WATERS WEST OF THE KOREAN PENINSULA - On Sunday, Nov. 28, the George Washington Carrier Strike Group (GWCSG) entered the waters west of the Korean peninsula to participate in a combined military exercise with the Republic of Korea (ROK). The exercise is part of the series announced at the 2 + 2...

WASHINGTON, Nov. 27, 2010 - Movements of troops in South Korea and ships in the Yellow Sea are part of long-planned exercises and shouldn’t be seen as a response to North Korea’s Nov. 23 attack on Yeonpyeong Island, the commander of United Nations Command said today. “Media rhetoric from North...

SINGAPORE - The amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) arrived in Singapore for a port visit Nov. 17 after spending 78 consecutive days at sea. While in Singapore, Pearl Harbor Sailors and Marines experienced a wide variety of cultural tours and participated in community relations...

USS GEORGE WASHINGTON, At Sea (NNS) - USS George Washington (CVN 73) pulled out of its forward operating port of Yokosuka, Japan Nov. 24. While most Americans are gathered around the Thanksgiving table spending time with family and friends, the 5,500 crew members of the Navy's only...

USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN, At Sea (NNS) - Guided-missile destroyers USS Momsen (DDG 92), USS Halsey (DDG 97) and USS Shoup (DDG 86) entered the 5th Fleet area of responsibility Nov. 25, rejoining USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) as part of their regularly scheduled deployment. The three Arleigh Burke class...

SAN DIEGO (NNS) - The winner of the 2010 Vice Adm. James Bond Stockdale Award addressed 36 ensigns graduating from the San Diego Surface Warfare Officers (SWOS) Indoctrination Course at a ceremony held at Naval Surface Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet (SURFPAC) headquarters Nov. 19. Cmdr. Michael...

SUBIC BAY, Philippines - Amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5) and the embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) arrived in Subic Bay, Nov. 22 for a port visit to interact with locals. “Coming to the Philippines is a homecoming for many of our Sailors,” said Capt. Mark Cedrun,...

SAN DIEGO (NNS)- An explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) Sailor received a Purple Heart in recognition of injuries he sustained while in Afghanistan during a ceremony at Naval Base Point Loma Nov. 22. Vice Adm. Richard W. Hunt, Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, presented Explosive Ordnance Disposal...

YONGSAN GARRISON, SEOUL, Republic of Korea - The USS George Washington carrier strike group will join Republic of Korea naval forces in the waters west of the Korean peninsula from Nov. 28 to Dec. 1 to conduct the next exercise in the series announced at the 2+2 meetings in July. This exercise is...

WASHINGTON, Nov. 23, 2010 - This evening, President Obama called President Lee to tell him that the United States stands shoulder to shoulder with our close friend and ally, the Republic of Korea. The President strongly condemned the attack by North Korea on the South Korean island of Yeonpyeoung,...

WASHINGTON, Nov. 23, 2010 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates today condemned the attack by North Korea on the small South Korean island of Yeonpyeong, according to Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell. "In a phone call this morning, Secretary Gates told [South Korean Defense] Minister Kim...

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) - Training exercise Koa Kai 11-1 concluded Nov. 17, saving the Navy both time and money by keeping participating surface combatants in the middle Pacific area of responsibility instead of training off the coast of San Diego. "There are significant savings associated with ships...

WASHINGTON, Nov. 23, 2010 - The Defense Department affirmed its alliance with South Korea and is closely monitoring the situation on the Korean peninsula in the wake of today’s North Korean artillery attack on South Korea. “We will honor our alliance obligations to the South, and we are...

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii - Friends and family boarded the Los Angeles-class submarine USS Cheyenne (SSN 773) for a trip from Pearl Harbor to Maui, Nov. 19. Once onboard Cheyenne, the 21 cruise participants received a warm welcome and began to learn about life aboard the submarine. Shortly after...

WASHINGTON, Nov. 22, 2010 - The United States is a Pacific power and will remain committed to security and stability in Asia, Michele Flournoy, the undersecretary of defense for policy, said. Asia is a strategically important area to the United States in terms of economic prosperity and American...

OKINAWA, Japan - The guided-missile destroyer USS Stethem (DDG 63) opened its brow to the public Nov. 13-14 and gave guided tours to nearly 2,500 people during the White Beach Festival. Visitors included local leaders, community members, members of Okinawa-based U.S. and Japanese forces and 17...

USS ESSEX, At sea - Sailors and Marines assigned to the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit experienced Hong Kong Nov. 17-19 through a variety of tours offered by the ship’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) department. Throughout...

HONG KONG - Sailors from the amphibious transport dock USS Denver (LPD 9) and embarked Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU) spent a morning painting a building for the non-profit organization Crossroads International. Crossroads International is a Hong Kong based, non-profit...

USS ESSEX, Hong Kong - While many Marines and Sailors with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit were out experiencing a foreign culture during their port visit, some had the opportunity to interact with Chinese service members of the People’s Liberation Army and other city leaders of Hong Kong...

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) - Surface Navy and other combatant units participated in the Koa Kai 11-1 exercise in waters surrounding the Hawaiian Islands Nov. 12-17. Koa Kai is the primary integrated training event for the mid-Pacific surface combatant units with the goal of achieving deployment...