Month: July 2022

Source: United States Navy

In addition to the U.S. Navy participants, the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, the Italian destroyer ITS Caio Duilio (D 554) and submarines from Brazil and Colombia joined the strike group to increase interoperability and capability with allies and partners during composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX), which was led by Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 4.

“The job of the embarked CSG 4 staff is to mentor, train and assess deploying carrier strike groups on the east coast,” said Rear Adm. Rich Brophy, commander, CSG 4. “Carrier Strike Group 10 demonstrated the flexibility and proficiency necessary to certify in all required mission areas. The strike group is fully ready for any contingency or operations ahead.”

COMPTUEX is designed to fully integrate the GHWBCSG, under the command of CSG 10, as a cohesive, multi-mission fighting force and test the group’s ability to carry out sustained combat operations from the sea.

The exercise allowed the ships, aircraft, and staffs to work together in response to specific scenarios across all warfare areas, and to refine their ability to communicate and fight alongside one another in a realistic training environment that included academic, synthetic and live training events.

“I could not be prouder of our international maritime force and the way we worked together as a team during COMPTUEX,” said Rear Adm. Dennis Velez, commander, CSG 10. “The assessors pushed us to learn and grow, and I look forward to deploying with highly-competent and confident strike group. We are, and will continue to be, ready to fight and win at sea if required – there is nothing we cannot accomplish together.”

For the first time during a COMPTUEX, a marine expeditionary unit (MEU) integrated virtually into the events from Expeditionary Warfare Training Group, Atlantic (EWTGLANT). This training allowed the 26th MEU to increase staff proficiency across various warfighting functions and provided a unique experience to exercise naval interoperability.

“This is the first time that a marine expeditionary unit has integrated into a carrier strike group’s COMPTUEX,” said Col. Dennis Sampson, commanding officer of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit. “This COMPTUEX allowed the 26th MEU to partner with Expeditionary Strike Group 2 as a higher echelon command mirroring a marine expeditionary brigade or the current Task Force 61/2 construct. Exercises like COMPTUEX provide the 26th MEU with a unique opportunity to enhance our core staff competencies across warfighting domains, contributing to the success of the naval expeditionary force within the construct of this exercise. Moreover, as we prepare to deploy with the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, these realistic naval exercises provide opportunities for naval integration and opportunities to strengthen relationships across the amphibious ready group/marine expeditionary unit, while showcasing the relevance and operational capability the ARG/MEU provides to a fleet commander,” Sampson concluded.

During COMPTUEX, the strike group also conducted the fourth iteration of the NATO vignette developed by CSG 4 and Combined Joint Operations from the Sea Centre of Excellence (CJOS COE).

“The strike group seamlessly executed their transfer of authority during the NATO vignette,” said Vice Adm. Daniel Dwyer, commander of U.S. 2nd Fleet and director of CJOS COE. “These TOAs are an essential component of our activities together, and the importance of the Alliance, especially now, cannot be overstated. The NATO Alliance is stronger than ever, and any opportunity for our forces to train and exercise together increases our ability to integrate when called upon.”

NATO vignette refers to a period of time during which a NATO command exercises command and control of exercise participants. The GHWBCSG team rehearsed a transfer of authority (TOA) of command and control between U.S. 2nd Fleet and Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO), NATO’s rapidly deployable joint headquarters. The strike group used NATO reporting procedures, messaging formats and chat capabilities, reinforcing command and control and aligning communications channels to ensure a seamless process in the event of a crisis. NATO vignettes also support the development of interoperability requirements for future force generation and improve allied maritime command and control linkages that are vital in all phases of warfare.

“COMPTUEX was a great opportunity for ITS Duilio and the Italian Navy to improve our capability to operate within complex environments,” said Capt. Jacopo Rollo, Caio Duilio’s commanding officer. “This level of cooperation is essential between our navies and to strengthen the relationship and skills of our crews.”

Caio Duilio joined the GHWBCSG for COMPTUEX under the Cooperative Deployment Program, which prioritizes defense partnerships and capabilities between the U.S. and bilateral or multilateral partners to increase combined capability.

George H.W. Bush provides the national command authority flexible, tailorable warfighting capability as the flagship of a carrier strike group that maintains maritime stability and security to ensure access, deter aggression and defend U.S., allied and partner interests.

The George H.W. Bush CSG is an integrated combat weapons system that delivers superior combat capability to deter, and if necessary, defeat America’s adversaries in support of national security. GHWBCSG’s major command elements are the aircraft carrier USS. George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26, the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), the Information Warfare Commander, and Italian Navy destroyer ITS Caio Duilio (D 554).

The ships of DESRON 26 within the GHWBCSG are USS Nitze (DDG 94), USS Truxtun (DDG 103), USS Farragut (DDG 99) and USS Delbert D. Black (DDG 119).

The squadrons of Carrier Air Wing Seven (CVW 7) embarked aboard George H.W. Bush are the “Jolly Rogers” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 103, “Sidewinders” of VFA-86, “Nighthawks” of VFA-136, “Pukin Dogs” of VFA-143; “Patriots” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 140; “Bluetails” of Carrier Airbone Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 121; “Nightdippers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5; and “Grandmasters” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 46.

For more information about George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group, head to Facebook (www.facebook.com/csg10) and (www.facebook.com/ussgeorgehwbush). Instagram (www.instagram.com/ghwbcvn77). LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/carrier-strike-group-ten) and (www.linkedin.com/uss-george-h-w-bush-cvn77).

Source: United States Navy

The training, held to share both U.S. Navy Security Forces (NSF) and Italian Air Force Security Team (ITAFST) tactical team movement (TTM) training, was conducted by the NSA Naples Security department and included active duty Sailors, reservists, and ITAFST members.

“This type of training is incredible for both our U.S. Navy personnel and the Italian Air Force security team,” said NSA Naples Commanding Officer Capt. James Stewart. “Improving our communications, reinforcing our tactics and procedures, and building relationships all contributes to building trust in our teams and strengthening our partnership with our Italian counterparts to keep our installation secure. I am continually impressed by the incredible professionalism of our U.S. Navy and Italian Security Forces.”

The training consisted of classroom training on TTM and weapons familiarization, practical TTM training, and field training scenarios.

The joint training benefits the combined response force to active threats, as both NSA Naples and ITAFST stand watch as sentries and are the response force at NSA Naples’ Capodichino.

“The training promotes teamwork, camaraderie, and sharing of ideas between both forces to the common mission goal of protecting our assets and ensuring the safety of U.S. and Italian partners working at NSA Naples Capodichino,” said Lt. Cmdr. Alex Lamis, NSA Naples Security Officer.

During the morning classroom session, participants and instructors from both nations’ security forces shared their experiences and presented ideas that best work in various scenarios.

Master-at-Arms 1st Class Nicholas Culver, lead Security Department training instructor, used color-coded scenarios as part of the training. Additionally, Culver and other instructors discussed safety fundamentals and enforced the use of practical communication skills to prevent any language barriers in the event of a threat.

“Speak or show what needs to be done, and we’ll work together,” said Culver of the variety of communication tactics and practices used during the training.

After the classroom session, U.S. NSF personnel and members from ITAFST geared up to participate in various active threat scenarios while applying new communication skills.

“It’s cool how we communicate during a scenario,” said Master-at-Arms Seaman Sarah Meader, a member of NSA Naples’ Security Department. “We don’t need to be verbal; we can also use hand signals to communicate with each other.”

Members from both NSA Naples and ITAFST agree that strong communication and teamwork skills are essential for tackling adversarial situations.

“It’s important to be on the same channel to help each other out,” said Pagano Domenico, ITAFST member. “This is the first time that [we are] participating in this exercise and it’s very important to open the collaboration between the U.S. and Italy.”

Participants and instructors shared lessons learned from the interoperability training, and received certificates and exchanged challenge coins for a job well done.

NSA Naples’ Security Department staff said that the success of the first JRFIT has led to future joint training opportunities for all of the security teams involved.

“Based on the positive feedback from the participants, a plan for additional training is in progress,” said Senior Chief Master-at-Arms Daniel Arnoudse, NSA Naples’ Security Training Division Officer.

“We are working with our host nation counterpart to conduct joint training more frequently throughout the year,” said Arnoudse.

NSA Naples is an operational ashore base that enables U.S., allied, and partner nation forces to be where they are needed, when they are needed to ensure security and stability in the European, African, and Central Command areas of responsibility.

For more news about NSA Naples and the Sailors who serve onboard the installation, please follow us on Instagram @NSANaples and Facebook at facebook.com/NSANaples/.

Source: United States Navy

Over the last two years, we’ve made significant strides modernizing the Navy Reserve to answer the nation’s call at a moment’s notice in response to potential strategic competitors.  Being warfighting ready ensures defense of our country so our families may continue to enjoy the freedom, liberties, and way of life our forefathers envisioned when they adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. 

Two-hundred and forty-six years ago, the Continental Congress convened in Philadelphia, Pa., and set the country on a trajectory toward freedom. The signers of the Declaration of Independence did so at great peril to themselves, and their courage is something we celebrate each July. At the same time, we celebrate the many brave citizens who fought for an ambitious, aspirational, radically new form of government in the American Revolution that followed.  As Benjamin Franklin famously said, “We must all hang together, or assuredly, we will hang separately.” 

Colonists celebrated the signing of the Declaration of Independence with bonfires, cannons and drum parades.  Today, we celebrate with a long weekend, fireworks, barbeques, and maybe a day at the beach. But, the spirit of the celebrations remains the same – we are recognizing our unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  We’ve all witnessed how important it is to protect these liberties, particularly as we observe an aggressive adversary’s unlawful invasion of an independent country.   

Shipmates, as you enjoy the long weekend and well-deserved time off with family and friends, please exercise caution and behave responsibly.  Be careful around fireworks.  Consume alcohol in moderation and don’t drink and drive.  Plan travel in advance, leaving yourself plenty of time to reach your destination.  Have contingency and emergency plans in place.  Look out for each other, especially your shipmates who may be away from their loved ones and not able to celebrate the holiday with them.
  
And remember our fellow Americans not able to enjoy a long weekend as they stand the watch around the world vigilantly protecting our freedom.   They embody what Thomas Jefferson penned shortly after the signing of the Declaration of Independence: “The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.”  

Kim and I thank each of you for your service to our country, as we do your families and the employers that support you.  I wish you and your loved ones have a happy, safe, relaxing, and patriotic Independence Day. 
 
Vice Admiral John B. Mustin, USN
Chief of Navy Reserve
Commander, Navy Reserve Force