Northern Persian Gulf News

The United States will spend $585 billion on its armed forces in 2015 — the biggest military budget in the world by far. That’s just the Defense Department budget and doesn’t include the tens of billions of dollars that Washington spends on veterans, the purview of the Veterans Administration, or nuclear-weapons development, which falls under the Department of Energy. There’s tremendous pressure in Congress to spend less. Though the Pentagon argues vehemently that budget cuts will harm national security…

1917-The first Coast Guard aviators graduated from Pensacola Naval Aviation Training School. Third Lieutenant Elmer Stone, USCG, became Naval Aviator #38 (and later Coast Guard Aviator #1). 1919-  The Acting Secretary of the Treasury advised that light keepers and the officers and crews of vessels were not entitled to the benefits of the Public Health Service free of charge after retirement. 2003- Three Iraqi sailors were captured in the northern Persian Gulf, the first Enemy Prisoners of War (EPOWs) taken by Coast Guard forces deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The 24-member crew of the CGC Adak plucked the Iraqi sailors from the sea. The Iraqis had jumped overboard as their patrol boat was destroyed by coalition forces operating in the Gulf.

1917-The first Coast Guard aviators graduated from Pensacola Naval Aviation Training School. Third Lieutenant Elmer Stone, USCG, became Naval Aviator #38 (and later Coast Guard Aviator #1). 1919-  The Acting Secretary of the Treasury advised that light keepers and the officers and crews of vessels were not entitled to the benefits of the Public Health Service free of charge after retirement. 2003- Three Iraqi sailors were captured in the northern Persian Gulf, the first Enemy Prisoners of War (EPOWs) taken by Coast Guard forces deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The 24-member crew of the CGC Adak plucked the Iraqi sailors from the sea. The Iraqis had jumped overboard as their patrol boat was destroyed by coalition forces operating in the Gulf.

USS Benfold (DDG 65) conducted a tour for the Surface Navy Association (SNA) Bahrain Chapter, July 24 highlighting the Navy's ability to search, track, hand-off and intercept ballistic missiles—a core element of our Navy's Ballistic Missile Defense program (BMD). "BMD presents a great opportunity for the surface community to contribute to National Security," said Benfold's Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Tom Disy. Benfold's Fire Control Officer, Lt.j.g. Maggie White gave a presentation and guided tour to numerous SNA members, along with U.S. Army Patriot Battalion personnel. "We're at the forefront of BMD technology and capability," she said. Following the tour, SNA members, as well as members of the Benfold wardroom, attended a BMD briefing given to Vice Adm. Bill Gortney, commander, U.S.

From the Navy News Service 1960 - The Bathyscaph Trieste descends to the deepest part of the ocean -- the Marianas Trench. 1968 - USS Pueblo (AGER 2) is seized by North Korean forces in the Sea of Japan. 1991 - Navy A-6 Intruders sink an Iraqi tanker and accompanying hovercraft that were monitoring allied air activity over the northern Persian Gulf.

By Lt. j.g. Adm. Robert F. Willard, Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, presented the crew of USS Howard (DDG 83) the Arleigh Burke Fleet Trophy Award for the U.S. Pacific for 2006 on Aug. The Arleigh Burke Fleet Trophy Award, named after one of the U.S. Navy's most famous destroyer squadron commanders and the Chief of Naval Operations from 1955 to 1961, is presented annually to the ship or aviation squadron (one in the Pacific Fleet and one in the Atlantic Fleet) that has achieved the greatest improvement during the preceding year in operational readiness, inspections, retention and improvement in the Battle Efficiency Award program. Willard…

As the sun-sets over the Khawr Al Amaya Oil Terminal (KAAOT), another day passes safely under the watchful eye of masters-at-arms assigned to Mobile Security Detachment Two Five (MSD-25). MSD-25 members are currently training the Iraqi military on proper watch standing and security procedures during their six-month deployment to the Iraqi oil terminals. Mobile Security Detachment Two Five is combining efforts with coalition forces under the flag of Commander Task Force Five Eight (CTF-58) in support of maritime security operations (MSO) by standing security watches on KAAOT and Al Basrah Oil Terminal (ABOT). U.S. From U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. Two U.S.

A Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) Sailor assigned to coastal patrol ship USS Hurricane (PC 3) conducts an initial security sweep aboard Yard Patrol Craft 681 (YP 681) while his shipmates board the vessel. YP 681 acted as a non-compliant vessel as part of Hurricane's Advanced Phase Training Exercise, designed to prepare the crew for upcoming deployments. U.S. Sailors and assets from the U.S. Naval Academy provided a unique training opportunity Jan. 10 and 17 for the crews of USS Thunderbolt (PC 12) and USS Hurricane (PC 3) in the Chesapeake Bay. The exercises were part of Thunderbolt and Hurricane's theater-tailored Advanced Phase Training Exercise, designed to prepare the crews for upcoming deployments.

Mobile Security Detachment (MSD) 71 concluded a successful six-month deployment here Oct. 1, in which it provided security for Iraq’s Al Basrah (ABOT) and Khawr Al Amaya (KAAOT) oil terminals. The Guam-based Sailors, who are part of Combined Task Force (CTF) 158, worked closely with the Iraqi marines, also stationed aboard the oil terminals, to secure the waters surrounding the oil platforms. MSD 71 Sailors provide Iraqi marines with close-in point defense operations training and other effective security techniques. This intensive training is designed to train the Iraqis to eventually protect the oil platforms and territorial waters without oversight or support from coalition forces.

Quick and maneuverable, U.S. Navy and Coast Guard patrol boats have become an integral part of maritime security operations (MSO) in the Persian Gulf. As part of Commander, Task Group (CTG) 158.1, the patrol boats are conducting MSO, which help set the conditions for security and stability in the North Persian Gulf and protect Iraq's sea-based infrastructure to help provide the Iraqi people the opportunity for self-determination. U.S. Navy 170-foot Cyclone-class Coastal Patrol (PC) ships and Coast Guard 110-foot Island-class patrol boats (PB) can reach their destinations faster and navigate in and out of shallower waters than larger Navy ships. PCs typically remain forward deployed for long periods of time in the Persian Gulf, while their crews are swapped out every six months.

The multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) and guided-missile destroyer USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53) were named honorary flagships March 13 for the upcoming search for the remains of the original Bonhomme Richard, which sank in the North Sea in 1779. “It’s entirely appropriate that these front-line warships are honorary flagships of the expedition, as they are representative of Jones’ legacy,” said Capt. Jack Ringelberg, president of the Ocean Technology Foundation (OTF). LHD 6, homeported in San Diego, is the third U.S. warship to bear the name Bonhomme Richard. With a crew of 1,200 Sailors, today’s Bonhomme Richard carries into action 1,500 Marines and their aircraft, vehicles and equipment.

By Lt. j.g. The multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) and guided-missile destroyer USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53) were named honorary flagships March 13 for the upcoming search for the remains of the original Bonhomme Richard, which sank in the North Sea in 1779. “It’s entirely appropriate that these front-line warships are honorary flagships of the expedition, as they are representative of Jones’ legacy,” said Capt. Jack Ringelberg, president of the Ocean Technology Foundation (OTF). LHD 6, homeported in San Diego, is the third U.S. warship to bear the name Bonhomme Richard. With a crew of 1,200 Sailors, today’s Bonhomme Richard carries into action 1,500 Marines and their aircraft, vehicles and equipment.

Elements of the USS Nassau (LHA 4) Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) including the dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50), amphibious transport dock USS Austin (LPD 40) and the guided-missile cruiser USS Cape St. George (CG 71), carrying more than 2,700 Sailors, returned to Naval Station Norfolk and Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek May 4, following a six-month deployment is support of the global war on terrorism. Nassau ESG ships, which deployed Nov. 7, conducted maritime security operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) and supported theater security cooperation in the U.S. 6th Fleet AOR. Other members of the ESG, including the guided-missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81), returned May 2.

The guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain (CG 57) moves thru the Bay of Bengal after making a port call in Singapore. Lake Champlain is part of the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group, currently deployed in support of the global war on terrorism and maritime security operations (MSO). U.S. While there is a ring of steel around the Iraqi oil terminal platforms in the Northern Persian Gulf, small rubber boats with special boat crews do much of the heavy lifting for security and stability in the area. Coalition ships move continuously around the Al Basra Oil Terminal and the Khawr al Amaya Oil Terminal, and each sends out small boat crews aboard rigid-hulled inflatable boats to conduct VBSS (visit, board, search and seizure) missions. "They are the 'beat cops' for the area," said Capt.

Members of Coast Guard Port Security Units 311 and 313 relieved U.S. Marines earlier today of responsibility for security on two gas and oil platforms in the Northern Persian Gulf. The Marines had held both platforms after U.S. Navy SEALS took them from the Iraqi regime. Members of PSU 311, from San Pedro, Calif., and PSU 313, from Tacoma, Wash., are among the approximately 650 Coast Guard men and women participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom in the Persian Gulf. In addition to the PSUs, Coast Guardsmen are serving in four 110-foot patrol boats, a 378-foot high-endurance cutter, a 225-foot buoy tender, two law enforcement detachments, elements of the National Strike Force and a harbor defense command unit.