TOMAKOMAI, Japan - USS Gridley, a San Diego-based guided-missile destroyer, arrived in the northern Japanese city of Tomakomai for a port visit Feb. 5. Gridley's more than 300 sailors will now spend the next few days taking part in local community service events and participating in some of the...

CHIANG MAI, Thailand - The opening ceremony for Exercise Cobra Gold 2011 in Chiang Mai Feb. 7, 2011 highlighted the multinational nature of the exercise as well as the many benefits that occur when partner nations train together and look for effective solutions to common challenges. This is the...

TOMAKOMAI, Japan - USS Gridley sailors, currently in town for a port visit, took time out to assist the city with its 45th Annual Tomakomai Skating Festival here, Feb. 6. Sailors helped with several children's areas, including a giant ice slide, an inner tube run and manually pushed a sled filled...

Yokosuka, JAPAN - Medical professionals from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force visited 7th Fleet command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) on Feb. 1 for a tour of the ship and medical spaces during a subject matter expert exchange with U.S. Sailors. Fourteen medical officers and enlisted medical...

SEPANGAR, Malaysia - The Los Angeles-class fast- attack submarine USS Houston (SSN 713) arrived in Sepangar, Malaysia on Jan. 31, as part of its spring patrol. Houston’s Commanding Officer Cmdr. David Schappert, said that the subs presence in this country is not only important to the United...

SEPANGAR, Malaysia (Feb. 3, 2011) - Sailors assigned to the submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40) and Los Angeles class fast attack submarine USS Houston (SSN 713) welcomed admirals of the Royal Malaysian Navy while in port. First Adm. Anuwi, Commander of Naval Region 2, and First Adm...

KAMPONG VILLAGE, Malaysia - Sailors from the submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40) helped to build a new home as part of a Habitat for Humanity Community Service project in the city of Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia Feb. 1 and 2. “We are honored to have the Sailors here,” said Joanna Kitingan,...

SANTA RITA, Guam - The A.B. Won Pat International Airport was flooded with tears of joy as three heroes returned home to Guam after a thirteen-month individual augmentee (IA) tour, Feb. 2. Chief Master-at-Arms (SW/AW/FMF) Christopher Atkinson, Master-at-Arms 2nd Class (SS) Timothy Wood Scott, and...

PACIFIC OCEAN (Feb. 2, 2011) - Thirty-two newly assigned Sailors aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS Denver (LPD 9) faced a new approach in command indoctrination. In an effort to create a smooth transition for their new Sailors, Denver leadership revamped its welcome aboard program by...

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) - USS Reuben James (FFG 57) deployed from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Feb. 1, as part of an independent deployment to the Western Pacific. Reuben James, commanded by Cmdr. David E. Miller, is deploying under the Middle Pacific Surface Combatant (MPSC) deployment concept in...

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) - The secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) congratulated USS Blue Ridge's (LCC 19) food service division in a message Jan. 27. SECNAV Ray Mabus recognized the division for earning the 2011 Capt. Edward F. Ney Award for large afloat ships outstanding food service in the Pacific...

SAN DIEGO (NNS) - Naval Surface Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet and U.S. Atlantic Fleet announced the group and squadron winners for the 2010 Junior Officer Award for Excellence in Shiphandling in a message Jan. 27. The winners were announced in a joint message from Vice Adm. D.C. Curtis, commander,...

BANGOR, Wash. (NNS) - The Trident ballistic-missile submarine (SSBN) USS Alabama's (SSBN 731) Gold Crew returned home to Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, Wash., Jan. 27, concluding an 86-day strategic deterrent patrol. Family and friends were on hand to welcome the Alabama home, as Capt. Paul,...

SAN DIEGO - The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG) and its crew of more than 6,000 Sailors, will depart San Diego February 2 for a Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) and final deployment preparations. “We are ready to go to sea to finish our final qualifications before deployment,” said USS...

USS ESSEX (At Sea) - The Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) departed Okinawa, Japan Jan. 29 for a regularly scheduled deployment after onloading components of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Jan. 27-28. The ARG’s patrol throughout the Western Pacific region will include a series of...

CORONADO, Calif. (NNS) - USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) hosted NBA Hall of Famer, Jerry West, and professional golfer, Bryce Molder, for a putting challenge aboard the carrier, Jan. 25. "PLAY for LA" an 18-day promotional event leading up to the Northern Trust Open, is led by Northern Trust Open...

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii - Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS La Jolla (SSN 701) departed Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Thursday, Jan. 27, for a scheduled six-month deployment to the Middle East and the Western Pacific. USS La Jolla's commanding officer, Cmdr. Jeff Bernard, commented that...

SUKUMO CITY, Japan - Lt. Michael Syamken, Dental Officer aboard USS Tortuga (LSD 46), surprised 11 Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) sailors by seeing patients in JS Shimokita’s (LST 4002) dental facilities, Jan. 27, near Sukumo Island. During an officer exchange as part of ongoing...

PORT KLANG, Malaysia (NNS) - USS Carl Vinson (CVN) and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 Sailors visited the Wesley Senior Citizen Home as part of a community service (COMSERV) project, Jan. 24. The Wesley Senior Citizen Home is sponsored by a local congregation in Kuala Lumpur, said Lt. Cmdr. James E...

CHUK SAMET, Thailand (NNS) - Three Military Sealift Command ships are offloading hundreds of pieces of U.S. Marine Corps equipment, containerized supplies and personnel in support of exercises Freedom Banner and Cobra Gold at Chuk Samet, Thailand, through Jan. 28. Freedom Banner 2011 brings...