Naval Task Group News

Seaspan Shipyards hosted a ceremonial keel laying event for the Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN) future HMCS Preserver.Scheduled for delivery in 2027, the vessel is the second of two Joint Support Ships being built by Seaspan as part of Canada's National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS). Through incorporating lessons learned on the design and construction of JSS1, the second Joint Support Ship is tracking ahead of schedule and efficiencies are seen throughout the build process – from advancements in design and supply chain streamlining…

North Vancouver shipbuilder Seaspan Shipyards on Thursday held a keel laying ceremony for the Royal Canadian Navy’s future joint support ship HMCS Protecteur.Scheduled for 2023 delivery, the newbuild is the first of two joint support ships to be constructed by Seaspan as part Canada's National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS). With a length of 173.7 meters and a breath of 24 meters, the vessel will be the largest naval ship by length ever built in Canada.“Today’s keel-laying ceremony represents another milestone in our commitment to provide modern…

HMAS Darwin has completed her mission in earthquake ravaged Kaikoura, New Zealand. In the space of 36 hours, Darwin evacuated more than 60 civilians by sea boat to local ship, HMNZS Canterbury, and delivered approximately 13,500 kilograms of food, water and emergency supplies by helicopter. Commanding Officer Darwin, Commander Phillip Henry said working in a humanitarian and disaster relief effort as part of an international naval task group was breath-taking. “Our teams have made a real difference on the ground restoring essential services and encouraging the community,” he said. Darwin's embarked S-70B-2 Seahawk helicopter performed the bulk of the load lifting.

NATO disputes Conservative claim that Russians confronted Canadian warship. The parliamentary defence secretary said Russian warships confronted a Canadian frigate in the Black Sea. Nonsense, say NATO officials. A report in Ottawa Citizen says that the federal government has ratcheted up its war of words over Ukraine, with the parliamentary defence secretary claiming Russian warships confronted a Canadian frigate in the Black Sea. NATO officials, however, say no such thing happened. Meanwhile, U.S. Rear Admiral Brad Williamson, commander of the maritime group, said at another point two Russian ships were spotted in the distance. The Russians followed all regulations required of vessels in international waters, NATO added.

Today in U.S. 1779 - Capt. John Paul Jones in Continental Navy frigate Bonhomme Richard captures HMS Serapis. 1931 - Lt. Alfred Pride pilots Navy's first rotary wing aircraft, XOP-1 autogiro, in landings and takeoffs on board USS Langley while underway. 1944 - USS West Virginia (BB-48) reaches Pearl Harbor and rejoins the Pacific Fleet, marking the end of the salvage and reconstruction of 18 ships damaged at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. For more information about naval history, visit the Naval History and Heritage Command website at history.

Today in U.S. 1779 - Captain John Paul Jones in Continental Navy frigate Bonhomme Richard captures HMS Serapis. 1931 - Lt. Alfred Pride pilots Navy's first rotary wing aircraft, XOP-1 autogiro, in landings and takeoffs on board USS Langley while underway. 1944 - USS West Virginia (BB-48) reaches Pearl Harbor and rejoins the Pacific Fleet, marking the end of the salvage and reconstruction of 18 ships damaged at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. For more information about naval history, visit the Naval History and Heritage Command website at history.navy.mil.

Two British warships joined those from the USA, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan - including an old Royal Navy favourite - for the war games in the Gulf of Oman. In the seemingly ever-present haze of the Gulf region, a Trafalgar Class submarine (T-boat) and an approximate American counterpart, USS Pittsburgh, led a seven-strong naval task group as the exercise drew to a close. Exercise Arabian Shark 2012 is the latest in a regular series of anti-submarine exercises held in the Middle East region for the past decade.

"Each vessel was welcomed individually," Captain Roman Martov told RIA Novosti. The naval squadron, including the Varyag missile cruiser, three Udaloy class destroyers and three fleet support ships, will join 16 Chinese surface ships for drills in the Yellow Sea between Aril 22 and 27. "The exercises will involve several simulated missions, including the rescue of a hijacked ship, the escort of a commercial vessel, and the defense a convoy from air and sea attacks," a Russian defense ministry spokesman said.

1779 - Captain John Paul Jones in Continental Navy frigate Bonhomme Richard captures HMS Serapis. 1931 - LT Alfred Pride pilots Navy's first rotary wing aircraft, XOP-1 autogiro, in landings and takeoffs on board USS Langley while underway. 1944 - USS West Virginia (BB-48) reaches Pearl Harbor and rejoins the Pacific Fleet, marking the end of the salvage and reconstruction of 18 ships damaged at Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. 1918 - Ensign David S. Ingalls, USNR, in a Sopwith Camel, shoots down his fifth enemy aircraft, becoming the first U.S. Navy ace while flying with the British Royal Air Force. 1941 - In first successful U.S. Navy escort of convoys during World War II, Navy escort turn over HX-150 to British escorts at the Mid-Ocean Meeting Point. All ships reach port safely.

1779 - Captain John Paul Jones in Continental Navy frigate Bonhomme Richard captures HMS Serapis. 1931 - LT Alfred Pride pilots Navy's first rotary wing aircraft, XOP-1 autogiro, in landings and takeoffs on board USS Langley while underway. 1944 - Naval Task Group lands Army troops on Ulithi Atoll, Caroline Islands 1944 - USS West Virginia (BB-48) reaches Pearl Harbor and rejoins the Pacific Fleet, marking the end of the salvage and reconstruction of 18 ships damaged at Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. 1947 - James Forrestal, former SECNAV, takes office as first Secretary of Defense 1990 - Two Hospital ships (USNS Mercy and USNS Comfort) steam together for first time in Arabian Gulf (Source: Navy News Service)

1779 - Captain John Paul Jones in Continental Navy frigate Bonhomme Richard captures HMS Serapis. 1931 - LT Alfred Pride pilots Navy's first rotary wing aircraft, XOP-1 autogiro, in landings and takeoffs on board USS Langley while underway. 1944 - Naval Task Group lands Army troops on Ulithi Atoll, Caroline Islands 1944 - USS West Virginia (BB-48) reaches Pearl Harbor and rejoins the Pacific Fleet, marking the end of the salvage and reconstruction of 18 ships damaged at Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. 1947 - James Forrestal, former SECNAV, takes office as first Secretary of Defense 1990 - Two Hospital ships (USNS Mercy and USNS Comfort) steam together for first time in Arabian Gulf (Source: Navy News Service)

From the Navy News Service 1779 - Captain John Paul Jones, in Continental Navy frigate Bonhomme Richard, captures HMS Serapis. 1931 - Lt. Alfred Pride pilots Navy's first rotary wing aircraft, XOP-1 autogiro, in landings and takeoffs aboard USS Langley (CV 1) while underway. 1944 - Naval Task Group lands Army troops on Ulithi Atoll, . 1944 - USS West Virginia (BB 48) reaches and rejoins the Pacific Fleet, marking the end of the salvage and reconstruction of 18 ships damaged Dec. 7, 1941. 1947 - James Forrestal, former Secretary of the Navy, takes office as the first Secretary of Defense. 1990 - Two hospital ships -- USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) and USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) -- steam together for the first time in the .

The Portsmouth-based Coast Guard Cutter Legare completed a historic five-day port visit in Liberia Feb. 19. With a recent end to Liberia's long civil war, Legare became the first U.S. military ship to moor in Monrovia in more than 17 years. As part of Commander, Naval Forces Europe-Africa's strategy to improve maritime security and safety in the Gulf of Guinea, Legare is part of a unique naval task group comprised of USS Kauffman (FFG 59) and elements of the Destroyer Squadron 60 staff that is currently deployed off the coast of West Africa to strengthen regional maritime partnerships. "Many of these countries are trying to develop capabilities that we would normally associate with coast guards rather than navies in the traditional sense…