˜Interimā€™ Submarines to Tide It Over Until Nuclear Boats Arrive?

(File image: Naval Group)

Last year experts raised their eyebrows when the Morrison government announced Australia would abandon its contract for French-built Attack class submarines, in favor of eight nuclear-powered submarines delivered under the AUKUS partnership.Retired Royal Australian Navy Chief Petty Officer Greg Jones was one key individual who questioned whether the choice is appropriate for Australiaā€™s defense needs (at least in the short to medium term).One particularly controversial point is the time it will take for the nuclear submarines to become operational.

16 Mar 2020

US Navy Sailor Tests Positive for Coronavirus

The amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) (U.S. Navy photo by Jessica Ann Hattell)

A U.S. sailor aboard a warship ship tested positive for the coronavirus for the first time, the U.S. Navy said on Sunday, as it disclosed the case of a person assigned to an amphibious assault ship at port in San Diego.The Navy said the sailor was quarantined at home and that personnel who had been in close contact with the sailor have been notified and are in self-isolation at their homes."None of them is aboard the ship currently. U.S. Navy ships conduct routine, daily cleanliness procedures geared toward healthā€¦

19 Jul 2019

Iran Denies Drone Loss, Gibraltar to Detain Grace 1 longer

Iran on Friday denied President Donald Trump's assertion that the U.S. Navy has destroyed one of its drones, saying all of its unmanned planes were accounted for, amid growing international concern that both sides could blunder into a war in the Gulf.In the latest episode to test nerves around the strategic waterway, Trump said on Thursday the drone had flown to within 1,000 yards (914 metres) of the U.S. warship Boxer in a "provocative and hostile action" and had ignored several calls to stand down.Iran dismissed the report."All drones belonging to Iran in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz ... returned safely to their bases after their mission of identification and controlā€¦

18 Jul 2019

Trump: U.S. Ship Destroyed Iranian Drone in Strait of Hormuz

File Image: flight Ops on the USS Boxer (CREDIT: USN)

President Donald Trump said the USS Boxer destroyed an Iranian drone in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday after the aircraft threatened the ship by flying to within 1,000 yards of it.He called on other countries to condemn Iran and protect their own ships.Reporting by Steve Holland

18 Jul 2019

U.S. Amphibious Group Patrolling Arabian Sea

Flight Ops on the USS Boxer (CREDIT: USN)

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 commerceā€¦

14 Jun 2017

US Navy: Bigger is Better, but at What Cost?

U.S. Navy forces and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force routinely train together to improve interoperability and readiness to provide stability and security for the Indo-Asia Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Z.A. Landers)

The U.S. Navy has a balanced fleet, but it wants to grow bigger and better. Will the budget allow both? Maritime Reporter's March 2017 cover story on the U.S. Navy was all about the numbers. There exists several plans to grow the fleet beyond the current number of 308 ships, the Mitre recommendation of 414 ships, the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessment 340-ship proposal, and the Navyā€™s decision to grow the fleet to 355 ships, and the Trump administrationā€™s 350. With so many numbers being bandied about, there are even more suggestions on how to get there.

03 Apr 2017

KotugSmit Towage Starts Towing in Southampton

(Photo courtesy: Andrew Sassoli-Walker)

On April 1, 2017 Kotug Smit Towage (KotugSmit) commenced towage activities with four powerful tugs in the port of Southampton, United Kingdom. The tugs ā€˜ZP Boxerā€™ and ā€˜SD Salvorā€™ performed their ā€˜firstā€™ assistance on the River Test. The container vessel ā€˜MOL Brillianceā€™ was towed to the DP World Container Terminal in Southampton. Thanks to a warm welcome and in close cooperation with the local port authorities and pilots, KotugSmitā€™s dedicated crew was able to prepare for the operations and to get well familiarized with the port and local area.

10 Dec 2016

WCI Praises Passage of Water Infrastructure Improvement for Nation

Waterways Council, Inc. (WCI) today commended the work of Congress to pass the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act, of which the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA 2016) is included, by a vote of 78 to 21 during the lame duck session. WIIN/WRDA authorizes Army Corps of Engineers' work on locks and dams, dredging and other water resources projects. WCI applauded the efforts of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, led by Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA) and Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-OR), along with House Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Chairman Bob Gibbs (R-OH) and Ranking Member Grace Napolitano (D-CA).

02 Nov 2016

South China Sea Arbitration: Implications for Maritime and O&G

(Credit: Blank Rome LLC)

A recent decision by an international tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands, has significant implications for other maritime disputes, freedom of navigation, and future oil and gas claims in the Arctic. The arbitral award issued on July 12, 2016, by a unanimous five-member panel or Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in the dispute between the Philippines and China over rocks and elevations in the South China Sea, sounded a clarion call for the rule of law and the clearly definedā€¦

16 Sep 2016

AAPA Commends Senate Leadership For WRDA Passage

The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) today lauded leaders of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) and the Senateā€™s Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Subcommittee for their success in advancing S.2848, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2016. The Senate passed its version of the legislation today by a vote of 95 to 3. ā€œAAPA commends EPW Committee Chairman James Inhofe (R-OK) and EPW Committee and T&I Subcommittee Ranking Member Barbara Boxer (D-CA), together with T&I Subcommittee Chairman David Vitter (R-LA), for their leadership in moving this crucial, bi-partisan legislation through the Senate,ā€ stated AAPA President and CEO Kurt Nagle.

24 Jun 2016

This Day In Naval History: June 24

1833 - The frigate Constitution is the first vessel to enter the newly-built dry dock at the Charlestown Navy Yard, Boston, Mass. for overhaul. A false rumor circulates in Boston in 1830 that the U.S. Navy intends to scrap the ship; young Oliver Wendell Holmes pens his poem "Old Ironsides", becoming a rallying cry to save the ship. 1944 - Torpedo bomber TBM aircraft (VC 69) from USS Bogue (CVE 9) sink Japanese submarine (I 52), 800 miles southwest of Fayal, Azores. 1944 - Navy submarines USS Grouper (SS 214), USS Redfin (SS 272) and USS Tang (SS 306) attack Japanese convoys off the coast of Japan, sinking seven enemy vessels. 1948 - The Berlin airlift Operation Vittles is initiated to offset the Soviet Union's blockade access of the U.S.ā€¦

13 Jun 2016

This Day In Naval History: June 13

Sketch by LCDR. DeLong of Jeannette stuck and sinking in the ice in June 1881. US Navy image

1881 - The bark-rigged wooden steamship Jeannette sinks after she is crushed in an Arctic ice pack during the expedition to reach the North Pole through the Bering Strait. Only 13 of her crew survive out of 33. 1900 - During the Boxer Rebellion, the International Relief Expedition turns back near Anting, China, and moves to Sanstun after the Tientsin-Peking railroad is cut by the Boxers, whose anti-foreign mantra grew to burning homes and killing foreigners as well as Chinese Christians. In total, 56 Marines and Sailors receive the Medal of Honor for their actions during the Rebellion.

31 May 2016

This Day In Naval History: May 31

1900 - Sailors and Marines from USS Newark (C 1) and USS Oregon (BB 3) arrive at Peking (now known as Beijing), China, to protect U.S. and foreign diplomatic legations during the Boxer Rebellion. 1918 - USS President Lincoln is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine, (U 90). Twenty-six lives are lost. 1919 - Curtiss flying boat NC 4 lands at Plymouth, England, concluding the first transatlantic flight. 1944 - USS England (DE 635), assisted by six destroyers and destroyer escorts, sinks sixth Japanese submarine in less than two weeks. 1944 - USS Barb (SS 220) and USS Herring (SS 233) attack Japanese shipping in the Sea of Okhotsk about 150 miles west of Matsuwa Island, Kuril Islands, sinking several ships.

28 Apr 2016

WCI's Toohey Applauds WRDA 2016 Bill

Waterways Council, Inc. (WCI) President/CEO Michael J. ā€œWe thank Chairman James Inhofe and Ranking Member Barbara Boxer for their collaborative efforts to develop a WRDA 2016 bill that addresses inland waterways system priorities. Particularly, we applaud the Committeeā€™s rejection of lockage fees/tolls to finance Public-Private Partnerships (P3s) on the Nationā€™s waterways. WCI is also supportive of the Senate billā€™s authorization of $16.7 million in modification work for Calcasieu Lock in Louisiana, and for the Brazos Island Harbor project (funded with $116 million Federal and $135 million non-Federal funds). We also applaud the provision to remove Inland Waterways Trust Fund capital projects from the five-year/no funding de-authorization rule until Olmsted is substantially off the books.

14 Apr 2016

US Navy Sailors Reflect on Capt Phillips Rescue

Maersk-Alabama Capt. Richard Phillips, right, stands alongside Cmdr. Frank Castellano, commanding officer of USS Bainbridge after being rescued by U.S Naval Forces off the coast of Somalia. (Official U.S. Navy photo)

U.S. Navy sailors aboard amphibious assault ship USS Boxer took time to reflect on the anniversary of the rescue of Capt. Richard Phillips from Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden seven years ago. Phillips was rescued April 12, 2009 by special operations personnel aboard USS Bainbridge and transferred to Boxer for medical evaluation and care. Boxer also served as a staging platform for the rescue operation. ā€œThis is a great reminder of the flexibility and warfighting spirit USS Boxer exhibits; always ready to respond, no matter the crisis, operation or mission,ā€ said Capt.

28 Mar 2016

Boxer Leaves Hong Kong

Amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) and the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (13th MEU) pulled anchor and departed Hong Kong after completing a five-day port visit, March 25. The Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit team departed Hong Kong after their first port visit since departing San Diego for deployment Feb. 12. While in port Sailors and Marines had the opportunity to enjoy local culture and cuisine, attended organized tours, and participated in cultural exchanges and sporting events with local groups. ā€œThe main goal for cultural exchange events in a foreign port is to successfully create a lasting bond and relationship between us and the host nationā€¦

10 Mar 2016

This Day In Naval History: March 10

USS New Orleans (LPD-18) on March 10, 2007 (U.S. Navy photo by William Townsend)

1783 - The last naval action of the American Revolution takes place when the Continental frigate Alliance, commanded by Capt. John Barry, battles HMS Sybil south of Cape Canaveral, Fla. Sybil is damaged in the fight and returns to the two warships that did not join in the battle. 1933 - The Pacific Fleet provides assistance after an earthquake at Long Beach, Calif. 1943 - USS Savannah (CL 42) and USS Eberle (DD 430) intercept German blockade runner Karin in the South Atlantic. After boarding the ship, a timed explosion goes off, killing 11 of Eberles boarding party.

09 Oct 2015

US Senators Introduce Bill to Limit Offshore Drilling

A group of U.S. Senators on the West Coast have introduced a bill Wednesday aiming to prohibit offshore drilling on the outer continental shelf of California, Oregon and Washington.   First introduced in 2010, the West Coast Ocean Protection Act, would amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to permanently block drilling off the U.S. West Coast, stating that "the Secretary of the Interior shall not issue a lease for the exploration, development, or production of oil or natural gas in any area of the outer Continental Shelf off the coast of the State of California, Oregon or Washington."   The legislation was introduced by Senators Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.).

23 Sep 2015

Insights: Tracy Zea, Director-Government Relations, WCI

Tracy R. Zea

Washington-based Tracy R. Zea advocates for Waterways Council, Inc. (WCI) goals for authorizations and appropriations which support a modern, efficient, and reliable inland waterways transportation system. Zea also works to enhance WCIā€™s stakeholder relationship with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers while additionally tracking implementation of WRRDA legislation and ensuring that WCIā€™s views are reflected in the outcomes. Before joining WCI, Zea served on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) for five years.

23 May 2015

2 Americans Rescued North of Cuba

A Coast Guard MH-60 helicopter crew rescued two American sailors whose vessel ran aground approximately 25 miles north of Gibara, Cuba, Friday. Watchstanders at the Coast Guard 7th District command center were first notified of the emergency Friday morning when a distress signal from the vessel's Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon, commonly referred to as an EPIRB, began transmitting. The signal was determined to be from the 39-foot sailing vessel Boxer. A Coast Guard aircrew was immediately launched to the scene and quickly discovered the sailboat was hard aground and had sustained significant damage. The aircrew safely embarked the men and transported them to Matthew Town, Great Inagua.

22 May 2015

Two Rescued from Vessel Aground North of Cuba

Two American sailors whose vessel ran aground approximately 25 miles north of Gibara, Cuba, were rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Friday. Watchstanders at the Coast Guard 7th District command center were first notified of the emergency Friday morning when a distress signal from the vessel's Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) began transmitting. The signal was determined to be from the 39-foot sailing vessel Boxer. A Coast Guard MH-60 helicopter aircrew was immediately launched to the scene and discovered the sailboat was hard aground and had sustained significant damage. The aircrew embarked the men and transported them to Matthew Town, Great Inagua. The sailboat had departed Puerto Rico May 18 en route to Key West, Florida, before running aground in Bahamian waters.