Navy/Marine Corps News, May 6 - 12 2002:
- The Navy awards a design contract for the DDX family of ships to Northrop Grumman.

WASHINGTON(NNS) -- The LPD-17 Amphibious Transport Dock Ship program is one of six acquisition projects the Defense Department recently certified to Congress under the Nunn-McCurdy Law. The LPD-17, a program of Naval Sea Systems Command's Program Executive Office for Expeditionary Warfare, is a new class of amphibious transport dock ship incorporating advanced performance and warfighting technologies that will enhance the amphibious fleet's operational flexibility. There are four ships under contract leading to a 12-ship buy.

For more information on Exercise Cobra Gold 2002, go to http://www.cobragold2002.okinawa.usmc.mil.

Mine Warfare Ships Arrive in Thailand for Exercise - PATTAYA, Thailand -Two  forward-deployed U.S. mine countermeasures ships arrived off the coast of Thailand May 16 to participate in a joint/combined exercise focused on peace enforcement operations. USS Guardian (MCM 5) and USS Patriot (MCM 7) arrived off the coast of Pattaya to participate in exercise Cobra Gold 2002. The Armed Forces of Thailand, Singapore and the United States are conducting the 21st Exercise Cobra Gold in Thailand May 14-28.

The commissioning of Ronald Reagan is scheduled for May 10, 2003. For more information on PCU Ronald Reagan, go to http://www.reagan.navy.mil, or to the Reagan NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cvn76.

SUBMARINE BASE POINT LOMA (NNS) -- The U.S. Navy diesel-powered research submarine USS Dolphin (AGSS 555) reported fire and flooding at 11:30 p.m. (PDT) Tuesday,May 21, while operating approximately 100 miles off the coast of San Diego. All crew members were safely recovered with only a few minor injuries. USS Thach (FFG 43) is currently alongside Dolphin assessing the submarine's status and possible recovery/towing operations. The submarine support vessel M/V Kellie Chouest got underway from San Diego at 3:30 a.m. (PDT) to assist in the recovery assessment. More information about Naval Submarine Base San Diego can be found at www.cnrsw.navy.mil/Subase/default.htm.