YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) - The Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) thanked more than a thousand 7th Fleet Sailors and Marines in Yokosuka Apr. 20 who participated in disaster relief operations off the coast of Japan. The Honorable Ray Mabus expressed his gratitude to Sailors assigned 7th Fleet ships USS...

SASEBO, Japan - USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) and USS Germantown (LSD 42) swapped commanding officers and crew during an exchange of command ceremony April 21, at Fleet Activities Sasebo. Cmdr. Mike Crary took command of Harpers Ferry and, after a short period of training and crew acclimation, will...

PEARL HARBOR - Texas Congressman, The Honorable John Culberson, (R-TX,7th) visited the Virginia-class submarine USS Texas (SSN 775) for a lunch and tour April 19 at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. "It is a great honor for us to have the Congressman visiting our submarine," said Cmdr. Bob Roncska,...

YOKOSUKA, Japan - The aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) returned to the ship’s forward operating port of Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka after almost exactly one month at sea, April 20. While underway, George Washington made history by proving its ability to continue the...

SASEBO, Japan - The aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) welcomed the 75th Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) April 20, to thank the crew for their efforts during Operation Tomodachi. SECNAV Ray Mabus held an all hands call in the hangar bay with the crew and expressed gratitude for their...

SEOUL, Republic of Korea (NNS) - Sailors from Commander, Naval Forces Korea and Republic of Korea (ROK) navies honored Sailors lost on ROKN ship Cheonan (PCC-772) during a memorial and bell ringing ceremony April 20. Cheonan sank March 26, 2010, in the Yellow Sea after being struck by a torpedo...

HONOLULU, Hawaii - U.S. Pacific Fleet's Sea and Shore Sailors of the Year, Hospital Corpsman 1st Class (FMF/SW/AW) Andrew Jenkins and Operations Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Kristi Pashkevich, were named April 15 during a ceremony and luncheon at the Hale Koa Hotel here. Rear Adm Timothy M...

SASEBO, Japan - Three ships and more than 5,000 Sailors from the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG) arrived in Sasebo, Japan, April 19 for a scheduled port visit. The aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), guided-missile destroyer USS Preble (DDG 88), and guided-missile cruiser USS...

PACIFIC OCEAN - The guided-missile destroyer USS McCampbell (DDG 85) conducted a passing exercise with the Republic of Korea Ulsan-class frigate ROKS Seoul (FF 952) April 18. This was the first time McCampbell operated with the Republic of Korea Navy, since the exercise Invincible Spirit July...

YOKOSUKA, Japan - The forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington will return to Fleet Activities Yokosuka April 20. The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier was completing routine maintenance on March 11 when the earthquake and tsunami struck northern Honshu. The ship departed Fleet...

USS GEORGE WASHINGTON, At Sea (NNS) - Chief petty officers aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) are using the master chief petty officer of the Navy's 2011 CPO 365/Induction guidance April 15, as they prepare the ship's CPO board eligible first class petty officers (FCPO) for the upcoming 2011 CPO...

USS RONALD REAGAN, At Sea (NNS) - The deputy commander of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14 reached a major naval aviation milestone April 18 on board the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Capt. Kevin "Nix" Mannix tallied his 1,000th arrested landing with the trap of his F/A-18F Super Hornet...

TIMOR LESTE - USS Guardian (MCM 5) anchored in Port Hera, Timor Leste April 15 to train with the Timorese navy and participate in multiple cultural exchanges. During this visit, Guardian helped dedicate a new school house, built by Navy Seabees, and trained with the Timorese navy in areas such as...

PACIFIC OCEAN (April 16, 2011) - Families of Sailors from the Japan-based aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), evacuated after the March 11 earthquake, are adjusting well to their new lives back in the United States and you don’t have to look beyond the headlines in Johnstown,...

MAKASSAR, Indonesia - The crew of mine countermeasures ship USS Guardian (MCM 5) experienced Indonesian culture and strengthened America’s connections with Indonesia during an April 11-12 visit here. Guardian received a warm welcome from Indonesia’s military marching band and cultural dancers upon...

(NOTE: Navy guidance on the procedures for arranging return travel of eligible family members is included in NAVADMIN message 132/11. For further information, contact your service member, your respective Command Pass Coordinator (CPC) or other designated command representative to discuss your...

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) - The crew of the guided-missile destroyer USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93) and members of the Navy League Honolulu Council (NLHC) honored Sailors of the destroyer USS Sigsbee in a ceremony aboard Chung-Hoon's flight deck, April 14. The ceremony was held to pay respects to the 23 Sailors...

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan - On 14 April, 2011, the U.S. State Department lifted the voluntary departure order. At this time, Joint Support Force is working out the details and will announce specifics as soon as Department of Defense guidance is finalized. In the meantime, entitlements previously...

SASEBO, Japan (NNS) - The forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) arrived in Sasebo, Japan April 14, completing a three-month deployment in the Western Pacific. Throughout the patrol, Essex Sailors, along with the embarked Marines of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU),...

PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii- Guided-missile destroyer USS Hopper (DDG 70) will depart Pearl Harbor April 15 for an independent deployment to the Western Pacific and U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. The crew of more than 275 Sailors will conduct Ballistic Missile Defense operations, as...