Month: June 2022

Source: United States Navy

Background

The Arleigh Burke class (DDG 51) destroyers replaced the Charles F. Adams class (DDG 2). The Arleigh Burke class was designed with an all-new hull form, incorporating much of the Spruance class (DD 963) destroyer propulsion and machinery plant, and the integrated Aegis Weapons System (AWS) proven on the Kidd class (DD 993) destroyers and installed on the larger Ticonderoga class cruisers. The AWS is composed of a multi-function phased array radar, advanced AAW and ASW systems, VLS, and the Tomahawk Weapon System. DDG 51 was commissioned on July 4, 1991, and the class is still in production. The class has been continuously upgraded with advanced sensors and weapons and improved support systems.

The Arleigh Burke class employs all-steel construction and comprises four separate variants or “Flights.” DDGs 51-71 represent the original design and are designated as Flight I; DDGs 72-78 are Flight II ships; and DDGs 79-124 and DDG 127 are Flight IIA ships. The Flight III baseline begins with DDGs 125-126 and continues with DDG 128 and follow.

The DDG 51 Flight III upgrade is centered on the AN/SPY-6(V)1 Air and Missile Defense Radar (AMDR) system that provides vastly increased capability over Flight IIA ships. The AMDR enables Flight III ships to simultaneously perform AAW and BMD, which satisfies the Navy’s critical need for an enhanced surface combatant Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) capability.

Seventy DDG 51 class ships have been delivered to the fleet (DDGs 51 -119, 121), with 19 more on contract and 12 ships in various stages of construction. 

A DDG modernization program is underway to provide a comprehensive mid-life upgrade that will ensure the DDG 51 class will maintain mission relevance. The modernization changes are also being introduced to new construction ships to increase the baseline capabilities of the newest ships in the class, and to provide commonality between new construction ships and modernized in-service ships. The goal of the DDG modernization effort is to reduce workload requirements and increase warfighting capabilities while reducing total ownership cost to the Navy. To date, 37 modernizations have been completed or are in progress and an additional 17 modernizations are planned through the Future Years Defense Program.

General Characteristics, Arleigh Burke class
Builder: General Dynamics — Bath Iron Works, Huntington Ingalls Industries, Ingalls Shipbuilding
Combat System Integrator: Lockheed-Martin
Date Deployed: July 4, 1991 USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51)
Propulsion: Four General Electric LM 2500-30 gas turbines; two shafts, 100,000 total shaft horsepower
Length: Flights I and II (DDG 51-78): 505 feet (153.92 meters); Flight IIA and III (DDG 79 AF): 509 1/2 feet (155.29 meters)
Beam: 59 feet (18 meters)
Displacement: 8,230 – 9,700 Ltons
Speed: In excess of 30 knots
Crew: Flight IIA: 329 Total (32 Officer, 27 CPO, 270 Enlisted)
Flight III: 359 Total (41 Officer, 27 CPO, 291 Enlisted)
Armament: Standard Missile Family; Vertical Launch ASROC (VLA) missiles; Tomahawk; six MK-46 torpedoes (from two triple tube mounts); Close In Weapon System (CIWS); 5-in. MK 45 Gun; Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM)
Aircraft: (Flight IIA and III (DDG 79 AF)): Two LAMPS MK III MH-60 R helicopters
Ships:
USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51), Rota, Spain
USS Barry (DDG 52), Yokosuka, Japan
USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53), Everett, WA
USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54), San Diego, CA
USS Stout (DDG 55), Norfolk, VA
USS John S McCain (DDG 56), Everett, WA
USS Mitscher (DDG 57), Norfolk, VA
USS Laboon (DDG 58), Norfolk, VA
USS Russell (DDG 59), San Diego, CA
USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60), San Diego, CA
USS Ramage (DDG 61), Norfolk, VA
USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62), San Diego, CA
USS Stethem (DDG 63), San Diego, CA
USS Carney (DDG 64), Mayport, FL
USS Benfold (DDG 65), Yokosuka, Japan
USS Gonzalez (DDG 66), Norfolk, VA
USS Cole (DDG 67), Norfolk, VA
USS The Sullivans (DDG 68), Mayport, FL
USS Milius (DDG 69), Yokosuka, Japan
USS Hopper (DDG 70), Pearl Harbor, HI
USS Ross (DDG 71), Rota, Spain
USS Mahan (DDG 72), Norfolk, VA
USS Decatur (DDG 73), San Diego, CA
USS McFaul (DDG 74), Norfolk, VA
USS Donald Cook (DDG 75), Mayport, FL
USS Higgins (DDG 76), Yokosuka, Japan
USS O’Kane (DDG 77), San Diego, CA
USS Porter (DDG 78), Rota, Spain
USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79), Norfolk, VA
USS Roosevelt (DDG 80), Rota, Spain
USS Winston S Churchill (DDG 81), Mayport, FL
USS Lassen (DDG 82), Mayport, FL
USS Howard (DDG 83), Yokosuka, Japan
USS Bulkeley (DDG 84), Norfolk, VA
USS McCampbell (DDG 85), Everett, WA
USS Shoup (DDG 86), San Diego, CA
USS Mason (DDG 87), Norfolk, VA
USS Preble (DDG 88), San Diego, CA
USS Mustin (DDG 89), San Diego, CA
USS Chafee (DDG 90), Pearl Harbor, HI
USS Pinckney (DDG 91), San Diego, CA
USS Momsen (DDG 92), Everett, WA
USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93), Pearl Harbor, HI
USS Nitze (DDG 94), Norfolk, VA
USS James E Williams (DDG 95), Norfolk, VA
USS Bainbridge (DDG 96), Norfolk, VA
USS Halsey (DDG 97), San Diego, CA
USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98), Norfolk, VA
USS Farragut (DDG 99), Mayport, FL
USS Kidd (DDG 100), Everett, WA
USS Gridley (DDG 101), Everett, WA
USS Sampson (DDG 102), Everett, WA
USS Truxtun (DDG 103), Norfolk, VA
USS Sterett (DDG 104), San Diego, CA
USS Dewey (DDG 105), Yokosuka, Japan
USS Stockdale (DDG 106), San Diego, CA
USS Gravely (DDG 107), Norfolk, VA
USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108), Pearl Harbor, HI
USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109), Mayport, FL
USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110), Pearl Harbor, HI
USS Spruance (DDG 111), San Diego, CA
USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112), Pearl Harbor, HI
USS John Finn (DDG 113), San Diego, CA
USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114), Everett, WA
USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115), Yokosuka, Japan
USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116), Mayport, FL
USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117), Rota, Spain
USS Daniel Inouye (DDG 118), Pearl Harbor, HI
USS Delbert D. Black (DDG 119), Mayport, FL
Carl M. Levin (DDG 120), under construction
USS Frank E. Petersen, Jr. (DDG 121), under construction
John Basilone (DDG 122), under construction
Lenah H. Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG 123), under construction
Harvey C. Barnum, Jr. (DDG 124), under construction
Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125), under construction
Louis H. Wilson Jr. (DDG 126), under construction
Patrick Gallagher (DDG 127), under construction
Ted Stevens (DDG 128), under construction
Jeremiah Denton (DDG 129), under construction
William Charette (DDG 130), under construction
George M. Neal (DDG 131), under construction
Quentin Walsh (DDG 132), under construction
Sam Nunn (DDG 133), under contract
John E. Kilmer (DDG 134), under contract
Thad Cochran (DDG 135), under contract
Richard G Lugar (DDG 136), under contract
John F. Lehman  (DDG 137), under contract
J. William Middendorf (DDG 138), under contract
Telesforo Trinidad (DDG 139), under contract

Source: United States Navy

The DON convened role players from the Department of Defense, federal agencies, Congress, think tanks, non-governmental organizations and the private sector to test how critical elements of the recently released DON strategy Climate Action 2030 comes into practice.  

“As the Secretary of the Navy, the Commandant of the Marine Corps and the Chief of Naval Operations have said, we are looking at the impacts of climate change because it makes us better warfighters,” said Meredith Berger, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations, and Environment.  “The Navy and Marine Corps must address climate change in our readiness and operations in order to maintain every advantage to fight and win.”

Climate Action 2030 focuses the Department of the Navy on building a climate-ready force by building climate resilience and reducing the climate threat. These factors drove the design and execution of the scenario, which was created and facilitated by war game experts at the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab.

Set in October 2030, the scenario focused on a Navy Amphibious Ready Group and an embarked Marine Expeditionary Group preparing for an amphibious exercise with a partner nation in the Western Indo-Pacific AOR. A typhoon impacts the exercise, and quickly creates cascading effects on operations. The storm came on the heels of other destructive storms which made the land and local population less resilient and more susceptible to stronger damage from ensuing mudslides, electric grid, and other key infrastructure disruptions. 

Facilitators briefed players, assigned duties, and challenged them to work through some of the tough questions that the Navy and Marine Corps are facing every day. Players were broken into three interrelated groups: operational forces, installations and facilities, and higher headquarters; each table featured a Navy Flag Officer and Marine Corps General Officer as senior mentors.

Key takeaways from the exercise were the importance of incorporating climate predictions and considerations into planning and resourcing. The group talked about the importance of logistics, both as a warfighting enabler, resilience vulnerability, and an area where the Department can make strides to become more energy efficient and therefore a more capable fighting force.  Additionally, the group discussed identifying single points of failure which may be undermined climate impacts and the need for redundancy as well as efficiency. The importance of collaborative planning in order to develop resilient partnerships in the face of a dynamic and evolving climate environment were also discussed.

“In order to strengthen and maintain our maritime dominance, we need to strengthen and maintain our maritime partnerships,” Berger said. “Partnership is a key driver of success and diversity of perspective is the enabler. Today we had the chance to work with a variety of partners to gain their perspectives and share ours so that we can better tackle the climate crisis together.”

The DON released the Climate Action 2030 strategy May 24, 2022, building on a decades-long foundation of climate action and sets the DON on a course to meet national and global targets to reduce the threat of climate change.  The Department’s Climate Action 2030 strategy document is available for download here.

Source: United States Navy

Effective immediately, a victim who contacts a helping professional from any Department of the Navy (DON) victim care and support office must either receive services from that office or, with the victim’s permission, get a “warm hand-off” to the appropriate service provider.  This warm hand-off will include direct connection, introduction to the responsible staff, and follow-through to ensure the needs of the person seeking care are met.

“I want to ensure that the victims and survivors of sexual assault, sexual harassment and domestic abuse receive the right care and quality services they need with minimal delay,” said Del Toro. “The Department of the Navy is committed to the well-being of the victims and survivors, from report to referral, from initial appointment to continuing care.”

The policy applies to all DON personnel responsible for the care and support of victims of sexual assault, sexual harassment or domestic abuse. This includes, but is not limited to, those helping professionals assigned or detailed to the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program, Family Advocacy Program, Military Equal Opportunity Program, Victim Witness Assistance Program, medical professionals, Warfighter and Family Services (non-medical counseling providers), Victims’ Legal Counsel or chaplains.

“Individuals who experience sexual assault, sexual harassment, or domestic abuse should receive the care and support they need – without delay.  Regardless of which supporting professional they contact, the answer should be, ‘I will help you,’” said Ashish S. Vazirani, interim director, DON Sexual Assault, Sexual Harassment, and Suicide Prevention and Response Office.  “We’re committed to improving victim care and enhancing access to critical resources.”

The No Wrong Door Policy is the most recent policy change recommended by the DON Implementation Advisory Panel.  Secretary Del Toro created the panel in February 2022 to formulate concrete policy recommendations to advance DON’s elimination of sexual assault and sexual harassment from the ranks.  The panel is comprised of representatives of all the key DON offices required to make fully informed recommendations to implement the requirements of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 and the approved recommendations of the Secretary of Defense’s Independent Review Commission on Sexual Assault in the Military. 

To view the full policy, click here.

Source: United States Navy

Background

The Fiscal Year 2017 National Defense Authorization Act, Section 702, directed the Defense Health Agency (DHA) to assume responsibility for the administration and management of healthcare delivery through all military medical treatment facilities, naval hospitals and clinics effective Oct. 1, 2018.

Department of Defense (DoD), Department of the Navy and Navy Medicine were prepared to commence a series of realignments and reorganizations to facilitate this transfer of full control to DHA. But those plans were halted in their tracks when the world experienced the brisk spread of the Coronavirus which caused the COVID-19 Pandemic outbreak.

For those entities, the transition of responsibility was paused while Navy doctors, nurses, Hospital Corpsman, and other Services medical and support personnel were deployed to multiple locations throughout the United States. They were also dispatched around the world in an effort to thwart the pandemic and further save lives.

The Transfers of Function

After a six-month pause, the Department of Defense reengaged in overhauling the military health system by continuing to transfer the responsibilities and oversight of military medical treatment facilities to DHA. While the timeline for completion shifted, transitions continued to occur.

One of the most recent transitions directly impacted by the transfers and realignments was held this month, June 2022, in Williamsburg, VA.

Rear Adm. Darin K. Via, Commander, Naval Medical Forces Atlantic, and the senior market manager of the tidewater Military Health System, made the keynote address at the historic ceremony which elevated Naval Medical Readiness Logistics Command (NMRLC) over its former Immediate Superior in Command, essentially swapping its order of authority and echelon status.

This preceding also served as a change of command ceremony, effectively bestowing upon the outgoing commanding officer, the last person to hold that title.

“There are very few times where we establish a new command. The significance of today’s establishment can simply be summarized as a necessary change to the unique mission that our logistics commands have been tasked with and to ensure that our Sailors are consistently put first,” Rear Adm. Via said.

He continued by explaining that the (organization) change aligned with the transition in the military health system and Navy medicine’s vital mission in projecting Medical Power for Naval Superiority.

“At the end of the day, the very core reason for this change is about warfighter readiness, and our ability to force generate ready medical and medically ready forces,” Via said.

Speeches

After the admiral congratulated Morrison for a job well done, the outgoing commanding officer shared a few compassionate words with the audience and his family members.

“There was never a dull moment around here,” he said. “Someone once told me to enjoy my time in the seat as CO because it will go by quickly, and it has. Today marks a total of three years as the CO and five years stationed here at the command. This ceremony is the perfect end and the ideal closure to a very long very busy, but successful tour. It was an absolute honor and privilege to have been given the opportunity to lead such an exceptional organization, and I am happy to have been a part of the legacy that was under the name Navy Expeditionary Medical Support Command,” he said.

Master of Ceremonies, Cmdr. Janine Espinal, MSC, USN and executive officer of the command, invited all personnel attending to rise as the heart of the change of command ceremony is the act of reading the official orders.

“When directed by reporting senior, detach from Navy Expeditionary Medical Support Command and report to US Fleet Forces Command, signed A. Holsey, Rear Admiral, Commander Navy Personnel Command,” Morrison read.

Cmdr. Marcinkiewicz approached the podium and cited his orders.

“When directed by reporting senior, detach from Naval Medical Logistics Command and report as Commanding Officer of Naval Medical Readiness Logistics Command, signed A. Holsey, Rear Admiral, Commander Navy Personnel Command,” he read.

After the orders were read and Cmdr. Marcinkiewicz officially relieved Capt. Morrison of his duties, for the first time, in leadership of a newly reorganized command, Cmdr. Marcinkiewicz addressed the audience as the commanding officer of the Navy’s most recent echelon elevated command, Naval Medical Readiness Logistics Command.

“It’s funny. If you would have told Fireman Recruit Marcinkiewicz back in 1990, when he was stationed on the USS SAN DIEGO (LPD 22), that he would be attending his own change of command ceremony someday, he would have thought you were crazy,” he said. “You see, back then, even though I was glad that I had joined the Navy, all I was thinking about was finishing my enlistment and getting out because I was certain of one thing … the Navy life was not for me. Imagine that. Life is kind of funny that way.”

He thanked several mentors who were in the audience and he thanks his staff from his previously command. He thanked his former commander, Capt. Steve Aboona and he thanked Rear Adm. Via for allowing him to assume the role of acting commander in Fort Detrick for the past 13 months.

But his most heart-felt acknowledgement went to his wife, who could not attend the ceremony because she was quarantined in Europe after contracting COVID-19.

“Tomomi, you have been there for me throughout my career patiently waiting for me to return from deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan and ships’ deployments. And you always know just want to say and how to cheer me up when things don’t go just as planned … and in the military things often do not go as planned. And as I always say, we make a great team and I am eager to start the next chapter in my career with you in my corner and as they say in Japanese, Aishstuda you, Tomomi (I love you, Tomomi).

Conclusion

At 10:35 a.m., Capt. Robert C. Morrison, USN, MSC was relieved of his responsibilities as commanding officer where Cmdr. Matthew P. Marcinkiewicz, USN, MSC took the helm of NMRLC. Morrison became the last person to hold the title of NEMSCOM commanding officer. Marcinkiewicz assumed command of the three activities that now fall under his leadership.

Source: United States Navy

This port visit marks the first stop for Mohawk, while employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) area of operations. During the visit, Mohawk leadership will meet government leaders and military maritime counterparts, while the crew enjoys the rich cultural history of Portugal.

“It is a tremendous privilege to be here in Lisbon,” said Cmdr. Andrew Pate, commanding officer aboard USCGC Mohawk (WMEC 913). “Like the United States, Portugal has a rich and deep maritime history and combined maritime operations provide a critical opportunity to improve interoperability with our partners, and prove that we are stronger together.”

Earlier this month, Adm. Linda Fagan, commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, visited Lisbon and met with Ambassador Randi Charno Levine and Portugal’s Chief of Naval Staff, Adm. Henrique Eduardo Passaláqua de Gouveia e Melo. Fagan is also the first woman, and first mother, to lead any of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Portugal has a long maritime history and their navy boasts 705 years of continuous service.

“Portugal is an important ally of the United States and plays a pivotal role in the security and cohesion of the Alliance,” said Rear Adm. Chase Patrick, director of maritime headquarters, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa. “Mohawk’s visit to Portugal demonstrates our shared goals for regional peace and stability.”

Mohawk is the 13th and last of the Famous-class cutters. It is named for the Algonquin tribe of Iroquoian Indians who lived in the Mohawk Valley of New York. Mohawk is the third cutter to bear the name. Mohawk’s parent command is U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area.

The U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area command oversees all domestic Service operations east of the Rocky Mountains, including the Arctic, Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and out-of-hemisphere operations in Europe, Africa, and Southwest Asia. Atlantic Area is responsible for coordinating and deploying cutters, aircraft, pollution response equipment, and thousands of personnel throughout the globe to ensure resources, equipment, and personnel are available to support the Coast Guard’s statutory missions.

For over 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) has forged strategic relationships with 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.