January 19-25 Weekly Log Update

WEEKLY LOG UPDATE January 19 – 25

NAVAL OPERATIONS

CHINA 15th ESCORT TASK FORCE NONE 16th ESCORT TASK FORCE NONE Second Chinese Carrier (Jan 25) Local Chinese news agencies announce the construction of a second Chinese aircraft carrier, western experts debate it's abilities and Chinese predictions to build 4-carriers by 2020, since the build time of 1-carrier is typically 6-years alone (Defense News) PLAN Changbai Shan (Amphibious Landing Ship) (Jan 23) @ S. China Sea; Battlegroup conducts amphibious exercises and long-range training training near Xisha Islands (Peoples Daily) (Jan 22) @ Xisha Islands; Battlegroups completes 2-day patrol of islands, Flotilla commander landed on the islands to great the garrison troops following a 20-minute amphibious landing exercise (Peoples daily) (Jan 20) @ Sanya; Changbaishan Battlegroup departs for training in S. China Sea (Peoples Daily) ...Escorts include PLAN Changbaishan (Amphibious Landing Ship) PLAN Haikou (Destroyer) PLAN Wuhan (Destroyer) FRANCE WEST AFRICA CORYMBE TASK FORCE (Jan 19) @ Atlantic off Senegal; FS Dixmude and Cmdt L'Herminier respond to distress signal from small fishing boat capsized 12-miles off Dakar, 1-fisherman rescued and transferred to Senegalese Coast Guard, 2-bodies were recovered (MOD) GABIAN 2014 – MAJOR QUARTERLY NAVAL EXERCISE (Jan 20-24) @ Mediterranean; French naval forces conduct major quarterly naval exercise GABIAN-2014 (MOD) ...units include FS Capricorn (MCM) FS Cassard (DDG) FS Cmdt Ducuing (FFG) FS Dupleix (DDG) FS Lyre (MCM) FS Marne (Supply) FS Orion (MCM) FS Tonnerre (LHD) FS Var (Supply) FS Charles De Gaulle (Carrier) (Jan 23) @ Arabian Gulf; French battlegroup and USS Truman CSG continue interoperability training (MOD) RUSSIA MEDITERRANEAN TASK FORCE (Jan 25) @ Mediterranean; RFS Pyotr Veliky (Battle-Cruiser) and PLAN Yancheng (Frigate) begin compatibility training exercises in preparation for escorting Syrian chemical weapons for destruction (RIA Novosti) RFS Admiral Nakhimov (Battle-Cruiser) (Jan 24) Sevmash Shipyards; shipbuilder announces the battle-cruiser has begun a long delayed modernization refit, Russia plans to return all four battle-cruisers to service by 2018 (RIA Novosti) RFS Kuznetsov (Carrier) (Jan 24) @ Mediterranean; Carrier Battlegroup is conducting air combat exercises off Spain's Balearic Islands (RIA Novosti) UNITED KINGDOM HMS Argyll (Type-23 Frigate) (Jan 20) @ London; Frigate departs London, enroute to Devonport for training in preparation for Caribbean deployment (UK-RN) HMS Daring (Destroyer) (Jan 23) @ Jakarta, Indonesia; UK Destroyer on Far east patrol makes friendly port visit, engaging in fun run and cooking competition (UK-RN) HMS Portland (Type-23 Frigate) (Jan 24) @ Lisbon, Portugal; UK Frigate makes first visit of Atlantic patrol (UK-RN) HMS Protector (Ice Patrol Ship) (Jan 21) @ S. Georgia; Ship arrives to conduct hydrographic and dive operations, and assists S. Georgian government in beach habitat cleanup (UK-RN) HMS Richmond (Type-23 Frigate) (Jan 24) @ Panama Canal; Frigate transits canal for first time (UK-RN) (Jan 20) @ Panama City; Frigate arrives to replenish supplies, preparing to transit canal into Caribbean (UK-RN) HMAS Darwin (Frigate) (Jan 19) @ Sydney; Australian frigate departs for OPERATION SLIPPER patrol in Middle East AOR for 7-months, will be relieving HMAS Melbourne (AU-Navy) UNITED STATES US CARRIER STRIKE GROUPS NONE US AMPHIBIOUS READY GROUPS & COMMAND SHIPS USS Blue Ridge (LLC-19) (Jan 21) @ Yokosuka; US Senator Rubio visits command ship USS Blue Ridge and cruiser Shiloh while in homeport (USN) USS BH Richard (LHD-6) (Jan 22-23) @ Sasebo; Forward-deployed Assault Ship begins ammo onload in preparation for it's next patrol (USN) USS Makin Island (LHD-8) (Jan 17) @ San Diego; Assault Ship completes 9-day sea trials following 13-month PMA maintenance (USN) US WARSHIPS KOA KAI 14-1 NAVAL EXERCISE (Jan 24-31) @ Hawaii; Integrated Maritime Exercise KOA KAI 14-1 begins off Hawaii, exercise prepares warships tasked with future independent deployments for flight operations, anti-surface / submarine training (USN) ...Units include USS Cape George (CG-71) USS Chosin (CG-65) USS Chung-Hoon (DDG-93) USS Halsey (DDG-97) USS Lake Champlain (CG-57) USS Lake Erie (CG-70) USS O'Kane (DDG-77) USS Port Royal (CG-73) USS Michael Murphy (DDG-112) HMCS Protecteur (Supply Ship) Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing – 2 Commander, Submarine Force US Pacific Fleet Commander, DESRON-31 Hawaii Air National Guard (USAF) HMSS-37 MAG-24 VMFA-224 (USMC) 25th Combat Aviation Brigade USS Donald Cook (DDG-75) (Jan 24) @ Norfolk; Dep. A.SECDEF visits ship to evaluate ships MDS system, in preparation for destroyers upcoming deployment to Mediterranean as BMD patrol ship (USN) USS Seawolf (SSN-21) (Jan 21) @ Bremerton; US fast-attack submarine returns from 6-month deployment (USN) USS Spruance (DDG-111) (Jan 22) @ Singapore; Commander US Pacific Fleet visits destroyer during port visit (USN) (Jan 18) @ Singapore Strait; sailors from destroyer rescue Filipino mariner that fell overboard in Strait OTHER REGIONAL POWERS / ORGANIZATIONS EU – OPERATION ATALANTA (CTF-465) (Jan 18) @ Gulf of Aden; FS Siroco (Landing Ship) responds to overnight failed pirate attack on Nave Atropos, tracks the fast-boats with help from Japanese PC-3 , captures 5-pirates and frees 11-Indian sailors (MOD) NATO – OPERATION OCEAN SHIELD (CTF-508) (Patrolled by NATO-SNMG-2) (Jan 23) @ Gulf of Aden; Following a formal exchange of letters signed by NATO and New Zealand, HMNZS Te Mana (Frigate) joins CTF-508 anti-piracy patrol (NATO) NATO – SNMG-1 (Jan 24) @ Bergen, Norway; Norway takes command of NATO-SNMG-1 naval patrol aboard the new fleet flagship HNOMS Thor Heyerdahl (Fridtjof Nansen Class Frigate), the next SNMG-1 battlegroup plans to patrol the Arctic, Mediterranean and Straits of Gibraltar (NATO) GERMANY (Jan 24) @ London, UK; FGS Schleswig-Holstein (Frigate) visits London for the weekend, Frigate will participate in COUGAR-14 (UK-RN) (Jan 20) @ Warnemunde; FGS Magdeburg (K130 – Brunswick Class Corvette) departs for SNMG-1 patrol (Bundesmarine) ITALY (Jan 22) Italian DEFMIN visits ITS San Marco (Amphibious Assault Ship) following the rescue of 20-migrants off Sicily (DIFESA) (Jan 10-14) @ Kenya; ITS Cavour (Carrier) and Etna (Supply Ship) visit Mombasa, conduct medical humanitarian check-ups and surgeries at isolated villages in Kenya (DIFESA)

GROUND OPERATIONS

AFRICA NONE AMERICAS NONE ASIA / PACIFIC NONE EUROPE NONE

January 12-18 Weekly Log Updates

WEEKLY LOG UPDATE January 12 – 18

NAVAL OPERATIONS

CHINA 15th ESCORT TASK FORCE (Jan 13-16) @ Sri Lanka; PLAN Jianggangshan and PLAN Hengshui arrived at Trinomalee Port for 3-day goodwill visit, ship will be open for public tours and crew will carry out equipment exchanges with Sri Lankan navy personnel (Peoples Daily) 16th ESCORT TASK FORCE (Jan 12) @ Gulf of Aden; PLAN Luoyang (FFG) discovers suspect pirate vessels and repels then from attacking merchant ships (Peoples Daily) (Jan 12) @ Mediterranean off Syria; PLAN Yancheng (FFG) conducted round-the-clock ship landing training for it's helicopter while stationed off Syria's coast (Peoples Daily) (Jan 10) @ Mediterranean; PLAN Yancheng (FFG) staff meets onboard HDMS Esbern Snare (Denmark Combat Support Ship) to coordinate Syria chemical weapons escort duties with HnoMS Helge Ingstad (Norwegian FFG), and Commander of the Russian Mediterranean Task Force (Peoples Daily) FRANCE WEST AFRICA CORYMBE TASK FORCE (Jan 13) @ Guinea; FS Cmdt L'Herminier (Frigate) visits Conakry, conducts change of command (MOD) (Jan 7-11) @ Ivory Coast; FS Dixmude (Assault Ship) visits Abidjan, conducts amphibious exercise with forward-deployed troops and IC troops (MOD) GABIAN 2014 – MAJOR QUARTERLY NAVAL EXERCISE (Jan 20-24) @ Mediterranean; French naval forces conduct major quarterly naval exercise GABIAN-2014 (MOD) ...units include FS Capricorn (MCM) FS Cassard (DDG) FS Cmdt Ducuing (FFG) FS Dupleix (DDG) FS Lyre (MCM) FS Marne (Supply) FS Orion (MCM) FS Tonnerre (LHD) FS Var (Supply) FS Charles De Gaulle (Carrier) (Jan 12) @ Arabian Gulf; Battlegroup leaves UAE, resumes operational activities with USS Truman CSG (MOD) (Jan 8-12) @ UAE; Battlegroup visits Abu Dhabi for break and supplies, De Gaulle is toured by UAE Foreign Minister (MOD) (Jan 5-7) @ Qatar; Battlegroup participates in bilateral exercise OCEAN FALCON with Qatari forces (MOD) FS Latouche-Treville (Destroyer) (Jan 14) @ Bay of Biscay; French destroyer reportedly sortied out of Brest in early Jan to intercept Russian Carrier battlegroup in English Channel, and conducted various exercise in Bay of Biscay for 3-days, Russian Battlegroup is currently in Mediterranean (MOD) RUSSIA MEDITERRANEAN TASK FORCE NO NEWS UNITED KINGDOM HMS Argyll (Type-23 Frigate) (Jan 15-19) @ London, UK; Frigate returns to London for tours, will dock beside HMS Belfast near Tower Bridge (UK-RN) HMS Montrose (Type-23 Frigate) (Jan 14) UK Frigate is tasked with assisting the removal of Syrian chemical weapons in June, 2014; ship is currently in Arabian Gulf (UK-RN) HMS Ocean (Helicopter Carrier) (Jan 14) @ Devonport, UK; nearing end of 15-month refit, crew begins returning to ship, will return to sea this spring (UK-RN) HMS Protector (Ice Patrol Ship) (Jan 17) @ S. Sandwich Islands; Ice Patrol Ship conducts underwater surveys in previously uncharted waters around S. Thule Island, Douglas Straits and Cook Islands (UK-RN) HMS Somerset (F82 – Frigate) (Jan 16) @ Gibraltar; UK Frigate visited to take on supplies, and the Fit Crew took on the Rock Race Challenge (UK-RN) UNITED STATES US CARRIER STRIKE GROUPS USS Reagan (CVN-76) (Jan 14) US Navy announces pacific re-balance, will replace USS Washington with USS Reagan in Japan, and transfer USS Roosevelt to San Diego from Norfolk, Carrier Air Wing-5 will remain at NAS Atsugi, Japan (USN) USS Roosevelt (CVN-71) (Jan 15) @ Atlantic; Conducting Carrier Qualifications at sea (USN) USS Truman CSG (Jan 15) @ Arabian Gulf; French Super-Etendard Strike Fighters from carrier FS Charles De Gaulle overfly US carrier, both carriers are conducting interoperability exercises (USN) US AMPHIBIOUS READY GROUPS & COMMAND SHIPS USS Makin Island (LHD-8) (Jan 16) @ Pacific; Assault Ship conducting Sea Trials after 13-month refit (USN) US WARSHIPS USS Bainbridge (DDG-96) (Jan 14) @ Norfolk, VA; US Destroyer returns from 6-month deployment to 6th Fleet (USN) USS Donald Cook (DDG-75) (Jan 15) @ Atlantic; US Destroyer is underway conducting drills in preparation for homeport shift to Rota, Spain (USN) USS Elrod (FFG-55) (Jan 14) @ Norfolk, VA; US Frigate deploys to US 6th Fleet AOR (Mediterranean) for 6-months (USN) USS Halyburton (FFG-40) (Jan 15) @ Mayport; US Frigate deploys to 4th Fleet / SOUTHCOM, will assist efforts against drug trafficcing in Caribbean, Central and South America (USN) USS McCampbell (DDG-85) (Jan 16) @ Japan; US Destroyer gets underway from Yokosuka for 7th Fleet patrol (USN) USS Rentz (FFG-46) (Jan 14) @ Pacific off Guatamala; Frigate rescued 3-deep sea turtles about 80-miles offshore stuck in fishing bouys (USN) (Jan 13) @ Pacific off Ecuador; Frigate seized appr 313 kg of cocaine during anti-drug operations in 4th Fleet AOR, three suspects were transferred to Ecuadoran authorities (USN) USS Scranton (SSN-756) (Jan 13) @ Norfolk, VA; Attack Submarine returns from Mediterranean & Indian Ocean patrol (USN) USS Stout (DDG-55) (Jan 16) @ Mediterranean; US Destroyers Stout and Ramage conduct crew swap via RHI Boat during 6th Fleet patrol (USN) USNS Spearhead (JHSV-1) (Jan 16) @ Virginia Beach, VA; The Navy's first Joint-High Speed Vessel departed for it's maiden deployment to US 6th Fleet AOR until May, then sail to US 4th Fleet; The ship is a multi-mission 338'-Catamaran hull. Can carry 600-tons of supplies and support various aircraft (USN) OTHER REGIONAL POWERS / ORGANIZATIONS EU – OPERATION ATALANTA (CTF-465) (Jan 16) @ Seychelles; ITS Libbecio (Italian Frigate) conducts anti-piracy exercise with Seychelles Coast Guard, Police and Air Force (DIFESA) (Jan 11) @ Kenya; FS Siroco (Landing Ship) delivered 2-SUV's at Mombassa for EU mission EUCAP-NESTOR (MOD) NATO – OPERATION OCEAN SHIELD (CTF-508) (Patrolled by NATO-SNMG-2) NO NEWS

GROUND OPERATIONS

AFRICA NONE AMERICAS NONE ASIA / PACIFIC AFGHANISTAN (Jan 17) US 1st Cavalry Division, 2nd Brigade – KIA @ Kandahar City (Jan 15) US 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), 2nd Battalion – KIA @ Parwan Province (DOD)      RUSSIA – ARMENIA (Jan 17) Russia forms a helicopter squadron to strengthen it's air contingent at Erebuni AB in Armenia. The base currently hosts 16 Mig-29's. The new squadron will host Mi-24P “Hind-F” attack helicopters, and Mi-8MT & Mi-8SMV transport helicopters. The crew are currently training at Rostov-on-Don AB, and the squadron will be phased in throughout 2014 (RIA Novosti) EUROPE NONE

January 5-11 Weekly Log Updates

WEEKLY LOG UPDATE January 05 – 11

NAVAL OPERATIONS

CHINA 15th ESCORT TASK FORCE NO NEWS 16th ESCORT TASK FORCE NO NEWS FRANCE WEST AFRICA CORYMBE TASK FORCE NO NEWS RUSSIA MEDITERRANEAN TASK FORCE NO NEWS RFS Adm. Kuznetsov (Carrier) (Jan 10) @ English Channel; transit Channel en-route to Mediterranean (RIA Novosti) (Jan 1) @ Atlantic off Scotland; anchor off coast due to inclement weather, being escorted by HMS Defender (D36) (RIA Novosti) (Dec 17) @ Murmansk; Carrier deploys to Mediterranean with 5-escort ships (RIA Novosti) UNITED KINGDOM HMS Daring (D32 – Destroyer) (Jan 10) @ Sattahip, Thailand; Destroyer arrives in Thailand for port visit and exchanges (UK-RN) HMS Illustrious (Carrier) (Jan 10) @ Portsmouth; Carrier returns home from COUGAR'13 Deployment and Philippines aid operations from Typhoon Haiyan; Carrier will undergo maintenance and return to duty later this year for a planned deployment (UK-RN) HMS Portland (F79 – Frigate) (Jan 13) @ Devonport; Frigate deploying to Atlantic patrols for 7-months (UK-RN) HMS Somerset (F82 – Frigate) (Jan 9) @ Devonport; Frigate deploys to Mediterranean and Indian Ocean for 6-months (UK-RN) HMAS Darwin (FFG-04 – Adelaide Class Frigate) (Jan 8) Australian Frigate achieves “Mission Readiness” in preparation for an upcoming deployment to OPERATION SLIPPER in Indian Ocean (AU-NAVY) HMAS Sirius (Tanker) (Jan 9) @ Indian Ocean; conducts resupply for HMAS Stuart (ANZAC Class Frigate) on Operation RESOLUTE border patrol duties (AU-NAVY) RFA Wave Knight (A389 – Supply Ship) (Dec 26) @ Caribbean; Ship and USCG law enforcement team pursue and board the vessel “Miss Kameney”, seizing ¼ ton of marijuana (UK-RN) UNITED STATES US CARRIER STRIKE GROUPS NO NEWS US AMPHIBIOUS READY GROUPS & COMMAND SHIPS NO NEWS US WARSHIPS USS Bainbridge (DDG-96) (Jan 9) @ Mediterranean; Destroyer departs 6th Fleet AOR, en-route home (USN) USS Kidd (DDG-100) (Jan 7) @ San Diego; Destroyer deploys to 7th Fleet / WESTPAC (USN) USS Monterey (CG-61) (Jan 5) @ Norfolk; Cruiser returns from 5th & 6th Fleet deployment (USN) USS Pinkney (DDG-91) (Jan 7) @ San Diego; Destroyer deploys to 7th Fleet / WESTPAC (USN) USS Taylor (FFG-50) (Jan 8) @ Mayport; Frigate deploys to 5th and 6th Fleet AOR for 7-months, this will be it's final deployment, then it will be decommissioned in 2015 (USN) USS Tucson (SSN-770) (Jan 10) @ Yokosuka; Attack submarine visits Japan during WESTPAC deployment (USN) OTHER REGIONAL POWERS / ORGANIZATIONS EU – OPERATION ATALANTA (CTF-465) (Jan 7) @ Indian Ocean; FGS Hessen (German Frigate) conducts PASSEX with Indian Navy ships INS Viraat (Carrier), Teg (Frigate) and Jyoti (Supply Ship) (Bundesmarine) NATO – OPERATION OCEAN SHIELD (CTF-508) (Patrolled by NATO-SNMG-2) (Jan 9) @ Arabian Sea; Flagship SPS Alvaro de Bazan (Spanish Frigate) conducted surface warfare and air defense training with USS Truman CSG, commanders meet to discuss maritime security (NATO) (Jan 7) @ Gulf of Aden; Last week TCG Gelibolu (Turkish Frigate) conducted meeting and joint training with S. Korean destroyer ROKS Choi Young (Sun-Sin Class Destroyer) (NATO) (Jan 7) @ Bahrain; Flagship SPS Alvaro de Bazan (Spanish Frigate) visited Bahrain last week, holds staff meeting with CTF-150 & 151 commanders to improve info sharing and coordination (NATO) GERMANY (Jan 7) FGS Brandenburg (Frigate) completes GOST training program, declared ready to deploy to EU Operation ATALANTA in Indian Ocean as Flagship (Bundesmarine) INDIA (Jan 7) @ Kanwar; INS Vikramaditya (Carrier) arrives at naval base with a team of Russian specialists and techs (RIA Novosti)(Pics) ITALY (Jan 10) @ Mediterranean; 105-African migrants were rescued by ITS Zeffiro (Frigate), transferred to ITS San Marco (Amphibious) for identification and care, then transferred to Augusta by ITS Sirius (OPS) (Marina) (Jan 3) @ Arabian Sea; ITS Cavour, USS Truman and FS Charles de Gaulle (Carriers) meet to conduct joint maneuvering and training (Marina) (Jan 2) @ Dubai, UAE; ITS Cavour Carrier Group departs UAE for Kenya after joint training and PASSEX with UAE naval units and boarding teams; ITS Bergamini conducts joint training with NATO flagship SPS Alvaro de Bazan (Marina)

GROUND OPERATIONS

AFRICA NONE AMERICAS NONE ASIA / PACIFIC AFGHANISTAN (Jan 4) US 1st Infantry Divisions, 3rd Brigade – KIA @ Nangarhar Province (DOD) SOUTH KOREA (Jan 7) US 1st Cavalry Division, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Battalion – DOD announces battalion will deploy to SK as part of Pacific rebalancing starting (Feb 1) for 9-month rotation; equipment will remain in SK (DOD) EUROPE NONE

December 29 - January 4 Weekly Log Updates

WEEKLY LOG UPDATE December 29 – January 04

NAVAL OPERATIONS

CHINA 15th ESCORT TASK FORCE (Jan 2) @ Mombasa, Kenya; Task Force arrives for 4-day visit, Hosts visits by Kenyan government officials (Peoples Daily) 16th ESCORT TASK FORCE (Dec 31) @ Jeddah, SA; PLAN Yancheng departs escort patrol in Gulf of Aden, en-route to Mediterranean to escort Syrian chemical weapons ship (Peoples Daily); Frigates conduct live weapons fire training (Peoples Daily) PLAN Liaoning (Carrier) (Jan 1) @ Qingdao; Carrier returns to homeport from training in S. China Sea (Peoples Daily) FRANCE WEST AFRICA CORYMBE TASK FORCE NO NEWS RUSSIA MEDITERRANEAN TASK FORCE (Dec UNITED KINGDOM HMS Illustrious (Carrier) (Jan 3) @ Suez Canal; UK Carrier passes through Suez Canal after stop at Goa, India, is en-route home (UK-RN) HMS Westminster (Frigate) (Jan 2) @ Dar es Salaam; UK Frigate visited Tanzania in December to facilitate a 3-day maritime boarding training package with LEDET (UK-RN) UNITED STATES US CARRIER STRIKE GROUPS NO NEWS US AMPHIBIOUS READY GROUPS & COMMAND SHIPS NO NEWS US WARSHIPS USS Monterey (CG-61) (Jan 2) @ Atlantic; USN Cruiser is transiting Atlantic, is returning home after 9-month deployment (USN-PIC) USS Stout (DDG-55) (Dec 24) @ Limassol, Cyprus; US Destroyer reaches halfway point of their Mediterranean deployment, make port visit to celebrate holidays (USN) OTHER REGIONAL POWERS / ORGANIZATIONS EU – OPERATION ATALANTA (CTF-465) NO NEWS NATO – OPERATION OCEAN SHIELD (CTF-508) (Patrolled by NATO-SNMG-2) NO NEWS

GROUND OPERATIONS

AFRICA NONE AMERICAS NONE ASIA / PACIFIC NONE EUROPE NONE

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)