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Special Mission News

08 Nov 2023

U.S. Navy Takes Delivery of Ship to Shore Connector, Landing Craft, Air Cushion 108

Credit: U.S. Navy

The U.S. Navy took delivery of the next-generation landing craft, Ship to Shore Connector (SSC), Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) 108, from Textron Systems."These next-generation craft provide our Navy and Marine Corps team with essential agility and speed to complete their missions,” said Capt. Jason Grabelle, program manager for Amphibious Assault and Connectors Programs, Program Executive Office (PEO) Ships. “SSC provides the fleet with agility and speed to assist with current and future mission requirements.”LCACs are built with configurations…

29 Jul 2022

US Navy Takes Delivery of USNS John Lewis (T-AO 205)

USNS John Lewis (T-AO 205) is the lead ship of the U.S. Navy's new class of fleet replenishment oilers. (Photo: US. Navy)

The U.S. Navy announced it has accepted delivery of the lead ship of its new class of fleet replenishment oilers, USNS John Lewis (T-AO 205), built by General Dynamics NASSCO in San Diego.T-AO 205’s July 26 delivery follows the completion of Acceptance Trials with the Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey to test the readiness and capability of the craft and to validate requirements.“USNS John Lewis will provide much needed capability to the fleet as the primary fuel pipeline at sea,” said John Lighthammer, program manager, Auxiliary and Special Mission Shipbuilding Program Office.

09 Jun 2021

The Navy’s Big Fleet of Small Boats

The U.S. Navy’s Mark VI class patrol boat is designed to patrol riverine and littoral waters around the globe. (Photo: Nelson Doromal Jr / U.S. Navy)

The Navy is known for its big ships. It has a lot of smaller boats and craft, too—3,200 of them.The three primary stakeholders for these craft are the Surface Fleet, Commander Navy Installations Command and Navy Expeditionary Combat Command. Other stakeholders include Submarine Forces; Air Forces (which own the aircraft carriers); Naval Special Warfare; the Coast Guard; Naval Facilities Command and the Naval Warfare Centers.Boats and craft are procured and managed by Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) Program Executive Office for Ships (PEO Ships)…

20 May 2021

National Maritime Day

© Lefteris Papaulakis/AdobeStock

“I hold no branch in higher esteem, than the Merchant Marine…”That is a quote from General Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Allied Commander of the Pacific in WWII. That one sentence sums up National Maritime Day. Inasmuch if it were not for our glorious Merchant Marine and maritime industry, we may not even have been a nation at all.National Maritime Day is the day we honor our American Merchant Mariners for protecting our freedom and for their dedication to promoting American commerce together with the accomplishments of the U.S. maritime industry.

05 Nov 2020

Dakota Creek Delivers New US Navy Yard Tug

(Image: Dakota Creek Industries)

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).

19 Apr 2020

Nigeria Pledges Improved Information Sharing

Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh flanked by Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Oladele Bamidele Daji (Right) and Navy Hydrographer, Rear Admiral Chukwuemeka Okafor (left) during a working visit by the Western Naval Command to NIMASA.

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigeria Navy are set for a regime of improved information sharing as arrangements to integrate the Command, Control, Computer Communication and Information (C4i) Cente of the Deep Blue Project along with the Falcon Eye of the Nigerian Navy.The Director General of NIMASA Dr. Bashir Jamoh said, “Just like we did by ensuring that our Special Mission Vessels are manned by men of the Nigerian Navy, we are also looking at the possibility of effectively linking the C4i center at kikiriki with the Falcon Eye of the Nigerian Navy.

18 Nov 2019

Miguel Keith Delivered to U.S. Navy

The Navy accepted delivery of USNS Miguel Keith (T-ESB-5), the expeditionary sea base that was damaged while under construction when its dry dock flooded in July 2018 and subsequently set back by about six months.Delivery marks the official transfer of the ship from the shipbuilder to the Navy. The Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB) 5 will be owned and operated by Military Sealift Command."The Navy and industry team overcame significant setbacks in the construction of this ship, and I'm extremely proud of the urgency and determination displayed on everyone's part to deliver a high-quality ship that will support our operational requirements in the 7th Fleet area of operations," said Capt. Scot Searles, Strategic Sealift and Theater Sealift program manager, Program Executive Office Ships.

30 Oct 2019

USMI, Brunswick Enter into MOU

United States Marine, Inc. (USMI) and Brunswick Commercial and Government Products (BCGP) are pleased to announce they have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to explore potential business opportunities.USMI and BCGP have a history of providing our warfighters with mission proven vessels to help ensure our troops come home safely. “We have always admired Brunswick craft. This is an opportunity for both of us to work together to explore our core strengths and synergies to determine how we can provide unique craft to the military market with our combined expertise.

01 Aug 2018

Ingalls Begins Fabricating US Warship LPD-29

A graphic illustration of the future San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Richard M. McCool Jr. (LPD 29). (U.S. Navy photo illustration by Raymond D. Diaz III)

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) started fabrication of the 13th LPD-17 San Antonio class ship, LPD-29, July 30, at its Ingalls Shipbuilding yard in Pascagoula, Miss. The start of fabrication signifies that the first 100 tons of steel have been cut."We are excited to commence fabrication on the 13th and final ship of the LPD-17 Flight I class," said Capt. Brian Metcalf, LPD 17 class program manager for Program Executive Office Ships. "We continue to benefit from the maturity of this program…

20 Jul 2018

MACC is Definitely Back

Even Mother Nature Can’t Dent the Enthusiasm at this Year’s MACC.Curtis Bay, MD: On the morning after the Baltimore, MD area received a record 3.5 inches of torrential rain in just 90 minutes, this year’s Multi-Agency Craft Conference (MACC) kicked off without a hitch at the United States Coast Guard Yard in Curtis Bay, MD. That may sound easy, but for those flying in Tuesday afternoon (or like myself, driving in through DC at exactly the moment that the George Washington Parkway flooded badly near the DCA Airport), it was touch and go.Although a proud (although badly aging) graduate of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy and a licensed mariner – Chief Mate (any gross tons) and a 1600 Ton Master – this officially was my first command at sea.

18 May 2018

Construction Milestone for DDG 51 Program

Rendering  of the future Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125), the first “Flight III” ship in the U.S. Navy’s Arleigh Burke class of destroyers (Image: HII)

The U.S. Navy's Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) destroyers program notched two shipbuilding milestones with the recent start of construction at shipyards Bath Iron Works (BIW) in Bath, Maine, and Huntington Ingalls Industries in Pascagoula, Miss.Construction of the future USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr. (DDG 124) officially began on May 17 at BIW, where the ship's namesake, Col. Harvey "Barney" Barnum, Jr. (Ret.), was on hand to mark the start of fabrication on the ship.In Pascagoula, construction of the future USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125) officially began May 7.

15 Nov 2017

US Navy Accepts Delivery of Future USS Ralph Johnson

The Navy accepted delivery of future guided-missile destroyer USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) from shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) Nov. 15. In early September, DDG 114 successfully demonstrated its ship's systems and readiness during a series of at sea and in-port trials for the U.S. Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV). Due to the success of the trials, INSURV recommended the ship be accepted for delivery to the U.S. Navy. "The namesake of this ship is a true American patriot who sacrificed his life for the safety of his fellow Marines and his country," said Capt. Casey Moton, DDG 51 class program manager, Program Executive Office Ships. DDG 114's namesake, Pfc. Ralph H.

22 Feb 2017

Keel Laid for USS Frank E. Petersen

The keel of future guided-missile destroyer USS Frank E. Petersen, Jr. (DDG 121) was ceremoniously laid Feb. 21 at Huntington Ingalls Industries shipyard. Although official construction of DDG 121 began April 2016, the keel laying symbolically recognizes the ceremonial beginning of the ship. The keel was said to be "fairly and truly laid" and was authenticated by D'Arcy Neller, the ship's sponsor, and Donald Brabston, a master Ingalls shipbuilder. "The keel laying is the symbolic first step in shaping our nation's newest destroyer," said Capt. Casey Moton, DDG 51 class program manager, Program Executive Office (PEO) Ships. "The ship will be a lasting tribute to Frank E. Frank E. Petersen, Jr. was the first African-American aviator and the first African-American Marine Corps general.

29 Dec 2016

USS Rafael Peralta Completes Acceptance Trials

The future USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115) successfully completed acceptance trials Dec. 16 after spending two days underway off the coast of Maine. The U.S. Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) reviewed the ship and its crew during a series of demonstrations while underway. INSURV evaluates the ship's construction and compliance with Navy specifications and is the governing body that recommends the ship be delivered to the Navy. The trials were conducted both pier-side and underway. Many of the ship's onboard systems tested to validate performance, including navigation, damage control, mechanical and electrical systems, combat systems, communications, and propulsion applications, met or exceeded Navy specifications.

09 Dec 2016

US Navy Destroyer John Finn Delivered

Ingalls Shipbuilding's 29th Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) destroyer John Finn (DDG 113) sails the Gulf of Mexico during Alpha sea trials. (Photo: Lance Davis/HII)

The U.S. Navy has accepted delivery of future guided-missile destroyer USS John Finn (DDG 113) from shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) on December 7, the 75th anniversary of the attacks on Pearl Harbor. HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division delivered the Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) guided missile destroyer DDG 113 after completing three sets of at-sea and in-port trials which proved the ship's operational readiness. The ship is the 63rd DDG 51-class destroyer and the first of the DDG 51 Flight IIA restart ships.

20 Nov 2016

DON Recognizes Acquisition Excellence

The Department of the Navy recognized more than 50 acquisition professionals for exceptional efforts in the acquisition field during a Pentagon ceremony Nov. 17. Hosted by Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development and Acquisition) Sean Stackley, the 2016 Acquisition Excellence Awards celebrated individuals and teams for upholding key tenets of acquisition including competition, affordability, technical expertise, innovative techniques and professional acumen. "Today, we recognize those who have distinguished themselves amongst the tens of thousands who are equally committed to ensuring that our Navy and Marine Corps is the most capable fighting force in the world," said Stackley. Undersecretary of the Navy, Dr.

20 May 2016

US Navy Accepts Delivery of Future USS Zumwalt

The future guided-missile destroyer USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) transits the Atlantic Ocean during acceptance trials April 21, 2016 with the Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV). (Photo: U.S. Navy)

The U.S. Navy has accepted delivery of future USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000), the lead ship of the Navy's next-generation of multimission surface combatants, May 20. DDG 1000 is tailored for sustained operations in the littorals and land attack, and will provide independent forward presence and deterrence, support special operations forces, and operate as an integral part of joint and combined expeditionary forces. Ship delivery follows extensive tests, trials and demonstrations of the ship's hull…

26 Feb 2016

RV Sally Ride Completes Builder's Trials

R/V Sally Ride (AGOR 28) is prepared for a christening ceremony at Dakota Creek Industries, Inc. shipyard in Anacortes, Wash. R/V Sally Ride is the second in the Neil Armstrong-class of research vessels and features a modern suite of oceanographic and acoustic ocean mapping equipment. (U.S. Navy photo by John F. Williams)

The U.S. Navy's new Auxiliary General Purpose Oceanographic Research Vessel (AGOR), R/V Sally Ride (AGOR 28), has completed builder's trials, February 21, off the coast of Anacortes, Wash. Builder's trials for Sally Ride tested various shipboard systems and ensured readiness prior to conducting acceptance trials with the U.S. Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey. The propulsion system, mission-over-the-side handling equipment, anchor handling system and work/rescue boat launch system were among the systems successfully demonstrated.

04 Sep 2015

HII Wins $109.4mln U.S. Navy Contract

Huntington Ingalls  has received a $109.4mln contract modification to carry out support services for the U.S. Navy’s nuclear submarines. The company will work to engineer, design, configure and update various classes of submarines, special mission submersible interfaces, support facilities and submarines for foreign military sales programs, the Defense Department said. Huntington Ingalls will perform work in Newport News, Virginia through September 2017. Support services will be provided for Los Angeles, Seawolf, Virginia, and Ohio-class submarines; special mission submersible interfaces; and submarine support facilities. The contract also involves potential foreign military sales programs. Recently, Huntington Ingalls won another contract worth $57.9 million from the U.S.

21 Jul 2015

Newport News Shipbuilding Bags US Navy Submarine Contract

The U.S. Navy has given Newport News Shipbuilding a $106 million contract to provide engineering and industrial support for submarines. Huntington Ingalls Industries, parent company of Newport News Shipbuilding, said the contract will be worth a total of $564 million, as the special mission submersibles, submarine support facilities and related programs are also covered by the contract. Newport News Shipbuilding is one of only two U.S. shipyards capable of building nuclear-powered submarines and has completed hundreds of ship repair projects for the government, ranging from paint repair to complete hull and machinery renovation. "Receiving this contract allows Newport News Shipbuilding to continue decades of delivering the best engineering, design and logistics support for U.S.

09 Mar 2015

Chinise Maritime Activities under US Surveillance

Nothing escapes the constant vigilance of US surveillance activities near the Chinese coast and the Pacific First Island Chain which extends from Alaska to the Philippines, according to the Beijing Morning Post. A Pathfinder-class oceanographic survey ship USNS Bowditch is in charge of operations in the Asia-Pacific. It is also part of the Special Mission Ship program established to collect intelligence over the disputed South China Sea. The USNS Bowditch is described by the Chinese as the "vacuum of ocean intelligence." It is also equipped with ocean depth multi-beam and single-beam sonar systems. With intelligence provided by the USNS Bowditch, US nuclear-powered attack submarines are capable of intercepting PLA Navy submarines in the disputed waters.

09 Nov 2014

Lewis B. Puller Successfully Completes Float-Off

The Navy's third Mobile Landing Platform (MLP), Lewis B. Puller successfully completed launch and float-off at the General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Co. (NASSCO) shipyard Nov. Lewis B. Puller is the first afloat forwarding staging base (AFSB) variant of the MLP. The ship is designed around four core capabilities - aviation, berthing, equipment staging area, and command and control - and optimized to support a variety of maritime missions. "The maturity and stability of the Mobile Landing Platform shipbuilding program has allowed for the smooth transition to the afloat forward staging base variant," said Capt. Henry Stevens, Strategic and Theater Sealift program manager, Program Executive Office, Ships.

14 Oct 2014

Extreme Applications Demand Specialist Small Craft

In a dangerous world, even the largest ship in the world depends on the smallest maritime security and special mission platform. And when it comes to small boat security operations, innovation is the name of the game. With 90% of world trade transported by sea then passing through ports and waterways, no amount of technology will replace the requirement for multiple small fast craft and skilled operators. Finding new ways to share knowledge and best practice has never been more important in the maritime world.