Navy Archives - Page 6 of 845

A first for the Burkes: Fitzgerald launches NSM

Posted on October 24, 2024October 24, 2024 by alert5

In a historic first, the United States Navy successfully launched a Naval Strike Missile (NSM) from a destroyer during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024. This significant event marks a key advancement in the Navy’s capabilities. While the NSM has been integrated onto several Littoral Combat Ships, this firing represents a crucial expansion of the weapon system.

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62), while participating in Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024, fires the first naval strike missile from a U.S. destroyer July 18. Twenty-nine nations, 40 surface ships, three submarines, 14 national land forces, more than 150 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC in and around the Hawaiian Islands, June 27 to Aug. 1. The world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s oceans. RIMPAC 2024 is the 29th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jordan Jennings)

DRAGON 437 retires

Posted on October 18, 2024October 18, 2024 by alert5

A MH-53 helicopter that was assigned to the U.S. Navy’s Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron Twelve (HM-12) has flown its final flight and retired at Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum in Florida.

Photo: U.S. Navy
Continue reading “DRAGON 437 retires”

U.S. Navy EA-18G crashes into mountainside near Mount Rainier: Search for crew underway

Posted on October 17, 2024 by alert5

An EA-18G Growler from Electronic Attack Squadron 130 (VAQ-130), known as the “Zappers,” crashed into a mountainside east of Mount Rainier on Oct. 15. The aircraft, which took off from Oak Harbor on a routine training flight, crashed at 3:23 p.m. The condition of the two crew members on board remains unknown.

Continue reading “U.S. Navy EA-18G crashes into mountainside near Mount Rainier: Search for crew underway”

HMS Prince of Wales and 809 NAS unite for Exercise Strike Warrior

Posted on October 15, 2024October 15, 2024 by alert5

The Royal Navy is once again operating fast jets from a British aircraft carrier after a 15-year hiatus. The UK Carrier Strike Group, led by HMS Prince of Wales, has assembled in the North Sea for Exercise Strike Warrior. This exercise marks the integration of 809 Naval Air Squadron (NAS) and its F-35B Lightning stealth fighters and is a crucial step in restoring the Royal Navy’s carrier strike capability. This signifies Britain’s commitment to global power projection.

Photo: Royal Navy

Continue reading “HMS Prince of Wales and 809 NAS unite for Exercise Strike Warrior”

Postponement of EP-3E retirement

Posted on October 11, 2024October 11, 2024 by alert5

Despite plans for a grand farewell, the U.S. Navy’s EP-3E Aries II spy planes are seeing their planned retirement put on hold due to heightened operational demands. A report by Seapower magazine says the planned homecoming ceremony for the crews at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, has been delayed indefinitely. The squadron operating the aircraft, Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron One (VQ-1), was scheduled for deactivation.

Balon Greyjoy, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Continue reading “Postponement of EP-3E retirement”