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Naval Station San Diego News

18 May 2020

Hospital Ship USNS Mercy Departs Los Angeles

Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) departs Los Angeles (Photo: Port of Los Angeles)

The hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) departed Los Angeles Friday after supporting local COVID-19 response efforts during the coronavirus pandemic.Mercy has been at the World Cruise Center Terminal in the Port of Los Angeles since March 27, serving state and local healthcare providers by treating non-COVID-19 patients in support of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Medical professionals aboard the ship treated a variety of patients and performed medical procedures including general…

29 Aug 2016

This Day In Naval History: August 29

USS Decatur (DDG 73) (U.S. Navy photo)

1861 - During the Civil War, Seaman Benjamin Swearer lands with troops from the steam sloop of war, Pawnee, and takes part in the capture of Fort Clark, at Hatteras Inlet, N.C. He serves throughout the action and has the honor of being the first man to raise the flag on the captured fort. For his gallant service throughout the action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor. 1862 - The gunboat, USS Pittsburgh, supports Army troops landing at Eunice, Ark., during the Civil War. 1915 - After pontoons are brought to Hawaii from the west coast…

20 Jul 2015

Naval Symposium Examines Ship Capabilities, Career Options

Vice Adm. Tom Rowden (E.H. Lundquist photo)

The annual Surface Navy Association (SNA) West Coast Symposium was held on the waterfront at Naval Station San Diego on July 16, and provided attendees an update on some key operational and career developments important to the surface warfare community. Capt. Mark Johnson, president of the SNA San Diego Chapter, was the host and master of ceremonies for the symposium. Capt. Warren Buller, commander of LCS Squadron 1, provided a comprehensive update on the LCS program, to include a detailed summary of the status of mission package development.

05 Aug 2014

SNA West Coast Symposium 2014

The Surface Navy Association will hold its annual West Coast Symposium at Naval Station San Diego on August 21. The event will be held on the waterfront at Pier 2. Deputy Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, U.S. Central Command Rear Adm. Jim Loeblein will describe the dynamic maritime operational picture in the U.S. Fifth Fleet area of responsibility. Closer to home, Vice Adm. Kenneth Floyd will share his views on the recently completed RIMPAC exercises around Hawaii and the west coast. Rear Adm. Jim Kilby, who recently took command of the newly established Naval Surface Warfare Development Center, will provide the Navy’s vision of tactics for the future. Capt. John Fuller, will provide an update on the littoral combat ship (LCS) mission modules.

04 May 2012

MSC Hospital Ship Departs for Humanitarian Mission

Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) departed Naval Station San Diego May 3, beginning its part in Pacific Partnership 2012, a four-and-a-half month humanitarian and civic assistance mission to Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Cambodia. Mercy is crewed by 70 civil service mariners working for MSC who operate and navigate the ship while Navy planners and medical personnel plan and execute the mission. Mercy was scheduled to depart May 1, but a mechanical problem delayed the ship’s departure for two days.

25 Apr 2012

Campaigners Urge Honor Name of Harvey Milk

The late civil rights icon, Harvey Milk was a Navy veteran who began his service during the Korean War. In Korea, he served aboard the submarine rescue ship USS Kittiwake as a diving officer. Milk was also stationed at Naval Station, San Diego where he was a diving instructor. Milk, whose parents, both also served in the US Navy was honorably discharged at the rank of Lieutenant, junior grade. The GLBT Historic Task Force is also leading a movement to make San Diego the first city in the US to name a street in honor of Milk. "We in San Diego are very proud that Harvey Milk was stationed in our city and fell in love with California here," said Murray Ramirez, who has served the last five mayors of San Diego.

05 May 2009

New Commander, Sealift Logistics in Pacific

Sealift Logistics Command Pacific, the San Diego-based U.S. Navy command responsible for operational control of Military Sealift Command ships in the Eastern Pacific, changed command during a ceremony on board fleet replenishment oiler USNS Guadalupe at Naval Station San Diego. SEALOGPAC outgoing commander, Capt. David L. Kiehl, was relieved by Capt. Jerome Hamel during the ceremony. Since assuming command of SEALOGPAC in 2007, Kiehl has overseen a wide range of operations and exercises within the command's area of responsibility, including the deployment of hospital ship USNS Mercy in support of the 2008 Pacific Partnership humanitarian mission, a 2008 Joint Logistics Over the Shore exercise and the 2008 Rim of the Pacific exercise.

22 Apr 2009

New Counter-Mine Technology for Ships

Using a high-temperature technology developed by the Office of Naval Research, the U.S. Navy has successfully launched a new counter-mine tool to protect its fleet at sea. In a time of increasing irregular warfare threats, the Navy has devised and successfully demonstrated a revolutionary technology to help reduce the risk of naval mine strikes to U.S. Navy ships. Installed aboard the USS Higgins (DDG 76) in July 2008, the prototype degaussing coil counters underwater mines utilizing superconducting ceramic materials…

07 Nov 2008

Navy to Commission First LCS

The Navy's first littoral combat ship (LCS) Freedom will be commissioned Saturday, Nov. 8, 2008, during a 10 a.m. EST ceremony at Veterans Park, Milwaukee, Wis. Secretary of the Navy Donald Winter will deliver the ceremony's principal address. Birgit Smith, the ship's sponsor, is the widow of Army Sgt. 1st Class Paul Ray Smith, who was killed in action during Operation Iraqi Freedom and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. The name of the new ship acknowledges the enduring…

11 Aug 2008

SNA West Coast Symposium Set for San Diego

The Surface Navy Association's annual West Coast Symposium is scheduled for August 28 at Naval Station San Diego. The presenters are expected to discuss how surface warriors are making a difference around the globe. CAPT R. VADM Derwood C. RDML Nevin P. Carr, Jr. RDML Philip H. Greene, Jr. RADM Charles W. RDML Scott H. CAPT Jeffrey L. FORCM(SW/AW) Michael D. VADM Bernard J.

14 Jan 2004

Cutter Prepares for Deployment

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Chase, a 378-ft ship, will prepare to deploy on January 14, 2003. The deployment training consists of man overboard drills, fire fighting drills and damage control drills all while moored at Naval Station San Diego. This drill will take place between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m.

05 Aug 2005

USS Halsey Commissioned

The USS HALSEY DDG 97 was commissioning at Coronado Naval Station, San Diego, California on July 30,2005. Senator of Arizona, the Honorable John McCain was the Principal Speaker. Program Executive Officer for Ships, Rear Admiral Charles S. Hamilton ll, US Navy was the keynote speaker. Among the many attendance of the distinguished guests on the platform, retired Rear Admiral Wayne E. Meyer ( Father of Aegis ) was present for the 73rd consecutive times on the commissioning occasions. This “ world class “ warship was built in Pascagoula, Mississippi by men and women of Northrop Grumman Ship System. USS HALSEY is the 47th of the Aleigh Burke Class guided missile destroyer and the 73rd Aegis warship of the line.

26 Sep 2007

Navy Strategy of Engagement Builds Trust

The United States must engage with maritime partners around the world to create and build trust, according to senior Navy leaders speaking at the 2007 Surface Navy Association West Coast Symposium, held pier side at Naval Station San Diego, in August. Surrounded by ships and cooled summer breeze coming off the harbor, the many attendees heard about the Navy’s efforts to create and build upon meaningful partnerships. Rear Adm. Pete Daly discussed the Navy’s efforts to create a new maritime strategy. The previous maritime strategy addressed a Soviet threat that no longer exists. “We had one big enemy. We understood that enemy. We knew where they were coming from. In the past, military powers knew that military adventurism would be met with reciprocal force.

23 Jul 2007

USS Kidd Arrives in San Diego

Kidd (DDG 100) arrived at her homeport here at Naval Station San Diego on July 19. The ship is named in honor of Rear Adm. Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, in 1941. sector in Pascagoula, Miss. return from a damaged hull during the nation's worst natural disaster. afloat. of the affected compartments necessary. following her super trials in the Gulf of Mexico last fall, the U.S. Navy offered great reviews and acknowledged the ship performed well.

18 Jun 2007

CLASSRON Stands Up in San Diego

The newest Class Squadron (CLASSRON) was formally established for Guided Missile Cruisers (CG) on Naval Station San Diego June 1. The new CG CLASSRON will be engaged in the training, maintaining, manning and logistics processes for the entire class of 22 CGs. “What we do is we look at issues from two sides,” said Commander, Cruiser Class Squadron Capt. David Matawitz. "So we are looking from the top down. We also go out to the ships and look for problems on the individual deck plates, and push problems up. If one ship has an issue we look across the class to see if it’s on other ships, and frankly, you will often find that one ship with a problem is not all by itself ...

30 Mar 2007

Pearl Harbor Joins Partnership of the Americas

Sailors aboard dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) man the rails as a tugboat assigned to Naval Station Pearl Harbor guides the ship into Pearl Harbor. USS Pearl Harbor is currently in port to honor those who valiantly fought to defend the island of Oahu during the attack on December 7, 1941. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James E. USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) departed Naval Station San Diego on March 28 to begin their role in a U.S. Navy Task Group conducting Partnership of the Americas (POA) 2007. POA 2007 is a U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command deployment designed to support the U.S. Southern Command…

02 Apr 2007

Combined Efforts Bring Warmth to Icy Waters

Divers attached to the U.S. Navy Diving Team, Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 1, Detachment 1 (MDSU 1 DET 1), and the Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy Diving Team found common ground underwater during training off the coast here March 22-30. Deployed from Naval Station San Diego, MDSU 1 divers conducted training that involved integrating with the ROK Navy divers to practice cutting and welding operations, force protection, side-scan sonar operations and pier evaluations. Lt. Stephen Schwedhelm, officer in charge of MSDU 1, described the importance of pier evaluations, which he describes as sending divers in the water to evaluate the structural integrity of the pier.

22 Sep 2006

Navy to Christen First LCS

The U.S. Navy will christen Freedom, the first littoral combat ship (LCS) at 10 a.m. EDT Sept. 23, during a ceremony at Marinette Marine Corp. in Marinette, Wis. The future USS Freedom acknowledges the enduring foundation of our nation and honors American communities from coast to coast which bear the name Freedom. States having towns named Freedom include California, Indiana, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Wyoming. The 378-foot Freedom will be the first U.S. Navy ship to carry this class designation. Birgit Smith will serve as ship’s sponsor. She is the widow of Army Sgt. 1st Class Paul Ray Smith, who was killed in action in Operation Iraqi Freedom and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

27 Apr 2006

Navy to Base First Four LCS in San Diego

The Navy announced today that the first four Littoral Combat Ships LCS) will be homeported at Naval Station San Diego, Calif. scale. efficiencies are developed. Quadrennial Defense Review. establish synergy between the ships and with local commands," said Vice Adm. Terry Etnyre, commander, Naval Surface Forces, based in Coronado, Calif. innovative and tailored mission modules. unmanned vehicles, off-board sensors, and mission-manning detachments. warfighting missions. warship designed to provide assured access for our joint forces. carrier strike groups, expeditionary strike groups or surface strike groups. The innovative concepts in LCS do not end with its modularity. maintenance, logistics, training and administration. Independence (LCS 2), on Jan. 19, 2006.

17 Jan 2006

USS Bonhomme Richard Leaves NASSCO

Following three months of extensive drydock maintenance, USS Bonhomme Richard (BHR) left the National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO) January 5 and returned to Naval Station San Diego. The multipurpose amphibious assault ship was raised out of the water for the first time in her eight years of commissioned service October 1. While pierside at the naval station, BHR is still undergoing maintenance as a part of the ship’s regularly scheduled Drydocking Planned Maintenance Availability. The crew worked and lived on barges berthed on both the naval station and in NASSCO while the ship was in drydock. BHR Sailors also maintained their readiness by conducting weekly training sessions. Work will continue for several more weeks while the ship is pierside at the 32nd Street Naval Station.

06 Dec 2005

Navy to Base First LCS in San Diego

The U.S. Navy announced Dec. 2 that USS Freedom (LCS 1), the first littoral combat ship of the LCS 1 class, will be homeported at Naval Station San Diego, Calif. Freedom is expected to be delivered to the Navy in December 2006 and arrive in San Diego in early 2007. Freedom-class ships are designed to counter challenging shallow-water threats in coastal regions, specifically mines, diesel submarines and fast surface craft. A fast, agile, and high-tech surface combatant, they will utilize mission-focused packages that deploy manned and unmanned vehicles to execute a variety of missions. On May 27, 2004, the Department of Defense awarded both Lockheed Martin Corp.

02 Nov 2005

Bonhomme Richard Trains to Maintain Readiness in Drydock

By Chief Journalist (SW/AW) Walter T. To maintain crew readiness, USS Bonhomme Richard (BHR) (LHD 6) Sailors and Marines have been conducting regular damage control training and attending firefighting courses since the ship entered drydock Oct. Bonhomme Richard holds weekly shipwide training sessions with its Integrated Training Team to keep the crew mission ready, even while BHR Sailors and Marines are living and working between three barges and the ship. According to Senior Chief Dental Technician (SW/AW) Dejuan Wilmore of Newark, N.J., the firefighting courses BHR Sailors recently attended at Naval Station San Diego’s Center for Naval Engineering Damage Control and Firefighting School will keep the crew well prepared to handle any emergency.

27 Dec 2002

Bonhomme Richard Conducts CBR Defense Training

At Sea (NNS) -- Crew members aboard USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) donned gas masks and chemical protection suits to treat mock mass casualties during a series of chemical, biological and radiological (CBR) defense drills recently. The drills are consistent with the normal basic-phase training routine ships go through to prepare for deployment, but according to ship Operations Officer Cmdr. Paul Shock, Bonhomme Richard is going through the training a lot sooner than most. "Normally, (ships) would start this training three months after a PMA (planned maintenance availability), and it would last about five months,” said Shock. In order to achieve these goals…