Top News of the Week of Mar 25 – Mar 30, 2013

Russia’s Amur-1650 Class Submarine Sparks Foreign Interest

Foreign customers have shown high interest in Russia’s advanced Amur-1650 class submarine, state-run arms dealer Rosoboronexport said on Wednesday.  ”Of the nine countries that are planning to modernize or develop their submarine fleets…three have already chosen the Amur-1650 project”, Rosoboronexport’s director Anatoly Isaikin said.

Bow Section of USS Guardian Safely Removed, Three More to Go

U.S. Navy and contracted salvage personnel embarked aboard M/V Jascon 25 have begun dismantling and sectioning the hull of the grounded mine countermeasures ship Ex-Guardian. The bow section was safely lifted and removed from Tubbataha Reef to an awaiting barge, March 26.

UK: First Sea Lord Given a Tour of Queen Elizabeth Class Carrier

The head of the Royal Navy Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope, who will be handing over the position next month, has paid a visit to the new Queen Elizabeth class carrier as it takes shape in Rosyth.

USS Ohio Arrives at Subic Bay

The Ohio class submarine USS Ohio (SSGN 726) arrived at Subic Bay March 22 for a visit as part of its deployment to the Western Pacific. With its crew of approximately 150, Ohio is conducting missions and showcasing the latest capabilities of the U.S. Navy’s submarine fleet during this deployment.

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Air Wing Starts Supporting OEF

Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7 embarked aboard aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (IKE) flew its first combat sorties of its 2013 deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) March 24. The missions provide support to NATO forces on the ground in Afghanistan.

USCG Suspends Response, Catamaran No Longer in Distress

The US Coast Guard is standing down their response to a vessel with nine people aboard approximately 500 miles southeast of Bermuda, Wednesday. Coast Guard 5th District watchstanders initially received an emergency position-indicating radio beacon distress signal at 1:15 p.m.

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Naval Today Staff, March 31, 2013.