Month: April 2022

Source: United States Navy

During the port visit, they coordinated deliveries of fuel, cargo, provisions, mail and critical parts for the two Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers.

The ships’ presence in the Baltic Sea is a demonstration of the U.S. Navy’s continued commitment to the collective defense of the European region as it reinforces the strong and historic bond between the U.S. and NATO Allies.

“Our ability to support port visits at strategically significant High North locations, such as Copenhagen, is a concrete example of NAVSUP’s expanding capabilities delivering operational readiness to the Fleet where and when our Warfighters need it,” said Capt. Douglas S. MacKenzie, NAVSUP FLCSI commanding officer. “The successful port visit also demonstrates how NAVSUP and our mission partners are enhancing logistics interoperability and engagement with our Allied navies. In this case, the Danish Navy.”

While in port in Copenhagen, the ships’ crew had the opportunity to partake in the rich culture of Denmark and its citizens through tours and visits to historic sights.

Prior to pulling into port, Donald Cook and The Sullivans participated in NATO exercise Dynamic Guard Feb. 22-25 with Royal Danish Navy Iver Huitfeldt-class frigate HDMS Peter Willemoes (F362). Dynamic Guard, hosted by Norway, is a biannual, multinational NATO electronic warfare exercise series designed to provide tactical training for the NATO Response Force and NATO national units. For the first time in three years, two U.S. vessels attended the Dynamic Guard exercise, in an effort to enhance the ongoing cooperation, strength and interoperability between the NATO nations and its allies.

“The continuing cooperation between NATO partners is essential to supporting peace in the region,” said Cmdr. Matthew Curnen, Donald Cook commanding officer. “I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to visit Copenhagen in order to engage in meaningful talks with Danish officials.”

FLCSI is one of NAVSUP’s eight globally-positioned commands that provides for the full range of solutions for logistics, business and support services to the U.S. Naval, Joint, NATO and Allied Forces across 14 enduring and forward operating sites; forward contingency and cooperative security locations in 13 countries in Europe and Africa.

U.S. Naval Forces Europe, 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 and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

Source: United States Navy

Gilday met separately with local government and tribal leaders from the Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe, Walker River Paiute Tribe, and Yomba Shoshone Tribe and discussed modernization and expansion efforts for the Fallon Range Training Complex (FRTC).

Gilday expressed the Navy’s commitment toward working together with Department of the Interior (DOI), State of Nevada, Counties, and Nevada Tribes. 

“We are committed to listening and working with all stakeholders — this is a critical modernization for our Navy and our nation,” said Gilday. “The Navy continues to work closely withour tribal partners in Northern Nevada to address concerns associated with the FRTC modernization.”

 

Gilday highlighted the importance of tactical aviation readiness and improved ground forces training. 

“During this time of strategic competition, we need to give aviators and SEALs realistic training to ensure we are ready to fight and win when called upon,” said Gilday. “We can accomplish this while honoring culture and traditions, while also protecting the environment and the health and safety of the community.”

 

Prior to the meetings with tribal and local government leaders, CNO and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Russell Smith visited NAS Fallon together, where they met with Sailors, visited the base and observed training. 

There they saw first-hand how NAS Fallon increases Fleet and Sailor readiness.

They toured Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center (NAWDC) where Gilday visited with Sailors and received updates about F/A-18C/D Hornets, F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, E/A-18G Growlers, F-16 Fighting Falcons and MH-60S Seahawk helicopter squadrons.

NAWDC provides service to aircrews, squadrons and air wings throughout the Navy through flight training, academic instructional classes, and direct operational and intelligence support. The command consists of more than 120 officers, 140 enlisted and 50 contract personnel. 

The trip to Fallon, Nevada also provided CNO an opportunity to discuss his call to action for every Navy leader to “Get Real and Get Better” by applying Navy-proven leadership and problem-solving best practices that empower our people to achieve exceptional performance.

“The essential element is fostering a warfighting ecosystem — a culture — that assesses, corrects, and innovates better than the opposition,” said Gilday. “We have no room for complacency. Your command must be ready, from basic fundamentals to the most challenging high-end warfighting maneuvers. Provide our adversaries no vulnerability to exploit.”

The aviation and surface communities are embracing this as they conduct integrated training opportunities and practice high-end warfighting tactics. 

NAS Fallon hosts surface Warfare Tactics Instructors (WTI) who have a significant role in fleet integration between Carrier Air Wings and Carrier Strike Groups. Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center, co-owns the Integrated Air Defense Course (IADC), which is presented in conjunction with NAWDC.

NAS Fallon and the FRTC is the nation’s premier training environment comprised of airspace and challenging ranges. For more than 70 years, Fallon has enabled aviators to learn critical skills and tactics that give us an advantage.