Coast Guard medevacs man 20 miles north of Hatteras, North Carolina

Archive image: a U.S. Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter sits at Air Station Elizabeth City in preparation for Hurricane Dorian Response, Sept. 5, 2019. The aircraft must be thoroughly checked and maintained before enduring the harsh conditions of a hurricane.

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Ronald Hodges.

ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. — The Coast Guard medevaced a man from the commercial fishing vessel Captain Jimmy 20 miles north of Hatteras.

Monday night, watchstanders at the Coast Guard Fifth District command center were notified that the 56-year-old crew member was experiencing symptoms of a heart attack.

An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew from Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina launched to assist.

Once on scene, the helicopter crew safely hoisted the man up and transported him to Pitt County Memorial Hospital in Greenville, North Carolina.

“The case went well, but was definitely a more challenging hoist,” said Lt. Lindsey Cockburn a pilot for the medevac. “It was very dark, but this is something we train for by doing hoisting work at night. In the end, we got the patient to the proper medical facilities.”

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Coast Guard assists disabled sailing vessel near Port O'Connor, Texas

A Coast Guard Station Port O'Connor 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boat crew arrives on scene to tow a disabled sailing vessel that was pushing against the north jetty in Port O'Connor, Texas, Oct. 22, 2019. No injuries were reported. 

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Station Port O'Connor.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Coast Guard crews assisted a disabled sailing vessel pushing against the north jetty near Port O'Connor, Texas, Tuesday evening.

Sector/Air Station Corpus Christi watchstanders received a report that the 45-foot sailing vessel Talon was disabled and pushing against the north jetty with two people aboard. 

Watchstanders diverted a Station Port O'Connor 29-foot Response Boat-Small boat crew and launched a Station Port O'Connor 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boat crew to the scene.

Once on scene, the crew of the RB-M towed the Talon to Caracol in Port O'Connor.

No injuries were reported. 

A Coast Guard Station Port O'Connor boarding team member conducts a boarding after towing a disabled sailing vessel to Caracol in Port O'Connor, Texas, Oct. 22, 2019. The sailing vessel contacted Sector/Air Station Corpus Christi watchstanders after becoming disabled and pushing against the north jetty. 

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Station Port O'Connor.

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Coast Guard Cutter Dependable returns home after patrol in Caribbean Sea

The Coast Guard Cutter Dependable underway in the Eastern Pacific Ocean on patrol. 

U.S. Coast Guard photograph courtesy of Coast Guard Cutter Dependable (archive).

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The crew of the United States Coast Guard Cutter Dependable returned home after a 49-day patrol conducting counter-drug and migrant interdiction missions in the Caribbean Sea, Wednesday. 

The crew of the Dependable conducted two separate counter-narcotics boardings while tasked as a surface asset to Joint Interagency Task Force South. In total, the ship’s crew spent a combined 91 hours on counter-narcotics boardings, completed over 40 small boat sorties, and spent more than 647 hours ensuring that suspect vessels were in compliance with international laws.

The Dependable's crew sailed more than 7,500 nautical miles in the Caribbean Sea, and traveled as far south as Curacao and as far east as the Greater Antilles. During the voyage, the crew conducted over 100 drills in transit to maintain optimal readiness.

The Dependable is a 210-foot Reliance Class Medium-Endurance Cutter homeported in Virginia Beach. The crew conducts homeland security missions in the offshore waters of the Western Hemisphere, from New England to the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific.

More information on the Dependable is available at http://www.uscg.mil/lantarea/cgcDependable/.

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Coast Guard Cutter Alex Haley returns home after 40-day, 5,000-mile patrol

The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Alex Haley (WMEC 39) returned to their homeport in Kodiak, Oct. 20, 2019, following a 40-day deployment throughout the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. Since departing Kodiak in September, the crew patrolled 5,000 miles and conducted 13 at-sea boardings. 

U.S. Coast Guard courtesy photo by Ensign Richard Zogby.

KODIAK, Alaska — The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Alex Haley (WMEC 39) returned to their homeport in Kodiak Sunday, following a 40-day deployment throughout the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands.

Since departing Kodiak in September, the crew patrolled 5,000 miles and conducted 13 at-sea boardings.

The crew also conducted law enforcement operations during the opening of the 2019 Red King Crab season and participated in several search and rescue cases. Most notably, Alex Haley’s onboard helicopter crew medically evacuated a crewmember from fishing vessel Alaska Victory after he was exposed to a release of toxic ammonia refrigerant Sept. 28.

A crewmember aboard a 26-foot over-the-horizon boat prepares to come alongside Coast Guard Cutter Alex Haley (WMEC 30) while underway in the Bering Sea. Alex Haley’s crew returned to their homeport in Kodiak, Oct. 20, 2019, following a 40-day deployment throughout the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. Since departing Kodiak in September, the crew patrolled 5,000 miles and conducted 13 at-sea boardings.

U.S. Coast Guard courtesy photo by Ensign Richard Zogby

Midway through the patrol, Alex Haley visited the remote community of St. Paul, Alaska, where crewmembers conducted a clean-up of a local lakefront and met with community elders. These events helped strengthen one of the many outstanding partnerships between the U. S. Coast Guard and local Alaskan communities.

“This patrol is my first aboard Alex Haley and my first in the Bering Sea,” said Cmdr. Benjamin Golightly, Alex Haley’s commanding officer. “After a long period in homeport, which included major dockside repairs, the crew did an outstanding job transitioning back into the demanding routine of operations at sea.”

“The opportunity to patrol the Bering Sea during the highly visible Red King Crab season was tremendously rewarding anduniquely challenging,” continued Golightly. “Between the rapid operational pace of fisheries boardings, the notorious unpredictability of the weather, and the fact that search and rescue cases can occur at any time, there was no shortage of challenges to be met by the crew. However, through their perseverance, high spirits, and unwavering dedication to service, Alex Haley's crewmembers exemplified professionalism and operational excellence in all they did. The product of their efforts can clearly be seen in the success we had this patrol.”

A small boat from Coast Guard Cutter Alex Haley (WMEC 39) underway following a fisheries law enforcement and safety boarding in the Bering Sea. The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Alex Haley (WMEC 39) returned to their homeport in Kodiak, Oct. 20, 2019, following a 40-day deployment throughout the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. Since departing Kodiak in September, the crew patrolled 5,000 miles and conducted 13 at-sea boardings. U.S. Coast Guard courtesy photo by Ensign Richard Zogby.

Alex Haley is a 282-foot Medium Endurance Cutter that has been homeported in Kodiak since 1999, routinely operating throughout the Bering Sea, Gulf of Alaska, and Pacific Ocean. The cutter’s ability to operate in extreme weather conditions provides the mission flexibility necessary to perform search and rescue, fisheries law enforcement, and vessel safety inspections across Alaska. These operations occur under the tactical control of the 17th Coast Guard District in Juneau, which encompasses the entire state of Alaska, as well as the coastal and offshore waters seaward over several thousands of miles.

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Coast Guard Cutter Dauntless returns home after 47 day patrol

An Air Station Houston MH-65 Dolphin helicopter practices landing on the Coast Guard Cutter Dauntless during a training exercise in the Gulf of Mexico, June 10, 2016. Keeping crews regularly trained ensures a high level of competency and efficency service-wide. 
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Dustin R. Williams.

NEW ORLEANS — The Coast Guard Cutter Dauntless crew will return to their homeport in Pensacola, Florida after completing a 47-day, 8,000 nautical mile patrol, Wednesday.

All 78 crewmembers began their patrol in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, August 31, 2019, and will be reunited with their loved ones, October 16.

Shortly after getting underway, the Dauntless crew was assigned command of a task force conducting Hurricane Dorian relief efforts in the Southeastern United States. As Hurricane Dorian passed north of the United States, Dauntless transitioned south into the Caribbean Sea. There, the Dauntless crew worked closely with Coast Guard air assets stationed in Puerto Rico to achieve operational qualifications, and enhance the capabilities of search and rescue, migrant interdiction, and drug interdiction.

Joint operations conducted by the Dauntless crew and the Royal Bahamian Defense Force in the Caribbean resulted in the interdiction and repatriation of 12 Haitian migrants illegally attempting to enter the Bahamian island of Great Inagua.

Nigel Dakin, royal governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands, met with the command and crew of Dauntless during a port call in Grand Turk. Governor Dakin offered a warm welcome to the island nation, and reaffirmed the close relationship between the Coast Guard and the British territory. Governor Dakin thanked the crew of the Dauntless for their service, and stressed the importance of the work they perform in the Caribbean to the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

During this patrol, three crewmembers were promoted. Petty Officer 2nd Class Samantha Rowsey was promoted to the rank of 1st Class; Seaman Apprentice Rylan Ragar was promoted to Seaman; and Fireman Apprentice Ashley Pierson was promoted to Fireman.

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SECNAV Names Future Destroyer in Honor of US Navy Medal of Honor Recipient

WASHINGTON (Oct. 16, 2019) A photo illustration announcing that Arleigh-Burke class destroyer, DDG 134, will be named USS John E. Kilmer. 

U.S. Navy photo illustration by Mass Communication Specialist Paul L. Archer/Released.

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer named a future Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, DDG 134, in honor of U.S. Navy Hospitalman John E. Kilmer, who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his service during the Korean War.

“Hospitalman Kilmer was a hero whose efforts during the Korean War continue to inspire,” Spencer said. “His dedication to his teammates represents everything good about our integrated Naval force.”

A medical field technician with the Fleet Marine Force, Kilmer was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor June 18, 1953. He was killed Aug. 13, 1952 as a result of enemy action while caring for the wounded during the attack on Bunker Hill. He shielded another man from enemy fire with his body and was mortally wounded.

From Kilmer’s Medal of Honor citation, “With his company engaged in defending a vitally important hill position well forward of the main line of resistance during an assault by large concentrations of hostile troops, Kilmer repeatedly braved intense enemy mortar, artillery and sniper fire to move from one position to another, administering aide to the wounded and expediting their evacuation.”

Kilmer was born in Highland Park, Illinois, and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1947 as an Apprentice Seaman in Houston, Texas. Kilmer was serving with a Marine rifle company in the First Marine Division at the time of his death. He had previously served aboard USS Repose (AH 16) and at multiple locations in California.

Arleigh Burke-class destroyers conduct a variety of operations, from peacetime presence and crisis response to sea control and power projection. The future USS John E. Kilmer (DDG 134) will be capable of fighting air, surface and subsurface battles simultaneously and will contain a combination of offensive and defensive weapon systems to support maritime warfare, including integrated air and missile defense and vertical launch capabilities.

USS John E. Kilmer will be constructed at Bath Iron Works, a division of General Dynamics in Bath, Maine. The ship will be 509 feet long, have a beam of 59 feet and be capable of operating in excess of 30 knots.

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

Coast Guard offloads more than $92 million worth of cocaine in San Diego

Coast Guardsmen prepare bails of cocaine to be offloaded from the Coast Guard Cutter Alert in San Diego, October 16, 2019. The crew aboard the Alert offloaded approximately 6,800 pounds of cocaine. 

Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Alex Gray.

SAN DIEGO — The Coast Guard offloaded more than $92 million worth of seized cocaine in San Diego Wednesday.

The cocaine, worth more than $92 million, was seized in international waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean. The contraband represents four suspected drug smuggling vessel interdictions by the crews of three Coast Guard cutters off the coasts of Mexico, Central and South America between late July and early October by the following Coast Guard cutters:

• Alert (WMEC-630) was responsible for two cases, seizing approximately 4,000 pounds of cocaine
• Robert Ward (WPC-1130) was responsible for one case, seizing approximately 1,500 pounds of cocaine
• Seneca (WMEC-906) was responsible for one case, seizing approximately 1,400 pounds of cocaine

The Coast Guard Cutter Alert crew conducted a drug offload in San Diego, Oct. 16, 2019. The crew offloaded more than 6,800 pounds of cocaine, worth an estimated $92 million, seized in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. 

Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Alex Gray.

Numerous U.S. agencies from the Departments of Defense, Justice and Homeland Security are involved in the effort to combat transnational organized crime. The Coast Guard, Navy, Customs and Border Protection, FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration and Immigration and Customs Enforcement along with allied and international partner agencies play a role in counter-drug operations. The fight against transnational organized crime networks in the Eastern Pacific requires unity of effort in all phases from detection, monitoring and interdictions to prosecutions by U.S. Attorneys throughout the country.

"I am extremely proud of this crew for doing their part to keep these dangerous drugs off the streets," said Cmdr. Tyson Scofield, Alert’s commanding officer. "The Eastern Pacific Ocean is a challenging environment, especially on a ship that is in her 50th year of service, yet this crew persevered to disrupt the illegal flow of narcotics that fuels instability in Central and South America. The counter-drug mission is as important now as it has ever been, and these brave men and women can return home after a 69-day patrol knowing they made a difference."

A suspected smuggling vessel drifts in international waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean after being intercepted by the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Alert in October. Approximately 2,000 pounds of cocaine were seized and three suspected smugglers were detained. 

U.S. Coast Guard photo.

The Coast Guard increased the U.S. and allied presence in the Eastern Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Basin, which are known drug transit zones off of Central and South America, as part of its Western Hemisphere Strategy. During at-sea interdictions in international waters, a suspect vessel is initially located and tracked by allied, military or law enforcement personnel. The interdictions, including the actual boarding, are led and conducted by U.S. Coast Guardsmen. The law enforcement phase of counter-smuggling operations in the Eastern Pacific is conducted under the authority of the Coast Guard 11th District headquartered in Alameda.

Bales of cocaine lie stacked under the deck of a suspected smuggling vessel in October interdicted by the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Alert in international waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Approximately 2,000 pounds of cocaine were seized and three suspected smugglers were detained. 

U.S. Coast Guard photo.

The Alert is a 210-foot medium-endurance cutter homeported in Astoria, Oregon. The Robert Ward is a 154-foot fast-response cutter homeported in San Pedro. The Seneca is a 270-foot medium-endurance cutter homeported in Boston, Massachusetts.

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Coast Guard along with a good Samaritan assist a taking on water vessel with 2 people aboard 4 miles east of Fort Pierce Inlet

MIAMI — Coast Guard Station Fort Pierce 45-foot Response Boat – Medium boatcrew assisted the 80-foot vessel Hush Puppy 4 miles east of Fort Pierce Inlet Sunday.

Coast Guard Station Fort Pierce received a notification from the 80-foot vessel reporting experiencing water intrusion four miles east of Fort Pierce Inlet.

A good Samaritan vessel arrived on scene providing assistance dewatering and patching the vessel after the Station Fort Pierce crew safely embarked the two people aboard.

Station Fort Pierce crewmembers safely escorted the vessel to the North Fort Pierce terminal.

No injuries were reported.

For more breaking news follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

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Coast Guard assists 3 near Clearwater, Florida

A Coast Guard Station Sand Key 45-foot Response Boat—Medium boatcrew assisted three people on a vessel taking on water 15 miles west of Clearwater, Florida, Oct. 12, 2019. The boatcrew escorted them safely back to Seminole Boat Ramp in Clearwater and provided assistance dewatering the 23-foot Seafox vessel. 

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Fireman Patrick Brown.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— The Coast Guard assisted three people on a vessel taking on water 15 miles west of Clearwater, Florida, Saturday evening.

A Coast Guard Station Sand Key 45-foot Response Boat—Medium boatcrew arrived on scene to remove two passengers and begin dewatering the 23-foot Seafox vessel.

Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders received a distress call on channel 16 at approximately 4:55 p.m. of the vessel taking on two gallons of water a minute and the pumps unable to keep up.

The passengers and vessel were safely escorted to the Seminole Boat Ramp in Clearwater.

For more breaking news follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

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Coast Guard medevacs man to Tierra Verde, Florida

A Coast Guard Station St. Petersburg 45-foot Response Boat—Medium boatcrew medevaced a man 33 miles offshore from Fort DeSoto, Florida, Oct. 13, 2019. The boatcrew transferred the man in Tierra Verde to St. Petersburg EMS in stable condition for further medical assistance. 

U.S. Coast Guard photo.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— A Coast Guard crew medevaced a man 33 miles offshore from Fort DeSoto, Florida, Sunday morning.

A Coast Guard Station St. Petersburg 45-foot Response Boat—Medium boatcrew transported the man experiencing abdominal pain and weakness to Tierra Verde Marina in Tierra Verde, Florida.

Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders received a mayday call on channel 16 at approximately 6:38 a.m., followed by a report from a good Samaritan who saw three flares and made contact with the 27- foot fishing vessel owner.  

The Coast Guard boatcrew transferred the man to St. Petersburg EMS in stable condition for further medical assistance.

"The guy was experiencing a lot of pain and weakness, and they set off a flare that the good Sam saw to help us find them," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Rachael Fultz, the Station St. Petersburg station EMT. "We put him in a stokes litter to transport him to our boat and to EMS onshore."

For more breaking news follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

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USS Wasp Enters 4th Fleet

CORAL SEA (Aug. 1, 2019)- The amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) transits the Coral Sea. Wasp, flagship of the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group, with embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, is operating in the Indo-Pacific region to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready response force for any type of contingency. 

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Daniel Barker/Released.

From U.S. 4th Fleet Public Affairs

PACIFIC OCEAN (NNS) -- The amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) arrived in U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations Oct 1. The Wasp is transiting around South America while conducting a homeport shift from Japan to Norfolk.

“The entrance into U.S. 4th Fleet is a significant milestone for the crew–many of whom came with Wasp to Japan in 2017–and an excellent opportunity to visit our partners in South America, and to continue strengthening our relationships in this very important part of the world,” said Wasp Commanding Officer Capt. Greg Baker.  “I am very proud that these Sailors will be ambassadors of the United States Navy during our time in this fleet.”

Wasp will participate in maritime engagements enhancing interoperability with our partners.  Wasp is scheduled to visit Valparaiso, Chile and Rio De Janeiro, Brazil building on our strong relationships that foster regional security.  

The newly formed Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force–WASP departed with the ship including Marines and Sailors from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and El Salvador to provide amphibious and cultural subject matter expertise to South America. 

Embarking aboard the Wasp in Valparaiso will be a Combined Task Force (CTF) comprised of approximately twenty personnel from the U.S., Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Peru. 

The CTF will focus on a mission analysis and planning for a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercise scenario. Training alongside our partner nations demonstrates the commitment to stability in the region. 

“Partnerships in the region are an absolute priority,” said Wasp Executive Officer Cmdr. Javier Medina. “By focusing on our partnerships in this region, naturally we will have better relationships that have the opportunity to bloom and become stronger, enhancing our mission set of ensuring security in the region, and being able to better act in any case of contingency.”

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/NAVSOUS4thflt, or www.twitter.com/navsous4thflt

For more news from USS Wasp (LHD 1), please visit https://www.facebook.com/USSWasp.

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U.S. Coast Guard participates in international forum focused on Pacific maritime threats

VLADIVOSTOK, Russia – The United States participated Sept. 30 to Oct. 4 in the 20th meeting of the North Pacific Coast Guard Forum (NPCGF) Summit in Vladivostok.

The annual event brings together delegations from the coast guards of Canada, China, Japan, Russia, South Korea and the United States. Vice Adm. Linda Fagan, the U.S. Coast Guard’s Pacific Area commander, was the head of the U.S. delegation. 

“Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, search and rescue, illegal drug trafficking and pollution response are just some of the critical issues we face as maritime nations,” said Fagan. “This multilateral forum is an excellent opportunity to discuss these shared challenges and to find ways to increase our effectiveness through cooperation.”

In effect since 2000, the NPCGF was established to foster multilateral cooperation related to combined operations, exchange of information, illegal drug trafficking, maritime security, fisheries enforcement, illegal migration and maritime domain awareness.  The forum includes numerous working groups, each focused on specific threat areas, which plan joint operations and major exercises. 

A priority goal of the NPCGF is the planning of next year’s Operation North Pacific Guard (NPG). NPG is a deployment each summer of vessels, aviation assets and personnel to help combat IUU fishing in the northern Pacific Ocean.

According to the UN, IUU fishing deprives the international economy of billions of dollars and undermines the livelihoods of legitimate fish harvesters around the world. It impacts food security, affecting millions of people, including many vulnerable coastal communities. Combatting global IUU fishing through international partnerships is a priority for the United States.

NPG 2019 was designed to conduct law enforcement operations in support of regional fisheries management organizations in the North Pacific Ocean. Through the NPCGF enforcement coordination process, partner nations contribute to the at-sea enforcement effort by providing surface patrols, air surveillance or both.

In support of NPG 2019, U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mellon, conducted an 80-day fisheries patrol. Coast Guard and Canadian fishery officers boarded 45 vessels and encountered violations ranging from improper gear to intentionally fishing for sharks without a license. Boarding officers also found evidence of illegal shark finning. Altogether, boarding teams detected 68 potential violations.

"Building and expanding partnerships is a priority for the United States Coast Guard and a strategic priority of our commandant, Adm. Schultz,” said Fagan, in her closing remarks. “To achieve this priority, we remain committed to this forum, as well as other multi-lateral forums and our respective bi-lateral relationships."

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Coast Guard rescues man, dog off boat near Toledo, Oregon

The 36-foot fishing vessel Micke lists to starboard and is stuck in mud in the Yaquina River near Toledo, Ore. Oct. 6, 2019. A Coast Guard Station Yaquina Bay boat crew rescued a man and his dog off the boat. 
U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of Station Yaquina Bay.

NEWPORT, Ore. — The Coast Guard rescued a man and his dog Sunday afternoon after the man’s vessel ran aground on submerged pilings near Toledo.

A Coast Guard Station Yaquina Bay 29-foot Response Boat-Small crew retrieved the man and dog off the fishing vessel Mickey, which is listing and stuck in mud in the Yaquina River.

U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of Station Yaquina Bay.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector North Bend received the call for help at 1:52 p.m. and directed the launch of the boat crew, which arrived on scene at 2:16 p.m.

No injuries or pollution has been reported; however, the vessel has a reported 100 gallons of fuel on board.

The owner of the vessel will work with the Port of Toledo to salvage the 36-foot double-ended troller.

The Coast Guard reminds mariners to carry up-to-date navigation charts or have properly functioning navigation equipment onboard the vessel.

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Navy to Christen Submarine Oregon

U.S. Navy graphic.

From the Office of the Navy Chief of Information

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Navy will christen its newest attack submarine, the future USS Oregon (SSN 793), during a 10 a.m. EDT ceremony Saturday, Oct. 5 at General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton, Connecticut.

Rep. Greg Walden of Oregon will deliver the ceremony's principal address. The submarine's sponsor is Dana Richardson. The ceremony will be highlighted by Richardson breaking a bottle of sparkling wine across the bow to formally christen the ship, a time-honored Navy tradition.

"The future USS Oregon will play an important role in the defense of our nation and maritime freedom," said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. "She stands as proof of what teamwork — from civilian to contractor to military — can accomplish. I am confident USS Oregon and her crew will ensure our Navy remains safe and strong to proudly serve our nation's interest for decades to come."

Oregon, a Virginia-class submarine designated SSN 793, is the third U.S. Navy ship to honor the state. The first USS Oregon was a brigantine ship purchased in 1841 and used for exploration until 1845. The second Oregon (Battleship No. 3) was commissioned July 15, 1896. Known for one of the most dramatic voyages ever undertaken by a ship of the U.S. Navy, Oregon sailed over 14,000 miles in 66 days, leaving San Francisco in 1898 and travelling south through the Straits of Magellan until finally arriving at Jupiter Inlet, Florida, where she reported for battle in the Spanish-American War. While the ship demonstrated the capabilities of a heavy battle ship, it also eliminated any opposition to the construction of the Panama Canal, as the country could not afford two months to send warships from one coast to another in times of emergency. Decommissioned in 1906, she was later recommissioned in 1911, and remained in the reserve, until stricken from the Navy list in 1942.

Oregon (SSN 793) is the 20th Virginia-class attack submarine and the second Virginia-class Block IV submarine. The ship's construction began in the fall of 2014, and it is expected to be delivered in the fall of 2020. Oregon will provide the Navy with the capabilities required to maintain the nation's undersea superiority well into the 21st century.

Block IV Virginia-class submarines include design changes to reduce total ownership cost (RTOC) and increase operational availability by decreasing the planned number of depot availabilities from four to three.

Virginia-class submarines are built to operate in the world's littoral and deep waters while conducting anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface ship warfare; strike warfare; special operation forces support; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; irregular warfare; and mine warfare missions. Their inherent stealth, endurance, mobility and firepower directly enable them to support five of the six maritime strategy core capabilities — sea control, power projection, forward presence, maritime security and deterrence.

LCS Successfully Launches Naval Strike Missile

PHILIPPINE SEA (Oct. 1, 2019) Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) launches a Naval Strike Missile (NSM) during exercise Pacific Griffin. The NSM is a long-range, precision strike weapon that is designed to find and destroy enemy ships. Pacific Griffin is a biennial exercise conducted in the waters near Guam aimed at enhancing combined proficiency at sea while strengthening relationships between the U.S. and Republic of Singapore navies.
U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Shannon Renfroe/Released.

From U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) -- The Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) successfully demonstrated the capabilities of the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) Oct. 1 (local date) during Pacific Griffin.

Pacific Griffin is a biennial exercise conducted in the waters near Guam aimed at enhancing combined proficiency at sea while strengthening relationships between the U.S. and Republic of Singapore navies.

“Today was a terrific accomplishment for USS Gabrielle Giffords crew and the Navy’s LCS class,” said Cmdr. Matthew Lehmann, commanding officer. “I am very proud of all the teamwork that led to the successful launch of the NSM.”

The NSM is a long-range, precision strike weapon that can find and destroy enemy ships at distances up to 100 nautical miles away. The stealthy missile flies at sea-skimming altitude, has terrain-following capability and uses an advanced seeker for precise targeting in challenging conditions.

Rear Adm. Joey Tynch, commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific, who oversees security cooperation for the U.S. Navy in Southeast Asia, said Gabrielle Giffords’ deployment sent a crystal clear message of continued U.S. commitment to maritime security in the region.

"LCS packs a punch and gives potential adversaries another reason to stay awake at night," Tynch said. "We are stronger when we sail together with our friends and partners, and LCS is an important addition to the lineup."

The NSM aboard Gabrielle Giffords is fully operational and remains lethal. The weapon was first demonstrated on littoral combat ship USS Coronado in 2014. It meets and exceeds the U.S. Navy’s over-the-horizon requirements for survivability against high-end threats, demonstrated lethality, easy upgrades and long-range strike capability.

Gabrielle Giffords’ deployment represents a milestone for the U.S. Navy and LCS lethality, and marks the first time that an NSM has sailed into the Indo-Pacific region. The successful missile shoot demonstrates value for long-range anti-ship missiles.

Gabrielle Giffords, on its maiden deployment, arrived in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility Sept. 16, for a rotational deployment to the Indo-Pacific region. This marks the first time two LCS have deployed to the Indo-Pacific region simultaneously. Gabrielle Giffords is the fifth LCS to deploy to U.S. 7th Fleet, following USS Freedom (LCS 1), USS Fort Worth (LCS 3), USS Coronado (LCS 4) and the currently-deployed USS Montgomery (LCS 8).

Gabrielle Giffords will conduct operations, exercises and port visits throughout the region as well as work alongside allied and partner navies to provide maritime security and stability, key pillars of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. Its unique capabilities allow it to work with a broad range of regional navies and visit ports larger ships cannot access.

Littoral combat ships are fast, agile and networked surface combatants, optimized for operating in the near-shore environments. With mission packages allowing for tailored capabilities to meet specific mission needs and unique physical characteristics, LCS provides operational flexibility and access to a wider range of ports.

$49.8M Contract Award to Support Littoral Combat Ship Program

NAVAL STATION MAYPORT, Fla. (Aug. 7, 2019) The littoral combat ship USS Billings (LCS 15) prepares to enter port at Naval Station Mayport. Billings was commissioned at Key West, Fla. on Aug. 3 and will be calling Naval Station Mayport its new homeport. 
U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Brian G. Reynolds/Released.

From Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southeast Public Affairs

Jacksonville, Florida (NNS) -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southeast awarded last month a $49.8 million contract to Walsh Federal LLC to build a Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) logistics facility at Naval Station (NS) Mayport, Florida.

As NS Mayport is going to receive 14 LCSs to the base, construction of an improved logistics facility is expected to support personnel and crew assigned to these ships. The facility will support the LCS program, which includes the LCS Operational Trainer Facility (LTF).

“The LTF is a vital tool for training our Sailors in simulated real-world situations they may encounter while underway,” said NS Mayport Executive Officer Cmdr. Patricia Tyler. “The new facilities allow teams to effectively train in a safe and controlled environment, providing immediate feedback and lessons learned to our Warfighters.”

The contract provides for construction of a new four-story building and renovations to an existing building. Together, the two buildings will house the ashore component of administrative functions for deployed and in-port LCSs, as well as a portion of the training component.

The project also includes adjacent road improvements that will connect the logistics facility directly to a new parking garage that is being designed and constructed under a separate contract.

The work started Oct.1 and expected to be completed by August 2021.

Initiated in February 2002, the LCS program represents a reduction in time to acquire, design and build ships in comparison to any previous ship class. LCS is a fast, agile and mission-focused platform designed for operation in near-shore environments yet capable of open-ocean operation. The LCS class consists of two variants: the Freedom and the Independence.

Currently, 33 LCSs are planned. So far, 16 ships have been delivered (LCS 1-14, 16 and 18), and 10 additional LCSs are under various stages of construction, as three are in the pre-construction phase.

LCS Successfully Launches Naval Strike Missile

PHILIPPINE SEA (Oct. 1, 2019) Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) launches a Naval Strike Missile (NSM) during exercise Pacific Griffin. The NSM is a long-range, precision strike weapon that is designed to find and destroy enemy ships. Pacific Griffin is a biennial exercise conducted in the waters near Guam aimed at enhancing combined proficiency at sea while strengthening relationships between the U.S. and Republic of Singapore navies. 

U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Shannon Renfroe/Released.

From U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) -- The Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) successfully demonstrated the capabilities of the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) Oct. 1 (local date) during Pacific Griffin.

Pacific Griffin is a biennial exercise conducted in the waters near Guam aimed at enhancing combined proficiency at sea while strengthening relationships between the U.S. and Republic of Singapore navies.

“Today was a terrific accomplishment for USS Gabrielle Giffords crew and the Navy’s LCS class,” said Cmdr. Matthew Lehmann, commanding officer. “I am very proud of all the teamwork that led to the successful launch of the NSM.”

The NSM is a long-range, precision strike weapon that can find and destroy enemy ships at distances up to 100 nautical miles away. The stealthy missile flies at sea-skimming altitude, has terrain-following capability and uses an advanced seeker for precise targeting in challenging conditions.

Rear Adm. Joey Tynch, commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific, who oversees security cooperation for the U.S. Navy in Southeast Asia, said Gabrielle Giffords’ deployment sent a crystal clear message of continued U.S. commitment to maritime security in the region.

"LCS packs a punch and gives potential adversaries another reason to stay awake at night," Tynch said. "We are stronger when we sail together with our friends and partners, and LCS is an important addition to the lineup."

The NSM aboard Gabrielle Giffords is fully operational and remains lethal. The weapon was first demonstrated on littoral combat ship USS Coronado in 2014. It meets and exceeds the U.S. Navy’s over-the-horizon requirements for survivability against high-end threats, demonstrated lethality, easy upgrades and long-range strike capability.

Gabrielle Giffords’ deployment represents a milestone for the U.S. Navy and LCS lethality, and marks the first time that an NSM has sailed into the Indo-Pacific region. The successful missile shoot demonstrates value for long-range anti-ship missiles.

Gabrielle Giffords, on its maiden deployment, arrived in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility Sept. 16, for a rotational deployment to the Indo-Pacific region. This marks the first time two LCS have deployed to the Indo-Pacific region simultaneously. Gabrielle Giffords is the fifth LCS to deploy to U.S. 7th Fleet, following USS Freedom (LCS 1), USS Fort Worth (LCS 3), USS Coronado (LCS 4) and the currently-deployed USS Montgomery (LCS 8).

Gabrielle Giffords will conduct operations, exercises and port visits throughout the region as well as work alongside allied and partner navies to provide maritime security and stability, key pillars of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. Its unique capabilities allow it to work with a broad range of regional navies and visit ports larger ships cannot access.


Littoral combat ships are fast, agile and networked surface combatants, optimized for operating in the near-shore environments. With mission packages allowing for tailored capabilities to meet specific mission needs and unique physical characteristics, LCS provides operational flexibility and access to a wider range of ports.