Month: March 2022

Source: United States Navy

At the end of the workday, these war ships are manned by what is known as a duty section. When Sailor’s head home at the end of the workday, a portion of the crew stay behind to maintain security and conduct maintenance and training. To supplement the ship’s crew, the Navy utilizes a harbor patrol security division to protect the ships, piers, and personnel at the base’s waterfront. The Naval Base San Diego (NBSD) harbor patrol unit is responsible for guarding the largest congregation of U.S. Navy ships on the west coast. NBSD has a pier line that is almost two miles long and is homeport to between 50 to 60 ships, depending on homeport shifts, commissionings and decommissionings. But NBSD harbor patrol’s area of responsibility does not stop there.

“The mission of harbor patrol is to secure the waterfront for all three installations in the metro area, Naval Base Coronado, Naval Base Point Loma, and Naval Base San Diego,” said Senior Chief Master-at-Arms Bernard Hyppolite, the leading chief petty officer for NBSD’s harbor patrol unit. “We are very unique; we are the only harbor security that does that.”

Harbor security is a different operating environment than land-based security, which typically has security force Sailor’s tied to more stationary posts. Each harbor security team covers a large area and is capable of quickly covering large distances when needed, but operating a Navy security boat is no simple task. Each boat becomes its own coordinated unit, with each member playing a vital role. The team member steering the boat, and who is ultimately in charge and responsible for the vessel, is the coxswain. The coxswain must be able to expertly operate the boat, and effectively lead its crewmembers.

“Harbor security is very different in the aspect that we are not only in charge of guarding a specific post, we are responsible for providing security to every base’s waterfront, PSBs [portable security barriers], and all Navy assets,” said Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Byron Mead, a NBSD harbor patrol security boat coxswain. “So, with that comes its own aspects and challenges, such as being able to safely operate a Navy security boat.”

Manning a security boat requires dedicated schooling and specific qualifications, and the team must stay up to date with constant training to maintain their qualifications and hone their skills.

“We conduct monthly training to maintain our proficiency. We also do quarterly, semiannual and annual drills with all three installations with different scenarios and threat environments to maintain our skills and qualifications,” said Master-at-Arms 1st Class Jacob Engle, the harbor security boat training supervisor. “My favorite part is getting out on the water and training the guys. Watching them get more comfortable with the boat and seeing them overall improve to become better operators is the most fun part of the job.”

Harbor patrol trains to prepare for any security threat they could face, but fortunately, most days are calm, with the majority of offenders being boating hobbyist, fishermen, and crabbers that linger a little to close to the bases security barrier. With a flashing of the security boat’s lights, and a hailing from the loudspeaker, harbor patrol gets their attention and directs them away. Most incidents are resolved quickly and amicably, but if a threat ever comes by way of water to one of San Diego’s naval bases, harbor patrol will be ready to meet it head on.

“The job is very challenging and very demanding. It’s good that most of the time no security threats are taking place. But, God forbid, if they do, these Sailors are the first line of defense,” said Hyppolite. “It can be a thankless job, but I appreciate them every day for what they do.”

Source: United States Navy

Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet met with Christopher Seed, New Zealand Chief Executive and Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade at the Pacific Fleet command headquarters on board Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam March 28, 2022.

The leaders reaffirmed the strong partnership and friendship between New Zealand and United States.

They discussed the criticality of the Indo-Pacific region and importance of conducting maritime operations with like-minded partners to ensure security, stability and sustainability of the seas.

The Royal New Zealand Navy and U.S. naval forces regularly operate together including combined support efforts to Tonga following the volcanic eruption in January, replenishments-at-sea between navies, cooperative deployments with HMNZS ships visiting Guam and USS Howard (DDG 83) visiting Wellington.

The meetings underscored the U.S. commitment to strengthening alliance and partnerships for an enduring free and open Indo-Pacific.

Source: United States Navy

Upon first learning about the Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) as a junior high school student, Senior Chief Damage Controlman Andrae Sutherland knew he wanted to be part of it.

Sutherland, a Recruit Division Commander (RDC), was among 60 Recruit Training Command (RTC) Sailors who volunteered at the NJROTC Area 3 West Regional Academic, Athletic and Drill Competition, Feb. 26 at Zion-Benton Township High School.

NJROTC cadets participate in extra-curricular activities designed to stimulate learning with hands-on experiences to reinforce the program’s curriculum. Cadet extra-curricular activities include community service projects, drill competitions, academic competitions, visits to naval installations, and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) training. Retired military members instruct the program at accredited secondary schools.

“I’m passionate about molding young minds and the future of our Navy,” said Sutherland, who serves as the RTC Volunteer Coordinator. “I’m looking to become an instructor after I’ve retired.”

More than 25 RTC staff, RDCs, instructors and division officers joined Sutherland as volunteer judges during the second day of the event, which included drill and uniform inspection.

“We do a uniform inspection and that’s where a lot of the RDCs play a key part,” Sutherland said. “There is a tight timeline and you’re inspecting groups of 20 to 40 cadets. The uniform inspection is similar to what the recruits experience at RTC.”

While unable to join NJROTC as a high school student, Sutherland jumped at the chance to volunteer during his first tour as an RDC in 2010. He renewed his commitment when he returned for a second tour in 2018. Connecting with the cadets on a personal level holds deep meaning for Sutherland.

“We get to interact with them and talk to them about their future,” Sutherland said. “The program emphasizes education – that’s a big focus. There are so many scholarship opportunities for them and it is very competitive. If they decide to go to college, or join the Navy, or both, they have a lot of tools to become a better student or Sailor or officer.”

RTC’s strong turnout didn’t surprise Sutherland.

“It’s an example of how we are involved in our communities,” he said. “The RDCs and instructors do like to look sharp and be out there involved with the community. We’re involved with our communities and we want to get to know our community members better. These interactions place a positive spotlight on RTC and the Navy.”

Wheeling (Illinois) High School won the 10-team competition, which included eight events. Each competing unit was judged on academic testing, drill events (color guard, armed and unarmed individual drill routine, and an unnamed exhibition), personnel inspection, and physical fitness (curl-ups, push-ups and shuttle-run relay).

Being a judge provides additional opportunities for RTC staff, especially the RDCs, to use drill knowledge and mentoring skills.

“These men and women are amazing,” said retired Navy commander Steve Schulte, Senior Navy Science Instructor of the Zion NJROTC unit. “Not only are they experts in evaluating drill events, but they also serve as inspiring role models for our NJROTC cadets. We cannot thank them enough for volunteering to spend most of their weekend to give our cadets a meaningful experience.”

RTC staff members have been volunteering at the NJROTC event for more than 15 years and RTC hosted the event before the coronavirus pandemic. 

Approximately 60 percent of NJROTC cadet graduating seniors continue to higher education. Many choose to enlist in the Navy and those with multiple years of NJROTC experience are eligible to receive advanced promotion.

Construction Electrician 2^nd Class Derek Drummond, an RDC ‘C School’ instructor, said NJROTC cadets frequently stand out at the Navy’s only boot camp and often earn recruit leadership roles.

“NJROTC is an awesome experience,” Drummond said. “It builds upon the mentorship that we do here at RTC. The recruits who have been (NJROTC) cadets have had drill instruction and have a strong mind-set. You can spot the leadership. They’re locked in and prepared. They’re ready to strive and hit the ground running when they step off that bus.”

Boot camp training includes physical fitness, seamanship, firearms, firefighting and shipboard damage control along with lessons in Navy heritage and core values, teamwork and discipline. About 40,000 recruits graduate annually from RTC and begin their Navy careers.