Month: June 2022

Source: United States Navy

Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps Troy Black will deliver the christening ceremony’s principal address. U.S. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine; Vice Adm. Francis Morley, principal military deputy to the assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development, and acquisition; Vice Adm. Scott Conn, deputy chief of naval operations for warfighting requirements and capabilities; Don Basilone, brother of the ship’s namesake; and Charles Krugh, president of General Dynamics Bath Iron Works will also provide remarks. The ship’s sponsors are Ryan Manion and Amy Looney Heffernan, president and vice president of the Travis Manion Foundation. Ms. Heffernan is unable to attend the event. In a time-honored Navy tradition, Ms. Manion will christen the ship by breaking a bottle of sparkling wine across the bow.

The ship’s namesake, Gunnery Sgt. John Basilone, received the Medal of Honor for heroism displayed in the Battle of Guadalcanal during World War II, where he led his heavy machine gun sections in defense of a critical position and inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy. Basilone later returned to action at the Battle of Iwo Jima in February of 1944, where he single-handedly destroyed an enemy blockhouse and led a Marine tank under fire safely through a minefield. He was killed in action later that day and was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his unwavering devotion and valiant spirit of self-sacrifice.

“The future USS John Basilone will serve as a constant reminder of the immense impact that actions taken by any one Sailor or Marine can truly have,” said Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro. “Gunnery Sgt. Basilone is a national hero and this ship and crew will honor his legacy for decades to come.”

This is the second ship to honor Basilone. The first, USS Basilone (DD 824), was a Gearing-class destroyer in service from 1945 to 1977.

Arleigh Burke-class destroyers are the backbone of the U.S. Navy’s surface fleet, providing protection to America around the globe. These highly capable, multi-mission ships conduct various operations, from peacetime presence to national security, providing a wide range of warfighting capabilities in multi-threat air, surface, and subsurface domains. These elements of seapower enable the Navy to defend American prosperity and prevent future conflict abroad.

Additional information on the ship’s namesake can be found at: https://www.usmcu.edu/Research/Marine-Corps-History-Division/Information-for-Units/Medal-of-Honor-Recipients-By-Unit/Sgt-John-Basilone/

Source: United States Navy

Current and former CNAFR Sailors, more than a dozen current and former flag officers, and friends and family of Jones and Dunham traveled from around the country to join CNAFR in celebrating the end of Jones’s 40-year Navy career and the beginning of Dunham’s tour as CNAFR.

Chief of Navy Reserve (CNR) Vice Adm. John Mustin spoke as the ceremony’s guest speaker.

“Jonser, you guided CNAFR masterfully,” said Mustin. “Ashore and afloat you’ve earned a reputation of leading from the front. Your fingerprints are all over this awesome command, which now reflects the very best of vitamin Jonser. You have much to be proud of.”

Mustin went on to address Dunham, who recently completed his tour as Deputy, Naval Air Force Atlantic.

“Brad, you’ve heard me say before that we have much to be proud of in the Navy Reserve, and yet, we still have much to do,” said Mustin. “I know that you are the right person at the right time in the right place for this important, critical job.”

Presiding officer, Commander, Naval Air Forces Kenneth Whitesell, echoed Mustin’s remarks on Jones’s leadership.

“Jonser, you and I got to meet in Hawaii, as you were the lead investigator for the Pearl Harbor shipyard shooting,” said Whitesell. “I realized as I watched how you guided that investigation team there that there was nothing you couldn’t do, and I was going to be in good hands with your worldwide CNAFR leadership to be my partner here in San Diego, and you demonstrated just that.”

Whitesell then turned to Dunham and continued.

“Just like the trial by fire with Jonser coming in during the Pearl Harbor shooting and investigation, Gunny’s doing the same thing with [Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73)] right now with the investigation he’s at,” said Whitesell. “If the similar start means we’re going to have a similar great performance and similar outcome at Naval Air Forces that we had with Jonser, then I know that we’re off to a great start. I’m looking forward to working with you.”

Jones took the stage to address the CNAFR staff as well as his relief.

“Brad, you are the perfect leader to take CNAFR forward,” said Jones. “Thank you for your commitment, your team play, and your being ready to assume command once again in just a few minutes. I’m so excited to see what the future of this organization holds.”

Once Jones finished his remarks reflecting on his time as CNAFR, the ceremony proceeded, and he was officially relieved by Dunham.

“Jonser, congratulations on another amazing command tour,” said Dunham. “Your personal sacrifice and dedication to this organization has not gone unnoticed.”
 
Dunham then addressed the CNAFR staff.
 
“It’s a privilege and an honor to have an opportunity to serve alongside some of the very best leaders, officer and enlisted, that this nation has ever produced,” said Dunham. “As we speak, sovereign bodies are being challenged with force, increasing global tensions and the competition of great powers demands that each of us be prepared to fight. While we continue to pursue advances in technology and tactics, the competitive advantage to win in combat resides in each of you. I am confident that this team is up to the task.”
 
The ceremony then transitioned from the change of command to Jones’s retirement, beginning with a flag detail representing every rank held by Jones, from seaman recruit to petty officer 2nd class and ensign to rear admiral upper half.
 
After receiving the flag and presenting it to his wife, Teresa, Jones gave his final remarks.
 
“This week someone asked me if this career was worth it,” said Jones. “The best answer I can come up with is this: Naval aviation is a profession, a calling if you will, that demands the very best of us in every single way, so that is how my life has been. I am an ordinary man, who has had the blessing and good fortune to live an extraordinary life through my gold wings, which to this day remain the professional accomplishment for which I am the most proud.”
 
Military guests lined up alongside the ceremonial side boys as Jones was piped ashore for the final time.

CNAFR mans, trains and equips the Naval Air Force Reserve in order to provide enduring operational support and strategic depth to Navy forces that win in combat.
 

Source: United States Navy

Prior to arriving in Rota, Paul Ignatius operated alongside British, Canadian, French, German, and Norwegian allies as part of exercises Cable Car and Green Light. The ship also conducted port visits in Ponta Delgada, Portugal and Bergen, Norway. In the Baltic Sea, Paul Ignatius integrated with the 2nd Marine Division and the Kearsarge Amphibious Readiness Group with embarked Amphibious Squadron Six and 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit. The ship also conducted interoperability exercises with the USS Sioux City (LCS 11) during the inaugural deployment of a Freedom Class Littoral Combat Ship to Fifth and Sixth Fleet areas of operation.

“We certainly met and exceeded our goals,” said Cmdr. Aaron Arky, commanding officer of Paul Ignatius. “I couldn’t be more proud of the team as they superbly conducted undersea, air-defense and expeditionary operations during this patrol.”

Commissioned in 2019, Paul Ignatius is the second of eight Flight IIA “technology insertion” ships, bringing enhanced capability and technological advancements to U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Destroyer Squadron 60. The ship is the 67th Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, a class capable of conducting a variety of missions from sea control and power projection to peacetime presence and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief..

The ship’s arrival in Rota brings substantial capabilities to the FDNF-E force already in place. Arriving to their new homeport also allows Paul Ignatius Sailors the opportunity to get acquainted with their new duty station and to reunite with their families, many of whom have already arrived in Rota.

“The uniqueness of this homecoming cannot be understated, as we are both returning to our families and arriving at our new homeport,” said Arky. “The tremendous support network established by Naval Station Rota and Destroyer Squadron 60 has immensely helped the families and Sailors alike. For that, we are grateful.”

The ship’s arrival to Rota is one of several scheduled homeport shifts to occur in support of the U.S. Navy’s long-range plan to gradually rotate the Rota-based destroyers. The arrival also coincides with the arrival of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 79, which will provide rotary-wing mission capabilities to the FDNF-E destroyers.

Paul Ignatius will operate under Commander, Task Force 65 and Destroyer Squadron 60 in support of NATO’s Integrated Air Missile Defense architecture. These FDNF-E ships have the flexibility to operate throughout the waters of Europe and Africa, from the Cape of Good Hope to the Arctic Circle, demonstrating their mastery of the maritime domain.

The ship is named after Paul Ignatius, who served as Secretary of the Navy under President Lyndon Johnson from 1967 to 1969. Ignatius had previously served as a commissioned Lieutenant in the Navy during World War II.

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.