Official U.S. Navy website - Commander Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet

The amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard’s (LHD 6) heritage committee hosted a celebration Jan. 15, celebrating the 25th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Day. The event included a cake cutting ceremony, informational displays and a speech by Chief Electronics Technician Donnielle Clay, a guest speaker of the Bonhomme Richard heritage committee.

VISAKHAPATNAM, India — Indian and U.S. armed forces kicked off the inaugural Exercise Tiger TRIUMPH here today with the arrival of USS Germantown (LSD 42). Tiger TRIUMPH, which stands for Tri-Services India U.S. Amphibious Exercise, is scheduled from November 13 to 21, near Visakhapatnam and Kakinada, India.

Jan. 14, 2020 On September 12th, 1962 at Rice University, President John F. Kennedy uttered the famous line “we choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard.”

Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Edward Navarro, of Riverside, California, serving onboard Avenger-class Mine Countermeasures Ship USS Chief (MCM 14), was selected by the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED) as the 2018 Surface Independent Duty Corpsman (IDC) of the Year.

7TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (Oct. 19, 2019) Retail services specialists (RS) assigned to the amphibious transport ship USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26) embrace their newly appointed rate name following its change, Sept. 30.

PHUKET, Thailand – Sailors and Marines from the Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42) and embarked 3rd Marine Division arrived in Phuket, Thailand, Nov. 3.

BRUNEI – The amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) and the embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) arrived in Brunei for Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2019 exercise with the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), Oct. 10.

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) – Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet (C7F) flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) held a change of command ceremony on the ship’s main deck, Dec. 12. Capt. Craig C. Sicola relieved Capt. Eric J. Anduze as commanding officer in front of a crowd of distinguished visitors, guests and crew.

The Navy “Nimitz” Virtual Reality Experience tour visited Jackson State University and Germantown High School, Nov. 12-15. About 900 students got a 360-degree virtual reality view of what it's like to be on a Special Warfare Combatant-Craft crewmen mission in America's Navy.

The Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship 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.

The Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship USS Pioneer (MCM 9) arrived in Uki, Japan, for a port visit, October 18. The Pioneer crew received a welcoming ceremony presented by local kindergarteners giving a musical performance on “wadaiko,” a type of traditional Japanese drums.

Division, come together to enjoy a robust, “workout of the day” while deployed in the U.S. 7th Fleet. “The work out of the day is high-intensity workout training, that can range from solo workout to partner workout, or you can scale it depending on your physical level,” said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Tiara Monroe, work out of the day coordinator.

GUAM (Oct. 30, 2019) - USS Boxer (LHD 4) and the embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) arrived at Naval Base Guam for a port visit, Oct. 30.

USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108), along with an embarked detachment from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 37 “Easyriders,” returned to its homeport of Joint Base Pearl, Dec 23.

SASEBO, Japan – 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.

Making Chief Petty Officer comes with myriad duties and responsibilities. The Chiefs’ Mess is a vaunted place onboard where Chiefs typically go to discuss business as the ship’s front line leaders, or to simply relax and get reset in a demanding work environment.

The San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD 27) held a change of command ceremony in San Diego, Dec. 19. Capt. Karrey Sanders relieved Capt. Jesus Rodriguez after his 15-month tour as commanding officer.

Capt. Richard Lebron relieved Capt. Jim McGovern as commodore of Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 11 during a change of command ceremony aboard amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), Dec. 11.

SAN DIEGO – Amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) received special recognition from California State Senator Brian W. Jones for outstanding community service at Noah Homes, October 10.

SASEBO, Japan - San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18) joined the U.S. 7th Fleet amphibious force in Sasebo, Dec. 1, after transiting the Pacific Ocean from its former homeport of San Diego.

Seven Surface Warfare Officers (SWOs) qualified as Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) Warfare Tactics Instructors (WTIs) and joined the growing base of top tacticians in the Surface Fleet during a graduation ceremony at Aegis Training and Readiness Center (ATRC) in Dahlgren, Va., Nov. 26.

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) on Nov. 21 held a change-of-command ceremony aboard Naval Amphibious Base Coronado.

Eight chief petty officer (CPO) selectees presented themselves on Friday in crisply-pressed khaki uniforms for a pinning ceremony onboard USS Stethem (DDG 63).

Following the release of Cycle 244 Navy-Wide Advancement Exam results, Capt. Andrew F. Carlson, USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) commanding officer, frocked 13 Sailors to the ranks of Petty Officer 1st, 2nd, and 3rd class.

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Cmdr. James Hoey became the first Anti-Submarine Warfare/Surface Warfare (ASW/SUW) Warfare Tactics Instructor (WTI) to assume command during a change command ceremony for USS Charleston (LCS 18) Dec. 6.

SASEBO, Japan – Capt. Richard Lebron relieved Capt. Jim McGovern as commodore of Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 11 during a change of command ceremony aboard amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), Dec. 11.

MUARA, Brunei (NNS) – The U.S. and Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) successfully concluded the 25th annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) maritime exercise at Muara Naval Base, Brunei, Oct. 31.

​RIMBA AIR BASE, Brunei (NNS) -- Rear Adm. Joey Tynch, Commander Task Force 73, along with members from the Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF), flew a Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawk helicopter during maritime exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2019 at Rimba Air Base, Brunei, Oct. 22.

Vice Adm. Richard Brown, Commander, Naval Surface Forces (CNSF), visited Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Nov. 3-6, as part of his waterfront engagement series.

Hull Technician Fireman Benjamin Chewey was named the Blue Jacket of the Year for Commander, Destroyer Squadron 23 (COMDESRON 23), Nov. 23.

Sailors from Navy Cargo Handling Battalion (NCHB) 1, 8, 11 and 13, Assault Craft Unit 1 and Amphibious Construction Battalion 1 gathered on the island atoll of Diego Garcia in the British Indian Ocean Territory, Nov. 11-16.

The Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Cincinnati (LCS 20) arrived at its new homeport in San Diego for the first time, Nov. 20.

SAN DIEGO – Air Traffic Controller 3rd Class Alize J. Acevedo, assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), received a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Nov. 8, 2019, for turning over a Sailor who was underage drinking.

NICHINAN, Japan – The U.S. Navy, Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), and Royal Australian Navy (RAN) will commence Mine Warfare Exercise 3JA 2019 off the coast of southwestern Japan, Nov. 18.

EVERETT, Wash. - Cmdr. Robert Biggs relieved Cmdr. Casey Mahon as commanding officer of guided missile destroyer USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) at sea Nov. 15 during a change of command ceremony.

Ticonderoga class guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70), along with embarked detachment from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 49 “Monstars,” returned to its homeport of Naval Station San Diego following an independent deployment to the U.S. 3rd and 7th Fleet areas of operations, Nov 18.

What started as the USS Hopper (DDG 70) Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions (CSADD) Chapter coordinating a command event, quickly evolved into a base wide celebration.

The Sailors of the Year for FY 2019 were announced by Commanding Officer Cmdr. Mark Lawrence at an all hands call onboard USS Paul Hamilton.

USS Howard (DDG 83) held a change of command ceremony on the ship’s flight deck at Naval Base San Diego, Nov. 8.

The Sailors of the Year for FY 2019 were announced by Commanding Officer Cmdr. Mark Lawrence at an all hands call onboard USS Paul Hamilton. Hull Technician Fireman Benjamin Chewey was named Blue Jacket of the Year, Electricians Mate Third Class Matthew Wilson was named Junior Sailor of the Year, Fire Controlman Aegis Second Class Joshua Dendytelles was named Sailor of the Year, and Operations Specialist First Class Kinsley Valle was named Senior Sailor of the Year. [Insert photo of Awardees] In order to be chosen for this prestigious honor, the Sailors had to demonstrate outstanding performance in their rate, commitment to their collateral duties, and positive contributions to the command’s climate. The four selectees were chosen from over 300 Sailors, highlighting the competitive nature of the awards. This is the first time being selected for a Sailor of the Year award for all four Phantom Warriors. “We are so proud of these great Sailors. This honor is a big recognition of their hard work”, said Command Master Chief Toyna Grace. “They have set the bar high for every Phantom Warrior to emulate!”

Sailors aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Milius completed a highline personnel transfer during a replenishment-at-sea with the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Pecos while conducting operations in the East China Sea, Oct. 22.

SAN DIEGO--Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet and the Southwest Regional Maintenance and Repair Center hosted a surface ship self-sufficiency and sustainment open house at Naval Base San Diego Oct. 23.

Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs (ASN M&RA) Gregory J. Slavonic visited the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Stockdale (DDG 106) and the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego (LPD 22)

Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs (ASN M&RA) Gregory J. Slavonic visited the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Stockdale (DDG 106) and the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego (LPD 22) at Naval Base San Diego, Oct. 30, to meet the ships’ leadership and talk to the crews.

NAVAL AMPHIBIOUS BASE CORONADO, Calif. – Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet hosted the Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet 2019 Executive Leadership Symposium at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, Oct. 21-25.

New Commanding Officer of USS Sterett Andrew B. Koy speaks at his change of command. The Sterett is currently homeported in San Diego.

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Cmdr. Andrew B. Koy relieved Cmdr. Sean P. Lewis as commander of the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Sterett (DDG 104) during a change of command ceremony at Naval Station San Diego Friday, Oct. 18.

SAN DIEGO – The guided-missile destroyer USS Russell (DDG-59) held a change of command ceremony at Naval Base San Diego on Oct. 23, 2019. Cmdr. Matthew W. Foster turned over the role of commanding officer to Cmdr. Ryan K. Rogers.

SAN DIEGO (Oct. 25, 2019) – Twelve survivors of the Battle off Samar gathered for the last time to honor their shipmates during the 75th anniversary memorial service at the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, Oct. 25.

Female sailors assigned to the Navy’s forward-deployed Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS McCampbell (DDG 85) executed their first all-female “Sea and Anchor” detail, while pulling into Sembawang, Singapore, Oct. 17.