Blog

Posted on

Newport News Shipbuilding Apprenticeship Program

Instructor Natasha Diaz guides a student on how to use 3D scanner software in the Ray Bagley Innovation Lab at The Newport News Shipbuilding Apprentice School. (Photo by Ashley Cowan/HII)

Newport News Shipbuilding Apprentice School has launched the Ray Bagley Innovation Lab, a mobile laboratory designed to introduce K-12 students and new apprentices to the various trades involved in building ships. The lab covers all 19 trades offered by the school and is intentionally mobile so that it can be used in a variety of settings, such as community events and high school career days. The lab has been funded by Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), Verizon, and BayPort Credit Union, and is part of HII’s efforts to train and develop the next generation of shipbuilders. The Newport News Shipbuilding Apprentice School offers tuition-free apprenticeships in 19 trades, and is accredited by the Council for Occupational Education. Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc

About HII

Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc., HII is a global, all-domain defense provider. HII’s mission is to deliver the world’s most powerful ships and all-domain solutions in service of the nation, creating the advantage for our customers to protect peace and freedom around the world.

As the nation’s largest military shipbuilder, and with a more than 135-year history of advancing U.S. national security, HII delivers critical capabilities extending from ships to unmanned systems, cyber, ISR, AI/ML and synthetic training. Headquartered in Virginia, HII’s workforce is 43,000 strong.

CORPORATE LOCATIONS
Newport News Shipbuilding
4101 Washington Ave Newport News, VA 23607
Ingalls Shipbuilding
1000 Jerry St. Pe’ Highway Pascagoula, MS 39568
Mission Technologies
8350 Broad Street, Suite 1400 McLean, VA 22102
HII Washington, DC
300 M Street SE Washington, DC 20003

Posted on

USNS Cody, EPF Vessel Christened

Austal USA has christened the USNS Cody, its 14th Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) vessel and the first EPF Flight II. The ceremony was attended by Navy leaders, elected officials, and ship sponsor Averil D. Spencer. The EPF Flight II provides an expanded medical capability, including a basic secondary health care facility, an intensive care unit, and limited x-ray, laboratory, and dental support. The catamaran design of the EPF provides stability for onboard medical procedures, and enhanced capabilities support V-22 flight operations and the launch and recovery of 11-meter Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats. Austal USA has two more EPF Flight II ships under construction and a third under contract.

The vision of Austal USA, located in Mobile, Alabama, was realized in 1999 for the purpose of reaching the ever increasing commercial and defense aluminum vessel market in the United States. Our shipbuilding facility occupies 164 acres on the eastern shore of the Mobile River and is strategically positioned at the mouth of the Gulf of Mexico.

Austal USA

100 Austal Way
Mobile, Alabama 36602
(251) 434-8000

Posted on

USS Nitze (DDG 94 Gets 145 Millon BAE Systems Upgrade

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 1st Class Steve Smith • Public domain

The U.S. Navy has awarded BAE Systems a $145 million contract for the maintenance and modernization of the USS Nitze (DDG 94), an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer. BAE Systems’ Norfolk shipyard will perform the work, including upgrading the ship’s combat and command systems, refurbishing crew living spaces, and preserving the hull. The contract could reach $161 million if all options are exercised. BAE Systems is a leading provider of ship repair and overhaul services, operating three full-service shipyards in California, Florida, and Virginia. The USS Nitze was commissioned in 2005 and is named after former Secretary of the Navy Paul Nitze.

Posted on

Tell us Your Story – February 28, 2023

Every Sailor has a story…we dare you to tell yours.

The “Tell us your Story” focuses on the day and the life of every former and actve duty sailor’s everywhere and we invite you to participate. All stories submitted to the “Tell Us Your Story,” podcast include men and women who have proudly served in the U.S. Navy an opportunity to share their stories to help educate the public about the importance of a strong U.S. Navy.

The following was found on YouTube by a member. Sailors unknown.

Posted on

US Navy Awards $37 millon MK 48 torpedo contract to Lockheed Martin

MK 48 inert training torpedo is lowered onto the USS California. Credit: DVIDS

Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $37 million contract by the US Navy to provide upgrade kits and services for the MK 48 heavyweight torpedo. The Mod 7 Common Broadband Advanced Sonar System (CBASS) upgrade kit will equip the torpedo with increased bandwidth and streamlined targeting and tracking capabilities. The replacement kits will upgrade the heavyweight torpedoes used by the entire United States submarine fleet for anti-submarine or anti-surface warfare, as well as those employed by the allied navies of Australia, Canada, and The Netherlands. The work will be carried out at Lockheed Martin’s Marion, Mass., facility with additional support from other company locations.

Posted on

Tell Us Your Story – YouTube Classics February 27, 2023

Every Sailor has a story…we dare you to tell yours.

The “Tell us your Story” focuses on the day and the life of every former and actve duty sailor’s everywhere and we invite you to participate. All stories submitted to the “Tell Us Your Story,” podcast include men and women who have proudly served in the U.S. Navy an opportunity to share their stories to help educate the public about the importance of a strong U.S. Navy.

The following was found on YouTube by a member. Sailors unknown.

“Call Me Maybe in The Navy” courtesy of YouTube
Posted on

This Week in Navy History – February 26 – March 3, 2023

USS Ranger departing for sea trials in 1957

February 26, 1991
During Operation Desert Storm, A-6E aircraft of VA-155 from USS Ranger (CVA 61) and Marine aircraft bomb Iraqi troops fleeing Kuwait City to Basra.

February 27, 1942
The Battle of the Java Sea begins, where the 14-ship Allied forces (American, Dutch, British and Australian) attempt to stop the 28-ship Japanese invasion of the Dutch East Indies colony of Java. The Japanese, during battles over three days, decimates the Allied forces, sinking at least 11 ships, killing more than 3,370 and taking nearly 1,500 prisoners.

February 28, 1844
An experimental 12-inch gun explodes on board USS Princeton, killing Secretary of State (former Secretary of the Navy) Abel P. Upshur, Secretary of the Navy Thomas W. Gilmer, and five other dignitaries and injuring 20 people.

March 1, 1953
During the Korean War, USS Valley Forge (CVA 45) aircraft raid the No.1 power plant at Chosen, Korea and heavily damage the strongly defended industrial site.

March 2, 1973
Women begin pilot training to U.S. Navy.

March 3, 1915
The Office of Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) is established by Congress with Adm. William S. Benson named the first CNO.

March 4, 1991
Iraq releases 10 Desert Storm prisoners of war (six Americans, three of whom were designated MIA), including Navy Lt. Jeffrey Zaun, Lt. Robert Wetzel, and Lt. Lawrence Slade

*Source: Naval History and Heritage Command. https://www.history.navy.mil

Posted on

This Day in Navy History – February 27, 2023

USS ALDEN (DD-211) Stern view. Off the Mare Island Navy Yard, 22 September 1942.

1942 – The Battle of the Java Sea begins, where the 14-ship Allied forces (American, Dutch, British and Australian) attempt to stop the 28-ship Japanese invasion.
On This Day

The Battle of the Java Sea began when the American-British-Dutch-Australian (ABDA) naval command attempted to stop the Japanese invasion of Java on February 27, 1942. Led by Royal Netherlands Navy Rear Admiral Karel W.F.M. Doorman, the ABDA force was decimated in a seven-hour battle. Lost in battle were Royal Netherlands cruisers Java and De Ruyter (Doorman’s flagship), along with Royal Netherlands destroyer Kortenauer. The Royal Navy (British) destroyers Electra and Jupiter were also sunk. Communication difficulties played a large part in the defeat, and the Japanese invasion continued, only delaying the inevitable by one-day. The cruisers, USS Houston (CA-30), and Australian cruiser, HMAS Perth, would evade being sunk by the Japanese but fate would soon intervene at the Battle of Sunda Strait, February 28-March 1, 1942.

1928
Pilot Cmdr. Theodore G. Ellyson (Naval Aviator No. 1) and crewmembers Lt. Cmdr. Hugo Schmidt and Lt. Roger S. Ransehousen died when their XOL-7 observation amphibian, BuNo A-7335, crashed into the Chesapeake Bay while en route from NAS Hampton Roads, Virginia, to Annapolis, Maryland.

1942
Seaplane tender USS Langley (AV-3), carrying 32 U.S. Army Air Force P-40 aircraft for the defense of Java, is bombed by Japanese naval land attack planes 75 miles south of Tjilatjap, Java. Due to the damage, Langley is shelled and torpedoed by USS Whipple (DD-217).

1942
The Battle of the Java Sea begins, where the 14-ship Allied forces (American, Dutch, British and Australian) attempt to stop the 28-ship Japanese invasion of the Dutch East Indies colony of Java. The Japanese, during battles over three days, decimates the Allied forces, sinking at least 11 ships, killing more than 3,370 and taking nearly 1,500 prisoners.

1945
Submarine USS Scabbardfish (SS-397) sinks Japanese guardboat No. 6 Kikau Maru, 100 miles northeast of Keelung, Formosa, while USS Blenny (SS-324) attacks a Japanese convoy off French Indochina and sinks merchant tanker Amato Maru off Cape Padaran.

1944
Three U.S. Navy submarines sink three Japanese cargo ships: Grayback (SS-208) sinks Ceylon Maru in the East China Sea; Cod (SS-224) sinks Taisoku Maru west of Halmahera while Trout (SS-202) sinks Aki Maru.

1945
Land-based patrol aircraft from VPB 112, along with others from three British vessels, HMS Labaun and HMS Loch Fada and HMS Wild Goose, sink German submarine U 327 in the English Channel.

1973
First airborne mine sweep in a live minefield takes place in the Haiphong, Vietnam ship channel by helicopters from Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron Twelve on board USS New Orleans (LPH-11).

2017
The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Albuquerque (SSN-706) is decommissioned after 33 years of service during a ceremony held at Keyport Undersea Museum.

Posted on

Russian Navy’s New Submarines

Newsweek is reporting that Russia is continuing to fulfill its long-standing naval nuclear plan despite Vladimir Putin’s recent decision to withdraw from an international treaty. Russian shipbuilding corporation, Sevmash, will provide the Russian Navy with two new submarines, the Imperator Alexander III and the Krasnoyarsk, by the end of the year. The Imperator Alexander III is a Borei class submarine capable of carrying 16 Bulava intercontinental ballistic missiles. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the submarines have improved weapon control systems, lower noise levels, and better systems for maneuvering and control at great depths. Meanwhile, the U.S. Navy’s ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) are focused on stealth and the precise delivery of nuclear warheads. The Ohio fleet has 14 SSBNs, each carrying up to 20 submarine-launched ballistic missiles. The U.S. Navy describes the SSBN’s strategic weapon as the Trident II D5 missile. The two Russian submarines are reportedly not related to Putin’s recent comments about nuclear proliferation or the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Posted on

Iranian warships dock in Brazil

Two Iranian warships, the IRIS Makran and IRIS Dena, have been granted permission to dock in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, despite pressure from the US to bar them. The ships had previously been denied permission to dock in late January, but Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s government allowed them to dock after his trip to the US. The US has expressed concerns about the presence of the Iranian warships on Brazilian shores. The decision to allow the ships to dock comes as Lula seeks to bolster Brazil’s international standing. Diplomacy with Iran was one of the highlights of Lula’s previous presidential terms according to publised reports from Reuters.

Fox is reporting has quoted a ‘Warning sign’: Iran’s military reportedly sending warships to Brazil, Panama Canal in challenge to US ‘Tehran’s ability to expand its military presence in our hemisphere should be a warning sign,’ Sen. Rubio says