Navy Artifacts Getting New Home — The Navy recently announced that it would consolidate and move historic artifacts from several facilities into a common facility located in Richmond, Virginia. The new location will house the Naval History and Heritage Command’s collection of more than 300,000 artifacts. The entire process of consolidation, which includes a partial refurbishment of the Richmond facility to adequately meet storage condition standards, is projected to take approximately 18 months.
CNO Wraps Up Visit With French Chief of Staff — Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Jonathan Greenert wrapped up a five day visit to France where he was invited by French Navy Adm. Bernard Rogel to attend D-Day commemoration ceremonies, visit naval facilities and discuss cooperative efforts between the French and U.S. navies. During his visit, Greenert also met with 18 heads of state including the presidents of the United States and France, along with many senior military leaders, veterans and thousands of supporters at the American Cemetery in Colleville sur Mer to honor D-Day.
U.S., Indonesian Navy Divers Lay Wreath on Wreck of USS Houston during CARAT 2014 — As part of the 2014 Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) – a five day bilateral exercise between U.S. and Indonesian navy divers – Deputy Chief of Mission Kristen Bauer, U.S. Embassy Jakarta, joined U.S. and Indonesian navy divers on board the USNS Safeguard (T-ARS 50) for a wreath laying ceremony at the site of the USS Houston (CA 30) on June 11. Houston was sunk during World War II in the Battle of Sunda Strait; more than 700 people perished.
US Navy Releases New 3-D Medical Study Aid App — On June 13, the Navy launched the "Anatomy Study Guide App - America's Navy." The Navy’s advertising agency, Lowe Campbell Ewald, created the innovative medical career-based app, which endeavors to help students with their studies as well as serve as a reminder that the Navy supports their goals. The app can be found at no cost in both the App Store and the Google Play Store.
US Navy, Coast Guard capture semi-submersible drug vessel in Eastern Pacific; seize $107 million of cocaine — In conjunction with the Colombian Navy and Air Force, U.S. Navy and Coast Guard forces aboard USS Ingraham (FFG 61) pulled off a “significant feat” when they successfully captured a difficult to detect vessel that held $107 million worth of cocaine. The vessel, classed as a Self-Propelled Semi-Submersible, was seized in the Eastern Pacific in May; three suspects were taken into custody.
Laser Weapon Being Readied for Marine Vehicles — On June 11, Office of Naval Research (ONR) officials announced that they finished awarding contracts to develop a laser weapon to be used on ground vehicles. Working with Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division and industry partners, the Ground-Based Air Defense Directed Energy On-the-Move program (GBAD) is intended to provide an affordable alternative to traditional firepower to keep enemy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from tracking and targeting Marines on the ground.
Department of the Navy Seeks Biofuels on a Large Scale — The DON is seeking to increase operational readiness and mission effectiveness by reducing its reliance on petroleum. An Inland/East/Gulf Coast bulk fuels solicitation was released by Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Energy on June 9, with bids due by July 9. Deliveries of fuel are set to begin April 1, 2015.
SECNAV Emphasizes Presence, Partnerships During Visit to Sweden — Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus visited Stockholm, Sweden where he spoke at the People and Defense Forum on June 9. His talk focused on the importance of naval presence and cooperative international partnerships while stressing the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps’ commitment to our European partners. Mabus also discussed alternative energy, noting the collaboration between the U.S. and Sweden on the use of Swedish biofuels.
USS Bataan Rescues 282 Persons in Distress — The USS Bataan (LHD 5) transferred 277 people to the Armed Forces of Malta offshore patrol vessel P61 and medically evacuated five to Malta on June 7 after receiving a report from an Italian military marine patrol aircraft that sighted six small vessels, one of which was sinking. The multipurpose amphibious assault ship acted as temporary shelter to those in distress; food, water, medical attention were also provided.
USS Ingraham Sailors Volunteer at Orphanage in Panama — Sailors from the Everett, Washington-based USS Ingraham (FFG 61) took the opportunity to participate in a community relations project during a port visit to Panama on May 30. Sailors volunteered at San Jose de Malambo Orphanage in Arraijan, distributing donated toys and supplies from practical (cribs) to fun (skateboards). The Sailors also helped refurbish some of the facilities, including repainting two pool areas. Ingraham’s current deployment is in support of Operation Martillo, an international and interagency effort that targets illicit trafficking in coastal waters along the Central American isthmus.
These stories originally published by Navy News Service during June 7-13, 2014. For more Navy news, go to: www.navy.mil/.