MILLINGTON, Tenn. (NNS) - Force shaping and stabilization are two of the top issues for Navy's manpower planners. One tool they are using to ensure Navy's officer communities maintain the right mix of skills, force size and stability is the Probationary Officer Continuation and Redesignation...

NORFOLK (Jan. 25, 2011) - Navy leaders are expressing alarm at recent statistics that show that sailors' use of "Spice" and similar so-called designer drugs rose in the last quarter of 2010. Spice and similar products are essentially an herbal, synthetic form of marijuana, mimicking the chemical...

SOUTH CHINA SEA - Assets assigned to Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1 and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) participated in an Air Surface Warfare exercise in the South China Sea Jan. 19-20. USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), USS Stockdale (DDG 106), USS Gridley (DDG 101) and USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) joined...

SAN DIEGO (NNS)- The guided-missile destroyer USS Higgins (DDG 76) will depart San Diego Jan. 20 on a six-month independent deployment to the 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility (AOR). Higgins will help provide deterrence, promote peace and security, preserve freedom of the sea and...

MANGILAO, Guam- Personnel from USNS Matthew Perry (T-AKE 9) volunteered at the Guam Department of Youth Affairs (DYA) facility in Mangilao, Guam, Jan. 18. The Sailors spent the day whacking weeds and mowing lawns alongside DYA clients. The youths were excited to see the Sailors, and the Sailors...

SAN DIEGO (NNS)- The amphibious transport landing dock ship USS Cleveland (LPD 7) conducted a burial at sea ceremony, Jan. 17. Twenty deceased service members and family members were honored during the ceremony, some of whom had served as far back as World War II. The ceremony was led by Lt...

AGANA HEIGHTS, Guam (NNS) - Navy officials participated in a ground-breaking ceremony for the $158 million Naval Hospital Guam replacement project Jan. 14 aboard the installation in Agana Heights, Guam. "Today, as we officially break ground on a new, state-of-the-art, world-class healthcare...

USS RONALD REAGAN, At Sea (NNS) - Nine Sea Cadets from the Naval Sea Cadet Corps are underway aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) from Jan. 3-20 to experience life on an aircraft carrier. The Naval Sea Cadet Corps is an organization for youth who want to learn new skills and gain confidence while...

POLARIS POINT, Guam (NNS) - For the first time ever, the Virginia-class attack submarine USS Hawaii (SSN 776) moored outboard the submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40) Dec. 28 in Guam. "The Virginia class is the nation's newest fast attack submarine," said Cmdr. Michael Dufek, repair officer...

SAN DIEGO (NNS) - A congressional delegation led by Rep. Mark S. Critz (D-Pa.) paid a visit to the amphibious transport landing dock ship USS Cleveland (LPD-7) Jan. 13. The purpose of the trip was to experience, first-hand, aspects of the U.S. Naval and Marine Corps forces and to expand his...

YOKOSUKA, Japan - The U.S. Navy announced today the Dock Landing Ship USS Germantown (LSD-42) will replace USS Harpers Ferry (LSD-49) as part of the permanently forward-deployed amphibious forces of the U.S. 7th Fleet. USS Germantown is expected to arrive at Sasebo soon to commence the turnover...

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) - The chief of naval operations (CNO) visited Sailors in Hawaii and spoke at the 10th Annual Hawaii-Military Partnership Conference in Honolulu Jan. 5-7. CNO Adm. Gary Roughead visited and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Rick D. West met with Sailors from Joint...

BUSAN, Republic of Korea (NNS) - Sailors from USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 and the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) visited the Sung Ae Won Home for Children as part of a community service project in Busan, Republic of Korea, Jan. 13. The Sung Ae Won home provides shelter for...

KIRITIMATI, Kiribati - With dancing, a giant roast pig, and a tropical island as the backdrop, citizens of Kiritimati (Christmas) Island and U.S. service members celebrated the opening of a new facility to improve health care for pregnant women, newborns and sick babies Jan. 12. A ribbon cutting...

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) - The Vice Commander of Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) and the Deputy Commander of Commander Fleet and Industrial Supply Centers (COMFISCS) teamed up to talk logistics modernization at Fleet Industrial Supply Center (FISC) Yokosuka, Japan through Jan. 13th. "We at...

BREMERTON, Wash. (NNS) - Navy League United States (NLUS) Bremerton-Olympic Peninsula Council hosted an adoption ceremony for the Los Angeles-class submarine USS Bremerton (SSN 698) at Norm Dicks Conference Center, Jan. 11. USS Bremerton was the second United States Navy ship to be named in honor...

SEA OF JAPAN (NNS) - Ships and aircraft from the Carl Vinson Strike Group participated in a Passing Exercise (PASSEX) with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) while underway in the Sea of Japan Jan. 10. The guided-missile destroyers USS Stockdale (DDG 106), USS Gridley (DDG 101) and...

PORT BLAIR, India (Jan. 11, 2011) - USNS Safeguard (T-ARS 50), U.S. Navy divers from Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit One, Company 1-6 and Commander, Task Force 73 are strengthening established diving and salvage relationships with the Indian Navy as part of Salvage Exchange 2011 (SALVEX 11), the...

USS CARL VINSON, At Sea (NNS) - A handful of Korean-born Sailors assigned to USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) will be returning home for the first time in several years when the Nimitz-class carrier pulls into Busan Jan. 11. From the beach city of Busan to the streets of Seoul, several Korean-American...

SAN DIEGO (NNS) - Canadian Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence toured USS Makin Island (LHD 8) during a visit to Naval Base San Diego Jan. 6. While aboard Makin Island, the Honourable Laurie Hawn toured a number of the ship's...