Fleet Public Affairs News

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) began its north-bound transit to the Black Sea August 8, to enhance regional maritime stability and a show of support for our NATO allies and partners in the region.This is the sixth time a U.S. ship has visited the Black Sea since the beginning of 2019. The last ship to visit the Black Sea was USS Carney in July. During its time in the Black Sea, USS Carney participated in exercise Sea Breeze 2019, a U.S.-Ukraine…

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) entered U.S. 6th Fleet’s area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe March 3, 2015. While on deployment, Jason Dunham will interact with allied and partner nations, highlighting the U.S. commitment and emphasis of building strong partnerships and improving warfighting capability. It will also conduct several port visits and participate in a number of exercises while in U.S. 6th Fleet’s area of operation. The U.S. remains committed to maintaining a persistent presence in Europe. It looks forward to further commitments with its allies to ensure a coordinated and continuous land, air and sea presence in the region as part of the commitments made at the NATO Summit.

USS Cole (DDG 67) will enter the Black Sea, Feb. 8, 2015, to promote peace and stability in the region. Cole’s presence in the Black Sea will serve to reaffirm the U.S. dedication to commitment towards strengthening the partnerships and joint operational capabilities amongst U.S., NATO and regional Black Sea partners. “The United States remains fully committed to our NATO Allies and regional partners throughout Europe. We maintain our ships and submarines deployed across the Mediterranean, north Atlantic and into the Black Sea. These deployments not only provide our crews the opportunity to train and exercise with our allies and partners at sea, they also make it possible to conduct port visits where we strengthen our relationship and mutual understanding,” stated Vice Adm.

Leaders of the maritime component of PANAMAX 2014 have paused about halfway through the exercise, to assess its benefits so far, informs U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet Public Affairs. Rear Adm. Benjamin Calle of Colombia is the Combined Forces Maritime Component Commander (CFMCC) and U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Jon Matheson, the deputy commander of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet, is deputy CFMCC for the exercise, which began Aug. 4 and is scheduled to continue through Aug. 15. "This PANAMAX exercise is a huge event," said Calle. Sources say that 38 to 40 ships transit the canal daily between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, carrying some five percent of world maritime trade.

The U.S. Navy said that a newly released scientific report demonstrates the viability of a new method to estimate received sound levels during real scenarios and analyzes movements of satellite-tagged individuals of three species of marine mammals exposed to Navy mid-frequency active sonar around Kauai's Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF). "This is exciting news in several ways, not least of which is the promise this new integrated approach holds for learning how sonar affects marine mammals," said Julie Rivers, natural and marine resources program manager for the U.S.

U.S. Third Fleet Public Affairs informs that 47 ships, six submarines, more than 200 aircraft and altogether 25,000 personnel from 23 nations, will participate in the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise scheduled June 26 to Aug. 1, 2014 in and around the Hawaiian Islands. Two nations, Brunei and the People's Republic of China, will participate in RIMPAC for the first time in 2014. Also new at RIMPAC this year are two hospital ships, USNS Mercy and PLA (N) Peace Ark. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans.

SASEBO, Japan (NNS) -- No one was hurt when the mine countermeasures ship USS Guardian (MCM 5) ran aground on Tubbataha Reef at 2:25 a.m. local time, Jan. 17, while transiting the Sulu Sea. The Avenger-class ship had just completed a port call in Subic Bay, Olongapo City and was en route to her next port of call when the grounding occurred. The ship is currently stuck on the reef, approximately 80 miles east-southeast of Palawan Island. The crew is currently working to determine the best method of safely extracting the ship. The cause of the grounding is under investigation. Guardian, forward-deployed to Sasebo, Japan, was commissioned Dec. 16, 1989, and has a crew of about 80.   (Source: U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs)

A ceremony to mark the rollout of the anti-submarine warfare (ASW) mission module for the littoral combat ship (LCS) was held Sept. 19 at Naval Base Point Loma. The Program Executive Office for Littoral and Mine Warfare, Naval Sea Systems Command, Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Space and Naval Warfare Command (SPAWAR) and Space and Naval Warfare Systems, San Diego, hosted the event. According to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisitions, Anne Sandel, this is the third mission package to be released for use with the LCS class of ships.

Three ships, USS Nassau (LHA 4), USS Ponce (LPD 15), and USS Bataan (LHD 5), were ordered Sept. 12 to increase readiness for possible disaster response support. Nassau, which was already at sea conducting routine operations, has been directed south to operate off the Florida coast. Since Hurricane Ike made landfall along the Gulf Coast of the United States, Nassau is positioned to provide assistance to civilian authorities if needed. Bataan and Ponce have been ordered to be ready to go to sea as early as Sunday afternoon.

During his change of command ceremony, the outgoing Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, Vice Adm. Kevin Cosgriff, emphasized the need for fostering relationships with coalition partners. "The more Coalition and partner nations collaborate to provide security for the region the more they are able to achieve," he said. During the ceremony, Vice Adm. William "Bill" Gortney relieved Cosgriff as commander of NAVCENT/U.S. 5th Fleet/Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). "The continued presence of coalition forces guarantees maritime security of those who depend on free use of the seas," said Cosgriff. While in command for 17 months, Cosgriff led more than 25…

Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet announced June 9 the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) will replace USS George Washington (GW) (CVN 73) in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2008 Exercise scheduled to take place in the Hawaiian operating area from June 29 through July 31. A fire occurred onboard GW on May 22 while the ship was at sea. The ship is currently in port at , , conducting repairs to spaces and equipment affected by the fire. The timeline for repairs to the ship has not yet been determined.

Adm. Jonathan Greenert, Commander U.S. Fleet Forces Command recorded a podcast to discuss accountability and fleet readiness, May 20. The Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) is designed to be an objective look and detailed list of all known problems with a ship's physical condition and overall shipboard readiness with rigid standards. But there is an expectation, according to Greenert, that all ships will be ready based on the results of this inspection. "What we need when a ship doesn't do that well is an accounting of what took place, what happened and why," Greenert said. "What's the root cause? Assessments by INSURV are still ongoing as to the underlying causes of two ships' recent failures.

The maritime environment throughout the world is constantly changing and evolving. With advances in technology, and changes in the geo-political environment, it is important for naval forces to project forward presence and foster regional cooperation. One tool used by the U.S. Navy to project its presence are Expeditionary Strike Groups (ESG). These ESGs, such as the Nassau Expeditionary Strike Group currently operating in the U.S. 5th Fleet, are deployed worldwide and can project sea power ashore by landing amphibious forces via helicopter…

Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) assisted in the rescue of 11 crew members of a Republic of Korea (ROK) fishing vessel off the Korean Peninsula, March 10. At approximately 6:10 a.m., John S. McCain's bridge watch team observed a fire on a ship on the horizon and in response, maneuvered towards the burning vessel. Upon observing a life raft with 11 people on board drifting in the vicinity of the burning ship, crew members immediately launched a rigid hull inflatable boat to recover them from the raft.

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Jennifer S. Tactical Training Group Pacific (TTGP) led international military forces positioned around the world through a Fleet Synthetic Training-Joint (FST-J) exercise headquartered in San Diego, Feb. 25-29. The training strengthens strike group decision makers' proficiency at disseminating information, making sound decisions and executing them. "Our objectives are to increase our effectiveness in a joint, coalition environment," said Cmdr. John Clausen, Ronald Reagan Strike Group surface operations officer. Sailors, Airmen, Soldiers and Marines communicated through a network to carry out simulated missions on bases spanning from Orange, Conn., to Osan, South Korea.

Sailors place plugs in the hull of the USS Buttercup during a training exercise. Norfolk area Sailors and Coast Guardsmen test their damage control skills aboard the USS Buttercup during general shipboard damage control training at the Naval Station Norfolk Center for Naval Engineering. U.S. "Battle stations! All hands man your battle stations!" was the cry over the loud speaker. Sailors wearing coveralls, utilities and khakis rushed to plug the holes and place wooden support beams through out the badly damaged interior of USS Buttercup…

The guided-missile destroyers USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) and USS Chafee (DDG 90) steam in the Pacific Ocean with the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) during exercises with several Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force ships. Nimitz is operating in the western Pacific and Indian oceans as part of the U.S. 7th Fleet. U.S. By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Gabriel S. The crew of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) participated in the Undersea Warfare Exercise (USWEX) while underway in the Western Pacific. The exercise, which ended Feb.

From Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. Experts in maritime infrastructure protection participated in a roundtable discussion, Feb. 27, during a Maritime Infrastructure Protection Symposium (MIPS) hosted by U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT). A five-member panel with diverse backgrounds in military, government and the private sector fielded questions from MIPS participants ranging from the private sector's role in maritime protection, to security vulnerabilities, to the pros and cons of information sharing. A panel member started the discussion by saying that dealing with asymmetrical threats makes them harder to identify. "We're faced with an enemy that is not organizational, and is not state actors," said Sean Moon, a senior policy advisor with the U.S.

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Jennifer S. Top leaders from the military, government and industry gathered at the San Diego Convention Center Feb. 5-7, for the West 2008 conference, co-sponsored by The Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association and the U.S. Naval Institute. The conference themed "U.S. at a Crossroads: Where to - and How - After Iraq?" featured discussions on pressing issues in the military services and how industry can help solve them. Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace gave the opening remarks and spoke of protecting the Internet and the importance of military, government and industry to work together.

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Joshua J. Visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) team members from dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) renewed their boarding proficiency aboard Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oilier USNS Pecos (T-AO 197), Feb. A newly combined VBSS team with 14 members began mock interaction patrols, utilizing rigid hull inflatable boats to pull alongside and climb Jacob's ladders up the port side of Pecos. Once aboard, the VBSS team began conducting security sweeps throughout the ship. "This is absolutely the best way to get hands-on training so when we are called upon for an actual boarding we will be ready to carry out the ships mission securing the seas," said Lt. j.g. Joshua C.

From Commander, U.S. The Navy's Scientific Operational Naval Acoustic Research Conference was held February 6-7 to provide an opportunity for the Navy's scientists, fleet operators, and environmental specialists to share information regarding recent advances in science, mission requirements, and communication needs. About 100 people attended the two-day conference, which was chaired by OPNAV N45, the Navy's environmental readiness command, and hosted by Adm. Robert F. Willard, Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet. The conference ended with agreement to hold future gatherings to discuss issues ranging from the direction of future research to procedural improvements.

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Kelli D. Roesch, Fleet Public Affairs Center Pacific, Det. U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, and Marine Corps officers visited Oregon State University (OSU) on Feb. 20 to discuss the nation's new maritime strategy with students and faculty during a "Conversations with the Country" stop. OSU was chosen as one of the discussion locations because of its proximity to Portland, ranked fifth in export tonnage on the West Coast. Capt. The previous Maritime Strategy was written 25 years ago, before many of the students attending the OSU lecture were born. Cloyd began the discussion by outlining the Maritime Strategy for the students…

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Kelli D. Roesch, Fleet Public Affairs Center Pacific, Det. Director, Navy Strategic Actions Group, and other Navy, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and civilian officials introduced the new Maritime Strategy to more than 150 community leaders in Portland, Feb. 21 as part of the "Conversations with the Country" program. Capt. Dan Cloyd clarified early in the conversation what the new Maritime Strategy is – and what it is not. "It is not a resourcing plan. I will not talk about numbers of ships or Sailors or aircraft or Marines," he said. "It is a collection of ideas that inform or drive the decisions we make. It determines how we will organize, train and equip ourselves. Linking the past with the future, Dr. Karl F.