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USS Timbalier (AVP-54) was a Barnegat-class seaplane tender of the United States Navy. She was commissioned shortly after the end of World War II, and served between 1946 and her decommissioning in 1954. She later saw commercial service as the Greek cruise ship MV Ródos

Construction and commissioning

The launching of USS Timbalier on 18 April 1943.

Timbalier was built at the Lake Washington Shipyard, at Houghton, Washington, with her keel laid down on 9 November 1942. She was launched on 18 April 1943, sponsored by Mrs. S. B. Dunlap.[1] Timbalier, and her sister USS Valcour (AVP-55), were initially ordered in February 1944 to be completed at the Puget Sound Navy Yard, but were transferred back to the Lake Washington Shipyard in June 1945.[2] The resulting delay meant that she was not commissioned until 24 May 1946.[2]

US Navy career

Timbalier departed from Seattle, Washington on 20 June 1946, arriving at San Francisco, California, two days later on 22 June 1946.[3] She transferred to Alameda, California, where she loaded stores and airplane spare parts before sailing for San Diego, California, on 26 June 1946. She underwent a period of sea trials off the United States West Coast, completing them on 27 July 1946. She then departed bound for Panama,[2] transiting the Panama Canal on 3 August 1946. Timbalier then proceeded to the shipyards at New York City.[2][3]

Timbalier with two Martin PBM Mariner flying boats shortly after World War II.

Timbalier was at the New York Naval Shipyard at Brooklyn, New York, until 8 November 1946, when she departed for Norfolk, Virginia, which she reached on 9 November 1946. She spent the rest of November 1946 in the vicinity of Hampton Roads, Virginia.[3]

Timbalier departed Hampton Roads on 3 December 1946, bound for San Juan, Puerto Rico. She arrived there on 7 December 1946, beginning service with Fleet Air Wing 11 (FAW-11).[2] She was based at Trinidad, and carried out operations in the Caribbean and off the United States East Coast. She served with FAW-11 as a tender for their Martin PBM Mariner flying boats for the rest of her naval career.[3] With the increase in the Soviet submarine threat by 1951, the PBM Mariner squadrons deployed to carry out reconnaissance off the U.S. East Coast, and plansd called for them to concentrate on convoy defense and antisubmarine warfare in the event of conflict with the Soviet Union, supported by Timbalier, her sister ship USS Duxbury Bay (AVP-38), and the seaplane tender USS Currituck (AV-7).[4]

In 1952 Timbalier supported flying boat operations during Operation Mainbrace, a large-scale exercise of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization‘s navies, off the Scandinavian and Icelandic coasts. During Mainbrace, Timbalier tended flying boats operating from Lerwick in the Shetland Islands.[4]

Decommissioning, reserve, and disposal

Timbalier was decommissioned on 15 November 1954 and placed in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet.[1] She was struck from the Navy List on 1 May 1960, and was sold on 20 December 1960 to Panagiotis Kokkinos, of Piraeus, Greece.[2]

Commercial service

Cruise ship Ródos laid up in Eleusis on 16 July 1986

After her sale, Timbalier became the Greek cruise ship MV Ródos.[2] She was scrapped at Eleusis, Greece, in 1989.[

USS Tawasa (AT-92) 1953 -was a Cherokee-class fleet tug constructed for the United States Navy during World War II. Her purpose was to aid ships, usually by towing, on the high seas or in combat or post-combat areas, plus “other duties as assigned.”

 

She served in the Pacific Ocean and had a very successful career marked by the winning of three battle stars during World War II, two during the Korean War, and seven campaign stars during the Vietnam crisis.

Tawasa was laid down on 22 June 1942 at Portland, Oregon, by the Commercial Iron Works; launched on 22 February 1943; sponsored by Mrs. Thomas F. Sullivan, mother of the five Sullivan brothers; and commissioned on 17 July 1943, Lt. Fred C. Clark in command.

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USS Alabama (BB-8) was an Illinois-class pre-dreadnought battleship built for the United States Navy. She was the second ship of her class, and the second to carry her name.

 Photos here – https://jcsnavyandmilitarynews.blogspot.com/

USS Alabama (BB-8) 

The Battleship USS Alabama (BB-8) off New York City, during the October 1912 Naval Review.

Alabama in Philadelphia in 1919

USS Alabama (BB-8) 1904

 

Her keel was laid down in December 1896 at the William Cramp & Sons shipyard, and she was launched in May 1898. She was commissioned into the fleet in October 1900. The ship was armed with a main battery of four 13-inch (330 mm) guns and she had a top speed of 16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph).

Alabama spent the first seven years of her career in the North Atlantic Fleet conducting peacetime training. In 1904, she made a visit to Europe and toured the Mediterranean. She took part in the cruise of the Great White Fleet until damage to her machinery forced her to leave the cruise in San Francisco. She instead completed a shorter circumnavigation in company with the battleship Maine. The ship received an extensive modernization from 1909 to 1912, after which she was used as a training ship in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet. She continued in this role during World War I. After the war, Alabama was stricken from the naval register and allocated to bombing tests that were conducted in September 1921. She was sunk in the tests by US Army Air Service bombers and later sold for scrap in March 1924.

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USS Wyoming (BB-32) was the lead ship of her class of dreadnought battleships and was the third ship of the United States Navy named Wyoming, although she was only the second named in honor of the 44th state.

 

Wyoming was laid down at the William Cramp & Sons in Philadelphia in February 1910, was launched in May 1911, and was completed in September 1912. She was armed with a main battery of twelve 12-inch (305 mm) guns and capable of a top speed of 20.5 kn (38.0 km/h; 23.6 mph).

During the First World War, she was part of the Battleship Division Nine, which was attached to the British Grand Fleet as the 6th Battle Squadron. During the war, she was primarily tasked with patrolling in the North Sea and escorting convoys to Norway. She served in both the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets throughout the 1920s, and in 1931–1932, she was converted into a training ship according to the terms of the London Naval Treaty of 1930.

Wyoming served as a training ship throughout the 1930s, and in November 1941, she became a gunnery ship. She operated primarily in the Chesapeake Bay area, which earned her the nickname “Chesapeake Raider”. In this capacity, she trained some 35,000 gunners for the hugely expanded US Navy during World War II. She continued in this duty until 1947, when she was decommissioned on 1 August and subsequently sold for scrap; she was broken up in New York starting in December 1947.

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USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Jan. 22, 2024

U.S. NAVAL INSTITUTE STAFF

JANUARY 22, 2024 2:23 PM – UPDATED: JANUARY 23, 2024 8:43 AM

USNI News Graphic

These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of Jan. 22, 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 ForceDeployedUnderway
292
(USS 232, USNS 60)		102
(USS 70, USNS 32)		65
(43 Deployed, 19 Local)

In Japan

Capt. Daryle Cardone, commanding officer of USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), speaks during an all-hands call in the hangar bay while in-port commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Jan. 16, 2024. US Navy Photo

USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) is in port Yokosuka. The carrier completed its last planned Western Pacific patrol last month and is set to depart for the East Coast later this year. USS George Washington (CVN-73) will replace Reagan in Japan.

In the Philippine Sea

Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) John Alayon, from La Mirada, California, assigned to the forward-deployed amphibious assault carrier USS America (LHA-6) launches an F-35B Lightning II aircraft from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 from the ships flight deck, while sailing in the East China Sea, Jan. 17, 2024. US Navy Photo

USS America (LHA-6) is operating in the Philippine Sea.

USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Republic of Korea Navy completed a trilateral maritime exercise on Jan. 17, according to U.S. 7th Fleet.

Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), left, and the Hyuga-class helicopter destroyer JS Hyuga (DDH-181) from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, sail together during a trilateral exercise, Jan. 17, 2024. US Navy Photo

“The ships that participated included USS Carl Vinson, Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG-59), Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers USS Kidd (DDG-100) and USS Sterett (DDG-104); Hyuga-class helicopter destroyers JS Hyuga (DDH-181), Kongo-class guided missile destroyer JS Kongo (DDG-173) of the JMSDF; guided missile destroyer ROKS Sejong the Great (DDG-991) and ROKS Wang Geon (DDH-978) of the ROKN,” according to 7th Fleet. 

Vinson is using older C-2A Greyhounds flying out of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, as a temporary carrier-onboard delivery vehicle while the CMV-22B fleet is grounded following the November crash of an Air Force MV-22B off the coast of Japan.

Carrier Strike Group 1

Naval Special Warfare (NSW) operators board an MH-60S Knight Hawk, assigned to the ‘Black Knights’ of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 4, during a fast-rope evolution on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) on Jan. 18, 2024. US Navy Photo

Carrier

USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), homeported at San Diego, Calif.

Carrier Air Wing 2

  • The “Bounty Hunters” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 2 – F/A-18F – from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
  • The “Stingers” of VFA 113 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Lemoore.
  • The “Warhawks” of VFA 97 – F-35C – from Naval Air Station Lemoore.
  • The “Golden Dragons” of VFA 192 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Lemoore.
  • The “Gauntlets” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 136 – EA-18G – from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.
  • The “Black Eagles” of Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 113 – E-2D – from Naval Air Station Point Mugu, Calif.
  • The “Titans” of Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron (VRM) 30 – CMV-22B – from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.
  • The “Blue Hawks” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 78 – MH-60R – from Naval Air Station North Island.
  • The “Black Knights” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 4 – MH-60S – from Naval Air Station North Island.

Cruiser

USS Princeton (CG-59), homeported at Naval Station San Diego, Calif.

Destroyer Squadron 1

A MK 45 5-inch gun fires during a live-fire exercise aboard Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Hopper (DDG-70) on Jan. 16, 2024. US Navy Photo

Destroyer Squadron 1 is based in San Diego and is embarked on Carl Vinson.

  • USS Hopper (DDG-70), homeported at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
  • USS Kidd (DDG-100), homeported at Naval Station Everett, Wash.
  • USS Sterett (DDG-104), homeported at Naval Station San Diego, Calif.
  • USS William P. Lawrence (DDG-110), homeported at Naval Station Pearl Harbor.

In the Western Pacific

The hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH-19) anchored off Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia, as part of Pacific Partnership 2024-1, Jan. 18, 2024. US Navy Photo

Hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH-19) concluded its final mission stop of Pacific Partnership 24-1, departing Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia, according to the Navy.

“Throughout their 12-day stop in Chuuk, PP24-1 teams conducted more than 150 medical engagements, including 2226 dental procedures. The optometry team distributed more than 1605 prescription glasses and 1442 pairs of sunglasses. Additionally, the Pacific Partnership medical team conducted 82 surgeries aboard Mercy,” reads a statement from the Navy.

In the South Pacific

U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Casey Connors, and Petty Officer 1st Class Ryan Miller, Regional Dive Locker West divers, swim under the fast ice after an underwater advancement ceremony next to the Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star (WAGB 10) in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica, Jan. 7, 2024. The Polar Star is enroute to Antarctica in support of Operation Deep Freeze, a joint service, interagency support operation for the National Science Foundation, which manages the United States Antarctic Program on Jan. 7, 2024. US Coast Guard Photo

USCGC Polar Star (WAGB-10) is at McMurdo Station in Antarctica supporting Operation Deep Freeze.

In the Pacific

F/A-18 Super Hornets rest on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) as it transits the Pacific Ocean, Jan. 20, 2024. US Navy Photo

Aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) departed San Diego, Calif., last week to begin its deployment, with a detachment of C-2A Greyhounds from the East Coast filling in for the grounded CV-22B Ospreys, USNI News has learned.

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 Virginia Beach, Va.
  • The “Flying Checkmates” of VFA 211 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Oceana Virginia Beach
  • 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 

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 Eastern Mediterranean

The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) is back in the Eastern Mediterranean after completing exercise “Odyssey Encore” off the coast Volos, Greece, on Jan. 17. The two-week-long exercise focused on “advanced skills and operational capabilities necessary to rapidly respond to any crisis or other emergent requirements” in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, according to a Navy news release.

Among many missions Marines are trained in is evacuating civilians from conflict zones. USNI News visited the unit in April during a noncombatant evacuation drill in North Carolina.

Embarked units include Amphibious Squadron 8, 26th MEU (SOC), Fleet Surgical Team 8, Tactical Air Control Squadron 21, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 26, Assault Craft Unit 2, Assault Craft Unit 4 and Beach Master Unit 2. The 26th MEU (SOC), based at Camp Lejeune, N.C., includes Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 6th Marines; Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 162 (Reinforced) and Combat Logistics Battalion 22.

In the Red Sea

Sailors from guided-missile destroyer USS Mason (DDG 87) conduct small boat operations while operating in support of Operation Prosperity Guardian in the Red Sea on Jan. 4, 2024. US Navy Photo

U.S. forces in the Middle East entered the seventh day of back and forth strikes over the weekend, according to information from U.S. Central Command.

Based on information from CENTCOM:

  • On Saturday, U.S. forces struck a Houthi anti-ship missile aimed at the Gulf of Aden that CENTCOM said was prepared to launch at maritime targets.
  • On Friday, U.S. forces struck three anti-ship ballistic missiles were aimed at the Red Sea and planned to launch.
  • On Thursday, Houthis launched two anti-ship ballistic missiles at M/V Chem Ranger, a Marshall Island-flagged, U.S.-owned, Greek-operated tanker ship. The crew observed the missiles impact the water near the ship. There were no reported injuries or damage to the ship. The ship has continued underway.
  • On Wednesday, the U.S struck 14 Houthi missiles in Yemen that CENTCOM said were prepared to fire against ships in the Red Sea.
  • On Tuesday, U.S. forces destroyed four Houthi anti-ship ballistic missiles following an attack on the U.S.-owned container ship M/V Genco Picardy.

As of Monday, the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group was operating off the coast of Saudi Arabia 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 United Nations Security Council on Jan. 10 approved a resolution calling on Yemen’s Houthi rebel group to “cease its brazen” attacks in the Red Sea, as the United States and the United Kingdom hinted at military strikes.

The Pentagon, on Dec. 18, announced an initiative to protect commercial traffic in the region after almost two months of attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea by forces in Yemen.

Operation Prosperity Guardian is a multinational push to ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden under the structure of the existing Combined Task Force 153.

Sailor welds aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69). US Navy Photo

Carrier Strike Group 2

Carrier

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), homeported at Norfolk, Va.

Carrier Air Wing 3

  • 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

Guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG-107) launches Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles in response to increased Iranian-backed Houthi malign behavior in the Red Sea Jan. 12, 2024. 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.

In the Arabian Sea

Marines assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 364 (VMM-364), take-off from an MV-22B Osprey on USS Lewis B Puller in the Red Sea, April 29, 2023. US Air Force Photo

The Two Navy SEALs who went missing on Jan. 11 as part of a raid on a ship carrying missile parts for Houthi forces were declared deceased, U.S. Central Command announced on Sunday.

“We regret to announce that after a 10-day exhaustive search, our two missing U.S. Navy SEALs have not been located and their status has been changed to deceased. The search and rescue operation for the two Navy SEALs reported missing during the boarding of an illicit dhow carrying Iranian advanced conventional weapons Jan. 11 concluded and we are now conducting recovery operations,” reads the statement from CENTCOM.

In the Gulf of Oman

Coast Guard Sentinel-class fast response cutter USCGC Emlen Tunnell (WPC-1145) seizes bags of illegal narcotics from a vessel in the Gulf of Oman, Jan. 5, 2024. US Coast Guard Photo

A U.S. Coast Guard cutter operating under the French-led Combined Task Force 150 seized about $8.1 million worth of illegal drugs from a vessel in the Arabian Sea on Jan. 16.

USCGC Emlen Tunnell (WPC-1145) seized 173 kilograms of methamphetamines following a boarding and search.

“This is the second interdiction by CTF 150 of the year and marks the 14th time they have seized illegal narcotics at sea since France took command in July 2023,” the Task Force said in a news release. “During their tenure, more than 16 tons of illegal narcotics with a street value of over $600 million were seized and disposed of, preventing criminal and terrorist organizations generating income from drug smuggling. The seizure came one day before France turned over command of the task force to the Royal Canadian Navy.”

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 Western Atlantic

Sailors assigned to the world’s largest aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) man the rails upon return from the ship’s eight-month maiden deployment, Jan. 17, 2024. U.S. Navy Photo

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) returned to its homeport of Norfolk, Va., on Wednesday, reported USNI News.

Ford and the embarked air wing and its escorts spent the bulk of its eight-month deployment in the Mediterranean Sea. The Ford Carrier Strike Group initially operated in the region as part of the ongoing presence mission the U.S. has undertaken since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but then was positioned in the Eastern Mediterranean following the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Southern Israel. The Ford Carrier Strike Group was extended three times to remain on station near Israel.

Carrier Strike Group 12

Carrier

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), homeported at Norfolk, Va.

Carrier Air Wing 8

A pilot, assigned to the ‘Ragin Bulls’ of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 37, reunites with his family after returning to Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia, Jan. 15, 2024. US Navy Photo
  • The “Ragin’ Bulls” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 37 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.
  • The “Blacklions” of VFA 213 – F/A-18F – from Naval Air Station Oceana.
  • The “Golden Warriors” of VFA 87 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Oceana.
  • The “Tomcatters” of VFA 31 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Oceana.
  • The “Gray Wolves” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 142 – EA-18G – from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.
  • The “Bear Aces” of Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 124 – 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 “Spartans” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 70 – MH-60R – from Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla.
  • The “Tridents” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 9 – MH-60S – from Naval Air Station Norfolk.

Cruiser

Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG-60) returns to Naval Station Norfolk following an eight-month deployment, Jan. 20, 2024. US Navy Photo

USS Normandy (CG-60), homeported at Norfolk, Va.

Destroyer Squadron 2

Destroyer Squadron 2 is based in Norfolk, Va., and is embarked on Ford. Due to the length of the deployment, the destroyers assigned to the strike group have changed since the initial deployment.

  • USS Arleigh Burke (DDG-51), homeported at Naval Station Rota, Spain.
  • USS Bulkeley (DDG-84), homeported at Rota.
  • USS Ramage (DDG-61), returned to its Norfolk homeport.
  • USS McFaul (DDG-74), returned to its Norfolk homeport.
  • USS Thomas Hudner (DDG-116), returned to its Mayport, Fla., homeport.

The aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) was spotted heading outbound from Norfolk, Va., on Jan 19 for sea trials after a 13-month maintenance and repair period. Carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) was spotted heading outbound from Norfolk on Jan 14.

In the Eastern Pacific

Religious Program Specialist Seaman Apprentice Cody Davion, from Covington, Ga., salutes remains during a burial-at-sea ceremony on aircraft elevator 4 aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) on Jan. 20, 2024. US Navy Photo

The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) was spotted heading outbound from San Diego, Calif., on Jan 18, according to ship spotters.

The amphibious warship USS Boxer (LHD-4) was spotted heading inbound to San Diego, Calif., on Jan 18, 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.

Related

USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Jan. 17, 2023

January 17, 2023

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USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Sept. 25, 2023

September 25, 2023

In “Aviation”

USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Feb. 6, 2023

February 6, 2023

In “Aviation”

Northrop Grumman receives approval for B-21 Raider stealth bomber production

BYCLEMENT CHARPENTREAU

U.S. Air Force photo

Northrop Grumman has been approved to commence low-rate production of its highly anticipated B-21 Raider stealth bomber.  

The B-21 Raider made its maiden flight in November 2023, a crucial step that led to Northrop Grumman securing the contract for the initial production of the stealth bomber.  

The announcement came from William LaPlante, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, who said that production plans were mature and grounded on successful ground and flight tests. 

“This past fall, based on the results of ground and flight tests and the team’s mature plans for manufacturing, I gave the go-ahead to begin producing B-21s at a low rate,” Under Secretary LaPlante said in a statement to Air & Space Forces Magazine. 

The next-generation strategic bomber

This advanced aircraft is designed to enhance the USAF’s strategic capabilities and serve as a key component in the nation’s defense arsenal. 

With production now underway, the B-21 Raider is expected to enter active service by 2026. It is anticipated to gradually replace the aging B-2 Spirit and the B-1 Lancer strategic bombers, which have been crucial assets in the USAF’s long-range strike capabilities for decades. 

The USAF envisions operating a two-bomber fleet, comprising the B-21 Raider and the B-52 Stratofortress aircraft, currently undergoing a modernization campaign. The order for 100 B-21 Raiders surpasses the combined number of B-1s and B-2s currently in operation. https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/RpkYtmF6yaE?si=0O3i7Nv7K9-TMTt5

US Air Force’s B-21 Raider bomber completes first flight: video

BYEMILIA STANKEVICIUTE

2023-11-13