Combat Service News

A new council aiming to improve the way U.S. government does business in ship acquisition and ship maintenance convened at the Coast Guard Yard in Baltimore on Thursday.In kicking off the inaugural meeting of the Government Shipbuilders Council (GSC), Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro underscored the council’s mission to address common and singular challenges among those that contract in shipbuilding; identify opportunities to leverage each organization’s resources to maximize government savings in costs…

Ray Holubowicz, Father of Shipping Containerization and founder of UK based Marine Ventures Ltd, Dies at 88. Romuald Paul, better known as "Ray" Holubowicz, a prime mover in the shipping industry's changeover to the use of shipping containers, died on New Year's Day in England. He was 88. A native of Cudahy, Wisconsin, Ray Holubowicz was in the first (1942) graduating class of the United States Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point, NY). After only a few months' training, he was…

Just over six months after the official opening of Austal’s new Module Manufacturing Facility (MMF) in November 2009, Austal USA hosted a keel-laying ceremony at its shipyard in Mobile, Alabama on July 22, to signify the erection of the first modules on the U.S. Department of Defense’s next generation multi-use platform, the Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV). This is part of a 10-ship program potentially worth over $1.6b. Keel Laying is the formal recognition of the start of the ship’s module erection process.

The LPD 17 class, the Navy’s newest class of amphibious transport docks, has reached Initial Operating Capability. With the first three ships of the class commissioned, achieving IOC is an important accomplishment for this transformational class of amphibious warships. “We’ve had some challenges to overcome with LPD 17,” said Rear Adm. Charles Goddard, program executive officer for ships. “But reaching this milestone is a testament to the collaborative efforts between the Navy and shipbuilding industry.”  USS San Antonio, the first of the LPD 17-class of amphibious transport dock ships, completed a Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) underway material inspection Nov. 26-30, 2007, at Naval Station Norfolk. INSURV found that was fit for sustained combat service in the Fleet.

By Lt. j.g. As the Navy continues to provide support in the global war on terrorism, the need to properly prepare Sailors to be successful in individual augmentee (IA) assignments has become a high priority. In partnership with the Army, the Center for Security Forces Command (CSF) provides Sailors with basic combat skill familiarization and weapons qualifications that will allow them to integrate in Army Units and assume missions other than combat infantry. Navy Individual Augmentee Combat Training (NIACT) is a 12-day course developed by the Navy and delivered by Army instructors at Camp McCrady Training Center, S.C. NIACT provides Sailors with training in small arms and crew-served weapons…

Secretary of the Navy Donald C. Winter awarded Chief Warrant Officer Mark Bierce, Logistics and Support Unit 2’s Combat Service Support Detachment (CSSD) officer in charge, a Bronze Star on June 5 at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek. Bierce is one of three Seabees from his detachment of 30 who were presented this medal in the past 18 months, including Senior Chief Equipment Operator (SCW) Michael Metheny and Chief Builder (SCW) Darren Drake. All three served as officers in charge of a Combat Service Support Task Unit supporting Naval Special Warfare (NSW) operations in some of the most dangerous areas in Iraq. Most Seabees operate as part of a Naval Mobile Construction Battalion, which consists of about 500 people.

Ships assigned to Combined Task Force One Five Zero (CTF-150) assemble in a formation for a photo exercise. The multinational Combined Task Force One Five Zero (CTF-150) was established to monitor, inspect, board, and stop suspect shipping to pursue the war on terrorism and includes operations currently taking place in the North Arabia Sea to support Operation Iraqi Freedom. Countries contributing to CTF-150 currently include Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Pakistan, New Zealand, Spain, United Kingdom and the United States. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Bart Bauer. Department of the Navy leaders recently provided an update to representatives of the Navy and Marine Corps Council at the Army Navy Country Club on May 3, 2006.

Incat received the award for Most Significant New Build - Fast Ferry, at the biennial event for the ferry, fast ferry and cruise industry, The Cruise and Ferry Exhibition and Conference, held in London in mid-May. The award was presented to builders Incat and owners Bollinger/Incat USA for the 322-ft. U.S. Army Theater Support Vessel TSV-1X Spearhead. Incat Australia Pty Ltd. Managing Director Craig Clifford said "Incat to some extent were 'reigning champions' having also taken the Most Significant New Build - Fast Ferry award at the last Cruise & Ferry event in 2001 with the 96 m Evolution 10 Benchijigua Express for Fred. In November 2002, when Incat delivered Spearhead for service with the U.S. Army, expectations were high.