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Special Operations Forces News

24 Jul 2023

The Need for [U.S. Navy Shipbuilding] Speed

The world's largest aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) steams in the Adriatic Sea, June 23, 2023.
(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson Adkins)

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…

05 Aug 2022

NASSCO Awarded $1.4 Billion to Build US Navy Ships

(Image: General Dynamics NASSCO)

Shipbuilder General Dynamics NASSCO, a subsidiary of aerospace and defense company General Dynamics (GD), announced on Friday that it received $1.4 billion in U.S. Navy contract modifications for construction of a sixth Expeditionary Sea Base ship (ESB 8) and two additional John Lewis-class fleet oilers (T-AO 211 and 212). This award comes in addition to $600 million already received to procure long-lead time materials for the same ships. The contract modification also provides an option for the Navy to procure an additional oiler…

29 Jun 2022

NASSCO Wins LLT Contracts for Three US Navy Ships

(Photo: General Dynamics NASSCO)

San Diego shipbuilder General Dynamics NASSCO said it has been awarded $600 million in U.S. Navy contract modifications for long-lead-time material to support construction of the seventh and eighth ships in the John Lewis-class fleet oiler (T-AO) program, as well as the sixth ship in the Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB) program.The contract modifications for long-lead-time material provide $500 million for T-AO 211 (Thurgood Marshall) and T-AO 212 (Ruth Bader Ginsburg), and $100 million…

27 Jun 2022

NASSCO Christens USNS John L. Canley (ESB 6)

(Photo: General Dynamics NASSCO)

General Dynamics NASSCO christened the USNS John L. Canley (ESB 6), the fourth ship for the U.S. Navy’s reclassified Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB) program, on Saturday. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Michael E. Langley served as the principal speaker at the ceremony, in addition to remarks from NASSCO, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Marine Corps representatives. Following remarks, Patricia A. Sargent, the ship’s sponsor and daughter of the ship’s namesake, christened the ship with the traditional champagne bottle break alongside the hull.“Today, we celebrate and honor a true hero, Sgt. Maj. Canley.

02 Dec 2021

NASSCO Begins Building Fifth ESB Ship for the US Navy

(Photo: NASSCO)

San Diego shipyard General Dynamics NASSCO on Wednesday started construction on the future USS Robert E. Simanek (ESB 7), the fifth ship of the Navy’s reclassified Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB) program.Long-time NASSCO employee Dennis DuBard served as the Start of Construction honoree, initiating the first cut of steel that will be used to construct the vessel.“Today, we start construction of the ship that honors the life and service of the ship’s namesake, Marine Corps Private First Class Robert E. Simanek,” said Dave Carver, president of General Dynamics NASSCO.

16 Jun 2020

Vigor Wins $30 Mln Ship Maintenance Contract

USNS Miguel Keith (T-ESB 5) (U.S. Navy photo)

U.S. West Coast shipbuilder and repair provider Vigor Marine has been awarded a $30,269,098 firm-fixed-price contract for a 120-calendar day post shakedown shipyard availability of the expeditionary sea base ship Miguel Keith (T-ESB 5), owned and operated by the U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command.Work will be performed in Portland, Ore. and is expected to be complete by December 2020.Work will include the furnishing of general services, shipboard access, clean and gas free tank voids and cofferdams…

25 Sep 2018

Future USS South Dakota Delivered to US Navy

Official U.S. Navy file photo.

The U.S. Navy accepted delivery of the 17th submarine of the Virginia class, the future USS South Dakota (SSN 790), on September 24.The next-generation attack submarine began construction in 2013 and is scheduled to be commissioned in early 2019.South Dakota is the seventh Virginia-class Block III submarine. Block III submarines feature a redesigned bow with enhanced payload capabilities, replacing 12 individual vertical launch tubes with two large-diameter Virginia Payload Tubes, each capable of launching six Tomahawk cruise missiles.

27 Jun 2018

Future USS Indiana Delivered

The US Navy accepted delivery of future attack submarine USS Indiana (SSN 789), the 16th submarine of the Virginia class, June 25. The ship began construction in 2012 and is scheduled to commission in September. This next-generation attack submarine provides the Navy with the capabilities required to maintain the nation's undersea superiority. "Indiana's delivery marks the culmination of millions of man-hours of work by thousands of people across this country to bring the world's foremost undersea asset to the fleet," said Capt. Christopher Hanson, Virginia class program manager. Indiana is the sixth Virginia-class Block III submarine.

19 Mar 2018

USS Colorado Commissioned

Colorado is the first submarine to bear the name and third vessel to be named for the state and was brought to life by her sponsor, Annie Maybus Mabus, daughter of the 75th Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. "To the crew of USS Colorado, this is your day" said Mabus, addressing the crowd and ship's company during the ceremony. "The commissioning crew truly does bring life to the boat. As the most modern and sophisticated attack submarine in the world, the submarine can operate in both littoral and deep ocean environments and presents combatant commanders with a broad and unique range of operational capabilities. "This is an amazing group of Sailors that are outfitted here. Every day we are doing something new for the first time.

14 Feb 2018

Navy's Newest Expeditionary Fast Transport Ship Named

File photo: The first Expeditionary Fast Transport ship, USNS Spearhead (T-EPF 1)( U.S. Navy photo by Jeremy Starr)

The U.S. Navy’s next Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) ship will be named USNS Newport (T-EPF 12), announced Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. The new vessel, currently under construction at Austal USA in Mobile, Ala., is the fourth ship named in honor of the Rhode Island city which serves as home to several Navy activities, including Naval Station Newport and the Naval War College. USNS Newport is the 12th and final vessel in the EPF in the series, formerly known as the Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV).

10 Oct 2017

USS Washington Commissioned

Sailors render a salute during the commissioning ceremony for the Virginia Class Submarine USS Washington (SSN 787) at Naval Station Norfolk. Washington is the U.S. Navy's 14th Virginia-class attack submarine and the fourth U.S. Navy ship named for the State of Washington. (U.S. Navy photo by Class Joshua M. Tolbert)

The U.S. Navy’s newest Virginia class submarine, USS Washington (SSN 787), was officially commissioned during a ceremony on board Naval Station Norfolk, Va. on October 7. Washington, named in honor of the 42nd state, is the 14th Virginia-class, fast-attack submarine to join the Navy's operational fleet. Elisabeth Mabus, daughter of the 75th Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, served as the submarine’s sponsor. Washington is the fourth of eight Block III Virginia-class submarines to be built.

22 Sep 2017

Navy Awards Contract for Columbia Class Submarine Development

The Navy awarded a $5.1 billion contract to General Dynamics Electric Boat for Integrated Product and Process Development (IPPD) of the Columbia Class submarine Sept. 21. The IPPD contract award is for the design, completion, component and technology development and prototyping efforts for the Columbia Class Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarines (SSBNs). This work will also include United Kingdom unique efforts related to the common missile compartment. "The Columbia class submarine is the most important acquisition program the Navy has today," said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. The contract award follows a successful Milestone B (MS B) approval Jan. 4 2017. MS B formally initiated the Columbia Program entry into the Engineering and Manufacturing Development Phase.

14 Jun 2017

US Navy: Bigger is Better, but at What Cost?

U.S. Navy forces and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force routinely train together to improve interoperability and readiness to provide stability and security for the Indo-Asia Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Z.A. Landers)

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.

30 Oct 2016

USS Illinois Joins the Fleet

The U.S. Navy with assistance from the First Lady Michelle Obama commissioned and brought to life the newest Virginia class submarine, USS Illinois (SSN 786), during a ceremony attended by more than 2,500 at Naval Submarine Base, New London on Oct. 29, 2016. Illinois, named in honor of the 21st state, is the 13th Virginia-class, fast-attack submarine to join the Navy's operational fleet. The first lady, who is the ships sponsor, expressed how proud she was of the crew and their families. "Thank you for giving me the incredible privilege of being associated with you and with your families and with the Illinois for the rest of my life. Obama gave the order to "man our ship and bring her to life" before the crew of about 130 men ran across the brow, onto the vessel.

14 Jun 2016

USS Mississippi Enters Korean Port

The US Navy’s USS Mississippi nuclear-powered submarine has arrived in South Korea as part of its maiden voyage to the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, says US military statement. With a crew of approximately 141 Sailors, Mississippi will conduct a multitude of missions while maintaining proficiency of the latest capabilities of the submarine fleet. “This port call to Busan is a great opportunity,” said Cmdr. Eric Rozek, Mississippi’s Commanding Officer. “The visit allows the crew to contact their loved ones back home following several weeks at sea. Part of the Navy’s 7th fleet, the Virginia-class attack sub is on its maiden voyage with a crew of 141 sailors. The 78-hundred-ton Virginia-class submarine of the U.S. Pacific Fleet was commissioned in June 2012.

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…

14 Apr 2016

US Navy Sailors Reflect on Capt Phillips Rescue

Maersk-Alabama Capt. Richard Phillips, right, stands alongside Cmdr. Frank Castellano, commanding officer of USS Bainbridge after being rescued by U.S Naval Forces off the coast of Somalia. (Official U.S. Navy photo)

U.S. Navy sailors aboard amphibious assault ship USS Boxer took time to reflect on the anniversary of the rescue of Capt. Richard Phillips from Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden seven years ago. Phillips was rescued April 12, 2009 by special operations personnel aboard USS Bainbridge and transferred to Boxer for medical evaluation and care. Boxer also served as a staging platform for the rescue operation. “This is a great reminder of the flexibility and warfighting spirit USS Boxer exhibits; always ready to respond, no matter the crisis, operation or mission,” said Capt.

08 Dec 2015

Video: Navy's New Destroyer Underway

U.S. Navy photo courtesy of General Dynamics Bath Iron Works

The future USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) has departed departed Bath Iron Works to set sail for the first time, conducting at-sea tests and trials in the Atlantic Ocean, Dec. A video of the ship underway is available here. The Navy said the newly built multimission ship will provide independent forward presence and deterrence, support special operations forces, and operate as an integral part of joint and combined expeditionary forces. DDG 1000 is the leading guided missile destroyer of the U.S. Navy's Zumwalt class.

26 May 2015

Crown Prince Frederik to Attend the Danish Maritime Forum

Danish Crown Prince Frederik (Photo: Danish Maritime Days)

Maritime key leaders, ministers and leading experts from all around the world will be accompanied by the Danish Crown Prince when they meet for the Danish Maritime Forum, October 7-8, 2015. “We are very proud to announce that the Danish Crown Prince will attend the Danish Maritime Forum. It emphasizes his great interest in the maritime industry and the positive difference it can make for the world,” said Michael Soested, Head of Secretariat of Danish Maritime Days. At the Danish Maritime Forum…

09 May 2015

USN to Christen 'USNS Brunswick'

The Navy will christen the future USNS Brunswick (JHSV 6) May 9 during a 10 a.m. CDT ceremony in Mobile, Alabama. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus will deliver the ceremony’s principal address. Alma B. “Lee” Booterbaugh will serve as the ship’s sponsor. "We will celebrate the christening of the future USNS Brunswick - a modern marvel - just like the incredible shipyard that built it," said Mabus. "More than 4,000 American craftsmen have made this ship possible and the partnership they have with our uniformed men and women, our Navy civilians, the shipbuilding industry as a whole, and the American people, is one of the great strengths of our system. Named for a seaport city located on the southeast coast of Georgia, Brunswick is the fourth ship to bear the name.

09 Jan 2015

Navy to Christen High Speed Vessel

The Navy will christen the future USNS Trenton (JHSV 5) Jan. 10 during a 10 a.m. CDT ceremony in Mobile, Alabama. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus will deliver the ceremony’s principal address. Virginia Kamsky, chair and chief executive of Kamsky Associates, Inc., will serve as the ship’s sponsor. “This ship represents the hard-working men and women of New Jersey and the importance of the American cities along the Delaware River. It represents American shipyard, factory, and assembly line workers who have been the backbone of the Arsenal of Democracy since President Franklin Roosevelt coined the phrase more than seven decades ago. It represents the American spirit of hard work, patriotism and perseverance,” said Mabus.

01 Sep 2014

RIMPAC Exercise Puts LCS Through Paces

It was the middle of May, and the littoral combat ship Independence was operating out of San Diego, testing components of the mine warfare mission package. The mission is one that, except for several extended overhaul periods, has consumed much of the ship’s operating time since the class-leading vessel was commissioned in January 2010. Word then came down from the highest levels of US Navy leadership — Independence was going to Pearl Harbor to take part in the world’s largest naval exercise, Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC). The event, held every two years, was only weeks away from beginning. To get there on time, the LCS would have to rapidly switch gears — offloading the mine equipment…

28 Apr 2014

SECNAV Visits Arizona for JHSV 8 Naming

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus attended a ship naming ceremony for the future joint high-speed vessel (JHSV) 'USNS Yuma' (JHSV 8) in Yuma's Gateway Park. Mabus chose the name 'Yuma' as a tribute to the residents of the Arizona city and their close ties with the military. "The real reason we're here today is the people of Yuma," said Mabus. Speaking to a crowd that included Yuma's Mayor Douglas Nicholls, Mabus explained what the future may hold for JHSV 8. "The ships we build today will be a part of fleet for more than three decades. Sailors not yet born will serve in her," he said. "With her ability to operate in areas that might be otherwise inaccessible, USNS Yuma may well be the only part of America, and her Sailors the only Americans, some people in the world will ever see.