1st of 3 Norfolk-Based Navy Ships Heading to Florida

The first of three Virginia-based Navy ships is heading to a new homeport in Florida this week.

The amphibious transport dock USS New York will leave Norfolk Naval Station on Wednesday and move to Mayport Naval Station in Jacksonville, Fla.

The Virginian-Pilot reports  that the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima and the dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry will move to Mayport in 2014.

The Iwo Jima is undergoing work at a Norfolk shipyard. The Fort McHenry currently is based at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek.

The New York has a crew of about 350 sailors. The Fort McHenry has about 400 sailors and the Iwo Jima has about 1,100 sailors.

USS New York Lands Apache Helicopters

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Zane Ecklund, USS New York Public Affairs

USS NEW YORK, At Sea (NNS) -- Amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21) added another milestone to her maiden deployment with the landing of a U.S. Army AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopter on its flight deck, June 22.

The Army aviators of 3-159 Attack Reconnaissance Battalion (ARB) landed during a joint training exercise designed to improve the Army and Navy's proficiency when landing on ships, and the ability to accommodate them while on board.

"This was great training for our Air Department, and it's always nice to work with other branches of services," said Lt. Patrick Blind, air operations officer aboard New York. "It also adds another capability to New York's arsenal."

The capability enables the Army to use New York as a staging base to project power anywhere.

"To come out here and do something a lot of people don't get to do is a good opportunity," said Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Kevin Martin, an Apache pilot assigned to the 3-159 ARB. "It broadens the unit and the pilot's capabilities."

New York's Air Department benefited from the evolution as well. Aviation Boatswain's Mate [Handling] 3rd Class Hannah Marihugh participated in ship's milestone by being the first New York Sailor to guide an Apache helicopter onto the ship's flight deck.

"It was exciting and something different. I've never seen an Apache helicopter before, and didn't know what to expect," said Marihugh.

New York and embarked Marines of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit are part of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group. The ship is on her maiden deployment in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Secretary of the Navy Announces Early Move for Amphibious Ready Group

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced June 15 that the first amphibious ready group (ARG) ship scheduled to shift homeport to Naval Station Mayport, Fla., will arrive in the last quarter of calendar year 2013.

USS New York (LPD 21), USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) and USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), will shift from their current homeport of Norfolk, Va., to Mayport. The New York will be the first to change homeport, followed by the Iwo Jima and Fort McHenry in 2014.

Mabus originally announced Feb. 28 that the ARG would arrive no later than 2015.

The accelerated timeline ensures continued viability of the Mayport ship repair industrial base and maintains the capabilities of the Jacksonville fleet concentration area, thereby preserving surge capability and reducing risk to fleet resources in the event of natural or manmade contingencies.

"I am very pleased that the Navy is able to condense the time horizon for the arrival of the Mayport ARG," stated Mabus. "The move underscores just how important Jacksonville and Naval Station Mayport are to our national defense, and how committed we are to strategic dispersal on the East Coast."

Amphibious Ready Group Early Move Announced

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced today that the first amphibious ready group (ARG) ship scheduled to shift homeport to Naval Station Mayport, Fla., will arrive in the last quarter of 2013.

The USS New York, the USS Iwo Jima and the USS Fort McHenry, will shift from their current homeport of Norfolk, Va., to Mayport. The USS New York will be the first to change homeport, followed by the USS Iwo Jima and the USS Fort McHenry in 2014.

Mabus originally announced Feb. 28 that the ARG would arrive no later than 2015.

The accelerated timeline ensures continued viability of the Mayport ship repair industrial base and maintains the capabilities of the Jacksonville fleet concentration area, thereby preserving surge capability and reducing risk to fleet resources in the event of natural or man-made contingencies.

"I am very pleased that the Navy is able condense the time horizon for the arrival of the Mayport ARG," stated Mabus. "The move underscores just how important Jacksonville and Naval Station Mayport are to our national defense, and how committed we are to strategic dispersal on the east coast."

USS New York Conducts Simulated Boardings During COMPTUEX

USS New York, At sea (NNS) -- The amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21), boarded two vessels, one compliant and one non-compliant, during Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) Dec. 14.

New York is part of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), including Amphibious Squadron 8, the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) and the amphibious dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44).

COMPTUEX is a major requirement for the ARG pre-deployment certification that evaluates an ARG's ability to deploy and conduct major combat operations, with New York focusing heavily on maritime security and ensuring their team is prepared for anything.

"We take Sailors from the ship and train them to assist in maritime security operations," said New York Operations Officer Lt. Rebecca Domzalski, from Great Quarters, S.C. "Essentially we are taking those Sailors, placing them on a small dhow and other boats on the high seas. Once aboard, they check for smuggled weapons, illicit drugs and human trafficking in accordance with international laws and enforcing U.N. sanctions."

Both Navy Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) and Marine Expanded Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (EVBSS) teams carried out various training scenarios, with both compliant and non-compliant mariners.

"The difference between VBSS and EVBSS - EVBSS is more of a tactical mission. VBSS is used for vessels that are compliant and don't mind us coming on board to search," said Domzalski. "EVBSS is for those vessels that don't want to be boarded, for example, the piracy operations, where the pirates take the vessel and refuse to stop, so our forces that are more experienced tactically go aboard."

Although the primary mission of the VBSS team is searching for wrongdoers, while deployed, they are also tasked with the objective of building positive relationships and promoting peace.

"VBSS teams must be prepared for various situations. One mission specific to a certain region is the Approach and Assist Visit (AAV)," said Domzalski. "AAV is where they go to boats in the area and talk to people in the vicinity. They shake hands, see if there is any information. They try and build good relations."

New York and her crew are both new to the open seas and the deployment challenges that await them. COMPTUEX is a transition exercise designed to bring ships into real-life scenarios.

"Our VBSS team is made up of both experienced and inexperienced people, some who have never deployed before," said Domzalski. "The guys were given a lot of in-scenario missions because they need to get used to walking on to a vessel and seeing what it's going be like and talk to people in character and deal with language barriers."

The team progressed through different levels of training. From the bottom, where they experienced proper boarding techniques, to more advanced levels of training, where they dealt with a prize crew by assuming command of the vessel and driving it to the next port.

"We were tasked with two operations yesterday, counter piracy and escort ops," said Ensign Jeremy Wellens, VBSS team Boarding Officer. "The first was a counterpiracy mission, where a motor vessel was attacked by four small boats and in that situation, our mere presence was enough for the boats to stand down. The second we found illicit materials on board, and at that point, the boat was seized.

"The lesson my team and I learned was, there is no one way to do something," said Wellens. "In the situations we face, we have to trust our instincts."

The Iwo Jima ARG is currently underway for COMPTUEX with a scheduled deployment in spring 2012.

USS New York Completes CSSQT

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- USS New York (LPD 21) successfully completed Combat Systems Ship Qualifications Trials, March 22 after spending 15 days at sea conducting tests of the ship's weapons systems.

The ship departed Norfolk, March 3, en route to Mayport, Fla. While at sea, the ship's crew engaged in various training exercises to ensure the ship's weapon systems had been properly installed, function correctly and can be operated safely.

"The successful completion of these trials validates the design and integration of the weapon systems aboard LPD 21," said Jay Stefany, LPD 17 program manager within the Navy's Program Executive Office (PEO) Ships. "The exercises went as planned, and, like the previous ships of the class, USS New York and her crew proved they are a valuable fleet asset."

New York's MK 46 Mod 2 30mm gun and MK 31 RAM Guided Missile Weapon System were both successfully demonstrated during the live-fire phase of the trials.

Also tested were the ship's communication and coordination capabilities, radar systems, and decoy systems.

New York is the fifth ship of the class developed and acquired by PEO Ships. The principal mission of LPD 17 class amphibious transport dock ships is to transport and deploy the necessary combat and support elements of Marine Expeditionary Units and Brigades. The ships carry approximately 720 troops and have the capability of transporting and debarking air cushion or conventional landing craft and expeditionary fighting vehicles, augmented by helicopters or vertical take-off and landing aircraft.

PEO Ships is responsible for the development and acquisition of U.S. Navy surface ships, and is currently managing the design and construction of a wide range of ship classes and small boats and craft. These platforms range from major warships such as frontline surface combatants and amphibious assault ships to air-cushioned landing craft, oceanographic research ships and special warfare craft. PEO Ships has delivered 38 major warships and hundreds of small boats and craft from more than 30 shipyards and boat builders across the United States.

New York Arrives in Big Apple

The amphibious dock landing ship Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) New York (LPD 21) transits New York Harbor past the Statue of Liberty. The ship has 7.5 tons of steel from the World Trade Center in her bow and will be commissioned Nov. 7 in New York City. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Eric M. Durie/Released)

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Rachael L. Leslie, Pre-Commissioning Unit New York Public Affairs

PCU NEW YORK, At Sea (NNS) -- The future USS New York (LPD 21) arrived in the Big Apple Nov. 2, to hundreds of cheering New Yorkers lined up along the waterfront near the World Financial Center.

The ship left its homeport of Naval Station Norfolk, Va., Oct. 29 to make the voyage to its namesake state for a ten-day long celebration and a commissioning ceremony scheduled Nov. 7.

The ship's Sailors, embarked Marines and naval Reservists manned the rails in full dress uniform at 6 a.m. for the historical transit down the Hudson River. The first event on the crew's busy schedule was a 21-gun salute rendered as the ship sailed past ground zero.

"The salute made me feel proud to be here, and a part of this," said Pfc. Justin Tullock, an embarked Marine with Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force 26. "It really pumped me up and made me feel like we're really doing something great here."

The night prior to the ship's trip up the Hudson River, the crew was honored with a visit from New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. He visited with the Sailors and Marines on board, and watched a little of the World Series game on the mess decks.

The ship has been a long time coming. It began to come to life in 2001 when New York Governor George Pataki asked the Secretary of the Navy to name one of the new LPD 17-class warships after the state for its sacrifices of those who perished in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The ship's builders, the Navy and the crew embraced the name and the responsibility that comes with it.

"I've been working on this for four years, and it's exciting to see the actual ship almost complete," said retired Rear Adm. Robert A. Ravitz, co-chairman of the ship's commissioning committee.

For many on board New York, Nov. 2 represents bringing a piece of something lost on that tragic day home to the state of New York.

"I was talking to the head of the 9/11 committee earlier, and he said that for the city it sorts of brings it all together," said Ravitz. "We really want this to be a celebration for the ship and its crew. They have a connection to 9/11, and we will host two receptions for first responders and their families on board this week, but this day is for celebration."

The ship arrived at Pier 88 in Manhattan at 10 a.m., followed by a welcome ceremony held on the pier. The New York Military Militia and bagpipers presented the colors at the ceremony.

"I visited this ship in Mississippi when it was being built and it was impressive then, but now it's even better," said New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. "After being on board last night, I can see this ship is a lot like a New Yorker; it's strong, independent and proud, and don't even think about getting in her way."

Seven and a half tons of steel recovered from the World Trade Center wreckage can be found within the ship's hull, and the ship's seal displays representations of the twin towers and incorporates many other symbols and colors meant to honor first responders from the New York Police Department and Port Authority of New Jersey and New York.

Events throughout the following days will include two receptions for 9/11 first responders and their families, a trip to ground zero for the ship's crew and the ship's commissioning ceremony Nov. 7.

USS New York is scheduled to leave New York City Nov. 12 to return to its homeport of Naval Station Norfolk.

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New York Lands Marines, Full USMC Static Display in Transit to City

A landing craft air cushioned aproaches the amphibious transport dock ship Pre-commissioning Unit (PCU) New York (LPD 21). The LCAC is embarking personnel and equipment aboard New York for the ship's Nov. 7 commissioning in New York. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tommy Bellegarde/Released)

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Rachael L. Leslie and Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Cory Rose, Pre-Commissioning Unit New York Public Affairs

PCU NEW YORK, At Sea (NNS) -- The future USS New York (LPD 21) conducted surface and air onloads Oct. 30 just off the coast of Camp Lejeune, N.C., in preparation for the ship's Nov. 2 arrival in its namesake state, where it is scheduled to be commissioned Nov. 7.

The ship utilized landing craft air cushions (LCAC) embarked from Assault Craft Unit 4, beach masters from Beach Master Unit 2 and almost every type of helicopter available in the Marine Corps inventory.

"The ship's crew did an outstanding job of synchronizing all facets of the onload," said Marine Corps Chief Warrant Officer 3 Shawn McGowan, the ship's combat cargo officer. "They utilized the expertise of many personnel to conduct a simultaneously-executed onload."

Some of the shipboard divisions involved in the evolution included debark control, well deck control, combat systems and the pilot house. In addition to the LCACs, helicopters included CH-53 Sea Stallion, AH-1W Super Cobra, UN-1N Huey and an MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft.

"It's amazing to me how much coordination it took to both land helicopters and embark landing craft simultaneously," said McGowan. "The efforts of all personnel can not be overstated."

The ship took on more than 14 pieces of combat equipment and vehicles, which now occupy the well deck spaces. They will remain on static display when the ship pulls into New York City Nov. 2, for public viewing until Nov. 11 when the ship will head back to its home port at Naval Station Norfolk, Va.

Future USS New York Sets Sail for the Big Apple

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Rachael L. Leslie, Pre-Commissioning Unit New York Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Future USS New York (LPD 21) left Naval Station Norfolk, Va., Oct. 29 to begin her four-day transit to New York City where the ship's commissioning ceremony is scheduled to take place on Nov. 7.

Part of the ship's mission is to return the 7.5 tons of steel recovered from the wreckage of the World Trade Center's Twin Towers to its home.

"We're going to bring New York home," said Cmdr. Curt Jones, the ship's commanding officer. "The sacred steel in the bow of the ship will get to go home, and we're proud of that."

The ship is scheduled to pull into New York City and sail up the Hudson River where it will dock on Nov. 2. City officials, a fireworks display and private boats anchored in the harbor will welcome USS New York and her crew.

"We'll be sailing up the Hudson on this ship," said Col. Mark Desens, commanding officer of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force 26, out of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C. "If you can't get excited about that, then you just can't get excited.

The ship's motto, "Strength forged through sacrifice. Never forget," speaks of the strong ties the ship and her crew has to the terrible events that took place on 9/11. Because of this connection, the ship will host on board receptions for first responders and their families Nov. 3 and Nov. 8.

"I know they feel a strong kinship to us and the feeling is mutual," added Desens. "I can't wait to meet them."

The ship will be open to the public on Nov. 4, and the 10-day celebration will also include tours, sporting events, theater shows and a visit to the World Trade Center site for crew members and their families.

"About ten percent of this crew is from New York," said Jones. "We like to think of the ship as a transition from that horrible day into what we have now, a global force for good."

Upon her departure from Naval Station Norfolk, the San Antonio-class landing platform dock ship carried 360 Sailors, 186 Marines, 60 naval Reserve personnel and members of both local and international media.

"This crew has done things in the last few weeks that set the standard," said Jones. "They are incredible."

Pre-Commissioning Unit New York is designed for 21st century expeditionary forces and fitted with improved aviation facilities that will have a mix of helicopters and the Marine Corps' new MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft. In addition to housing two fully-loaded Landing Craft Air Cushions, the ship's well deck can also hold 14 of the Marine Corps' new Expeditionary Fighting Vehicles, transport combat-ready Marines to their objectives and provide combat support with its 30mm guns.

The ship will depart New York Nov. 12, and return to its homeport in Norfolk, Va., where the crew will begin preparing for their first overseas deployment scheduled for sometime next year.

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Thousands Line the Levees, Salute PCU New York

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (AW/SW) Shawn D. Graham, Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans Public Affairs

NEW ORLEANS (NNS) -- Thousands of residents from around the New Orleans area began lining up along the banks of the Mississippi River before daybreak to bid the Pre-Commissioning Unit New York farewell as it departed from the Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding in Avondale, La., Oct. 13.

Lola Lass, President of The Greater New Orleans Executives Association (GNOEA), said her group suggested the send-off celebration to allow the community one final opportunity to salute the ship, its crew and the men and women who spent more than five years building it.

"The "Line the Levees" event showcased the hard work, love and dedication that went into building this ship," said Lass. "It allows citizens of New Orleans to pay homage to the victims, families and first responders of 9/11."



The 684-foot amphibious transport dock ship contains about 7.5 tons of steel from the World Trade Center, felled during the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. It received two 21-gun salutes, as it passed Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans (NAS JRB) and Naval Support Activity New Orleans (NSA).

The ship's motto is "Strength forged through sacrifice. Never Forget."

Capt. Bill Snyder, Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans (NAS JRB) commanding officer, said that the ship's transit was symbolic.

"I'm thrilled to have witnessed history," said Snyder. "There has been overwhelming support for the US Navy in this area. I'm thrilled that so many people took time out of their days to participate in this event."

Snyder also thanked parish leaders and volunteers who participated in the event, citing the long hours spent preparing for the ship's transit down the river.

"Plaquemines Parish officials have been dynamic in their support," said Snyder. "Granting us access to the site and the security support from their sheriff's department was key in preparing for such a large event."

Master-at-Arms 1st Class (SW) Derrick Tyler, assigned to NAS JRB's security department, said he was impressed by the immense turnout and support throughout the area.

"When you see hundreds of every day citizens waving flags and holding up signs, it can be very powerful," said Tyler. "You are used to that seeing ships return or go on a deployment, but when I saw this one leaving it felt different. America wants to this ship to do amazing things."



New York will be commissioned Nov. 7 in New York. The New York is the fifth amphibious transport dock of the San Antonio class. The ship was named New York after the state and her motto is "Strength Forged through Sacrifice. Never Forget."

Future USS New York Completes Acceptance Trials

The amphibious transport dock ship Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) New York (LPD 21) transits along the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico to conduct builder's trials. The amphibious transport dock New York is being built in Avondale, Louisiana with 7.5 tons of World Trade center Steel in her bow, and is scheduled to be commissioned in November. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Corey Lewis/Released)

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The future USS New York (LPD 21) completed Acceptance Trials July 24, sailing from and returning to the Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding (NGSB) shipyard in New Orleans. The ship's bow stem includes thousands of pounds of steel salvaged from the World Trade Center.

New York is the fifth ship of the San Antonio class to be presented to the Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) for acceptance. This is the final major milestone prior to the shipyard delivering the amphibious transport dock ship to the Navy.

"The completion of acceptance trials is a major step towards bringing New York into the fleet," said Capt. Bill Glens, LPD 17-class program manager for the Navy's Program Executive Office for Ships (PEO Ships). "This week, four out of five San Antonio-class ships were underway at the same time. There's really no better indication that we're delivering urgently needed assets to our warfighters."

During the Acceptance Trials, NGSB successfully demonstrated a variety of systems including main propulsion, engineering and ship control systems, combat systems, damage control, food service and crew support. Among the highlights of the trial, New York successfully completed a full power run, self defense detect-to-engage exercises, ballasting, deballasting, and steering and anchor handling demonstrations.

In addition to the INSURV team, Navy experts from Naval Sea Systems Command, the LPD 17 class Program Office and the Supervisor of Shipbuilding Gulf Coast participated in the trials. Among the most interested ship riders were those men and women from New York's crew who will be moving aboard the ship in August shortly after delivery.

The future USS New York is scheduled for commissioning in New York City on Nov. 7, 2009.

PEO Ships is responsible for the development and acquisition of U.S. Navy surface ships, and is currently managing the design and construction of a wide range of ship classes and small boats and craft. These platforms range from major warships such as frontline surface combatants and amphibious assault ships to air-cushioned landing craft, oceanographic research ships and special warfare craft. PEO Ships has delivered 32 major warships and hundreds of small boats and craft from more than 30 shipyards and boat builders across the United States.

Navy to Christen Amphibious Transport Dock Ship New York

The amphibious transport dock ship New York (LPD 21) is under construction at Northrop Grumman Ship Systems. It is the fifth ship to be built in the San Antonio-class of amphibious ships. The bow stem is made of steel from the World Trade Centers and weighs 7.5 metric tons. New York is scheduled to be commissioned in the fall of 2008. (U.S. photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Santos Huante)

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Navy will christen the newest San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship New York (LPD 21) at 10 a.m. CST on March 1, 2008, during a ceremony at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding facilities in New Orleans.

The ship is named New York in honor of the state, the city and the victims of Sept. 11, 2001. A unique characteristic of the ship is the use of 7.5 tons of steel salvaged from the World Trade Center wreckage that was incorporated into the construction process. The steel was melted and formed to make the bow stem of the ship. Use of this steel symbolizes the spirit and resiliency of the people of New York. The official motto of New York is: "Never Forget."

Four previous ships have been named New York. The first, a gondola that served in 1776; the second, a frigate that served 1800-1814; the third, an armored cruiser that served 1893-1938; and the fourth, a battleship that served 1914-1946.

Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England will deliver the ceremony's principal address. His wife, Mrs. Dotty England is serving as the ship's sponsor. The ceremony will be highlighted in the time-honored Navy tradition when she will break a bottle of champagne across the ship's bow to formally christen the ship.

Designated LPD 21, New York is the fifth amphibious transport dock ship in the San Antonio class. As an element of future expeditionary strike groups, the ship will support the Marine Corps "mobility triad," which consists of the landing craft air cushion vehicle (LCAC), the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV) and the Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft (MV-22). New York will support amphibious, special operations and expeditionary warfare missions.

Cmdr. F. Curtis Jones, of Binghamton, N.Y., is the ship's first commanding officer and will lead a crew of 360 officers and enlisted Navy personnel and three Marines. The ship is capable of embarking a landing force of up to 800 Marines.

Built by Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding, New York is 684 feet in length, has an overall beam of 105 feet, a navigational draft of 23 feet and displaces approximately 24,900 tons. Four turbo-charged diesels power the ship to sustained speeds of 24 knots. Upon commissioning in 2009, New York will be homeported in Norfolk, Va., as a part of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet.