Great Navy News

The U.S. Navy on Friday celebrated the keel laying of the lead ship of the Constellation class of guided-missile frigates, the future USS Constellation (FFG 62), at the Fincantieri Marinette Marine shipyard in Marinette, Wis.Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti participated in the ceremony along with Wisconsin governor Tony Evers and Fincantieri Marine Group CEO Marco Galbiati.Hundreds of FMM shipbuilders gathered with guests inside the shipyard’s massive new climate-controlled Building 34…

An interview with Rear Admiral Ronald A. Boxall, Director, Surface Warfare (N96), conducted by Capt. Edward Lundquist, U. S. Navy (Ret.)The theme of the recent SNA West Coast Symposium was “Take a Running Fix.” So what’s your “fix” right now about where we are regarding surface warfare?The SWO Boss is thinking about that from a man/train/equip standpoint, and being able to ensure that we’re trained to the best we can, that we’re manned properly, and have the equipment we need.

Today, during a ceremony in Detroit, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced that the next Arleigh Burke class destroyer, DDG 120, will be named Carl M. Levin in honor of the longest serving senator in Michigan history. During his 36 years in the Senate, Levin was a member of the Senate Committee on Armed Services and its chair for more than nine years. He also served as chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, as a member of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, and Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. He led the Senate in adoption of the Defense Authorization Acts from 2007 through January 2015 when he retired.

Ingalls Shipbuilding has begun fabrication of Destroyer Delbert D. Black (DDG 119) for the U.S. Huntington Ingalls Industries' (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division Tuesday marked the start of fabrication for the U.S. Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) guided missile destroyer Delbert D. Black (DDG 119). The start of fabrication signifies that 100 tons of steel have been cut. The ship is named in honor of Delbert D. Black, who served as a gunner's mate in the U.S. Navy and was aboard the battleship USS Maryland during the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Austal USA have been notified by the Shipbuilders Council of America (SCA) that Austal has earned the 2014 SCA Award for Improvement in Safety. The SCA is a national trade association that represents 41 companies that own and operate over 120 shipyards, with facilities on all three U.S. coasts, the Great Lakes, the inland waterways system, Alaska and Hawaii. In 16 of the last 17 years, SCA’s average TRIR has been more than 20% below the industry average. The safety data Austal provided to SCA contributed to one of SCA’s lowest TRIR averages ever. “We are proud to bestow this important industry safety award on Austal; a company that continually strives to make safety a top priority,” stated Matthew Paxton, President of the Shipbuilders’ Council of America. Mr.

On August 6, 2014, Austal USA successfully completed the launch of the future USS Montgomery (LCS 8). The Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) is a fast, agile, focused-mission platform designed for operation in near-shore environments yet capable of open-ocean operation. This vessel is the second of ten 127-meter Independence-variant LCS class ships Austal has been contracted to build for the U.S. Navy as prime contractor subsequent to a $3.5 billion block buy in 2010. Craig Perciavalle, Austal USA President, commented, “We are very proud to launch the ship named after the capital of Alabama, especially since the greatest shipbuilders made it happen right here in Mobile, Alabama”. Mr.

Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship 'Coronado' (LCS 4) was delivered by shipbuilders Austal to the Navy on September 27, 2013, after successfully completing Acceptance Trials. The delivery ceremony took place on Coronado’s flight deck and was attended by personnel from the LCS Squadron in San Diego, SUPSHIP Gulf Coast, Coronado Crew (both Blue and Gold), the Navy program office, General Dynamics Bath Iron Works (the prime contractor), General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, and Austal.

"As we take time to celebrate 237 years of independence, let us remember to reaffirm our own commitment to liberty and freedom. Let us remember the meaning of the 4th of July, the meaning of the Independence Day. Take a moment to reflect on a portion of the Declaration of Independence . . . "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights; that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness." 

While many of us enjoy fireworks…

QM3 Patrick Cunliffe, USN, posted the ship’s traditional New Year’s midnight log entry in 'Rap-style' aboard 'USS Reuben James'. On New Year's Eve the ship was on routine patrol in the South China Sea. Continued the watch underway as before, 
with warship Five Seven on her final tour. The crew lay asleep in their comfy racks,
entrusting their shipmates would have their backs. The night was so peaceful, like many before,
as the watch teams waited for what lie in store. “Boats” stood by with bells at the ready,
while the helm held the ship at a course that was steady.

The Navy's newest addition to the submarine force was commissioned June 2, in its namesake state. USS Mississippi (SSN 782), the ninth Virginia-class attack submarine, joined the fleet following a commissioning ceremony held at the Port of Pascagoula. More than 7,500 people braved the typical tropical Mississippi weather to witness the ceremony in Pascagoula, while others viewed it live on the Internet. Secretary of the Navy, Ray Mabus, a native Mississippian and former governor of the state was the ceremony's keynote speaker. He enthusiastically welcomed Mississippi to the fleet.

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.

Artist’s concept of the San Antonio Class amphibious transport dock ships. (Credit: U.S. Secretary of the Navy Gordon R. England has named the U.S. Navy’s newest amphibious transport dock ship (LPD 22) in honor of the city of San Diego. “San Diego is home to a large number of the Pacific Fleet’s ships. For decades, our nation’s Sailors and Marines have begun their service to America at boot camps in San Diego. Thousands of military families and veterans have fallen in love with the area, and are fortunate enough to live and work in San Diego.

"We will continue to utilize our shipyards-both public and private-to maintain our ships in a readiness position," the Honorable Gordon R. England, Secretary of the Navy said in an interview recently in Norfolk. England noted that some vessels might not return from deployment on schedule, particularly in wartime, disrupting planned repairs. funding, he added should keep public and private yards busy. particularly on submarines, along with work on carriers. "The U.S. them to sea more quickly," said Secretary England. being done by shipyard personnel. repair facilities and visited the USS Harry S. currently undergoing a Planned Incremental Availability, (PIA). interview with the Secretary of the Navy. accounts. we're doing the maintenance that we need," Congressman Forbes said.

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) -- Adm. Gary Roughead assumed command over the Navy’s largest area of responsibility as Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, when he relieved Adm. Walter F. Doran July 8 in front of the USS Missouri Memorial on Ford Island. Military and civilian guests gathered not only to say goodbye to Doran but also to welcome Roughead. Speakers included Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Vern Clark and Commander, U.S. Pacific Command Adm. William J. Fallon. Attending dignitaries included various flag and general officers currently serving in the Pacific region, in addition to former Pacific Command and Pacific Fleet commanders. Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle, U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, (D-Hawaii), and civilian and military dignitaries from several Asian and Pacific nations also were present.

Commander Master Chief Mark Davidson becomes the U.S. Navy's “Old Tar,” symbolic of the senior Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist. The award was presented by Surface navy Association executive director, Capt. Bill Erickson, USN (Ret.), at the USS Constitution in Boston. For Master Chief Mark Davidson, becoming the “Old Tar” doesn’t mean he’s old, it signifies he’s a seasoned and experienced Surface Warrior, just like the USS Constitution. Davidson, the command master chief at Navy Recruiting District St. Louis, recently was presented with the “Old Tar” award from the Surface Navy Association (SNA), signifying that he has the earliest qualification date as an Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist (ESWS) among all Sailors in the U.S.