Naval Base Kitsap News

The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Alex Haley returned to homeport at Coast Guard Base Kodiak, Alaska, on Thursday, following an extended seven-month dry dock maintenance period in Seattle.While in dry dock, the crew and contractors successfully completed more than $6 million worth of repairs.The engineering department oversaw 76 work items including major overhauls on the cutter’s controllable pitch propeller system, speed reducers, rudders, and boilers, along with inspections of fuel, sewage, and water tanks.

The National Association of Marine Surveyors (NAMS) announced the dates for its 2022 New England Fall Conference in Newport, R.I. and North 2022 Pacific Fall Conference in Bremerton, Wash.The New England Fall Conference, to be held October 27 and 28, 2022, will include a roundtable and reception at the IYRS School of Technology & Trades. IYRS is a non-profit, post-secondary experiential learning institution and is the premier marine trades and modern manufacturing school in the United States. IYRS offers education and training programs for people with a passion for thinking and working through their hands.NAMS-accredited marine surveyors…

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Cuttyhunk (WPB 1322) was decommissioned Thursday during a ceremony held at Air Station Port Angeles that was presided over by Capt. Mark McDonnell, 13th Coast Guard District Chief of Response.Cuttyhunk was one of the Coast Guard's 37 remaining 110-foot Island-class patrol boats. The fleet of Island-class cutters is being replaced by 154-foot Sentinel-class cutters built by Louisiana-based Bollinger Shipyards.Built by Bollinger Shipyards in Lockport, La.

Built by Dakota Creek Industries in Anacortes, Wash., the first of the U.S. Navy's new fleet of six YT 808-class tugs was delivered in October after completing the last construction phase. Measuring 90 feet long and 38 feet 3 inches wide, the YT 808 vessel is powered by twin Cat 3512E marine engines, each rated at 1,810 horsepower. The engines drive two Schottel SRP 340 fixed-pitch z-drive thrusters providing a top speed of 12.5 knots and an expected bollard pull of 40 metric tons.The new series of Robert Allan Ltd.-designed tugs are the Navy's first vessels built to meet the U.S.

The U.S. Navy’s first Yard Tug (YT) 808 class tug recently delivered to Naval Base Kitsap, Bremerton Annex. Only 17 days after delivery, YT 808 was in the water assisting USNS Richard Byrd (T-AKE 4) as it moved away from the dock at Naval Magazine Indian Island.“Narrowing the gap between delivery and providing operational support is a priority for our team,” said Mike Kosar, program manager of Support Ships, Boats, and Craft Program Office within Program Executive Office Ships (PEO Ships).

Washington-based ships assigned to Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 11 returned Dec. 10, just in time for the upcoming holidays following a six-month deployment to the Indo-Asia-Pacific region and the Arabian Gulf. The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), with embarked CSG-11, returned home to Naval Base Kitsap, and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Shoup (DDG 86) and USS Kidd (DDG 100) returned to Naval Station Everett. The strike group consists of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 9, and Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers USS Princeton (CG 59) and USS Lake Erie (CG 70). The air wing and DESRON command staff disembarked in San Diego Dec.

USS Nimitz (CVN 68), USS Kidd (DDG 100) and USS Shoup (DDG 86) departed their homeports of Naval Base Kitsap and Naval Station Everett, respectively, for a regularly scheduled deployment. This is a previously planned, routine deployment and is not in response to any specific incident or regional event. This deployment is an example of the U.S. Navy's routine presence in waters around the globe displaying our commitment to stability, regional cooperation and economic prosperity for all nations. "This deployment is the culmination of months of intensive training and preparations," said Rear Adm. Bill Byrne Jr., commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 11. "The Nimitz Strike Group stands ready to respond to a wide variety of contingencies, be that a humanitarian disaster or a regional incident.

The ballistic-missile submarine USS Louisiana and a Navy offshore support vessel collided while conducting routine operations in the Strait of Juan de Fuca off the coast of Washington state on Thursday (August 18, 2016), informs  the United States Navy. The collision occurred at 6:00 p.m. There were no injuries to personnel. Assessments of the damage to both the submarine and the U.S. Navy Offshore Support Vessel are being conducted. The incident is currently under investigation. Both ships returned safely to port under their own power. The U.S. Navy Offshore Support Vessel returned safely to port at Port Angeles, Washington, and the USS Louisiana returned safely to homeport at Naval Base Kitsap Bangor, Washington.

Fast-attack submarine USS Seawolf (SSN 21) returned to its homeport of Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton August 21, following a six-month Arctic deployment during which it conducted routine submarine operations, including under-ice transits and under-ice operations. "The crew performed superbly on multiple operations in the 6th Fleet area of responsibility," said Cmdr. Jeff Bierley, Seawolf's commanding officer, from Birmingham, Alabama. "We conducted two polar transits, including a routine surfacing at the North Pole. The U.S.

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) escorted U.S. Navy supercarrier USS Nimitz during the carrier crew’s homeport shift from Naval Base Everett, Wash., to Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton, Wash., Jan. 13, 2015, the USCG reported. The crews of the 87-foot Coast Guard Cutters Osprey and Swordfish, as well as two Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team Seattle small boats, were involved in the escort. Both the Coast Guard and Navy crews had to keep a stern lookout as they navigated the foggy Puget Sound waterways, the USCG said.

The Navy competitively awarded a contract to International Shipbreaking Limited of Brownsville, Texas, for the towing, dismantling and recycling of conventionally powered aircraft carriers stricken from service, June 13. Under the contract, the company will be paid $3 million for the dismantling and recycling of the decommissioned aircraft carrier Constellation (CV 64). The price reflects the net price proposed by International Shipbreaking, which considered the estimated proceeds from the sale of the scrap metal to be generated from dismantling. The Navy continues to own the ship during the dismantling process. The contractor takes ownership of the scrap metal as it is produced and sells the scrap to offset its costs of operations.

Trident-class ballistic missile submarine USS Pennsylvania (SSBN 735) completed a major step in its 27-month, engineered refueling overhaul (ERO) when it departed Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PNS & IMF) Aug. 5. Pennsylvania, based at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, entered dry dock in December 2009 for its ERO, which will enable the submarine to provide another 20 years or more of service. Cmdr. Gustavo Gutierrez, Pennsylvania's commanding officer, applauded the efforts of his crew and shipyard personnel for ensuring a safe and successful undocking. "I cannot be more proud of the hard work done by my crew along with the shipyard to make this day possible," said Gutierrez.

Northwest region military personnel and guests celebrated the commissioning of the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Sea Fox (WPB 87374) at the Naval Base Kitsap, Keyport pier Sept. 18. Rear Adm. Gary Blore, commander, 13th Coast Guard District, presided over the commissioning ceremony. Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Charles Bowen provided the keynote speech accompanied by his wife, Janet, the ship's official sponsor. By tradition, the sponsor is a civilian woman with close ties to the service. She is invited to bestow good luck and divine protection over the ship and all that sail aboard. The sponsor also gives part of her own personality to the ship and becomes a permanent member of the crew.

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Scott Dagendesh, , Det. USS Michigan (SSGN 727) (Blue) crew Sailors underwent topside line-handling training outside Trident Training Facility at Naval Base Kitsap, on May 7. Members of the submarine's crew used the training to keep abreast of the important aspects of Navy life and seamanship, such as line-handling. (Blue) Chief of the Boat (COB), Master Chief Electronics Technician (SS) Thomas Metcalf said that training like this instills pride and professionalism. "The reason for this training is to get myself, as the COB, and my crew onto the same sheet of music," said Metcalf. Prior to any deployment…

The Blue and Gold crews of the USS Louisiana, (SSBN 743), were presented the 2006 Omaha Trophy Submarine Ballistic Missile Award by Gen. Kevin Chilton, commander, U.S. Strategic Command in a ceremony at Naval Base Kitsap, Bangor, Wash. This award is presented to the ballistic missile submarine that demonstrates superior performance and commitment to strategic excellence. "USS Louisiana set the standard for all other SSBNs on the waterfront to follow, they are most deserving of the special recognition afforded by this Omaha Trophy," said Chilton. The crews of Louisiana distinguished themselves through superior performance while maintaining…

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (AW/NAC) Eric J. Rowley, Fleet Public Affairs Center Det. USS Connecticut (SSN 22) arrived at Naval Base (NB) Kitsap Bremerton Jan. 29, officially changing its home port from Groton, Conn., after a six-month deployment. Connecticut left Groton July 25 for a six-month deployment around the world conducting real world operations and visiting many ports before arriving to its new home in Bremerton. "We had a successful deployment," said Lt. j.g. James Foster, Connecticut supply officer. "We got to visit lots of interesting places and do missions of national importance. The half-hour ceremony left friends and families waiting in blistery cold weather to give their Sailors a warm welcome to their new homes.

Naval Base (NB) Kitsap, Bremerton, held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the new CVN maintenance complex, Sept. 14. The old warehouse, where the complex now stands, was transformed and renovated to create the CVN maintenance building as a way to help the Navy efforts to improve the efficiency and quality of work of the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (PSNS) and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (IMF) personnel. During the ribbon cutting ceremony, Capt. Reid Tanaka, NB Kitsap commanding officer, welcomed and thanked guests for attending the special event. The CVN maintenance complex will support its staff by providing 61,462 square feet in a three story building with shop areas, project administrative areas and extra outdoor storage.

Naval Base Kitsap, Bremerton Sailors on Delta Pier heave line in order help moor the fast attack submarine USS Seawolf (SSN 21) which transferred from Groton, Connecticut to her permanent duty station in Bremerton. Seawolf; second of her class to arrive and reside in Washington was designed to seek and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships, project power ashore with Tomahawk cruise missiles and special operation forces, carry out intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, support Carrier Strike Groups, and engage in mine warfare. U.S. By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class S. Dagendesh, Fleet Public Affairs Center Det.

Sailors assigned to Marine Corps Security Forces Company (MCSFCo.), Bangor, received combat training during a Basic Security Guard class held at Naval Base Kitsap Bangor, June 28. “Instructors from the Mobile Training Team are out here from Chesapeake, Va., to train our Sailors' basic security skills,” said Marine Lt. Col. James Dillon, commanding officer of MCSFCo. The Basic Security Guard class entails classroom and “hands-on” training during the four-day training session. Service members learn the basics from rules of engagement, self-defense and basic urban skill tactics. “I enjoy being able to pass on our knowledge and our skills to the students,” said Staff Sgt. Travis Gilliand, instructor assigned to Mobile Training Team of Marine Force Corps Training Command.

Art Anderson Associates recently hired six new employees in order to keep pace with an increasing project workload. The new employees are Bill Higgins, Ed Cuaron, Greg Jennings, Todd Allen, Tinisha Rockiett, and Zach Wonderly. Bill Higgins is an Electrical Engineer with over forty years of industry experience. A former employee of Art Anderson Associates from 1980-1997, Higgins returns to the company in order to fill the need for a new professionally-licensed electrical engineer. He will be providing his expertise for both facilities and marine projects, including the firm’s ongoing work to provide engineering support for vessel and terminal security improvements for Washington State Ferries. Ed Cuaron joins the firm as a Technical Assistant to the company’s facilities division.

Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON)(SW/FMF) Joe R. Campa Jr. traveled to the Pacific Northwest for a series of visits, ceremonies and all hands calls April 28 and 29. Campa, who served as Joint Task Force Guantanamo Bay senior enlisted advisor before taking office last July, spent several hours outside Seattle at Fort Lewis where Sailors receive three weeks of training prior to departure for JTF-GTMO. Campa observed training and spoke to the members of the Navy Expeditionary Guard Battalion. “Guantanamo Bay is an operational environment just as important as the frontlines of Iraq or Afghanistan,” Campa told them. Campa also conducted an all-hands call for Naval Base (NB) Kitsap E-6 and below Sailors.

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) hosted Sailors from Naval Recruiting District (NRD) Portland for the district’s Biannual Recruiter In Charge (RINC) Conference April 9-13. The conference provided recruiters from the region with an opportunity to meet and discuss important issues facing their community, as well as to receive training and meet other recruiters from the district. “This represents an opportunity to get all my frontline supervisors from five states together and have them interact and share ideas,” said NRD Portland’s commanding officer, Cmdr. Caroline Nielson. Chief Navy Counselor Steve Schaljo said that about 40 Sailors, including RINCs, supervising officers and guest lecturers attended the conference which was held in Lincoln’s squadron ready rooms.

USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) Sailors said goodbye to their family members and friends Jan. 16, as the ship departed Naval Base Kitsap Bremerton for San Diego to onload Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9. The carrier, with its embarked air wing, USS Antietam (CG 54), and USS Preble (DDG 88), will deploy from San Diego Saturday, Jan. 20. USS O'Kane (DDG 77) and USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60) will deploy from their homeport of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Stennis is the flagship for Commander, Carrier Strike Group (CCSG) 3, headed by Rear Adm. Kevin M. Quinn. “I’m ready for deployment," said Machinist’s Mate Fireman Josh Layton. Stennis’ embarked air wing consists of the F/A-18C Hornet, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, EA-6B Prowler, E-2C Hawkeye 2000, C-2A Greyhound and SH-60F/HH-60H Seahawk.