Us Pacific Fleet Public Affairs News

The U.S. Navy said that a newly released scientific report demonstrates the viability of a new method to estimate received sound levels during real scenarios and analyzes movements of satellite-tagged individuals of three species of marine mammals exposed to Navy mid-frequency active sonar around Kauai's Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF). "This is exciting news in several ways, not least of which is the promise this new integrated approach holds for learning how sonar affects marine mammals," said Julie Rivers, natural and marine resources program manager for the U.S.

From Commander, U.S. The Navy's Scientific Operational Naval Acoustic Research Conference was held February 6-7 to provide an opportunity for the Navy's scientists, fleet operators, and environmental specialists to share information regarding recent advances in science, mission requirements, and communication needs. About 100 people attended the two-day conference, which was chaired by OPNAV N45, the Navy's environmental readiness command, and hosted by Adm. Robert F. Willard, Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet. The conference ended with agreement to hold future gatherings to discuss issues ranging from the direction of future research to procedural improvements.

A female bottlenose dolphin “BJ” performs her daily exercises while her trainer, Dera Look, supervises at the joint Marine Mammal Research Program on board Marine Corps Base Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. Professionals and students from the University of Hawaii are studying dolphin hearing and echolocation, the use of sound waves to see. The research will improve the Navy’s mining and sonar techniques and make the oceans safer for marine mammals. U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 2nd Class Jessica B. Davis By Journalist 2nd Class Jessica B. Davis, U.S. Professionals and students from the University of Hawaii (UH) are currently studying dolphin hearing and echolocation - the use of sound waves to "see" - to help the Navy improve mining and sonar techniques and make the oceans safer for marine mammals.

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Shane Tuck, Commander, U.S. Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet Adm. Robert F. Willard presented a Meritorious Unit Commendation to his staff during a morning colors ceremony held July 27 at the Makalapa Compound here. On behalf of the Secretary of the Navy Donald C. Winter and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Mullen, the commendation awarded was presented to all personnel permanently assigned to the Pacific Fleet headquarters staff and detachments from July 8, 2005 to May 7, 2007. "This award is a testimony of the outstanding work by my predecessor Adm. Gary Roughead and everyone here on the Pacific Fleet staff," Willard said.

Adm. Robert F. Willard, former Vice Chief of Naval Operations, salutes as he’s piped through the sideboys during a change of command ceremony for Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet on board Naval Station Pearl Harbor. Willard assumed command of U.S. Pacific Fleet from Adm. Gary Roughead during the ceremony. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James E. From U.S. Adm. Robert F. Willard relieved Adm. Gary Roughead as commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet during a change of command ceremony held May 8 at Naval Station Pearl Harbor. Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Mike Mullen presided over the ceremony, which overlooked the historic memorials of USS Arizona and USS Missouri.

Seven personnel practiced locking out from the attack submarine USS Los Angeles (SSN 688) and ascending to the surface wearing special suits that are designed to enable a free ascent from a stricken submarine Dec. 2 during ESCAPEX at the Navy’s Southeast Alaska Acoustic Measurement Facility in Ketchikan, Alaska. While several foreign navies practice the maneuver routinely, the U.S. Navy had not conducted it in more than three decades, and never from a nuclear-powered submarine. The Navy’s renewed interest in submarine escape comes as U.S. submarines operate more frequently now in shallow coastal waters, said Submarine Development Squadron (CSDS) 5 Commander Capt. Butch Howard, who oversaw the exercise.

The Navy’s oldest active attack submarine, USS Los Angeles (SSN 688), held a ceremony to mark its 30th birthday Nov. 13, on the pier at Naval Station Pearl Harbor. Cmdr. Erik Burian, Los Angeles commanding officer, cut the celebratory cake during the festivities, which included an awards ceremony and a barbecue on the pier for the crew and their families. The lead ship of her class, Los Angeles was commissioned Nov. 13, 1976. Since then, 47 more submarines have been commissioned in the class. The Los Angeles-class submarines incorporated improved sound quieting and a larger propulsion plant than previous classes and is capable of performing undersea and surface warfare, mining operations, special forces delivery, reconnaissance, carrier strike group support and intelligence collection.

USS Wahoo (SS 238) is launched at Mare Island Navy Yard, Calif., just eight months after her keel was laid. Adm. Gary Roughead, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, declared that the sunken submarine recently discovered by divers in the Western Pacific is the World War II submarine USS Wahoo (SS 238). Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center. Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet declared Oct. 31 that the sunken submarine recently discovered by divers in the Western Pacific is, indeed, the World War II submarine USS Wahoo (SS 238). "After reviewing the records and information, we are certain USS Wahoo has been located," said Adm. Gary Roughead, the U.S. Pacific Fleet commander.

The U.S. Navy and Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet have invited naval leaders from 22 countries to Honolulu for the 10th Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS) to discuss maritime security and other issues affecting the region’s navies. The symposium, scheduled for Oct. 30 to Nov. 2, allows participants to engage in discussions and training on critical international topics, such as combined exercises, regional security, military exchange programs, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, interoperability, navigation and communications. “We are all professional sailors,” said Adm. Gary Roughead, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet. Navies that have habitual working relationships are better able to respond to disasters…

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Cynthia Clark, Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. The Navy’s oldest active attack submarine, USS Los Angeles (SSN 688), held a ceremony to mark its 30th birthday Nov. 13, on the pier at Naval Station Pearl Harbor. Cmdr. Erik Burian, Los Angeles commanding officer, cut the celebratory cake during the festivities, which included an awards ceremony and a barbecue on the pier for the crew and their families. “It’s a pretty remarkable and historic submarine,” said Burian. The lead ship of her class, Los Angeles was commissioned Nov. 13, 1976. Since then, 47 more submarines have been commissioned in the class.

Hawaii Sen. Daniel Inouye, Lt. Gov. James Aiona, and Pacific Fleet Commander Adm. Gary Roughead joined past and current crew members of USS Honolulu (SSN 718) to bid farewell to the nuclear-powered attack submarine at a ceremony April 15, at Naval Station Pearl Harbor. Keynote speaker, U.S. 7th Fleet Commander Vice Adm. Jonathan Greenert, who commanded Honolulu from 1991 to 1993, said the submarine performed exceptionally well throughout its career. “She was consistently the most reliable ship in the squadron, whatever squadron she was in," he said. Inouye said Honolulu, and all other Los Angeles-class submarines, have served the Navy in a variety of roles. “These submarines constituted the front lines during the Cold War," he said.

A native of New Mexico is set become the first commanding officer of his state's namesake submarine, PCU New Mexico (SSN 779). Cmdr. Robert Dain detached March 24 as Submarine Squadron 7's deputy commander for readiness to begin the Submarine Command Course prior to assuming command of New Mexico's pre-commissioning unit in August. Dain was born in Shiprock, N.M., and raised in Tijeras and Cedar Crest, N.M., east of Albuquerque. He said his New Mexico ties make this command an ideal job for him, and he has already been in touch with family members, the Navy League and the USS New Mexico association about the commissioning. “This is a tremendous opportunity that comes once in a lifetime,” said Dain.

The nuclear-powered attack submarine USS Tucson (SSN 770) departed on a Western Pacific deployment from its homeport of Pearl Harbor March 21. According to Cmdr. James Pitts, Tucson’s commanding officer, the crew prepared by conducting standard pre-deployment upkeep and maintenance. “In the last few months we went through a fairly sizable maintenance period. We needed to make sure the equipment is up to standards for deployment,” said Pitts. He said overall, the crew handled the maintenance and training superbly. Pitts added that Tucson is one of the more advanced 688 improved-class submarines on the waterfront. They have one of the most advanced fire control systems…

Honolulu's namesake ship is preparing to say farewell to its island home after two decades of service. USS Honolulu (SSN 718), which is scheduled to inactivate next year, will hold a farewell ceremony April 15 prior to departing Hawaii on her final deployment to the Western Pacific. "This is an exciting and challenging time for us," said Cmdr. John Russ, the nuclear-powered attack submarine's commanding officer. The submarine is currently in the third week of a pre-deployment maintenance upkeep period in Pearl Harbor. When she leaves Hawaii for her deployment some time after April 15, it will likely be the last time the submarine ever sees Pearl Harbor.

Two hundred and seventy-four midshipmen selected the surface ships they will serve on after graduation at the U.S. Naval Academy's “Ship Selection” night, Feb. 23. Vice Adm. Terry Etnyre, commander, Naval Surface Forces, welcomed them to the surface warfare community and said, “This is an important moment in your careers. Each midshipman who was assigned surface warfare as their career path awaited their turn in Memorial Hall to pick placards with ship names off large boards categorized by homeport. Each selecting midshipman’s name, ship and homeport were announced to the midshipmen, officers, friends and family present. Etnyre, Naval Academy Superintendent Vice Adm.

The Military Sealift Command (MSC) hospital ship, USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) pulls into Pearl Harbor for a scheduled port visit. Mercy is making its first stop during a humanitarian assistance mission to the Western Pacific and Southeast Asia. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Justin P. U.S Naval hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) arrived here May 2, making its first stop during a humanitarian assistance mission to the Western Pacific and Southeast Asia. This deployment to the region exemplifies the U.S. commitment to South and Southeast Asia and the Pacific island nations while building upon relationships established during Operation Unified Assistance in 2005. Meeting the arriving ship at the pier, Adm. Gary Roughead, commander, U.S.