Today's NavNews Indian Head Testing Paves Way for Tactical Tomahawk From Navy Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head INDIAN HEAD, Md. (NNS) -- Tactical Tomahawk, the next generation of the Navy's Tomahawk cruise missile, underwent a successful functional ground test (FGT) recently at IHDIV's Rocket Motor Test Facility.

ABOARD USS JOHN F KENNEDY, At Sea (NNS) -- After more than five months at sea, the USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) Carrier Battle Group units were relieved of their duties in Operation Enduring Freedom by the USS George Washington (CVN 73) Carrier Battle Group today (July 19).

SUBIC BAY,Philippines(NNS)- When the U.S. and Philippine Navies launched their premier bilateral exercise here, leaders from both countries lauded it as one way to strengthen the longstanding relationship they've shared for more than a century. Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT), now in its eighth year, takes place here every summer. This year's CARAT began in mid-July. Crews of USS Vincennes(CG 49),USS Anchorage (LSD 36), USS George Philip (FFG 12), USCGC Morgenthau (WHEC 722) and USS Salvor (ARS 52) make up the CARAT Task Group. Approximately 1,400 Soldiers,Sailors Marines and Coast Guardsmen will participate. Of those, 300 Marines from Okinawa, Japan, are part of Landing Force CARAT.

LONDON (NNS)-Rescuer/Medical Exercise Central Europe(MEDCEUR)02,a multilateral, "In the Spirit of Partnership for Peace" exercise is set to begin July 15 in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. The 14-day exercise is designed to provide medical training and assess participating nation's ability in various rescue and disaster relief scenarios. Rescuer/MEDCEUR will also provide humanitarian assistance to host countries.

ABOARD USS CONSTELLATION (CV 64),At Sea(NNS) Upon pulling away from the pier at Naval Air Station, North Island recently, Constellation, along with the entire Constellation Battle Group (CBG), began the next evolution in preparing for war: Composite Training Unit Exercise(COMPTUEX). For more Constellation news, visit their News Stand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cv64, or go to the ship's Web site at www.navy.mil/homepages/cv64.

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (NNS) -- First Lady Laura Bush joined Navy and government leaders to authenticate the keel of the Virginia-class submarine Texas (SSN 775) during a ceremony at Northrop Grumman Newport News on July 12.

A battle force consisting of USS Lake Erie (CG 70), USS Paul F. Foster (DD 964), USS Lassen (DDG 82), Peruvian naval ship BAP Montero (FM 53) and the Chilean guided missile frigate CS Lynch (FFG 07), took its position three miles from the target and, while passing, aimed and fired high-powered five inch projectiles in succession. A direct hit by BAP Montero caused the final blow and eventually sank the "hostile" vessel. The battle engagement was all in a day's work for the eight-nation participants of Rim of the  Pacific (RIMPAC) 2002. Referred to as a ship-sinking exercise (SINKEX), the engagement not only provided a unique opportunity to use live weaponry to sink the ex-USS Rathburne (FF 1057), but also enabled U.S. Naval forces to operate with allied forces. For ships like Lassen, which primarily steams independently, the cross-platform exercise had much to offer.

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.(AFPN)-The CV-22, the U.S. Air Force variant of the V-22 Osprey, began testing its electronic countermeasures in the Benefield Anechoic Facility here recently. The aircraft will spend about three months suspended from the ceiling of the facility while the CV-22 Integrated Test Team checks out the electronic countermeasures package, called the suite of integrated radio frequency countermeasures, or SIRFC.

- Millennium Challenge 2002 evaluates forces and equipment for the 2007 battlefield.
-The USS Abraham Lincoln battle group brings new ideas and procedures as it deploys in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
-Sailors in Europe from NTCSI Detachment Four assist NATO allies by setting up portable data links to share command information.
-Sailors aboard USS Blue Ridge test a new non-lethal force protection device.
-Bruce Willis and other Hollywood stars shoot scenes for the movie "Tears of the Sun" aboard USS Harry S. Truman.

NORFOLK,Va.(NNS)-The USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67)Aircraft Carrier Battle Group (CVBG) will return to their East Coast homeports and bases this week. The homecoming occurs after a six-month combat deployment in the Arabian Gulf, in addition to operations in the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean. Kennedy, the guided missile cruisers USS Hue City (CG 66) and USS Vicksburg (CG 69), along with the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS The Sullivans (DDG 68), will return to Naval Station Mayport, Fla. on Saturday, Aug. 17. The Battle Group departed its homeport of Naval Station Mayport, Fla., Feb.7,to relieve USS Theodore Roosevelt(CVN 71) Battle Group in early March. Kennedy's deployment was highlighted by participation in Operation Enduring Freedom, where they delivered more than 64,000 pounds of ordnance on Taliban and Al Qaeda targets. CAG Seven aircraft flew a total of 2,599 day and night missions in support of Coalition Forces over Afghanistan.

SAN FRANCISCO(NNS)-- The U.S. Navy's newest Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer, USS McCampbell DDG 85),joined the Pacific Fleet August 17, 2002, during a commissioning ceremony in San Francisco.The ship is homeported at Naval Station San Diego, and is assigned to Destroyer Squadron One (DESRON 1). McCampbell honors the late Capt. David McCampbell, the Navy's "Ace of Aces." McCampbell was a recipient of the Medal of Honor and remains an aviation legend for 34 confirmed aerial victories, including a record nine in one mission, while serving as the commander of Air Group 15 in the Pacific theater during World War II.Construction of DDG 85 took place at Bath IronWorks in Bath, Maine, starting with the ship's keel being laid July 16, 1999. McCampbell was launched in July 2000,ran its first sea trials in January 2002,and was delivered to the Navy in March 2002. For more information on USS McCambell, visit the ship's Web site at www.mccampbell.navy.mil.