May 19th Update

SHIP LOCATIONS:

• Ship & Group Locations Checked / Updated (5/18, 19)

SHIP LOGS:

May 15

• USS Henry M. Jackson (SSBN-730): returns from Strategic Deterence Patrol
  

May 17

• USS McCampbell (DDG-85): Deploys from Yokosuka, Japan for WESTPAC patrol; visits Shimodo, Japan for “Black Fleet” ceremony
  

May 18

• USS BH Richard (LHD-6): ARG at Hat Yao, Thailand conducting CARAT 2012 with Thai Naval forces (...BHR still at Sasebo)
  
• USS Makin Island (LHD-8): arrives at Sepangar, Malaysia (...returning home)
  

May 19

• HMS Ocean (LHA): arrives at Hamburg, Germany today for 3-day visit
  
• SNMG-1: Group composition updated
  
• SNMG-2: Turkish FFG Giresun (FLAGSHIP) disrupts pirates in Arabian Sea on May 11^th
  

GROUND UNITS LOGS:

• Ground units locations updated per DOD reports, up to (May 18), no changes
• UK forces in AFGHANISTAN: Nahr-e Saraj District begins transition phase to Afghan Army control (...last District currently under UK control, expecting final transition to begin mid-2013, and for UK combat mission to end in 2014)

NOTEWORTHY NEWS:

May 18

• RUSSIA: the Yantar shipyard in Kaliningrad launches new landing ship Ivan Gren for Russian Navy; will be completed in 2013 (6,000 tons; can carry 13-MB Tanks or 36-APV, or 300-marines; planning to use in conjunction with french built Mistrals)