Month: May 2022

Source: United States Navy

The port visit gives the ship routine maintenance opportunity while Sailors enjoy liberty, strengthening the partnership with our NATO ally Albania.

“The primary purpose of this port visit is to allow our sailors to take liberty,” said Cmdr. Michael Kiser, commanding officer of USS Jason Dunham. “It gives our Sailors a chance to get some rest, spend some time on land, and enjoy the hospitality, sights and scenes of Albania.”

The visit to Durres is Jason Dunham’s first port visit to Albania since deploying from their homeport of Mayport, Florida in December 2021. Jason Dunham is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe (NAVEUR) area of operations, conducting maritime and security operations, while enhancing interoperability with allies and partners.

“The crew has continued to impress us with every mission we are tasked with and executed them with the utmost amount of professionalism and precision,” said Cmdr. Robert Keller, executive officer of USS Jason Dunham. “This deployment has been challenging given the state of the geopolitical situation across Europe, and it’s always tough to be away from loved ones, but the crew has done an incredible job of showing resilience and bonding together and responding as needed.”

During the port visit, Sailors will have the chance to explore the local area and learn about Albania’s rich culture as they experience a respite from their time at sea. Every Sailor is an ambassador for the United States and a liberty port is a contributing factor to mission success.

“When our Sailors go out in town or anywhere in a foreign country, immediately they are recognized as Americans, or American service members,” said Kiser. “So it is important to leave a positive impression in the eyes of the community that U.S. Navy Sailors are professionals, responsible, and having us around is a good thing.”

Since arriving in theater, Jason Dunham has routinely operated alongside NATO allies and partners through a variety of activities. The ship recently integrated with Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO) in support of the NATO-led activity Neptune Shield.

“It is important NATO countries are able to get together and work together in order to establish our common goals,” said Kiser. “In order to have collective defense, the ships have to be able to communicate with each other in order to actually exercise defense, so interoperability and the ability to work together to achieve common ends is so important.”

Working together has been the name of the game for Jason Dunham’s crew in the NAVEUR area of operations. The ship spent time in March attached to the Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG2) joint task force, where they integrated an organizational mission statement, “We are NATO,” into their own mission statement.

“‘We are NATO,’ for us, has allowed us to work with so many other nations, see how other navies operate, the different capabilities that they come to bear and also allows us to learn and get better,” said Keller. “We look forward to assuring the Alliance we are here standing beside them for whatever they need.”

For over 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe -U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) has forged strategic relationships with our allies and partners, leveraging a foundation of shared values to preserve security and stability.

Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces in the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) areas of responsibility.  U.S. Sixth Fleet is permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, and employs maritime forces through the full spectrum of joint and naval operations.

For more news from CSG 8, visit, www.facebook.com/CSG8, www.navy.mil/local.cvn75/, www.facebook.com/usnavy, www.instagram.com/uss_harrys.truman, www.navy.mil, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

Source: United States Navy

Along with the “Valkyries” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 28, Detachment 8 and embarked U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) 403 Billings will support Joint Interagency Task Force South’s mission, which includes counter-illicit drug trafficking missions in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific Ocean.

Operations will also include bilateral exercises and exchanges with partner nations, demonstrating interoperability, and reinforcing the U.S. as the trusted maritime partner in the region.

Billings, manned by the ship’s Blue Crew, deployed from Naval Station Mayport, Fla. Dec. 15, 2021 to U.S. 4th Fleet. After completing a four-month patrol, the ship arrived in Ponce on April 12 to conduct a planned maintenance availability (PMAV), continuous maintenance availability (CMAV), and crew swap.

Gold Crew arrived on the ship April 17, and began working with Blue Crew to complete operational and maintenance checks, inspections, and preparations to take charge of the hull.

The Gold Crew officially took over the hull on April 22 to complete the CMAV and conduct preparations to take the ship back to sea. This marks the first East Coast Freedom-variant LCS to turn over the hull outside the continental U.S. (OCONUS).



“Gold Crew is excited and ready to be back at sea,” said Cmdr. Brett Seeley, commanding officer of Billings. “The Blue Crew completed their maiden deployment and handed over the keys to our “family” vehicle thus setting the stage for us to continue the good work they have been doing down in the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility. We look forward to the opportunity to continue to build partnerships, and support whatever mission we are called upon to do.

”

Manned by over 100 Sailors, the Gold Crew will consist of a surface warfare mission-package equipment load out, a U.S. Coast Guard law enforcement detachment (LEDET), and an aviation detachment, who will operate the embarked MH-60S helicopter and MQ-8B Fire Scout Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.



Deploying a LCS to the region aims to demonstrate the U.S. commitment to international cooperation and regional security. The ship’s size, speed, and agility make LCS ideal for narcotics interdictions, partner engagements and port access.



USS Billings (LCS 15) is operationally assigned to U.S. 4th Fleet and one of three littoral combat ships under Mine Division 22.

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet supports U.S. Southern Command’s joint and combined military operations by employing maritime forces in cooperative maritime security operations to maintain access, enhance interoperability, and build enduring partnerships in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American region.

Source: United States Navy

“This helps to build confidence in understanding each other’s tactics, techniques and procedures for conducting casualty evacuations, during high-risk missions,” said Capt. Chris Love, TF-61/2.

The hoisting session covered topics such as safe and effective rope techniques to complete a successful hoist of a person, as well as communicating with a nearby RHIB to ensure proper personnel transportation.

“The Tunisians are very eager to learn new standard operating procedures, they absolutely stay late and arrive early to conduct the mission – they are prepared to do more with less, given the opportunity,” said Love.

Following the hoisting session on the Tunisian NRF-class Khaireddine (A 700) the group transited to a nearby location via two RHIBs to conduct amphibious reconnaissance in preparation for a raid.

Participating personnel deployed from the RHIBs using scout swimmer techniques, and practiced securing the beach using clandestine landing and withdrawal. Once ashore, the teams proceeded to the raid site, practiced establishing security to enable follow on forces.

“This was a great opportunity to work with our partners on advanced amphibious techniques,” said GySgt. Kermit Hatfield, TF-61/2. “We were able to share how we conduct amphibious raids, while also gaining an understanding of how the Tunisians do a similar mission set.”

These exercises provide an opportunity to work side-by-side with partners, such as Tunisia, to better synchronize and rehearse for potential real-world scenarios. Maritime security is critical to the overall stability of the African continent, where 38 of 54 countries are coastal nations. Approximately 90 percent of all trade travels via the world’s oceans, and nearly a third of all trade passes through the Mediterranean Sea.

Phoenix Express is one of three NAVEUR-NAVAF-facilitated regional exercises as part of a comprehensive strategy to provide collaborative opportunities amongst African forces and international partners that addresses maritime security concerns.

For over 80 years, NAVEUR-NAVAF has forged strategic relationships with our Allies and Partners, leveraging a foundation of shared values to preserve security and stability.

Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces in the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and USAFRICOM areas of responsibility.  U.S. Sixth Fleet is permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, and employs maritime forces through the full spectrum of joint and naval operations.

Source: United States Navy

The exchange was nested within multiple scenario-driven exercises to share the latest tactical medical response procedures.

“All of these teams are required to have a high level of knowledge about tactical medicine to complete their primary mission,” said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Rose Martinez, assigned to NMRTC, Naples, Italy, who presented material and facilitated a dialogue of best practices when providing triage care. “This event allowed participants to share different techniques and knowledge about tactical care in their country.”

The exchange included discussing and identifying cultural and legal differences in military medical care and the preferred type of medical equipment in emergency situations. Shared understanding of the logistical and legal aspects of providing care across international borders enhances mission readiness and the ability to deploy within a joint or combined operational environment.

“Some of the cultural differences are in what can be done legally or what they have access to in their kits,” said Martinez. “Knowing what each nations’ restrictions on care are, even if it is just the basics, can help save lives.”

Partner forces are participating in the 17th iteration of the North African maritime exercise PE22, taking place in Tunis, Tunisia, and throughout the Mediterranean Sea. Phoenix

Express is one of three NAVEUR-NAVAF-facilitated regional exercises as part of a comprehensive strategy to provide collaborative opportunities amongst African forces and international partners that addresses maritime security concerns.

For over 80 years, NAVEUR-NAVAF has forged strategic relationships with our Allies and Partners, leveraging a foundation of shared values to preserve security and stability.

Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces in the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and USAFRICOM areas of responsibility. U.S. Sixth Fleet is permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, and employs maritime forces through the full spectrum of joint and naval operations.  

Source: United States Navy

JS Teruzuki joined Commander, Task Force 70/CSG 5 on May 24 and integrated with the DESRON 15 team, enhancing interoperability and surface operations while supporting the strike group during carrier qualifications for Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5. This builds on the training JS Teruzuki conducted with CSG 5 units during Ronald Reagan’s sea trials that concluded May 17.

“It’s a pleasure to work alongside Cmdr. Sato and the JS Teruzuki team,” said Capt. Walt Mainor, deputy commodore of DESRON 15 and embarked sea combat commander. “The integration of Teruzuki into the strike group demonstrates our interoperability with our regional ally. The synchronization we continue to develop allows us to conduct various trainings and bilateral exercises improving leadership at all levels, including individual proficiency, and sharpens command and control skills while challenging participants to adapt to changing conditions.”

JS Teruzuki and DESRON 15 conducted various training evolutions to include visit board search and seizure (VBSS), Expendable Mobile Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Target (EMATT), and electronic warfare exercises, which demonstrate the commitment of the U.S. and Japan to share information together at sea.

“JS Teruzuki executed their responsibilities well,” said Lt. Kristi Chardon, Air Defense Officer from USS Antietam (CG 54). “From the Air Missile Defense Commander’s perspective, they executed their responsibilities well and helped in the role as the alternate Air Missile Defense Air Commander for CSG 5 enhancing our bilateral relations with our JMSDF counterparts.”

The alliance between the JMSDF and U.S. Navy seeks to advance joint operations, interoperability, and other principles that underpin security and well-being for the Indo-Pacific region.

“Through conducting bilateral exercise with DESRON 15 and integrating with US Carrier Strike Group, we have achieved improving tactical integration and interoperability,” said Cmdr. Takashi Sato, commanding officer, JS Teruzuki. “In such ways JMSDF and U.S. Navy cooperate closely and sail together in multiple seas. We keep maintaining and strengthening cooperative action capability.”

The embarked DESRON staff is supporting the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group, which departed Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY) May 20 to support security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Destroyer Squadron 15 is the Navy’s largest forward-deployed DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principle Surface Force.

U.S. 7th Fleet is the largest numbered fleet in the world, and with the help of 35 other maritime-nation allies and partners, the U.S. Navy has operated in the Indo-Pacific region for more than 70 years, providing credible, ready forces to help preserve peace and prevent conflict.