Month: May 2022

Source: United States Navy

Following resupply operations, a ship tour and reception was held for U.S. and allied military leaders, foreign dignitaries and ambassadors. In attendance were representatives from the nations of Djibouti, France, Italy, Japan, Spain and the United States.

The history of CLDJ is closely tied to Mount Whitney. Nearly 20 years ago, in November 2002, Mount Whitney delivered Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) to the coast of Djibouti. CJTF-HOA leadership oversaw the renovation of Camp Lemonnier from aboard Mount Whitney until it was brought to livable conditions. In May of 2003, CJTF-HOA transferred from Mount Whitney to CLDJ. In recognition of this historic tie between CJTF-HOA, CLDJ and Mount Whitney, a ship tour and reception was held on board Mount Whitney’s flight deck attended by U.S. and allied military leaders, foreign dignitaries, ambassadors and invited guests.

“Currently, the Mount Whitney is deployed to 5th Fleet to lead the first mission of Combined Task Force 153 in the Red Sea, focused on maritime security and capacity building in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb and the Gulf of Aden,” said U.S. Navy Capt. David Prochazka, the commanding officer of Mount Whitney. “Conflict elsewhere in the world has not made the U.S. forget about our partners and commitments here. Our determination to advance stability and prosperity in east Africa has not waivered.”

Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti serves as an expeditionary base for U.S. military forces providing support to ships, aircraft, and personnel that ensure security and stability throughout Europe, Africa and Southwest Asia. The Department of Defense supports our African partners with capacity building, strengthening defense institutions, and supporting a whole-of government approach in the region so diplomatic and developmental solutions can take root.

Source: United States Navy

The exercise included the handling of a Harpoon inert training shape and demonstrated the increased submarine logistics capabilities present in Australia. Springfield Sailors worked alongside Royal Australian Navy Submarine Force personnel to complete the exercise safely and efficiently.

“Our relationship with Australia has never been stronger,” said Cmdr. Andy Domina, Springfield’s commanding officer. “Proving that we can conduct an expeditionary weapon reload here in HMAS Stirling – I think – just strengthens that bond between us even further.”

Personnel ashore first transferred the deck skid and all associated weapon handling gear to Springfield via crane, where it was assembled and attached to the submarine before transferring the inert shape. This was the first instance of a U.S. Navy submarine participating in a RAN-led weapons handling exercise, and the crews worked seamlessly with each other throughout the evolution.

“We both benefit from interoperability,” said Royal Australian NavyChief Petty Officer Scott Schluter, Submarine Weapons and Escape Manager at HMAS Stirling. “The U.S. Navy and the Australian navy are working in the same area of operations a lot more and I think this will assist us in being able to maintain a capability in the area and assist each other on the logistics side.”

Springfield conducted a similar exercise earlier in the week while moored alongside the Emory S. Land-class submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40). RAN sailors observed that evolution, learning about the process from subject matter experts onboard both Frank Cable and Springfield before taking the lead transfer role in this evolution.

“This week at HMAS Stirling in Perth, Australia, USS Springfield is proving to our fleet commanders, and really to the world, that we can conduct an expeditionary weapons reload,” said Domina. “This gives our commanders another tool in their toolbox; the ability to reload a U.S. Navy submarine in an Australian port and get that ship back in the fight.”

Springfield arrived at HMAS Stirling Naval Base, Australia, April 23, 2022 for a port visit as part of a routine deployment to the Western Pacific.

Measuring more than 360 feet long and weighing more than 6,900 tons when submerged, Springfield is one of the stealthiest, most technologically advanced submarines in the world. Los Angeles-class submarines support a multitude of missions, to include anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, surveillance and reconnaissance, and strike warfare, making Springfield one of the most capable submarines in the world. Springfield is the fourth ship in U.S. Navy history to bear the name.

Under Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with 35 maritime nations in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

For more news from USS Springfield, please visit https://www.csp.navy.mil/springfield/.