Naval Operations and Vessels

A collection of naval images showcasing various military ships, helicopters, and vessels operating in ocean settings, reflecting their roles in maritime operations.

DN-ST-87-08815. Country: Gulf Of Mexico

A CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 261 (HMM-261) lifts off the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS SAIPAN (LHA 2) as an AV-8B Harrier aircraft is readied for takeoff during Operation Sharp Edge. Marines of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (22nd MEU) are being sent to the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia, Liberia, to augment security and evacuate U.S. and foreign nationals from the fighting between government and rebel forces. Subject Operation/Series: SHARP EDGE Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

An air-cushion landing craft (LCAC) passes astern of the dock landing ship USS ASHLAND (LSD-48). Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

DN-ST-87-08815. Country: Gulf Of Mexico

DN-SC-86-00527. Country: Unknown

The patrol combatant missile hydrofoils USS TAURUS (PHM 3), left, and USS HERCULES (PHM 2) cruise alongside one another during a patrol. Country: Gulf Of Mexico

U.S. and Spanish ships participate in exercise Ocean Venture '81. Subject Operation/Series: OCEAN VENTURE '81 Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

As seen from another ship, the tank landing ship USS BARNSTABLE COUNTY (LST-1197) sails with other ships of the task force off the coast of Chile during the multinational naval exercise Unitas XXXII. Subject Operation/Series: UNITAS XXXII Country: Pacific Ocean(POC)

The American flight camp jip USS Roosevelt evencorted by the Dutch M-Fregat Hr.Ms. Willem van der Zaan (1991-) in 1994

A port view of the aircraft carrier USS Constellation (CV-64) with a CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter flying nearby during PACEX '89. Subject Operation/Series: PACEX '89 Country: Unknown

A bow view of the guided missile frigate USS RENTZ (FFG-46) underway off the coast of San Diego. Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

110813-N-CZ945-002 KOREA STRAIT (Aug. 13, 2011) U.S. 7th Fleet command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) transits the Korea Strait. Blue Ridge is on patrol in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility.

DN-SC-89-01866. Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

DN-ST-86-00936. Base: Makassar Strait Country: Indonesia (IDN)

DN-ST-87-00982. Subject Operation/Series: NORTHERN WEDDING 86 Base: North Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

DN-SC-90-04017. Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

The Fulton-class submarine tender USS ORION (AS 18) services a submarine. The ORION is berthed at the Italian island of Santo Stefano, located between the Sardinian coastal town of Palau and the island of La Maddalena. Country: Tyrrhenian Sea

A stern view of the guided missile frigate USS RENTZ (FFG-46) underway off the coast of San Diego. Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

A silhouetted port bow view of the aircraft carrier USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV-67), foreground, and the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS NIMITZ (CVN-68) and their escorts underway off the coast of Beirut, Lebanon. Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

A stern view of the dock landing ship TORTUGA (LSD 46) at anchor during pre-commissioning trials off the coast of Virginia near Naval Amphibious Base, Little Creek. An air cushion landing craft (LCAC) is in the ship's docking well. Country: Chesapeake Bay

A port beam view of the guided missile cruiser USS STERETT (CG 31) underway. Country: Unknown

DN-SC-88-00775. Country: Unknown

DN-ST-87-02992. Base: USS Leftwich (DD 984)

An aerial starboard beam view of mechanized landing craft approaching the beach during a practice landing at the Silver Strand area of North Island. The LCMs are attached to Assault Craft Unit One. Base: San Diego State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

111203-N-NR955-080 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Dec. 3, 2011) A view from the Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) as it follows the amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21), the guided-missile frigate USS Elrod (FFG 55) and the guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) while transiting in formation before a live-fire exercise. Gunston Hall is underway participating in a composite training unit exercise, a required certification before deploying with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group.

PEARL HARBOR (July 1, 2022) Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) and Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) are seen moored in the distance from the USS Arizona Memorial during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022, July 1, 2022. Twenty-six nations, 38 ships, four submarines, more than 170 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 29 to Aug. 4 in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2022 is the 28th exercise in the series that began in 1971.

A bow view of the salvage and rescue ship USS BRUNSWICK (ATS-3) as it approaches Majuro Atoll in the Marshall Islands. The BRUNSWICK will be in the islands for 90 days while its crew salvages a wreck that is blocking the harbor at the island of Jaluit. Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

A bow view of the guided missile destroyer USS BUCHANAN (DDG-14) underway near San Diego. Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

DN-SC-87-01961. Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

Accompanied by the torpedo retriever TR-5, left, and a commercial tug, the nuclear-cleared attack submarine USS TOPEKA (SSN-754) nears the Point Loma submarine base as it arrives at its new home port of Naval Station, San Diego, California. The TOPEKA was formerly based at Naval Submarine Base, Groton, Connecticut. Base: San Diego Bay State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Nazi German U-boats hunting allied shipping as a combined pack.

A stern view of the various multinational navy ships participating in exercise Baltic Operations '94 pass in review during the conclusion on Phase 1 of BALTOPS 94. Subject Operation/Series: BALTIC OPERATIONS '94 Country: Baltic Sea

An aerial port bow view of the submarine USS DOLPHIN (AGSS 555) underway off the coast of Southern California. Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

DN-ST-88-01498. Base: Naval Station, Mayport State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

The USS HURRICANE (PC-3) underway off the coast of Haiti operating with other U.S. ships in support of Operation Restore Democracy. Subject Operation/Series: RESTORE DEMOCRACY Base: USS Hurricane @@(Pc 3) Country: Caribbean Sea

Aerial starboard beam view of the Knox class frigate USS CONNOLE (FF 1056) underway. Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

U.S. 5th FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (May 16, 2013) Ships assigned to Combined Task Force (CTF) 523 are underway in formation behind the amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17) during the International Mine Countermeasures Exercise. San Antonio is part of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (26th MEU), is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. IMCMEX 13 includes navies from more than 40 countries whose focus is to promote regional security through mine countermeasure operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

A silhouette of the battleship USS NEW JERSEY (BB-62) as the vessel is underway. Country: Pacific Ocean(POC)

Ten ships of Task Force 155 maneuver during Operation Desert Storm. The guided missile cruisers USS THOMAS S. GATES (CG-51) left, and the guided missile cruiser USS SAN JACINTO (CG-56) lead the aircraft carrier USS SARATOGA (CV-60) in front of the formation. The nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser USS MISSISSIPPI (CGN-40 is at the center, flanked by the aircraft carrier USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV-67) foreground, and USS AMERICA (CV-66). At rear are the guided missile destroyer USS WILLIAM V. PRATT (DDG-44), bottom, the guided missile cruisers USS NORMANDY (CG-60) and USS PHILIPPINE SEA (CG-58), and the guided missile destroyer USS PREBLE (DDG-46), top. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Red Sea

A starboard view of the bow of the aircraft carrier USS MIDWAY (CV-41) as the ship is underway in rough seas. Country: Philippine Sea

USCGC Mohawk (WMEC 913) sails in the Atlantic Ocean, Aug. 22, 2022. Mohawk is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Africa area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied, and partner interests.

DN-SC-85-07072. Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

A view of stacks and radar masts on the superstructure of the guided missile destroyer USS KING (DDG-41). Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

DN-SC-86-02395. Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

The pilot of an SH-3 Sea King helicopter watches the guided missile destroyer USS GOLDSBOROUGH (DDG-20), underway during Operation Desert Shield. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Country: Unknown

U.S. Navy Landing Craft, Utility (LCU) 1681, assigned to Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 1, transits toward amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 4), in the Pacific Ocean, Jan. 5, 2024. The Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, comprised of USS Boxer (LHD 4), USS Somerset (LPD 25), and Harpers Ferry, and the embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit are underway conducting integrated training and routine operations in U.S. 3rd Fleet.

A port beam view of the Iraqi general dry cargo ship ZANOOBIA underway, with a P-3C Orion aircraft flying overhead. The aircraft is conducting surveillance mission sin the gulf during Operation Desert Shield. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Country: Gulf Of Oman

DN-SC-87-10236. Country: Gulf Of Mexico

Quartermaster Third Class (QM3) Kenneth Springsteen stands watchfully as the yard tugboat Houma (YTB-811) pushes the nuclear-powered attack submarine USS Newport News (SSN-750) clear from the pier to continue with the fleet exercise. Subject Operation/Series: COMPTUEX 95 Base: Nas, Roosevelt Roads State: Puerto Rico (PR) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Aerial starboard bow view of the patrol craft USS MONSOON (PC-4) underway off the coast of San Clemente Island. Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

DN-ST-88-08284. Base: Naval Operating Base, Norfolk State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DN-ST-87-03362. Subject Operation/Series: DISPLAY DETERMINATION '86 Base: USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

DN-ST-89-02097. Country: Egypt (EGY)

DN-ST-85-10507. Country: Unknown

110930-N-WA347-039PHILIPPINE SEA (Sept. 30, 2011) Landing Craft Utility (LCU) 1627 departs the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). Essex is part of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group and is conducting operations in the western Pacific region.

DN-SC-87-10770. Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

GULF OF OMAN (April 12, 2012) A civilian mariner aboard the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Patuxent (T-AO 201) watches a fuel line being sent to the Military Sealift Command fast combat support ship USNS Supply (T-AOE 6) during a replenishment at sea. Patuxent is assigned to Commander, Task Force (CTF) 53 providing fuel and supplies to U.S. Navy and coalition ships in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Aerial view of three military ships sailing in the sea

A Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 15 (HM-15) MH-53E Sea Dragon Helicopter hovers near the stern of the amphibious transport dock USS DULUTH (LPD-6). The Sea Dragon is preparing to release the tow cable connecting it to a Mark 105 hydrofoil minesweeping sled before landing. HM-15 is using the DULUTH as a base of operations during the joint U.S.-Canadian fleet exercise MARCOT '93. Subject Operation/Series: MARCOT '93 Country: Strait Of Juan De Fuca

A view of the antenna rigging on the mast of the amphibious transport dock USS TRENTON (LPD-14), including the SPS-10F surface search and SPS-40C air search radar antennas. The Mark 16 20mm Phalanx close-in weapon system is mounted below the ship's mast. Country: Unknown

An aerial stern view of the amphibious assault ship USS WASP (LHD-1), left, and the aircraft carrier USS FORRESTAL (CV-59) underway during the NATO exercise Display Determination '91. Subject Operation/Series: DISPLAY DETERMINATION '91 Country: Mediterranean Sea(MED)

A port bow view of the amphibious transport dock USS PONCE (LPD-15) underway. Country: Unknown

An overhead view of the destroyer USS O'BRIEN (DD 975) underway. Country: Unknown

A bow view of the amphibious assault ship USS IWO JIMA (LPH-2) underway to New York for a Bob Hope show. The ship and crew has just completed a field exercise in Puerto Rico. Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

DN-SC-87-09306. Country: Unknown

Gulf of Aqaba, June 6, 2013 - Landing craft air cushions from Assault Craft Unit 4 conduct operations at sea while assigned to the amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio.

A tow tractor pulls a UH-1H Iroquois helicopter up the stern ramp of the Saudi Arabian roll-on/roll-off cargo ship SAUDI HAIL during loading operations at Blount Island Terminal. Helicopters and support equipment of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) are being loaded aboard the Saudi Hail for transport to the Persian Gulf region for Operation Desert Shield. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Base: Jacksonville State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter approaches the combat stores ship USNS Spica (T-AFS-9) with a pallet of supplies hung from its sling. Country: Unknown

Ships of Navy On-call Forces Mediterranean, Task Force 432 maintain formation around the aircraft carrier USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV-67) during Exercise Deterrent Force 2/90, a part of Operation Desert Shield. Subject Operation/Series: DETERRENT FORCE 2/90DESERT SHIELD Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

INDIAN OCEAN (July 20, 2020) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett (DDG 104) fires its Mark 45 5-inch gun during a live-fire exercise in the Indian Ocean. The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, consisting of flagship USS Nimitz (CVN 68), the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59), and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers Sterett and USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114), along with the Indian navy ships Rana, Sahyadri, Shivalik and Kamorta, are currently participating in a cooperative deployment in the Indian Ocean.

DN-ST-87-00981. Subject Operation/Series: NORTHERN WEDDING 86 Base: North Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

A port view of the destroyer tender USS ACADIA (AD-42) at anchor during Operation Desert Shield. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Base: USS Acadia

DN-ST-88-00268. Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

The GW frigate Hr.Ms. De Ruyter (1976-2001) Vente a harpoon.

The patrol combatant missile hydrofoil USS ARIES (PHM-5) is silhouetted against the sky while on patrol in the gulf. Country: Gulf Of Mexico

DN-SC-85-12778. Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

040325-N-9885M-010. Country: Gulf Of Oman Scene Major Command Shown: USS ALBANY (SSN 753)

A port beam view of the Spanish frigate BALEARES (F-71) underway during exercise Ocean Venture '81. Subject Operation/Series: OCEAN VENTURE '81 Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

Four S-frigates in Kiellinie.

USS Iowa (BB-61) is seen from Stern of Accompanying Destroyer

An oblique aerial starboard quarter view of the U.S. Army Transportation Corps vehicle landing ship LT. GEN. WILLIAM B. BUNKER (LSV-4) underway. Base: James River State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Officers and enlisted men watch from a bridge wing aboard the amphibious command ship USS BLUE RIDGE (LCC-19) as the ship moves into position for an underway replenishment during exercise Valiant Blitz '91. Subject Operation/Series: VALIANT BLITZ '91 Country: Unknown

031105-N-0000X-010. Base: Chesapeake Bay State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

220930-N-DW158-1248 WATERS EAST OF THE KOREAN PENINSULA (Sept. 30, 2022) The U.S. Navys only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), a U.S. Navy Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine, Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62), Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65), Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy destroyer ROKS Munmu the Great (DDH 976) and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) destroyer JS Asahi (DD 119), steam in formation in waters east of the Korean Peninsula, Sept. 30. Ronald Reagan, operating as the flagship of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 5 is conducting a trilateral anti-submarine warfare exercise with the JMSDF and ROK Navy. The operations between the Reagan Strike Group, JS Asahi, and ROKS Munmu The Great, involved operating with a U.S. submarine to enhance interoperability between the nations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The tank landing ship USS SPARTANBURG COUNTY (LST-1192) pulls alongside the battleship USS IOWA (BB-61) during "leapfrog" maneuvering drills with the IOWA. The ships are en route to NATO exercise NORTHERN WEDDING '86. Subject Operation/Series: NORTHERN WEDDING '86 Country: North Atlantic Ocean

DN-SC-84-00625. Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

030328-M-7371B-001. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Country: Unknown

The world's largest aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) transits the Strait of Gibraltar, Jan. 5, 2024. The U.S. maintains forward-deployed, ready, and postured forces to deter aggression and support security and stability around the world.

A port quarter view of the destroyer USS CONOLLY (DD-979) underway off the coast of Haiti during Operation Support Democracy. Subject Operation/Series: SUPPORT DEMOCRACY Base: USS Conolly Country: Caribbean Sea

Off-duty crew members jog on the deck of the battleship USS WISCONSIN (BB-64). The ship is deployed in the gulf to support Operation Desert Shield. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Country: Unknown

With the ships of its battle group arrayed on both sides, the aircraft carrier USS FORRESTAL (CV 59) heads toward New York City for Fleet Week '89. Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

The mine countermeasure ship USS GUARDIAN (MCM-5) is loaded above the submerged aft section of the Dutch heavy lift ship MIGHTY SERVANT I for transport back to the United States. Base: Naval Station, Rota Country: Spain(ESP)

The battleship USS IOWA (BB 61) and the aircraft carrier USS MIDWAY (CV 41) are surrounded by other ships of Battle Group Alpha while underway in formation. Country: Unknown

171112-N-TQ088-1754 WESTERN PACIFIC (Nov. 12, 2017) Three F/A-18E Super Hornets, assigned to the Eagles of Strike Fighter Attack Squadron (VFA) 115, fly in formation over the aircraft carriers USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and their strike groups along with ships from the Republic of Korea Navy as they transit the Western Pacific. The strike groups are underway and conducting operations in international waters as part of a three-carrier strike force exercise. The U.S. Navy has patrolled the Indo-Asia Pacific region routinely for more than 70 years promoting regional security, stability and prosperity.

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