Gator Navy in Action

How is the weather aboard USS Bataan (LHD 5)?

aircraftcarriers — Tue, 21 May 2013 08:38:00 -0400

Meteorologist Chris Warren of The Weather Channel visited USS Bataan (LHD 5) to learn how the gather and use weather information, and how they prepare for hurricanes. Watch:

From reveille to taps, a day aboard USS Kearsarge (LHD 3).

aircraftcarriers — Tue, 14 May 2013 10:12:00 -0400

From reveille to taps, a day aboard USS Kearsarge (LHD 3).

Bringing Anchorage to Life

aircraftcarriers — Mon, 06 May 2013 10:47:00 -0400

Bringing Anchorage to Life:

Special post to the iDriveWarships blog, written by the Commanding Officer of the newly commissioned USS Anchorage (LPD 23). Check it out!

The Amphibious Transport Dock Ship Anchorage (LPD 23) launches...

aircraftcarriers — Fri, 03 May 2013 15:27:41 -0400

The Amphibious Transport Dock Ship Anchorage (LPD 23) launches and recovers a Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey while en route to its namesake city of Anchorage, Alaska for it’s commissioning ceremony scheduled for May 4.

Alaskans Welcome Anchorage George Holly, right, and Alaskans...

aircraftcarriers — Fri, 03 May 2013 09:17:00 -0400

Alaskans Welcome Anchorage

George Holly, right, and Alaskans from villages around south central Alaska perform as the Ida’ina Dance Group during a welcoming ceremony for the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Anchorage (LPD 23) at the Port of Anchorage. Anchorage is in its namesake city of Anchorage, Alaska for its commissioning ceremony May 4. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James R. Evans/Released)

How Many Ships Can One Ship Be?

aircraftcarriers — Wed, 01 May 2013 12:50:00 -0400

Count ‘em! LPD Flight II is the affordable, capable, adaptable and survivable next generation amphibious ship. Built on the proven LPD-17 class hull, it can be adapted into five variants.

This ad, appearing this month on Janes Defence Online, shows the different variants that can be built on the proven LPD-17 hull.

For more information, visit www.huntingtoningalls.com/flight2

All Ears on Deck! Rear Adm. Bill Lescher, commander,...

aircraftcarriers — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 08:20:00 -0400

All Ears on Deck! Rear Adm. Bill Lescher, commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 5, speaks to sailors and Marines aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) in the Gulf of Oman, Apr. 23. Photo by U.S. Navy

Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula reached a milestone April 20...

aircraftcarriers — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 08:38:00 -0400

Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula reached a milestone April 20 in the construction of the U.S. Navy amphibious assault ship John P. Murtha (LPD 26). The shipyard completed a lift of the 550-ton upper wing grand block. This plan for building the grand block is the first of its kind.

Last week at the Navy League’s Sea-Air-Space Expo we...

aircraftcarriers — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 09:26:15 -0400

Last week at the Navy League’s Sea-Air-Space Expo we debuted the model for an LPD Flight II version that is capable of Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) missions.

Learn more about the LPD Flight II variants.

LPD 27 has a name! The newest amphib under construction at...

aircraftcarriers — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 10:56:10 -0400

LPD 27 has a name!

The newest amphib under construction at Ingalls has, at last, been given a name. In a release from Secretary of the Navy, Ray Mabus, we learned that LPD 27 will be named for Portland, Oregon. LPD 27 will be the third ship to bear the name Portland. The second, USS Portland (LSD 37), was an amphib as well.

General James F. Amos, Commandant of the Marine Corps, is a fan...

aircraftcarriers — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 10:24:52 -0400

General James F. Amos, Commandant of the Marine Corps, is a fan of our Ingalls Amphibs. In a DOD Buzz blog post last week, he is quoted as recommending the Navy replace the LSD amphibs with LPDs.

Read the post.

USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) takes on the Suez Canal in 60 seconds....

aircraftcarriers — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 15:12:53 -0400

USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) takes on the Suez Canal in 60 seconds. Have you ever seen an amphib move so fast?

On Friday, March 21, Arlington (LPD 24), the U.S. Navy ship...

aircraftcarriers — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 13:19:00 -0400

On Friday, March 21, Arlington (LPD 24), the U.S. Navy ship named to honor the heroes of 9/11, arrived in Norfolk, Va. This video, from the Virginian-Pilot, shows the hero’s welcome home.

Arlington, built by Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, will be commissioned in Norfolk on Sunday, April 6. Learn more about the commissioning.

Anchorage (LPD 23) Hosts Top Students Fifteen students toured...

aircraftcarriers — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 09:38:15 -0400

Anchorage (LPD 23) Hosts Top Students

Fifteen students toured the future USS Anchorage (LPD 23) during the ship’s visit to Port Hueneme, California.The middle school students were those that placed in the top three of the Engineering Challenge put on by Naval Surface Warfare Center Port Hueneme Division (NSWC PHD)

Anchorage Sailors gave them a small preview of life aboard an LPD, letting them view the berthing area, bridge, mess deck, ward and intensive care unit. They tested out the ship’s unique “sit-up” berths, which accommodate up to 6 feet 6 inches of length, and they sat in the commander’s swivel chair on the bridge, where they proceeded to hand out orders to fellow classmates.

The future USS Anchorage is the seventh San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship. Built in Avondale, La., LPD 23 was delivered to the Navy Sept. 17, 2012, and will be commissioned May 4 in her namesake Alaska city.

Bravo Zulu to Amphibs for Battle Efficiency Awards!

aircraftcarriers — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 16:28:34 -0400

The Navy has announced that three Ingalls-built Amphibs have earned Battle “E” Awards. This is San Antonio’s second Battle “E” Award.

Read more about the amphibs and their awards:

USS Peleliu (LHA 5)
• Tarawa-class amphibious assault ship
• Keel laid Nov. 12, 1976
• Launched Nov. 25, 1978
• Commissioned: May 3, 1980

USS Makin Island (LHD 8)
• Wasp-class amphibious assault ship
• Keel laid Feb. 14, 2004
• Launched Sept. 22, 2006
• Commissioned Oct. 24, 2009

USS San Antonio (LPD 17)
• San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship
• Keel laid Dec. 9, 2000
• Launched July 12, 2003
• Commissioned Jan. 14, 2006

Arlington (LPD 24) Steps the Mast

aircraftcarriers — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 17:06:01 -0500

The second of three Ingalls-built 9/11 ships is sailing away from Pascagoula on Friday, headed for Norfolk for Commissioning. Today the crew of Arlington (LPD 24) celebrated an ancient tradition of stepping the mast by welding the Mast Stepping box into the ship. This custom dates back almost as long as ships have been being built; in fact, Greek mythology states that the coins would provide payment of the crew’s wages for their return trip should the ship be wrecked. Nowadays it’s a means of ensuring good luck for the ship and her crew.

This photo was taken at the Mast Stepping Ceremony the day before Arlington’s christening on March 26, 2011. Sponsor, Joyce Rumsfeld and matrons of honor, Marcy Rumsfeld and Valerie Rumsfeld-Richard, show off the contents of the Mast Stepping box with Ingalls president, Irwin F. Edenzon and Arlington’s PCO, CDR Darren Nelson, USN. The box contains 24 cents and items significant to the sponsor, the ship’s crew, and the families of those lost in the Pentagon and on board Flight 77 on September 11, 2001.

Members of the Arlington crew gather with shipbuilders just before the box is welded into the mast of the ship.

Ingalls hull welder, Carlos Turner welds the box into place. Assisting while shielding his eyes from the spark is Arlington PCO, CDR Darren Nelson, USN.

Don Brabston, a 47-year shipbuilder signs where the Mast Stepping box now rests. Brabston is the Post-Delivery General Ship Superintendent for LPD 24.

An added touch to the interior of Arlington (LPD 24) is a painting and image of the Pentagon in honor of the heroes of 9/11.

Crew of USS Boxer gets a Starbucks on board Deployment on the...

aircraftcarriers — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 09:23:00 -0500

Crew of USS Boxer gets a Starbucks on board

Deployment on the USS Boxer (LHD 4) just got a little bit more like home. Crew members can now indulge in coffees, teas, and smoothies similar to what they’d find in their local Starbucks. This is the first ever Starbucks to open aboard an amphibious assault ship. Members of the ship’s crew were trained by Starbucks baristas and they’ve even coined the name “Starboxer” as the cafe’s name on board.

Crew members do have to pay for the treats, but all profits go to the ship’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation fund.

USS San Diego declared ready for combat operations The...

aircraftcarriers — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 08:51:00 -0500

**USS San Diego declared ready for combat operations**

The Ingalls-built USS San Diego (LPD 22) has been declared ready for combat operations following the successful completion of final contract trials (FCT).

“We’re the first in the San Antonio-class to conduct final contract trials prior to PSA,” Grotewold said.

Currently undergoing PSA, USS San Diego is expected to begin basic training phase in 2014 in preparation of its maiden deployment, scheduled for the same year.

Sailors assigned to San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock...

aircraftcarriers — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 10:46:06 -0500

Sailors assigned to San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock Anchorage (LPD 23) participate in the ship’s Flight Operations Assessment (FOA), which certifies the flight deck and crew to conduct future flight operations on the ship.

Built by Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi, Anchorage will be commissioned later this year.

USS San Antonio (LPD 17) began Composite Training Unit Exercises...

aircraftcarriers — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 09:41:01 -0500

USS San Antonio (LPD 17) began Composite Training Unit Exercises last week. The Ingalls-built San Antonio will be joined by fellow Ingalls amphibs USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) and USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) in this exercise.

Check out this clip of San Antonio firing forward 30mm Mk46 in a rapid fire test.