Harpers Ferry News

Here’s some good news for America’s sea power. While the U.S. Navy has initiated another review of its 30-year shipbuilding plan in the face of widespread dissatisfaction, one element within that plan has been praised: the decision to provide funding for continued construction of amphibious warfare ships. These vessels offer unmatched flexibility and the capability of transporting, deploying, and supporting ground combat forces – typically U.S. Marine Corps – to conduct amphibious assaults, humanitarian operations, or disaster relief missions.

HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division in Pascagoula, Miss. on Thursday announced new amphibious transport dock ship Richard M. McCool Jr. (LPD 29) it is building for the U.S. Navy has completed builder’s sea trials. The San Antonio-class ship spent time in the Gulf of Mexico testing all systems in preparation for the remaining events that will occur prior to delivery of the ship, expected to occur in the spring.“Our shipbuilders have worked hard to get LPD 29 to sea,” Ingalls Shipbuilding Ship Program Manager Davianne Stokes said.

The Navy wants, and needs, more ships; but it can’t build them fast enough.While the U.S. Navy aims to achieve a 355-ship fleet, it is decommissioning older (and some not so old) ships at about the same rate it's adding new ones.A Congressional Research Service report stated that, as of April 17, 2023, the Navy included 296 battle force ships. "The Navy projects that under its FY2024 budget submission, the Navy would include 293 battle force ships at the end of FY2024 and 291 battle force ships at the end of FY2028."But there is progress…

HII announced Friday that its Ingalls Shipbuilding division in Pascagoula, Miss. has received a $1.3 billion modification to a previously awarded contract from the U.S. Navy for the procurement of the detail design and construction of amphibious transport dock LPD 32. The resulting fixed-price-incentive contract totals $1.54 billion. The ship will be the 16th in the San Antonio class and the third Flight II LPD.In June 2022, Ingalls Shipbuilding was awarded a $240 million advance…

HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division started fabrication of the U.S. Navy’s newest San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock Pittsburgh (LPD 31) on Wednesday. The start of fabrication signifies that the first 100 tons of steel have been cut for the ship.“The start of fabrication on LPD 31 demonstrates our ability to continue manufacturing quality ships for our Navy and Marine Corps partners,” said Mike Pruitt, Ingalls Shipbuilding LPD program manager. “Our shipbuilders are excited…

U.S. shipyards are making improvements to building ships for the Navy and Coast Guard today and in the future. In some cases, it means phasing out one class of ship and getting ready for the next. Or, it can be a drastic make-over.The yards include mid-tier yards all the way up to very large facilities devoted exclusively to warships. The ships range from the 353-ton Fast Response Cutter to the 100,000-ton nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. Fincantieri Marinette Marine in Wisconsin…

HII announced Thursday that its Ingalls Shipbuilding division has received a $240 million, cost-plus-fixed-fee advance procurement contract from the U.S. Navy to provide long-lead-time material and advance construction activities for amphibious transport dock LPD 32. The ship will be the 16th in the San Antonio class constructed at Ingalls Shipbuilding.“Our shipbuilders are proud to continue building these amphibious ships that are integral to the Navy fleet,” Ingalls Shipbuilding President Kari Wilkinson said.

HII announced that the company’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division ceremonially authenticated the keel of the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock Harrisburg (LPD 30). The ship’s sponsor, Alexandra Curry, a resident of Middletown, Pa., and wife of the Middletown mayor, was unable to attend the ceremony so Program Executive Officer Ships Rear Adm. Tom Anderson, stepped in to declare the keel “truly and fairly laid.”“While she could not join us, we welcome Mrs. Curry in spirit as she is now an important part of our shipbuilding family,” said Kari Wilkinson, president of Ingalls Shipbuilding.

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 commerce…

As Congress wrestles with the budget, there is at least a bipartisan consensus that defense spending should grow, and that includes growing the Navy’s fleet. The current goal is 355 ships, an admirable goal, but an objective that faces many cost hurdles. The surface fleet (which excludes submarines and aircraft carriers) needs to grow in capability and capacity. The numbers of ships being procured or envisions would increase as the total n umber of ships increases, but the number in this story represents current program status.

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 Navy’s decision to grow the fleet to 355 ships, and the Trump administration’s 350. With so many numbers being bandied about, there are even more suggestions on how to get there.

The amphibious Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Carter Hall has entered the Black Sea, the Naples-headquartered US 6th fleet press service said. "The amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) and embarked Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, arrived in the Black Sea March 17, to participate in bilateral training exercise Spring Storm 17 with Romania," the press service said in a statement. Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) is participating in the Romanian-led maritime exercise SPRING STORM 17, taking place in the vicinity of Constanta, Romania, March 18-21, in the Black Sea. Carter Hall will work alongside Romanian maritime forces to develop interoperability and proficiency. U.S.

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced that its Ingalls Shipbuilding division has been awarded a $13.7 million contract (with incremental funding) to perform contract design effort for the U.S. Navy’s amphibious warfare ship replacement, known as LX(R). “Ingalls has the finest shipbuilders and engineers in the world who make it their mission to meet the needs of the men and women of the United States Navy and Marine Corps,” said Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Cuccias. On June 30, Ingalls was selected to perform the majority of the contract design work for LX(R).

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced that its Ingalls Shipbuilding division has been selected to build the U.S. Navy’s next large-deck amphibious assault warship, LHA 8. Ingalls has also been selected to perform the majority of the contract design work for the U.S. Navy’s amphibious warfare ship replacement, known as LX(R).The U.S. Department of Defense announced both contracts June 30. The LH8 contract – which includes the planning, advanced engineering and procurement of long-lead material – is valued at $272…

1830 - The sloop of war USS Vincennes becomes the first US Navy warship to circle the globe when she returns to New York. She departs on Sept. 3, 1826, rounds Cape Horn and cruises the Pacific protecting American merchantmen and whalers until June 1829. 1880 - Congress authorizes the Office of Judge Advocate General. Vice Adm. Nanette M. Derenzi currently serves as the 42nd Judge Advocate General of the Navy. 1937 - Capt. Julius F. Hellweg commands the Navy detachment that observes a total eclipse of the sun.

1822 - The schooner Porpoise captures six pirate vessels off Cuba and destroys their base, while USS Spark recaptures a Dutch sloop that had been taken as a prize by pirates. A landing party destroys the pirate's base in the West Indies. 1881 - Nathan Goff Jr., took office as the 28th Secretary of the Navy, serving until March. A World War II destroyer was named for him. 1945 - Destroyers Charles Ausburne (DD 570), Braine (DD 630), Russell (DD 414) and Shaw (DD 373) sink the Japanese destroyer Hinoki, 50 miles west-southwest of Manila Bay.

U.S. Department of Defense informs that BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair, San Diego, California, is being awarded a $14,772,006 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-award-fee contract (N00024-12-C-4403) for 'USS Harpers Ferry' (LSD 49) fiscal 2014 phased maintenance availability. DoD explains that a phased maintenance availability includes the planning and execution of depot-level maintenance, alterations and modifications that will update and improve the ship's military and technical capabilities. Work will be performed in San Diego, California, and is expected to be completed by November 2014. Fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance (Navy) and fiscal 2014 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $14…

U.S. Navy ships and U.S. Coast Guard cutters, Station New York and Maritime Safety and Security Team New York, along with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York Police Harbor units and Fire Department of New York’s fireboat participated in the 2014 Fleet Week New York Parade of Ships, which took place in New York Harbor, today. Participating military ships included the Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51), Arleigh Burke-class destroyers USS Cole (DDG 67 and USS McFaul (DDG 74), and U.S. Coast Guard cutters Campbell (WMEC 909), Katherine Walker (WLM 552), Thunder Bay (WTGB 108), and Sailfish (WPB 87356). Fleet Week New York, now in its 26th year, is the city’s time-honored celebration of the sea services.

The U.S. Navy awarded General Dynamics NASSCO $24.4 million in contract modifications to support an extensive renovation and modernization of the USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49), including alterations and repairs, as part of the fiscal year 2011 Extended Docking Phased Maintenance Availability (EDPMA). The company will also inspect and test all of the ship’s systems and components. These awards only constitute a portion of the work to be accomplished during this availability. The full value of the contract is anticipated to reach approximately $100 million. This work will engage NASSCO’s ship repair organization, which comprises more than 750 employees. Work is expected to be completed by July 2012.

National Steel and Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, Calif., is being awarded a $24,536,862 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-08-C-4410) for USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) fiscal 2011 extended docking phased maintenance availability (EDPMA).  An EDPMA provides for an extensive renovation and modernization of an LSD class ship, including alterations and repairs as well as inspection and testing to all ships systems and components ensuring safe and dependable operation of the ship.  Work will be performed in San Diego, Calif., and is expected to be completed by July 2012.  Contract funds in the amount of $14,548,842 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  The Southwest Regional Maintenance Center, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity.

Sealift Logistics Command Pacific, the San Diego-based U.S. Navy command responsible for operational control of Military Sealift Command ships in the Eastern Pacific, changed command during a ceremony on board fleet replenishment oiler USNS Guadalupe at Naval Station San Diego. SEALOGPAC outgoing commander, Capt. David L. Kiehl, was relieved by Capt. Jerome Hamel during the ceremony. Since assuming command of SEALOGPAC in 2007, Kiehl has overseen a wide range of operations and exercises within the command's area of responsibility, including the deployment of hospital ship USNS Mercy in support of the 2008 Pacific Partnership humanitarian mission, a 2008 Joint Logistics Over the Shore exercise and the 2008 Rim of the Pacific exercise.

Commander, Amphibious Force Seventh Fleet, Rear Adm. Rich Landolt, has assumed the duties as the senior naval officer in charge of U.S. Navy assistance to the Republic of Korea (ROK) in their salvage efforts for the ROKS Cheonan Apr. Landolt has been on-site for several days to assess the situation and acclimate his staff to the mission. Additionally, he has met with the ROK lead for the salvage efforts, Vice Adm. Kim Sung-Chan, and his staff aboard ROKS Dokdo several times to coordinate future plans. His ship, USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49), will serve as the U.S. Afloat Staging Base for this operation and he has brought with him portions of his staff and portions of Amphibious Squadron 11, commanded by Commodore Mark Weber. Landolt will command of all U.S.

Sailors of Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 1, based out of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Mobile Unit (EODMU) 5 Platoon 501 based out of Sasebo, Japan, are diving in the Yellow Sea in support of the recovery and salvage of the Republic of Korea Ship (ROK) Cheonan. "We're here to offer all the help we can. We're ready to step in anytime and dive or assist hands-on in any way we can," said Navy Diver 3rd Class Andrew Kornelsen, a Madison, Wis., native.