The USS Carney conducted a scheduled port visit in Cape Town, South Africa, while patrolling European and African waters with the U.S. 6th Fleet.

The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, stationed in Rota, Spain, made the weekend visit on March 15 at the invitation of Lana Marks, U.S. ambassador to South Africa. Marks attended a brief ceremony aboard the ship.

"This visit of the USS Carney to Cape Town is a symbol of the United States' commitment to encouraging commerce with Africa, protecting sea routes for the benefit of all countries, and promoting trade with South Africa," she said, "and this visit is just the beginning of even stronger and ever more amazing relations between our two militaries and our two countries."

The ship traveled to South Africa from the Seychelles, in the Indian Ocean, and will continue westward.

In August 2019, it fired its five-inch guns on an Islamic State stronghold in Libya, the first time that U.S. naval gunfire was coordinated in support of combat operations during the war on terrorism.

The 6th Fleet's area of operations covers approximately half of the Atlantic Ocean, from the Arctic Ocean to the coast of Antarctica, and nearly the entire continent of Africa.

"U.S. Africa Command places great importance on maintaining and strengthening partnerships and, therefore, is pleased to work with our Maritime Component and South African partners to bring the USS Carney for a port visit to Cape Town," said Brig. Gen. Steven deMilliano, U.S. Africa Command Deputy Director for Strategy, Engagement, and Programs.

US Navy reports first suspected virus case on ship
Washington (AFP) March 16, 2020 - The US Navy reported its first suspected case of the new coronavirus aboard a ship, saying a sailor had tested positive for the disease but the result needed to be confirmed by health authorities.

It came a week after another US Navy sailor stationed in southern Italy contracted COVID-19, which has killed more than 3,700 people worldwide including nearly 70 in the United States.

"A Sailor assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) tested 'presumptive positive' for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), marking the first case for a sailor aboard a Navy ship," the Navy said in a statement on Sunday evening.

The sailor was in quarantine at home, it said, adding that "personnel that the individual immediately identified having close contact with have been notified and are in self-isolation at their residences."

The Navy said that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would need to confirm the positive result.

The USS Boxer is currently in port at a naval base in San Diego, according to local media.

Related Links
Naval Warfare in the 21st Century

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

Raytheon nabs $109.6M modification for work on MK 15 CIWS
Washington DC (UPI) Mar 11, 2020
Raytheon Missile Systems received a $109.6 million contract modification for work on the MK 15 Close-In Weapon System for the Navy, according to the Pentagon. The deal modifies a $199.6 million contract awarded in August 2019 for MK 15 CIWS work. It funds upgrades, conversions, system overhauls and associated hardware for the MK 15 Close-In Weapon System, a fast-reaction radar-guided 20-millimeter gun weapon system designed to defend ships against anti-ship missiles and aircraft and litt ... read more