Tag: naval operations
24 articles
China Builds Massive Supply Ship for Carrier Groups
China is building a massive supply ship that has caught the world's attention, particularly in the US, as it signals a new era of maritime power. This hulking vessel, rising from the shipyard on Longxue Island, is set to support China's carrier groups and challenge traditional naval dominance.
China's PLAN Enhances Readiness with At-Sea Degaussing Operations
A recent photo reveals a fascinating glimpse into China's naval operations, showcasing the Type 072A landing ship Baxianshan getting degaussed at sea with the help of the Type 911 degaussing vessel Dongqin-870. This routine yet crucial sustainment action keeps ships ready for action without needing to return to base.
USS Abraham Lincoln Sets Record with 210 Days at Sea
Meet the USS Abraham Lincoln, a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier that's made history by spending a record-breaking 210 days at sea, showcasing its unparalleled endurance and capabilities. With over 5,000 Sailors and Marines on board, this unstoppable vessel has been a continuous presence in Middle Eastern waters since November 2025.
US Aircraft Carriers Reposition Amid Iran Talks Escalation
The US has beefed up its naval presence in the Middle East with four major warships on station, including two aircraft carriers, as tensions rise during ongoing Iran talks. This strengthened force posture features the USS Abraham Lincoln, USS George H.W. Bush, and amphibious assault ships USS Tripoli and USS Boxer.
Navy Retires C-2 Greyhound After Decades of Carrier Resupply Missions
The C-2 Greyhound's legendary career came to a close with its final takeoff and landing on the USS Nimitz, marking the end of nearly 60 years of dedicated service as the Navy's carrier onboard delivery workhorse. The iconic aircraft will continue to fly until later this year, when it will be fully retired.
China's Third Carrier Exposes Operational Limits
China's newest aircraft carrier, the Fujian, recently made a significant move by transiting through the Taiwan Strait, prompting Taiwan's military to spring into action with enhanced surveillance measures. The move was closely monitored by Taiwan, which even released a striking aerial image of the carrier - with one notable detail: its flight deck was eerily empty.
Iran Strikes Cargo Vessel, Halts Strait of Hormuz Evacuation Plan
The International Maritime Organization has hit the pause button on an evacuation plan for hundreds of vessels in the Persian Gulf after a cargo ship was struck in the Strait of Hormuz, citing safety concerns. The move aims to ensure that necessary safety guarantees remain in place for ships in the region.
US Naval Posture Persists Amid Iran Ceasefire Talks
The US naval blockade of Iran remains firmly in place, with CENTCOM forces disabling nine commercial vessels that attempted to breach it, as tensions persist ahead of a crucial ceasefire agreement signing in Geneva on Friday. The blockade will stay in effect until the deal is sealed.
US Aircraft Carrier Nimitz Returns Home After Goodwill Tour
The USS Iwo Jima's historic 296-day deployment has come to an end, with the amphibious ready group racking up an impressive 6,000 sorties, 1,850 flight hours, and over 130,000 nautical miles traveled. The Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group's remarkable journey has concluded with its return to Naval Station Norfolk.
China's J-35, J-15DT Fighters Adapt to Liaoning Carrier's Ski-Jump Operations
China is pushing the boundaries of its aircraft carrier capabilities with its Liaoning carrier, as seen in recent training exercises featuring the J-35 and J-15DT fighters taking off using the ship's ski-jump ramp. This marks a significant milestone in the development of China's naval aviation, with the J-35 and J-15DT successfully adapting to the carrier's ski-jump operations.
Russia Probes Britain's Subsea Cables with Naval Subs
Russia is taking a brazen underwater dive, with submarines dispatched to scope out Britain's critical subsea cables - and the UK is hitting back with proposed legislation that could mean fines and even prison time for anyone recklessly damaging these vital digital lifelines.
US Navy to Test Aircraft Carrier as Floating Nuclear Power Plant
This summer, the US Navy will pioneer a groundbreaking experiment, using an aircraft carrier as a floating nuclear power plant to energize Norfolk Naval Base. The innovative test aims to demonstrate the Navy's ability to deliver reliable, mission-critical power to its installations.
US Aircraft Carriers Redeploy After Ford's Record-Breaking 326-Day Mission
After a record-breaking 326-day mission, the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier has returned to Naval Station Norfolk, accompanied by cheers from hundreds of loved ones. The supercarrier and its crew of nearly 4,500 Sailors sailed over 57,000 nautical miles and supported operations across two continents.
Nanyun-Class Troop Transports Bolster China's South China Sea Presence
China's naval capabilities in the South China Sea just got a significant boost with the introduction of the Nanyun-class troop transports, designed to efficiently transport hundreds of troops and tons of cargo. These six versatile vessels, built in the 1980s, can carry around 400 troops or 350 tons of cargo, and offload via two small landing craft.
Aircraft Carrier Gerald R. Ford Returns Home After Record-Breaking Deployment
Get ready for a hero's welcome home! The aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford is returning after a record-breaking deployment that has left the Navy and its leaders beaming with pride.
US Navy Bolsters Iran Blockade with 20 Warships Deployed
The US Navy has significantly ramped up its presence in the region, deploying over 20 warships to enforce a robust blockade of Iran, successfully redirecting 61 commercial vessels and disabling at least four that attempted to breach the blockade. This massive show of force is a clear demonstration of the Navy's commitment to maintaining maritime security in the area.
US Strikes Iranian Tankers in Escalating Blockade Enforcement
On May 8, a US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet swooped in to disable two oil tankers, M/T Sea Star III and M/T Sevda, that were trying to breach the US naval blockade, preventing them from entering an Iranian port. The precision strike, carried out by the fighter jet operating from USS George H.W. Bush, effectively enforced the blockade.
US-Led Drills Target Ship in Strategic Luzon Strait
In a display of military precision, a US-led live-fire exercise sank a decommissioned Philippine Navy patrol corvette, BRP Quezon, in the strategic Luzon Strait, roughly 50 miles offshore. The vessel, a former World War II-era minesweeper, met its target fate near the Paoay Sand Dunes on Luzon's coast.
US Navy to Test At-Sea Rearming of Warships on Unused Sea Base Ship
The US Navy is set to revolutionize its naval operations with a game-changing at-sea rearming test on the USNS Montford Point, aiming to develop a cost-effective solution for replenishing warships at sea. This ambitious project, funded with $177.7 million, could transform the way the Navy operates, making its vessels more agile and self-sufficient.
China's Harbin Destroyer Set for Decommissioning
The Harbin Destroyer, a stalwart of China's naval fleet for nearly three decades, is poised to meet its final voyage as it is widely expected to be decommissioned. Its retirement will likely pave the way for the introduction of newer, more advanced vessels, such as the proposed 12th Type 055.
Navy Overhauls Refueling Tactics Amid Iranian Attacks
When Iranian missile and drone attacks disrupted traditional refueling operations, the US Navy was forced to rethink its logistics strategy, shifting from fixed port hubs to a more agile approach using commercially chartered tankers to fuel ships at sea. This pivot, dubbed a move from port hubs to "tanker treadmills," has been a game-changer for keeping naval vessels operational in the region.
US Navy Fires Deck Gun at Ship in Combat for First Time in 38 Years
In a historic move, the US Navy fired its deck gun at a ship in combat for the first time in nearly four decades, with the USS Spruance blasting an Iranian cargo vessel on April 19, 2026. The rare display of gunfire, involving a 5-inch MK 45 gun, left a hole in the unarmed Touska's engine room, but the freighter remained afloat.
US Navy Deploys Minesweepers to Middle East
The US Navy is gearing up for a major operation in the Middle East, with a cluster of minesweeping assets making a significant move west from the Pacific, hinting at preparations for a large-scale effort to clear sea lanes of mines. This coordinated shift in posture suggests that something big is on the horizon.
China's Coast Guard Bolsters Island Enforcement with Vintage Landing Ships
What catches the eye is China's Coast Guard deploying decades-old landing ships that can carry an impressive load - four full-size tanks or over 200 troops. But why would a modern coast guard operation need such vintage vessels, sparking curiosity about their capability, posture, and intent?