News

ESG 7 / CTF 76 News

U.S.-Brunei Partnership Remains Strong During CARAT 2020
October 5, 2020 — SOUTH CHINA SEA -- U.S. military and Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) are partnering in the 26th annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) maritime exercise, commencing off the coast of Brunei, Oct. 5.The 26th anniversary of Exercise CARAT Brunei, the first CARAT to take place this year, symbolizes the longstanding U.S.-Brunei... MORE

SINGAPORE (Oct. 5, 2020) – Capt. Ann McCann, commodore of Destroyer Squadron 7, listens to opening remarks during a virtual opening ceremony for Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Brunei 2020. 2020 marks the 26th iteration of CARAT, a multinational exercise designed to enhance U.S. and partner navies' abilities to operate together in response to traditional and non-traditional maritime security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.

USS America Expeditionary Strike Group Stops in Guam to Increase Readiness
October 2, 2020 — The USS America (LHA 6) Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) departed Guam following a port visit Oct 2, 2020... MORE

Amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), the flagship of the America Expeditionary Strike Group, sits pier side in Apra Harbor at Naval Base Guam. This port visit ensures the force remains at the highest level of readiness to support the U.S. 7 th Fleet’s mission of security and stability in the Indo-Pacific.

USS Ronald Reagan Strike Group, America Expeditionary Strike Group Conduct Integrated Operations in U.S. 7th Fleet
September 26, 2020 — PHILIPPINE SEA - The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group and the America Expeditionary Strike Group joined forces to conduct Expeditionary Strike Force operations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific, Sept. 25. The U.S. Navy-Marine Corps team are conducting a multitude of integrated, high-end warfighting exercises while forward-deployed to the... MORE

200926-N-DL524-2258 PHILIPPINE SEA- An MV-22 Osprey, assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 262, lands on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), during integrated Expeditionary Strike Force operations with the USS America (LHA 6). The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group and America Expeditionary Strike Group with the embarked 31st MEU are forward-deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of security and stability in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Erica Bechard/ Released)

Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group Concludes Valiant Shield 2020
September 25, 2020 — The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group concluded Valiant Shield 2020, Sept. 25, while operating in the Philippine Sea.During the exercise, the strike group integrated with more than 11,000 personnel and 100 aircraft from the U.S. Navy, Army, Marine Corps and Air Force, and took part in the U.S.-only field training biennial exercise. Participating... MORE

PHILIPPINE SEA (Sept. 25, 2020) From left, USNS Charles Drew (T-AKE 10), USS Comstock (LSD 45), USS Shiloh (CG 67), USS New Orleans (LPD 18), USS Chicago (SSN 721), USS America (LHA 6), USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), USNS John Ericsson (T-AO 194), USS Antietam (CG 54), USS Germantown (LSD 42), and USNS Sacagawea (T-AKE 2) steam in formation while E/A-18G Growlers and FA-18E Super Hornets from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, a P-8 Poseidon from Commander Task Force 72, and U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors and a B-1B Bomber fly over the formation in support of Valiant Shield 2020. Valiant Shield is a U.S. only, biennial field training exercise (FTX) with a focus on integration of joint training in a blue-water environment among U.S. forces. This training enables real-world proficiency in sustaining joint forces through detecting, locating, tracking and engaging units at sea, in the air, on land and in cyberspace in response to a range of mission areas. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Codie Soule)

US Navy, JMSDF Flex Mine Warfare Capabilities During Exercise 2JA
July 20, 2020 — OKINAWA, Japan – Mine warfare forces from the U.S. Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) started Mine Warfare Exercise (MIWEX) 2JA 2020 off the coast of northern Japan, July 20.“Working with our JMSDF allies to keep our mine countermeasure skills sharp is absolutely essential,” said Rear Adm. Fred Kacher, commander of Expeditionary... MORE

MUTSU BAY (July 19, 2020) – Sailors lower the mine neutralization vehicle (MNV) into the water for mine hunting practice aboard mine countermeasures ship USS Pioneer (MCM 9). Pioneer, part of Mine Countermeasures Squadron 7, is operating in the 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response platform for contingency operations.

HSC-25 Rescues Stranded Hiker
July 13, 2020 — ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam (July 8, 2020) – The Guam-based “Island Knights” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25 responded to a search and rescue (SAR) request for a stranded hiker on July 8.The hiker was reported missing in the morning near the Pagat Caves of Guam’s eastern shore. Guam Fire and Rescue launched a ground search and located... MORE

U.S. Navy file photo of an MH-60S Seahawk helicopter, assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25. (U.S. Navy Combat Camera photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Joan E. Jennings)

Mine Countermeasure Squadron SEVEN conducts Change of Command
July 10, 2020 — SASEBO, Japan – Capt. Derek Brady relieved Capt. Adrian Ragland as commodore of Commander Mine Countermeasures Squadron (COMCMRON) Seven during a change of command ceremony held on the morning of 10 July 2020 at the fleet fitness facility of Fleet Activities Sasebo.Capt. Marvin Thompson, deputy commander of Expeditionary Strike Group 7, presided... MORE

SASEBO, Japan (July 10, 2020) - Capt. Derek Brady, right, salutes Capt. Marvin Thompson, deputy commander of Expeditionary Strike Group 7, as he assumes command of Mine Countermeasure Squadron Seven from Capt. Adrian Ragland, July 10. COMCMRON 7 conducts integrated mine countermeasure operations using air, Surface, and explosive ordnance disposal assets in both exercise and regional conflict scenarios throughout the U.S. Seventh Fleet Area of Responsibility.

Air Detachment Brings Extended Combat Capability to Rotationally Deployed LCS
July 10, 2020 — U.S. 7th FLEET (July 10, 2020) – With advanced technology, the air detachment aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) is an integral part of crew complement, delivering situational awareness and combat capability well beyond ship-based sensors during their rotational deployment to the Indo-Pacific region.A... MORE

SOUTH CHINA SEA (Jan. 28, 2020) The Independence-variant littoral combat ships USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10), bottom, and USS Montgomery (LCS 8) operate in the South China Sea, accompanied by an MH-60S Sea Hawk of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23, Jan. 28, 2020. Montgomery and Gabrielle Giffords are on rotational deployments to USINDOPACOM, conducting operations, exercises and port visits throughout the region and working hull-to-hull with allied and partner navies to provide maritime security and stability, key pillars of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

U.S., Japan navies exercise together in South China Sea
June 23, 2020 — SOUTH CHINA SEA (June 23, 2020) – Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Kashima class-training vessel JS Kashima (TV-3508) and Shimayuki-class training vessel JS Shimayuki (TV-3513) conducted bilateral exercises while sailing together in the South China Sea, June... MORE

The Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10), right, exercises with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force training ships JS Kashima (TV 3508) and JS Shimayuki (TV 3513) in the South China Sea, June 23, 2020. Gabrielle Giffords, part of Destroyer Squadron Seven, is on a rotational deployment, operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force.

Blue Ridge Returns to Yokosuka
June 23, 2020 — YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) – USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) returned to Yokosuka, Japan, June 24 to begin scheduled maintenance after a five-month patrol throughout the Indo-Pacific. During this patrol, Blue Ridge enhanced relationships with allies and partners and conducted operations with the America Expeditionary Strike Group, Theodore Roosevelt Carrier... MORE

YOKOSUKA, Japan (June 24, 2020) - A Sailor dons a mask and mans the rails as U.S. 7th Fleet flagship, USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) returns to Yokosuka, Japan May 24, 2020. Blue Ridge is the oldest operational ship in the Navy and, as 7th Fleet command ship, actively works to foster relationships with allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Matt Hall)