U.S. 7th Fleet

NTSB: Lack of Navy Oversight, Training Were Primary Causes of Fatal McCain Collision

Sailors assigned to the navigation department aboard the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA-6) look on as the ship arrives in Singapore to provide support to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG-56). US Navy Photo

Almost two years after the collision between a U.S. destroyer and a merchant ship off Singapore, the first in-depth independent investigation has determined the most probable cause for the incident that killed 10 sailors was lack of adequate...

https://news.usni.org/2019/08/06/ntsb-lack-of-navy-oversight-training-were-primary-causes-of-fatal-mccain-collision

50 Sailors from USS John S. McCain Honored for Actions During 2017 Collision

Admiral John Aquilino, left, Commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet, and Vice Admiral Phillip Sawyer, right, Commander of U.S. 7th Fleet, pose for a photo with award recipients on of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) during an awards ceremony, July 10, 2019, at Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan. US Navy photo.

The Navy honored 50 sailors today for their efforts to save lives and save the ship after USS John S. McCain (DDG-56) collided with a merchant...

https://news.usni.org/2019/07/10/50-sailors-from-uss-john-s-mccain-honored-for-actions-during-2017-collision

USS Stethem Heads to San Diego After 14 Years in Japan

Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Stethem (DDG-63) is anchored off the coast of Shimoda, Japan, during the 80th Shimoda Black Ship Festival. US Navy Photo

USS Stethem (DDG-63) returned U.S. 3rd Fleet over the weekend, as the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer steams its new homeport, San Diego, Calif.

For the past 14 years, Stethem was part of the forward-deployed U.S. 7th Fleet force operating out of Yokosuka, Japan. In 2005, when Stethem first arrived in Japan, the...

https://news.usni.org/2019/07/02/uss-stethem-heads-to-san-diego-after-14-years-in-japan

Littoral Combat Ship Deploys for First Time in 19 Months; USS Montgomery Left Unannounced in Early June

The littoral combat ship USS Montgomery (LCS-8) departs Naval Base San Diego to conduct routine operations and training in the Pacific Ocean. US Navy photo.

There is a Littoral Combat Ship operating forward on deployment for the first time in 19 months, with USS Montgomery (LCS-8) arriving in the Philippines over the weekend on its maiden deployment.

The Navy did not announce the departure of Montgomery from its San Diego, Calif. homeport, but the service on Saturday released a news story and...

https://news.usni.org/2019/07/01/littoral-combat-ship-deploys-for-first-time-in-19-months-uss-montgomery-left-unannounced-in-early-june

U.S. Destroyers Active in 2 Separate South China Sea Operations

U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer USS William P. Lawrence (DDG-110), transits through international waters with the Indian Navy destroyer INS Kolkata (D 63) and tanker INS Shakti (A-57), Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force helicopter-carrier JS Izumo (DDH-183) and destroyer JS Murasame (DD-101), and Republic of Philippine Navy patrol ship BRP Andres Bonifacio (PS-17) through the South China Sea. Photo courtesy of Japan Maritime Self Defense Force

During the past week, three U.S. Navy...

https://news.usni.org/2019/05/09/u-s-destroyers-active-in-2-seperate-south-china-sea-operations

Navy Adding Fourth Amphib to Japan-Based Fleet for Operational Flexibility; 1 DDG Leaving Japan

Amphibious assault vehicles depart the well deck aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18) during Exercise Dawn Blitz 2015 (DB-15).
US Navy photo.

The Navy is adding a fourth amphibious ship to its forward-deployed fleet in Japan and is bringing home one of the destroyers that has been forward-deployed the longest, the service announced.

The service will now have two San Antonio-class amphibious landing docks in Japan, with the upcoming addition of USS New Orleans...

https://news.usni.org/2019/04/29/navy-adding-fourth-amphib-to-japan-based-fleet-for-operational-flexibility-1-ddg-leaving-japan

7th Fleet Ships Conduct First High-End Advanced Training Event with SMWDC

The amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) launches a Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) during a missile exercise (MSLEX) in the Pacific Ocean, March 16, 2019. MSLEXs are designed to increase the tactical proficiency, lethality, and interoperability of participating warships in an era of great power competition. US Navy photo.

Naval forces forward-deployed in the Pacific took a big step in raising their warfighting proficiency, completing their first advanced training event hosted by the...

https://news.usni.org/2019/04/01/7th-fleet-ships-conduct-first-high-end-advanced-training-event-smwdc

13th MEU, Essex ARG Return Home, Ending First F-35B Combat Deployment

An F-35B Lightning II assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), moves into position to land aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), Jan. 9, 2019. US Marine Corps photo.

Marines and sailors with the Essex Amphibious Ready Group and 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit flowed off their ships and back home on Thursday, ending an eight-month deployment that included the first-ever combat strikes by the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter.

Am...

https://news.usni.org/2019/02/28/13th-meu-essex-arg-return-home-ending-first-f-35b-combat-deployment

Fleet Forces: Navy Short 6,200 At-Sea Sailors Now to Meet New Manning Requirements

Sailors attend an all-hands call aboard USS Porter (DDG-78) in celebration of Independence Day July 4, 2016. US Navy Photo

CAPITOL HILL – The Navy is short about 6,200 sailors to meet its at-sea requirements for its current force, and that gap could grow as the service adds new ships to the fleet, the head of U.S. Fleet Forces Command told a House panel on Tuesday.

Those sailors will, in part, be used to plus-up crew numbers on each surface ship after the Navy had previously gone to a...

https://news.usni.org/2019/02/26/fleet-forces-navy-short-6200-at-sea-sailors-now-to-meet-new-manning-requirements

Fleet Commanders Holding Firm on Readiness Standards for Surface Ships

Sailors heave in line aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG-111) during a replenishment-at-sea with the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Guadalupe (T-AO-200) on Nov. 16, 2018. US Navy Photo

CAPITOL HILL – The Navy’s Pacific and Atlantic fleet commanders have increased their ability to understand surface ship readiness at the individual ship level and have shown their willingness to cancel or delay deployments if a ship has not proven it...

https://news.usni.org/2019/02/26/fleet-commanders-holding-firm-readiness-standards-surface-ships

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