ARLINGTON — The Navy’s newest Freedom-variant littoral combat ship, the future USS Oakland (LCS 24), will be commissioned at 10:00 a.m. PST on Saturday, April 17, 2021 in Oakland, California, the Defense Department said in an April 16 release. Due to public health and…

Five Marine Officers Nominated, Renominated to Lt. General
ARLINGTON, Va. – Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III announced April 16 that the president has made the following nominations: Marine Corps Lt. Gen. David G. Bellon for reappointment to the grade of lieutenant general, and assignment as commander, Marine…

Flag Officers Newly Nominated as Vice Admirals and Commanders for Three Fleets
ARLINGTON, Va. — Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III announced a number of Navy flag officer nominations by the president on April 15, including six for vice admiral, three of which would assume command of the U.S. 3rd, 5th and 7th Fleets. Austin…

Coast Guard Cutter Shearwater Decommissioned after 19 Years of Service
CAPE MAY, N.J. – The Coast Guard decommissioned the cutter Shearwater during a ceremony at Coast Guard Training Center Cape May that was presided over by Capt. Jonathan Theel, the commanding officer of Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay, April 15,…

Navy Holds Decommissioning Ceremony for Fire-Damaged USS Bonhomme Richard
SAN DIEGO — The U.S. Navy held a decommissioning ceremony for amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) at Naval Base San Diego April 14, the Naval Surface Force Public Affairs said in a release. The Bonhomme Richard had…

US, Japan Navy Chiefs Discuss Maritime Security, Continued Cooperation
WASHINGTON – U.S. Navy Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Mike Gilday conducted a video teleconference with Japan Chief of Staff Adm. Hiroshi Yamamura April 13, Chief of Naval Operations Public Affairs said in a release. The two leaders discussed…

Coast Guard Repatriates 14 Migrants to Cuba
MIAMI — Coast Guard Cutter Raymond Evans’ crew repatriated 14 Cuban migrants to Cuba April 13, the Coast Guard 7th District said in a release. A good Samaritan reported the rustic vessel with 14 people aboard to Coast Guard Sector…

Coast Guard Cutter Forward Returns Home after Drug-Busting Patrol
PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The Coast Guard Cutter Forward (WMEC 911) returned to its homeport in Portsmouth April 12 after a two-month patrol in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, working to suppress and eradicate the movement of illegal drugs in the region,…

Bahrain Delegation Commemorates Production of Its First AH-1Z Helicopter
AMARILLO, Texas — Bell hosted a delegation from the Kingdom of Bahrain to mark the start of production of AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters built as part of the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, the company said in an April 12…

Vigor Begins Work on USS William P. Lawrence
PEARL HARBOR – USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110), an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, docked at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PHNSY & IMF) for the ship’s docking selected restricted availability (DSRA). Vigor began work that is…