While their husbands were gone on USS The Sullivans, these two wives formed a strong virtual bond
Hundreds of sailors are back at Naval Station Mayport with their families after USS The Sullivans most recent four-month deployment. Missions included seizing illegal weapons while visiting 21 different countries.
USS Stark remembrance ceremony returns to Mayport for 1st time since pandemic
Tuesday, May 17, marks 35 years since two Iraqi missiles struck the USS Stark in the Persian Gulf, killing 37 sailors aboard. Naval Station Mayport held its annual remembrance ceremony to honor those who lost their lives that day.
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Mayport sailor accused of crashing into parked airplanes facing DUI charge
A Navy petty officer stationed at Naval Station Mayport was arrested early Sunday morning after a bizarre incident at Jacksonville Executive at Craig Airport, in which she crashed into two planes that were parked on the ground, according to a report from the Jacksonville Sheriffโs Office.
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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 โ 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.
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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. โ 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, itโs a win.โAdThe Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Alana Langdon/U.S.
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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. โ If you see extra activity at Naval Station Mayport next Tuesday or hear gunfire sounds from the base, donโt worry, itโs 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.
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Remembering 9/11: Naval Station Mayport honors fallen
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ 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, itโs a day and time in our nationโs history that will never be forgotten.
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USS New York returns from deployment
MAYPORT, Fla. โ 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
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USS Carney arrives at Naval Station Mayport after spending 5 years abroad
NAVAL STATION MAYPORT, Fla. โ 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. โThis is a huge accomplishment for Carney nation to return back to Mayport,โ 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.
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Captain of Mayport-based USS Philippine Sea relieved of command
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ 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 โloss of confidence in her ability to command,โ but no additional details were provided. A Navy spokeswoman said in an email Tuesday that a command investigation was conducted prior to Hoffmanโs removal but noted the investigation was under review. โIt is inappropriate to comment on the details of the investigation at this time,โ 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.
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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.
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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. โ 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 arenโt 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.
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Active shooter drill ensures Mayport sailors are ready for worst-case scenarios
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ 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 vesselโs 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.
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Mayport based Helicopter Maritime Squadron 46 returns home
MAYPORT, Fla. โ 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. โGetting the detachments back as a commanding officer is a great experience,โ Bizzarri said. โIt will especially be a good time for the families.โFamilies havenโt seen their loved ones in about nine months. Just happy to be home and got my family back.โMore 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.

Sailors welcome British aircraft carrier to Mayport Friday
MAYPORT, Fla. - Naval Station Mayport on Friday welcomed more than 1,500 sailors assigned to the British aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth. This is the second visit from the British aircraft carrier to Naval Station Mayport. The first trip happened in September of 2018, after the ship's formal commission into the Royal Navy by her sponsor, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The ship will remain at Mayport Naval Station for nearly a week. Copyright 2019 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved.

Jacksonville area pauses to remember 9/11
UNF honors 9/11 by teaching next generationFor many, 9/11 is a day that they will never forget. "I remember that day very well; it's probably the Pearl Harbor of our generation," said Bob Buehn, director of the University of North Florida Military and Veterans Resource Center. By saying never forget and remembering 9/11, we remember why they sacrifice what they do." Palatka eventsThe official Putnam County 9/11 Ceremony at the Putnam County Governmental Complex, 2509 Crill Ave., was held at 9:30 a.m. The concert was scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday at St. John's Cathedral at 256 East Church St. in Downtown Jacksonville.

NAS Jacksonville expected to reopen Thursday after damage assessment
NAVAL STATION MAYPORT, Fla. - NAS Jacksonville will recall some essential personnel at noon Thursday to begin to reopen base facilities. All normal operations at NAS Jacksonville will resume by noon Friday. As of 5 p.m. Wednesday, Naval Base Mayport was still doing preliminary inspections, looking for possible damage and working to restore normal operations. NAS Jax closedBecause of deteriorating weather forecast relating to Hurricane Dorian, the Naval Air Station Jacksonville Commanding Officer ordered the closure of NAS Jacksonville to non-essential personnel beginning at 4 p.m. Monday, Sept. 2. Aircraft evacuatedIn preparation for Hurricane Dorian, aircraft at Naval Air Station Jacksonville and Naval Station Mayport have been ordered to evacuate.

Navy testing drinking water wells around Mayport for chemical
MAYPORT, Fla. - The U.S. Navy is testing drinking water wells in and around Naval Station Mayport and the Whitehouse Naval Outlying Field, working to determine if the water is contaminated. The Navy is testing for PFAS, which is a chemical found in the white foam that's used to douse fires. PREVIOUS STORY: Navy testing wells in Mayport & Whitehouse areas for contaminantsGreenboam and several other people attended an open house at Mayport Middle School on Tuesday to learn how the Navy and other experts are working to make sure their drinking water is safe. The Navy found 170 private water wells in OFL Whitehouse. "Immediately the Navy would contact the homeowner and begin providing them with bottled water for both drinking water and cooking until we can arrange a permanent solution," said Arne Olsen, the environmental program director at NAS Jacksonville.

Searchers remain optimistic but say they're 'in a race against time'
"We're now in the fifth day of what has become an extraordinarily large and complex search and rescue operation," U.S. Coast Guard Capt. According to the Coast Guard, as of Tuesday evening, the search had covered 69,000 square miles, with an estimated 182 hours of searches. The Coast Guard was alerted at 8 p.m. Friday when they never returned to shore and weren't receiving texts or calls. Natasha was joined by several other private planes as well as Coast Guard planes from Sarasota, helicopters from Savannah and a Customs and Border Protection planes from Jacksonville. Anyone with information about the boaters or who can help in the search is asked to call the Coast Guard at 904-714-7565.

Navy testing wells in Mayport & Whitehouse areas for contaminants
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The U.S. Navy is concerned about possible contaminants that may have seeped into the ground and ended up in private drinking water wells around Naval Station Mayport and Outlying Landing Field Whitehouse. As a proactive measure, the Navy plans to sample water from private drinking wells around the base near Mayport Road and Wonderwood Drive, and around OLF Whitehouse near Halsema and Old Plank roads. MAPS: Designated private well sampling area near Naval Station Mayport | Designated private well sampling area near OLF WhitehouseFACT SHEETS: Naval Station Mayport drinking water investigation | OLF Whitehouse drinking water investigationIn August, the Navy tested private wells near Naval Air Station Jacksonville due to the same concern. Samples were taken from 19 private drinking wells and the results showed the water in that area was safe to drink. The Naval Station Mayport open house will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 27 at Mayport Middle School on Mayport Road.

Navy plans to test water from wells in Mayport area for contaminants
MAYPORT, Fla. - The U.S. Navy is concerned about possible contaminants that may have seeped into the ground and ended up in private drinking water wells around Naval Station Mayport. As a proactive measure, the Navy plans to sample water from private drinking wells outside the base near Mayport Road and Wonderwood Drive. In August, the Navy tested private wells near Naval Air Station Jacksonville due to the same concern. Samples were taken from 19 private drinking wells and the results showed the water in that area was safe to drink. The Navy said it will be providing bottled cooking and drinking water to Mayport residents should PFAS be detected in their well water.

Sailor stationed at Mayport charged with sexual battery
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - A sailor posted at Naval Station Mayport is accused of committing a felony sex crime. Jessica Wilkerson, 24, whose Facebook profile describes her as an aviation mechanic for the Navy, was arrested Tuesday and booked into the Duval County jail on a charge of sexual battery, jail logs show. The arrest stems from an alcohol-fueled incident that unfolded shortly before midnight Feb. 19 at the victim's apartment, according to a heavily redacted copy of Wilkersons arrest report. The victim told investigators she and Wilkerson were drinking when Wilkerson got upset about the death of a loved one. Court records show shes scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 21 for an arraignment hearing.

More than 300 sailors on USS Fort McHenry return home
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - After seven months away from home, the USS Fort McHenry returned from deployment Thursday. The ship, along with more than 300 sailors, arrived Thursday morning at Naval Station Mayport, where family and friends were waiting to welcome their loved ones home. According to the Navy, the sailors worked in maritime security operations in both Europe and the Middle East. "It means a lot that I can show my little brothers what kind of person you can be and how the military makes you stronger and a much better person," Nastase said of serving on the USS Fort McHenry. The ship was quarantined at sea for over two months due to a viral infection similar to mumps.

More than 300 sailors on USS Fort McHenry return home
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - After seven months away from home, the USS Fort McHenry is returning from deployment Thursday. The ship, along with more than 300 sailors, is expected to arrive at Naval Station Mayport where family and friends will be waiting to welcome their loved ones home. According to the Navy, the sailors worked in maritime security operations in both Europe and the Middle East. During this mission, the ship was part of the more than 4,500 sailors and marines serving in the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit. While deployed, the ARG participated in several military exercises and made port calls in the Baltics, Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and the Middle East that deepened existing relationships with allies and partner nations.

City investigating homeless camp near Mayport
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The city of Jacksonville is investigating one of several homeless camps that News4Jax was told are hidden away in wooded areas near Mayport. On Thursday, a witness told News4Jax that he saw a man taking a bicycle. The witness said the startling discovery was made sometime Monday morning at a lot situated off Mayport Road near Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park. RELATED: Neighbors find trove of stolen goods at lots near Mayport |WATCH: City investigating homeless campWhen a homeless person has all their possessions at the camp, youre taking everything that belongs to them -- whether they stole it or not -- and youre throwing it in dumpsters and they get really upset, said a Mayport Road property manager of a different location, who did not wish to be identified. The property manager down the road told News4Jax on Friday that she had the same issue in March.

Video appears to show JTA bus driving into oncoming traffic
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Video sent to News4Jax from a viewer Friday appears to show a Jacksonville Transportation Authority bus going around a median and into oncoming traffic. News4Jax shared the video with JTA, and the agency said it appears to have happened earlier in the month. JTA sent a statement reading in part:The safety and security of our passengers, bus operators and other drivers is paramount. As the operator was coming to a stop, which they are required to check for oncoming trains, the warning lights and bells activated after he passed the crossing arm. The photo and video come less than a week after Jeanie Rozar died when she became entangled after getting off a JTA bus.
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Security drills scheduled for Mayport
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ Security drills are scheduled for Naval Station Mayport the first week of April. As a result, drivers may notice slowdowns at gate access points. Expect an increase in security presence near the base. They are simulated gunfire and part of the drill. The security force protection exercises will begin Monday, April 2 until Thursday, April 5th.
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Naval Station Mayport sends ships to sea ahead of Hurricane Irma
MAYPORT, Fla. โ The U.S. Navy will be sending ships from Naval Station Mayport out to sea ahead of Hurricane Irma. It's the biggest sortie of ships from Mayport ahead of a hurricane since 1999. In September of that year, the carrier JFK and 12 other ships left the base ahead of Hurricane Floyd. At sea is a better place for them to be," said Steve Millican, emergency manager for Naval Station Mayport. Plans are also in the works at Naval Station Mayport to make sure that all personnel and base resources are safe as Irma approaches.
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Jetty the Mayport Buck found dead
MAYPORT, Fla. โ A well-known buck in the Mayport area was found dead Tuesday on the naval base, officials said. Mayport military police called Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers, who untangled the buck and determined that the buck died from the entanglement and not from a gunshot. FWC officials said that after comparing the buck with photos online, it was determined that the animal was Jetty the Mayport Buck. The Jetty the Mayport Buck Facebook page disputes that Jetty is dead. Officials said Jetty was given a proper burial on the base.