SINGAPORE – Sailors from the mine countermeasure ship USS Guardian (MCM 5) participated in a community service project in support of Singapore’s waste management program on April 4. In the early 1990s, the country opened a waste management facility on two small islands off the main island of...

PACIFIC OCEAN - Surface Navy and other combatant units took part in an integrated training environment called Koa Kai 11-2 in waters surrounding the Hawaiian Islands March 31 to April 5. Conducted by Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 31, Koa Kai is a semiannual exercise event for mid-Pacific Navy...

OSHIMA ISLAND, Japan - More than 40 Sailors assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) volunteered to assist with the clean up efforts on the island of Oshima, Japan April 3. The Sailors eagerly volunteered their time to assist the residents of Oshima clean up their homes, harbor...

USS BLUE RIDGE, At Sea (April 5, 2011) - The residents of Oshima island, a small isolated island off the coast of Kesennuma in the north east of Honshu, today experienced some personal relief in the form of showers due to the efforts of Sailors and Marines from the USS Essex (LHD 2) Amphibious...

USS RONALD REAGAN, At Sea (NNS) – Japanese Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa boarded USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), April 4, to thank U.S. service members for their help since a magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami struck Japan March 11. The work of U.S. service members and other Americans is a...

USS BLUE RIDGE, At Sea (April 4, 2011) - The Defense Minister of Japan, Toshimi Kitazawa, and other senior officials of the Japan Self Defense Force (JSDF) visited the USS Ronal Reagan (CVN 76) today to meet with the crew and offer gratitude for the service of the U.S. military during this time of...

PHILIPPINE SEA – The United States and Indian navies officially started operations marking the beginning of the joint exercise Malabar 2011, April 2. The exercise will incorporate American and Indian personnel and assets in a bilateral field training exercise to enhance bonds and relationships...

BANGKOK, Thailand (NNS) – The U.S. and Royal Thai Navies co-hosted the annual Senior Leaders Seminar (SLS) March 29 - April 1 in Bangkok, Thailand, drawing senior naval leaders from twelve Southeast Asian countries, for in-depth discussions on piracy. The conference combined senior naval leaders...

OSHIMA ISLAND, Japan - Sailors and Marines assigned to the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) continued to assist the residents of Oshima Island during "Operation Field Day" April 1. Sailors assigned to Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 1 and Beach Master Unit...

USS BLUE RIDGE, At Sea (Apr. 3, 2011) - Seventh Fleet forces continue support of Japan Self Defense Force (JSDF) in Operation Tomodachi. Today’s efforts include continuing the clean up of Oshima and the search for human remains along the north east coast of Honshu. 150 additional Sailors and...

WESTERN PACIFIC OCEAN - Naval personnel from India and the United States will participate in exercise Malabar 2011, April 3-10. Malabar is a regularly scheduled bilateral naval field training exercise and has grown in scope and complexity over the years. Malabar 2011 is the latest in a continuing...

USS BLUE RIDGE, At Sea (Apr. 2, 2011) - Seventh Fleet forces continue support of Japan Self Defense Force (JSDF) in Operation Tomodachi. Today’s focus of effort continues to be the search for human remains off the coast of Tohoku and clean up and clearance operations on the island of Oshima...

YOKOSUKA, Japan (April 1, 2011) - Family members who departed prior to, or independent of the voluntary authorized departure of dependents are required to update their status in the Navy Family Accountability and Assessment System (NFAAS) once they have arrived at their displaced location...

USS BLUE RIDGE, At Sea (Apr. 1, 2011) - Seventh Fleet forces continue support of Japan Self Defense Force (JSDF) in Operation Tomodachi. Today’s focus of effort was the grim task of searching for human remains off the Tohoku coast using both aircraft and surface searches, as the bodies of victims...

NAVAL AIR FACILITY ATSUGI, Japan (NNS) - Department of Defense family members based at Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi held a luncheon in appreciation for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) efforts in Operation Tomodachi April 1. "The JMSDF have done so much for the people here that I...

SAN DIEGO (March 31, 2011) - Eleven people aboard the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) sustained injuries March 30 when an F/A-18C Hornet assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron (VMFAT) 101 suffered a catastrophic engine failure and subsequently caught fire. The injured personnel were...

USS BLUE RIDGE, At Sea (March 31, 2011) - Seventh Fleet forces continue support of Japan Self Defense Force (JSDF) in Operation Tomodachi. With Sendai airport now open for military flights – and soon to be opened for commercial flights as well -- 7th Fleet’s focus has shifted to harbor clearance,...

SAN DIEGO - Ten Sailors aboard the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) were injured March 30 when an F/A-18C Hornet assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron (VMFAT) 101 suffered a catastrophic engine failure and subsequently caught fire. The injured Sailors were working on the flight deck...

PACIFIC OCEAN - Japanese liaison officers were brought aboard USS Essex (LHD 2), to help with the planning of humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations conducted by the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), during Operation Tomodachi March 28. Translation between the Japan Self-Defense...

PACIFIC OCEAN - A mobile salvage unit and naval construction regiment arrived aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46) on March 29 to conduct port clearing operations along the northeastern coastline of Japan, in support of Operation Tomodachi. Explosive Ordnance Disposal...