USS Green Bay Departs for Forward Deployment to U.S. 7th Fleet

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Elizabeth Merriam, USS Green Bay Public Affairs and Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet Public Affairs 

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- USS Green Bay (LPD 20) departed San Diego Jan. 26 for Sasebo, Japan, where the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship will join U.S. 7th Fleet's Forward Deployed Naval Forces.

 Green Bay is replacing the decommissioned Austin-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Denver (LPD 9), previously forward-deployed to Sasebo, and will enhance amphibious presence in 7th Fleet as part of the U.S. Navy's long-range plan to send the most advanced and capable units to the Asia-Pacific region.

 "The crew has worked hard to get Green Bay ready," said Commanding Officer Capt. Kristy McCallum. "By my count, we completed a total of 23 training, certification and maintenance cycles in six months. As we've trained, we have prepared ourselves to be ready for a dynamic security environment and diverse missions."

 In addition to the many capabilities inherent to amphibious transport dock ships, Green Bay will bring a host of new technological advancements and warfighting capabilities to 7th Fleet.

 Green Bay is equipped with an advanced command and control suite, increased airlift capacity, substantial increases in vehicle and cargo carrying capability and advanced ship survivability features. The ship supports the rapid transfer of personnel and equipment via landing craft, helicopters, and MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft, making this ship a critical element for amphibious ready groups and expeditionary strike groups.

 In 7th Fleet, Green Bay will become part of the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) Amphibious Ready Group (ARG). The ARG integrates regularly with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit to ensure the services are trained and ready to operate together to provide the most efficient amphibious fighting force in the Asia-Pacific region.

 Green Bay was commissioned in January 2009, embarked on its maiden deployment February 2011 and completed a second deployment in 2013. The ship has since undergone a year-long maintenance availability in British Aerospace Engineering (BAE) systems shipyard and a dry dock period at the National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO) in preparation for forward deployment to Japan.

 U.S. 3rd Fleet leads naval forces in the Eastern Pacific from the West Coast of North America to the international date line.

USS Green Bay Embarks on Maiden Deployment

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Stephen M. Votaw, USS Green Bay Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Amphibious transport-dock, USS Green Bay (LPD 20) departed its homeport of San Diego for her maiden deployment to the western Pacific Feb 22.

"We've completed all of our training," said Cmdr. Kevin P. Meyers, Green Bay's commanding officer. "I can see the pride in the faces of my Sailors, especially the remaining plank owners who worked so hard to build this ship from the keel up."

The Green Bay crew has spent the last several months preparing for deployment including countless flight hours and sea trials.

"The Sailors aboard Green Bay underwent extensive training and certifications to prepare for this deployment," said Green Bay Command Master Chief Lee G. Bethel. "A lot of hard work and dedication are required from all of the Sailors and Marines aboard before the deployment ever starts."

Many of Green Bay's Sailors were both excited and sad to leave for the first deployment. Green Bay is scheduled to spend the next several months performing various drills and operations while also visiting various ports in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.

"I'm going to miss my family a lot," said Operations Specialist 2nd Class David Walton. "I'm looking forward to hitting the ports overseas, but mostly I hope the mission we are doing out here really means something. If we can help save lives while we are out here then being away from our families will be worth it."

The primary role of Green Bay will be to transport Marines afloat and ashore to perform a wide range of missions, including humanitarian assistance operations, all supporting the Maritime Strategy.

Embarked aboard Green Bay are Marines from the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU).

"The Marines aboard are ready for deployment," said Lance Cpl. Carlos Granados, a tank mechanic from Oakland, Calif. "Some of us are a little nervous, and most of us will miss our families, but we are here and we have a job to do."


The Green Bay is underway with the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (BOXARG) led by Commander, Amphibious Squadron 1, Capt. J. Curtis Shaub. BOXARG is comprised of USS Boxer (LHD 4), USS Comstock (LSD 45) and Green Bay.

Green Bay helps provide deterrence, promote peace and security, preserve freedom of the sea and humanitarian/disaster response within 3rd Fleet's 50-million square mile area of responsibility in the eastern Pacific, as well as supporting the Navy's Maritime Strategy when forward deployed.

US Navy Ships Arrive at Seattle for Seafair 2010

The amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay (LPD 20) maneuvers through Elliot Bay to the Port of Seattle to participate in the 61st annual Seattle Seafair Fleet Week. Seafair activities allow U.S. and Canadian Sailors to experience the local community and to promote awareness of the maritime forces. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nardel Gervacio/Released)

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nardel Gervacio and Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Charles Whetstine, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West Det. Northwest

SEATTLE (NNS) -- USS Port Royal (CG 73), USS Kidd (DDG 100) and USS Green Bay (LPD 20) arrived in the Port of Seattle Aug. 3 for Seattle Seafair 2010.

Seattle Seafair is an annual summer celebration. The U.S. Navy, along with the Canadian navy and U.S. Coast Guard, participate in the event, during which selected ships sail into Seattle.

"Seafair is a great opportunity for Sailors to visit the great city of Seattle and interact with the public in a positive way," said Gas Turbine Systems Technician (Mechanical) 2nd Class (SW) Brian Macias assigned to the Kidd. "I'm really looking forward to some of the great events in Seattle that are open to Sailors, like the Mariners Military Appreciation Night."

There are various activities held throughout the week for the Sailors to participate in, but some plan to take advantage of being in the Seattle area and visiting with family and friends.

"I'm excited to see some of my friends from the area that I haven't seen in years," said Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Richard Hinkson. "I'm also looking forward to the boat races and air show at Lake Washington."

For some, the arrival meant preparing for the next evolution, which would be the "Parade of Ships." This event involves the ships taking on groups and giving them tours while the ships pull out and cruise the Elliot Bay area.

The community is also invited aboard the ships from Aug. 2 - 5 at the downtown Seattle Waterfront.

Sailors said they were pleased to have the opportunity to visit Seattle and will get a chance to not only show the colors of the U.S. Navy, but to enjoy themselves while in port.

"It's a beautiful city and my first time here. It was kind of a long transit, but I'm ready to go out and eat some seafood," Electronics Technician 3rd Class (SW) John Polinard.

"I'm excited. I'm looking forward to getting out on liberty and seeing what Seattle has to offer. I might go find out what the Space Needle's all about," said Boatswain's Mate 1st (SW) Class John Cook.

Green Bay Comes to Life in Long Beach

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jose Lopez, Jr., Naval Reserve Fleet Public Affairs Center San Diego

LONG BEACH, Calif. (NNS) -- Sailors assigned to USS Green Bay (LPD 20) brought their ship to life during a commissioning ceremony Jan. 24 at the port of Long Beach, Calif.

The Navy commissioned the fourth amphibious transport dock ship of the San Antonio-class to honor the first settlement in Wisconsin, the "city by the bay."

"I have never known a city with such a legendary spirit, sense of community and purpose as Green Bay embodies," said Rear Adm. Michael Shatynski, vice commander, Naval Surface Forces. "All of the qualities that I identify in your great city, I identify in the Navy-Marine Corps team."

Rose Magnus, wife of Gen. Robert Magnus, former assistant commandant of the Marine Corps and ship's sponsor uttered the famous words of a commissioning ceremony, "Man your ship and bring her to life."

The crew answered the call. Within a few minutes the men and women of USS Green Bay lined the rails of the new ship while the call to battle stations rang. A pair of Marine Corps CH-53 Sea Stallions performed a fly-by over the ship.

"This is a thin line," said Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England, about Green Bay's future role in world affairs. "But, it is a thick wall of defense to the lives which we bring freedom."

"Just as a great generation answered the call seven years ago," added England, "so do the Sailors of Green Bay answer that call today. We believe in freedom for all people, and we back our words with deeds."

Though the ship is new to the fleet, Green Bay begins trials and training exercises to prepare her for her future role in the war on terrorism.

"I hold the crew to high expectations," said Command Master Chief Cecilio Macias about the ship's upcoming tests. "During pre-com they did well. Now, we have to get the ship ready to go on deployment."

Green Bay is a multi-task ship in the amphibious Navy that will perform the mission of four previous classes of ships. With her modern capabilities Green Bay will be a key factor in littoral combat operations which call for the projection of sea power deep inland; part of the Chief of Naval Operations' Maritime Strategy for the 21st Century.

Green Bay will accommodate the Marine Corps' "mobility triad," an attack strategy that involves advanced amphibious assault vehicles, landing craft air cushion and the vertical/short takeoff and landing tactical aircraft MV-22 Osprey.

Green Bay is the second ship to bear the name of Wisconsin's largest city. The first was the patrol gunboat USS Green Bay (PG 101), which served from 1969 to 1977. The current Green Bay is also the first Navy warship commissioned in the Los Angeles area since 1994.

Navy to Commission Amphibious Transport Dock Ship Green Bay

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Navy will commission the newest San Antonio class amphibious transport dock ship Green Bay during a 10 a.m. PST ceremony Jan. 24 in Long Beach, Calif.

The ship is named Green Bay to honor the nation's Midwest "city by the bay." The city of about 100,000 residents was founded in 1634 by French explorer Jean Nicolet, and is the oldest community in Wisconsin.

Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England will deliver the ceremony's principal address. Rose Magnus, wife of the former Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Robert Magnus (ret.), is serving as the ship's sponsor. In a time-honored Navy tradition, she will give the order to "man our ship and bring her to life!"

Designated as LPD 20, Green Bay is the fourth amphibious transport dock ship in the San Antonio class. As a critical element in future expeditionary
strike groups, the ship will support the Marine Corps' "mobility triad," which consists of the landing craft air cushion (LCAC), the expeditionary fighting vehicle (EFV) and the Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft (MV 22). The ship will provide improved warfighting capabilities including an advanced command-and-control suite, increased lift-capability in vehicle and cargo-carrying capacity and advanced ship-survivability features.

Cmdr. Joseph Olson, a native of Madison, Wis., will be the first commanding officer of the ship. Olson graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1991 and received his commission from the Naval Reserve Office Training Corps. He will lead a crew of approximately 360 officers and enlisted personnel and three Marines. Upon commissioning, the ship will be homeported in San Diego.

Built by Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding - Avondale Operations in Louisiana, Green Bay is 684 feet in length, has an overall beam of 105 feet, a navigational draft of 23 feet, displaces about 24,900 tons and is capable of embarking a landing force of about 800 Marines. Four turbo-charged diesel engines power the ship to sustained speeds of 24 knots.

Sailors Get Green Bay Underway for Maiden Voyage

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The future USS Green Bay "sailed away" from Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding Avondale Operations Dec. 1 on its maiden voyage, manned for the first time by the ship's crew.

This milestone marks the government-industry team's production completion of LPD 20, which is the fourth of LPD 17-class of amphibious transport dock ships to progress from keel laying to delivery at the Northrop Grumman shipyards along the Gulf Coast.

Green Bay will first sail to its homeport of San Diego before sailing to Long Beach, Calif., for commissioning in January.

Once commissioned, Green Bay and its crew will begin a succession of sea trials to thoroughly test the ship's systems and to complete crucial certifications. USS Green Bay will conduct missile and gun combat systems ship qualification trials (CSSQT), during which the crew will fire the ship's rolling air frame missiles and MK 46 Mod 2 30mm guns as well as exercising the ship's comprehensive detect-to-engage capability. Well-deck certification and underway replenishment qualification will also be part of the steady progression toward mission readiness.

Green Bay will join three sister ships of the same class already in the fleet. USS San Antonio (LPD 17) and USS New Orleans (LPD 18) are currently operating with the fleet. Meanwhile, USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) is completing its post shakedown availability in its homeport of Norfolk, Va.

Future USS Green Bay Completes Acceptance Trials

AVONDALE, LA (NNS) -- The future USS Green Bay (LPD 20) completed Acceptance Trials on Aug. 1, sailing from and returning to the Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding (NGSB) shipyard in New Orleans.

Green Bay is the fourth ship of 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 this amphibious transport dock ship to the Navy.

"The completion of acceptance trials is a major step towards bringing LPD 20 into the fleet, and we look forward to ship delivery in August," said Capt. Bill Galinis, LPD 17 program manager. "Green Bay performed very well on trials and continued a trend of improving performance as the class matures and more ships are prepared for the Fleet."

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, Green Bay successfully completed a full power run, self-defense detect-to-engage exercises, ballasting, deballasting, and steering and anchor handling demonstrations. The multidimensional capabilities of the Shipboard Wide Area Network, the "electronic backbone" of the ship, were also demonstrated during all phases of the trial.

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 excited ship riders were those Sailors from Green Bay's crew who will be moving aboard the ship in late August shortly after delivery.

The future USS Green Bay is scheduled for commissioning in Long Beach, Calif., early next year. The ship will then join USS New Orleans (LPD 18) as the second of the class to be homeported in San Diego.

The next ship in the class, New York (LPD 21), is also at the NGSB yard in Avondale, La., preparing for sea trials next year. San Diego (LPD 22), Anchorage (LPD 23) and Arlington (LPD 24) are all under construction at Northrop Grumman Gulf Coast shipyards. Meanwhile, USS San Antonio (LPD 17) has been training with its Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) in preparation for deployment; USS New Orleans' next milestone will be Final Contract Trials; and USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) is preparing for shock trials.