Today's US Navy Photos & Videos

ATLANTIC OCEAN (March 7, 2015) The guided-missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58) fires its MK 45 5-inch gun during a live-fire exercise. Laboon is conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Desmond Parks/Released)

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FUNCHAL, Portugal (March 7, 2015) The guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) is moored pierside in Funchal, Portugal. Jason Dunham is conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Weston Jones/Released)

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EAST CHINA SEA (March 9, 2015) Sailors assigned to the Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) take cover after chocking and chaining an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the Island Knights of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25. Ashland is underway in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Christian Senyk/Released)

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ARABIAN GULF (March 1, 2015) Sailors heave around a line to connect a fuel probe aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Mitscher (DDG 57) during a refueling-at-sea with French navy Durance-class command and replenishment oiler FS Meuse (A607). Mitscher is deployed in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility supporting Operation Inherent Resolve, strike operations in Iraq and Syria as directed, maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Anthony R. Martinez/Released)

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ATLANTIC OCEAN (March 11, 2015) Sailors hual down the American Flag aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) as the ship departs her homeport in Norfolk for an around-the-world deployment to its new homeport in San Diego. The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group will conduct operations in the U.S. 5th, 6th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Taylor L. Jackson/Released)

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NORFOLK (March 11, 2015) The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) departs Naval Station Norfolk for a scheduled deployment. The deployment is part of a regular rotation of forces to support maritime security operations, provide crisis response capability, and increase theater security cooperation and forward naval presence in the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Justin Wolpert/Released)

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WATERS TO THE WEST OF THE KOREAN PENINSULA (March 8, 2015) Seaman Jordon Paraszti, assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112), prepares an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter for flight while underway during Exercise Foal Eagle 2015. Foal Eagle is a series of annual training events that are defense-oriented and designed to increase readiness and maintain stability on the Korean Peninsula while strengthening the Republic of Korea-U.S. alliance and promoting regional peace and stability of the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Daniel M. Young/Released)

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EAST CHINA SEA (March 11, 2015) An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25 returns to the Military Sealift Command dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Washington Chambers (T-AKE 11), in background, after depositing supplies on the flight deck of the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), not pictured, during a replenishment-at-sea. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kevin V. Cunningham/Released)

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ARABIAN GULF (March 5, 2015) A French Rafale Marine aircraft from the French navy aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle refuels with an F/A-18E Super Hornet from the Sunliners of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 81 from the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). Carl Vinson is deployed as part of the Carl Vinson Strike Group supporting maritime security operations, strike operations in Iraq and Syria as directed, and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photographer/Released)

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EAST CHINA SEA (March 11, 2015) The forward-deployed amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) transits with the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Pecos (T-AO 197) during a replenishment-at-sea. Ashland, part of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group, is conducting an amphibious integration training exercise. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kevin V. Cunningham/Released)

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EAST CHINA SEA (March 10, 2015) An MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 takes off from the flight deck of the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6). Bonhomme Richard is conducting an amphibious integration training exercise. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Adam D. Wainwright/Released)

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PACIFIC OCEAN (March 11, 2015) Seaman Jamal Najjar, assigned to the U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), directs an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter during a vertical replenishment certification. Blue Ridge is underway conducting unit level training to assess the crew on damage control, force protection and seamanship in preparation for upcoming patrols in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jordan KirkJohnson/ Released)

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EAST CHINA SEA (March 12, 2015) Marines assigned to Marine Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 (Reinforced) perform maintenance on an AH-1W Super Cobra helicopter on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6). Bonhomme Richard is the lead ship of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group and, along with the embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU), is conducting an amphibious integration training exercise. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kevin V. Cunningham/Released)

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KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii (March 6, 2015) Lt. j.g. Eugene Soto, assigned to the Golden Eagles of Patrol Squadron (VP) 9, conducts mission planning as the navigation communicator during a torpedo exercise as part of the squadron's advanced readiness program. VP-9 was recently notified that they had earned the 2014 Commander Naval Air Forces, Pacific Battle "E" award, the Navy's top performance award presented to the commands that achieve the highest standards of performance readiness and efficiency. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Amber Porter/Released)

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EAST CHINA SEA (March 10, 2015) A landing craft utility assigned to Naval Beach Unit (NBU) 7 enters the well deck of the Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) while transporting Marines assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU). Ashland is part of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group and, along with the embarked 31st MEU, is conducting an amphibious integration training exercise. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Christian Senyk/Released)

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KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii (March 6, 2015) Naval Aircrewman (Avionics) 3rd Class Patrick Schwarz, assigned to the Golden Eagles of Patrol Squadron (VP) 9, checks sonobuoys on a P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft during a torpedo exercise as part of the squadron's advanced readiness program. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Amber Porter/Released)

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EAST CHINA SEA (March 11, 2015) The amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) and the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) participate in a replenishment-at-sea with the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Pecos (T-AO 197). Bonhomme Richard and Ashland are a part of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group are conducting an amphibious integration training exercise. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Cameron McCulloch/Released)

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PACIFIC OCEAN (March 11, 2015) Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Henry Jackson, right, and Seaman Marlon Cook, both assigned to the U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), connect cargo to an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter during a vertical replenishment certification. Blue Ridge is underway conducting unit level training to assess the crew on damage control, force protection and seamanship in preparation for upcoming patrols in the 7th Fleet area of operation. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jordan KirkJohnson/Released)

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EAST CHINA SEA (March 10, 2015) Marines attached to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU) fast rope from an MH-60S Sea hawk helicopter attached to the Island Knights of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HMS) 25 to the flight deck of the amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay (LPD 20). Green Bay, part of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group, is conducting an amphibious integration training exercise. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Scott Barnes/Released)

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Naval Today said:

The US Navy will position its newest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), in Hampton Roads, Naval Station Norfolk, according to Virginia Congressional delegation.

This will provide an additional aircraft carrier to the region until 2018 when the USS Lincoln returns to its home port. In addition the Navy has decided to reverse an earlier decision and will maintain Little Creek as a deep water amphibious port and homeport four amphibious ships at Little Creek through 2020. The delegation worked with the Navy to fund critical infrastructure upgrades for Little Creek, including a $30 million electrical grid upgrade in 2012.

Sen. Tim Kaine, whose advocacy in the Senate Armed Services committee was key to maintaining the Navy’s 11 operational aircraft carrier fleet, said:

“Combined with our successful effort last year to restore funding for the refueling and overhaul of the USS George Washington, the Navy’s decision to homeport the USS Gerald Ford in Norfolk is welcome news for Hampton Roads.

This news comes as the result of years of efforts to invest in these facilities.

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PEARL HARBOR (March 12, 2015) Retired Airman Sadie Strong reloads during a shooting event at the 2015 Wounded Warrior Pacific Trials at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Strong hopes that moving through this qualifying event will lead to a second consecutive gold medal at the Warrior Games scheduled to be held this fall. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Omari K. Way/Released)

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NAVAL AIR FACILITY ATSUGI, Japan (March 13, 2015) Aircrew Survival Equipmentman 3rd Class Gena Barnes, assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 51, evaluates a search and rescue (SAR) bag after being dropped into the ocean. Barns is responsible for ensuring each SAR bag is fully packed and ready for use at a moment's notice. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ryan G. Greene/Released)

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CHINHAE, Republic of Korea (March 12, 2015) Sailors assigned to Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 1, Company 1-6, embarked aboard the Military Sealift Command rescue and salvage ship USNS Salvor (T-ARS 52) work to complete a heavy lift of a 30 ton wrecked Korean vessel as part of Salvage Exercise (SALVEX) 2015. The heavy lift was the culmination of a two-week bilateral exercise between U.S. Navy divers and Republic of Korea (ROK) navy divers which focused on reinforcing teamwork and interoperability between the U.S. and ROK navies while giving Sailors the opportunity to sharpen their tactical skills. (U.S. Navy photo by Navy Diver 2nd Class Blake Florhe/Released)

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PANAMA CITY, Fla. (March 10, 2015) U.S. Navy Diver Chief Petty Officer Jerry Moreno, assigned to Naval reserve surge maintenance dive unit, supports the U.S. Navy's fly away saturation system dive bell as it prepares for pierside submersion during training operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Jacqui Barker/Released)

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NORFOLK (March 11, 2015) The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) departs for a deployment from its homeport in Norfolk. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Christopher D. Gaines/Released)

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ATLANTIC OCEAN (March 9, 2015) Information System's Technician 2nd Class Ashley Urias, from Pearland, Texas, says farewell to her family before embarking on the Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81) for deployment. Churchill, part of the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group, will conduct operations in the U.S. 5th, 6th, and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Bounome Chanphouang/Released)

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ARABIAN GULF (March 6, 2015) An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter from the Red Lions of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 15 prepares to land on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). Carl Vinson is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility supporting maritime security operations, strike operations in Iraq and Syria as directed, and theater security cooperation efforts. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class John Philip Wagner, Jr./Released)

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BUSAN, Republic of Korea (March 15, 2015) Sailors assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 35 perform routine maintenance on an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter aboard the littoral combat ship USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) during a port visit for exercise Foal Eagle 2015. Foal Eagle is a series of annual training events that are defense-oriented and designed to increase readiness and maintain stability on the Korean Peninsula while strengthening the ROK-U.S. alliance and promoting regional peace and stability. Fort Worth is on a 16-month rotational deployment in support of the U.S. Navy's strategic rebalance and is operating as part of the U.S. 7th Fleet across the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Abraham Essenmacher/Released)

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WATERS TO THE WEST OF THE KOREAN PENINSULA (March 13, 2015) Gunner's Mate 1st Class Coty Henson, assigned to Surface Warfare Mission Package, Detachment 1, embarked aboard the littoral combat ship USS Fort Worth (LCS 3), climbs a caving ladder to a rigid-hull inflatable boat during a visit, board, search, and seizure training drill. Fort Worth is on a 16-month rotational deployment in support of the U.S. Navy's strategic rebalance and is operating as part of the U.S. 7th Fleet across the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photos by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Conor Minto/Released)

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EAST CHINA SEA (March 13, 2015) An MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft, assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265, takes off from the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6). Bonhomme Richard, the lead ship of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group, is conducting an amphibious integration training exercise. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Adam D. Wainwright/Released)

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