Marine Link
Friday, March 29, 2024
SUBSCRIBE

Caldwell News

25 May 2022

US Inland Waterways: Big Money, New Projects, Help Wanted

(Photo: North Mississippi Industrial Development Association)

New federal money promises dramatic impacts throughout the United States’ inland waterways system in 2022 and beyond. This report focuses on America’s central rivers; the Western rivers will be covered in a future report. These central rivers reach 11,000 miles, from Pennsylvania to Florida and from Texas to South Dakota.Consider the money within the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers “Civil Works Program Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), 2022 Construction Spend Plan.”In Arkansas…

02 Aug 2021

US Navy Christens Submarine Hyman G. Rickover

(Photo: U.S. Navy)

The U.S. Navy’s newest Virginia-class attack submarine, future USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN 795), was christened during a ceremony at General Dynamics’ Electric Boat shipyard facility in Groton, Conn., July 31.“This submarine is a fitting tribute to Admiral Rickover, who truly transformed our Navy,” said Adm. James Caldwell, director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, during his remarks at the celebration.Caldwell credited Rickover – who served for 63 years in the Navy and is credited…

15 May 2020

Ford Commences Second Round of Carrier Qualifications

(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman 3rd Class Zachary Melvin)

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), the only carrier qualification (CQ) asset regularly available on the East Coast this year, commenced its second round of CQs for Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) pilots May 10, with a healthy and mission-focused crew.Ford, operating at-sea at the same time as four other U.S. aircraft carriers, is conducting its fourth independent steaming event (ISE) since commencing an 18-month Post Delivery Test and Trials (PDT&T) phase of operations in November…

09 Dec 2019

Aircraft Carrier John F. Kennedy Christened

More than 20,000 guests attended the christening ceremony of the aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) at Newport News Shipbuilding division. (Photo: Ben Scott/HII)

The U.S. Navy’s newest nuclear-powered aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) was christened Saturday during a ceremony at Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Newport News Shipbuilding division.The second aircraft carrier in the Ford Class, John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) is also the second aircraft carrier built by Newport News Shipbuilding named for JFK. Like its forerunner CVN 78, Kennedy is a truly electric aircraft carrier, with many of the systems powered by steam on Nimitz-class carriers now powered by electricity.

19 Mar 2018

USS Colorado Commissioned

Colorado is the first submarine to bear the name and third vessel to be named for the state and was brought to life by her sponsor, Annie Maybus Mabus, daughter of the 75th Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. "To the crew of USS Colorado, this is your day" said Mabus, addressing the crowd and ship's company during the ceremony. "The commissioning crew truly does bring life to the boat. As the most modern and sophisticated attack submarine in the world, the submarine can operate in both littoral and deep ocean environments and presents combatant commanders with a broad and unique range of operational capabilities. "This is an amazing group of Sailors that are outfitted here. Every day we are doing something new for the first time.

31 Jan 2018

USS Wyoming Arrives in Norfolk for Overhaul

File photo: USS Wyoming (U.S. Navy photo by Rex Nelson)

Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Wyoming (SSBN-742) arrived at Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) on January 9 for refueling and upgrades as part of a 27-month Engineered Refueling Overhaul (ERO). In a first for the shipyard, Enlisted Women at Sea ship alterations will be performed on board, modifying the layout of berthing areas. Other work will be similar to the shipyard's ERO currently being conducted on USS Rhode Island (SSBN-740), allowing the Wyoming project to leverage off experience gained during that overhaul project.

19 Dec 2017

US Navy Sailors Get a Special Star Wars Screening

(Image: © Lucasfilm Ltd.)

Rumors had already been circling for days by the time the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) crew gathered for an 'All-Hands' call on the morning of December 15. When the aircraft carrier's commanding officer Capt. Richard McCormack addressed the crew, he asked if they knew the reason they were assembled in the hangar bay, before handing the microphone to a guest speaker to  "confirm or deny" the rumors. The guest was Kenneth Caldwell, Disney's Senior Vice President of Distribution,…

05 Dec 2016

Former US Navy Official Sentenced for Bribery

A former supervisory contracting officer was sentenced to 72 months in prison today for accepting bribe payments in exchange for steering U.S. Navy contracts to the president and chief executive officer of a defense contractor. Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Laura E. Duffy of the Southern District of California, Director Andrew L. Traver of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) and Director Dermot F. O’Reilly of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) made the announcement. Paul Simpkins, 62, of Haymarket, Va., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Janis L.

29 Jan 2016

U.S. Navy Commander Guilty in Corruption Scandal

A U.S. Navy commander charged with accepting paid travel, prostitutes and Lady Gaga concert tickets from a Malaysian defense contractor in exchange for classified information pleaded guilty on Thursday to federal corruption charges. Commander Michael Vannak Khem Misiewicz appeared in U.S. District Court in San Diego to answer to charges of conspiracy to commit bribery and bribery of a public official stemming from his involvement in a scandal surrounding a contractor who serviced ships in the Navy's Pacific Fleet. Misiewicz admitted to providing Malaysian businessman Leonard Francis, known to friends as "Fat Leonard," classified information worth millions of dollars. He was born in Cambodia during the Vietnam War and gained media attention for his rise to captain of a U.S. Navy destroyer.

20 Dec 2015

USS Ross Conducts PASSEX in Black Sea

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG 71) participated in a passing exercise (PASSEX) with ships from Turkey and Romania Dec. 15, 2015. The PASSEX was conducted in order to improve maritime capabilities between the U.S. and Black Sea naval forces. The participating nations joined in advanced ship maneuvering and anti-submarine training exercises. The U.S. Navy routinely operates ships in the Black Sea consistent with international law. USS Ross (DDG 71), forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, is on a routine patrol conducting naval operations with allies and partners in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in order to advance security and stability in the Black Sea region. Cmdr.

06 Aug 2015

Richardson Confirmed as Next CNO

Adm. John M. Richardson (U.S. Navy photo)

Adm. John M. Richardson, director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, was confirmed by the Senate as the 31st Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Aug. Richardson will replace Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert who has been CNO since September 2011. Vice Adm. Frank Caldwell, who was also confirmed by the Senate today, will succeed Richardson later this month as the director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. "I am honored and humbled to have been nominated and confirmed to succeed Adm. Greenert as our Navy's next chief of naval operations," Richardson said. "Adm.

25 Jun 2015

Submarine John Warner Delivered Ahead of Schedule

The submarine John Warner (SSN 785) delivered on June 19, 2015, two and a half months ahead of schedule. Photo by Chris Oxley/HII

Huntington Ingalls Industries' (HII) Newport News Shipbuilding division delivered the submarine John Warner (SSN 785) to the U.S. Navy today. The Virginia-class submarine, the first to be named for a person, was delivered two and a half months ahead of schedule. "This submarine embodies the spirit of Senator Warner and symbolizes his unwavering support for the Navy and the shipyard," said Jim Hughes, Newport News' vice president of submarines and fleet support. John Warner is the 12th Virginia-class submarine and the sixth to be delivered by Newport News.

16 Apr 2015

Navy Officer Pleads Guilty to Bribery

U.S. A lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy pleaded guilty to bribery charges in federal court, admitting that he accepted cash, hotel expenses and the services of a prostitute in return for providing classified U.S. Navy ship schedules and other internal Navy information to an executive of a defense contracting firm. Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Laura E. Duffy of the Southern District of California, Deputy Inspector General for Investigations James B. Burch of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Director Andrew L. Traver of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) and Director Anita Bales of the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) made the announcement.

05 Feb 2015

Former US Navy Contracting Officer Arrested

Former senior federal contracting officer Paul Simpkins was arrested Tuesday for conspiracy to commit bribery in connection with his alleged role in a scheme to steer contracts and benefits to Glenn Defense Marine Asia (GDMA), a defense contracting firm headquartered in Singapore. Paul Simpkins, 60, of Haymarket, Virginia, is the latest individual to be arrested in connection with a corruption probe involving the U.S. Navy, GDMA, and its owner, Leonard Glenn Francis. “As alleged, Paul Simpkins misused his position as a contracting officer at the U.S. Navy to obtain bribes of cash, air travel, hotel rooms and prostitutes, and his actions tarnish the reputation earned by the vast majority of U.S. Navy officers and enlisted and civilian personnel,” said Assistant Attorney General Leslie R.

08 Jan 2015

U.S. Navy Officer Guilty of Bribery

Second U.S. Navy Officer Indicted on Related Bribery Charges. A commander in the U.S. Navy pleaded guilty to federal bribery charges today, admitting that he provided a government contractor with classified ship schedules and other internal U.S. Navy information in exchange for cash, travel and entertainment expenses, as well as the services of prostitutes. A second U.S. Navy officer was also indicted today on related bribery charges by a federal grand jury in the Southern District of California. Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Laura E. Duffy of the Southern District of California, Director Andrew L. Traver of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) and Deputy Inspector General of Investigations James B.

30 Oct 2014

Partnerships Key to Caribbean Maritime Security

Commodore Roderick Bowe

Maritime security and safety experts are meeting in Nassau, Bahamas, this week to examine mutual threats and solutions and challenges and opportunities in the region. Maritime Security Caribbean 2014 is being held at the Melia Nassau Beach hotel, attended by representatives of government and industry. In addition to security threats from criminals or terrorists, there is a heightened awareness today of the environmental threats posed by norovirus and ebola and other communicable health problems.

17 Sep 2014

Video: Submarine John Warner Launched for Testing

The 7,800-ton Virginia-class submarine John Warner was moved with the help of three tugboats to Newport News Shipbuilding’s submarine pier, where final outfitting, testing and crew certification will take place over the next six months. SSN 785 is the first Virginia-class submarine to be named for a person. Photo by Ricky Thompson/HII

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) launched the Virginia-class submarine John Warner (SSN 785) into the James River on September 10 at the company's Newport News Shipbuilding division, kicking off the final outfitting, testing and crew certification phase of construction prior to sea trials next year. "The John Warner team has made tremendous progress over the last year," said Jim Hughes, Newport News' vice president of submarines and fleet support. A video of the launching is available here. John Warner will be the sixth Virginia-class submarine to be delivered to the U.S.

17 Mar 2013

Nuclear Submarine Keel-laid at NNS

SSN 785 Keel-laying ceremony: Photo credit HII

HII's Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division celebrates the keel-laying of US Navy Virginia-class submarine 'John Warner'. The keel has been laid for John Warner (SSN 785), the only Virginia-class submarine to bear the name of a person, and that person was present at the ceremony. "Each submarine we build becomes a piece of our company's history; each submarine becomes a part of our Navy's history, and each submarine becomes a piece of our nation's history," said NNS President Matt Mulherin.

21 Mar 2013

BAE Systems Starts Construction on GulfMark PSV

BAE Systems’ shipyard in Alabama has begun construction on the first of two platform supply vessels (PSVs) for GulfMark Americas, Inc. Executives and employees from both companies gathered recently at the BAE Systems’ facility in Mobile to oversee the initial cutting of steel for the vessel’s first module, which is expected to be delivered in the second half of 2014. The BAE Systems-built 300-Class Green DP2 vessels are designed by MMC Ship Design & Marine Consulting, Ltd. of Poland and will be based on similar PSVs currently under construction for GulfMark abroad. The new vessels will be U.S. flagged and will support the anticipated future demand in the Gulf of Mexico offshore market, as well as other areas around the world.

22 Jan 2014

Mobile's Maritime Renaissance

Timing, they say, is everything. Cliché, for sure, but BAE System’s strategic decision a few years ago to buy, invest and reinvigorate newbuild and repair operations in Mobile, Alabama, seems poised to pay off handsomely as the U.S. maritime market faces a historic rebound. As the energy profile of the United States changes, so too do the prospects for it commercial shipbuilding and repair sector, which virtually overnight has enjoyed an influx of new construction orders and general maritime business.

28 Aug 2012

Bay Shipbuilding GM Steps Down

America's Bay Shipbuilding Co. vice president and general manager, Gene Caldwell, has left the company for personal reasons. Caldwell’s leave was confirmed by Rachel Krummen, human resources manager for Bay Shipbuilding/Fincantieri in Sturgeon Bay. Bay Shipbuilding’s current director of contract services, Todd Thayse, will be acting vice president and general manager, she said. No further information regarding staff changes was immediately available. Bay Shipbuilding employs about 500 people. Fincantieri welcomed Caldwell two years ago on Aug. 2, 2010, as the new general manager after replacing longtime local manager Pat O’Hern.

03 Apr 2014

US Senator John Warner Visits Namesake Submarine at NNS

Warner visit: Photo courtesy of HII

Huntington Ingalls Industries inform that its Newport News Shipbuilding division has hosted a visit by former U.S. Sen. John Warner and ship's sponsor Jeanne Warner today to see the steady progress being made on the Virginia-class fast attack submarine bearing his name. John Warner (SSN 785) has reached its "pressure hull complete" construction milestone, which signifies that all of the submarine's hull sections are joined to form a single, water-tight unit. John Warner will be the 12th Virginia-class submarine and is the only Virginia-class submarine to bear the name of a person.

24 Apr 2014

Coast Guard groundbreaking ceremony recogizes new support facility

Representatives from the 14th Coast Guard District, Coast Guard Base Honolulu and Mortenson Federal Contracting Group participated in a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a new building at Coast Guard Base Honolulu to support the 2017 arrival of the Coast Guard's new Fast Response Cutters, Wednesday. Remarks were presented by Capt. Patrick McElligatt, Coast Guard Base Honolulu commanding officer, Shawn Hamamoto, representing Mayor Caldwell’s office, and Kahu Bill Kaina. The site was then blessed by a traditional Hawaiian blessing ceremony. The building will provide maintenance and logistics support for the cutters, which are scheduled to replace the aging fleet of 110-foot patrol boats currently serving the Pacific region.