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Morphing from PTs to PTFs (and a visit with PTF-26)

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The Navy went big on Motor Torpedo Boat (PT) models in World War II, producing an amazing 690 PT boats between 7 December 1941, and 1 October 1945— and that’s not counting the early PT-1 through PT-9 prototype boats, the 10 Elco 70s (PT-10-19), 48 early Elco 77s (PT-20 through 68), two prototype 72-foot Huckins boats (PT-69 and 70), and 69 reverse Lend-Lease 70 foot Vospers.

PT 76, a 78-foot Higgins-made boat in Womens Bay, Kodiak Island, Alaska circa 1943. NARA

The thing is, while these mosquito boats covered themselves in glory during their very up-close and personal war in the Med, Pacific, and English Channel, they very rarely got in solid torpedo attacks on enemy vessels. Their best employment came as fast scouts, lifeguard boats for downed aviators, running agents and commandos in the bad guy’s littoral, and in (typically nighttime) surface gun actions against enemy barges and coastal craft.

With that, the Navy got (almost) entirely out of the PT boat biz after 1945, torching or otherwise disposing of hundreds of boats overseas in the PTO and ETO and only keeping a few around for auxiliary purposes.

Then in the 1960s, with the Navy involved in littoral operations in Vietnam and not having anything smaller than 164-foot Asheville-class gunboats and leftover WWII 180-foot PCE-842-class patrol craft that needed 10 feet of water under their hulls to operate, the call went out for Fast Patrol Craft (PTF) which were basically nothing but PT boats sans their torpedoes.

At first the last remaining 1940s PT-boats were simply converted: the 89-foot Bath-built aluminum hulled PT-810 was pulled out of mothballs on 21 December 1962 and reclassified as PTF-1 while the Trumpy-built aluminum hulled 94-foot PT-811 became PTF-2 on the same date.

These were soon augmented by 14 Norwegian-built 80-foot Nasty boats (PTF-3 through PTF-16) ordered between 1962 and 1965.

Bow shot of Norwegian built, (left) and a U.S.-built PTF boat running at high speed together during trials off Virginia Capes, Early May 1963. “First Action Photographs of U.S. Navy PTFs. The U.S. Navy recently placed into service four patrol torpedo boats. The four boats, PTF-1 through PTF-4, are the only PT Boats in active service with the Navy. Assigned to Commander, Amphibious Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, the four boats are based at Little Creek, Virginia, and are used in amphibious support and coastal operations, and with the Navy’s SEAL (Sea-Air-Land) teams. SEAL Teams are units specifically trained to conduct unconventional and paramilitary operations and to train personnel of allied nations in these techniques. PTF-1 and PTF-2 are reactivated U.S. Navy PT Boats with torpedo tubes removed, their armament consists of 20-millimeter and 40-millimeter guns for surface and anti-aircraft action. The top speed is more than 45 knots. PTF-3 and PTF-4 were purchased from Norway to fulfill an immediate requirement by the Navy.” Photograph released May 13, 1963. 330-PSA-101-63 (USN 711287)

Following the success of these new mosquito boats in the coastal waters of Southeast Asia, the Navy ordered six Trumpy-built Nasty boats (PTF-17 through PTF-22), which were delivered by 1970.

Then came an updated design, the four-strong (PTF-23 through PTF-26) 95-foot aluminum hulled Osprey class, built by Sewart Seacraft of Berwick, Louisiana.

PTF-23 class fast patrol boat Under construction at Stewart Seacraft, Inc., Berwick, Louisiana, 24 October 1967. Note engines on the floor at right and PCF in the right background. NH 95839

Entering service in 1968, PTF-26 spent three years in Vietnamese water with her sisters then was retrograded to the West Coast where she was assigned to Coastal River Squadron One at Coronado, then later used as a range control boat at the Pacific Missile Test Center. Finally retired from the Navy in 1990, she then spent most of the next 30 years as a school ship first for the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco and then for the non-profit as T/V Liberty.

More recently acquired by the Maritime Pastoral Training Foundation Ltd, PTF-26 has returned to its camouflage livery and is on her way to becoming an inland waterways training boat located in Golconda, Illinois where she will be offered to cadets from 164 different NJROTC and Sea Scout units across the Midwest.

The last of this line of more than 800 PT boats and follow-on PTFs, PTF-26, recently appeared in Mobile opposite Austal and I was able to grab a few snapshots of her.

The deck gun is fake, btw. Chris Eger photo

Chris Eger photo

Note her stern still has the T/V Liberty name. Also, that is the PCU USS Pierre (LCS-38) fitting out across the river at Austal, the last of the Independence-class littoral combat ships. Kind of a nice bookend with the last Indy LCS and last PTF in the same frame. Chris Eger photo

“Each weekend, 12-15 cadets or scouts will do more than take a tour of a U.S. Navy PT boat,” said Rev. Kempton Baldridge, MPTF’s managing director and a retired Navy chaplain, in a January interview. “They will eat, sleep, and train aboard as crew trainees. With a USCG licensed captain in command, PTF-26 will get underway with cadets or scouts as crew, guided by adult officers of their own unit. In port, cadets will learn everything there is to know about PTF-26. When ‘visit ship’ is held on Saturdays and Sundays for members of the public, qualified uniformed cadets and scouts of the crew will conduct tours, just as on board Navy and Coast Guard vessels.”

Fair winds and good luck, Two-Six Boat, there aren’t that many mosquitos left

USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: July 8, 2024

U.S. Naval Institute Staff – July 8, 2024 12:35 PM

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 July 8, 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
296
(USS 235, USNS 61)		106
(USS 73, USNS 33)		66
(53 Deployed, 13 Local)

In Japan

Sailors assigned to the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA-6) conduct a foreign object damage walkdown on the ship’s flight deck in preparation for flight operations, while moored in Sasebo, Japan July 2, 2024. US Navy Photo

USS America (LHA-6) left for an underway period on Monday, according to ship spotters. America will change homeports later this year, USNI News has learned.

In Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam

Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Renato Paredes from San Diego, mans the rails as U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) moors at Cam Ranh, Vietnam, July 8, 2024. US Navy Photo

U.S. 7th Fleet command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) and the Coast Guard cutter USCGC Waesche (WMSL-751) pulled into the Vietnamese port of Cam Ranh Bay on Monday, according to the Navy.

“During the port visit, Blue Ridge and Waesche leadership will meet with the Vietnam People’s Navy, Vietnam Coast Guard, and Khanh Hoa leadership. Events during the visit include subject matter expert exchanges and community relations activities,” reads the statement.

In the Indian Ocean

Sailors move aircraft across the flight deck aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), July 4, 2024. US Navy Photo

USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), conducted an ammunition transfer on Tuesday and transited the Strait of Malacca en route the Middle East on Sunday to continue the U.S. presence mission in the region.

Carrier Strike Group 9

Navy Fireman John Rafael, from Chicago, conducts maintenance on an aircraft elevator aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) during an ammunition transfer, July 2, 2024. US Navy Photo

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 “Fighting 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
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 Pacific

Aviation Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class Yusuf Smith, from Las Vegas, performs maintenance on an MH-60S Knight Hawk helicopter, attached to the Golden Falcons of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 12, in the hangar bay of USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), in the Pacific Ocean, July 7, 2024. US Navy Photo

USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) is underway in U.S. 3rd Fleet, USNI News has learned.

The carrier will head to Washington state later this year for a planned repair availability.

Aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) is transiting the Pacific Ocean en route her new home port of Yokosuka, Japan after participating in Exercise Southern Seas 2024.

Amphibious assault ship, USS Boxer (LHD-4) departed San Diego, Calif. on Wednesday, according to ship spotters. Boxer had been in port San Diego conducting emergent repairs on a rudder casualty discovered shortly after departing on deployment on April 1st.

Carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) was underway off the Pacific Northwest, according to ship spotters.

In Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) hosts a tour for Open Ship Day during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024 while in port at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, July 6, 2024. US Navy Photo

Aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) arrived in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on Tuesday in preparation for Rim of the Pacific 2024 exercises.

In the Atlantic

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) sails in the Mediterranean Sea, June 30, 2024. US Navy Photo

Aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) is sailing the Atlantic Ocean en route to its homeport of Norfolk, Va.

Carrier Strike Group 2

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

Carrier Air Wing 3

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) and the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD-1) steam in formation in the Mediterranean Sea, June 30, 2024. 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
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 Mediterranean

USS WASP (LHD-1) steams in formation with the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (IKECSG), the Royal Navy Daring-class air-defense destroyer HMS Duncan (D 37) and the remaining components of the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group (WSP ARG) in the Mediterranean Sea, June 30, 2024. US Navy Photo

USS Wasp (LHD-1) pulled into Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, Greece, according to a statement from the service.

The Wasp Amphibious Ready Group with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked deployed from the East Coast on June 1. The ARG is made up of Wasp, USS New York (LPD-21) and USS Oak Hill (LSD-51).

The Wasp ARG conducted joint, combined operations with the Eisenhower CSG and the U.K. Navy in the Eastern Mediterranean on Tuesday.

The 24th MEU is composed of a command element, Battalion Landing Team 1/8, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 (Reinforced) and Combat Logistics Battalion 24 as the Logistics Combat Element.

The temporary U.S.-built pier aimed at boosting aid shipments to Gaza was removed once again due to weather to protect it, and the U.S. is considering not reinstalling it unless the aid begins flowing out into the population again, U.S. officials said Friday.

In the Red Sea

U.S. ships continue to patrol the Red Sea as part of Operation Prosperity Guardian, the U.S.-led multinational effort to protect merchant vessels 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.

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.

On Sunday, U.S. Central Command forces destroyed two Iranian-backed Houthi uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) in Yemen.
On Thursday, CENTCOM forces destroyed two Houthi uncrewed surface vessels in the Red Sea and one Houthi radar site in Yemen.

On Wednesday, CENTCOM forces destroyed two Houthi radar sites in Yemen and two USVs in the Red Sea.

On Monday, CENTCOM forces destroyed one Houthi radar site in Yemen.

In the Gulf of Aden

On Sunday, CENTCOM partner forces successfully destroyed two Houthi UAVs over the Gulf of Aden.

In the Persian Gulf

U.S. Coast Guard Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutters 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 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.

Overhaul Delays for USS George Washington, USS John C. Stennis Partially Due to Unknown Steam Turbine Damage

Sam LaGrone – July 8, 2024 7:03 PM

USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) is moved to an outfitting berth at Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Virginia, April 8, 2024. US Navy Photo

Extensive delays to the mid-life refueling and complex overhauls of two nuclear-powered aircraft carriers were due to damage to the steam turbines that power the ship, USNI News has learned.
According to Naval Sea Systems Command, “significant damage” to the generators aboard both USS George Washington (CVN-73) and USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) added unplanned work that was discovered after both carriers arrived at HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding for maintenance.

Every mid-life refueling and overhaul, “work package has planned inspections and routine refurbishment of the eight [turbine generators]; however, inspections for both George Washington and John C. Stennis revealed one generator on each ship with significant damage that resulted in unplanned growth work, which contributed to schedule extensions on both ships,” reads the statement from NAVSEA.

The Nimitz-class carriers mid-life overhauls are scheduled for four years, but Washington took almost six years while Stennis is set to take five and a half, USNI News reported last month.

Based on Fiscal Year 2025 budget documents, the Navy estimated the work would take an extra 14 months to complete the mid-life overhaul on Stennis due to the additional work.

In a statement to USNI News, HII said “the change in redelivery schedule for [Stennis] is primarily a reflection of growth work discovered after the ship arrived to NNS and subsequent challenges within the supply base … We are applying lessons learned from both George Washington and John C. Stennis to what we are doing to prepare USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) for RCOH.”

Buried in the hull, the turbines are responsible for taking steam produced from the heat of the atomic reactors and converting it into both mechanical energies to drive the aircraft carrier and electricity for the ship’s systems. The turbines, originally installed on the ships more than 30 years ago, were designed to last the life of the carrier.

NAVSEA did not specify how much time the turbine issue would contribute to the Stennis overhaul, but USNI News understands the process could add up to a year to the work. HII would not elaborate beyond its statement to USNI News when asked about the timeline.

Growth in the length of time for the mid-life overhauls has resulted in delays not only to carrier availabilities, but also in mounting quality of life issues for sailors who live and work on the ship in the yard.

Sailors aboard George Washington endured some of the toughest living conditions of any members in the military, according to a 2023 Navy investigation following the deaths by suicide of several sailors assigned to the carrier.

Following the investigation, the Navy instituted new habitability standards and improvements, like planning for additional parking for sailors who have to commute to work on the ships under construction or repair at Newport News.

Stennis is now pierside at Newport News after leaving dry dock in April.

A Chinese aircraft carrier spotted near the Philippines. What does it mean?

Shanghai-based MizarVision releases image of warship believed to be the Shandong off Luzon, a patrol that could become more frequent, analyst says

A Chinese aircraft carrier reportedly patrolled the waters off the Philippines in an operation that observers say was a message to Manila and Washington.

The aircraft carrier is widely believed to be the Shandong, China’s most advanced aircraft carrier in service.

Royal Navy takes part in first joint exercise with Australia and Japan in Indo-Pacific

Alex Candlin – 4th July 2024 at 11:57am

In an exercise first, Japan, the UK and Australia trained together on a joint exercise ahead of a fleet review (Picture: Joint Operations Command)

HMS Tamar has joined vessels from the Australian and Japanese navies in an exercise first for the three nations.

She has been  training with the JS Noshiro of the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) and HMAS Choules of the Royal Australian Navy ahead of the upcoming Tongan International Fleet Review.

“This is the first joint exercise between Japan, Great Britain and Australia,” said the JMSDF.

HMS Tamar is a batch two River-class offshore patrol vessel and is known as the Royal Navy’s greenest warship.

She posted on social media site X: “Three-mendous. Some excellent training with our friends and allies from the Royal Australian Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force en route to the Tongan International Fleet Review.”

The JMSDF added: “Great Britain and Australia are special partners for Japan in realising a free and open Indo-Pacific.

“JMSDF will continue to strengthen co-operation with allied and partner navies, contributing together to maintaining and enhancing maritime order.”

The trilateral exercise is the first of its kind between the three countries and shows ever-closer unity between the services.

It was previously announced that the UK and Japan would also hold regular trilateral military exercises in the Indo-Pacific from 2025 alongside the US.

These exercises will boost security in the region and further develop the ability of allied navies to operate side by side.

HMS Tamar trained alongside the Australian and Japanese navies ahead of the Tongan International Fleet Review (Picture: HMS Tamar)
HMS Tamar trained with the Australian and Japanese navies ahead of the Tongan International Fleet Review (Picture: HMS Tamar)

Royal Navy warship sailing to Caribbean to support hurricane relief effort

4th July 2024 at 12:49pm

Royal Navy warship HMS Trent on a previous deployment (Picture: Royal Navy)

HMS Trent is being deployed to the Cayman Islands to offer UK support following the devastation brought by Hurricane Beryl.

The Royal Navy offshore patrol vessel is scheduled to arrive at the British Overseas Territory in the Caribbean this weekend, where her crew will be ready to offer assistance with equipment and support to help communities affected by flooding and storm damage.

The hurricane, which had previously been rated Category 5, the highest classification, could bring winds of more than 155mph and has already caused a large amount of destruction in the region.

HMS Trent, who is crewed by more than 50 sailors, departed from Puerto Rico carrying bottled water, basic emergency supplies and other equipment.

The ship has a Crisis Response Troop embarked, comprising members of 24 Commando Royal Engineers and their equipment, further augmented with personnel to support planning, information operations, meteorological forecasting and image capture. 

Additional personnel include a team from 700X Naval Air Squadron which provides HMS Trent’s embarked Puma Flight remote piloted air system, allowing them to conduct airborne reconnaissance and damage assessment in direct support of 24 Commando activity. 

A specialist rapid deployment team has already travelled to the eastern Caribbean to provide consular assistance to any affected British nationals.

The UK continues to work with the Caribbean’s crisis response organisation, CDEMA, to provide assistance for the worst-affected islands, including St Vincent & the Grenadines and Grenada.

In previous years, members of the Armed Forces have deployed to the Caribbean under Operation Ventus to provide humanitarian assistance in the form of food and basic medical relief, as well as engineering to repair damaged homes and infrastructure, and creating flood and hurricane defences.

Hurricane Beryl has been described as the earliest Category 5 storm to form in the Atlantic, with storms of this scale usually recorded later in the summer.

HMS Trent has been deployed to the Caribbean since the end of 2023, where she has been disrupting drug networks across the world following a series of narcotics seizures at sea.

Multi-national ships in Navy Fleet Review for King’s birthday

Tongan Navy Fleet Review

Thursday, July 4, 2024 – 23:44.  Updated on Friday, July 5, 2024 – 01:00. – Nuku’alofa, Tonga

Tonga celebrated King Tupou VI’s birthday and the 50th Anniversary of the Tongan Navy with a Navy Fleet Review of visiting navy ships in Nuku’alofa on Thursday, 4 July 2024.

Multi-national brass bands marched with ships’ companies through central Nuku’alofa and through the grounds of the Royal Palace.

Tonga celebrated King Tupou VI’s birthday and the 50th Anniversary of the Tongan Navy with a Navy Fleet Review of visiting navy ships. Nuku’alofa, 4 July 2024. Photo: NZDF.

Tonga celebrated King Tupou VI’s birthday and the 50th Anniversary of the Tongan Navy with a Navy parade made up of multi-national bands and ships’ companies. Nuku’alofa, 4 July 2024. Photo: NZDF.

HM King Tupou VI with his Colonel-in-Chief of HMAF, HRH Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala made a Navy Fleet Review of six visiting navy ships and three patrol boats. Attending the review were high ranking navy officers from Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and United States. From the region, Papua New Guinea, Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa and Kiribati sent representatives.

The celebrations on the Public Holiday included a Thanksgiving Service at the FWC Centenary Church, the Maritime fleet review, and navy parade in Nuku’alofa, followed by a Royal Luncheon at the Queen Salote Memorial Hall.

International visitors,from left, Kiribati, Royal Navy, HMAF, China, Japan, Samoa, Britain, France, Australia and New Zealand. 50th Anniversary of the Tongan Navy, Fleet Review of visiting navy ships. Nuku’alofa, 4 July 2024. Photo: NZDF.

HM King Tupou VI. Navy Fleet Review of visiting navy officers. Port of Nuku’alofa, 4 July 2024. Photo: NZDF.

Photos by Petty Officer Chris Weissenborn NZDF

HMAS Choules joined a Navy Parade made up of multi national bands and ships companies of visiting ships. Nuku’alofa, Tonga. 4 July 2024. Photo: NZDF.

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Sweden orders ten combat boats from Saab

July 2, 2024, by Fatima Bahtić

Defence and security company Saab has received an order from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) for ten combat boats.

As informed, the contract begins in 2024 and deliveries will be made continuously over the coming years.

The order value is approximately SEK 400 million ($37.5 million).

According to Saab, the boats are based on the CB90 next generation design. They will be manufactured by Saab’s shipyard in Docksta.

“Combat boats are advanced platforms that can be used for many different types of missions. We are proud that Saab’s naval capabilities continue to contribute to Sweden’s defence,” said Mats Wicksell, head of Saab’s business area Kockums.

Saab recently agreed with Dutch shipbuilder Damen to export the advanced expeditionary C-71 submarines. The submarines have been developed for the Royal Netherlands Navy to replace the current Walrus class.

Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force ships visiting Cape Town

Guy Martin – 1st July 2024

The training ship JS Kashima.

The Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) is making a historic visit to Cape Town this week, when two training ships will arrive in port. This will be the first such visit since the founding of the Maritime Self-Defence Force after the Second World War.

JS Kashima and JS Shimakaze are due to arrive in Cape Town for refuelling on 2 July. On 3 July, at 10:00, the South African Naval Band will perform, and the Flag Officer Fleet (FOF) of the SA Navy will be on board for a welcome address and other activities. There will then be a special open ship, luncheon and evening reception on board for a limited number of guests.

On Thursday 4 July, the ships will be open to the public, including South African citizens, from 10:00-11:30 and 13:00-15:00. They will be berthed at Berth E and F beside the Cruise Terminal in the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town.

There are no major events scheduled for Friday 5 July, and the ships are scheduled to set sail at 09:00 on Saturday 6 July, with a local band playing.

Approximately 570 people, including about 190 graduates of the 74th General Officer Candidate Course, are on board the JS Kashima and JS Shimakaze as part of the Overseas Training Cruise 2024. This is designed to provide Trainee Officers with on-the-job training opportunities to reinforce knowledge and skills learned at the Officer Candidate School, to familiarise them with the sea, and to cultivate qualities required as naval officers, the Japanese Embassy said.

The cruise also aims to improve understanding of the activities of foreign countries and develop global awareness through joint exercises with these countries and sailing in the Philippine Sea, the South China Sea, the Indian Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Caribbean Sea, and the Pacific Ocean, etc.

The 175-day long cruise began on 20 May and is set to conclude on 11 November this year, after covering approximately 35 000 nautical miles (65 000 km). Rear Admiral Nishiyama Takahiro, Commander of Training Squadron, is heading up the 2024 cruise.

Ports of call include Brunei (Muara), Seychelles (Victoria), South Africa (Cape Town), Senegal (Dakar), Italy (Naples), Türkiye (Istanbul), Spain (Valencia), Germany (Hamburg), United Kingdom (London and Southampton), United States (Norfolk and Pearl Harbor), and Mexico (Acapulco).

Japanese Ambassador Ushio Shigeru told a recent function in Pretoria that the visit coincides with the founding of the Japan Self-Defence Force (JSDF) on 1 July 1954. “For Japan, 1954 was nine years after Japan’s defeat in World War II and three years after the Treaty of Peace with Japan was signed. The JSDF was established as a minimum self-defence force in response to the worsening situation in East Asia.”

The Ambassador added that over the past 70 years, since its foundation, the JSDF has continued to develop, fostering a peaceful nation and saving many lives in large-scale disasters in Japan and abroad. Furthermore, the JSDF continues to contribute to the peace and stability of the international community today.

On the African continent, the JSDF participated for the first time in a United Nations (UN) peacekeeping operation in 1993 in Mozambique. In 2009, Japan began anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden and established a base in Djibouti in 2011. From 2011, an engineering unit was deployed in South Sudan and, in 2014, JSDF transport aircraft delivered personal protective equipment to Ghana during the Ebola epidemic in West Africa.

Currently, the JSDF continues to dispatch personnel to UN peacekeeping operations in South Sudan and is also engaged in anti-piracy operations in Djibouti.

JS Kashima is flagship of the JMSDF Training Fleet. She is 143 metres long, with a beam of 18 metres, and a draft of 4.6 metres. Kashima has a full load displacement of 4 050 tons. She is powered by a combined diesel or gas (CODOG) system, giving a top speed of 25 knots (46 km/h).

The ship is armed with a single Otobreda 76 mm gun and two triple 324 mm torpedo tube sets. Four saluting cannon are also carried. Kashima has a ship’s company of 370, including officer cadets. Cadets are accommodated in two-person staterooms, allowing cadets of both sexes to train aboard the ship. The open aft deck was designed for use as a ceremonial and exercise assembly area, but can be used as a temporary helicopter landing zone.

JS Kashima was launched in February 1994, and commissioned into the JMSDF in January 1995.

JS Shimakaze is a Hatakaze-class guided missile destroyer, reclassified as a training ship in 2021. Shimakaze was launched in January 1987, and commissioned in March 1988. The vessel is 150 metres long, has a beam of 16.4 metres and draft of 4.8 metres. She is powered by four gas turbines giving a top speed of 30 knots (56 km/h). Complement is 260 people.

The JS Shimakaze.

Armament comprises two 130 mm Mark 42 deck guns, eight Harpoon ship-to-ship missiles, a single SM-1MR Mk 13 Mod4 ship-to-air missile launcher, an ASROC Mk 112 octuple launcher, two 20 mm Phalanx CIWS, and two Type 68 triple torpedo tubes. An aft deck can accommodate a single SH-60K helicopter.

USCGC David Duren Commissioned in Astoria

The Coast Guard commissioned its 56th Fast Response Cutter and first one to be stationed in the Pacific Northwest during a ceremony held in Astoria OR June 27th.

Coast Guard Cutter David Duren (WPC-1156) is the first of three planned Fast Response Cutter’s (FRC) to be homeported in Astoria.

The ceremony was presided by Vice Adm. Andrew Tiongson, Pacific Area Commander. Members from the Duren family were also on hand, including the cutter’s sponsor, Dawn Duren.

The namesake for the cutter, Master Chief Petty Officer David Duren, enlisted in the Coast Guard in 1965 and retired in 1993. During his career, Duren became a heavy weather coxswain and graduated from the Coast Guard’s National Motor Lifeboat School in 1969, qualifying as Coast Guard surfman No. 100.

During his tenure, Duren received two Coast Guard Medals for exceptional heroism and the Douglas Munro Inspirational Leadership Award. He deployed on search and rescue cases more than any other officer-in-charge at the time and during one year, he participated in 250 cases. Personnel under his command received a total of 24 medals and awards.

The crew of the David Duren will primarily serve in the Pacific Ocean, Puget Sound, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and the Columbia River. The Sentinel-class FRC is designed for multiple missions, including search and rescue; fishery patrols; ports, waterways, and coastal security; drug and migrant interdiction; and national defense.

The Coast Guard has ordered a total of 65 FRCs to replace the 1980s-era Island-class 110-foot patrol boats. The FRCs feature advanced command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance equipment; over-the-horizon cutter boat deployment to reach vessels of interest; and improved habitability and seakeeping.

The commissioning ceremony is one of the most important traditional milestones in the life of a cutter, as it represents the readiness of the cutter to conduct Coast Guard operations and marks her entry into active service.

USCGC David Duren Commissioned in Astoria