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NAVAL STATION MAYPORT

2 US Navy ships in Mideast hit by coronavirus outbreaks

Two U.S. Navy warships operating in the Mideast have been affected by the coronavirus, authorities said Friday, Feb. 26, 2021, with one already at port in Bahrain and another heading to port. Navy, via AP)DUBAI – Two warships U.S. Navy warships operating in the Mideast have been struck by coronavirus outbreaks, authorities said Friday, with both returning to port in Bahrain. A dozen troops aboard the USS San Diego, an amphibious transport dock, tested positive for COVID-19, said Cmdr. More than 1,000 sailors tested positive and one died. AdEarlier this month, three sailors tested positive as the aircraft carrier was conducting operations in the Pacific.

USS Jason Dunham arrives at new homeport of Mayport

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham sails into its new homeport of Naval Station Mayport. MAYPORT NAVAL STATION, Fla. – The USS Jason Dunham, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, arrived Saturday at its new homeport at Naval Station Mayport. Jason Dunham has been homeported in Norfolk since its commissioning in November 2010. Steve Puskas, commanding officer of Jason Dunham. I think any time you are able to get everyone on the same team in the same place, it’s a win.”AdThe Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Alana Langdon/U.S.

Another drill coming up next week at Naval Station Mayport

Naval Station Mayport's Memorial Park was established Aug. 1, 1987, with the dedication of the USS Stark monument. NAVAL STATION MAYPORT, Fla. – If you see extra activity at Naval Station Mayport next Tuesday or hear gunfire sounds from the base, don’t worry, it’s another military exercise. Base personnel will conduct a small boat exercise within the basin of the installation as part of Exercise Solid Curtain/Citadel Shield 2021. A release from the base pointed out that this is a scheduled exercise and is not in response to any specific threat. Nearby residents may see increased security activity associated with the exercise and hear blank rounds of gunfire.

Remembering 9/11: Naval Station Mayport honors fallen

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Naval Station Mayport held a remembrance ceremony Friday to honor the fallen and those who responded to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Friday marks 19 years since more than 3,000 people were killed when hijacked planes crashed into the World Trade Center, at the Pentagon and into a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The ceremony started with a prayer and address, followed by the raising of a flag and four prolonged blasts at 8:46, 9:03, 9:37 and 10:03 a.m. The blasts are in observation of the four separate crashes that took place on that day. While commemoration ceremonies looked drastically different due to the pandemic this year, it’s a day and time in our nation’s history that will never be forgotten.

USS New York returns from deployment

MAYPORT, Fla. – Family and friends were on hand as the USS New York returned to Naval Station Mayport on Tuesday after deployment with the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet as part of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group. The amphibious transport dock ship deployed in December and participated in numerous exercises with allies. Group navigated over 50,000 nautical miles and made several transits through the Strait of Gibraltar, the Suez Canal, the Bab-el Mandeb and the Strait of Hormuz. The ship was welcomed home to a dock full of loved ones, socially distanced but holding signs and socially distancing.' USS New York homecoming

USS Carney arrives at Naval Station Mayport after spending 5 years abroad

NAVAL STATION MAYPORT, Fla. – The USS Carney arrived Sunday at Naval Station Mayport after spending five years abroad. The guided-missile destroyer was forward deployed to Rota, Spain, as part of Destroyer Squadron 60. Now, the USS Roosevelt is in Rota and the USS Carney is back at Mayport. “This is a huge accomplishment for Carney nation to return back to Mayport,” said U.S. Navy Cmdr. As for the USS Carney, after a two-week journey from Spain, the ship will transition into a maintenance phase pier side at Mayport.

Littoral combat ship with open ocean capabilities arrives at Mayport Naval Station

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Naval Station Mayport is eagerly awaiting the arrival of its newest addition, the future USS St. Louis. Typically, littoral combat ships are small surface vessels designed for near-shore operations, but the USS St. Louis can also be deployed for open ocean missions. In a news release, a spokesperson for the naval station said the vessel is a fast, maneuverable, focused-mission platform. The future USS St. Louis will officially join the Mayport fleet during its commissioning ceremony at Naval Station Mayport August 8, but is set to arrive at the station at 10 a.m. this morning. The St. Louis is the eleventh ship to bear the name of Missouris major port city.

Captain of Mayport-based USS Philippine Sea relieved of command

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The captain of the USS Philippine Sea, a guided missile cruiser based at Naval Station Mayport, was relieved of command Monday. Erica Hoffman was removed from her post due to a “loss of confidence in her ability to command,” but no additional details were provided. A Navy spokeswoman said in an email Tuesday that a command investigation was conducted prior to Hoffman’s removal but noted the investigation was under review. “It is inappropriate to comment on the details of the investigation at this time,” the Navy spokeswoman said. Robert Thompson will take over for Hoffman as commanding officer of the Philippine Sea until the Navy names a permanent replacement.

Memorial ceremony remembers sailors killed aboard USS Stark

MAYPORT, Fla. A small memorial ceremony took place at Naval Station Mayport on Sunday to commemorate the USS Stark being hit by Iraqi missiles. The USS Stark was assigned to patrol off the Saudi Arabian coast near the Iran-Iraq war exclusion boundary. Iraqs leader Saddam Hussein apologized and said the pilot mistook the Stark for an Iranian tanker. The following day, the USS Stark arrived in Bahrain, where she was temporarily repaired before setting course for Mayport. On May 22, 1987, President Ronald Reagan delivered a eulogy at Mayport for the 37 who died.

Naval patrol ship USS Tornado returns from deployment this morning

Published: May 13, 2020, 6:35 am Updated: May 13, 2020, 9:23 amJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The USS Tornado, a navy patrol ship, returned from deployment Wednesday morning. A Mayport spokesman said the station would use social media to welcome the heroes home because family members aren’t allowed to greet the returning sailors pier-side like usual because of COVID-19 precautions. USS Tornado (PC 14) Homecoming; welcome back! Posted by Naval Station Mayport on Wednesday, May 13, 2020The ship docked just after 9 a.m.

Active shooter drill ensures Mayport sailors are ready for worst-case scenarios

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Navy bases across the country, including Naval Station Mayport, conducted active shooter and terrorist drills on Wednesday, ensuring personnel are prepared for worst-case scenarios. After boarding the vessel and simulating the shooting of two Navy sailors, an active shooter alert was announced over the vessel’s loud speaker. The active shooter entered a classroom and took two other sailors hostage. Naval officials say active shooter drills like this one ensure all agencies are on the same page. Navy personnel use the drill to evaluate any weaknesses in their defenses on the base or on their ships.

Mayport based Helicopter Maritime Squadron 46 returns home

MAYPORT, Fla. – Wives, husbands, parents and children were all looking out on the tarmac at Naval Station Mayport on Friday as their loved ones came home. Ten members of the Mayport based Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron Four Six, led by Commander David Bizzarri, have returned. “Getting the detachments back as a commanding officer is a great experience,” Bizzarri said. “It will especially be a good time for the families.”Families haven’t seen their loved ones in about nine months. Just happy to be home and got my family back.”More troops from the squadron are scheduled to arrive Saturday.

11 sailors injured in fire aboard USS Iwo Jima

MAYPORT, Fla. It took five hours to put out a fire in a cargo hold of the USS Iwo Jima that injured 11 sailors, according to the U.S. Navy. The Navy said the fire aboard the amphibious assault ship that wad docked at Naval Station Mayport was reported at 11:45 p.m. Thursday by sailors who reported smoke. The ships crew along with sailors from USS The Sullivans, federal firefighters and the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department worked to contain the fire. The 11 sailors reported minor injuries like smoke inhalation and exhaustion, according to the Navys Public Affairs Office. The ship, commissioned in 2001 and based at Mayport, was completing maintenance operations and did not have any weapons or munitions aboard, according to the Navy.

Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 46 returns to Naval Station Mayport

MAYPORT, Fla. - More than 80 sailors assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 46 returned Monday to Naval Station Mayport and reunited with their families after a seven-month deployment. The sailors were deployed aboard three guided-missile destroyers -- all part of the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group. They provided anti-surface and anti-submarine protection for the carrier group. Photo: Naval Station Mayport Public Affairs Officer Bill AustinCopyright 2019 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved.