Sept 6-12 Weekly News & Log Update

WEEKLY NEWS & LOG UPDATE Sept 06 – Sept 12

NAVAL & MARINE OPERATIONS

CHINA Peoples Liberation Army – Navy Task Forces 20th ESCORT TASK FORCE PLAN Jinan (Destroyer) PLAN Yiyang (Frigate) PLAN Qiandaohu (Supply) STATUS: Indian Ocean (Anti-Piracy & Shipping Escort Patrols) ·         (Sep 10) @ Egypt; Task Force visits Alexandria for 5-days following exercises with Egyptian navy (http://www.examiner.com/article/syria-russian-marines-on-the-ground-chinese-navy-already-the-mediterranean) 21st ESCORT TASK FORCE PLAN Liuzhou (Frigate) PLAN Sanya (Frigate) PLAN Qianghaihu (Supply) STATUS: Indian Ocean (Anti-Piracy & Shipping Escort Patrols) ·          NO NEWS Jinggangshan TASK FORCE PLAN Jinggangshan (Amphib) PLAN U/I (Frigate) PLAN U/I (Supply) STATUS: Pacific Ocean (Patrols) ·          NO NEWS Liaoning CSG PLAN Liaoning (Carrier) J-15 Fighters STATUS: Pacific Ocean, (Training) <FLIGHT DECK CERTIFICATIONS> ·         (Sep 3) @ Pacific; Following participation in 70th Anniversary of WWII, pilots resume flight deck certifications on carrier PLAN Liaoning at sea (http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-subclass-cnt.aspx?id=20150909000014&cid=1101) Other PLAN Yuncheng (Frigate) ·         (Sep 10) @ Guangzhou; Chinese missile frigate departs to attend and International Fleet Review at Manado, Indonesia, commemorating Indonesia’s 70th Independence Anniversary (http://en.people.cn/n/2015/0910/c90000-8948334.html)

FRANCE Atlantic <CARIBBEAN Patrol> FS Ventose (Frigate) <CORYMBE Patrol> FS Germinal (Frigate) ·          NO NEWS Med <Med Refugee Patrol> FS Cmdt Bouan (Frigate) ·         NO NEWS Indian Ocean FS Cassard (Destroyer) FS Var (Tanker) ·         NO NEWS Pacific <PACIFIC PATROL> FS Vendemiaire (Frigate) ·         NO NEWS Other (NO NEWS)

RUSSIA Task Forces MED. TASK FORCE RFS Epron (Rescue) RFS Moskva (Cruiser) RFS SSV-201 (Intel) 2-4 LSTs 5-Warships 3-Supply Ships LOCATION: Mediterranean ·         (Sep 12) @ Med; Russian fleet holds drills and live-fire exercises off Syria near Latakia, Russian cruiser with 5-U/I warships gave notice to residents and NOTAM of live fire missile tests (http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20150912/world/Russia-intensifies-naval-exercises-off-Syrian-coast.584099) Other RFS Sevastopol & Vladivostok (Mistral Class Assault Ships) ·         (Sep 9) Russia and France discuss dismantling and return of Russian equipment from Mistrals, plan to return all equipment by Nov 22, money for contract has been returned and France is considering other buyers (http://www.sputniknews.com/europe/20150909/1026781506.html)

UNITED KINGDOM – ROYAL NAVY TASK FORCES NONE Atlantic Patrol HMS Iron Duke (Frigate) HMS Lancaster (Frigate) RFA Gold Rover (Tanker) RFA Lyme Bay (LSD) ·         (Sep 15-18) @ London; frigate HMS Iron Duke, with HMS Tyne and Hurworth, will be present at the Defense & Security Equipment International 2015 (http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2015/september/11/150911-royal-navy-gears-up-for-dsei-15) ·         (Sep 9) @ Atlantic; UK frigate Iron Duke completes Exercise KONKAN, 2-weeks of exercises with RFA Wave Ruler and Indian frigate INS Trikand (http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2015/september/08/150910-iron-duke-indian-summer) Med Patrol HMS Enterprise (Survey) ·         NO UPDATES Indian Ocean Patrol HMS Duncan (Destroyer) HMS Richmond (Frigate) RFA Diligence (Repair) RFA Fort Austin (Stores) RFA Fort Victoria (Fleet Tanker) RFA Wave Ruler (Tanker) ·         NO UPDATES Other HMS Portland (Frigate) ·         (Sep 9) @ London; Frigate arrives at London for International Shipping Week (http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2015/september/09/150909-portland-london) ·         (Sep 8) @ Netherlands; UK Frigate completes 3-days at Rotterdam for World Port Days (http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2015/september/08/150908-portland-open-to-visitors-rotterdam) HMAS Canberra (LHD, Assault Ship) ·         (Sep 11) @ Australia; new Australian assault ship embarks Amphibious Ready Element marines for Exercise SEA EXPLORER in Far North Queensland (http://news.navy.gov.au/en/201509/Fleet/2291#.VfR5xDZRGUk) RFA Argus (Hospital / Training Ship) ·         (Sep 7) @ Portsmouth; UK auxiliary ship arrives at Portsmouth for London International Shipping Week (http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2015/september/07/150907-argus-sails-into-portsmouth-shipping-week) AUSINDEX-2015 ·         (Sep 11-19) @ India; Australian task force arrives at Visakhapatnam, Eastern Fleet HQ, for joint exercises with Indian fleet (http://www.indiannavy.nic.in/press-release/indian-and-australian-navy-participate-inaugural-bilateral-maritime-exercise-ausindex-) o    Australia: HMAS Arunta (FFG); HMAS Sirius (Tanker); HMAS Sheean (SSK) o    India: INS Shivalik (FFG), INS Ranvijay (DDG), INS Shakti (Tanker)

UNITED STATES NAVY Carrier Strike Groups USS Theodore Roosevelt   (TRCSG-12) CVN-71 – USS T. Roosevelt CG-60 – USS Normandy DDG-81 – USS W. Churchill DDG-98 – USS Forrest Sherman DDG-99 – USS Farragut STATUS: Arabian Gulf (CENTCOM DEPLOYMENT) <OIR STRIKE OPERATIONS> ·         (Sep 10) @ Red Sea; destroyer USS Farragut renders aid to stranded fishermen and repairs engine on boat (http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=91000)   USS Ronald Reagan   CVN-76 – USS Ronald Reagan STATUS: Pacific Ocean (TRANSFER) ·         NO UPDATES USS Stennis CSG CVN-74 – USS John C Stennis CG-53 – USS Mobile Bay DDG-93 – USS Chung Hoon DDG-106 – USS Stockdale DDG-110 – USS W.P. Lawrence ·         CVW-9 STATUS: Pacific Ocean, 3rd Fleet (Training) <COMPTUEX> ·         (Sep 3) @ Pacific; Stennis CSG completes COMPTUEX, preparing to deploy (http://www.bremertonpatriot.com/news/324189381.html) USS Truman CSG-4 CVN-75 – USS Harry S Truman CG-68 – USS Anzio  DDG-61 – USS Ramage DDG-66 – USS Gonzalez DDG-68 – USS Sullivans [BMD] DDG-84 – USS Bulkney DDG-107 – USS Gravely STATUS: Atlantic Ocean, 2nd Fleet (Training) <COMPTUEX> ·         (Sep 5) @ Atlantic; BMD-capable destroyer USS Sullivans departs Mayport for COMPTUEX with Truman CSG (http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=90959) USS Eisenhower CSG-10 CVN-69 – USS D. Eisenhower CVW – 3 CSG-10 STATUS: Atlantic Ocean, 2nd Fleet (Training) <CERTIFICATIONS> ·         (Sep 8) @ Atlantic; CVW-3 moves aboard carrier following sea trials, preparing for Flight Deck Certifications; Ike and CVW-3 are the first CSG to implement the Optimized Fleet Response Plan (OFRP) (http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=90955) USS Washington CVN-73 – USS G. Washington 30% Crew and Command Staff STATUS: Pacific Ocean, 3rd Fleet (Maint) <HOMEPORT TRANSFER CRUISE> ·         (Sep 8) @ San Diego; US carrier leaves San Diego for Norfolk for RCOH maintenance (http://timesofsandiego.com/military/2015/09/08/uss-george-washington-finally-leaves-san-diego/)  Amphibious Ready Groups & Command Ships 5th FLEET SEA BASE AFSB[I]-15 – USS Ponce STATUS: Arabian Gulf (Forward – Deployed) ·         NO UPDATES USS Essex ARG LHD-2 – USS Essex LPD-23 – USS Anchorage LSD-47 – USS Rushmore ·         15th MEU STATUS:  Arabian Gulf (CENTCOM Deployment) <OIR STRIKE OPERATIONS> ·         NO UPDATES USS BH Richard ARG <CARAT> LSD-42 – USS Germantown STATUS:  Pacific <FORWARD-DEPLOYED> ·         NO UPDATES USS Kearsarge ARG LHD-3 – USS Kearsarge LPD-24 – USS Arlington LSD-51 – USS Oak Hill ·         26th MEU STATUS:  Atlantic (Training) <COMPTUEX> ·         NO UPDATES USS Wasp ARG LHD-1 – USS Wasp STATUS:  Atlantic (Training) ·          NO UPDATES TASK FORCES CARAT 2015 LSD-42 – USS Germantown DDG-88 – USS Preble LCC-3 – USS Fort Worth SSN-699 – USS Jacksonville T-ARS-50 – USS Safeguard STATUS: S. China Sea (Multi-National Joint Training) ·         NO UPDATES CONTINUING PROMISE 2015 T-AH-20 – USNS Comfort STATUS: Caribbean (Multi-National Humanitarian Outreach) ·         (Sep 12) @ Haiti; US hospital ship arrives at Haiti for 8-day humanitarian mission (http://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-15122-haiti-humanitarian-arrival-of-the-us-hospital-ship-usns-comfort.html) ·         (Sep 6) @ Honduras; US hospital ship completes 10th stop for Continuing Promise 2015 at Trujillo, proceeds to 11th and final stop at Haiti (http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=90964)  PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP 2015 T-AH-19 – USNS Mercy STATUS: Pacific (Multi-National Humanitarian Outreach) ·         (Sep 4) @ Guam; US hospital ship returns PP15 personnel to Guam during liberty port call (http://www.cpf.navy.mil/news.aspx/030600) DAWN BLITZ 2015 LHA-6 – USS America LHD-4 – USS Boxer (FLAG) ·         I-MEB DDH-181 – JS Hyuga New Zealand ·         102-Marines ·         Logistics Det. Mexico ·         1-LST ·         Patrol Ship ·         2-Helicopters ·         134-man Naval Infantry Co. ·           STATUS:  Pacific @ Camp Pendleton, CA ·         (Sep 10) @ California; Joint Multinational Exercise DAWN BLITZ ends with amphibious assaults on beaches of Camp Pendleton and San Clement island, this was first time Mexican Marines participated in Exercise, and conducted fast beach assault with Zodiac Boats launched from an LST (http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/story/military/2015/09/12/pacific-partnerships-evolve-during-exercise-dawn-blitz/72022210/) Other USS Carney (DDG-64) ·         (Sep 6) @ Mayport; US destroyer forward-deploys to Rota, Spain, will contribute to European naval BMD capabilities (http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=90968)

MAJOR REGIONAL NAVAL ACTIVITIES EU OPERATION ATALANTA Commander: Spain Flagship: SPS Galicia (LPD)  STATUS: INDIAN OCEAN <ACTIVE> ·         (Sep 10) @ Spain; Spanish frigate SPS Victoria departs for Indian Ocean to relieve SPS Galicia as flagship of the EU Operation Atalanta until February, 2016 (http://www.armada.mde.es) ·         (Sep 7) @ Indian Ocean; Spanish landing ship SPS Galicia conducted MEDEVAC in heavy weather for injured Senegalese seafarer from Spanish trawler Jai-Alai, Galicia term ends Oct 6 (http://www.armada.mde.es) NATO SNMG-1 STATUS: NONE NOTED SNMG-2 Commander, ? 4-Warships STATUS: ATLANTIC <ACTIVE> ·         (Sep 8) SNMG-2 completes DYNAMIC GUARD  anti-ship missile and EW exercise in Gulf of Cadiz (http://www.mc.nato.int/PressReleases/Pages/Standing-NATO-Maritime-Group-TWO-finishes-Exercise-DYNAMIC-GUARD-.aspx) SNMCMG-1 STATUS: NONE NOTED SNMCMG-2 Commander, Turkey Flagship, TCG S. M. Pasa STATUS: MEDITERRANEAN <ACTIVE> ·         NO UPDATES UN CTF-150 Commander, Pakistan STATUS: INDIAN OCEAN <ACTIVE> ·         (Sep 9) Australian frigate HMAS Melbourne relieves HMAS Newcastle (http://combinedmaritimeforces.com/2015/09/09/hmas-melbourne-commander-takes-the-weight/) CTF-151 Commander, Turkey Flagship, TCG Gemlik (Frigate) STATUS: ARABIAN SEA <ACTIVE> ·         NO UPDATES CTF-152 Commander, Kuwait STATUS: ARABIAN GULF <ACTIVE> ·         NO UPDATES TASK FORCES INDIAN WEST FLEET TASK FORCE INS Deepak (Supply) INS Delhi (Destroyer) INS Tabar (Frigate) INS Trishul (Frigate) STATUS: Arabian Gulf <1-Month Gulf Tour> ·         (Sep 10-13) @ Saudi Arabia; INS Delhi and Trishul visit Al-Jubail (http://www.indiannavy.nic.in/press-release/warships-visit-saudi-arabia) ·         (Sep 9-13) @ Bahrain; Task Force visits Manama (http://www.indiannavy.nic.in/press-release/warships-visit-bahrain) ·         (Sep 5-8) @ UAE; Task force visits Dubai, conducts discussions on disaster response and maritime threats (http://www.indiannavy.nic.in/press-release/indian-navy%E2%80%99s-western-fleet-ships-visit-united-arab-emirates) OTHER SPS Juan Carlos II (LHD, Assault Carrier) ·         (Sep 10) Spanish Assault Ship conducts flight deck certifications with USMC V-22 Ospreys from MAGTF-Crisis Response Africa Task Force at Mor, ship is preparing for participation in joint combined exercise TRIDENT JUNCTURE in October-November (Video)( http://www.armada.mde.es/ArmadaPortal/page/Portal/ArmadaEspannola/conocenos_noticias/prefLang_en/00_noticias--2015--09--NT-169-MV22-TOMA-JCI-INGLES_en?_selectedNodeID=2284496&_pageAction=selectItem)

AIR-GROUND OPERATIONS CHINA NO UPDATES ·         NO UPDATES FRANCE Op. Sangaris: CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC ·         (Sep 10) Operation Sangaris IV completed, mandate ends; 10,500 MINUSCA troops now secure country, which is quiet except various incidents of banditry; 900-French troops remain as rapid reaction force (http://www.defense.gouv.fr/operations/actualites/sangaris-point-de-situation-du-10-septembre) Op. Chammal: IRAQ ·         (Sep 10) French government approves expansion of operations to include Syria, Iraq and Jordan; 5-airstrikes against ISIS in Iraq carried out; Training of Iraqi 6th Infantry Division continues (http://www.defense.gouv.fr/operations/actualites/chammal-point-de-situation-au-10-septembre) Op. LIZA: MALI-NIGER-CHAD ·         (Sep 10) 1-Year anniversary of regional operations was reached in August, and objectives were achieved (Cross border coordination with partner nations; and denial of ability for terror groups to rebuild sanctuaries or secure logistics; Additional army detachment sent to Aguelal, Niger to monitor and intercept desert traffic (http://www.defense.gouv.fr/operations/actualites/barkhane-point-de-situation-du-10-septembre) RUSSIA RUSSIA ·         (Sept 7-12) Russian snap exercises involve regrouping of 95,000-troops to 4-ranges for combat readiness drills (http://www.sputniknews.com/military/20150909/1026773704.html) SYRIA ·         (Sep 10) @ Egypt; Chinese Task Force visits Alexandria for 5-days following exercises with Egyptian navy; Russian Marines on ground in Latakia, with possibly a full regiment being barracked at the airport (http://www.examiner.com/article/syria-russian-marines-on-the-ground-chinese-navy-already-the-mediterranean) ·         (Sept 9) Syrian Army losses control of last airbase in NW Idlib to rebels (http://www.sputniknews.com/middleeast/20150909/1026778970.html) UKRAINE ·         (Sep 10) OSCE chief says Sep-1 renewed ceasefire in E. Ukraine has held for 10-days, despite regular artillery strikes by both sides (http://www.sfgate.com/news/world/article/OSCE-head-says-Sept-1-cease-fire-in-east-Ukraine-6500368.php) UNITED KINGDOM NO UPDATES ·         NO UPDATES UNITED STATES CENTCOM: AFGHANISTAN ·         NO UPDATES CENTCOM: IRAQ / SYRIA ·         NO UPDATES