December 15-28 Weekly Log Update

WEEKLY LOG UPDATE December 15 – 28

NAVAL OPERATIONS

CHINA 15th ESCORT TASK FORCE NO NEWS 16th ESCORT TASK FORCE NO NEWS PLAN Liaoning (Carrier) (Dec 22) @ S. China Sea; Carrier group has conducted more than 100 tests and training exercises since early December (PIC) FRANCE WEST AFRICA CORYMBE TASK FORCE (Dec 19-24) @ Lome, Togo; FS Dixmude conducts multinational exercise NEMO 2013 with marines from France, Benin, Niger and Togo; includes ship boarding and search exercises (MOD) (Dec 13-15) @ Port Gentil, Gabon; Frigate FS L'Herminier makes port call, host training visit by 110-students from Naval Training Center (MOD) FS Charles de Gaulle CSG (Dec 24) @ Indian Ocean; French Chief of Staff Adm. Guillaud visits battle group for Christmas (MOD) RUSSIA MEDITERRANEAN TASK FORCE (Dec 24) @ Mediterranean; Task force ships plan to escort transports for Syrian chemical weapons (RIA Novosti) Task Force currently includes: RFS Pyotr Veliky (BCGN) ---FLAGSHIP--- RFS Smetlivy (DDG) 4-LST's Upcoming Swap: RFS Kaliningrad (LST) ---Heading to Mediterranean--- RFS A. Shabalin (LST) ---Heading home--- RFS Ivan Gren (LST) (Dec 24) @ Yantar Shipyard, Kaliningrad; new Landing Ship will be commissioned by year end and enter service in 2015 (RIA Novosti) UNITED KINGDOM HMS Daring (Destroyer) (Dec 23) @ Singapore; Destroyer planning to spend Christmas in port (RN) (Dec 19) @ Da Nang, Vietnam; Destroyer is first UK ship to visit city, hosts Vietnamese naval officers and a British Council graduation ceremony (RN) HMS Illustrious (Carrier) (Dec 19) UK Officer from HMS Illustrious (Carrier) was embedded onboard JS Ise (DDH-Carrier) during Philippine relief operations (MOD) (Dec 17) @ Singapore; UK Fleet Commander visits HMS Illustrious (Carrier) during port visit, ship is en-route home (MOD) HMS Protector (Ice Patrol Ship) (Dec 23) @ British Antarctic Territory; Ship continues patrol and conducting research for UK Hydrographic Office, celebrating Christmas on the ice floes (RN) HMS Richmond (Frigate) (Dec 23) @ Ajax Bay, Falklands; Ship anchors near San Carlos Water, scene of the Falklands War amphibious landings and resting place of HMS Antelope, conducted Remembrance Service and clean up various war memorials ashore (RN) (Dec 8) @ Stanley, Falklands; Crew participates in commemoration of 1914 Battle of Falklands Islands, celebrating the Royal Navy's victory over a squadron of German ships (MOD) HMAS Parramatta (ANZAC Class frigate) (Dec 28) @ Pacific; Australian Frigate currently on Operation Resolute security patrols on Australia's N. maritime border (AU-MOD) HMAS Tobruk (Amphibious) (Dec 21) @ Sydney, Australia; Landing Ship returns home from assisting relief efforts in Philippines OP PHILIPPINE ASSIST (AUS-MOD) HMNZS Te Mana (ANZAC Class Frigate) (Dec 21?) @ Indian Ocean; New Zealand frigate arrives off Somalia, joins CTF-151 anti-piracy patrol (NZ-MOD) RFA Argus (Dec 23) @ Atlantic; completes 10-day training package with 820 and 824 NAS (RN) UNITED STATES US CARRIER STRIKE GROUPS USS GHW. Bush CSG (Dec 15) @ Atlantic; Roosevelt CSG completes COMPTUEX, preparing to deploy (USN) USS G. Washington CSG (Dec 17) @ Yokosuka, Japan; US Carrier visited by V. Adm. Ito, Commandant of the JSDF Joint Staff College with 60-students (USN) US AMPHIBIOUS READY GROUPS & COMMAND SHIPS USS Boxer ARG (Dec 21) @ Arabian Gulf; ARG patrolling in 5th Fleet, conducting Mine Countermeasures exercises (USN-PIC) US WARSHIPS USS City of Corpus Christi (SSN-705) (Dec 23) @ Yokosuka, Japan; Los Angeles Class Sub visits 7th Fleet HQ during WESTPAC deployment (USN) USS Freedom (LCS-1) (Dec 23) @ San Diego; Ship returns to homeport from 7th Fleet / WESTPAC / Pacific deployment (USN) (Dec 15) @ Pearl Harbor; ship makes port call while en-route home, conducts change of command (USN) USS Hampton (SSN-767) (Dec 18) @ NB Point Loma, CA; Fast Attack sub returns from 6-month Pacific Fleet deployment (USN) USS Howard (DDG-83) (Dec 24) @ Guam; during port visit crewmen conduct COMREL project at Dept of Youth Affairs in Mangilao (USN) USS Monterey (CG-61) (Dec 26) @ Funchal, Portugal; Cruiser departs Portugal after 3-day port visit during Mediterranean patrol (USN-PIC) (Dec 20) @ Augusta Bay, Italy; Cruiser arrives for port visit during Mediterranean patrol (USN-PIC) USS Nitze (DDG-94) (Dec 24) @ Naples Italy; sailors volunteer time at Centro Fernandes Homeless Shelter in Castel Volturno and San Massimo Soup Kitchen in Licola, Italy during port visit, Destroyer is currently deployed to 6th Fleet / EUCOM patrol (USN) USS N. Carolina (SSN-777) (Dec 19) @ Pearl Harbor; Los Angeles Class Fast Attack sub departs for 7th Fleet / WESTPAC deployment (USN) USS Stout (DDG-55) (Dec 19) @ Souda Bay, Crete; US sailors visit Senior Citizen's Home of Chania during port visit (USN) USS The Sullivans (DDG-68) (Dec 22) @ Mayport; Destroyer returns from 6-month 5th and 6th Fleet deployment (USN-PIC) (Dec 8) @ Draguignan, France; during port visit 8-crewmen honor the 860-servicemen buried at Rhone American Cemetery (USN) OTHER REGIONAL POWERS / ORGANIZATIONS EU – OPERATION ATALANTA (CTF-465) (Dec 17) @ Indian Ocean; CTF-465 TF commander from FS Siroco visits UPS Hetman Sagaidachney (Frigate) (MOD) CTF-465 CURRENT UNITS: FGS Hessen (Frigate) FS Siroco (Landing Ship) ---FLAGSHIP--- ITS Libbeccio (Frigate) SPS Tornado (Ocean Patrol Ship) (Dec 15) @ Somaliland; Vice-President of Somaliland and the EU head of the maritime operation in the Indian Ocean meet on FS Siroco (MOD) (Dec 6) @ Djibouti; HNLMS Johan de Witt (Amphib) hands over command of OP ATALANTA to French Navy (Defense) NATO – OPERATION OCEAN SHIELD (CTF-508) (Patrolled by NATO-SNMG-2) (Dec 23) @ Gulf of Aden; Spanish President Brey and other military chiefs an dignitaries visit SNMG-2 Flagship SPS Alvaro de Bazan (NATO) (Dec 23) @ Gulf of Aden; UPS Hetman Sagaidachnyi (Frigate) concludes 3-month piracy patrol (NATO) (Dec 20) @ Indian Ocean; Japanese piracy task force captain of JS Samidare visits SPS Alvaro de Bazan (Dec 18) @ Indian Ocean; NATO-SNMG-2 Flagship SPS Alvaro de Bazan (Frigate) conducts MEDEVAC of sick sailor on the Ukrainian frigate UPS H. Sagadaichnyi to the french hospital at Djibouti, German frigate FGS Hessen acted as refueling station for Spanish helicopter during the 7-hour flight (Armada) GERMANY FGS Baden-Wurttemberg (125-Class Frigate) (Dec 12) @ Hamburg Shipyard, Germany; Lead ship of the new 125-Class frigate is christened. The new class is designed as a 7,000-ton, high endurance, multi-role warship, capable of 24-month deployments with 4-month crew rotations, conflict prevention, crisis management, peacekeeping and stabilization operations (Bundesmarine) FGS Niedersachsen (Frigate) (Dec 20) @ Wilhelmshaven, Germany; Frigate returns home from EU OP ATALANTA Indian Ocean anti-piracy patrol (Bundesmarine) FGS Saxony (Frigate) (Dec 14) @ Wilhelmshaven, Germany; Frigate returns home from NATO-SNMG-2 patrol (Bundesmarine) INDIA (Dec 19-22) @ Bay of Bengal; JIMEX bilateral naval exercise was held with Indian and Japanese naval units (Indian Navy) ...units include INS Kuthar (Missile Corvette) INS Ranvijay (Destroyer) INS Satpura (Frigate) JS Ariake (Destroyer) JS Setogiri (Destroyer) ITALY ITS Andrea Doria (Destroyer) (Dec 20) @ Mediterranean; ITS Andrea Doria (Destroyer) heads home following surge deployment to Lebanon in September (Marina) ITS Virginio Fasan (Frigate - F591) (Dec 19) @ Fincantieri Shipyard, Muggiano, Italy; new FREMM warship delivered to Italian Navy in ceremony honoring the former ITS Fasan (Marina) SPAIN SPS Cantabria (Supply) (Dec 13) @ Aksaz, Turkey; Supply ship visits Turkey while en-route home from Australia (Armada)

GROUND OPERATIONS

AFRICA S. SUDAN (Dec 28) @ Juba; White Army Militia march 25,000-troops to capital, cease-fire hopes dim (Newser) (Dec 27) @ Bor; rebels claim Ugandan AF MIG-29 bombed rebel positions, Bor captured by Gov forces (Sudan Tribune) (Dec 26) @ Bor; several oil fields and half of Bor held by rebels (Reuters) (Dec 23) 50-US Marines take positions in Uganda (Military.com) (Dec 22) 150-US Marines shift from Spain to Djibouti (Dec 21) US Navy SEALS attempt evacuation of US nationals, come under fire and abort mission (ABC) (Dec 20) @ Juba; UK-RAF C-17 evacuates British nationals (UK-GOV) (Dec 16) @ Juba; USAF 2-C130 aircraft evacuate 120 Americans and western diplomats, 45-US Army soldiers deploy to protect US Embassy (ABC) (Dec 14) US Army Quick Reaction Force @ Djibouti shifts to S. Sudan to evacuate diplomats AMERICAS USA – JAPAN / OKINAWA (Dec 27) Okinawa officials approve USMC plans to relocate US base and shift Marine forces within 5-years (Defense News) ASIA / PACIFIC AFGHANISTAN (Dec 23) US 2nd Marine Division, 9th Regiment – KIA @ Helmand Province (DOD) (Dec 13) US-DOD announces spring, 2014 rotation units (DOD) 1st Cavalry Division, HQ (350-troops) 3rd Cavalry Regiment (2,050-troops) 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, Germany (1,000-troops) 16th Combat Aviation Brigade, Washington (1,700-troops) 82nd Airborne Division, 1st Brigade (3,200-troops) RUSSIA (Dec 16) Russia confirms it's deployed SS-26 “Iskander” tactical ballistic missiles to Kaliningrad, a move it says counters NATO's missile shield, a move that NATO says destabilizes the region (RIA Novosti) EUROPE NONE

December 1-7 Weekly Log Updates

WEEKLY LOG UPDATE December 1 – 7

MULTINATIONAL OPERATIONS

PHILIPPINES TYPHOON HAIYAN DISASTER “OPERATION DAMAYAN” CHINA NOTHING NOTABLE JAPAN (review of assistance to Philippines) (Japan-MOD PICs) (Dec 3) Vehicles and helicopters returned to JS Osumi for maintenance (Nov 27) US Commader of CTF-76 visits JS Ise by MV-22 Osprey (Nov 26) @ Tacloban; JS Ise an Osumi land LCAC with heavy equipment and epidemic prevention teams (Nov 25) @ Daanbantayan; Medical Teams begin assistance, ongoing to (Dec 4) (Nov 24) @ Daanbantayan; JS Ise and Osumi begin operations, set up air dome, begin ferrying supplies and teams (Nov 23) JS Ise and Osumi balance materials and teams per their assignments (Nov 22) @ Talisay, Cebu; Medical Teams begin assistance (Nov 21) @ Maya, Cebu; Medical Teams begin assistance (Nov 20) @ Tacloban; C-130s fly injured civilians to Manila, Philippines (Nov 18) @ MSDF Kure NB; JS Ise and Osumi (LHA) depart for Philippines (Nov 17-20) @ Tacloban, Cebu; Medical teams set up and begin assistance (Nov 17) @ MSDF Kure NB; vehicles and supplies loaded on JS Osumi (LHA) (Nov 13-16) @ ASDF Komaki AB; Disaster team and supplies airlifted to Philippines UNITED KINGDOM “OPERATION PATWAN” (Dec 4) @ Philippine Sea; HMS Illustrious is visited by US commander of III MEF, US 7th Fleet Amphibious Force and UK Commander of Joint Forces Logistics Operations (Royal Navy) UNITED STATES JOINT TASK FORCE-505 NOTHING NOTABLE

NAVAL OPERATIONS

CHINA NONE FRANCE GABIAN 2013 NAVAL EXERCISE (Dec 5) @ Mediterranean; Minister of Defense visits FS Guepratte during GABIAN 2013 exercise (MOD) (Dec 2-16) @ Mediterranean; Major French naval exercise GABIAN 2013 (13.4), focused on air defense (MOD) ...units include: DDG – FS Dupleix FFG – FS Aconit FFG – FS EV Jacoubet FFG – FS Guepratte FFG – FS La Fayette (FLAGSHIP) MCM – FS Capricorn, Lyre, and Orion FS Charles de Gaulle CSG (Dec 3) @ Mediterranean; De Gaulle Battle group conducts EXOCET training with Italian Navy (MOD) ...units include: CVN – FS Charles de Gaulle DDG – FS Cassard DDG – FS Dupleix DDG – FS Forbin DDG – FS Jean de Vienne DDG – ITS Durand de la Penne FS Dixmude (LHD) (Nov 28 – Dec 4) @ Douala, Cameroon; CORYMBE Task Force make port and deploy 350-troops with combat vehicles and helicopters as an action reserve on (Dec 1) in the event any operations are ordered in CAR (MOD)(MOD) FS Var (Supply Ship) (Dec 2) @ E. Mediterranean; FS Var refuels USN cruiser USS Monterrey (MOD) RUSSIA NONE UNITED KINGDOM COUGAR 2013 (Dec 6) @ Gibraltar; HMS Bulwark visits, last port visit before returning to UK; delivers new governor of Gibraltar (UK-MOD) (Dec 4?) @ Malta; HMS Bulwark briefly visits, hosts tours by local Scouts Group (Royal Navy) HMS Duncan (Destroyer) (Dec 6-9) @ Dundee; port visit for tours and hosting local dignitaries (Royal Navy) HMS Lancaster (Frigate) (Dec 3) @ Barbados; begins return journey to UK from Caribbean patrol after 4-day port visit (Royal Navy) HMS Monmouth (Frigate) (Dec 6) @ Belfast, N. Ireland; Frigate visits for 4-days, last port visit before undergoing major 12-month refit (Royal Navy) UNITED STATES US CARRIER GROUPS USS C. Vinson CSG (Dec 3) @ Pacific; conducting carrier qualifications for fleet replacement aviators and CVW-9 (USN) USS G. Washington CSG (Dec 5) @ Yokosuka, Japan; USS George Washington returns to homeport, concludes Winter 2013 WESTPAC Patrol (US Navy) (Dec 2-3) @ Philippine Sea; USS G. Washington off-loads ammo with USNS Charles Drew (T-AKE-10) (US Navy) (Dec 1) @ Philippine Sea; Carrier Air Wing-5 completes it's end of patrol fly off of USS G. Washington (US Navy) USS H. Truman CSG (Nov 17) @ Jebel Ali, UAE; USS Truman makes port visit during Dubai Airshow, host reception (US Navy) USS Nimitz CSG (Dec 3) @ Pearl Harbor; USS Nimitz arrives for short port visit before continuing return trip to San Diego (US Navy) USS T. Roosevelt CSG (Dec 3) @ Atlantic; launches and recovers new E-2D Hawkeyes of VAW-125 (USN) US AMPHIBIOUS GROUPS & COMMAND SHIPS PCU America (LHA-6) (Dec 4) @ Pascagula, Miss; ESG-3 commander visits new assault ship, planning to commission ship at San Francisco next year (US Navy) USS New York (LPD-21) (Dec 6) @ Mayport, FL; IJARG ship USS New York transfers homeport to Mayport, FL; USS Iwo Jima and Ft. McHenry will transfer in 2014 (USN) USS Ponce (Sea Base) (Dec 6) @ Bahrain; US DEFSEC tours ship (USN) US WARSHIPS USS Howard (DDG-83) (Dec 2) @ San Diego; USN destroyer deploys to WESTPAC (US Navy) USS Shiloh (CG-67) (Dec 8-9) @ Seoul, S. Korea; USN cruiser joins ships from UK and ROK for Trilateral Naval Exercise (USN) ...units include: CG – USS Shiloh DDG – HMS Daring DDG – ROKS Yulgok Yi I (DDG-992) OTHER REGIONAL POWERS / ORGANIZATIONS EU – OPERATION ATALANTA (CTF-465) (Dec 6) @ Djibouti; onboard HNMS Johan de Witt (LSD), France assumes command of anti-piracy task force, FS Siroco (LST) is new flagship (MOD) (Dec 3) @ Djibouti; FGS Niedersaxon begins return trip home, will stop in Barcelona, Spain; ETA home by (Dec 20) (Bundesmarine) (Dec 2) @ Djibouti; FGS Niedersaxon arrives, relieved by FGS Hesse (Bundesmarine) NATO – OPERATION OCEAN SHIELD (CTF-508) (Dec 7) @ Red Sea; SNMG-2 relieves SNMG-1, takes command of CTF-508 OCEAN SHIELD (NATO) ...ships include: FFG – HNOMS F. Nansen (returning to Norway) FFG – SPS Alvaro de Bazan (NEW FLAGSHIP) FFG – TCG Gelibolu FFG – UPS H. Sagaidachney (continuing in patrol) SUP – SPS Cantabria (Refuels ships while enroute home) (Dec 5) @ Suez Canal; SNMG-2 passed through Suez, preparing to take command of OCEAN SHIELD (NATO) ...ships include: FFG – SPS Alvaro de Bazan (FLAGSHIP) FFG – TCG Gelibolu (Dec 4) @ Gulf of Aden; HNOMS F. Nansen responds to Yemeni dhow in distress (NATO)

GROUND OPERATIONS

AFRICA CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC (see FRANCE) AMERICAS NONE ASIA / PACIFIC NONE EUROPE FRANCE – CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC (Dec 7) CAR: French forces total 1200-troops within 24-hours since launching operation (MOD) (Dec 6) CAR: @ Bangui; French force commander arrives from Gabon; Parachute company from 6th Marine Battalion with 3-Puma helicopters arrive from Libreville; @ M'Poko Airport; UK-RAF C-17 transports airlift French armor (MOD) (Dec 5) OPERATION CYMOTHOE @ CAR; France announces decision to stage military buildup in CAR to avoid humanitarian disaster and restore stability per UN Resolution 2127 due to heavy fighting (MOD); @ M'Poko airport; French forces protecting the airport and 2000-refugees come under fire and destroy the offending truck with return fire, no French injuries (MOD) (Dec 1) @ Douala, Cameroon; CORYMBE Task Force make port and FS Dixmude deploys 350-troops with combat vehicles and helicopters as an action reserve on in the event any operations are ordered in CAR (MOD)(MOD)

November 24-30 Weekly Log Updates

WEEKLY LOG UPDATE November 24 – 30

MULTINATIONAL OPERATIONS

PHILIPPINES TYPHOON HAIYAN DISASTER “OPERATION DAMAYAN” CHINA (Nov 24) @ Philippines; Hospital Ship PLAN Peace Ark arrives, beginning medical services and providing 5.4 million Yuan worth of supplies, including 2,000 tents (Peoples Daily) UNITED KINGDOM “OPERATION PATWAN” (Nov 28) @ Philippines; HMS Illustrious deploys supplies and engineering teams to Calagnaan, Canas and Bayas Islands (Royal Navy) (Nov 26) @ Ormoc City, Philippines; HMAS Tobruk (L50) Heavy Landing Ship arrives, disembark 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment by landing craft (GOV) (Nov 25) @ Philippines; HMS Daring relieved by HMS Illustrious, en-route to Tokyo, Japan for Far East patrol (Royal Navy) (Nov 24?) @ S. China Sea; HMS Illustrious refuels with HMAS Sirius (US Navy) UNITED STATES JOINT TASK FORCE-505 (Nov 26) @ Pacific; USS Freedom (LCS-1) conducts PASSEX with Bangladeshi frigate BNS Somudro Joy (ex-USCGC Jarvis) while both ships are contributing to Typhoon Haiyan recovery efforts (US Navy) (Nov 25) @ Pearl Harbor; USNS Mercy (T-AH-19) returns to Reduced Operating Status, Adm. Harris determines ship isn't needed (US Navy) (Nov 24) @ Tacloban, Philippines; USS Freedom (LCS-1) delivers HA/DR supplies to Philippine OCD and DSWD officials (US Navy)

NAVAL OPERATIONS

CHINA PLAN Liaoning (Carrier) (Nov 29) @ Sanya; Carrier conducts first docking maneuver during cross-sea training (Peoples Daily) (Nov 28) @ Taiwan Strait; Carrier transits Taiwan Straits enroute to S. China Sea (Peoples Daily) (Nov 26) @ Qingdao; Carrier PLAN Liaoning departs for S. China Sea for scientific and training mission, including landing drills by J-15 fighters (Peoples Dailies) ... escorts include CV – PLAN Liaoning DDG – PLAN Shengyang DDG – PLAN Shijiazhuang FFG – PLAN Weifang FFG – PLAN Yantai FRANCE FS Aconit (Frigate) (Nov 28) @ Toulon; Frigate returns to homeport from Arabian Gulf / E. Mediterranean deployment (MOD) FS Charles de Gaulle CSG (Nov 29) @ Mediterranean; Carrier battle group deploys to Indian Ocean & Arabian Gulf in OP. BELLEAU WOOD for 3-months (MOD, w/ Map) ...Battlegroup includes: CVN – FS Charles de Gaulle DDG – FS Forbin DDG – FS Jean de Vienne SUP – FS Meuse FS PM L'Her (Frigate) (Nov 21) @ Atlantic; FS PM L'Her is replaced by FS Dixmude (LHD) and her escort FS Cmdt Herminier (Frigate) (MOD) FS Siroco (LSD) (Nov 29) @ Souda Bay, Crete, Greece; continue pre-deployment training, take on general staff for Atalanta Force, depart for Indian Ocean (MOD) (Nov 18) @ Toulon; depart for 5-month deployment to Indian Ocean for OP. ATALANTA anti-piracy patrol (Nov 4-7) @ Mediterranean; training for deployment FS Var (Supply Ship) (Nov 23) @ Mediterranean; trains with NATO-SNMG-2 frigates SPS A Bazan, FGS Sachsen and TCG Salihreis in boarding and seizure, Supply ship and SNMG-2 enroute to Indian Ocean (MOD) (Nov 22) @ E. Mediterranean; FS Var refuels Destroyer FS Cassard during its Operation Active Endeavor patrol, recently refueled frigate FS Aconit while en-route home from the Indian Ocean (MOD) RUSSIA RFS Kuznetsov (Carrier) (Nov 25) Russian Navy has taken delivery of first four new MIG-29K/KUB carrier-based fighters. MIG will deliver 20-K's and 4-KUB's (2-Seat Trainers) to the Navy by 2015 for operations on the RFS Kuznetsov. The currently deployed SU-33 naval fighters can only employ AA weaponry. The new MIGs will be capable of AA and AS missions, and can refuel other aircraft using the PAZ-1MK pod (RIA Novosti) UNITED KINGDOM COUGAR 2013 TASK FORCE (Nov 28) @ Tripoli, Libya; HMS Bulwark concludes port visit, supported a visit by UK Minister for Armed Forces and hosted UK Trade & Industry event (UK-GOV) HMS Defender (Destroyer) (Nov 29) @ Glasgow; destroyer will visit King George V Dock near Braehead for tours and a special reception (Royal Navy) HMS Montrose (Frigate) (Nov 26) @ Kuwait City; members of 43 Commando Royal Marines Detachment from HMS Montrose participate in 50km charity run around Kuwait City (Royal Navy) HMS Northumberland (Frigate) (Nov 29) @ Liverpool; Frigate arrives for short visit, Sea Cadets visit ship (Royal Navy) HMS Queen Elizabeth (Carrier) (Nov 28) Ships main radar installed on carriers forward island, uses same radar system as installed on Type-45 Air-Defense Destroyers (Royal Navy) HMAS Melbourne (Frigate) (Nov 30) @ Indian Ocean off Somalia; encounter MV Albedo sunk in 20m of water by pirates 3-years ago (GOV) RFA Argus (Hospital Ship) (Nov 29) @ Atlantic S. Coast Training Area; participates in EX SABRE DAWN, a medical response exercise, after completing extensive refit, in preparation for high readiness to deploy on worldwide operations (Royal Navy) UNITED STATES US CARRIER GROUPS USS G. Washington CSG (Nov 25) @ Philippine Sea; CSG participates in ANNUALEX 2013 with Japanese JMSDF (US Navy)(PIC) ...units include CVN – USS George Washington CG – USS Antietam DDG – Curtis Wilbur DDG – USS Lassen DDG – USS McCampbell DDG – USS Mustin SSN – Unidentified USN Sub Maritime Patrol / Recon Aircraft USS R. Reagan CSG (Nov 18) @ Pacific; Strike group completed IDCERTEX off California, includes shipboard exercises, group integration, flight operations, submarine tracking replenishment and transit formations (US Navy) ...ORBAT Updated CVN – USS Ronald Reagan CG – USS Lake Champlain DDG – USS Howard (Independent Deployment) DDG – USS Kidd DDG – USS Momsen DDG – USS Pickney DDG – USS Wayne E. Mayer FFG – USS Gary US AMPHIBIOUS GROUPS & COMMAND SHIPS USS Boxer ARG (Nov 27) @ Arabian Gulf; CNO Adm. Greenert visits USS Boxer during 5th Fleet patrol (PIC) US WARSHIPS USS Dallas (SSN-700) (Nov 25) @ Groton, Conn; Attack Sub returns to homeport following deployment to 6th Fleet / EUCOM AOR, will be decommissioned after 30-years of service (US Navy) USS Dewert (Frigate) (Nov 26) @ Indian Ocean; TF-508 Commander visits ship, wishes them safe trip home, will be concluding anti-piracy patrol next week (Dec 3) (NATO) USS Freedom (LCS-1) (Nov 29) @ Guam; ship visits Santa Rita for rest and reset during return trip to homeport (US Navy) USS Monterrey (CG-61) (Nov 21) @ Limassol, Cyprus; port visit for rest and maintenance (US Navy) USS Nitze (DDG-94) (Nov 29) @ Norfolk; deploys to 6th Fleet AOR for 7-months in Mediterranean and off Africa (US Navy) USS Zumwalt (DDG-1000) (Nov 21) @ Bath, Maine; US DEFSEC Hagel visits USS Zumwalt (Pre-Commissioned) during outfitting (US Navy) OTHER REGIONAL POWERS / ORGANIZATIONS NATO SNMG-2 (Nov 27) @ Haifa, Israel; SNMG-2 led frigates SPS Ad Bazan and FGS Sachsen arrive for port visit, conduct PASSEX with Israeli ships (NATO) (Nov 13) @ Mediterranean; Ukrainian Corvette Ternopil (U209) concluded it's support for SNMG-2, returns to homeport (NATO) INDIA INS Vikramaditya (Carrier) (Nov 26) @ Severomorsk; departs for maiden voyage to India, will refuel in White Sea, then stop @ Murmansk for supplies (RIA Novosti) ITALY ITS Cavour CSG (Nov 26) @ Indian Ocean off Oman; CSG supply ship ITS Etna rendezvous and resupplies frigate ITS Libeccio (Marina) ITS Grecale (Frigate) (Nov 28) @ Mediterranean; Frigates Grecale and Sirocco rescue 210 migrants from inflatable boats traveling to Lampedusa Island, with assistance of the Italian Coast Guard and helicopter from ITS San Marco (LHD) (Marina) SPAIN SPS Cantabria (Supply Ship) (Nov 28) @ Goa, India; ship departs from India after port visit, Spanish Ambassador and local authorities visit ship, previous port call was in Jakarta, Indonesia, will next make port at Aksaz, Turkey before returning home (Dec 21) (Armada)

GROUND OPERATIONS

AFRICA NONE AMERICAS NONE ASIA / PACIFIC CHINA (Nov 23) @ E. China Sea; PLA-AF fighters conducted first ADIZ patrol since declaring air control over sea areas currently controlled by S. Korea and Japan. Japan and SK protest the unilateral move, citing it's not needed and could conflict with current ADIZ patrols and protocols (Peoples Daily) RUSSIA (Nov 27) Russia plans to add 22-Topol-M or YARS ICBMs to strategic arsenal in 2014. Russia plans to expand the annual budget on by 50% for nuclear weapons in the next 3-years (RIA Novosti) EUROPE NONE