Faultline on China Lake on Oct. 17, 2019. US Geological Survey Photo
The Navy last week issued contracts worth at least $737 million for new airfield capabilities at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, Calif., where two major earthquakes last year damaged critical facilities at the premier base for research, testing and evaluation that remains not fully operational. Read More
U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Michael Fodrie, a bulk fuel specialist with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 372, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, conducts a ground refueling during expeditionary advanced base operations in support of Exercise Summer Fury 20 on Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif., on July 31, 2020. US Navy Photo
In the Marine Corps’ new concept of expeditionary advanced base operations, its forces disperse light, agile units with a small footprint over a wide area while working jointly with naval forces to counter and fight a credible enemy threat in a multi-domain contested environment. Read More
Marines with Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/4, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, operate AAV-P7/A1 assault amphibious vehicles onto the well deck of the amphibious landing dock USS Somerset (LPD-25) on July 27, 2020. US Marine Corps Photo
Marines and sailors joined grieving families and friends at Camp Pendleton, Calif., on Friday to remember the Navy corpsman and eight Marines who died when their amphibious assault vehicle sank off Southern California three weeks ago. Read More
U.S. Navy Corpsmen with I Marine Expeditionary Force inspect the intravenous blood transfusion equipment and attend to a simulated patient during Valkyrie Emergency Whole Blood Transfusion Training program at Camp Pendleton, Calif., on May 14, 2020. US Marine Corps Photo
Front-line expeditionary forces are getting a new capability that officials say will save lives by enabling small units to have an emergency, on-demand, fresh blood supply to treat battlefield casualties. Read More
Contractors with Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) work to remove the aft mast aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) on Aug. 4, 2020. US Navy Photo
U.S. Pacific Fleet commander Adm. John Aquilino has appointed the head of San Diego, Calif.-based 3rd Fleet to lead the official command investigation into the July 12 fire aboard USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6). Read More
Marines with Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/4, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, operate AAV-P7/A1 assault amphibious vehicles onto the well deck of the amphibious landing dock USS Somerset (LPD-25) on July 27, 2020. US Marine Corps Photo
Navy salvage teams on Friday recovered the bodies of the seven Marines and sailor missing after their amphibious assault vehicle sank during training July 30 off Southern California, the Marine Corps announced late Friday. Read More
Undersea support ship HOS Dominator. MSC Photo
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – A Navy ship specializing in undersea search and rescue has joined the mission to find seven Marines and one sailor missing off the coast of Southern California after their amphibious assault vehicle sank on Thursday, USNI News has learned. Read More
An MH-60S Knight Hawk helicopter from the Merlins of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 3 provides aerial firefighting support to fight the fire aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) on July 14, 2020. US Navy Photo
SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Federal investigators with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are assisting in the criminal investigation into the fire that severely damaged USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6), a Navy official told USNI News. Read More
USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) sits pier side at Naval Base San Diego on July 16, 2020. US Navy Photo
A San Diego shipyard has been given a $10-million award to continue emergency firefighting and ongoing cleanup efforts aboard amphibious warship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6), according to a Pentagon contract announcement. Read More
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday tours USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) on July 17, 2020.
(From left to right) Rear Admiral Philip Sobeck, the commander of Expeditionary Strike Group 3, Gilday, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition James Geurts, NAVSEA commander Vice Adm. Bill Galinis, Bonhomme Richard commander Capt. Gregory Scott Thoroman, Federal Fire Chief Mary Anderson. US Navy Photo
NAVAL BASE SAN DIEGO, Calif. – The Navy’s top officer met with firefighters Friday morning and inspected the damaged decks and spaces inside USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6), six days after a devastating fire spread through the warship. Read More
