RECENT U.S. NAVY PHOTOS

FROM:  U.S. NAVY 

Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Robert Pucel, from Beachmaster Unit (BMU) 1, signals Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) 58, assigned to Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 5, to hold it's position after landing during an equipment transfer between the amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47) and Marine Corps Base Kaneohe Bay. The equipment will be used to support Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2014, the world's largest international maritime exercise. Twenty-two nations, more than 40 ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 26 to Aug. 1. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Dustin Knight (Released) 140625-N-HU377-137.

The guided-missile destroyers USS Mustin (DDG 89) and USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108) and the submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40), center, test maritime obscurants south of Guam to assess their tactical effectiveness for anti-ship missile defense. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Timothy Wilson (Released) 140625-N-EF657-340.

NEARLY TWO DOZEN NATIONS TO PARTICIPATE IN RIMPAC EXERCISE

FROM:  U.S. NAVY 

Right:  Official U.S. Navy file photo of the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) entering San Diego Bay as the ship returns home after participating in Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise.  U.S. Navy photo by Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Joe Kane.


23 Nations to Participate in World's Largest Maritime Exercise
Story Number: NNS140505-18Release 
Date: 5/5/2014 6:13:00 PM 
By Commander, U.S. Third Fleet Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Twenty-three nations, 47 ships, six submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel will participate in the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise scheduled June 26 to Aug. 1, in and around the Hawaiian Islands.

The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2014 is the 24th exercise in the series that began in 1971.

Hosted by U.S. Pacific Fleet, RIMPAC 2014 will be led by U.S. Vice Adm. Kenneth Floyd, commander of the U.S. Third Fleet (C3F), who will serve as the Combined Task Force (CTF) Commander. Royal Australian Navy Rear Adm. Simon Cullen will serve as deputy commander of the CTF, and Japan Maritime Self Defense Force Rear Adm. Yasuki Nakahata as the vice commander. Other key leaders of the multinational force will include Rear Adm. Gilles Couturier of the Royal Canadian Navy, who will command the maritime component, Air Commodore Chris Westwood of the Royal Australian Air Force, who will command the air component, and Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Richard Simcock, who will command the land component. RIMPAC 2014 will also include a special operations component for the first time, to be led by U.S. Navy Capt. William Stevens.

Two nations, Brunei and the People's Republic of China, will participate in RIMPAC for the first time in 2014.

Also new at RIMPAC this year are two hospital ships, USNS Mercy and PLA (N) Peace Ark which will participate in the exercise.

The theme of RIMPAC 2014 is "Capable, Adaptive, Partners." The participating nations and forces will exercise a wide range of capabilities and demonstrate the inherent flexibility of maritime forces. These capabilities range from disaster relief and maritime security operations to sea control and complex warfighting. The relevant, realistic training syllabus includes amphibious operations, gunnery, missile, anti-submarine and air defense exercises as well as counter-piracy, mine clearance operations, explosive ordnance disposal and diving and salvage operations.

This year's exercise includes forces from Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, People's Republic of China, Peru, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Tonga, the United Kingdom and the United States.

U.S. NAVY FURTHER EMBRACES BIODIESEL FUEL WITH NEW STEAM PLANT

120110-N-RI884-077 PEARL HARBOR (Jan. 10, 2012) Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, center, visits the USS Arizona Memorial with Rear Adm. Glenn Robillard, left, and National Park Service Superintendent Paul DePrey. Vilsack was in Hawaii to highlight renewable energy, such as the Navy's use of biodiesel to fuel the Arizona Memorial tour boats. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Daniel Barker/Released)

FROM: U.S. NAVY
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy Visits Military's , Biodiesel-Fueled Steam Plant

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Energy) Tom Hicks toured a steam plant at St. Julien's Creek Annex in Portsmouth now running on B20, a 20 percent biodiesel, 80 percent number two fuel oil blend Nov. 19.

The plant is the Navy's first one in the Mid-Atlantic area to run on this fuel blend, which is popular for use in vehicles.

The diesel blend, which burns cleaner than traditional diesel will provide steam to heat 16 office buildings and 13 warehouses. It is expected that the fiscal year 2012 (FY13) heating season will require the use of about 235,000 gallons of B20. Previously the plant has used traditional, 100 percent petroleum-based fuel oil. The B20 blend is priced competitively with the petroleum based diesel, and will not increase the Navy's costs to heat the base, while helping to meet the Secretary of the Navy's goals for greater energy security.

"The Navy uses an annual average of 30 million barrels of fuel per year which equates to about four to five billion dollars of fuel cost," said Hicks. "Because of this, it is important to explore additional and alternative sources like we see here today at St. Julien's Creek."

"This is a perfect example of what the Navy is trying to do by using B20, a 20 percent biodiesel, 80 percent conventional fuel to run the steam plant from domestic sources that are competitively priced," said Hicks.

The Secretary of the Navy has outlined five energy goals for greater energy security and to enhance our combat capabilities: Increase Alternative Energy Use DoN-Wide: By 2020, 50 percent of total DoN energy consumption will come from alternative sources; Sail the "Great Green Fleet": DoN demonstrated the Great Green Fleet during the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) in July and will sail it by 2016; reduce non-tactical petroleum use: By 2015, DoN will reduce petroleum use in the commercial vehicle fleet by 50 percent; increase alternative energy ashore: By 2020, DoN will produce at least 50 percent of shore-based energy requirements from alternative sources; 50 percent of DoN installations will be net-zero; and Energy Efficient acquisition: evaluation of energy factors will be mandatory when awarding contracts for systems and buildings.

"The steam plant is using B20 and this fuel blend will help make progress towards the Navy's renewable energy goals," said John Breckner, renewable energy program manager for Naval Facilities Engineering Command Mid-Atlantic. "This is one of the pilot projects for the heating season and we hope to expand to other areas in the region. The boilers have been running for a few weeks and everything appears to be going well."

St. Julien's Creek Annex is a U.S. naval support facility that provides administrative offices, light industrial shops, and storage facilities for tenant naval commands. Its primary mission is to provide a radar testing range (35 acres or 141,640 m2) and various administrative and warehousing structures.

Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC), the Facilities and Expeditionary Combat Systems Command that delivers and maintains quality, sustainable facilities, acquires and manages capabilities for the Navy's expeditionary combat forces, provides contingency engineering response, and enables energy security and environmental stewardship.

RECENT U.S. NAVY PHOTOS

FROM: U.S. NAVY
PUGET SOUND
Sailors man the rails aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Halsey (DDG 97) during the Parade of Ships during the 63rd annual Seattle Seafair. Seafair activities allow U.S. and Canadian Sailors and Coast Guard personnel to experience the local community and to promote awareness of the maritime forces. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Timothy A. Hazel (Released) 120801-N-TZ605-802

　
PEARL HARBOR
Sailors and Marines man the rails aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) as the ship returns to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam following operations supporting the Rim of the Pacific 2012 exercise. Twenty-two nations, more than 40 ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel took part in the biennial RIMPAC exercise from June 29 to Aug. 3, in and around the Hawaiian islands. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2012 is the 23rd exercise in the series that began in 1971. U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Daniel Barker (Released) 120801-N-RI884-005

PACIFIC OCEANLanding Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) 32, assigned to Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 5, prepares to enter the well deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). Twenty-two nations, more than 40 ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in the biennial RIMPAC exercise from June 29 to Aug. 3, in and around the Hawaiian Islands. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2012 is the 23rd exercise in the series that began in 1971. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Eric T. Crosby (Released) 120801-N-SS993-354

PACIFIC OCEAN
A rigid-hull inflatable boat transports personnel to the amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47). Rushmore is part of the Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group and is underway conducting a composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX) in the Pacific Ocean with the amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5) and the amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay (LPD 20). U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Michael Duran (Released) 120731-N-ZM744-062

USS NIMITZ PASSES THE USS ARIZONA MEMORIAL IN PEARL HARBOR

US. NAVY
Sailors man the rails aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) as it passes the USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor. Nimitz is participating in the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise 2012, the world's largest international maritime exercise. Twenty-two nations, more than 40 ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC exercise from June 29 to Aug. 3, in and around the Hawaiian Islands. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Keith W. DeVinney (Released) 120702-N-VD564-016

RUSSIAN NAVY PARTICIPATES IN RIM OF THE PACIFIC EXERCISE

120629-N-WX059-039 JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM (June 29, 2012) The Russian Navy Udaloy-class destroyer RFS Admiral Panteleyev (BPK 548) arrives at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam to participate in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise 2012. Twenty-two nations, 42 ships, six submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel will participate in the biennial RIMPAC from June 29 to Aug. 3, in and around the Hawaiian Islands. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea-lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2012 is the 23rd exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Sean Furey/Released)
Russian navy rfs admiral pantelevevU.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Sean Furey

RIM OF THE PACIFIC EXERCISE BEGINS JUNE 29, 2012

FROM:  U.S. NAVY
 EVERETT, Wash. (March 9, 2012) The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) arrives at its new homeport at Naval Station Everett after the completion of a docked planned incremental availability maintenance period at Bremerton, Wash. Nimitz is replacing USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), which had been homeported at Naval Station Everett since January 1997. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Joan E. Jennings/Released) 

RIMPAC to begin June 29
By Commander, U.S. Third Fleet Public Affairs
SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Twenty-two nations, 42 ships, six submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel will participate in the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise scheduled June 29 to Aug. 3, in and around the Hawaiian Islands.

The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2012 is the 23rd exercise in the series that began in 1971.

Hosted by U.S. Pacific Fleet, and led by Vice Adm. Gerald Beaman, commander of the U.S. Third Fleet (C3F), RIMPAC 2012 marks the first time non-U.S. officers will command components of the combined task force during the exercise. Commodore Stuart Mayer of the Royal Australian Navy will command the Maritime Component and Brig. Gen. Michael Hood of the Royal Canadian Air Force will command the Air Component. Other key leaders of the multinational force include Royal Canadian Navy Rear Adm. Ron Lloyd, deputy commander of the Combined Task Force (CTF), and Japan Maritime Self Defense Force Rear Adm. Fumiyuki Kitagawa, vice commander of the CTF.

The theme of RIMPAC 2012 is "Capable, Adaptive, Partners." The participating nations and forces will exercise a wide range of capabilities and demonstrate the inherent flexibility of maritime forces. These capabilities range from disaster relief and maritime security operations to sea control and complex warfighting. The relevant, realistic training syllabus includes amphibious operations; gunnery, missile, anti-submarine and air defense exercises as well as counter-piracy, mine clearance operations, explosive ordnance disposal and diving and salvage operations.

RIMPAC 2012 will feature the first demonstration of a U.S. Navy "Great Green Fleet," during which U.S. surface combatants and carrier-based aircraft will test, evaluate and demonstrate the cross-platform utility and functionality of biofuels. This demonstration will also incorporate prototype energy efficiency initiatives such as solid state lighting, on-line gas turbine waterwash and energy management tools.

This year's exercise includes units or personnel from Australia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Thailand, Tonga, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Details of RIMPAC activities and imagery are available at http://www.cpf.navy.mil/rimpac. Media interested in covering the exercise should contact the C3F Public Affairs Officer at (619) 767-4382. Contact information for the RIMPAC Combined Information Bureau will be made available prior to the beginning of the exercise.