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Makin Island News

15 May 2023

NASSCO Awarded USS Makin Island (LHD 8) Repair Job

File photo: Amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8). (Photo: Dennis Grube)

San Diego shipyard General Dynamics NASSCO has been awarded a contract from the U.S. Navy for maintenance, modernization and repair of the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) fiscal 2023 selected restricted availability.The $66,854,586 firm-fixed-price contract action includes options, which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $74,981,830.The scope of this acquisition includes all labor, supervision, equipment, production, testing and…

21 Feb 2023

Hawaii Regional Maintenance Center Completes Emergent Repair on USS Makin Island (LHD 8)

Left to right: PSI PM Kevin Collins, C250 Shanon Arnold, C103 CTL Juan Carlos “Harry” Herrera, C103 APM Shane Konno, C132 QA Jamie Francis, C410 CS Jay Masatsugu, C103 APM Cheryl Yamanaka, 132 QA Michael Halsey, C242 A-CHENG Patrick Driscoll, C410 Sohee “Kelly” Wun, C103 WFO Lt. Cmdr. Kristopher DeVisser, C103 SBS Tony Castro. (Photo: Justice Vannatta / U.S. Navy)

The Hawaii Regional Maintenance Center (HRMC) team at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility is the Navy’s first responders when it comes to an emergent repair availability (ERAV) on surface ships in the Indo-Pacific Region.Pearl Harbor sits in a strategic location and is a hub for many emergent repairs for ships transiting through the Pacific Ocean. One successful ERAV took place last fall when the USS Makin Island (LHD 8) departed San Diego on its…

24 May 2022

US Navy Climate Plan Aims to Cut Emissions, Move to Low Carbon Fuels

USS Makin Island, an amphibious assault ship deployed in 2009, uses GE hybrid systems with electric and natural gas or diesel fired turbines to increase efficiency. (Photo: U.S. Navy)

The U.S. Navy released on Tuesday a climate strategy that aims to make the force more resilient to changes like sea level rise and coastal erosion while moving faster to low-carbon fuels and hybrid engines for ships and planes.The Climate Action 2030 plan, is part of the Biden administration's wider goal of decarbonizing the economy by 2050."By building a climate ready force, our sailors and Marines will be able to fight and win anywhere in the world in any condition," Meredith Berger…

24 Jul 2020

USS Tripoli (LHA 7) Commissioned

Amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7) transits the Gulf of Mexico during builder's trials in July 2019. (U.S. Navy photo courtesy of HII by Derek Fountain)

The U.S. Navy commissioned USS Tripoli (LHA 7) Wednesday without the typical fanfare and traditional public commissioning ceremony due to public health and safety restrictions on large public gatherings amid the conronavirus pandemic.Delivered in February, USS Tripoli is the U.S. Navy's second America-class amphibious assault ship built by Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Ingalls Shipyard in Pascagoula, Miss. The warship was commissioned administratively and transitioned to normal operations…

29 Apr 2020

Coronavirus-hit US Navy Destroyer Arrives in San Diego

The guided-missile destroyer USS Kidd (DDG 100) arrives in San Diego, April 28, 2020, as part of the Navy's response to the COVID-19 outbreak onboard the ship. While in San Diego, the Navy will provide medical care for the crew and clean and disinfect the ship. (U.S. Navy photo by Alex Millar)

A U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer with a coronavirus outbreak on board docked in San Diego Tuesday after cutting its mission short to administer medical care to affected sailors and disinfect the ship.USS Kidd (DDG 100) was at sea participating in counter-narcotics operations when several sailors on board began exhibiting influenza-like symptoms. Two sailors were medevaced to the U.S. and a number of others were transferred to amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) for closer observtion.

28 Feb 2020

USS Tripoli Delivered

The U.S. Navy amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA-7) conducts builder's trials in the Gulf of Mexico in July 2019. (U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Huntington Ingalls Industries by Derek Fountain)

Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division delivered the newest America-class amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7) to the U.S. Navy on Friday. Tripoli will be commissioned later this year before sailing to its homeport of San Diego.Amphibious assault ships project power and maintain presence by serving as the cornerstone of the amphibious ready group or expeditionary strike group. These ships transport elements of the Marine expeditionary unit or Marine expeditionary brigade with a combination of aircraft and landing craft.

15 Sep 2017

US Navy to Christen Tripoli

The US Navy will christen its newest America-class amphibious assault ship, the future USS Tripoli (LHA 7), during a 10 a.m. CDT ceremony, Sept. 16, in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Thomas Dee, performing the duties of the Under Secretary of the Navy, will deliver the ceremony's principal address. Lynne Mabus, the wife of the 75th Secretary of the Navy, the Honorable Ray Mabus, will serve as the ship's sponsor. The ceremony will be highlighted by Mrs. Mabus breaking a bottle of sparkling wine across the bow to formally christen the ship, a time-honored Navy tradition. "When USS Tripoli, the newest America-class amphibious assault ship, joins the fleet, we'll be a stronger, more flexible, and better Navy and Marine Corps team," Dee said.

30 Aug 2017

GE Marine Gas Turbines Selected for US Navy, Coast Guard

Photo courtesy of Huntington Ingalls Industries

GE’s Marine Solutions said its LM2500 family of aeroderivative marine gas turbines have been selected to power two newbuild surface combatants for U.S. Navy and Coast Guard programs. Specifically, two LM2500+ gas turbines will power Bougainville (LHA 8), the U.S. Navy’s newest multi-purpose amphibious assault ship. Construction is expected to begin shortly according to shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries. GE LM2500+ gas turbines also power first-in-class USS America (LHA 6) and Tripoli (LHA 7).

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.

08 May 2017

Fairbanks Morse's Diesel Gensets for US Navy’s New Warship

Fairbanks Morse, an EnPro Industries company, will supply the Ship Service Diesel Generator (SSDG) sets for electric power generation system aboard the U.S. Navy’s newest America class amphibious assault warship, LHA 8. Construction of the generator sets will begin later this year. They are scheduled to be delivered to shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries in Pascagoula, Miss., in 2019. The six generator sets, powered by 12-cylinder Colt-Pielstick PA6B diesel engines will deliver 24 MW of electrical power and are some of the largest medium speed diesel engines built in the United States. Fairbanks Morse also supplied SSDGs for power generation systems aboard two other ships in the America class – the USS America (LHA 6)…

11 Apr 2017

Makin Island Concludes Hong Kong Visit

The amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) departed Hong Kong April 11, following a scheduled port visit. The four-day visit allowed nearly 2,500 Sailors and Marines assigned to the ship and embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit the opportunity to experience Hong Kong's culture and engage with the community. The ship hosted a reception for distinguished guests April 10, to recognize the prosperous partnership between the United States and the People's Republic of China and Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong. Distinguished visitors included Consul General of the United States to Hong Kong and Macau Kurt W. Tong and Senior Captain Fang Yuxin, deputy chief of staff of the People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison.

17 Aug 2016

This Day In Naval History: August 17

Cover of the commissioning program for USS McCampbell (DDG 85)

1812 - The frigate, USS President, captures British schooner, HMS L'Adeline, in the North Atlantic. 1841 - Secretary of the Navy George E. Badger signs that the Chief Clerk's signature is valid on the certified copy of the medal citation awarded to Capt. Stephen Decatur, for his gallantry in action against the British frigate, HMS Macedonian, on Oct. 25, 1812. 1942 - The submarines USS Nautilus (SS 168) and USS Argonaut (SM 1) land more than 200 Marines on Makin Island, Gilbert Islands, in the first amphibious attack made from submarines.

16 Jan 2015

USS Makin Island Visits Singapore

The amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), embarked with Amphibious Squadron Five and 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) arrived in Singapore today (Jan. 16) for a scheduled port visit. Sailors and Marines will have an opportunity to experience the Singapore culture and take part in a variety of Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) sponsored events. Dozens of Sailors and Marines will also be participating in community service projects in the area, during the visit. “The crew is looking forward to a return visit to Singapore,” said Makin Island’s commanding officer, Capt. Jon P. Rodgers. The Makin Island Amphibious Ready…

04 Dec 2014

Inventor. Builder. Entrepreneur. Optimist. Schweitzer

“We invent, design, manufacture, sell, support and teach just about anything that has to do with the control, protection, automation and use of electric power.” Edmund O. Schweitzer, III, founder of Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.

Inventor. Builder. Entrepreneur. Optimist. Take your pick, and you have described Edmund O. Schweitzer, III, founder of Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc. (SEL) in 1982. Starting in his basement with an idea and a plan, he has seen his start-up blossom into a global electric powerhouse that is making significant inroads in the maritime and offshore markets. To its core Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc. (SEL) is an engineering firm that seeks to not only develop and deliver engineered solutions per its client’s need…

14 Oct 2014

USS America Joins the Fleet

USS America (LHA 6), the Navy's newest and most technologically advanced amphibious assault ship, was commissioned during a formal ceremony at Pier 30/32 during San Francisco Fleet Week, Oct. 11. More than 8,000 friends, family members and invited guests gathered in front of the ship to witness its introduction to the fleet. During the ceremony, Adm. Harry B. Harris, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, commended the crew for their performance during acceptance trials and sailing around South America. He said because conflict and crisis can arise at any time, warships like America will be needed as the nation conducts its strategic rebalance to the Pacific.

11 Oct 2014

Navy to Commission USS America

The Navy will commission its newest amphibious assault ship, USS America (LHA 6), during a 1 p.m. EDT ceremony Saturday, October 11, 2014, in San Francisco, California. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus will deliver the ceremony's principal address. Mrs. Lynne Pace, wife of retired U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is serving as the ship's sponsor. "This ship, forged in America, with components and systems manufactured all across America, shall remind us of the long and historic links between our communities and our Navy and Marine Corps," Secretary Mabus said. USS America is the first ship of its class, replacing the Tarawa class of amphibious assault ships.

05 Oct 2014

Bataan ARG/MEU Transits from U.S. 5th Fleet to 6th Fleet

Ships of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) with embarked 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) transited the Suez Canal Oct. 2, 2014, marking the beginning journey homeward. Deployed since February 8, 2014, the Bataan ARG/MEU is comprised of the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19), amphibious dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44), and embarked Marines from the 22nd MEU. The Bataan ARG/MEU is specifically purposed to execute maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts to enhance regional security and stability. While tasked to U.S.

03 Oct 2014

Search & Rescue Ops for Missing Aircrew Abandoned

U.S. forces in the North Arabian Gulf concluded a search and rescue operation for a missing U.S. Marine Corps aircrew member today at 3:00 p.m. (GMT), after efforts to locate him were unsuccessful. The Marine is presumed lost at sea. The Marine aircrew member went into the water yesterday when the aircraft he was aboard lost power shortly after takeoff from USS Makin Island (LHD 8). Another air crewman also exited the aircraft at the same time and was safely recovered. He is in stable condition aboard Makin Island. The pilot of the aircraft, a U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey, was eventually able to regain control and safely land back aboard Makin Island. There were four personnel aboard the aircraft when it took off, two pilots and two enlisted aircrew.

11 Aug 2014

US Warships Evacuate NOAA Pacific Island Researchers

Sailors and Marines from the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) have conducted an emergent recovery of 11 researchers with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) from the Papahnaumokukea Marine National Monument threatened by Hurricane Iselle. The purpose of the operation was to assist the researchers in retreating from imminent danger of Hurricane Iselle that is expected to impact Lisianski Island, Laysan Island and the Pearl and Hermes Atoll. "We work with NOAA and we're out here almost every summer in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands working with Hawaiian Monk Seal pups doing mostly population assessment," said, Carrie McAttee, a NOAA researcher.

17 Apr 2014

GE Gas Turbines Power USS America

Image courtesy GE Marine

GE Marine reports that the United States Navy’s future USS America (LHA 6) amphibious assault ship recently completed successful acceptance sea trials powered by two GE LM2500+ marine gas turbines. Acceptance sea trials were conducted in the Gulf of Mexico by Huntington Ingalls Industries, nearby its Pascagoula, Mississippi, shipyard. “The selection of the LM2500+ gas turbines offers propulsion commonality for this first-in-class ship with the U.S. Navy’s USS Makin Island LHD 8 amphibious assault ship. The LHD 8 was the first U.S.

19 Aug 2013

This Day in Naval History - Aug. 17

The following events occurred on this day, in Naval History:   1812 - Frigate President captures British schooner L'Adeline in North Atlantic. 1942 - Submarines USS Nautilus (SS 168) and USS Argonaut (SS 166) land 222 Marines on Makin Island, first amphibious attack made from submarines. 1959 - Adm. Arleigh Burke re-appointed as Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) for third two-year term, serving longest term as CNO. 1962 - Navy's first hydrofoil patrol craft, USS High Point (PCH 1) launched at Seattle, Wash.

23 Jan 2013

USS Makin Island: Proven Fuel Efficient

USS Makin Island (LHD 8) is the last in a series of 8 amphibious assault ships of the WASP-class built by Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding at its Pascagoula, Miss. shipyard. Though last, it is the first in the series fitted with hybrid electric gas turbine propulsion, and recently returned to its San Diego homeport after its first deployment. “During the seven-month deployment, the ship’s hybrid-electric propulsion system saved more than four million gallons of fuel resulting in an estimated cost savings in excess of $15 million,” the Navy claims.

17 Jan 2013

TOTE ‘Walks the Walk’

Having sat in this chair for more than two decades, I must admit that I have become somewhat jaded in the sense that there are few developments which actually give me cause to pause. Of course there are the spectacular casualties that will never cease to amaze, but on the business side there are very few real showstoppers. Then there was last month. Just as I was literally packing up to head down to New Orleans for the International Workboat Show, news broke  that U.S. ship owner TOTE Inc.