Category Archives: Surface Forces

‘Blue Africa’ Partnership Seeks to Curb Annual $10B Loss from Illegal Fishing

‘Blue Africa’ Partnership Seeks to Curb Annual $10B Loss from Illegal Fishing

A view of Buracona, a small bay in Sal Island, Cabo Verde, known for the water’s bright blue appearance, seen through the hole of a cave, giving it the name “The Blue Eye.” Marines and sailors supporting the African Maritime Forces Summit (AMFS), toured Sal Island and met with local fishermen on March 20, 2023. US Marine Corps Photo

NEWPORT, R.I. – Faced with an annual $10 billion loss from Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, West African nations are moving to work together to better understand and police their exclusive economic zones as a group, the head of U.S. Naval Forces in Europe and Africa told USNI News last month. Read More

3 Dead After Fishing Boat Rammed Near Scarborough Shoal, Philippine Coast Guard Says

3 Dead After Fishing Boat Rammed Near Scarborough Shoal, Philippine Coast Guard Says

Images of a Filippino fisherman brought to shore after their boat was allegedly rammed off the coast of Scarborough Shoal on Oct. 2. Philippine Government Photo

Three fishermen are dead after their boat was rammed by an unidentified vessel near the contested Scarborough Shoal off the coast of the Phillippines, according to the Philippine Coast Guard. Read More

USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Oct. 2, 2023

USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Oct. 2, 2023

USNI News Graphic

These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of Oct. 2, 2023, based on Navy and public data. In cases where a CSG or ARG is conducting disaggregated operations, the chart reflects the location of the capital ship. Read More

Navy to Drug Test SEALs for Performance Enhancing Drugs

Navy to Drug Test SEALs for Performance Enhancing Drugs

Navy SEAL candidates walk into the Pacific Ocean for surf immersion during the ‘Hell Week’ crucible of Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training on Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, Calif., on on July 11, 2023. US Navy Photo

Naval Special Warfare Command will begin forcewide, random urinalysis testing for performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) starting Nov. 1, officials announced today. Read More

Carrier USS Ronald Reagan Underway from Japan After 11-Day Delay

Carrier USS Ronald Reagan Underway from Japan After 11-Day Delay

USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) underway on Sept. 29, 2023. Photo via X

This post has been updated with a statement from U.S. 7th Fleet.

Carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) got underway on Friday after canceling its departure six times since Sept. 18. Meanwhile, the Navy’s two Ghost Fleet unmanned surface vessel prototypes, which pulled into Yokosuka on Sept. 18, carried out drills on Wednesday with a U.S. Littoral Combat Ship and a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) frigate. Read More

Pentagon Releases Suicide Recommendations 'Subject to Availability of Funding'

Pentagon Releases Suicide Recommendations ‘Subject to Availability of Funding’

Sailors and Marines conduct a foreign object debris walk-down at dusk on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis in 2009. US Navy Photo

The Pentagon will not address improvements to junior enlisted base housing, expanding transportation access for troops or changing on-base firearm purchase policy as part of its latest suicide prevention plan, Defense Department officials told reporters this week. Read More

Iranian Forces Harass Marine Attack Helo with Laser in Persian Gulf

Iranian Forces Harass Marine Attack Helo with Laser in Persian Gulf

Marine AH-1Z Viper with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, prepares to land aboard amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA-7) during exercise Steel Knight 23, Dec. 5, 2022. US Marine Corps Photo

A Marine attack helicopter was harassed by sectarian Iranian forces in the Persian Gulf, a U.S. 5th Fleet official told USNI News on Thursday. Read More

U.S. Needs to Share More Tech, Intel with Allies, Says Wittman

U.S. Needs to Share More Tech, Intel with Allies, Says Wittman

Japan Maritime Self Defense Force Oyashio-class submarine with JMSDF destroyer JS Takanami (DD-110), U.S. Navy destroyer USS Higgins (DDG-76), Royal Canadian Navy frigate HMCS Winnipeg (FFH338) and JMSDF destroyer helicopter carrier JS Izumo (DDH-183) sail in formation in the South China Sea during exercise Noble Raven 22-2. Japan Maritime Self Defense Force Photo

U.S. laws covering technology sharing among America’s closest allies to meet the current military threats are overdue for reevaluation, the number two on the House Armed Services Committee said Thursday. Read More