Tag: Sasebo

USS America Arrives at New Homeport of Sasebo

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December 6, 2019 – Amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) joined the U.S. 7th Fleet forward-deployed amphibious force in Sasebo, Dec. 6, after transiting the Pacific Ocean from its former homeport of San Diego. “America’s Sailors and Marines are ready to join the high-performing team of 7th Fleet with our allies and partners to fulfill the enduring mission of our forward-deployed Naval Forces,” said Capt. Luke Frost, America’s commanding officer. “We’re looking forward to integrating America’s flexible and adaptable fifth generation capabilities into theater to maintain peace and stability…

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USS New Orleans Arrives in Sasebo

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December 2, 2019 – USS New Orleans (LPD 18) joined the U.S. 7th Fleet amphibious force in Sasebo, Dec. 1, after transiting the Pacific Ocean from her former homeport of San Diego. “The crew has worked diligently for the last year to prepare New Orleans for forward deployment, and I could not be more proud of their accomplishments,” said Capt. P. Scott Miller, commanding officer of New Orleans. “This is my second tour as part of the forward-deployed U.S. Naval Forces, and I am excited to be back. I look…

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USS Wasp Arrives New Homeport of Norfolk

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November 18, 2019 – USS Wasp (LHD 1) arrived at Naval Station Norfolk Nov. 18 completing a homeport shift after spending nearly two years forward deployed to Commander Fleet Activities Sasebo, Japan and operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet (C7F) area of operations. The ship departed Sasebo Aug. 26 and began its transit to Norfolk. Wasp will be replaced by the America-class amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) later this year. “I’m honored to be on the pier for USS Wasp’s return to Naval Station Norfolk, and to fold…

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USS Pioneer Family and Friends Day Cruise

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November 4, 2019 – USS Pioneer (MCM 9) sailed around Sasebo harbor for their Family and Friends Day cruise in Sasebo, Japan, November 1. Family and friends of the Pioneer crew had the opportunity to experience what life underway is like for their sailors. A few Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force sailors from Hirashima-class Mine Countermeasures ship, Hirashima MSC 601, also joined the cruise to learn about Pioneer’s mine-hunting capabilities. The Pioneer crew took in the mooring lines, hoisted up the flag and international call sign, commanded tugs and the engine,…

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USS Pioneer Visits Uki, Kumamoto

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October 18, 2019 – USS Pioneer (MCM 9), forward deployed to Sasebo, Japan, as part of the U.S. 7th Fleet, made a goodwill port visit to Uki, Kumamoto, Japan on October 18, 2019. Pioneer, commanded by Lt. Cmdr. Bobby Wayland, is an Avenger-class mine countermeasure ship and is 68.3 meters in length. The ship displaces approximately 1,300 tons with a crew size of approximately 80. While in Uki, the crew is looking forward to meeting citizens, sightseeing, shopping, enjoying the local cuisine and cultural attractions and learning more about the…

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USS McCampbell Kicks Off Malabar 2019 in Sasebo

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September 26, 2019 – USS McCampbell (DDG 85), assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, led the commencement of Exercise Malabar 2019, Sep. 25, in port Sasebo. An annual, multinational, naval field training exercise, Malabar is designed to improve the collective maritime relationship between the Indian Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), and U.S. Navy. “It is a privilege to have our surface forces participate in Malabar 2019. This exercise continues to enhance the interoperability of our maritime forces with two of our premier partners in the Indo-Pacific region,” said Capt.…

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Indian, Japanese and US Navies Taking Part in Exercise Malabar 2019

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September 24, 2019 – Ships, aircraft and personnel from the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF), the Indian Navy (INN) and the U.S. Navy (USN) will participate in exercise Malabar 2019 off the coast of Sasebo, Japan, Sept. 26. This iteration marks the first time that the JMSDF have led Malabar, and is the latest in a continuing series of exercises that has grown in scope and complexity over the years to address the variety of shared threats to maritime security. “Thanks to the hard work of staffs and leaders…

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USS Wasp Begins Homeport Shift With USS America

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September 4, 2019 – USS Wasp (LHD 1) departed U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations as part of a scheduled homeport shift Sept. 4. Wasp, which replaced USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in January 2018, operated with U.S. Marine Corps forces from the III Marine Expeditionary Force and helped expand the robust relationships the U.S. military maintains with allies and partners in the region. “The performance by the Wasp crew has quite simply been superb,” said Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 7, Rear…

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Trilateral mine warfare exercise puts RAN Minehunters to the test

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November 22, 2018 – At the largest gathering of mine warfare dedicated vessels seen in Japanese waters, HMA Ships Gascoyne and Huon have joined with 22 ships from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and the United States Navy (USN) to participate in the first joint mine warfare exercise in the region, Exercise HYUGA NADA 18. Over the next week the combined units will focus on conducting joint training in mine hunting, underwater explosive ordnance disposal, underwater mine disposal vehicle operations and joint interoperability activities. For Gascoyne’s Operations Officer, Lieutenant…

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NAVSEA Assumes Maintenance Functions for SRF-JRMC

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October 1, 2018 – Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) formally assumed responsibility for ship maintenance availabilities at U.S. Naval Ship Repair Facility and Japan Regional Maintenance Center (SRF-JRMC) from Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet (USPACFLT) Oct. 1. NAVSEA’s responsibilities includes the oversight of all ship maintenance and repair operations, industrial processes and procedures, and repair-related programs. USPACFLT will retain administrative control and budget authority for SRF-JRMC. “This is a tremendous opportunity for the Navy to implement best practices across all ship maintenance facilities. The added synergy will allow us to…

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USS Chief to Visit Niigata

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USS Chief (MCM 14), forward deployed to Sasebo, Japan, as part of the U.S. 7th Fleet, will make a brief port visit to Niigata, Japan on July 9, 2018. Chief is visiting Niigata for training and goodwill. Conducting port calls provides the crew with experience and improves mission readiness. Chief, commanded by Lt. Cmdr. William A. Russell, is an Avenger-class mine countermeasure ship and is 68.3 meters in length. The ship displaces approximately 1,300 tons with approximately crew size of 90. While in Niigata, the crew is looking forward to…

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Essex ARG, 13th MEU complete integrated training

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Sailors of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and Marines attached to 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) completed ARG/MEU exercise (ARGMEUEX) off the coast of Southern California, May 10. ARGMEUEX is a Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 15 and 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, Expeditionary Operations Training Group (EOTG)-led exercise that provides critical training and feedback prior to the deployment certifying event, composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX). “It was incredible to see the Essex ARG and 13th MEU grow as a team over the course of ARGMUEX,” said Commander, CSG 15, Rear…

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USS Green Bay returns to Sasebo after patrol with 31st MEU

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USS Green Bay (LPD 20) returned to Sasebo, Japan, after a successful patrol with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit in the Indo-Pacific region, April 28. Green Bay, serving as the amphibious transport dock in the Wasp Expeditionary Strike Group, completed all major events that were part of a pre-set Navy-Marine Corps interoperability and proficiency continuum, first a basic integration phase and then a final certification. Green Bay provided unique enabling capabilities to the ESG by hosting a boat company assigned under 1st Battalion, 1st Marines (1/1) and a detachment of…

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USS Wasp completes historic patrol in Indo-Pacific Patrol

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USS Wasp (LHD 1) returned to Sasebo, April 26, after nearly two months of operations in the Indo-Pacific with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). Wasp successfully embarked, maintained, and supported near-daily flight operations of the F-35B Lightning II in that span, part of a first-ever operational deployment of the U.S. Marine Corp’s fifth-generation stealth jet. The operations were part of a routine and regularly scheduled patrol but brought together two San Diego-based destroyers to flex the composite of amphibious ships as an “Up-Gunned Expeditionary Strike Group.” “The crew worked…

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USS Ashland returns to Sasebo

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USS Ashland (LSD 48) returned to Sasebo after a successful routine patrol in the 7th Fleet area of operations as part of Wasp Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG), April 24. Ashland embarked several elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and specialized in a variety of missions to the full spectrum of MEU mission from the sea. Ashland’s configuration provided the Navy-Marine Corps team a mechanized raid capability with a contingent of Amphibious Assault Vehicles, combat air support with a detachment of AH-1Z Viper helicopters, and water purification capabilities from…

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