USS North Carolina (BB-55) is the lead ship of the North Carolina class of fast battleships, the first vessel of the type built for the United States Navy. Built under the Washington Treaty system, North Carolina’s design was limited in displacement and armament, though the United States used a clause in the Second London NavalContinue reading “USS NORTH CAROLINA (BB-55) 1942”
Mallory Shelbourne – February 26, 2025 8:16 PM Sailors assigned to the Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Minnesota (SSN 783) conduct mooring operations at HMAS Stirling, Western Australia, Australia, Feb. 25, 2025. U.S. Navy Photo A Virginia-class attack boat is in Perth, Australia for a port visit as part of the ongoing AUKUS partnership that’s gearingContinue reading “Virginia-class Attack Boat Makes Port Visit to Perth, Australia”
Stockdale, assigned to the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, returned from a seven-month deployment to the 3rd, 5th, and 7th Fleet areas of operations. As an integral part of U.S. Pacific Fleet, Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet operates naval forces in the Indo-Pacific and provides the realistic and relevant training to ensure the readiness necessary toContinue reading “The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Stockdale (DDG 106) pulls into its homeport of Naval Base San Diego, Feb. 21, 2025.”
USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) was the lead ship of the Pennsylvania class of super-dreadnought battleships built for the United States Navy in the 1910s. The Pennsylvanias were part of the standard-type battleship series, and marked an incremental improvement over the preceding Nevada class, carrying an extra pair of 14-inch (360 mm) guns for a total ofContinue reading “USS Pennsylvania, MARE ISLAND 1942”
She was the lead ship of the Colorado class of battleships. Her keel was laid down on 29 May 1919, by the New York Shipbuilding Corporation. She was launched on 22 March 1921, and commissioned on 30 August 1923. She was armed with eight 16-inch (406 mm) guns and fourteen 5-inch (127 mm) deck guns;Continue reading “USS Colorado (BB-45) was a battleship of the United States Navy that was in service from 1923 to 1947.”
via WordPress https://ift.tt/IX0bk2w
Onlookers watch, as SS United States, a retired American ocean liner, that was built during 1950 and 1951 for United States Lines, is towed out to sea on the Delaware River, on her way to Alabama where she is intended to be sunk to create an artificial reef, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S., February 19, 2025. REUTERS/Matthew Hatcher
The iconic SS United States, holder of the transatlantic speed record, has departed Philadelphia after nearly three decades at berth, embarking on its final journey to become the world’s largest artificial reef.
Following multiple delays and a U.S. Coast Guard review of towing operations, the historic vessel finally left on Wednesday under escort by a fleet of tugs, led by the US-flagged Vinik No. 6. The ship is now en route to Mobile, Alabama, where it will undergo a 12-month environmental remediation process before being intentionally sunk off the coast of Okaloosa County, Florida.
Launched in 1951, the SS United States‘ impressive history includes transporting presidents, celebrities, and immigrants. During the Cold War, it was designed with the capability to convert into a troop carrier, able to transport 14,000 troops over 10,000 miles without refueling.
Okaloosa County Board Chairman Paul Mixon highlighted the environmental and tourism benefits: “This accomplishment confirms our commitment to remain good stewards of the environment, while also enhancing our community’s status as a premier diving and fishing destination.”
The coastal journey is expected to take approximately two weeks, with the route specifically chosen to minimize fuel consumption and avoid challenging ocean currents. While the exact deployment location off Destin-Fort Walton Beach remains undetermined, officials confirm it will be accessible to divers of varying skill levels.
Source: currinsnavalandmaritme
The commanding officer of the USS Harry S Truman has been relieved of duty following a collision with a merchant vessel earlier this month.
Captain Dave Snowden was removed from command due to a “loss of confidence in his ability to command,” the US Navy stated.
He had been in charge of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier since December 2023.
The decision follows an incident earlier this month when the Truman collided with the merchant vessel Besiktas-M while operating in the Mediterranean Sea near Port Said, Egypt.
In his place, Captain Christopher Hill, currently the commanding officer of the USS Dwight D Eisenhower will serve as Truman’s interim commanding officer.
Following the collision, USS Harry S Truman arrived at US Naval Support Activity Souda Bay in Greece for emergency repairs.
The damage assessment includes the exterior wall of two storage rooms and a maintenance space.
External damage was also sustained to a line handling space, the fantail, and a platform above one of the storage areas.
Despite the damage, the ship remained fully mission-capable and continued flight operations before entering port.
The Harry S Truman Carrier Strike Group consists of the aircraft carrier, Carrier Air Wing 1 (which includes eight aviation squadrons), and staff from Carrier Strike Group 8 and Destroyer Squadron 28.
Supporting ships include the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg and three Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers: USS Stout, USS The Sullivans, and USS Jason Dunham.
Source: currinsnavalandmaritme
Commercial airliners flying over the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand were forced to reroute their flights on Friday morning Australian time because of a People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) action group warning that it would conduct live-fire drills.
Australia had earlier announced on Feb. 13 that it was monitoring the PLAN task group, comprised of cruiser CNS Zunyi (107), frigate CNS Hengyang (568) and fleet oiler CNS Weishanhu (887) while the PLAN ships were operating north of Australia. The task group has since sailed into the Tasman Sea, which lies between Australia and New Zealand.
On Friday, Australian media channel ABC News reported Emirates flight UAE3HJ from Sydney to Christchurch was directly warned at 11 a.m Sydney time by the PLAN task group to avoid airspace this morning.
Australia’s ABC News also reported commercial pilots have been warned to avoid airspace between Australia and New Zealand because of the drills and that warnings remain in place. Airlines flying over the area are diverting flights.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in a Friday press conference said the PLAN task group was operating outside Australia’s 200 nautical miles exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and that the notice, which was issued in accordance with practice, had expired. He added Australian Defence Force (ADF) Chief Adm. David Johnston had advised that it was not clear if any live fire occurred. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong will make Australia’s representation to China Foreign Minister Wang Yi in a meeting during the G20 summit currently occuring in South Africa.
Albanese also said he discussed the matter with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and that Australian and New Zealand ships and P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft have been monitoring the PLAN task group.
In an interview with ABC Radio, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles said the Australian government had not been directly informed by China about the live firing. “To be clear, we weren’t notified by China… What China did was put out a notification that it was intending to engage in live firing. By that I mean a broadcast that was picked up by airlines or literally planes that were commercial planes that were flying across the Tasman (Sea),” said Marles according to a transcript.
He went on to say the PLAN task group was operating in international waters and in compliance with international law, but when the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) conducted live firings, Australia would give 12-24 hours notice so airlines could properly plan around such activities. Marles said the situation was very disconcerting for the planes that were flying, but they were able to divert and no one was placed in danger.
The Australian Deputy Prime Minister said Australia would make representations to the Chinese government in Canberra and Beijing. “Firstly, in respect of what it is they are seeking to achieve in terms of the live fire exercises in this particular place, but also why more notice was not provided such that less disruption would have occurred,” said Marles.
Along with RAN and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) assets, Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) frigate HMNZS Te Kaha (F77) was shadowing the PLAN task group, Marles said. “So, there’s a very coordinated effort here between Australia and New Zealand to make sure that we’re monitoring all that the Chinese Task group are doing, so long as they are in our vicinity. And we’ll keep doing that until the task group leaves. And whenever their mission is over, we will fully assess exactly what it is that they’ve been trying to achieve,” stated Marles.
Australia’s Defence Department on Thursday also released three images dated Feb. 13 showing frigate HMAS Arunta (FFH151) shadowing the PLAN surface action group.
Te Kaha left Devonport Naval Base on Feb. 12 for a six-month Middle East deployment. It is unclear as to whether its shadowing the PLAN task group has delayed its expected arrival in the Middle East. The RNZN has a limited number of ships, with a total fleet of eight ships – two being inshore patrol craft. Te Kaha’s sister, HMNZS Te Mana (F111), was last reported in August 2024 to be in an extended maintenance period, while fleet oiler HMNZS Aotearoa (A11) is currently in the Antarctic conducting a resupply mission to research stations there. This leaves offshore patrol vessels HMNZS Otago (P148) and HMNZS Wellington (P55) and multi-role vessel HMNZS Canterbury (L421) available.
In an interview with New Zealand radio channel Newstalk ZB on Thursday, New Zealand Defence Minister Judith Collins called the PLAN despatching ships with advanced capabilities to operate around Australia and New Zealand and unusual move. “They’re really quite stunning pieces of equipment and we’ve never seen them in this area before,” said Collins.
The New Zealand Defence Minister said New Zealand has a number of assets – including its P-8A Poseidons, frigates and others – to monitor the PLAN ships, “and we’re working along with the Australians just to keep an eye on things and make sure everyone knows we’re watching.”
The PLAN surface task group had been earlier reported by the Philippines military as transiting through the Philippines’ archipelagic sea lanes from Feb.1-4. The Philippines military claimed that the transit was not conducted in accordance with international norms, with the PLAN ships transiting without prior diplomatic coordination and maintaining unusually slow speeds during the transit.
Meanwhile, an Iranian Navy task group consisting of frigate IRIS Dena (75) and naval auxiliary IRIS Shahid Marjni docked into the Port Klang Cruise Terminal on Friday for an operational visit, according to a Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) social media post. Official Malaysian shipping schedules showed that the Iranian ships will depart on Monday and that their last port of call before Port Klang was Bandar Abbas, Iran.
The Port Klang Cruise Terminal was the one-time base of operations for Leonard ‘Fat Leonard’ Francis though it has since undergone a succession of owners, with the U.S. Navy resuming carrier visits there with the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group (CSG) in November 2024 and the Carl Vinson CSG over the new year period. The terminal sees regular use by foreign warships because of its proximity to the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur and its availability in contrast to the commercial ports located nearby.
The purpose of the deployment has not been disclosed, however, earlier Indonesian media reports had stated that Iran will send a naval task group for the Indonesian Navy’s multilateral exercise Komodo 2025 held in Bali from Feb. 15-22. However, the task group is now too late to participate in that.
Iran deployed a task group to the Indo-Pacific in 2022-2023 with Dena and Expeditionary Sea Base IRIS Makran (441), calling into Jakarta in November 2022 before being sighted in French Polynesia in December and subsequently in the Australian EEZ. USNI News reported in January 2023 that the Iranian ships were headed to Brazil and reported in April 2023 that the two ships were in South Africa.
Source: currinsnavalandmaritme
NORFOLK, VIRGINIA – The Arleigh-Burke class guided missile destroyer USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116) departs Naval Station Mayport, Florida to the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations, Feb. 18.
Thomas Hudner will deploy to the U.S. Southern Command Area of Responsibility (USSOUTHCOM AOR) to support bilateral and multinational maritime operations with partners in the region and conduct Theater Security Cooperation (TSC) port visits.
“The crew of the USS Thomas Hudner is proud to answer the call for presence in USSOUTHCOM AOR,” said Cmdr. Cameron Ingram, USS Thomas Hudner Commanding Officer. “Our Team is ready to ensure maritime freedom of action in the Caribbean, protect our interests throughout the region and strengthen maritime partnerships.”
Thomas Hudner returned to Mayport, Florida after an eight-month deployment to the U.S. Naval Forces Europe – Africa area of operations, Jan. 4, 2024. Thomas Hudner was assigned to the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (CSG). During the deployment, Thomas Hudner served as an air defense unit for the strike group off the coast of Israel, and worked closely with Allies and Partners on a variety of missions. Additionally, Thomas Hudner led a Surface Action Group comprised of Allied and Partner nations in the English Channel, designed to flex advanced Surface Warfare and Subsurface Warfare tactics.
U.S. 4th Fleet employs maritime forces in cooperative maritime security operations in order to maintain access, enhance interoperability, and build enduring partnerships that foster regional security in the USSOUTHCOM AOR.
USSOUTHCOM AOR encompasses 31 countries and 16 dependencies and areas of special sovereignty, including the land mass of Latin America south of Mexico, waters adjacent to Central and South America, and the Caribbean Sea. The region represents about one-sixth of the landmass of the world assigned to regional unified commands.
U.S. Fleet Forces Command is responsible for manning, training, equipping, and providing combat-ready forces forward to numbered fleets and combatant commanders around the globe.
Source: currinsnavalandmaritme