SAN DIEGO, Calif. (NNS) - Commander, Naval Air Forces (CNAF) announced the winners of the 2010 Squadron Battle Efficiency (Battle "E") competition awards, Feb. 2. USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) and USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), were the Battle "E" winners in the aircraft carrier category for the...

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) - USS O'Kane (DDG 77) returned to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Feb. 8, following a scheduled seven-month deployment to the U.S. Central Command and western Pacific regions. O'Kane was deployed as a part of Commander, Task Force-Iraqi Maritime, supporting maritime security...

HONOLULU (NNS) - A DoD employee at Commander Navy Region Hawaii (CNRH) received recognition for his dedicated community service from the Hawaii House of Representatives, at the State Capitol, Feb. 4. Stanford Yuen, CNRH special assistant for intergovernmental affairs, appeared at the State...

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii - Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) submarine JS Uzushio (SS 592) arrived at Naval Station Pearl Harbor to begin its annual training exercises with U.S. Navy submarine forces Feb.7. "It is a pleasure to extend a heartfelt Submarine Force 'Aloha' to our friends from...

GULF OF THAILAND - The Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) began its part in the U.S-Thai sponsored joint, multinational exercise Cobra Gold 2011 (CG 11) Feb. 7 in the Gulf of Thailand. The militaries of the Kingdom of Thailand, Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, the Republic of Korea and Malaysia will...

HONG KONG - The guided-missile destroyer USS Stethem (DDG 63) arrived in Hong Kong for a port visit during the Chinese New Year celebrations on Feb. 4. “We on Stethem are excited to be back in Hong Kong, and are pleased to not only enjoy liberty in Hong Kong, but also to be here to witness the...

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...