A New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) contingent of more than 200 personnel has been providing logistical support to Solomon Islands, on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, as the country geared up for today’s general election.
17 APRIL, 2024
Prior to election day, the NZDF’s Joint Task Force delivered more than 100 polling kits and more than 250 ballot boxes, and transported election officials to dozens of locations throughout Solomon Islands – including remote areas – to ensure that those who want to vote have an opportunity to do so.
The team’s work is scheduled to wrap up once ballot boxes have been collected and taken to counting centres.
Solomon Islands is comprised of six main islands and more than 900 smaller islands covering a total area of nearly 29,000km2, making it logistically challenging to ensure everyone has access and a fair chance to vote.
Two of the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s No. 3 Squadron helicopters, combined with the ability to conduct flying operations from on board HMNZS Canterbury, has been invaluable for navigating those logistical challenges.
Major Matt Wall is the NZDF Liaison Officer embedded with Solomon Islands’ Electoral Commission based in Honiara, where his duties included co-ordinating logistics for the general election.
“There are people from all walks of life, representing a number of different organisations and countries, who have come together to ensure the elections are a success, and it is a privilege to be a part of,” Major Wall said.
“Working closely with Solomon Islands’ Electoral Commission and the New Zealand High Commission here in Honiara has been a fantastic experience, both professionally and personally.
“Logistically, it is incredibly challenging, but we have teamed together to ensure everyone in Solomon Islands – even in the most remote villages – has an opportunity to cast their vote.”
HMS Mersey is another step closer to her return to sea (Picture: HMS Mersey)
HMS Mersey has embarked on the final leg of her maintenance journey sporting her new Western Approaches colour scheme after spending more than five months in dry dock.
At 03:00, HMS Mersey edged her way out of dry dock at Falmouth in Cornwall, marking a significant milestone in the refurbishment process.
Currently undergoing final maintenance in partnership with BAE Systems and A&P Group, the River-class offshore patrol vessel’s journey back to operational readiness is nearing completion.
The Western Approaches colour scheme originated during the Second World War where it provided effective camouflage by hiding a vessel among the waves, making a ships harder to spot, especially in rough seas.
In contrast, the paint job seen on the dazzle ships of the First World War was designed to cause the enemy to come up with an inaccurate firing solution as they couldn’t properly track the ship’s heading or speed.
The Western Approaches paint scheme is a nod to history and a mark of respect to the sailors who fought and died in the Battle of the Atlantic.
The colours were picked to match those of the north Atlantic and UK waters, where the units assigned to the home fleet, the Western Approaches command, operated.
It took 700 litres of paint to create HMS Mersey’s colourful exterior.
Matt Weetch, director of defence at commercial ship repair and conversion specialist A&P Group Limited, explained: “First of all, there’s a high-pressure washing for the whole vessel.
“The ship is then primed, undercoated and then painted with a full topcoat of grey.
“With regards to the Western Approaches scheme, the specialist painters do it all by hand.
“So first they’ll do a chalk line to get the pattern correct, then use masking tape to put a detailed line for the paint, then they’ll use brushes and rollers to actually paint the vessel the different colours – your normal hand rollers and paint brushes you’d paint your house with.”
While the exterior was painted, the interior of the vessel also underwent maintenance, with the crew given the chance to pick the decor for the ship’s recreation space.
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Izumo-class helicopter destroyer JS Kaga (DDH 184), Indian Navy Rajput-class destroyer INS Ranvijay (D 55) and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Stockdale (DDG 106) transit the Bay of Bengal as part of MALABAR 2021, Oct. 12, 2021. US Navy Photo
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force will dispatch both its Izumo-class big decks on their largest deployment to date, officials said on Tuesday.
Previous Indo-Pacific Deployments featured single Izumo or Hyuga-class big decks for four to five months.
Meanwhile, the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group (CSG) wrapped up drills with the JMSDF on Saturday. The German military on Tuesday revealed that the Carl Vinson CSG will take part in the Rim of the Pacific 2024 exercise near Hawaii this summer.
A total of six surface ships – destroyer carriers JS Izumo (DDH-183) and JS Kaga (DDH-184), destroyers JS Ariake (DD-109) and JS Haguro (DD-180), amphibious landing ship JS Kunisaki (LST-4003) and frigate JS Noshiro (FFM-3) – divided into 4 surface mission units with embarked JMSDF Special Boarding Units, two P-1 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) divided into two air units and an undisclosed number of submarines will deploy separately in a 7-month period beginning May 3 and ending on Dec. 15, according to a JMSDF announcement.
“The JMSDF will conduct Indo-Pacific Deployment 2024 (IPD24) in order to realize a ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific,’” reads the announcement.
The deployment will put the JMSDF with allied navies through a series of regional exercises, officials said.
The first surface unit includes Kunisaki and its integral two Landing Craft Air Cushions under the command of Rear Adm. Izuru Ikeuchi, the commander of the JMSDF Mine Warfare Force. The JMSDF’s amphibious ships are all under the Mine Warfare Force. The second surface unit includes Izumo, Ariake and Haguro under the command of Escort Flotilla 3 commanding officer Rear. Adm. Kazushi Yokota, while Noshiro forms the third surface unit headed by Noshiro’s commanding officer, Cdr. Tetsunobu Hori. Kaga rounds out IPD 24 as the fourth surface unit, headed by Kaga’s commanding officer, Capt. Shusaku Takeuchi.
Countries visited during the deployment will include Australia, Fiji, French Polynesia, India, Kiribati, Palau, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Tonga, the United States and Vanuatu. The visit to Tonga will include participation in the Tonga Royal Navy’s 50th Anniversary Fleet Review and Japan is currently in discussions with other countries for additional visits. Exercises that IPD 24 units will participate in are Marara, RIMPAC, Pacific Dragon, Pacific Vanguard, Kakadu, Pacific Partnership and Malabar.
Marara is a French-led humanitarian aid and disaster relief exercise that will take place in French Polynesia, while Kakadu is the Royal Australian Navy’s flagship regional international engagement held in Australia biennially. RIMPAC 2024 is the U.S. Pacific Fleet-led multinational exercise scheduled to take place this summer around Hawaii, while Pacific Dragon is a U.S.-led biennial multinational air and missile defense exercise that normally takes place after RIMPAC to leverage participation from partner nation ships already nearby for RIMPAC. The last Pacific Dragon exercise, held in 2022, featured the RAN, the Royal Canadian Navy, the JMSDF and the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN).
Pacific Vanguard is an annual U.S.-Navy led exercise for partner nations to strengthen skills through drills ranging from anti-submarine warfare operations to live-fire missile engagements. Pacific Partnership is the U.S. Pacific Fleet-led annual multilateral humanitarian assistance exercise conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Malabar is the Quad’s – the informal alliance between Australia, India, Japan the U.S. – main naval exercise.
Kaga’s participation in IPD 24 is the ship’s first deployment since it completed the first stage of modification work last month to enable the helicopter destroyer to operate F-35B fighters. Work on Kaga also included modifying the bow’s shape to a square to better facilitate F-35B operations. Izumo’s bow will get modified when it enters the second stage of the update. Kaga is expected to be the Izumo-class carrier that will conduct F-35B integration trials on the U.S. East Coast in November this year.
As the JMSDF prepares to begin its Indo-Pacific deployment, Canada kicked off its annual Indo-Pacific mission, Operation Horizon, on Sunday with the departure of frigate HMCS Montreal (FFH336) from Halifax. Montreal was originally scheduled to depart on Friday, but a Canadian Ministry of Defence news release stated that the crew needed to repair a system problem before departing. Montreal is the first of three RCN ships that are deploying annually under Operation Horizon in support of Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy, with the deployment expected to last six months.
Meanwhile, after wrapping up trilateral drills with the ROKN and JMSDF in the East China Sea on Friday, the Theodore Roosevelt CSG conducted bilateral drills from Friday to Saturday with the JMSDF throughout the East China Sea, to south of the main island of Shikoku, according to a JMSDF news release issued Monday. Carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), destroyers USS Russell (DDG-59) and USS Daniel Inouye (DDG-118), along with a U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon aircraft carried out tactical exercises with JMSDF destroyer Ariake, with all four ships previously taking part in the trilateral drills, according to the JMSDF release.
In other developments, the German Armed Forces disclosed that carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) will be the U.S. carrier taking part in RIMPAC this summer.
Sailors assigned to Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) man the rails as the ship pulls into port upon return from deployment. Vinson, flagship of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1, returned to its homeport of Naval Air Station North Island, Feb. 23, 2024. US Navy Photo
In an interview released on Tuesday, Lt. Col. Marco Brunhofer of 73 Tactical Air Wing “S,” who will lead the German Air Force contingent of three Eurofighter fighters and an A400M fighter aircraft, stated that his contingent will participate in RIMPAC from July 27 through 30. Its activities will include integrating into a multinational aircraft carrier force that will protect Carl Vinson, though his aircraft will deploy from land and receive support via mid-air refueling from the A400M, Brunhofer said.
“In varying scenarios, we will practice both protecting the aircraft carrier against enemy fighter aircraft and attacking these enemy fighter aircraft. In addition, we will simulate an attack on enemy forces on a group of islands with numerous radar positions,” he said in the interview.
Brunhofer also stated that for the strike missions, his aircraft will be part of a composite air operation with U.S Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps aircraft, along with aircraft from other partner nations participating in RIMPAC. Following RIMPAC, the German fighters will conduct Dissimilar Air Combat Training with the Hawaii Air National Guard from July 31 through Aug. 5.
The Carl Vinson CSG returned to San Diego after a four-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific on Feb. 23, reported USNI News.
These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of April 15, 2024, based on Navy and public data. In cases where a CSG or ARG is conducting disaggregated operations, the chart reflects the location of the capital ship.
Ships Underway
Total Battle Force
Deployed
Underway
294 (USS 234, USNS 60)
93 (USS 63, USNS 30)
57 (39 Deployed, 18 Local)
In Japan
Navy Counselor 1st Class Carlos Grajales from Holyoke, Mass., establishes communication from a repair locker using a sound-powered phone during a general quarters drill aboard the U.S. Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), while in-port Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, April 9. US Navy Photo
USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) is in port in Yokosuka. The carrier is set to depart for a repair availability in Washington state later this year. USS George Washington (CVN-73) will replace Reagan in Japan. USS America (LHA-6) is in port Sasebo.
In the East China Sea
U.S. Sailors heave around the phone and distance line during a fueling-at-sea aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), April 15, 2024. US Navy Photo
Aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) is underway in the East China Sea.
The carrier has been using older C-2A Greyhounds as a temporary carrier-onboard delivery vehicle while the CMV-22B fleet was grounded following the November crash of an Air Force MV-22B Osprey off the coast of Japan.
Earlier this month, the grounding of the Ospreys was lifted, and the Navy has begun recertifying crews and aircraft for the logistics operations.
Carrier Strike Group 9
Carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), homeported at San Diego, Calif.
Carrier Air Wing 11
The “Fist of the Fleet” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 25 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
The “Black Knights” of VFA 154 – F/A-18F – from Naval Air Station Lemoore.
The “Blue Blasters” of VFA 34 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.
The “Flying Checkmates” of VFA 211 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Oceana.
The “Rooks” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 137 – EA-18G – from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.
The “Liberty Bells” of Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 115 – E-2D – from Naval Air Station Point Mugu, Calif.
The “Providers” of Fleet Logistics Squadron (VRC) 40 – C-2A – from Naval Station, Norfolk, Va.
The “Wolf Pack” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 75 – MH-60R – from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.
The “Eightballers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 8 – MH-60S – from Naval Air Station North Island.
Cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG-70), homeported at Naval Station San Diego, Calif.
Destroyer Squadron 23
The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) sails in formation with the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Daniel Inouye (DDG -118) during a trilateral exercise, April 11, 2024. US Navy Photo
Destroyer Squadron 23 is based in San Diego and is embarked on Theodore Roosevelt.
USS John S. McCain (DDG-56), homeported at Naval Station Everett, Wash.
USS Halsey (DDG-97), homeported at Naval Station San Diego, Calif.
USS Daniel Inouye (DDG-118), homeported at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
In the Pacific
U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer First Class Jessica Kirk, a U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Harriet Lane (WMEC-903) yeoman, is reunited with her family on the pier at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam in Honolulu, Hawaii, after a 79-day Operation Blue Pacific patrol, April 9, 2024. US Coast Guard Photo
Both ships were in the Mediterranean. Carney most recently had made a port visit to Palermo, Sicily, Italy, on April 10. Arleigh Burke is forward deployed to Rota, Spain.
U.S. Central and European commands shot down more than 80 one-way attack uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs), in addition to the ballistic missiles, Central Command said in a release. The UAVs were launched from Iran and Yemen.
In the Red Sea
An F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to the ‘Rampagers’ of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 83, launches off of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) in the Red Sea, March 29, 2024. US Navy Photo
U.S. ships continue to patrol the Red Sea as part of Operation Prosperity Guardian, the U.S.-led multinational effort to protect ships moving through the region. Houthi forces in Yemen continue to attack merchant shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, while U.S. naval forces in the region have continued strikes against Houthi weapons that U.S. Central Command says are a threat to naval and merchant ships. Houthi forces say they are targeting ships with connections to the United Kingdom, the U.S. and Israel.
As of Monday, the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group was operating in the Red Sea.
Ike deployed on Oct. 14, while several of the carrier’s escorts left on Oct. 13. The carrier transited the Strait of Gibraltar on Oct. 28 and transited the Suez Canal on Nov. 4. The ship’s deployment was extended by order of Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin late last month, a defense official confirmed to USNI news.
The U.N. Security Council on Jan. 10 approved a resolution calling on Yemen’s Houthi rebel group to “cease its brazen” attacks in the Red Sea.
Carrier Strike Group 2
Carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), homeported at Norfolk, Va.
Carrier Air Wing 3
An Aviation Electronics Technician, assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 74, troubleshoots an electronic support measure in the cockpit of an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG-107) in the Red Sea, April 9. US Navy Photo
The “Gunslingers” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 105 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.
The “Fighting Swordsmen” of VFA 32 – F/A-18F – from Naval Air Station Oceana.
The “Rampagers” of VFA 83 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Oceana.
The “Wildcats” of VFA 131 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Oceana.
The “Zappers” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 130 – EA-18G – from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.
The “Screwtops” of Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 123 – E-2D – from Naval Air Station Norfolk, Va.
The “Rawhides” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40 – C-2A – from Naval Air Station Norfolk.
The “Swamp Foxes” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 74 – MH-60R – from Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla.
The “Dusty Dogs” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 7 – MH-60S – from Naval Station Norfolk.
Cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG-58), homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, Va.
Destroyer Squadron 22
Two Operations Specialists, front, and a Fire Controlman (Aegis) simulate combating an aircraft fire during a crash and salvage team drill aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG-107) in the Red Sea, April 9. US Navy Photo
Destroyer Squadron 22 is based in Norfolk, Va., and is embarked on Eisenhower.
USS Gravely (DDG-107), homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, Va.
USS Mason (DDG-87), homeported at Naval Station Mayport, Fla.
On Thursday, U.S. Central Command forces destroyed one anti-ship ballistic missile launched by the Houthis over the Red Sea.
On Wednesday, CENTCOM forces shot down three Houthi unmanned aerial vehicles. The Houthis launched two of the drones over the Gulf of Aden, while the other one was over the Red Sea. CENTCOM forces also destroyed eight UAVs in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.
On Tuesday, USS Mason (DDG-87) and CENTCOM forces destroyed one inbound Houthi anti-ship ballistic missile over the Gulf of Aden.
The ASBM was likely targeting the MV Yorktown, a U.S.-flagged, U.S.-owned vessel being escorted by USS Laboon (DDG-58) and USS Mason.
On Monday, USCENTCOM forces destroyed an air defense system with two missiles ready to launch and a ground control station in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen while also shooting down one unmanned aerial system.
In the Gulf of Aden
On Wednesday, CENTCOM forces shot down three Houthi unmanned aerial vehicles. Two drones were launched over the Gulf of Aden and one UAV was launched over the Red Sea.
On Sunday, the Houthis launched an anti-ship ballistic missile toward the Gulf of Aden where a coalition ship was escorting MV Hope Island, a Marshall Islands-flagged, U.K.-owned, Italian-operated cargo ship. This was the fifth observed missile launch against the unnamed coalition ship and MV Hope Island.
In the Persian Gulf
U.S. Coast Guard Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutters (FRCs) are forward-deployed to the region under Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA). PATFORSWA deploys Coast Guard personnel and ships with U.S. and regional naval forces throughout the Middle East. Initially deployed in 2003 to support Operation Iraqi Freedom, PATFORSWA is now a permanent presence based out of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
In the Eastern Pacific
USS Boxer (LHD-4) coming into San Diego on April 11, 2024. San Diego Webcam Photo
The amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD-4) returned to San Diego, Calif., on Thursday, delaying her deployment after suffering a casualty, USNI News reported.
In the Mediterranean and Eastern Atlantic
USAV SP4 (LSV-6) underway on the James River on March 12, 2024. USNI News Photo
The ships carrying pieces to build a humanitarian aid pier in Gaza are in the midst of their journey across the Atlantic with some now operating in the Mediterranian Sea.
Five U.S. Army watercraft and a Marine Administration ready reserve transport ship are underway headed to the Eastern Mediterranean. USAV General Frank S. Benson (LSV-1) left Joint Base Langley-Eustis on March 9 and transited the Strait of Gibraltar last week. It was in port in Crete, as of Monday, according to ship spotters. In addition, USAV
As of Monday, USAV Montorrey (LCU-2030), USAV Matamoros (LCU-2026) were in port in Crete, while USAV SP4 James A. Loux (LSV-6) was sailing west near the island. USAV Wilson Wharf (LCU-2011) was in the Eastern Atlantic off the coast of North Africa, not yet in the Mediterranean Sea. The MARAD ship MV Roy P. Benavidez (TAKR-306) left on March 21 with the majority of the modular causeway pieces for the pier loaded aboard. As of Monday, Benavidez was near Crete.
From the East Coast, Military Sealift Command ships USNS 1st Lt. Baldomero Lopez (T-AK-3010) and USNS 2nd Lt. John P. Bobo (TAK-3008) were transporting parts of Naval Beach Group One’s similar floating pier system to operate in tandem with the Army’s system.
Lopez was sailing off North Africa in the Mediterranean, and Bobo was still off the East Coast.
The general concept will have the Army build a pier that will be anchored to the shore in Gaza with no U.S. personnel setting foot in Israel. The Navy will build a transfer point two to three miles offshore where cargo – likely originating in Cyprus – will be transferred to the Army watercraft to be taken to the pier.
Based on the initial timelines, the pier could be completed by mid-May.
In the Western Atlantic
The sun rises over the USS Wasp (LHD-1) while underway in the Atlantic Ocean, April 12, 2024. US Marine Corps Photo
The amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD-1) is off the coast of North Carolina.
The aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) returned to Norfolk, Va., on Friday, according to ship spotters. The carrier will deploy to the U.S. Southern Command area of operations over the next few months as part of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet’s Southern Seas 2024 deployment.
The aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) departed Norfolk, Va., on Wednesday, according to ship spotters.
In addition to these major formations, not shown are others serving in submarines, individual surface ships, aircraft squadrons, SEALs, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Forces, Seabees, EOD Mobile Units and more serving throughout the globe.
These discussions underscore the commitment of both nations to bolster Armenia’s military capabilities in sensitive areas, particularly those prone to conflicts. The dialogue, which has already resulted in agreements on several fronts, now specifically includes providing medically equipped transport vehicles to operate safely in hostile environments.
Ambassador Quinn detailed the progress of the negotiations, noting that both parties have recognized the crucial need for these armored ambulances and are exploring practical measures to facilitate this essential support. “We have already agreed that we will move forward on this issue and are now working on ways to implement it so that we can provide this assistance,” Quinn said, signaling a proactive approach to Armenia’s defense needs.
Of course, these discussions do not occur by chance, as many fear a new conflict with its Azerbaijani neighbor. The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, centered primarily around the Nagorno-Karabakh region, has deep historical roots and has seen repeated escalations over the years, including significant flare-ups in 2020 and 2023. The most recent conflict dynamics involve ongoing tensions despite ceasefire agreements, with both nations accusing each other of provocations.
The Nagorno-Karabakh region, primarily inhabited by ethnic Armenians, has been the focal point of this conflict. Historically, during the Soviet era, the region was part of Azerbaijan but had a majority Armenian population. This demographic and administrative arrangement led to severe tensions after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, erupting into full-scale wars in the early 1990s, in 2020, and again in 2023.
This initiative highlights the strategic partnership between Armenia and the United States and reflects a broader commitment to enhancing humanitarian support capabilities in conflict zones. This approach could significantly enhance Armenia’s operational readiness and resilience, ensuring safer medical evacuations and frontline support during times of military engagement.
The talks are part of a broader U.S. effort to strengthen ties with Armenia, focusing on defense and development sectors to ensure stability and peace in the region.
With the above in mind, this post seems like a great time to highlight a couple of her biggest cruises following her third (and final) recommissioning– operating with the Pacific Fleet as the centerpiece of her own surface action group: Battle Group Romeo. It was the first time a battleship had operated in those waters since 1954.
This would include a lengthy 1986 West Pac cruise with port calls at Pearl, Inchon, Manila, Sasebo, Hong Kong, Pattaya Beach (!), and a brush with the Red Fleet in the Sea of Okhost before returning stateside.
Then came the 1988 West Pac cruise which saw Battle Group Romeo steam to Australia and operate in tandem with ships of the Royal Australian Navy and call at Sydney there to mark the country’s bicentennial celebration.
Drink in the “Big Thunder Down Under” pics, all taken by PH2 Barry Orell, across the 86 and 88 deployments, and currently in the National Archives.
An aerial bow view of the first battleship battle group to deploy to the Western Pacific since the Korean War underway with Australian ships during a training exercise. The ships are, clockwise from bottom: USS LONG BEACH (CGN-9), USS MERRILL (DD-976), HMAS SWAN (D-50), HMAS STUART (D-48), HMAS PARRAMATTA (D-46), USNS PASSUMPSIC (T-AO-107), USS WABASH (AOR-5), HMAS DERWENT (D-49), USS KIRK (FF-1087), USS THACH (FFG-43), HMAS HOBART (D-39) and USS NEW JERSEY (BB-62), center.An aerial bow view of the first battleship battle group to deploy to the Western Pacific since the Korean War underway. The ships are, clockwise from top: replenishment oiler USS WABASH (AOR 5), destroyer USS MERRILL (DD 976), frigate USS GRAY (FF 1054), guided missile frigate USS THACH (FFG 43), nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser USS LONG BEACH (CGN 9) and the battleship USS NEW JERSEY (BB 62), center.An aerial port bow view of the first battleship battle group to deploy to the Western Pacific since the Korean War underway with Australian ships during a training exercise. The ships are, clockwise from bottom left: USS LONG BEACH (CGN-9), USS MERRILL (DD-976), HMAS SWAN (D-50), HMAS STUART (D-48), HMAS PARRAMATTA (D-46), USNS PASSUMPSIC (T-AO-107), USS WABASH (AOR-5), HMAS DERWENT (D-49), USS KIRK (FF-1087), USS THACH (FFG-43), HMAS HOBART (D-39) AND USS NEW JERSEY (BB-62), center.An aerial port beam view of the first battleship battle group to deploy to the Western Pacific since the Korean War underway with Australian ships during a training exercise. The ships are, clockwise from left: USS LONG BEACH (CGN-9), USS MERRILL (DD-976), HMAS SWAN (D-50), HMAS STUART (D-48), HMAS PARRAMATTA (D-46), USNS PASSUMPSIC (T-AO-107), USS WABASH (AOR-5), HMAS DERWENT (D-49), USS KIRK (FF-1087), USS THACH (FFG-43), HMAS HOBART (D-39) and USS NEW JERSEY (BB-62), center.An aerial starboard bow view of the first battleship battle group to deploy to the Western Pacific since the Korean War underway with Australian ships during a training exercise. The ships are, clockwise from right: USS LONG BEACH (CGN-9), USS MERRILL (DD-976), HMAS SWAN (D-50), HMAS STUART (D-48), HMAS PARRAMATTA (D-46), USNS PASSUMPSIC (T-AO-107), USS WABASH (AOR-5), HMAS DERWENT (D-49), USS KIRK (FF-1087), USS THACH (FFG-43), HMAS HOBART (D-39) and USS NEW JERSEY (BB-62), center.A port bow view of the battleship USS NEW JERSEY (BB 62) tied up at a pier with 60 other warships during the Australian bicentennial celebration.A view of the battleship USS NEW JERSEY (BB 62) lit up at night during the Australian bicentennial celebration.
The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Harriet Lane (WMEC 903) and crew prepare to moor in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii after a 79-day Operation Blue Pacific patrol, April 9, 2024. (Tyler Robertson/U.S. Coast Guard)
The Coast Guard’s Honolulu -based “Indo-Pacific Support Cutter ” CGC Harriet Lane returned to port Tuesday after its first patrol across Oceania.
It’s a new mission for an old ship. The Harriet Lane is a 40-year-old, 270-foot Medium Endurance Cutter—known to the Coast Guard personnel who operate them as “270s.” It arrived in Hawaii in December after undergoing over a year’s worth of renovations at a Baltimore shipyard. It’s the 11th cutter to be assigned to the Honolulu-based Coast Guard District 14.
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In January it set sail for its first patrol, heading south into the high seas where members of its crew boarded fishing vessels to look for signs of illegal fishing. Over the course of its 79-day deployment, the cutter and its crew made port calls in American Samoa, Samoa, Fiji, Vanuatu, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Nauru and the Marshall Islands.
Over the course of the patrol, its crew participated in 27 vessel boardings and documented 12 violations of fishery laws.
The Coast Guard has worked to increase its presence and operations in the Pacific. In February 2023, Rear Adm. Michael Ryan, the Coast Guard deputy commandant for operations and policy, told military news outlet Defense One that the service intends to triple its deployments in the Pacific in coming years.
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The Lane’s commanding officer, Cmdr. Nicole Tesoniero, said “the Harriet Lane delivered on a commitment made to our Pacific partners for a more robust and persistent Coast Guard presence across the region … My confidence is bolstered by knowledge that the Harriet Lane is manned with a dedicated, professional and compassionate crew that could not be better equipped to handle the unique demands of this mission.”
Many Pacific Island countries lack navies or coast guards of their own, limiting their ability to patrol and enforce laws in their often vast territorial waters. Many have signed “shiprider agreements ” with the U.S. Coast Guard, in which local officials and law enforcement professionals ride along in U.S. vessels, giving local authorities access to U.S. personnel and resources to assist in operations.
Over the course of the Lane’s deployment, the ship and the crew did four boardings on the open ocean, with the rest in the maritime territory—or Exclusive Economic Zones—of Pacific Island countries alongside local authorities. Tesoniero said that working with shipriders aboard the Lane and learning about each country’s unique needs was a highlight of the deployment.
“Even ones that embarked for two or three days fell into the fold with the crew, ” she said.
The Lane and its crew also did a series of training and community outreach during port calls along the way. Ensign Aaron Motis said that a highlight of his deployment was visiting schools in Vanuatu, where members of the crew taught children about ocean safety and conservation.
Motis said throughout the deployment it was “great helping out the community and just like experiencing each culture and how different each one was and how they’re super welcoming.”
The Coast Guard has played an increasingly important role in U.S. strategy in the Pacific as Washington and Beijing compete for influence in the region. China has worked to build up influence around the globe, bringing several countries into its Belt and Road Initiative—a series of Chinese government-funded construction and infrastructure projects around the globe.
In Pacific Island nations that includes ports to support Chinese vessels and seafood-processing plants. Pacific Island nations rely on fishing charters and licenses to foreign fishermen as a critical source of income for their economies and have to walk a fine line between preserving and profiting from the fish in their waters.
Vanuatu is one of the countries that has signed the Belt and Road Initiative. In February, members of the Vanuatu police who were aboard the Lane as shipriders and working with the U.S. Coast Guardmen boarded several fishing boats and found that six Chinese vessels were violating local laws, including failing to record fish caught in their logbooks.
The Lane’s visit was the first time in years Vanuatu officials were able to physically inspect Chinese vessels actively fishing in their waters. In a statement to Reuters about the alleged violations, the Chinese Embassy in Vanuatu said the boats had fishing permits from Vanuatu’s government and that no crimes had occurred because “Chinese companies obey Vanuatu laws.”
On Friday, China’s ambassador to New Zealand Wang Xiaolong told reporters in the region that shiprider agreements and boardings of Chinese vessels are “illegal ” and “not binding to third parties.” When asked about the remarks at a news conference for Lane’s return to Hawaii, Coast Guard District 14 commander Rear Adm. Michael Day said “it’s an inaccurate statement, so I welcome the opportunity to correct the record.”
Day said, “These bilateral engagements are made in accordance with international law, with the host nation and the United States … We do these boardings at the behest of the host nations that invite us to work with them collaboratively to protect their EEZ’s.” He added that the U.S. does not target Chinese vessels and regularly boards vessels flagged to other countries that are operating around the region, and that most shiprider agreements have existed for decades.
The Lane’s crew has had little time for rest between arriving in Hawaii in December and deploying in January. They’re set for a busy year, with plans to deploy again as soon as June with another long patrol of the Pacific to make room in Pearl Harbor for international ships coming in this summer to participate in Exercise Rim of the Pacific—the world’s largest naval war game.
“Honestly, most of this in-port will be preparing for our next out-port, ” said Motis.
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USS Boxer (LHD 4) conducts flight quarters while transiting the Pacific Ocean, Nov. 6, 2023. (Evan Diaz/U.S. Navy)
The maintenance-embattled USS Boxer is heading back to San Diego just 10 days after deploying due to an engineering issue, as first reported by USNI News and confirmed to Military.com by Navy officials.
Sailing as the big deck, or lead ship, of its amphibious ready group, the Boxer had already been delayed by months when it deployed April 1. Its return further comes on the heels of an announcement by the Navy’s top leader earlier this week that the service is investigating the ship’s prolonged maintenance issues
“USS Boxer is returning to San Diego to undergo additional maintenance in support of its deployment in the Indo-Pacific region,” Lt. Cmdr. Jesus Uranga, a spokesperson for the Navy’s 3rd Fleet in the Pacific, told Military.com in an email.
The Boxer had departed for its “Indo-Pacific deployment and was conducting integration exercises with the MV-22 Osprey in the 3rd Fleet area of operations,” when it was forced to return, Uranga said.
While further details were not provided regarding the nature of the malfunction, Uranga said the ship would return to its deployment “in the near future.”
Marines and aircraft with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit were onboard the Boxer and have already been offloaded, officials told USNI News, although the ship had not yet made it back to port as of Thursday evening.
Franchetti’s inquiry will be led by three-star admirals in the Navy’s operations and plans and policy offices, she said, adding she anticipates they will come to her with initial recommendations on how to proceed “in the May timeframe, and that will start to outline the shape of the the deep dive going forward.”
While the investigation’s timing may seem coincidental, the four-star admiral said Monday that the branch was trying to be proactive and keep delays to just the Boxer.
“We’re seeing some potential delays on [the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp],” Franchetti said. “We’re trying to look ahead to make sure that we can, I want to say, nip this in the bud.”
The Wasp, which is the same class of ship as the Boxer, departed Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, in early March only to return shortly afterward. A spokesperson for Surface Force Atlantic told Military.com following the incident that “during the underway, the ship discovered an engineering irregularity” and “returned to port to effect repairs.”
A defense official told Military.com in March that the Boxer had originally been slated to deploy late last year, but it was held up thanks to a series of delays and mechanical issues that were driven, at least partly, by poor leadership aboard the ship.
Two previous command investigations conducted on at least three different engineering breakdowns showed “a lack of procedural compliance, substandard supervisory oversight, and general complacency by the crew,” according to the ship’s strike group commander.
Those breakdowns, information on which was released to Military.com as part of a Freedom of Information Act request, revealed that the ship had experienced damage to two “forced draft blowers” on Nov. 8, 2022. A separate investigation into that incident, also provided to Military.com via FOIA request, faulted “poor quality craftsmanship, lack of industry repair skill set/capabilities” and a “lack of supervisory oversight” from the Navy offices overseeing the work.
Then on May 14, the ship had a “boiler safety” breakdown. That investigation “once again revealed a lack of procedural compliance and overall complacency of all personnel involved,” documents from the strike group commander revealed.
HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division announced the delivery of the amphibious transport dock Richard M. McCool Jr. (LPD 29) to the US Navy – the 13th vessel of the San Antonio-class ships built by Ingalls.
The US Navy acquired the San Antonio-class amphibious ship from HII in 2006. According to GlobalData’s “US Defence Market 2023-2028” report, the US Navy has 12 active units.
Ingalls Shipbuilding President Kari Wilkinson said: “The LPD 29 delivery demonstrates how our shipbuilders are enabling our combined Navy and Marine Corps team.”
LPD 29’s completion is the culmination of craftsmanship but also serves as a prelude to Ingalls Shipbuilding’s shift towards the production of the LPD Flight II line. Two Flight II LPDs are currently under construction, and plans are in place for future endeavours.
HII continues to bolster the US Navy’s fleet with San Antonio-Class amphibious transport dock ships. The eighth vessel, Arlington (LPD 24), was delivered in December 2012. Following suit, HII delivered Somerset (LPD 25) in October 2013. Moving on, the US Navy witnessed the USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28) commissioning in July 2022.
The San Antonio-class ships, including LPD 29, play a role in the US Marine Corps’ Force Design construct, offering capabilities for crisis response, special operations, and expeditionary warfare missions. With the ability to operate independently or as part of larger task forces, these vessels maintain regional stability and safeguard national security interests.
After demonstrable success at the beginning of 2024, the UK Ministry of Defence announced its intention to install DragonFire on its surface combatants.
Following the successful demonstration of the UK’s new DragonFire laser directed energy weapon (LDEW) system earlier this year, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced the programme will accelerate to be installed on Royal Navy (RN) ships.
The next stages of this development will include further live firings and the manufacture and installation of weapon systems onto RN platforms.
DragonFire was manufactured by a trilateral industrial partnership of Britain’s foremost defence suppliers: MBDA UK, Leonardo UK and QinetiQ.
The first successful demonstration took place at the MoD’s Hebrides range off the north-west coast of Scotland in January. These test firings were the culmination of several years of work, with the programme unveiled in 2017.
With the new security climate jolting nations into stockpiling munitions, DragonFire provides a highly cost-effective alternative. While the programme cost the MoD £100m ($125m), the Government noted that the cost of operating the laser is typically less than £10 per shot.
Following years of research and development, LDEWs are now rapidly transitioning from the sphere of experimental technologies to the actual battlefield as they reach a sufficient level of maturity to warrant deployment.
