• As part of South Korea’s $150 billion U.S. shipbuilding investment, Hanwha announces infrastructure plan, which will boost Philly Shipyard’s annual capacity and deliver world-class technology 

• South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and senior U.S. officials attend key christening ceremony of U.S. training vessel at Hanwha Philly Shipyard 

• Hanwha Group Vice Chairman Dong Kwan Kim: “Hanwha is committed to being a partner in building the next chapter of American shipbuilding.” 

From Hanwha 

PHILADELPHIA, August 26, 2025 – Hanwha Group announced a $5 billion infrastructure plan for Hanwha Philly Shipyard as part of South Korea’s commitment to supporting the growth of the U.S. shipbuilding industry through a $150 billion investment fund. The announcement was made in time for the christening of a new training vessel, the U.S. Maritime Administration’s (MARAD) third National Security Multi-mission Vessel (NSMV).  

The naming ceremony, which took place at Hanwha Philly Shipyard, was attended by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, the First Lady and other senior U.S. government officials, including Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro 

The ceremony followed summit talks between President Lee and U.S. President Donald Trump. Earlier, the Lee administration had pledged $150 billion in American shipbuilding investments during a trade deal between Korea and the U.S. Hanwha Philly Shipyard is expected to play a key role in future collaboration between the two countries. 

In his welcome address, Hanwha Vice Chairman Dong Kwan Kim expressed gratitude to the leaders of both countries and emphasized the importance of joint partnership in bolstering the shipbuilding industry.  

“Today’s christening ceremony is the physical embodiment of our two nations working side by side to reindustrialize industry, expand our capacity to build ships, and invest in the skilled workforce that will drive the industry forward,” said Kim. “This is just the beginning. Hanwha is committed to being a partner in building the next chapter of American shipbuilding.” 

Hanwha acquired Philly Shipyard last year through a $100 million investment, building a landmark hub for shipbuilding in America. It is investing to modernize infrastructure and create a digitally-enabled, high-efficiency shipyard, with world-class automation and smart yard technology.   

The $5 billion program will be dedicated to the installation of additional docks and quays to increase capacity. Hanwha is also reviewing the build-out of a new block assembly facility. Through this expansion, Hanwha aims to increase Philly Shipyard’s annual production volume from less than two vessels to up to 20. As a global leader in LNG vessels, Hanwha aims to produce LNG carriers, naval modules and blocks, and, in the long-term, naval vessels out of its U.S. shipyard. 

In addition to the infrastructure plan, the U.S. subsidiary of Hanwha’s shipping arm, Hanwha Shipping, announced that it has ordered 10 medium range (MR) oil and chemical tankers from its affiliate, Hanwha Philly Shipyard, with the first tanker expected to be delivered by early 2029. The vessels will be designed to support the U.S. Jones Act fleet renewal and other strategic initiatives. Hanwha Shipping also announced it has exercised its option to order a second liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier from Hanwha Philly Shipyard. This follows Hanwha Shipping’s announcement last month that it signed a contract for the first U.S.-ord 

ered, export-market-viable LNG carrier in almost 50 years. 

Hanwha Ocean CEO Hee Cheul Kim and Hanwha Global Defense CEO Michael Coulter were also present at the christening ceremony. Through joint synergy between its world-class shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean and U.S. affiliate Hanwha Philly Shipyard, Hanwha looks to drive mutual growth across both markets, fostering job creation and the development of a robust industry ecosystem. 

By Richard R. Burgess, Senior Editor 

ARLINGTON, Virginia — U.S. naval aviation is at its highest readiness in years, a senior naval aviation admiral said to an audience in Washington and online. 

Speaking Aug. 26 in an event of the U.S. Naval Institute and the Center for Strategic and International Studies sponsored by HII, Vice Admiral Daniel L. Cheever, commander Naval Air Forces and commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet — the Navy’s Air Boss’ — said the Naval Air Forces are “sustaining the readiness increases that we enjoyed” and “we’re at the “highest state of readiness we’ve had in at least 10 to 15 years back. And so, both carriers and the air wings with the carriers and our expeditionary forces are all at that heightened readiness.” 

Cheever said that small pockets of challenges to readiness remained, particularly with the management of the supply chain and sustainment,  

“We have a good playbook,” he said. “When there is a challenge, we get after it, and we have a perform-to-plan that re-energizes and gets us back to where we should be for readiness, and that’s across the board. And it’s pretty exciting to be part of that. It’s a lot of hard work but it is totally worth it. The return on investment from all of that parts supply is in the readiness of the force.” 

Cheever praised the F-35 Lightning II strike fighter as “a game changer, a difference maker in the fleet,” while noting that there are some supply-chain challenges that are being addressed. 

He said that a mixture of 4th-, 5th-, and 6th-generation mix of carrier-based strike fighters with manned-unmanned teaming is the “right blend.” 

The 6th-generation strike fighter is being designed to replace the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet strike fighter and the EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft. 

Cheever offered no details of the concept for the 6th-generation strike fighter but said that “I see a maritime version of the aircraft that starts at the carrier, is made for the carrier, and is a complete carrier version … I’m looking forward to the down-select… because that 6^th generation means air superiority in that timeframe in the future, which means sea control.” 

He affirmed that aircraft carriers will be central to air superiority in the future for the Navy and America as a maritime nation. 

He noted that the MQ-25 Stingray unmanned refueling aircraft will fly this year and be integrated with the aircraft carrier next year. 

The air boss praised the design of the USS Gerald R. Ford, lead ship of the Navy’s newest class of aircraft carriers. The position of the island superstructure is farther aft than on the Nimitz class produces less of an air burble for approaching aircraft. The increase of aircraft parking space forward of the island eases aircraft handling and enables an aircraft to park directly over a weapons elevator for weapons download.  

He also noted that, unlike the Nimitz class carriers, the Gerald R. Ford is completely air conditioned. 

Release From Coast Guard Southeast

MIAMI – The U.S. Coast Guard achieved a historic milestone with the offload of 76,140 pounds of illicit narcotics, valued at $473 million, marking the largest quantity of drugs offloaded in Coast Guard history, in Port Everglades, Monday [Aug. 25].   

Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton’s crew offloaded approximately 61,740 pounds of cocaine and approximately 14,400 pounds of marijuana.  

This combined illegal narcotics offload prevented the maritime flow of approximately 23 million potential lethal doses from reaching the United States.   

“The U.S. Coast Guard in partnership with our federal, DoD, and international partners are offloading 61,740 pounds of cocaine, and this represents a significant victory in the fight against transnational criminal organizations, highlighting our unwavering commitment to safeguarding the nation from illicit trafficking and its devastating impacts,” said Rear Adm. Adam Chamie, Coast Guard Southeast District commander. “To put this into perspective, the potential 23 million lethal doses of cocaine seized by the U.S. Coast Guard and our partners, are enough to fatally overdose the entire population of the state of Florida, underscoring the immense threat posed by transnational drug trafficking to our nation.”  

The seized contraband was the result of 19 interdictions in international waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea.  

On June 26, a maritime patrol aircraft spotted two suspicious go-fast vessels approximately 115 miles southeast of the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. Hamilton’s embarked Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron aircrew employed airborne use of force tactics resulting in Hamilton’s boarding team interdicting both vessels, seizing more than 8,800 pounds of cocaine.   

On June 27, a maritime patrol aircraft spotted a suspicious go-fast vessel approximately 125 miles southeast of the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. Hamilton’s embarked HITRON aircrew employed airborne use of force tactics allowing Hamilton’s boarding team to interdict the vessel, seizing more than 4,330 pounds of cocaine.   

On June 30, a maritime patrol aircraft spotted a suspicious go-fast vessel approximately 87 miles north of Bonaire. A Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment 408 crew deployed on USS Cole interdicted the vessel, seizing approximately 2,425 pounds of cocaine.   

On July 3, a maritime patrol aircraft spotted a suspicious go-fast vessel approximately 15 miles north of Aragua, Venezuela. A LEDET 404 crew deployed on the Royal Netherlands Navy ship HNLMS Friesland interdicted the vessel, seizing more than 5,450 pounds of cocaine.   

On July 11, a maritime patrol aircraft spotted a suspicious go-fast vessel approximately 17 miles northeast of Silva, Venezuela. Friesland’s embarked HITRON aircrew employed airborne use of force tactics, and an embarked LEDET 404 boarding team interdicted the vessel, seizing 9,088 pounds of marijuana.    

On July 21, Hamilton’s embarked unmanned aircraft system crew spotted suspicious go-fast vessel approximately 600 miles south of Acapulco, Mexico. Hamilton’s embarked HITRON aircrew employed airborne use of force tactics, and Hamilton’s boarding team interdicted the vessel, seizing more than 3,395 pounds of cocaine.   

On July 23, Hamilton’s crew detected and boarded a suspicious go-fast vessel approximately 88 miles southeast of Socorro Island, Mexico. Hamilton’s embarked HITRON aircrew employed airborne use of force tactics, and Hamilton’s boarding team interdicted the vessel, seizing more than 9,160 pounds of cocaine.   

On July 25, a maritime patrol aircraft notified Coast Guard Cutter Vigilant’s crew of a suspicious go-fast vessel approximately 180 miles south of the Dominican Republic. Vigilant’s boarding team interdicted the vessel, seizing more than 1,410 pounds of cocaine and 80 pounds of marijuana.    

On Aug. 2, a maritime patrol aircraft spotted a suspicious go-fast vessel approximately 52 miles north of Carabobo, Venezuela. Friesland’s embarked HITRON aircrew employed airborne use of force tactics, and an embarked LEDET 404 boarding team interdicted the vessel, seizing 2,615 pounds of marijuana.   

On Aug. 2, a maritime patrol aircraft spotted a suspicious go-fast vessel approximately 640 miles south of Acapulco, Mexico. Hamilton’s embarked HITRON aircrew employed airborne use of force tactics, and Hamilton’s boarding team interdicted the vessel, seizing more than 4,110 pounds of cocaine.   

On Aug. 5, Hamilton’s embarked UAS crew detected a suspicious go-fast vessel approximately 543 miles southeast of Clipperton Island. Hamilton’s embarked HITRON aircrew employed airborne use of force tactics, and Hamilton’s boarding team interdicted the vessel, seizing more than 4,210 pounds of cocaine.   

On Aug. 6, Hamilton’s embarked UAS crew detected a suspicious go-fast vessel approximately 625 miles southeast of Clipperton Island. Hamilton’s embarked HITRON aircrew employed airborne use of force tactics, and Hamilton’s boarding team interdicted the vessel, seizing more than 4,375 pounds of cocaine.   

On Aug. 7, Coast Guard Cutter Diligence’s crew detected and boarded a suspicious go-fast vessel approximately 136 miles southwest of Negril, Jamaica. Diligence’s boarding team interdicted the vessel, seizing 1,500 pounds of marijuana.    

On Aug 7, Hamilton’s embarked UAS crew detected a suspicious go-fast vessel approximately 750 miles south of Acapulco, Mexico. Hamilton’s embarked HITRON aircrew employed airborne use of force tactics, and Hamilton’s boarding team interdicted the vessel, seizing more than 20 pounds of cocaine.  

On Aug 7, a maritime patrol aircraft spotted a suspicious go-fast vessel approximately 100 miles north of Aruba. A LEDET 108 crew deployed on USS Minneapolis Saint-Paul interdicted the vessel, seizing approximately 2,700 pounds of cocaine.  

On Aug 8, Hamilton’s embarked UAS crew detected a suspicious go-fast vessel approximately 750 miles south of Acapulco, Mexico. Hamilton’s embarked HITRON air crew employed airborne use of force tactics, and Hamilton’s boarding team interdicted the vessel, seizing more than 4,145 pounds of cocaine.   

On Aug 15, a maritime patrol aircraft notified Coast Guard Cutter Vigilant’s crew of a suspicious go-fast vessel approximately 35 miles southwest of Haiti. Vigilant’s boarding team interdicted the vessel, seizing more than 1,615 pounds of marijuana.   

On Aug 18, a maritime patrol aircraft spotted a suspicious go-fast vessel approximately 130 miles south of Jamaica. USS Minneapolis Saint-Paul’s boarding team interdicted the vessel, seizing approximately 6,425 pounds of cocaine.  

On Aug 18, HNLMS Friesland’s crew detected a suspicious go-fast vessel approximately 20 miles west of Curacao. Friesland’s boarding team seized approximately 700 pounds of cocaine.  

The following assets and crews were involved in the interdiction operations:  

• U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton 

• U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Vigilant 

• U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Diligence 

• U.S. Coast Guard Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) Jacksonville  

• U.S. Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement Team-Pacific (PAC-TACLET)  

• U.S. Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement Team-South (TACLET-South)   

• USS Minneapolis Saint-Paul 

• USS Cole 

• The Royal Netherlands Navy ship HNLMS Friesland 

• Joint Interagency Task Force-South (JIATF-S)   

• U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Air and Marine Operations (CBP-AMO) aircrews  

• Southeast Coast Guard District watchstanders  

• Southwest Coast Guard District watchstanders  

“Team Hamilton with our partners, worked incredibly hard the last several months to safeguard the American public from the dangers of illicit narcotics entering the United States,” said Capt. John B. McWhite, commanding officer, Hamilton. “This outstanding group of professionals achieved unparalleled results in our nation’s fight against transnational criminal drug organizations. The crew interdicted 11 go-fast vessels, detained 34 suspected drug traffickers, and seized a record 47,000 pounds of cocaine. The commitment and sacrifice of our deployed service members and their families, who forego time together for the protection of our Nation, are to be celebrated.”  

Detecting and interdicting illicit drug traffickers on the high seas involves significant interagency and international coordination because 80% of drugs are interdicted on the high seas. U.S. Southern Command’s Joint Interagency Task Force – South based in Key West conducts the detection and monitoring of aerial and maritime transit of illegal drugs. Once interdiction becomes imminent, the law enforcement phase of the operation begins, and control of the operation shifts to the U.S. Coast Guard throughout the interdiction and apprehension. Interdictions in the Eastern Pacific Ocean are performed by members of the U.S. Coast Guard under the authority and control of the Coast Guard’s Southwest District, headquartered in Alameda, California.    

To protect the Homeland from ongoing trafficking of illicit narcotics from South America to the United States, the Coast Guard is accelerating our counter-drug operations in the Eastern Pacific Ocean in support of Operation Pacific Viper.  

The Coast Guard continues increased operations to interdict, seize and disrupt transshipments of cocaine and other bulk illicit drugs by sea. These drugs fuel and enable cartels and transnational criminal organizations to produce and traffic illegal fentanyl, threatening the United States.  

These interdictions deny criminal organizations more than half a billion dollars in illicit revenue. They provide critical testimonial and drug evidence as well as key intelligence for their total elimination. These interdictions relate to Panama Express Strike Force investigations in support of Operation Take Back America. PANEX identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach.  

Hamilton is one of four 418-foot Legend-class national security cutters homeported in Charleston, South Carolina under U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area Command.   

For more information, follow U.S. Coast Guard Southeast on “X” (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram, and find U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Southwest on “X” (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram.     

Visit GoCoastGuard.com to learn about active duty and reserve, officer and enlisted opportunities in the U.S. Coast Guard. Information on how to apply to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy can be found here.     

For breaking news, find press releases and contact information for our regional public affairs offices here: U.S. Coast Guard News by Region.     

From Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Aug. 20, 2025 

SAN DIEGO, California — The U.S. Navy will commission the future USS Pierre (LCS 38), an Independence-variant littoral combat ship, in Panama City, Florida, Nov. 15. 
 
The naming of LCS 38 honors the legacy of the citizens of Pierre and the state of South Dakota and their support of the Navy and Marine Corps. 
 
Ship sponsor and South Dakota native Larissa Thune Hargens will lead the time-honored Navy tradition of giving the order “man our ship and bring her to life!” during the ceremony. Pierre becomes a proud ship of the fleet at the moment when the commissioning pennant is hoisted. 
 
Pierre is the 19th, and final, Independence-variant littoral combat ship (LCS) constructed. LCS 38 is the third ship named in honor of South Dakota’s capital city, and the second Navy warship to bear the name. The SS Pierre Victory (VC2-S-AP3), a Victory-class cargo ship, distinguished itself during World War II by shooting down a kamikaze plane near Okinawa. The first Navy warship named USS Pierre was a PC-461-class submarine chaser, PC-1141, commissioned in 1943, renamed in 1946, and decommissioned in 1958. 
 
The Pierre will transit to its new homeport in San Diego following commissioning. 
 
LCS is a fast, agile, mission-focused warship designed to operate in near-shore environments to counter 21st-century threats. It is a class of small surface combatants armed with capabilities to defeat challenges in the world’s littorals. LCS can operate independently or in high-threat scenarios as part of a networked battle force that includes larger, multi-mission surface combatants such as cruisers and destroyers supporting forward presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence in key operational theaters. 
 
The mission of Commander, Naval Surface Force, Pacific Fleet is to man, train, and equip the Surface Force to provide fleet commanders with credible naval power to control the sea and project power ashore. 

Milestone marks the first live test in a maritime environment  

BARKING SANDS, Hawaii (August 26, 2025) – In partnership with the U.S. Navy, Raytheon, an RTX (NYSE: RTX) business, has successfully completed its first live test of the AN/SPY-6(V)4 radar in a maritime environment. The milestone was achieved during recent testing at the Advanced Radar Detection Laboratory located at the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Hawaii. 

During multiple tests over open water, the radar successfully tracked air and surface targets under various conditions. These tests demonstrated the radar’s advanced tracking capabilities across different mission scenarios and validated years of modeling and simulation work. Additionally, the tests yielded the first live data set for the (V)4 configuration, which will help refine the system for future testing and eventual shipboard deployment.  

“The successful live demonstration of the SPY-6(V)4 radar is a major step forward in advancing the capabilities of today’s fleet and supporting allied operations worldwide,” said Barbara Borgonovi, president of Naval Power at Raytheon. “The radar will allow existing U.S. Navy Flight IIA Destroyers to significantly upgrade their detection and tracking capabilities, allowing sailors to more effectively monitor and respond to potential threats in real-time.” 

This is the next variant in the U.S. Navy’s SPY-6 Family of Radars to undergo live maritime testing. The program will continue with testing and system enhancements, leveraging common hardware and software across other variants to ensure seamless integration and scalability. 

Over the next decade, SPY-6 is expected to be deployed on more than 60 U.S. Navy ships, enhancing defense against air, surface, and ballistic threats. 

Leading repair and shipbuilding companies to team on flexible, innovative solutions to enhance U.S. Navy, MSC support in forward locations, U.S. shipbuilding 

From Vigor Marine Group 

PORTLAND, Ore. (August 26, 2025) — Vigor Marine Group (VMG), a leading, innovative U.S. provider of maintenance, modernization, and marine services, today announced a strategic partnership with Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI), one of the world’s largest and most technologically advanced shipbuilders. The collaboration will bring expanded forward-deployed maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capacity to the Indo-Pacific region, offering the U.S. Navy and Military Sealift Command (MSC) a compelling new option to keep vessels mission-ready. In addition, the two leading companies may explore opportunities to support a U.S. shipbuilding renaissance, including a return to Vigor Marine Group’s shipbuilding roots in the Pacific Northwest. 

The U.S. Navy has been actively seeking partners capable of executing forward repair to increase the availability of its fleet. Together, this partnership will combine VMG’s deep customer relationships, proven ability to deliver complex projects on time and on budget, and innovative, commercial mindset with SHI’s world-class Korean shipyard facilities, skilled workforce, and advanced technology leadership. The result is a powerful new forward repair solution designed to add high-quality repair capacity and operational agility, with Vigor Marine Group as the lead U.S.-based prime contractor. 

“At Vigor Marine Group, our primary focus is on providing solutions to our customers,” said Francesco Valente, President & CEO of Vigor Marine Group. “We understand the Navy’s evolving needs and have built a track record of delivering results in support of our national defense. Partnering with Samsung allows us to extend that same capability to forward-deployed operations in the Indo-Pacific and potential shipbuilding opportunities here in the U.S. — helping the Navy increase its operational tempo while maintaining the highest quality standards.” 

The partnership reflects both companies’ commitment to innovation. VMG continually develops new ways to perform maintenance and modernization work more efficiently and effectively, while SHI leads the global shipbuilding industry in automation, digital shipyard technology, and advanced engineering. Together, they will introduce new levels of innovation to forward repair operations, streamlining processes, reducing downtime, and enhancing overall fleet readiness. Looking ahead, investment and implementation of SHI’s advanced technology could support new shipbuilding opportunities here at home.  

“We find it very meaningful to partner with Vigor Marine Group, a leading MRO service provider in the U.S.,” said Sung-an Choi, Vice Chairman and CEO of Samsung Heavy Industries. “We will do our utmost to establish a foundation for building commercial and auxiliary ships for the U.S. through the successful delivery of world-class MRO services.” 

VMG’s unique ability to manage evolving scopes of work with a commercial mindset helps customers address emerging repair needs efficiently. The company’s leading project and customer management expertise, combing with SHI’s state-of-the-art facilities outside the U.S. provide opportunities to support key customers in real time, in their areas of need. This partnership both supports the readiness of our defense maritime fleet as well as a strong, U.S. industrial base by keeping work within U.S. companies and opening pathways for revitalization of U.S. shipyards for new construction. 

Aug. 25, 2025 | From the Navy Office of Information 

Navy Adm. Daryl Caudle assumed the duties as the 34th chief of naval operations during an assumption of office ceremony, attended by over 300 Defense Department senior leaders, distinguished guests and families at the Washington Navy Yard today, in Washington. 

 The CNO is a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and serves as an advisor to the president, the National Security Council, the Homeland Security Council and the defense secretary and is responsible for the command, utilization of resources and operating efficiency of worldwide naval forces and shore activities. 

“As I step into the role as your 34th chief of naval operations, I do so with great pride, immense gratitude and an absolute focus on the mission ahead,” Caudle said in a video to the fleet, released shortly before the ceremony. 

During the ceremony, he further discussed his priorities, including sailors, operational readiness and fleet modernization. 

“The sailor will be front and center in my vision throughout my tenure as CNO — hands down, no exception,” Caudle said. “To ensure that they are ready to fight and win decisively — today, tomorrow and well into the future — we will view everything we do we through an operational lens focused on three priorities: the foundry, the fleet and the way we fight.” 

Secretary of the Navy John Phelan acted as the presiding officer and keynote speaker of the ceremony, highlighting the importance of the Navy and the prioritization of future shipbuilding development. 

 ”Admiral Caudle, ‘the honey badger,’ is the right man for the job,” Phelan said. “He has a reputation for challenging the status quo, demanding results and refusing to accept excuses. I look forward to seeing that relentlessness pursuit of excellence and persistence pervade the halls of the Pentagon.” 

During his remarks, Caudle emphasized his gratitude to his family, especially his wife, Donna Caudle, for their steadfast support throughout his 40-year career. 

“Your influence is woven into the very fabric of my being, into every decision I’ve ever made,” Caudle said. “From the moment we met, you’ve been the bedrock of my life. You’re the anchor that has kept me grounded, especially in the sometimes-turbulent seas of this profession.” 

Caudle’s previous assignments include commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command, commander of Submarine Forces and commander of Submarine Force Atlantic. 

Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jim Kilby relinquished the office of the CNO after serving as the acting CNO from February to August 2025. 

Caudle and Phelan commended Kilby for his leadership, which ensured the uninterrupted performance of the Navy’s mission and continued to foster positive relationships with U.S. allies and partners. 

From Coast Guard Oceania District External Affairs, Aug. 22, 2025 

HONOLULU – The U.S. Coast Guard concluded participation in Operation Ika Moana, a maritime surveillance initiative hosted by the Samoan Police Maritime Wing in conjunction with the Pacific Maritime Security Program in Apia, Samoa, Aug. 8-14.   

The exercise included representatives from Tuvalu, Kiribati, Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu, and Cook Islands. Partners from Timor-Leste, Palau, Nauru, the Republic of Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, and Solomon Islands also observed the operation.  

Operation Ika Moana is a collaborative maritime surveillance initiative intended to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing and transnational crimes across Oceania, such as drug and human trafficking.  

The operation brought together national and regional partners to conduct coordinated patrols, surveillance, joint exercises and crew exchanges.  

“Ika Moana provided the U.S. Coast Guard a unique opportunity to work with maritime security professionals from many Pacific Island coast guards, navies and marine police units,” said James Duval, maritime security cooperation director, Coast Guard Office of International Affairs. “We have several common missions, challenges and objectives and have benefitted from the opportunity to discuss, share and contrast our individual techniques. This interaction will help us all continue to refine our skills to best serve the people of our nations.”  

The Coast Guard Mobile Training Team delivered classroom and underway training for participating patrol boats focusing on boarding team and search and rescue techniques.  

“By partnering with regional maritime law enforcement agencies, the Coast Guard seeks to strengthen global maritime governance to preserve sovereignty,” Lt. Cmdr. James Bruce with the International Mobile Training Branch at Coast Guard Training Center Yorktown. “We value partnership oppotunities focused on our shared objective of rooting out illicit activities and eradicating threats to our collective prosperity.”   

The Pacific Maritime Security Program and the Coast Guard share a formal collaborative partnership to coordinate bilateral and joint training with Pacific Island Country partners.  

The Coast Guard Mobile Training Team is a deployable unit that fosters international cooperation and strengthens maritime partnerships by exporting formal U.S. Coast Guard training and providing technical assistance to partner nations around the globe. Every year, they train over 2,400 international partners in more than 40 countries.   

From MC2 Trevor Hale, Aug. 25, 2025 

CLEVELAND BAY, Australia – The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Higgins (DDG 76) simulated an expeditionary reload of a Standard Missile (SM) 2 while anchored in the vicinity of Townsville, Australia, July 28. 

The exercise demonstrates enhanced expeditionary logistics capabilities essential for sustained naval operations in the Indo-Pacific region. U.S. Navy’s Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific/Task Force 73 (COMLOG WESTPAC/CTF-73) led the reload effort ashore. 
 
“This successful rearm event was the result of exceptional teamwork between the ship’s crew, shore support teams, and technical experts,” said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Kevin Kodrin, COMLOG WESTPAC/CTF-73 ordnance officer. “Exercises like this are critical to validating our ability to safely and effectively reload at sea, ensuring our ships remain combat-ready whenever and wherever needed.” 
 
In 2023 and 2024, U.S. Navy destroyers conducted expeditionary vertical launching system (VLS) reloads in Eden, Australia, and Darwin, Australia, respectively. Following exercise Talisman Sabre in September 2023, the USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115) rearmed with an SM-2 in Eden, while the USS Dewey (DDG 105) followed exercise Kakadu with an SM-2 reload in Darwin in September 2024. 
 
The Higgins operates under Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force, and Task Force 70. 
 
“We are strengthening distributed logistics capabilities that enhance our collective operational readiness across the Indo-Pacific,” said Rear Adm. Eric Anduze, commander,Task Force 70. “This gives our warfighters a tremendous amount of agility to strike from sea, move, reload, reposition and strike again. It represents a lethal tactical advantage that helps us protect the safety and prosperity of the region.” 
 
COMLOG WESTPAC/CTF-73 sustains the U.S. Navy’s maritime forces and is responsible for all diving and salvage operations in the Western Pacific in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. 
 
Task Force 70 directs the preponderance of forward-deployed air and surface maneuver and striking forces in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, overseeing DESRON 15, Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 51 and expeditionary Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 131, as well as the ships and aircraft operating under Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 5, including the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls (CG 62), the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG 86) and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5. 
 
U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. 

From Naval Air Systems Command, Aug 21, 2025 

SAN NICOLAS ISLAND, Calif.—Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division leaders, joined by Naval Surface Warfare Center – Port Hueneme Division, Naval Facilities Command, and Naval Base Ventura County leaders, cut the ribbon Aug. 20 on a new facility at San Nicolas Island that doubles the command’s capacity for launching supersonic targets on the Point Mugu Sea Range. 

The ground-launched GQM-163A Supersonic Sea Skimming Target is capable of maneuvering to simulate current threats facing the fleet and is a critical test and training asset for the Navy. NAWCWD’s Threat/Target Systems Department operates two launchers on SNI that together can launch four targets simultaneously, allowing sailors to train and qualify against multiple incoming threats – a more realistic scenario than single launches. 

That more complex training is especially critical given the escalating tensions abroad. 

“The threat environment is changing every day, and we must change and grow with it,” said Rear Adm. Keith Hash, NAWCWD commander. “Being able to present multiple, realistic threats is critical to ensure we deliver our warfighters a decisive advantage so they can deter aggression and, if necessary, win in conflict and return home safely.” 

“For the past two years, our surface Navy has been taking the fight, taking the shots, on the other side of the world,” said Capt. Anthony Holmes, commanding officer for NSWC-PHD. “Our warfighters are being asked to fight and use their ships and weapons in ways they never thought they would.” 

The new facility, a high explosive magazine, paired with a recently completed missile assembly building, allows NAWCWD to build and store eight GQM-163 targets every eight weeks, doubling the previous capacity of four targets. The Coyote, as the target is called, is nearly 20 feet in length, 30 with its booster attached. That extended size necessitated a much larger storage facility than previously existed at SNI. 

“We started this project in 2016 when PEO (IWS) came to us looking to do 30-plus launches a year. At the time, our assembly buildings could only build two each – so a maximum of four,” said Kevin Gross, TTSD director. “We began what became known as MILCON P-586 for both facilities, but due to funding it was split into two phases. The increase in capacity and capability with this project was only possible because of the funding and support from OPNAV N94.”  

The first facility completed was a Missile Assembly Building in December 2022. That allowed more targets to be assembled on site, but storing so many targets was still an issue until the HEM was completed in June 2025 and obtained its final explosives safety certification Aug. 13. 

The HEM’s ability to store up to 10 assembled targets and boosters significantly reduces the timeline for conducting final tests and acceptance prior to launches. The team can conduct two quad launches in a 24-hour period with two back-up targets ready to launch into the Point Mugu Sea Range, the Department of Defense’s largest and most extensively instrumented overwater test range. 

“The Range is so valuable to the Surface Navy and the Navy writ large. Threats are getting more complex, and the expanded capabilities this new facility brings are critical to ensuring our Sailors are ready to face them” said Capt. Anthony Holmes, NSWC-PHD commanding officer. 

Naval Base Ventura County, which encompasses Point Mugu, Port Hueneme, and SNI, also hosts three warfare centers including NAWCWD and NSWC-PHD. The partnerships between the warfare centers, particularly on the Range, are critical to ensuring effective, efficient weapons testing and surface fleet training. 

“The unique capabilities here at NBVC are force multipliers that ensure our Navy’s research and development, test and training, and deployable forces are equipped to meet today’s needs and tomorrow’s challenges,” said Capt. Daniel Brown, NBVC commanding officer. 

The HEM is already in use, just in time for fleet training this fall.