Month: April 2022

Source: United States Navy

The ship’s presence in Norway is a demonstration of the U.S. Navy’s continued commitment to the collective defense of the European region and reinforces the strong bond between the United States and Norway. It also builds upon other recent engagements between the U.S. and Norway, including USS Kearsarge’s (LHD 3) recent port visit to Tromsø, Norway, as well as training opportunities between the two nations during exercises Cold Response 22 and Northern Viking 22.

“We are thankful to the Kingdom of Norway for their hospitality and the chance to train with our Norwegian counterparts,” said Cmdr. Beth Nelson, commanding officer of USS Gunston Hall. “As part of the Kearsarge ARG/MEU team, we look forward to seeking more opportunities that strengthen U.S., Norway, and NATO Ally and Partner relationships.”

While in port in Narvik, USS Gunston Hall will off-load U.S. Marine Corps equipment and vehicles in support of a bilateral Norway training exercise strengthening the long-standing relationship between the U.S. and Norway.

In addition to the equipment offload, the crew will partake in several local tours and experience the rich culture of Norway and its citizens through visits to historical sites.

The ARG/MEU team recently departed the East Coast of the United States for a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations. The team is conducting global maritime operations and security in support of Allied and partner interests in Europe and Africa.

The Kearsarge ARG and embarked 22nd MEU are under the command and control of Task Force 61/2. The ARG consists of USS Kearsarge; the San-Antonio class amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24); and the Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44).

Embarked commands with the Kearsarge ARG include Amphibious Squadron SIX, Fleet Surgical Team 2, Tactical Air Control Squadron 22, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28, Assault Craft Unit 2, Assault Craft Unit 4, Naval Beach Group 2, Beach Master Unit 2 and the 22nd MEU.

Amphibious ready groups and larger amphibious task forces provide military commanders a wide range of flexible capabilities including maritime security operations, expeditionary power projection, strike operations, forward naval presence, crisis response, sea control, deterrence, counter-terrorism, information operations, security cooperation and counter-proliferation, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

U.S. Sixth Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests, security, and stability in Europe and Africa.

Source: United States Navy

The blue-green teams of the Navy and Marine Corps expeditionary forces from Navy Cargo Handling Battalion EIGHT (NCHB-8) expeditionary fuels team and Marine Corps 6^th Engineer Support Battalion Bulk Fuels Team, joined up at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, to integrate and train in coordination to focus on a concept of employment experimentation with the Expeditionary Fuel Dispensing System–Small (EFDS-S).

“We’re here to have our Sailors get their hands on the equipment, and we have some experience with this setup. We have subject matter experts here that can help with training to rapidly deploy this and to be able to move it around quickly,” said Lt. Frank Peterson, NCHB-8 Expeditionary Fuels Company. “It’s a good opportunity for us to work together, where we can see things that the Marines are doing, and that we can incorporate into our processes and vice versa. As well as future missions that may require us to work closely together and this is an opportunity to work out any kinks with that integrated structure.”

Exercises like this demonstrate the interoperability of our forces, as well as the ability our units have to integrate with other services, reinforcing a culture of learning and increasing our warfighting readiness.

“For us, it shows us how the marines set up their bulk fuels systems, essentially, we do the same exact thing, it gives us a different perspective of how another branch does what we do. It defiantly helps us get lessons learned,” said Operations Specialist 1^st Class Harry Carney, NCHB-8 Expeditionary Fuels Company. “After a while, it shows that we can work with other branches and do the exact same thing and get the job done.”

The expeditionary forces of the Navy and Marine Corps train no matter what the weather conditions are and in austere environments like this weekend with rain and snow, is no different. Training in bulk fuels and sleeping in tents is another weekend for these Sailors and Marines.

“Coming from a ship it’s defiantly a lot different, working in an austere environment of rain and snow is an experience you need. Working in bulk fuels is different anyway, so it’s a good way to open your eyes with these experiences, especially as an operations specialist,” said Carney.

The U.S. Navy’s ability to conduct integrated operations around the globe across the full spectrum of military operations is a core requirement for maintaining maritime superiority during this era of strategic competition.

Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group (NAVELSG) provides dynamic logistics support to the joint force across the spectrum of conflict from peacetime support to major combat operations. NAVELSG rearms, refuels, and resupplies the fleet when and where needed to reinforce maritime lethality and support the Navy Expeditionary Combat Force efforts to CLEAR, SECURE, BUILD, and PROTECT in the littorals.

For more news from Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group, visit www.dvidshub.net/NAVELSG or www.necc.usff.navy.mil/navelsg. You can also find us on social media at https://facebook.com/Navelsg/, https://linkedin.com/company/navelsg, https://instagram.com/navelsg

Source: United States Navy

“Because it’s all of us,” said one student, responding to the purple color question.

“Japan, Florida, California, and Silverdale,” were shared as replies to the second query.

“My dad came back once from deployment with a moustache and we said he could keep it,” stated another pupil.

Those exchanges and more came from military children attending Burley Glenwood Elementary in Port Orchard, Washington. They were recognized and feted in conjunction with April being Month of the Military Child, by Capt. Patrick Fitzpatrick, Naval Hospital Bremerton director and Navy Medicine Readiness Training Command Bremerton commanding officer on April 15, 2022.

Fitzpatrick explained to his young audience that there are specific qualities that each military child can be justifiably proud.

“Military kids are adaptable. You’ve had to move, change schools and live in all those other places. You learn to adjust. How many have moved?” asked Fitzpatrick.

Raised hands indicated such was the case for all attendees.

“You know what else military kids like us are? We’re smart. We know more than school. We know about life,” Fitzpatrick said.

“Military kids are also mature. You have responsibilities that other kids may not have,” added Fitzpatrick. “We’re also team players. We understand how to get to know others.”

“But what’s really unique about us is living in all these other places, we’re really good at geography. We know where places like Hawaii, Japan, and Italy are,” said Fitzpatrick.

“My dad recently went to Poland. That’s next to Germany,” declared another classmate.

“You all are really special. I know personally. I’m a military kid, too,” remarked Fitzpatrick. “I wanted to come meet and talk with you and thank you for your service. Because each one of you also serve. You’re a great help to your mom and dad. When I went on deployment, what kept me going was knowing that you were home. You were there also serving, in your way. Thank you for being such great kids.”

Each student was provided with a goody bag filled with Month of Military Child themed mementoes and presented with a commanding officer coin.

They also were awarded with individual Awesome Kid Award certificate, which read in part, “in recognition of your support to your family and the United States military, you’ve been selected as an awesome military kid! We are so proud of you and how you represent military kids all across the world. You’re pretty awesome and we thought you should know!”

The Military Health System compiled a list of references in regards to assisting parents – as well as others – help their military child move on from the past two years of pandemic-altering norm, and adapt to a relatively new routine:
• The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted all of our lives in many ways, including children.
• Many children have lost caregivers, family members or other loved ones to COVID-19, and all of them have missed out on aspects of normal childhood, like social opportunities, school, milestones, activities and more.
• The pandemic increased stress on everyone. For children, increased stress often contributes to behavioral health challenges.
• Communication is key to helping children of nearly all ages.
• Encourage children to share their worries or anxieties with you.
• Answer questions honestly and simply.
• Pay close attention to changes in your child’s behavior or willingness to communicate with you.
• Helping children process grief can be challenging, but it is important for their emotional health and well-being to talk openly and honestly.
• Explain the circumstances causing loss.
• Answer their questions as best as you can.
• Offer reassurance.
• Be patient. Every child processes grief and loss at their own pace.
• Maintaining structure and routine can help children find comfort and stability in times of loss and disruption.
• Routine also gives children something to look forward to and feel normal.
• Many of the hardships and losses that children have experienced during the pandemic will come to an end.
• Remind them that the challenges are temporary, and they can look forward to resuming many activities as the pandemic moves into a new phase.
• Be open about how the rules for staying safe have changed, and may continue to change.
• Some rules for staying safe remain consistent – hand washing, cover nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, don’t share food, and stay home when you feel sick.
• Rules also can vary by community. Explain the rules for your local community.
• Help children understand that some people remain at higher risk from COVID-19 and may still choose to wear masks.
• Proactively engage with your children to set expectations about moving to the new phase of the pandemic, and returning to something closer to normal life. When you talk to them:
o Stay Positive about the long-term outcome
o Stay Honest about the challenge
o Stay Active with sports and clubs
o Stay Scheduled with a flexible routine
o Stay Connected to the community with social activities
o Stay Informed about what is happening in your community
o Stay Safe by getting vaccines, washing hands, and staying home when sick