Republic of Palau coordinates with U.S Coast Guard, Partners to Detain Illegal Fishing Vessel off Palau
SANTA RITA, Guam - The crew of the Palau Division of Marine Law Enforcement patrol boat PSS President HI Remeliik II coordinated with the Coast Guard to apprehend a suspected illegal fishing vessel off Helen Reef on December 10th.
DATE: December 23, 2020
The PSS President Hi.I Remeliik II is a 39.5 metre Guardian Class
Patrol Boat, designed and constructed by Austal Australia. (Photo: Austal)
USS John S. McCain Conducts Freedom of Navigation Operation in South China Sea
The United States challenges excessive maritime claims around the world regardless of the identity of the claimant. The international law of the sea as reflected in the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention provides for certain rights and freedoms and other lawful uses of the sea to all nations. The international community has an enduring role in preserving the freedom of the seas, which is critical to global security, stability, and prosperity.
DATE: December 22, 2020
U.S., Singapore Militaries Join for Bilateral Amphibious Training during CARAT Exercise
U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and Republic of Singapore Navy partnered in the 26th annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) maritime exercise, in international water of the South China Sea and on Changi Naval Base, Singapore, Dec. 9-14.
DATE: December 16, 2020
New Zealand, U.S. Navies Operate Together in the Eastern Pacific
Anzac-class frigate HMNZS Te Kaha (F77) and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) conducted combined operations in the eastern Pacific, Dec. 8 through Dec. 9.
DATE: December 12, 2020
The Coast Guard Cutter Juniper Has a New Homeport in Hawaii
HONOLULU — The Coast Guard Cutter Juniper (WLB-201) has made it to Oahu Saturday morning following a twelve-month Major Maintenance Availability mission in Baltimore.
The crew traveled 7,000 miles on the 225-foot buoy tender over the course of 30 days to reach Oahu.
DATE: December 10, 2020
Chinese reports accuse the U.S. of “muscle-flexing” after an American amphibious ready group quietly deployed to the South China Sea earlier this week. USS Makin Island (LHD-8) and USS Somerset (LPD-25) entered the South China Sea on Sunday, according to Chinese state press reports, a Beijing-backed think tank that monitors U.S. military movements in the South China Sea, and publicly available satellite imagery.
DATE: December 9, 2020
Watch the Ceremony - Video on the Left Courtesy of DVIDS
This year's Pearl Harbor Day Commemoration's theme, Above and Beyond the Call, represents a milestone of its own, as the first December 7 commemoration to follow the nationwide commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the end of WWII. This year’s ceremony will focus on Battlefield O`ahu. Though the Japanese Empire focused on the destruction of the Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor, the attack encompassed the entire island with assaults on Army and Marine aviation bases as well as civilian facilities.
Seabees and Marines power III MEF and MCIPAC
OKINAWA, Japan --Cpl. Karis Mattingly Marine Corps Installations Pacific
Day in and day out U.S. Navy Seabees work to fulfill their motto “We build, we fight, we do”, training General Facility Marines in a joint-effort to help protect and maintain III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Installation Pacific facilities.
DATE: December 4, 2020
3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Advances Air Superiority With F-35C
a time characterized by rapidly evolving tactics and modernized equipment, the Marine Corps has taken the next step in maintaining air superiority as Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314 declares their initial operational capability (IOC) for the F-35C Lightning II.
DATE: December 2, 2020
Why The Navy Is Becoming A Powerful Force For Clean Energy
Honolulu Civil Beat - by Kevin Knodell
As the Navy looks to the future of its operations in the Pacific, it’s increasingly exploring renewable energy and other new technologies to get the job done. That gives it something in common with Hawaii.
DATE: December 1, 2020
Column: Call a Fellow Veteran Who Needs Help — It Could Save a Life
Honolulu Star Advertiser - by Frank Larkin
All of Hawaii’s people should be concerned about the well-being of the state’s military veterans in this troubling time. The state has among the nation’s highest concentrations of veterans at the same time the U.S. is experiencing a dangerously high level of veteran suicides, and the grinding pandemic is increasing isolation and stressors.
DATE: November 30, 2020
Photo from Psychology Today
New Navy CMV-22B Makes First Carrier Landing
USNI News - Sam LaGrone
The Navy’s next carrier onboard delivery vehicle touched down on an aircraft carrier for the first time last week, the service announced.
DATE: November 29, 2020
Uncase the colors: 1st Network Battalion is Born
24 Nov 2020 | Courtesy Story Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
Traditionally, military services hold ceremonies for units being activated, deactivated or changing commanders. The continuation of these ceremonies are passed on to future generations of service members to honor those who served the unit.
DATE: November 24, 2020
China Vows Response Following U.S. Admiral’s Trip to Taiwan
From USNI News - Mallory Shelbourne
China’s foreign ministry says it’s planning a response in protest of a U.S. Navy admiral’s reported trip to Taiwan.
“The Chinese side will, according to how the situation develops, make a legitimate and necessary response,” said Zhao Lijian, the spokesman for China’s foreign ministry, as reported by Reuters.
DATE: November 23, 2020
Barry Returns to the South China Sea
After conducting their fourth routine transit through the Taiwan Strait this year, Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Barry (DDG 52) returned to South China Sea to conduct maritime security operations and promote peace and stability in the region.
DATE: November 22, 2020
Congratulations to the Navy League Honolulu Sea Service Award recipients!
Due to COVID restrictions, this year Navy League Honolulu produced a video to celebrate the recipients of these presigious awards and are sharing it here (on the left).
Under normal circumstances recipients would be honored at a luncheon, but we can still celebrate our outstanding service members and their achievements.
Special mahalo to Navy Region Hawaii and Mel Gonzalvo for their partnership in producing this event.
MDA, Navy Down ICBM with Destroyer-Launched Missile Interceptor
USNI News - Sam LaGrone
The Navy and the Missile Defense Agency proved that an Aegis ballistic missile defense ship could effectively take down an intercontinental ballistic missile and serve as a backup to a ground-based homeland defense interceptor, the MDA announced on Tuesday.
DATE: November 17, 2020
USS Ronald Reagan Returns to Yokosuka
Ronald Reagan transited nearly 60,000 miles as embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 flew more than 20,000 flight hours during a deployment that included exercises and operations with allies and partners across the region.
DATE: November 14, 2020
On November 10, 2020, the United States Marine Corps celebrates its 245th birthday.
In his birthday message, General Berger noted that in addition to marking the 245th birthday of the Marine Corps, 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of World War II battles like Iwo Jima and Okinawa, in Japan, the 75th anniversary of Inchon and the Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War, and the 55th anniversary of Marines arriving in Da Nang, Vietnam.
Read the Commandant's message here...
View the video on the left.
USS Halsey Returns Home from Deployment
The guided-missile destroyer USS Halsey (DDG 97) returned to its homeport, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Oct. 29, following a seven-month deployment to the U.S. 4th Fleet and U.S. 7th Fleet area of operation.
DATE: October 30, 2020
USS Michael Murphy Receives U.S. Coast Guard Commendation Medal
USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) was awarded the Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendation during a pierside ceremony, Oct. 13, for the ship’s assistance in a 2019 maritime interdiction operation in the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations.
DATE: October 29, 2020
3rd Landing Support Battalion Activates Aboard Camp Foster
Okinawa, Japan - 3rd Marine Logistics Group reactivated 3rd Landing Support Battalion in a ceremony here, November 2.
Drawing its lineage from the 3rd Service Battalion, which activated in 1942 in the midst of World War II, 3rd LSB most recently existed as the 3rd Division Service Group in 1976.
DATE: November 2, 2020
SANTA RITA, Guam — The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Sequoia (WLB 215) returned Sunday from a deployment that furthered maritime safety and security improvements with the Republic of Palau in late September and October.
The mission was an ongoing effort between the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Embassy Koror, U.S. Department of the Interior, and Palau to improve the aids to navigation infrastructure and further Palau’s maritime transportation system.
DATE: November 1, 2020
Coast Guard Cutter Oliver Berry Returns to Homeport After a 6 Week Patrol in Pacific
HONOLULU — The Coast Guard Cutter Oliver Berry (WPC 1124) returns to homeport in Honolulu after a mission in the Pacific to curtail illegal fishing and increase maritime law enforcement self-sufficiency with international partners.
The crew of the Oliver Berry traveled in a first-of-its-kind round-trip patrol spanning from Sept. 12 to Oct. 27, 2020, from Hawaii to Guam, covering a distance of approximately 9,300 miles during their journey.
DATE: October 30, 2020
Polar Star to Deploy to the Arctic
ALAMEDA, Calif. — The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star (WAGB-10) will deploy to the Arctic this winter to help protect the nation’s maritime sovereignty and security in the region.
DATE: October 30, 2020
U.S. India Talks
Talks among the defense and foreign affairs leaders of both nations have charted just how far cooperation between the two democracies has come, said a senior defense official speaking on background. The meeting included Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper, Secretary of States Mike Pompeo, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar and Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh.
DATE: October 28, 2020
IWAKUNI, Japan — On October 16, Marine Aircraft Group 12 re-designated Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242 to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 242 as part of the Marine Corps’ ongoing transition process from legacy F/A-18 Hornet aircraft to the newer 5th generation F-35B Lightning II.
DATE: October 23, 2020
USS America conducted integrated air defense operations on Oct. 20 with F-35A Lightning II aircraft from the Japan Air Defense Command. The advanced training operations were designed to increase the tactical proficiency, lethality, and interoperability of the amphibious forces of the America Expeditionary Strike Group and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) in the maritime domain.
DATE: October 25, 2020
PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii – By Beverly Higa, Apprentice Program Administrator
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PHNSY & IMF) apprentice program, which began in 1920 when Leonard H. Dexter and Fred C. Douse were hired as machinist apprentices. At that time, the shipyard hired and trained local talent to become the skilled workforce required to maintain the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Fleet. This tradition has proudly continued for the past century.
DATE: October 25, 2020
Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz officially began the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots campaign in Guam and the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands. Now starting the campaign’s eleventh year on Guam and sixth year in the CNMI, this week Marines from MCB Camp Blaz delivered toy collection boxes to participating organizations and businesses.
DATE: October 21, 2020
Our Integrated Naval Expeditionary Combat Force
What does “Integrated American Naval Power” look like?
At Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC), it looks like Marines, Sailors, and Coastguardsmen working side-by-side in operations and an extensive list of integrated exercises, war-games, and planning initiatives.
DATE: October 21, 2020
McCain Joins Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group
17 October 2020
by LT Mark Langford
SOUTH CHINA SEA - The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) has teamed up with the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.
DATE: October 18, 2020
Coast Guard Rescue
HONOLULU — The Coast Guard rescued six mariners from a disabled 24-foot recreational vessel 1.5 miles off Manele Harbor, Wednesday.
A Station Maui 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew towed the vessel to Station Maui. No injuries were reported.
DATE: October 8, 2020
Coast Guard Will Begin Testing Unmanned Surface Vehicles off Hawaii
HONOLULU — The U.S. Coast Guard Research and Development Center, in partnership with local Coast Guard units, will be conducting test and evaluation of unmanned surface vehicles off the south shore of Oahu from October 7th through November 5th.
DATE: October 7, 2020
FROM USNI NEWS - Sam LaGrone
China’s pursuit of more aircraft carriers validates the U.S. Navy’s commitment to building more American aircraft carriers in the future, the U.S. admiral in charge of providing forces to the fleet said on Thursday.
DATE: SEPTEMBER 19, 2020
Why We Remember
Story by Staff Sgt. Apryl Hall
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
An inspring story about Jim and Carole Hickerson. Jim was a downed Navy light attack pilot in Vietnam and Carole's husband, a Marine, was missing in action and never came home.
DATE: September 19, 2020
Navy News - The sinking exercise (SINKEX) combined an orchestrated sequence of live ordnance targeting the ex-USS Curts, including air-launched ordnance from fixed and rotary wing squadrons of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, embarked aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), surface-launched missiles from cruisers USS Antietam (CG 54) and Shiloh (CG 67), a subsurface launched missile from Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Chicago (SSN 721), as well as various supporting Navy and U.S. Air Force aircraft.
DATE: September 19, 2020
David Glasgow Farragut was the U.S. Navy’s first full admiral and a Hispanic hero. At the time of his death in 1870, Farragut had served a total of 59 years in uniform. Farragut’s father, Jordi Farragut Mesquida, was a merchant mariner born in Minorca, Spain.
DATE: September 15, 2020
On September 14th, 1970, Admiral Elmo Zumwalt Jr. introduced the Navy Family Command Ombudsman Program as a means to address family issues and concerns that are unique to Navy families. And so today, for 50 years, Ombudsmen have been delivering world-class support and service to Navy families at every command across the globe.
DATE: September 14, 2020
Pacific Vanguard brings together more than 1,500 Sailors from four Indo-Pacific nations to sharpen skills and strengthen practical cooperation at sea. The exercise takes place off the coast of Guam.
DATE: September 14, 2020
U.S. Indo-Pacific Command forces are participating in exercise Valiant Shield (VS), Sept. 14-25, on Guam and around the Mariana Islands Range Complex.
Participants include USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), USS America (LHA 6), USS New Orleans (LPD 18), USS Germantown (LSD 42) and multiple surface ships -- approximately 100 aircraft and an estimated 11,000 personnel from the U.S. Navy, Air Force, Army, and Marine Corps.
DATE: September 11, 2020
A Presidential Proclamation
In 2001, our Nation, united under God, made an unbreakable promise never to forget the nearly 3,000 innocent Americans who were senselessly killed on September 11. On this sacred day — Patriot Day — we solemnly honor that commitment.
DATE: September 10, 2020
September 10th is the birthday of the Naval Sea Cadet Corps. Since 1958, the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps has been committed to providing American youth with a drug and alcohol free environment to foster their leadership abilities, broaden their horizons through hands-on training and guide them to becoming mature young adults.
DATE: September 10,2020
PHILIPPINE SEA - Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Barry (DDG 52) is scheduled to join the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) during a multinational group sail from waters near Hawaii to Guam beginning Sept. 9, to conduct integrated, multi-domain operations.
DATE: September 9, 2020
The South Korean Ministry of National Defense (MND) has decided in August to double its fleet of Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets. A total of forty additional “Joint Strike Fighters” will be procured, including 20 F-35B short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) variant for its light aircraft carrier project known as LPX-II.
DATE: September 8, 2020
Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.
DATE: September 5, 2020
USCG PACIFIC AREA: In coordination with the Ecuadorian Navy, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf (WMSL 750) recently completed a joint patrol to detect and deter potential Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing in the vicinity of the Galapagos Islands.
DATE: September 3, 2020
Congressional Research Service report, Navy Force Structure and Shipbuilding Plans: Background and Issues for Congress has been released to the public.
DATE: September 2, 2020
HONOLULU — The Coast Guard and Maui County Fire Department rescued a 60 year-old paddler off the coast of Kahului, Monday. MCFD Jet ski operators recovered the paddler with no injuries or medical concerns reported and transported him back to shore with his 20-foot kayak.
DATE: September 1, 2020
RIMPAC 2020 Public Affairs
Live fire from ships and aircraft participating in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise sank the decommissioned amphibious cargo ship ex-USS Durham (LKA 114), Aug. 30.
DATE: August 30, 2020
USNI News by John Grady
The United States “is not going to back down” in asserting its rights to freedom of navigation, freedom of flight and use of space in the face of China’s “increasing assertiveness and aggressiveness,” National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien said on Friday at an online event at The Atlantic Council.
DATE: August 29, 2020
World War I introduced the first 305 women to enlist into the Marines. Today, 16,000 serve on active duty and are able to work in all combat related occupational specialties. For the current generation, it is important to understand the history of who served before them in order to keep moving the legacy forward.
DATE: August 27, 2020
Arson is suspected as the cause of a July 12 fire that left extensive damage to the USS Bonhomme Richard docked off San Diego, and a U.S. Navy sailor was being questioned as a potential suspect, a senior defense official said Wednesday.
DATE: August 27, 2020
In 1971, Congress designated Aug. 26 as National Women's Equality Day, commemorating the date in 1920 when women first gained the right to vote – and thus equality in citizenship. As a Navy, we celebrate the women who have and continue to serve in our ranks.
DATE: August 26, 2020
Everyone knows that goods made in China have a massive hold on what Americans buy. Now China wants the world to be dependent on them for how things are delivered, as well as how they are made.
DATE: August 26, 2020
Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) Group became the world’s first shipyard to construct an LNG-fueled very large container ship (VLCS), taking the lead in building eco-friendly vessels.
DATE: August 25, 2020
The USS Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group joined Japan's Murasame-class destroyer JS Ikazuchi (DD 107) to conduct joint integrated operations in the Philippine Sea, Aug. 15, as part of ongoing shared commitments to regional stability through cooperation.
DATE: August 19, 2020
PEARL HARBOR - Ten nations, 22 surface ships, one submarine, multiple aircraft, and approximately 5,300 personnel will participate in an at-sea-only iteration of the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise scheduled Aug.17 -31, in the waters around the Hawaiian Islands.
DATE: AUGUST 17, 2020
Ten nations, about 20 ships and 5,300 personnel are taking part in Rim of the Pacific maritime exercises starting Monday in Hawaii's waters.
DATE: August 14, 2020
USNI - August 13, 2020 6:02 PM. Pacific Fleet commander Adm. John Aquilino has appointed the head of San Diego, Calif.-based 3rd Fleet to lead the official command investigation into the July 12 fire aboard USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6).
DATE: August 13, 2020
HONOLULU— Personnel from the Coast Guard 14th District, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and The Marine Mammal Center partnered to transport four Hawaiian Monk Seals from Ke Kai Ola, The Marine Mammal Center’s hospital dedicated to the rehabilitation of Hawaiian Monk Seals, to Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge for release.
DATE: August 11, 2020
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Today, Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Mike Gilday sent a message to the fleet asking for a moment of silence on July 29, between 11:03 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. EDT, to honor the 75th anniversary of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis (CA 35).
DATE: JULY 28, 2020
U.S. Navy ships and submarines based in Hawaii not currently undergoing maintenance availabilities have begun plans to sortie as Hurricane Douglas travels toward the Hawaiian Islands. Ships that sortie will be positioned to help respond after the storm, if needed.
DATE: July 25, 2020
USNI NEWS - The U.S. will continue to keep up the pace of freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea, which hit an all-time high in 2019, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said on Tuesday.
DATE: July 21, 2020
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), Australian Defense Force (ADF), and the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group began a trilateral exercise in the Philippine Sea, July 19. U.S. Naval forces routinely operate alongside regional allies, strengthening shared commitments to regional stability, and a free and open Indo-Pacific through integrated training and cooperation.
DATE July 21, 2020
Lieutenant General Steven R. Rudder assumed his current position as the Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific and Commanding General Fleet Marine Force, Pacific on 16 July 2020.
LtGen Rudder previously served as the Deputy Commandant for Aviation, Headquarters Marine Corps.
DATE: July 20, 2020