Navy

ST. LOUIS, July 01, 2008 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] installed two CFM56-7B engines on the U.S. Navy's first P-8A Poseidon June 21 in Renton, Wash. The on-schedule assembly closely follows the aircraft's wing-to-body join and "power on" milestones. Following final functional checks, the Boeing-led Poseidon industry team will conduct initial engine runs. Boeing will deliver the first test aircraft to the Navy in 2009.

Boeing Installs Engines on 1st P-8A Poseidon: (Photo credit: Boeing)    » read more »

BATH, Maine July 2, 2008 – The U.S. Navy has awarded Bath Iron Works, a subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), a $20.7 million contract to provide ongoing Lead Yard Services for the DDG 51 Arleigh Burke-class AEGIS destroyer program. This option-year exercise modifies a contract initially awarded in November, 2005 and extends the period of performance through June 30, 2009.    » read more »

6/13/2008 -- NORFOLK (NNS) -- The Naval Safety Center (NSC) and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) unveiled the new military sport bike course (MSBC) designed specifically for high-performance motorcycles, June 11. Adm. Jonathan Greenert, Commander, U. S. Fleet Forces Command and Rear Adm. Arthur J. Johnson, Commander, Naval Safety Center, both lauded the effort involved in bringing this to the fleet.

First Military Sport Bike Course at Naval Station Norfolk: The course is sponsored by the Naval Safety Center. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kristopher S. Wilson    » read more »

WASHINGTON, June 12, 2008 – The number of U.S. troops in Iraq is slated to decrease from 20 to 15 brigades by the end of July, but it is too soon now to predict additional reductions, the U.S. military’s top officer said here today.

The Iraq redeployment involves about 30,000 U.S. troops who were sent there last year to support the surge of forces, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, noted at a Government Executive Magazine-hosted breakfast at the National Press Club.

Army MWR Provides "Fitness Anywhere" Kits for Deployed Soldiers: Photo by Tim Hipps

Their departure by the end of July, Mullen said, will bring the total number of U.S. troops in Iraq to about 140,000.    » read more »

6/2/2008 -- ARLINGTON, Va. (NNS) -- Representatives from the Navy Uniform Matters Office and Navy Exchange Command (NEXCOM) unveiled a prototype of the Navy's Physical Training Uniform (PTU) Running Suit, May 30, at the Arlington, Va. Navy Uniform Center. Uniform officials expect a final product to be ready in calendar year 2009.

New Navy physical training uniform, consisting of a gold t-shirt and blue shorts: Navy photo

The PTU running suit will have to undergo wear testing before final approval. Pricing and manner of wear has not been determined. The prototype running suit was on display next to thousands of new PTU shirts and shorts which are now becoming available for Sailors to purchase by region.    » read more »

Jun 04, 2008 -- PORTSMOUTH, England — USS Cole (DDG 67) marked the end of a historic foreign navy deployment May 30 as the ship completed Orion '08.

"This is the first deployment of a single U.S. ship with a foreign nation's battle group," said Navy Lt. Cmdr. Michael A. Pfarrer, Cole's executive officer.

The Carrier Strike Group (CSG) was centered on HMS Illustrious, one of England's AV-8 Harrier and helicopter aircraft carriers. Also in the group were several other UK warships and auxiliaries. Spain and France also each contributed one ship to the battle group. Cole and company operated throughout the 5th, 6th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility, conducting training exercises and multiple real-world missions.    » read more »

05/28/2008 - WASHINGTON - This week the Army and Marine Corps announced an increase, while the Navy and Air Force announced a decrease. The Coast Guard number remained the same. The net collective result is 410 more reservists mobilized than last week.    » read more »

May 23, 2008 --The Department of Defense announced today the death of a sailor who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Lt. Jeffrey A. Ammon, 37, of Orem, Utah, died May 20, as a result of injuries suffered from an improvised explosive device in the Aband District, Afghanistan.

The sailor was attached to Commander Navy Region Northwest, Bangor, Wash., and serving in Afghanistan as a member of Provincial Reconstruction Team Ghazni.

   » read more »

5/16/2008 - PORT HUENEME, Calif. (NNS) -- Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5, NMCB 133 and Amphibious Construction Battalion (ACB) 1 embarked USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) to perform humanitarian and community relations projects in Southeast Asia in support of Pacific Partnership 2008.

Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy: DOD photo

Pacific Partnership is a humanitarian civic assistance mission. The multinational operation unites personnel from 15 nations to improve the lives of the people of The Republic of the Philippines, Vietnam, Timor Leste, Papua New Guinea, and Micronesia.    » read more »

ABOARD USS ESSEX, At Sea , May 11, 2008 – Marines and sailors with the Essex Amphibious Readiness Group are preparing for possible humanitarian assistance operations to aid cyclone-stricken Burma.

The Essex Amphibious Ready Group, along with 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, is steaming to support potential humanitarian-assistance operations in the wake of Cyclone Nargis, which struck Burma May 1 and 2.

Marines prepare for a humanitarian mission to Burma: Photo courtesy DOD

Some estimates have put the death toll at more than 100,000. So far, the Burmese military government has allowed only one U.S. shipment of relief supplies.    » read more »

5/4/2008 -- WILMINGTON, N.C. (NNS) -- The Navy's newest nuclear-powered submarine, USS North Carolina (SSN 777), was brought to life May 3 during a commissioning ceremony held in its namesake state at the Port of Wilmington.

USS North Carolina Joins the Fleet

More than 6,500 guests, including submarine veterans and battleship North Carolina alumni, attended the ceremony welcoming the submarine as the fourth naval vessel named after the "Tarheel State."    » read more »

April 22, 2008 -- The Department of the Navy announced today that the Northrop Grumman Corp. has been awarded the system development and Demonstration (SDD) contract for the Broad Area Maritime Surveillance Unmanned Aircraft System (BAMS UAS).

The BAMS UAS contract award is the culmination of a year-long source selection process since the Navy received industry proposals in May 2007. The $1.16 billion cost-plus-award-fee contract is to develop a persistent maritime intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) data collection and dissemination capability that fulfills the maritime war fighter’s requirement for continuous battle-space awareness. The BAMS UAS will be developed using Northrop Grumman’s RQ-4N platform.    » read more »

April 22, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a sailor who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Petty Officer 1st Class Cherie L. Morton, 40, of Bakersfield, California, died April 20 in Galali, Muharraq, Bahrain.

She was assigned to Naval Security Force, Naval Support Activity Bahrain.

The cause of death is under investigation.

Source: DOD

April 22, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a sailor who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Airman Apprentice Adrian M. Campos, 22, of El Paso, Texas, was found dead in Dubai on April 21 due to a non-combat related incident.

He was assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Support Squadron 22, which was attached to the USNS Arctic.

The incident is under investigation.

Source: DOD

4/14/2008 -- USS NASSAU, At sea (NNS) -- Phoenix Express 2008 (PE 08) wrapped up the inport portion of the exercise on April 13 and began the underway portion of the two-week exercise on April 14 with 12 ships getting underway from Naval Support Activity, Souda Bay, Crete.

USS Nassau: Photo by US Navy    » read more »