US Navy lays keel for first Constellation-class frigate
April 16, 2024, by Fatima BahtićThe US Navy has held a keel-laying ceremony for the first Constellation-class frigate, USS Constellation (FFG 62) in Wisconsin. As informed, the ceremony took place at Fincantieri’s shipyard on April 12. The Constellation is the first ship of the Constellation-class frigates awarded to Fincantieri Marinette Marine in 2020. “USS Constellation and the Constellation-class frigates are a critical next step in the modernization of our surface ship inventory, increasing the number of players on the field available globally for our fleet and combatant commanders,” said Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro. “The Constellation-class frigate, named after the USS Constellation – the first of six frigates authorized by the Naval Act of 1794 and the first in-class designed and built by American workers – will ensure the free flow of American commerce by sea,” Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti stated. The Constellation-class guided-missile frigate is a next-generation small surface combatant. This ship class will be an agile, multi-mission warship capable of operations in both blue-water and littoral environments, providing increased combat-credible forward presence that provides a military advantage at sea. FFG 62 will be fielded with multi-mission capability to conduct air warfare, anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare, electromagnetic maneuver warfare. These capabilities include an Enterprise Air Surveillance Radar (EASR), Baseline Ten (BL10) Aegis Combat System, an Mk 41 Vertical Launch System, communications systems, countermeasures and added capability in the electronic warfare/information operations area. The future ships will be: Constellation (FFG 62), Congress (FFG 63), Chesapeake (FFG 64), and Lafayette (FFG 65). from JC's Royal New Zealand Navy and other Naval, Maritime or Military News https://ift.tt/XoALTR8 via IFTTT via Blogger https://ift.tt/4CqAgXY April 18, 2024 at 01:49PM See all posts in full - click here https://jcsnavyandmilitarynews.blogspot.com/
NZDF working with Pacific neighbours to support Solomon Islands election
A New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) contingent of more than 200 personnel has been providing logistical support to Solomon Islands, on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, as the country geared up for today’s general election. 17 APRIL, 2024Prior to election day, the NZDF’s Joint Task Force delivered more than 100 polling kits and more than 250 ballot boxes, and transported election officials to dozens of locations throughout Solomon Islands – including remote areas – to ensure that those who want to vote have an opportunity to do so. The team’s work is scheduled to wrap up once ballot boxes have been collected and taken to counting centres. Solomon Islands is comprised of six main islands and more than 900 smaller islands covering a total area of nearly 29,000km2, making it logistically challenging to ensure everyone has access and a fair chance to vote. Two of the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s No. 3 Squadron helicopters, combined with the ability to conduct flying operations from on board HMNZS Canterbury, has been invaluable for navigating those logistical challenges. Major Matt Wall is the NZDF Liaison Officer embedded with Solomon Islands’ Electoral Commission based in Honiara, where his duties included co-ordinating logistics for the general election. “There are people from all walks of life, representing a number of different organisations and countries, who have come together to ensure the elections are a success, and it is a privilege to be a part of,” Major Wall said. “Working closely with Solomon Islands’ Electoral Commission and the New Zealand High Commission here in Honiara has been a fantastic experience, both professionally and personally. “Logistically, it is incredibly challenging, but we have teamed together to ensure everyone in Solomon Islands – even in the most remote villages – has an opportunity to cast their vote.” from JC's Royal New Zealand Navy and other Naval, Maritime or Military News https://ift.tt/CjpyO0Y via IFTTT via Blogger https://ift.tt/fuWTa8b April 18, 2024 at 01:14PM See all posts in full - click here https://jcsnavyandmilitarynews.blogspot.com/
HMS Mersey emerges from dry dock with historic Western Approaches colour scheme
Xenia Zubova – 17th April 2024 at 12:15pmHMS Mersey has embarked on the final leg of her maintenance journey sporting her new Western Approaches colour scheme after spending more than five months in dry dock. At 03:00, HMS Mersey edged her way out of dry dock at Falmouth in Cornwall, marking a significant milestone in the refurbishment process. Currently undergoing final maintenance in partnership with BAE Systems and A&P Group, the River-class offshore patrol vessel’s journey back to operational readiness is nearing completion.
The Western Approaches colour scheme originated during the Second World War where it provided effective camouflage by hiding a vessel among the waves, making a ships harder to spot, especially in rough seas. In contrast, the paint job seen on the dazzle ships of the First World War was designed to cause the enemy to come up with an inaccurate firing solution as they couldn’t properly track the ship’s heading or speed. The Western Approaches paint scheme is a nod to history and a mark of respect to the sailors who fought and died in the Battle of the Atlantic. https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1779868115792171517&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.forces.net%2Fservices%2Fnavy%2Fhms-mersey-emerges-dry-dock-historic-western-approaches-colour-scheme&sessionId=2b53b26c781db5e8083e525944f1651e05510bf7&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px The colours were picked to match those of the north Atlantic and UK waters, where the units assigned to the home fleet, the Western Approaches command, operated. It took 700 litres of paint to create HMS Mersey’s colourful exterior. Matt Weetch, director of defence at commercial ship repair and conversion specialist A&P Group Limited, explained: “First of all, there’s a high-pressure washing for the whole vessel. “The ship is then primed, undercoated and then painted with a full topcoat of grey. “With regards to the Western Approaches scheme, the specialist painters do it all by hand. “So first they’ll do a chalk line to get the pattern correct, then use masking tape to put a detailed line for the paint, then they’ll use brushes and rollers to actually paint the vessel the different colours – your normal hand rollers and paint brushes you’d paint your house with.” While the exterior was painted, the interior of the vessel also underwent maintenance, with the crew given the chance to pick the decor for the ship’s recreation space. from JC's Royal New Zealand Navy and other Naval, Maritime or Military News https://ift.tt/yqHgIjd via IFTTT via Blogger https://ift.tt/Ib57ky2 April 18, 2024 at 11:49AM See all posts in full - click here https://jcsnavyandmilitarynews.blogspot.com/
Japan Announces 7-Month, Dual Big Deck Deployment, USS Carl Vinson Heading to RIMPAC
DZIRHAN MAHADZIR APRIL 16, 2024 5:27 PM The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force will dispatch both its Izumo-class big decks on their largest deployment to date, officials said on Tuesday. Previous Indo-Pacific Deployments featured single Izumo or Hyuga-class big decks for four to five months. Meanwhile, the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group (CSG) wrapped up drills with the JMSDF on Saturday. The German military on Tuesday revealed that the Carl Vinson CSG will take part in the Rim of the Pacific 2024 exercise near Hawaii this summer. A total of six surface ships – destroyer carriers JS Izumo (DDH-183) and JS Kaga (DDH-184), destroyers JS Ariake (DD-109) and JS Haguro (DD-180), amphibious landing ship JS Kunisaki (LST-4003) and frigate JS Noshiro (FFM-3) – divided into 4 surface mission units with embarked JMSDF Special Boarding Units, two P-1 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) divided into two air units and an undisclosed number of submarines will deploy separately in a 7-month period beginning May 3 and ending on Dec. 15, according to a JMSDF announcement. “The JMSDF will conduct Indo-Pacific Deployment 2024 (IPD24) in order to realize a ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific,’” reads the announcement. The deployment will put the JMSDF with allied navies through a series of regional exercises, officials said. The first surface unit includes Kunisaki and its integral two Landing Craft Air Cushions under the command of Rear Adm. Izuru Ikeuchi, the commander of the JMSDF Mine Warfare Force. The JMSDF’s amphibious ships are all under the Mine Warfare Force. The second surface unit includes Izumo, Ariake and Haguro under the command of Escort Flotilla 3 commanding officer Rear. Adm. Kazushi Yokota, while Noshiro forms the third surface unit headed by Noshiro’s commanding officer, Cdr. Tetsunobu Hori. Kaga rounds out IPD 24 as the fourth surface unit, headed by Kaga’s commanding officer, Capt. Shusaku Takeuchi. Countries visited during the deployment will include Australia, Fiji, French Polynesia, India, Kiribati, Palau, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Tonga, the United States and Vanuatu. The visit to Tonga will include participation in the Tonga Royal Navy’s 50th Anniversary Fleet Review and Japan is currently in discussions with other countries for additional visits. Exercises that IPD 24 units will participate in are Marara, RIMPAC, Pacific Dragon, Pacific Vanguard, Kakadu, Pacific Partnership and Malabar. Marara is a French-led humanitarian aid and disaster relief exercise that will take place in French Polynesia, while Kakadu is the Royal Australian Navy’s flagship regional international engagement held in Australia biennially. RIMPAC 2024 is the U.S. Pacific Fleet-led multinational exercise scheduled to take place this summer around Hawaii, while Pacific Dragon is a U.S.-led biennial multinational air and missile defense exercise that normally takes place after RIMPAC to leverage participation from partner nation ships already nearby for RIMPAC. The last Pacific Dragon exercise, held in 2022, featured the RAN, the Royal Canadian Navy, the JMSDF and the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN). Pacific Vanguard is an annual U.S.-Navy led exercise for partner nations to strengthen skills through drills ranging from anti-submarine warfare operations to live-fire missile engagements. Pacific Partnership is the U.S. Pacific Fleet-led annual multilateral humanitarian assistance exercise conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Malabar is the Quad’s – the informal alliance between Australia, India, Japan the U.S. – main naval exercise. Kaga’s participation in IPD 24 is the ship’s first deployment since it completed the first stage of modification work last month to enable the helicopter destroyer to operate F-35B fighters. Work on Kaga also included modifying the bow’s shape to a square to better facilitate F-35B operations. Izumo’s bow will get modified when it enters the second stage of the update. Kaga is expected to be the Izumo-class carrier that will conduct F-35B integration trials on the U.S. East Coast in November this year. As the JMSDF prepares to begin its Indo-Pacific deployment, Canada kicked off its annual Indo-Pacific mission, Operation Horizon, on Sunday with the departure of frigate HMCS Montreal (FFH336) from Halifax. Montreal was originally scheduled to depart on Friday, but a Canadian Ministry of Defence news release stated that the crew needed to repair a system problem before departing. Montreal is the first of three RCN ships that are deploying annually under Operation Horizon in support of Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy, with the deployment expected to last six months. Meanwhile, after wrapping up trilateral drills with the ROKN and JMSDF in the East China Sea on Friday, the Theodore Roosevelt CSG conducted bilateral drills from Friday to Saturday with the JMSDF throughout the East China Sea, to south of the main island of Shikoku, according to a JMSDF news release issued Monday. Carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), destroyers USS Russell (DDG-59) and USS Daniel Inouye (DDG-118), along with a U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon aircraft carried out tactical exercises with JMSDF destroyer Ariake, with all four ships previously taking part in the trilateral drills, according to the JMSDF release. In other developments, the German Armed Forces disclosed that carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) will be the U.S. carrier taking part in RIMPAC this summer. In an interview released on Tuesday, Lt. Col. Marco Brunhofer of 73 Tactical Air Wing “S,” who will lead the German Air Force contingent of three Eurofighter fighters and an A400M fighter aircraft, stated that his contingent will participate in RIMPAC from July 27 through 30. Its activities will include integrating into a multinational aircraft carrier force that will protect Carl Vinson, though his aircraft will deploy from land and receive support via mid-air refueling from the A400M, Brunhofer said. “In varying scenarios, we will practice both protecting the aircraft carrier against enemy fighter aircraft and attacking these enemy fighter aircraft. In addition, we will simulate an attack on enemy forces on a group of islands with numerous radar positions,” he said in the interview. Brunhofer also stated that for the strike missions, his aircraft will be part of a composite air operation with U.S Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps aircraft, along with aircraft from other partner nations participating in RIMPAC. Following RIMPAC, the German fighters will conduct Dissimilar Air Combat Training with the Hawaii Air National Guard from July 31 through Aug. 5. The Carl Vinson CSG returned to San Diego after a four-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific on Feb. 23, reported USNI News. RelatedU.S. Vinson Carrier Strike Group Drills with Japanese Force in South China SeaNovember 8, 2021 In “China” Two U.S. Aircraft Carriers Drill with Japanese Big Deck in Western Pacific ExerciseJanuary 31, 2024 In “Aviation” Indian, U.S. and Japanese Big Decks Drill in the Indo-PacificJune 14, 2023 In “China” from JC's Royal New Zealand Navy and other Naval, Maritime or Military News https://ift.tt/7NQsduI via IFTTT via Blogger https://ift.tt/l7o1wkZ April 18, 2024 at 11:29AM See all posts in full - click here https://jcsnavyandmilitarynews.blogspot.com/
USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: April 15, 2024
These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of April 15, 2024, based on Navy and public data. In cases where a CSG or ARG is conducting disaggregated operations, the chart reflects the location of the capital ship. Ships Underway
In JapanUSS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) is in port in Yokosuka. The carrier is set to depart for a repair availability in Washington state later this year. USS George Washington (CVN-73) will replace Reagan in Japan. USS America (LHA-6) is in port Sasebo. In the East China SeaAircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) is underway in the East China Sea. The carrier has been using older C-2A Greyhounds as a temporary carrier-onboard delivery vehicle while the CMV-22B fleet was grounded following the November crash of an Air Force MV-22B Osprey off the coast of Japan. Earlier this month, the grounding of the Ospreys was lifted, and the Navy has begun recertifying crews and aircraft for the logistics operations. Carrier Strike Group 9Carrier Carrier Air Wing 11
Cruiser Destroyer Squadron 23 Destroyer Squadron 23 is based in San Diego and is embarked on Theodore Roosevelt.
In the PacificUSCGC Harriet Lane (WMEC-903) returned to Hawaii Tuesday after completing a 79-day patrol in support of Coast Guard District Fourteen’s Operation Blue Pacific in Oceania. In the Eastern MediterraneanUSS Carney (DDG-64) and USS Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) shot down between four and six Iranian-launched ballistic missiles, a senior military official told reporters Sunday. Both ships were in the Mediterranean. Carney most recently had made a port visit to Palermo, Sicily, Italy, on April 10. Arleigh Burke is forward deployed to Rota, Spain. U.S. Central and European commands shot down more than 80 one-way attack uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs), in addition to the ballistic missiles, Central Command said in a release. The UAVs were launched from Iran and Yemen. In the Red SeaU.S. ships continue to patrol the Red Sea as part of Operation Prosperity Guardian, the U.S.-led multinational effort to protect ships moving through the region. Houthi forces in Yemen continue to attack merchant shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, while U.S. naval forces in the region have continued strikes against Houthi weapons that U.S. Central Command says are a threat to naval and merchant ships. Houthi forces say they are targeting ships with connections to the United Kingdom, the U.S. and Israel. As of Monday, the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group was operating in the Red Sea. Ike deployed on Oct. 14, while several of the carrier’s escorts left on Oct. 13. The carrier transited the Strait of Gibraltar on Oct. 28 and transited the Suez Canal on Nov. 4. The ship’s deployment was extended by order of Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin late last month, a defense official confirmed to USNI news. The U.N. Security Council on Jan. 10 approved a resolution calling on Yemen’s Houthi rebel group to “cease its brazen” attacks in the Red Sea. Carrier Strike Group 2Carrier Carrier Air Wing 3
Cruiser Destroyer Squadron 22 Destroyer Squadron 22 is based in Norfolk, Va., and is embarked on Eisenhower.
On Thursday, U.S. Central Command forces destroyed one anti-ship ballistic missile launched by the Houthis over the Red Sea. On Wednesday, CENTCOM forces shot down three Houthi unmanned aerial vehicles. The Houthis launched two of the drones over the Gulf of Aden, while the other one was over the Red Sea. CENTCOM forces also destroyed eight UAVs in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. On Tuesday, USS Mason (DDG-87) and CENTCOM forces destroyed one inbound Houthi anti-ship ballistic missile over the Gulf of Aden. The ASBM was likely targeting the MV Yorktown, a U.S.-flagged, U.S.-owned vessel being escorted by USS Laboon (DDG-58) and USS Mason. On Monday, USCENTCOM forces destroyed an air defense system with two missiles ready to launch and a ground control station in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen while also shooting down one unmanned aerial system. In the Gulf of AdenOn Wednesday, CENTCOM forces shot down three Houthi unmanned aerial vehicles. Two drones were launched over the Gulf of Aden and one UAV was launched over the Red Sea. On Sunday, the Houthis launched an anti-ship ballistic missile toward the Gulf of Aden where a coalition ship was escorting MV Hope Island, a Marshall Islands-flagged, U.K.-owned, Italian-operated cargo ship. This was the fifth observed missile launch against the unnamed coalition ship and MV Hope Island. In the Persian GulfU.S. Coast Guard Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutters (FRCs) are forward-deployed to the region under Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA). PATFORSWA deploys Coast Guard personnel and ships with U.S. and regional naval forces throughout the Middle East. Initially deployed in 2003 to support Operation Iraqi Freedom, PATFORSWA is now a permanent presence based out of the Kingdom of Bahrain. In the Eastern PacificUSCGC Bertholf (WMSL-750) is inport Alameda, Calif. The amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD-4) returned to San Diego, Calif., on Thursday, delaying her deployment after suffering a casualty, USNI News reported. In the Mediterranean and Eastern AtlanticThe ships carrying pieces to build a humanitarian aid pier in Gaza are in the midst of their journey across the Atlantic with some now operating in the Mediterranian Sea. Five U.S. Army watercraft and a Marine Administration ready reserve transport ship are underway headed to the Eastern Mediterranean. USAV General Frank S. Benson (LSV-1) left Joint Base Langley-Eustis on March 9 and transited the Strait of Gibraltar last week. It was in port in Crete, as of Monday, according to ship spotters. In addition, USAV As of Monday, USAV Montorrey (LCU-2030), USAV Matamoros (LCU-2026) were in port in Crete, while USAV SP4 James A. Loux (LSV-6) was sailing west near the island. USAV Wilson Wharf (LCU-2011) was in the Eastern Atlantic off the coast of North Africa, not yet in the Mediterranean Sea. The MARAD ship MV Roy P. Benavidez (TAKR-306) left on March 21 with the majority of the modular causeway pieces for the pier loaded aboard. As of Monday, Benavidez was near Crete. From the East Coast, Military Sealift Command ships USNS 1st Lt. Baldomero Lopez (T-AK-3010) and USNS 2nd Lt. John P. Bobo (TAK-3008) were transporting parts of Naval Beach Group One’s similar floating pier system to operate in tandem with the Army’s system. Lopez was sailing off North Africa in the Mediterranean, and Bobo was still off the East Coast. The general concept will have the Army build a pier that will be anchored to the shore in Gaza with no U.S. personnel setting foot in Israel. The Navy will build a transfer point two to three miles offshore where cargo – likely originating in Cyprus – will be transferred to the Army watercraft to be taken to the pier. Based on the initial timelines, the pier could be completed by mid-May. In the Western AtlanticThe amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD-1) is off the coast of North Carolina. The aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) returned to Norfolk, Va., on Friday, according to ship spotters. The carrier will deploy to the U.S. Southern Command area of operations over the next few months as part of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet’s Southern Seas 2024 deployment. The aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) departed Norfolk, Va., on Wednesday, according to ship spotters. In addition to these major formations, not shown are others serving in submarines, individual surface ships, aircraft squadrons, SEALs, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Forces, Seabees, EOD Mobile Units and more serving throughout the globe. U.S. NAVAL INSTITUTE STAFF APRIL 15, 2024 2:48 PM from JC's Royal New Zealand Navy and other Naval, Maritime or Military News https://ift.tt/nSdsPbL via IFTTT via Blogger https://ift.tt/HzTXwkh April 17, 2024 at 11:54AM See all posts in full - click here https://jcsnavyandmilitarynews.blogspot.com/ |
AuthorJohn Currin served 15 years in the Royal New Zealand Navy and has retained an interest in naval, marine, military and happenings around the world. Archives
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