NOVEMBER 3, 2014, VIRGINIA CAPES (NNS) - When I first checked onboard USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), I knew absolutely nothing about amphibious assault ships. I had never heard the term "Gator Navy", and I kept hearing about something called "Bold Alligator." To be honest, I wasn't all that interested. To me, a ship was a ship and naval nicknames were a dime a dozen. But, being the … [Read more...]

OCTOBER 31, 2014, MANAMA, Bahrain (NNS) - The International Mine Countermeasures Exercise (IMCMEX), the world's largest naval exercise, with 44 participating nations from six continents, began with the Maritime Infrastructure Protection Symposium in Manama, Bahrain, Oct. 27. The exercise is organized and led by U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT)/U.S. 5th … [Read more...]

OCTOBER 31, 2014, NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) - A message sent out to the fleet by U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFF) last year introduced the Flame Resistant Variant (FRV) coverall and roll-out plan. The new FRV boasted a design superior to the Navy Working Uniform Type I and legacy coverall utility uniform in resisting fire and preventing burn injury. The FRVs were put to the test … [Read more...]

OCTOBER 30, 2014, WASHINGTON (NNS) - Male officer and chief service dress white (SDW) coats can now be fitted with a single metal hook and eye closure at Navy Exchange (NEX) tailor shops that will improve the collar neck closure, according to the Navy's Uniform Matters Office. This optional closure can replace the Velcro closure that is the standard closure for the uniform … [Read more...]

OCTOBER 29, 2014, PANAMA CITY, Fla., (NNS) - The Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC PCD) and Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) Systems Center Pacific (SSC Pacific) Reconnaissance and Detection Expendable Rover (RaDER) team recently demonstrated the autonomous operation of the first RaDER prototype. The successful demonstration was … [Read more...]