The last of the improved Los Angeles-class submarines, USS Cheyenne (SSN 773), returned home on June 14 to Pearl Harbor after completing a successful six-month Western Pacific deployment.
With a crew of approximately 150 Sailors, Cheyenne visited Subic Bay, Philippines; Busan, South Korea; Yokosuka, Japan; and Guam. Cheyenne’s deployment allowed the crew to test the capabilities of the ship, employ the ship tactically and test their ability to conduct sustained forward-deployed operations away from port.

 “The crew enjoyed the last six months a lot. We started with an end in mind, which was the safe execution of the deployment, mission accomplishment and a safe return to our loved ones who have supported us every day since we left. To them, I say Bravo Zulu,” said Cmdr Noel Gonzalez.
“I am very proud of the way our crew has taken care of each other, how we have safely enjoyed all the ports we visited and the international relationships we established in each port. Now it’s time to spend time with our families, who have also made a sacrifice and shown their commitment by letting us Sailors do what we do best.
“I hope my crew enjoys the time they get off and that they continue to take care of each other as they have done all deployment,” he said.

Cheyenne, one of the most capable fast-attack submarines in the U.S. Navy, embodies a fighting spirit whose enhanced war-fighting capabilities include vertical-launch cruise missiles, advanced sonar systems and a state of the art engine room. This sophisticated design provides Cheyenne the ability to operate in any of the world’s ocean, making the ship ready for any mission.
More important than the design of the vessel is the crew. Cheyenne’s highly trained crew is what truly makes this submarine a fierce warship. The crew’s professionalism and aptitude makes them the backbone of the submarine fleet.

 “Hooyah, Cheyenne,” exclaimed Cheyenne’s Chief of the Boat Electronic Technician Master Chief Michael Hinkle.
“It’s been a long six months and our guys have maintained their professionalism and kept the ship safe under stressful conditions. I want them to get out there and enjoy their time off with their family and friends,” he said.

Homeported in Pearl Harbor, USS Cheyenne is named after the city of Cheyenne, Wyoming. The Ship’s Sponsor Ann Simpson, wife of former Senator Alan Simpson of Wyoming, christened Cheyenne on April 1, 1995. The ship since, has lived by the city’s motto, “Live the Legend.”

Press Release, June 18, 2013; Image: US Navy

HMS Lancaster, ‘The Queen’s Frigate,’ celebrates the official birthday of her lady sponsor, Her Majesty The Queen by ‘dressing ship’ in Key West, Florida.
HMS Lancaster, one of the Royal Navy’s Type 23 frigates, visited Key West 15 June 2013 as part of her six-month deployment to the North Atlantic and Caribbean.
It was her second port of call of the deployment after first visiting Bermuda.
HMS Lancaster’s Commanding Officer, Commander Steve Moorhouse, said:

“We wish our Lady Sponsor, Her Majesty the Queen, loyal greetings and best wishes on her Birthday.
“It is a great honour to be alongside in Key West, the second visit of our 6 month deployment to the Caribbean, and to be able to show Lancaster off in the finest traditions of the Royal Navy by Dressing Ship and celebrating Her Majesty’s Birthday with friends from all over the world.”

As well as providing reassurance and security for the six British overseas territories, Lancaster’s deployment will also see her undertake a range of other tasks across the Caribbean in support of British interests.
These include the provision of humanitarian aid and disaster relief during the core hurricane season and counter narcotic operations with partner nations such as the United States.

Press Release, June 18, 2013; Image: Royal Navy

USS Enterprise (CVN 65) will return to Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) with shipbuilders on board on Thursday, June 20. With a famous 50-year career as the U.S. Navy’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, USS Enterprise (CVN 65) will come full circle, returning to the shipyard that built her for the first inactivation of an aircraft carrier.
About 100 shipbuilders who helped construct and maintain the ship over her lifetime will ride aboard for her final voyage, and the whistles and horns of docked ships and NNS will blow to honor “Big E’s” return.
Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) designs, builds and maintains nuclear and non-nuclear ships for the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard and provides after-market services for military ships around the globe. For more than a century, HII has built more ships in more ship classes than any other U.S. naval shipbuilder at its Newport News Shipbuilding and Ingalls Shipbuilding divisions.

Press Release, June 18, 2013; Image: Wikimedia

Six Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) midshipmen trained on the guided- missile destroyer USS Higgins (DDG 76) to experience shipboard life, May 30 to June 17.
The summer training program is designed to expose midshipmen to daily operations aboard U.S. Navy ships, aircraft, and submarines.
While underway on the ship, midshipmen from Rochester University, Rochester Institute of Technology, Cornell University, and the University of San Diego participated in M-240 live-fire exercises, damage control training, steel beach picnics, ship handling, and flag hoist drills. The midshipmen were also tasked with researching the ship’s namesake, Colonel William Richard Higgins, to earn a command ball cap.

“The crewmembers of the USS Higgins have been very accommodating and considerate in our development,” said Midshipman 1st Class Roxanne Sumanga. “I think it is safe to say we accomplished a lot more than our civilian peers this summer.”

The midshipmen also spent an afternoon on board HMS Dragon (D35) where they gained exposure to the British navy.

“Getting to experience the daily routine of a deployed allied destroyer was an invaluable experience for me; something most midshipmen will not get to experience before entering the fleet,” said Midshipman 2nd Class Joe Thibodeau.

The entire Higgins crew was charged with teaching the midshipmen about life on board a destroyer. Each midshipman was assigned a running mate to shadow as they spent time in their watch stations and work centers.

“Our running mates went above and beyond, finding tasks for us and explaining situations that we would never have seen if it weren’t for them,” said Midshipman 2nd Class Casey Arnold.

This training marks the last time the senior midshipmen will be at sea before joining the fleet as ensigns.

“Midshipmen summer training events directly impact how midshipmen perceive the surface Navy and our mission,” Cmdr. Nicole Shue, commanding officer. “By including a variety of activities into the daily routine, our training team on board facilitated a positive learning environment for the midshipmen and their development as future surface naval officers.”

Higgins is currently deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility promoting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support missions for Operation Enduring Freedom.

Press Release, June 18, 2013; Image: Wikimedia

The forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) completed loading ordnance, while preparing for a scheduled deployment to the U.S. 7th Fleet Area of Responsibility (AOR), June 13.
For more than 12 hours, the weapons department Sailors offloaded more than 120 pallets of non-exercise related ordnance and received more than 160 pallets of munitions needed for upcoming exercises.

“Everything went smoothly,” said Chief Aviation Ordnanceman Charles Mifsud. “We had no equipment mishaps and no personnel mishaps. My Sailors were outstanding.”

Aviation ordnancemen, gunner’s mates, and Naval Ordnance Command (NOC) Sasebo civilian contractors used a variety of methods to move ordnance. As a safety precaution, large sections of the hangar bay were restricted to non-essential traffic.

“I like to say altitude leads to aptitude,” said Mifsud. “And these Sailors were flying high today.”

The Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) is scheduled to take part in certification exercises, as well as a comprehensive, complex training evolution that combines the Navy and Marine Corps maritime and sea-to-shore capabilities, and work with partners and allies in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region to improve combat readiness and interoperability.
Bonhomme Richard is the first ship of the ARG to deploy and will be met at a later date by USS Germantown (LSD 42) and USS Denver (LPD 9). Bonhomme Richard ARG reports to commander, Amphibious Squadron 11 and is currently conducting regularly scheduled operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet AOR.

Press Release, June 18, 2013; Image: Wikimedia