Germany, Norway Join HST Strike Group
Two coalition naval vessels arrived at Norfolk naval base Jan. 26 and 28, to conduct training and operations as part of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HST CSG). The Royal Norwegian Navy frigate HNoMS Roald Amundsen (F 311) and the Sachsen-class German frigate Hessen (F 221) arrived to participate in the strike group's upcoming Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX). "Any time we can operate with another one of our allies anywhere in the world, we gain from it and they gain from it," Rear Adm. Gene Black, commander of HST CSG. "I've always had great success working with coalition partners and this is just a similar task with a more complex mission set.
This Day In Naval History: July 25
1898 - During the Spanish-American War, a landing party from the armed yacht, USS Gloucester, single-handedly captures Guanica, Puerto Rico. 1943 - The first Navy ship named for an African-American, USS Harmon (DE 678), is launched. USS Harmon is named in honor of Mess Attendant 1st Class Leonard Roy Harmon who posthumously receives the Navy Cross for heroic actions trying to save a shipmate on board USS San Francisco (CA 38) during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal on Nov. 13, 1942.
Crowley Opens Government Services Office
Crowley Maritime Corp. has opened a new government services office in downtown Norfolk, Va. to help the company better serve government agencies such as the Military Sealift Command (MSC) and the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD). The new location will also help Crowley improve its service for the Norfolk Naval Base and several of Crowley managed ships located there, including three ROCON ships, five BOBO class ships and seven T-AGOS/T-AGM ships. The facility will staff government and technical management employees.
USS George H.W. Bush Acceptance Sea Trials
USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) successfully completed acceptance sea trials April 7-9 off the Virginia Capes and is in final preparation for delivery. Acceptance sea trials are the final test of the ship's readiness to begin fleet service. Navy representatives from the U.S. Navy Board of Inspection and Survey tested and evaluated the ship's systems and performance. Acceptance trials will formally conclude April 10. George H.W. Bush is the nation's 10th, and final, Nimitz-class carrier. The ship is designed to carry all current and future aircraft in its embarked air wing until the completion of her service life in approximately 2,059. George H. W. Bush incorporates numerous design improvements to reduce operating cost, enhance operational effectiveness and protect the environment.
