JAKARTA, Indonesia - The guided-missile frigate USS Reuben James (FFG 57) hosted 119 distinguished visitors and dignitaries from Indonesia and the surrounding region during a reception on Feb. 23. Guests included members of U.S. House of Representatives: David Dreier (R-CA 26), Lois Capps (D-CA...

SAN DIEGO - Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet announced its 2010 Sea and Shore Sailors of the Year during a ceremony aboard Naval Air Station North Island, Calif., Feb. 24. Aviation Boatswain's Mate 1st Class (AW/SW) Mark Rodriguez, a native of Seguin, Texas, assigned to USS George...

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) - The Virginia-class fast attack submarine USS Hawaii (SSN 776) returned to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Feb. 24 after a scheduled six-month deployment to the Western Pacific region. "I could not be more proud of my crew. They are highly motivated and performed flawlessly in...

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) - Various commands throughout Navy Region Hawaii participated in Solid Curtain-Citadel Shield '11 (SC-CS 11), an annual security training exercise held by U.S Fleet Forces Command and Navy Installations Command, Feb. 22-25. SC-CS 11 is a four-day force protection exercise...

PEARL HARBOR - Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Santa Fe (SSN 763) departed Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Feb. 24 for a scheduled six-month deployment to the Western Pacific region. Santa Fe's commanding officer, Cmdr. David Adams, commented that the crew is extremely excited and well...

SAN DIEGO - The command element of Pacific Partnership 2011 concluded a two-day mission rehearsal at Naval Base Point Loma Feb. 24. The team disembarked the amphibious transport ship USS Cleveland (LPD 7) at the beginning of the ship's latest round of certification exercises. The purpose of the...

BANGOR, Wash. (NNS) - USS Michigan (SSGN 727)(Blue) Sailors returned to Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, Wash., Feb. 21-23, following a three-month deployment to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility. Family and friends of Michigan Sailors stood by at Bangor Plaza for three days to welcome home the...

SAN DIEGO - Marines and sailors with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit and soldiers with the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force embarked USS Makin Island to participate in the at sea portion of Exercise Iron Fist Feb. 23. The troops are participating in the bilateral training exercise to...

HOBART, Australia - The guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG 86), pulled into the city of Hobart on the Tasmania island state of Australia on Feb. 23. This is the first visit by an U.S. naval vessel since the amphibious assault ship USS Tarawa (LHA 1) visited the island May 9-13, 2008. Shoup...

JAKARTA, Indonesia - The guided-missile frigate USS Reuben James (FFG 57) competed against Tentara National Indonesia (TNI) Navy personnel in a game of soccer and volleyball Feb. 22. Lt. Anthony Pangjogie, Reuben James’ operations officer and soccer coach, said athletic competitions are a great...

LAEM CHABANG, Thailand - During the ship's four-day visit to Thailand, USS Germantown (LSD 42) crew members took time from touring the famous resort city and spent a day with children at the Abundant Life Home (ALH) Feb. 22. The visit, planned, organized and coordinated by the Germantown’s...

SAN DIEGO (NNS) - Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (SURFPAC) welcomed eight Sailors and their spouses for its annual Sea and Shore Sailor of the Year (SOY) Week, Feb. 21-25. The week-long event is designed to honor each of the finalists for their contributions to their commands and local...

USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN, At Sea (NNS) - USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) hosted 16 guests from Brunei while underway Feb. 22, including senior members of military and government agencies, media reporters, and U.S. Embassy representatives, during a visit to reinforce the partnership the U.S. shares with...

HONG KONG (NNS) - Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet Vice Adm. Scott R. Van Buskirk told members of the Asia Society in Hong Kong on Feb. 21 that the Navy's increased capabilities and growing maritime partnerships reflect an enduring commitment to peace and stability in the region. "The 7th Fleet has...

PATTAYA, Thailand - Ships of the forward-deployed Essex Amphibious Ready Group and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit arrived in Pattaya, Thailand, for a scheduled port visit Feb. 21 after completing the multinational exercise Cobra Gold 2011. Cobra Gold is a U.S.-Thai co-sponsored exercise that...

USS ESSEX, At sea - The Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) completed its part in the U.S-Thai sponsored joint, multinational exercise Cobra Gold 2011 (CG 11) Feb. 19 in the Gulf of Thailand. Throughout the exercise, militaries of the Kingdom of Thailand, Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, the Republic...

HONG KONG (NNS) - Seventh Fleet command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) arrived in Hong Kong Feb. 20 for a port visit. In addition to participating in community service events, more than 70 Blue Ridge, 7th Fleet embarked staff Sailors and Marines from Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team Pacific, will...

PACIFIC OCEAN (NNS) - Twenty-one business and community leaders embarked ampibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) Feb. 15-17. The California-based leaders embarked the ship for one-day embarks as part of the Leaders to Sea (LTS) program. Through the LTS program, Naval Surface Force, U.S...

PEARL HARBOR (Feb. 18, 2011) - In appreciation of the sacrifices made daily by military members and their families, Paul Brown of Hawaii’s Paul Brown Salons is continuing its Operation Makeover program, which rewards deserving candidates with a complimentary day and evening of beauty, luxury and...

SAN DIEGO- The planners and partners involved in Pacific Partnership 2011 gathered Feb. 16 and 17 at the U.S. Navy's Third Fleet headquarters compound here to develop the final plan for the deployment. Pacific Partnership is in its seventh year, providing medical, dental, veterinary and...