Top News of the Week October 21-26, 2013

UK Warship Passes Through One of the World’s Narrowest Waterways

Not every warship’s company can claim to have squeezed through one of the world’s narrowest waterways – but a Royal Navy mine hunter now has bragging rights.  

US Navy Awards Contract for Ex-USS Forrestal Scrapping

The Navy awarded a $0.01 delivery order Oct. 22 for dismantling and recycling ex-USS Forrestal (AVT 59).   The delivery order was made under an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract to All Star Metals for the towing, dismantling and recycling of conventionally powered aircraft carriers stricken from the Naval Vessel Register. 

HMS Iron Duke Tests Main Gun near Dorset, UK

The mighty 4.5” gun of HMS Iron Duke pounded the waves off Dorset, proving that she remains a fighting force, ready for operations around the globe.   The Type 23 Frigate tested her Main Gun near Dorset, firing rounds from the newly refurbished weapon.

VIDEO: DDG 1000 Zumwalt-Class Destroyer Pending Christening (USA)

The christening of the U.S. Navy’s newest guided missile destroyer, Zumwalt (DDG 1000), will take place on Saturday, October 19, 2013 at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works. The ceremony will begin at 11:00 A.M. and is open to the public. 

USS Nimitz to Operate in Mediterranean

The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and her escort, guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey (CG 61), conducted a northbound transit of the Suez Canal, Oct. 20.   USS Nimitz was most recently operating in the Red Sea to provide the U.S. options for responding to crisis situations.