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USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Nov. 20, 2023 November 20, 2023 12:53 PM • Updated: November 20, 2023 3:24 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 Nov. 20, 2023, 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. This post has been updated to include more information on deployed and underway ships.

In Japan

Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Aircraft Handling) Terry Keyes, from Bay Springs, Miss., greets a family member on the pier as USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), returns to Yokosuka, Japan, following a six-month deployment in the Indo-Pacific region on Nov. 19, 2023. US Navy Photo

USS America (LHA-6) is in Sasebo, Japan, according to AIS.
The Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG) returned to its homeport in Yokosuka on Nov. 19.

Carrier Strike Group 5

Personnel Specialist 2nd Class Otto Ycaza, from Houston, greets family members on the pier as USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), returns to Yokosuka, Japan, following a six-month deployment in the Indo-Pacific region, Nov. 19, 2023. US Navy Photo

Aircraft Carrier
USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) returned to its homeport in Yokosuka, Japan.

Carrier Air Wing 5

Lt. Cmdr. Lyle Tomaszewski, from Milan, Michigan, signals the launch F/A-18F Super Hornet, attached to the ‘Diamondbacks’ of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 102, on the flight deck of USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), in the Philippine Sea, Nov. 14, 2023. US Navy Photo

Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, based at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, was embarked aboard Ronald Reagan. Its total of nine squadrons and detachments have now returned to their home fields in Japan:

  • The “Royal Maces” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 – from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan.
  • The “Diamondbacks” of VFA-102 from MCAS Iwakuni.
  • The “Eagles” of VFA-115 from MCAS Iwakuni.
  • The “Dambusters” of VFA-195 from MCAS Iwakuni.
  • The “Shadowhawks” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 141 – from MCAS Iwakuni.
  • The “Tiger Tails” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 125 – from MCAS Iwakuni.
  • The “Providers” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 30 – Detachment 5 – from MCAS Iwakuni.
  • The “Golden Falcons” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 12 – from Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan.
  • The “Saberhawks” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 77 – from Naval Air Facility Atsugi.

Cruisers

Sailors hold line during a seamanship training drill aboard Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls (CG-62) in the Philippine Sea, Nov. 9, 2023. US Navy Photo

  • USS Robert Smalls (CG-62) returned to its homeport in Yokosuka, Japan.

Destroyer Squadron 15

Sailors aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Rafael Peralta (DDG-115) conduct a crash and salvage drill in the Sea of Japan, Nov. 17, 2023. US Navy Photo

  • USS Rafael Peralta (DDG-115) returned to its homeport in Yokosuka, Japan.

In the Philippine Sea

An F-35C Lightning II, assigned to the ‘Warhawks’ of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 97, launches from the flight deck aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) during Annual Exercise (ANNUALEX) 2023 on Nov. 15, 2023. US Navy Photo

USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) and the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group deployed on Oct. 12. The CSG is operating in the Philippine Sea, continuing the Annualex 2023 Exercise.

“Naval forces from Australia, Canada, Japan, and the U.S. have joined together to conduct multilateral exercise Annual Exercise (ANNUALEX) 2023 in the Philippine Sea, Nov. 11, 2023,” U.S. 7th Fleet said in a statement.
“Led by CSG-1, U.S. Navy units participating in ANNUALEX include aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Jefferson City (SSN-759), Ticonderoga class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG-59), Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 1’s Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Hopper (DDG-70), USS Sterett (DDG-104) of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 1, Henry J. Kaiser-class Fleet replenishment ship USNS Tippecanoe (T-AO-199), motor tanker ship MT SLNC Goodwill (T-AOT-5419); and nine squadrons of embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2.”

Carrier Strike Group 1

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

An F/A-18F Super Hornet, assigned to the “Bounty Hunters” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 2, is signaled to launch from the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) during Annual Exercise (ANNUALEX) 2023 on Nov. 18, 2023. US Navy Photo

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
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 Philippines

Philippine Marines with 3rd Marine Brigade, Philippine Marine Corps, setup for simulated mortar coverage at a coastal defense training activity during KAMANDAG 7 on Kamuning Beach, Palawan, Philippines, Nov. 16, 2023. US Marine Corps Photo

Service members from the United States, Philippines, Japan and the Republic of Korea, along with observers from the U.K., began training exercise KAMANDAG 7 on Nov. 9 to improve multinational military readiness, partnership and mutual capabilities. The bilateral KAMANDAG exercise has occurred annually since 2016.

“The exercise, scheduled from November 9 to 20, has been conducted at various training sites throughout Luzon, Batanes, Zamboanga, Tawi-Tawi, and Palawan. During KAMANDAG 7, approximately 950 members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and 850 U.S. Marines from across I and III Marine Expeditionary Forces are training alongside the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force and the Republic of Korea Marines,” reads a statement from the Marines. “The United Kingdom Armed Forces brought observers to KAMANDAG 7. Participation from the JGSDF, the Republic of Korea, and observers from the U.K. in this year’s iteration underscored the global importance of maritime security, demonstrating our combined commitment to maintaining stability and peace across the Indo-Pacific region.”

Marine Rotational Force Southeast Asia, headquartered at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, CA, led the Marine Corps’ participation in KAMANDAG 7.

In Honiara, Solomon Islands

Capt. Brian Quin, Pacific Partnership 2024-1’s mission commander, right, receives a gift from Manasseh Sogavare, Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands, during the opening ceremony for the Solomon Islands mission stop aboard the hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH-19) in Honiara, Solomon Islands, Nov. 20, 2023. US Navy Photo

USNS Mercy (T-AH-19) arrived in Honiara, Solomon Islands, which marks the next phase of the Pacific Partnership 24-1 (PP 24-1) mission. Honiara looks out at Iron Bottom Sound.

“Iron Bottom Sound” is the name given by allied sailors to the body of water at the southern end of the Slot between Guadalcanal, Savo Island, and Florida Island where dozens of ships were sunk in the series of naval battles in 1942-1943. Honiara’s airport – just east of town – was the site of the WWII Battle of Henderson Field,” according to Navy History and Heritage Command.

In the Eastern Mediterranean Sea

Sailors assigned to the “Ragin’ Bulls” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 37 prepare a Super Hornet for flight aboard USS Gearld R. Ford (CVN-78) on Nov. 18, 2023. US Navy Photo

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) and its escorts are underway in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group’s presence in the Eastern Mediterranean is meant to deter Hezbollah, Iran and other actors from joining the war between Hamas and Israel. Hamas is a State Department-designated terrorist group that started ruling the occupied territory Gaza after Israel withdrew troops and settlers in 2005.

Last week, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin extended the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group’s deployment in the Mediterranean, USNI News reported today.

Also in the Eastern Mediterranean is U.S. 6th Fleet command ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20).

San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Mesa Verde (LPD-19) and embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) Bravo Command Element are in the Mediterranean Sea. Mesa Verde is part of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG). USS Bataan (LHD-5) and USS Carter Hall (LSD-50), the other two ships in the Bataan ARG, are currently operating in the U.S. 5th Fleet.

Carrier Strike Group 12

Sailors assigned to the “Tridents” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 9 conduct pre-flight checks on an MH-60S. US Navy Photo

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

Carrier Air Wing 8

  • 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

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

Destroyer Squadron 2
Destroyer Squadron 2 is based in Norfolk, Va., and is embarked on Ford.

  • USS Ramage (DDG-61) homeported at Norfolk.
  • USS McFaul (DDG-74) homeported at Norfolk.
  • USS Thomas Hudner (DDG-116), homeported at Mayport, Fla.

In the Gulf of Oman 

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) transits the Suez Canal, Nov. 4, 2023. US Navy Photo

The Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group is operating in the Gulf of Oman near the Strait of Hormuz.

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) 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.

U.S. Central Command said that an Ohio-class submarine arrived in its area of responsibility. The submarine was later confirmed as USS Florida (SSG-728). These SSGNs carry up to 154 Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles.

On Nov. 8, Houthi rebels shot down a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper off the coast of Yemen over the Red Sea, a defense official confirmed to USNI News. The defense official did not give additional details on the MQ-9 or potential recovery efforts. The Air Force has long used Reapers for surveillance and strike missions in the region.

Earlier in October, USS Carney (DDG-64) shot down a number of Houthi-launched missiles and drones that were headed in the direction of Israel. But the Pentagon could not confirm the targets, USNI News previously reported.

The DoD attributes the attacks to Iran-backed or Iranian proxy groups. The Pentagon said they are not connected to the Israel-Hamas war, although the strikes against U.S. forces started 10 days after Hamas invaded Israel and killed at least 1,200 Israelis, while kidnapping 240 more. In retaliation, Israel has invaded Gaza to eliminate Hamas.

According to DoD, “U.S. Military forces conducted precision strikes on Nov 12 on facilities in eastern Syria used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iran-affiliated groups in response to continued attacks against U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria. The strikes were conducted against a training facility and a safe house near the cities of Abu Kamal and Mayadin, respectively.”

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
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.
  • ITS Virginio Fasan (F 591), homeported at La Spezia, Italy

In the Red Sea

Guided-missile destroyer USS Thomas Hudner (DDG-116) transits the Suez Canal July 14, 2023. US Navy Photo

According to Stars and Stripes, “Yemen’s Houthi rebels seized an Israeli-linked cargo ship in a crucial Red Sea shipping route Sunday and took its 25 crew members hostage, officials said, raising fears that regional tensions heightened over the Israel-Hamas war were playing out on a new maritime front.”

Destroyer USS Thomas Hudner (DDG-116), operating in the Middle East, shot down a Yemeni drone in the Red Sea on Wednesday, the Pentagon said in a statement.

“On Nov. 15th and while transiting the international waters of the Red Sea, the crew of the USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116) engaged a drone that originated from Yemen and was heading in the direction of the ship,” reported USNI News.
Hudner‘s crew engaged and shot down the drone to ensure the safety of U.S. personnel. There were no U.S. casualties or any damage to the ship.”

Hudner is operating in U.S. Central Command, disaggregated from the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group. As of Monday, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) was operating in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, which is under U.S. European Command rather than U.S. Central Command.

The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group is in the Red Sea. Bataan and Carter Hall, with elements of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked, are in the northern Red Sea as part of the U.S. naval buildup in the region.

Bataan and Carter Hall entered the Red Sea from the Gulf of Aden on Friday, Oct. 27, according to ship spotters. The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit is embarked across BataanCarter Hall and Mesa Verde.

Among many missions for which Marines are trained is evacuating civilians in conflict zones. USNI News visited the unit in April during an exercise Non-combatant Evacuation Operation (NEO) 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 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 Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

USCGC Healy ( underway. US Coast Guard Photo

USCGC Healy (WAGB-20) pulled into Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Nov. 9. Healy is conducting a circumnavigation deployment that started in Seattle, Wash.

In the Eastern Pacific

USS Boxer (LHD-4) is operating off the coast of San Diego, Calif., in the Southern California Operating Areas. USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) returned to port on Saturday with its air wing embarked after conducting carrier qualifications last week.

USCGC Polar Star (WAGB-10) began its journey to toward Antarctica in support of its yearly trip to McMurdo Sound.

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

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Royal Marines ready for key role in Finland’s first major Nato exercise 21st November 2023 at 4:10pm

RFA Mounts Bay

RFA Mounts Bay is taking part in Exercise Freezing Winds (Picture: Royal Navy)

Royal Marines have arrived in the Baltic Sea for Exercise Freezing Winds – Finland’s first major military exercise as a Nato member involving 30 ships and 4,000 personnel.

The training is specifically designed to prepare for operations in the Gulf of Finland and the Archipelago Sea, the latter encompassing around 80,000 islands.

Among the participants in Freezing Winds are two major Nato task forces: Standing Nato Maritime Group One and Standing Nato Mine Countermeasure Group One – which are both responsible for the security and protection of northern Europe’s many waterways.

Watch: What Finland’s military can bring to Nato.

“This autumn’s main exercise is the first one that we will execute as a large Nato exercise in which also our Swedish partners will be strongly involved,” said Captain Juhapekka Rautava, the commander of the exercise.

“By training together, we will not only strengthen military capabilities, but also interoperability and our ability to work together.

“The large number of mine countermeasures vessels participating in the exercise is a demonstration of Nato’s interest in and commitment to the protection of underwater infrastructure,” Rautava added.

The exercise will involve Royal Marines participating alongside specialist troops from the Uusimaa Brigade and the US Marine Corps, performing waterborne operations along Finland’s coastline.

At the forefront of these operations is the amphibious ship RFA Mounts Bay, strategically positioned to land forces ashore swiftly for commando raids and covert missions.

Exclusive: Royal Marines give their thoughts on their new KS-1 assault rifle.

The expertise of 4 Assault Squadron, a unit known for its skilled landing craft pilots adept at navigating challenging waterways, ensures the seamless delivery of UK Commando Force specialists to strategic locations along the jagged Finnish coast.

This orchestrated effort is part of the larger Littoral Response Group (North) (LRG) operations, a strategic initiative by the Royal Navy to swiftly deploy to key locations worldwide in response to evolving global events. The Royal Navy currently maintains two LRGs—North and South—with LRG South currently active in the Mediterranean while LRG North focuses its efforts in the Baltic region.

Major Adam Seaney, the Amphibious Operations Officer leading the 4 Assault Squadron boat group, said: “We are used to operating in the challenging and arduous conditions of the Baltic, having only recently returned from deployment there last summer on board HMS Albion.

 “This opportunity to deploy on Ex Freezing Winds on RFA Mounts Bay supporting LRG(N) operations as part of the Finnish-led exercise will be a new challenge that we are looking forward to. 

“The training with 148 Battery and Finnish Forces will be a new experience and help to prove the interoperability between the UK and one of the recent members to join Nato.” 

The Royal Navy has a longstanding history of collaboration with the Finnish Navy and Baltic forces in the Joint Expeditionary Force—a coalition of ten nations. Together, they aim to maintain stability and security in the North Atlantic, Baltic Sea, and the High North.

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Joint Royal Navy and South Korea patrols to target North Korean smuggling operations 21st November 2023 at 4:00pm

HMS Spey is one of the Royal Navy vessels permanently deployed to the Indo-Pacific
HMS Spey is one of the Royal Navy vessels permanently deployed to the Indo-Pacific (Picture: MOD).

The Royal Navy will work alongside its South Korean counterparts on joint sea patrols to prevent North Korean smuggling operations in the Indo-Pacific region.

A new deal, which will be signed by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday, will reinforce the stances of both nations in their use of sea patrols against North Korea who the UK says is using smugglers to bypass international sanctions and potentially support the development of its nuclear weapons programme. 

A “significant” amount of the smuggling takes place in the East China Sea, where Royal Navy ships have previously deployed and captured evidence of this activity, the Ministry of Defence said.

The signing of the agreement will strengthen the Royal Navy’s presence in the Indo-Pacific. Two Royal Navy vessels, HMS Spey and HMS Tamar, are already permanently deployed to the region.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said: “The UK is leading the way in supporting our Korean friends in countering North Korea’s aggressive posturing and ensuring the safety and security of the Indo-Pacific.

“Deepening the ties between the Royal Navy and Republic of Korea Navy, our bilateral defence relationship has never been stronger.”

The Downing Street Accord follows similar agreements with Singapore and Japan, coming as the UK seeks to consolidate influence in the Indo-Pacific.

The agreement will support closer relations between the Royal Navy and South Korean Navy during future cooperation to counter this activity, and will support the security of the Indo-Pacific region.

Sea patrols carried out by the Royal Navy have been instrumental in preventing illegal activities, including smuggling, from going unchallenged in the region.

The announcement of the agreement comes as South Korean President Mr Yoon and his wife make a three-day state visit to the UK.

Watch: Exploring North Korea’s nuclear weapon capability,

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USS Slater (DE-766) is a Cannon-class destroyer escort that served in the United States Navy and later in the Hellenic (Greek) Navy.

USS SLATER Commissioning 1944

Following service during World War II, the ship was transferred to Greece and renamed Aetos. Decommissioned in 1991, the destroyer escort was returned to the United States.

USS Slater is now a museum ship on the Hudson River in Albany, New York, the only one of its kind afloat in the United States. As of 2020, fewer than 12 destroyer escorts survive, with Slater the only one in its wartime configuration.[2][3] Slater was designated a National Historic Landmark on 2 March 2012.[4]

USS Slater was struck by the Hudson River touring ship Dutch Apple on 10 September 2019. A mechanical issue aboard Dutch Apple was to blame for the collision.

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https://ussslater.org/

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Imperial Japanese Navy armoured cruiser Asama, Wellington, New Zealand, 1920s.

 

Japanese sailors entertain Wellingtonians to a display of martial arts on Pipitea Wharf beside the warship Asama. Photographed by an Evening Post staff photographer 2 June 1932.

Photographs and a report of this visit were published in the Evening Post 3 June 1932.

The occasion was the visit of a Japanese naval training squadron to Wellington, New Zealand. The two warships were the Asama and the Iwate. From Wellington the squadron sailed to Suva, Fiji.

Asama (淺間) was the lead ship of her class of armored cruisers (Sōkō jun’yōkan) built for the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) in the late 1890s. As Japan lacked the industrial capacity to build such warships herself, the ship was built in Britain. She served in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904–05 during which she participated in the Battle of Chemulpo Bay and the Battle of the Yellow Sea without damage, although her luck did not hold out during the Battle of Tsushima. Early in World War I, Asama unsuccessfully searched for German commerce raiders until she was severely damaged when she ran aground off the Mexican coast in early 1915. Repairs took over two years to complete and she was mainly used as a training ship for the rest of her career. The ship made a total of 12 training cruises before she was crippled after running aground again in 1935. Asama then became a stationary training ship until she was broken up in 1946–1947.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_cruiser_Asama

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What makes Israel’s Namer one of the world’s best-protected armoured personnel carriers? 20th November 2023 at 11:59am

Watch: Israel’s Namer, one of the most protected APCs in the world.

Weighing in at approximately 62 tonnes, Israel’s Namer heavy armoured personnel carrier (APC) is massive – but it is also seen as one of the world’s best-protected.

It has been developed for the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) after lessons learned in past conflicts, with an estimated 270 by 2021 having been delivered to the IDF.

Sam Cranny-Evans, an associate fellow from the defence and security think tank Rusi told Forces News that “the big difference between Namer and a conventional Western main battle tank is in the West we still haven’t really let go of the idea that a tank needs to be best protected from the front”.

He added: “Any kind of additional protection around the sides is nice to have but not always essential.

“The Namer is designed to carry much more equal levels of protection around the entire vehicle. It’s designed to withstand a lot greater punishment from any angle that it is attacked.”

Mr Cranny-Evans added: “It probably means that maybe it’s a bit easier to penetrate a Namer than it is a frontal arc of a main battle tank, but it means you have to work quite hard from any angle to penetrate it.”

In the video above, Forces News take a closer look at Israel’s Namer.

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Why the trusty Land Rover is still vital to the Army after 74 years David Sivills-McCann 20th November 2023 at 11:20am

Watch: Why the trusty Land Rover remains a key Army vehicle.

It has been a sturdy servant of the British Army for more than 70 years.

The Land Rover has been a vital part of the force since it first came into service in 1949.

Simple, dependable and a workhorse of the British military, it’s a vehicle that still has a key role to play after all these years.

Many other more sophisticated vehicles have come and gone in that time, but it remains a key part of the Army’s fleet of vehicles.

Major Donald Urquhart from 154 (Scottish) Regiment Royal Logistic Corps said: “They are used in liaison roles as communications vehicles, transport vehicles.

“Currently they are used very much in a training role for deploying and operations. On operations, we generally try and go for an armoured vehicle, so these are training platforms normally carrying radios and command posts.

“In summary why they’re good for the job currently, they’re very, very basic and straightforward. These vehicles are still very successful because they don’t have any electronics on them.

“There’s no electronic control unit so a very straightforward to fix and that’s probably the biggest single strength.”

A Land Rover jeep on exercise Mudmaster in Scotland
The Land Rover is durable, reliable and simple to maintain

The vehicle’s simplicity has been a big part of its longevity in service – something that can be fixed easily and is not too complicated.

However, the soldiers need to know what they are doing to use the Land Rover properly.

The Army tests the skills needed to use these vehicles to their full potential every year in Scotland.

For more than 30 years, Exercise Mudmaster has been putting the Land Rovers and their drivers through their paces.

Exercise Mudmaster Off-road drivers from the Army have been testing their skills
Military and civilian drivers have been practising their off-roading skills on Exercise Mudmaster in Scotland for over 30 years

Officer Cadet Rhona Duncan from Aberdeen Officer Training Corps said: “I’ve always been interested in Land Rovers from a young age.

“If you know it drives properly – it can go everywhere.

“The Mudmaster off-road driving exercise helps with learning all the gearings and when to use low-range, high-range, all the different gears.

“If you’re able to use them effectively and you’ve practised it before then you’ll be more likely to be able to carry out your operations effectively and you’ll be able to know when things might go wrong and mitigate that happening.”

British Army Land Rovers in a trial to test electric power on UK military vehicles
The British Army have been testing out electric powered Land Rovers (Picture: Babcock).

The Land Rover was inspired by the military jeeps of the Second World War, but was initially designed for farming and industrial use.

But with some changes, these vehicles became a key part of the force and after seven decades of service they are still valued by the soldiers who use them today.

Lieutenant Tim Johnston from 157 (Welsh) Regiment RLC said: “They are a great platform for training. Great off-road and easy to repair. 

“All soldiers have been trained in basic training how to use the vehicle off-road and Mudmaster offers a great opportunity to put those skills to use and develop them further for operations.”

The Land Rover, with a few modifications over the years, has been a constant in the British Army.

It’s a simple and durable bit of kit that is difficult to replace – even after 74 years.

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