Marine Link
Thursday, March 28, 2024
SUBSCRIBE

Navy Region News

10 Sep 2020

Sensor Systems Improve Marine Navigation Near US Naval Bases

A Coast Guard ATON (Aids to Navigation) buoy in Kings Bay, Ga., that will house one of the new PORTS current meters. (Photo: NOAA)

Maritime navigational safety near two U.S. Navy installations in Kings Bay, Ga., and Portsmouth, N.H. has been improved thanks to new Physical Oceanographic Real-Time Systems, also known as PORTS, installed by NOAA and the U.S. Navy. They are the first new PORTS in two years, and the 34th and 35th in the nationwide network.The system near Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, the East Coast home to America’s Ohio-class submarines, is an integrated series of sensors which will provide critical real-time information on oceanographic and meteorological conditions.

13 Jul 2020

Fire Breaks Out on US Navy Ship in San Diego

 U.S. Navy photo by Lt. John J. Mike/Released

U.S. Navy ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) caught fire on Sunday morning while it was moored pier side at Naval Base San Diego.According to the U.S. Navy, 21 people were being treated for light injuries on Sunday.The Navy said in a statement: "Today, we suffered a terrible tragedy aboard USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) when a fire broke out aboard the ship while in port San Diego. At this point, 17 Sailors and four civilians are being treated for non-life-threatening injuries at a local hospital."The remainder of the crew is accounted for.

01 Sep 2019

LA Fleet Week Kicks Off

Photo: US Navy

The City of Los Angeles welcomed more than 1,200 Sailors and Marines to the Los Angeles and San Pedro area for a week-long tribute to the sea services during the fourth annual Los Angeles Fleet Week Aug. 27-Sept. 2.Los Angeles Fleet Week offers the public an opportunity to tour Naval ships, engage with service members, and enjoy a variety of displays and events throughout the week. It also gives the public an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the sea services and how they support our country’s national defense strategy.“The port of LA is the largest port in the country…

05 Jul 2018

49 Missing After Boat Capsizes off Thailand's Phuket Island

Forty nine people are missing after a boat carrying 97 people, including Chinese tourists and Thai crew, capsized in rough seas off Thailand's tourist island of Phuket, the Thai navy said on Thursday. Thailand is in the middle of its monsoon season which brings with it adverse weather conditions. "Right now we are still looking for 49 people. We have helped 48 people from the capsized boat. We have sent boats to help," Rear Admiral Somnuk Prempramote, commander of the Royal Thai Navy Region 3. "They were all wearing life jackets," he added. The boat was one of three to encounter difficulties at sea in the area on Thursday, the navy said. Another two boats, including a yacht carrying 39 people, also capsized but its passengers have been brought to safety.

18 Oct 2017

Charting the Next 100 Years of Naval Station Norfolk

What does the future hold for Naval Station Norfolk, the world’s largest naval station? Building on the accomplishments of the last 100 years, leading experts will consider the possibilities and navigate toward a secure and sustainable future at the upcoming symposium, Naval Station Norfolk: Charting Our Next 100 Years, Friday October 20th at the Main, hotel and conference center. The Future Fleet Design session will be conducted by VADM Richard P. Breckenridge from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.. The session will discuss the USFF Fleet Design Plan that will drive the implementation of Fleet Design by 2023. The presentation on Fleet Design will define how the fleet…

06 Sep 2017

Florida Navy Bases Prepare for Irma

Navy installations throughout Florida are preparing for heavy weather as Hurricane Irma approaches South Florida. Commander, Navy Region Southeast, Rear Adm. Bette Bolivar, directed the evacuation of non-essential personnel and family members from Naval Air Station Key West, Florida, Sept. 5. "Their safety and security is a top priority," Bolivar said. Approximately 50-60 mission essential personnel are remaining behind to maintain essential functions on the installation. Naval Air Station Key West personnel have a designated safe haven area of within 300 miles of Atlanta. Personnel and family members need to muster with the installation, their command or through the Navy Family Accountability and Assistance System (NFAAS) website upon arrival to the safe haven area.

31 Mar 2017

New Commander at US Navy Installations Command

Vice Adm. Mary M. Jackson relieved Vice Adm. Dixon R. Smith at a change of command ceremony for Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) March 31, at the Washington Navy Yard. The ceremony included the presentation of colors by the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard color guard, national anthem by the U.S. Navy Band and remarks from guest speaker, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson. "While here, I've witnessed firsthand the tremendous dedication of our civilians and Sailors who support the fleet, warfighters and their families," said Smith. Smith served as the head of the Navy's entire shore infrastructure for approximately two and a half years and was the fifth commander of CNIC since the command's inception in 2003.

13 Apr 2017

Navy's Top Officer Visits Naval Station Rota

Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. John Richardson and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Steven Giordano visited Naval Station Rota, March 27 and 28. During their time in Rota, Richardson and Giordono visited the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, USS Ross (DDG 71), ate lunch with the 2016 Sailors of the Year, viewed a display of Commander, Task Force 68 expeditionary equipment and held an "all-hands call" with installation Sailors, civilians and family members. While meeting Sailors around the installation, Richardson said it was clear Naval Station Rota Sailors are mission-focused and very well led. "I am incredibly proud and humbled to be your chief of naval operations," said Richardson.

02 Oct 2016

CNRSE Orders Evacuation In Preparation for Hurricane Matthew

In preparation for Hurricane Matthew, Commander, Navy Region Southeast (CNRSE) has ordered the mandatory evacuation for approximately 700 spouses and children on board Naval Station (NS) Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Navy Region Southeast is coordinating with U.S. Southern Command and U.S. Transportation Command for an airlift to transport family members via military aircraft to safe haven at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Fla. Family members would remain in Pensacola until it is safe to return. NAS Pensacola has quarters to house the families, and the Fleet and Family Service Center counselors will be available to provide assistance. The remaining military and civilian personnel will shelter in place and be able to support recovery efforts once safe to do so following the storm's passage.

20 Jul 2015

Naval Symposium Examines Ship Capabilities, Career Options

Vice Adm. Tom Rowden (E.H. Lundquist photo)

The annual Surface Navy Association (SNA) West Coast Symposium was held on the waterfront at Naval Station San Diego on July 16, and provided attendees an update on some key operational and career developments important to the surface warfare community. Capt. Mark Johnson, president of the SNA San Diego Chapter, was the host and master of ceremonies for the symposium. Capt. Warren Buller, commander of LCS Squadron 1, provided a comprehensive update on the LCS program, to include a detailed summary of the status of mission package development.

12 Mar 2015

Maritime Security Experts Meet in Jacksonville

One of the MARSEC East 205 boat demonstrations featured a pursuit and arrest of noncompliant boaters in an exclusion area.  (Photo by William Lusk)

Maritime security experts are gathering this week at Maritime Security 2015 East in Jacksonville, Florida, to exchange information and ideas, as well as learn about and see emerging technologies and operational concepts in action. Presentations were made by speakers from the Navy and Coast Guard, along with state, city and local organizations with maritime security and law enforcement responsibilities. The event is taking place at the Jacksonville JAXPORT Cruise Terminal. A dramatic on water demonstration was led by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

06 Dec 2014

73rd Anniversary of Pearl Harbor Attack

Dec. 7, 1941 is a day that America will never forget. Claiming more than 2,400 American lives, 21 ships sunk or damaged, and more than 300 aircraft lost, the attack on Pearl Harbor goes down as one of the worst attacks on American soil. The Japanese attack came in two waves. During the first wave, six Japanese carriers launched 181 planes carrying torpedo bombers, dive bombers, horizontal bombers and fighters. Only 30 minutes later 170 more aircraft launched their attack on the Harbor. The U.S. was able to repair all but three of the ships sunk or damaged. The three ships that were beyond repair were USS Arizona (BB-39), USS Oklahoma (BB-37), and USS Utah (AG-16). This year marks the 73rd anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

12 Oct 2014

Navy Sets Up Base in Romania

Commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia (CNREURAFSWA) established Naval Support Facility (NSF) Deveselu Friday, Oct. 10, during an establishment and assumption of command ceremony on base. NSF Deveselu, formerly a disused Romanian airfield, is the first Navy base to be established since Naval Station (NS) Everett in Washington, whose official groundbreaking ceremony was held Nov. 9, 1987. The installation, scheduled to be operational in 2015, will be part of a NATO's overall ballistic missile defense (BMD) system. Rear Adm. John Scorby, commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia, hosted the ceremony. "This is a historic occasion because ballistic missile threats to the U.S. and our allies are real and growing," Scorby said.

08 Oct 2014

5-Star Accreditation for Naval Station Yorktown Galley

Scudder Hall Galley at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown (WPNSTA Yorktown) was awarded its sixth consecutive 5-Star accreditation, Oct. 2, from Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic (CNRMA). The 5-Star accreditation for food service excellence is based on the review team's on-site evaluation of strict criteria regarding the overall quality of food service, including records, inventory practices, training, sanitation, and food preparation. "The 5-Star accreditation represents what you do every day, which is a level of service that your customers depend on," said Mr. Bill Dorris, CNRMA Food Service Director. "The [galley's] '5-Star' selection as a premier food service operation is attributed to the professionalism and commitment to provide exceptional quality of life for all our patrons…

05 Oct 2014

USS Princeton Wins CNRSW 'Good Neighbor' Award

The officers and crew of guided missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) were named as the recipients of the 2014 Navy Region Southwest "Project Good Neighbor" flagship award for medium-sized sea duty commands, Sept. 29. Princeton was one of eight Navy Region Southwest units recognized for their volunteerism and community service in an official naval message released by Rear Adm. Patrick Lorge, commander, Navy Region Southwest. Led by Lt. John Quay, the ship's command chaplain, Princeton Sailors leveraged their experience with community relations projects while deployed last year to create a year-round program to improve the quality of life for the less fortunate in San Diego County. Quay said Princeton Sailors work with Habitat for Humanity at least once a month.

19 Sep 2014

USCG Cutter in Oregon Spill Drill

The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Fir, a 225-foot buoy tender homeported in Astoria, Oregon, participated in a Spilled Oil Response System exercise near Blake Island, Washington, Wednesday. The exercise was part of an annual response exercise and included members of the Coast Guard 13th District Response Advisor Team, Pacific Strike Team out of Novato, California, Coast Guard Auxiliary, Washington State Department of Ecology, Harley Marine Service Inc., Navy Region Northwest, Washington State Ferries, and the Marine Spill Response Corporation.

10 Oct 2012

Best Foote Forward at SF Fleet Week

Chief Musician Scott Foote Leads: Photo credit USN

Chief Musician Scott Foote leads the Navy Region Southwest Band in the Italian Heritage parade during San Francisco Fleet Week 2012. San Francisco Fleet Week brought together recently more than 2,500 Sailors, Marines and Coast Gaurdsmen from four ships to the city of San Francisco in order to highlight the personnel, technology and capabilities of the sea services. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Tim D. Godbee)

13 Sep 2012

Vietnam-era US Navy Patrol Boat Welcomed Back

'Swift' Patrol Boat:Photo credit Maritime Museum of San Diego

Maritime Museum of San Diego to ceremonially welcome Vietnam War-era Swift Boat P24, September 18, 2012, restoration work to follow. The event, to be attended by 35 Swift Boat Veterans and Mayor Jerry Sanders, among other dignitaries, takes place at the Museum located at 1492 Harbor Drive in downtown San Diego. It marks the first public appearance of the vessel acquired in July from the Republic of Malta. P24 was originally donated by the United States Navy to Malta’s Maritime Squadron in 1971. It continued in service to that country until being retired in 2010.

19 Apr 2012

DoD, Navy and Wind Farm Developer Release Memo of Agreement

Naval Air Station, Kingsville, Texas - The Navy released today a memorandum of agreement (MOA), signed by officials from the Department of Defense (DoD), the Department of the Navy and Texas Wind Group (TWG), which outlines a mutual approach to enable a renewable energy developer to build and operate wind turbines at planned locations in Kleberg County, Texas, while reducing the potential for those turbines to affect flight operations at NAS Kingsville. "Sustaining military readiness is the number one priority of everyone in the Navy chain of command," said Capt. Mark McLaughlin, commanding officer of NAS Kingsville. Signing for DoD was David Belote, director of the DoD Energy Siting Clearinghouse.

10 Jan 2012

Navy's Great Lakes Energy Project Moves Ahead

Naval Station (NAVSTA) Great Lakes and Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Midwest are taking the next step toward decentralizing the base's steam heat delivery system, one of the largest energy efficiency initiatives in the 100-year history of the base. Teams of prospective project contractors and NAVFAC representatives will conduct site visits in mid-January at many of the buildings on base to be affected. As part of the bidding process, this will give the companies a better sense of what will be involved in the project, to be awarded by summer 2012. "This is one of the most significant projects undertaken within the region," said NAVFAC Midwest Commanding Officer Capt. Scott Bernotas. "Not only is the project large in scope, but also in future benefit.

13 Jul 2011

Captain Brendan Gray Appointed President of HMDS

Paul C. Jensen, CEO of HALO Maritime Defense Systems (HMDS), announced the appointment of Captain Brendan Gray USN (ret) as President. Gray, a graduate of the US Naval Academy, served with distinction for thirty years as a Naval Aviator, spending his last five years as the Deputy Commander and Chief Operating Officer for Navy Region Europe. Captain Gray was responsible for the day-to-day operations, security, and force protection of nine Navy bases across five countries in Europe, including the operation of seven ports and six airfields.

05 Jul 2011

Profile: Rear Admiral Carpenter, Commander, Navy WDC, Norfolk

Photo courtesy U.S. Navy

Rear Admiral Wendi B. Carpenter is the daughter of an Air Force veteran of WWII, Korea and Vietnam. Raised throughout the United States, she graduated from the University of Georgia in 1976 with a bachelor of science degree in psychology. Carpenter was commissioned in 1978 through Aviation Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Fla. and in July 1979 was designated a Naval Aviator. Graduating at the top of her class, she was assigned as the Navy’s first Selectively Retained Graduate Instructor Pilot (SERGRAD) in the T-44 aircraft at VT-31, NAS Corpus Christi, Texas.

21 Aug 2008

LCS 1 To Be Commissioned Nov. 8

Civilians watch as the littoral combat ship USS Freedom (LCS 1) approaches the Menekaunee draw bridge as the ship goes to sea to begin acceptance trials. The Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey team will conduct the acceptance trials in Lake Michigan.

The Navy's newest ship, the future USS Freedom (LCS 1), will be commissioned Nov. 8 at Veteran's Memorial Park in . The commissioning date set by Secretary of the Navy, Donald C. Winter, was announced by the commissioning committee Aug. 18 in . "This is a huge milestone, another milestone in the life of USS Freedom," said Cmdr. Michael Doran, prospective commanding officer of Freedom's Gold Crew. The littoral combat ship was designed to provide the U.S. Navy with greater flexibility and capability in operating in the littoral or "green water" coastal areas.