Today's US Navy Photos & Videos

BERGEN, Norway (Aug. 27, 2017) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79) arrives in Bergen, Norway, for a scheduled port visit Aug. 27, 2017. Oscar Austin is on a routine deployment supporting U.S. national security interests in Europe, and increasing theater security cooperation and forward naval presence in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ryan U. Kledzik/Released)

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ATLANTIC OCEAN (Aug. 27, 2017) Sailors assigned to the Fighting Checkmates of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 211 move an engine in the hangar bay aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). Harry S. Truman has successfully completed flight deck certifications and is underway preparing for a tailored ship's training availability and final evaluation problem. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Thomas Bonaparte Jr./Released)

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KINGS BAY, Ga. (Aug 25, 2017) The Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarine USS Maryland (SSBN 738) returns to its homeport at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Ga., following a strategic deterrent patrol. Maryland is the fourth U.S. Navy boat named in honor of the state. The boat is one of five ballistic-missile submarines stationed at the base and is capable of carrying up to 20 submarine-launched ballistic missiles with multiple warheads. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Bradley J. Gee/Released)

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ATLANTIC OCEAN (Aug. 27, 2017) A close-in weapons system fires during a live-fire exercise aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3). Kearsarge is underway conducting routine shipboard certifications. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ryre Arciaga/Released)

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ATLANTIC OCEAN (Aug. 26, 2017) Sailors prepare to attach chocks and chains to an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the "Grandmasters" of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 46, Det. 1, on the flight deck of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79) Aug. 26, 2017. Oscar Austin is on a routine deployment supporting U.S. national security interests in Europe, and increasing theater security cooperation and forward naval presence in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ryan U. Kledzik/Released)

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KAUAI, Hawaii (NNS) -- The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and U.S. Navy sailors aboard USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53) successfully conducted a complex missile defense flight test, resulting in the intercept of a medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) target using Standard Missile (SM) 6 guided missiles during a test off the coast of Hawaii Aug. 30.

John Paul Jones detected and tracked a target missile launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai, Hawaii, with its onboard AN/SPY-1 radar and onboard SM-6 missiles executed the intercept.

"We are working closely with the fleet to develop this important new capability, and this was a key milestone in giving our Aegis BMD (Ballistic Missile Defense) ships an enhanced capability to defeat ballistic missiles in their terminal phase," said MDA Director Lt. Gen. Sam Greaves. "We will continue developing ballistic missile defense technologies to stay ahead of the threat as it evolves."

This test, designated Flight Test Standard Missile (FTM) 27 Event 2, marks the second time that an SM-6 missile has successfully intercepted a medium-range ballistic missile target.

Aegis BMD is the naval component of the Ballistic Missile Defense System. MDA and the U.S. Navy cooperatively manage the Aegis BMD program. Additional information about all elements of the ballistic missile defense system can be found here

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NORFOLK (Aug. 30, 2017) Marines assigned to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (26th MEU) get off their buses and prepare to stage their packs at Naval Station Norfolk. The 26th MEU is stationed at Camp Lejeune, N.C., and are preparing to embark the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) in support of disaster relief operations in Houston, Texas. (Marine Corps Photo by Master Sgt. Ryan O'Hare/Released)

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NORFOLK (Aug. 30, 2017) Marines assigned to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (26th MEU) embark the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3). Kearsarge is onloading personnel, equipment and supplies in preparation to assist with disaster relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. U.S. military assets are supporting FEMA as well as state and local authorities in rescue and relief efforts. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Deven B. King/Released)

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NORFOLK (Aug. 30, 2017) A medium tactical vehicle replacement disembarks a landing craft, air cushion assigned to Assault Craft Unit 4 in the well deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3). Kearsarge is onloading personnel, equipment and supplies in preparation to assist with disaster relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. U.S. military assets are supporting FEMA as well as state and local authorities in rescue and relief efforts. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kaitlyn E. Eads/Released)

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NORFOLK (Aug. 30, 2017) A landing craft, air cushion assigned to Assault Craft Unit 4 enters the well deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3). Kearsarge is onloading personnel, equipment and supplies in preparation to assist with disaster relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. U.S. military assets are supporting FEMA as well as state and local authorities in rescue and relief efforts. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Michael Eduardo Jorge/Released)

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NORFOLK (Aug. 30, 2017) Sailors man the rails of the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) as the ship departs Naval Station Norfolk. Wasp is transiting to Sasebo, Japan, to conduct a turnover with the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) as the forward-deployed flagship of the amphibious forces in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Levingston Lewis/Released)

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NORFOLK (Aug. 30, 2017) The amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) departs Naval Station Norfolk. Wasp is transiting to Sasebo, Japan, to conduct a turnover with the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) as the forward-deployed flagship of the amphibious forces in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Justin Wolpert/Released)

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MANAMA, Bahrain (Aug. 28, 2017) Sailors and Marines assigned to Naval Amphibious Forces, Task Force 51, 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (TF 51/5), tour the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) while in port in Bahrain. TF-51/5 is an integrated team entrusted with rapidly aggregating crisis response capabilities and positioning Navy and Marine Corps forces throughout the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command area of operations to ensure command and control of forces at sea and ashore. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jessica Lucio/Released)

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COLLEGE STATION, Texas (Aug. 30, 2017) An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter attached to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 7 launches with assigned crew members and Airmen from the 48th Rescue Squadron for joint search and rescue operations utilizing Air Force small boats throughout the areas affected by Hurricane Harvey. The U.S. Navy and Air Force have sent personnel and aircraft to the area to bolster Northern Command's support of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's disaster response efforts. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Christopher Lindahl/Released)

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BAHRAIN (Aug. 28, 2017) Sailors assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) take part in a raft water slide during a port visit to Bahrain. Nimitz is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. While in this region, the ship and its carrier strike group are conducting maritime security operations to reassure allies and partners, preserve freedom of navigation, and maintain the free flow of commerce. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Leon Wong/Released)

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WAVY said:

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — The USS Wasp (LHD 1) left Naval Station Norfolk on Wednesday for Sasebo, Japan, where the amphibious assault ship will be the forward-deployed flagship of the amphibious force of the U.S. 7th Fleet.

This homeport shift will introduce an F-35B Joint Strike Fighter-capable amphibious assault ship to the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, pairing it with the F-35Bs of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 (VMFA-121).

“This move ensures that our most technologically advanced air warfare platforms are forward deployed,” said Wasp commanding officer Capt. Andrew Smith. “Our capabilities, paired with the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter, increases our Navy’s precision strike capabilities within the 7th Fleet region. Wasp will help America’s commitment to the maritime security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific.”

The Wasp returned to Norfolk late last year after a six-month deployment. During that time, the crew finished a certification validation, which ensures the ship’s readiness to join the 7th Fleet.

In a news release, the Navy said the ship “represents the naval centerpiece of the Up-Gunned Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) concept, which increases the capability of the traditional three-ship amphibious ready group to defend itself and project power.”

As Wasp takes over for USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) for a regularly-scheduled deployment next year, the crew will serve as the flagship for the Wasp ESG, which will include USS Green Bay (LPD 20) and one of two forward-deployed amphibious dock landing ships. The ESG also embarks Naval Beach Unit 7, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25 and ground, air and logistics elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.

The Up-Gunned ESG-MEU team is the premiere crisis response force in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. On top of maintaining security in the region, the Wasp ESG will respond at a moment’s notice to humanitarian aid and disaster relief.

The 31st MEU and forward-deployed amphibious ships like Wasp combine to form U.S. Pacific Command’s premier crisis response force. Together, the U.S. Navy-Marine Corps team has the capability to conduct stability operations or deliver disaster relief at a moment’s notice.

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VIDOR, Texas (Aug. 31, 2017) Naval Aircrewman (Helicopter) 2nd Class Jansen Schamp, a native of Denver, Colorado and assigned to the Dragon Whales of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 28, rescues two dogs at Pine Forrest Elementary School, a shelter that required evacuation after flood waters from Hurricane Harvey reached its grounds. The mission resulted in the rescue of seven adults, seven children and four dogs. U.S. Fleet Forces Command sent personnel and assets to bolster Northern Command's support of FEMA's assistance to federal, state and local authorities ongoing relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. Hurricane Harvey formed in the Gulf of Mexico and made landfall in southeastern Texas, bringing record flooding and destruction to the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Christopher Lindahl/Released)

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VIDOR, Texas (Aug. 31, 2017) Naval Aircrewman (Helicopter) 2nd Class Jansen Schamp, a native of Denver, Colorado and assigned to the Dragon Whales of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 28, reassures a family after a rescue at Pine Forrest Elementary School, a shelter that required evacuation after flood waters from Hurricane Harvey reached its grounds. (U.S. Navy Video by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Christopher Lindahl/Released)

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BEAUMONT, Texas (Aug. 31, 2017) Evacuees show appreciation to Naval Aircrewman (Helicopter) 2nd Class Jansen Schamp, a native of Denver, Colorado and assigned to the Dragon Whales of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 28, after a rescue at Pine Forrest Elementary School, a shelter that required evacuation after flood waters from Hurricane Harvey reached its grounds. The mission resulted in the rescue of seven adults, seven children and four dogs. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Christopher Lindahl/Released)

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BEAUMONT, Texas (Aug. 31, 2017) A child shows appreciation to Naval Aircrewman (Helicopter) 2nd Class Rion Johnson, a native of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fl and assigned to the Dragon Whales of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 28, after a group rescue of people and dogs at a shelter that required evacuation after flood waters from Hurricane Harvey reached its grounds. The mission resulted in the rescue of seven adults, seven children and four dogs. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Christopher Lindahl/Released)

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bd popeye said:

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This article is rather lengthy. Take a little time and read it. The US military response to HH is MASSIVE!

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