Month: September 2022

Source: United States Navy

Rear Adm. Nancy S. Lacore, Commandant, Naval District Washington, opened the meeting by affirming to the members that the Navy is intertwined with the state of Maryland.

“It is important to connect with people like you- leaders in the community- to strengthen our relationships through shared experiences, in this case as women in leadership roles,” said Lacore to tour members. “Most of our missions take place overseas, where we cannot show the American people the Navy’s work, so I hope you will share this experience and anything you learn about your Navy with your family, friends, and co-workers.”

The group was comprised of Signe Pringle, Deputy Secretary at Commerce; Tom Riford, Assistant Secretary of Tourism, Film, Arts, Marketing and Communications, Maryland Department of Commerce; Allison Mayer, Deputy Chief of Staff & Infrastructure Director, Maryland Department of Commerce; members of the Naval District Washington and Department of Commerce Staffs; and leadership of USS Minneapolis St. Paul.

“Maryland Fleet Week is always exciting because it allows us to welcome the U.S. Navy back to Baltimore in a big way—and to celebrate Baltimore’s special connection to naval history through the War of 1812,” said Pringle. “The state is thrilled to support Fleet Week, and today we recognize the role of women in leadership and the impact they make across the Navy and Maryland.”

As impactful as the tour was for the Women Business Leaders Office leaders, so was the opportunity for the Sailors and officers aboard to meet them. Cmdr. Alfonza White, USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Commanding Officer, expressed how it meant much to him to engage with the group as a father of a 15-year-old daughter.

“It means a lot to be able to tell my daughter she can do anything she applies herself to and be able to tell her about other women who have done the same,” said White.

Lt. Jeanelle Seals, weapons officer aboard Minneapolis-Saint Paul, echoed that sentiment.

“It was inspiring to see so many women who are leaders in their communities and professional fields,” said Seals. “Meeting them and talking about what we’ve been able to accomplish in our respective careers was the highlight of my trip to Baltimore so far.”

Maryland Fleet Week and Flyover Baltimore is an opportunity for the citizens of Maryland and the City of Baltimore to meet Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen, as well as see and experience firsthand the latest capabilities of today.

For more information on ways to enjoy MDFW fleets, flights, and festivals, visit mdfleetweek.org. Follow @mdfleetweek on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter for an insider perspective through virtual ship tours and behind-the-scenes experiences.

Source: United States Navy

Ross turned over her duties in Rota, Spain with USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117), where Paul Ignatius will patrol the Mediterranean, strengthening our alliances and partnerships while operating alongside NATO Allies and regional partners.

Capt. James Johnston, U.S. 2nd Fleet’s maritime operations center director, spoke to the crew of Ross upon their return to Norfolk.

“On behalf of Vice Adm. Dwyer, Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet, I am honored to be the first one to welcome you home on this beautiful summer day. As an FDNF-E destroyer, your team proudly represented our Navy and our nation, working side by side with our Allies and partners, building interoperability and providing invaluable defensive capabilities over the course of 12 patrols within 6th Fleet,” said Johnston.

Throughout Ross’ time in U.S. 6th Fleet, the ship participated in previous iterations of Exercise Sea Breeze, Breeze, African Lion, FOST, BALTOPs, Formidable Shield, and other multi-lateral maritime training opportunities with partners to include Cyprus, France, Georgia, Greece, Italy, Morocco, Norway, Romania, Ukraine and the United Kingdom. Mission sets during these exercises included surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, anti-air warfare, and strike warfare scenarios that focus on maintaining maritime stability and security.

“Even on your last patrol in the Mediterranean, you operated during an important time in a dynamic theater, demonstrating our commitment to NATO Allies and regional partners during the Russian invasion into Ukraine this year – you were ready to respond at a moment’s notice. Your dedication to the mission is not lost on us. Thank you for all you have done for our Navy, our nation, and our Allies and partners!”

Ross joined USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) in June 2014 as the first two Rota-based FDNF-E destroyers under Commander, Task Force (CTF) 65.

U.S. 2nd Fleet, reestablished in 2018 in response to the changing global security environment, develops and employs maritime forces ready to fight across multiple domains in the Atlantic and Arctic in order to ensure access, deter aggression and defend U.S., allied, and partner interests.

Source: United States Navy

Gacad and Manaog swore the naturalization oath of allegiance with the help of more than 16 U.S. Navy Judge Advocates, Legalmen, and civilian paralegals, spread throughout three countries and at sea, and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Washington Field Office.

“I’m proud and honored to be a part of this historic event,” said Manaog, who is assigned to Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 126. “Our names will be in the history books.”

Gacad, who is assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 211, also expressed his delight in reaching this milestone on his journey to citizenship.

“I’m very happy after this long process,” said Gacad. “I can finally say I’m proud to be an American.”

Gacad started the process of becoming a citizen in March 2021. However, he had to postpone his naturalization due to the scheduled deployment.

“USCIS reached out to the Navy to see if there was anything we could do hold a naturalization ceremony while deployed and that got us asking the question, ‘Can it happen?’ ” said Lt. Cmdr. Kyle Doherty-Peters, Truman’s command judge advocate. “The biggest challenges are that the a naturalization oath ceremony must be conducted live with authorized USCIS personnel and that Certificates of Naturalization must be physically aboard the ship in time for the ceremony and marked with the correct information. We knew virtual overseas ceremonies take place on land with assistance of Region Legal Service Offices, so we started working through our logistical and technical challenges to make the ceremony happen while deployed at sea.”

After months of planning and meticulous preparation, Gacad and Manaog’s journey to citizenship was finally realized aboard the Truman. In early September, their Certificates of Naturalization were picked up from the USCIS Washington Field Office by a Washington, D.C. based Judge Advocate who flew onto the ship and hand delivered the documents as Truman operated underway in the Atlantic Ocean. On the day of the ceremony, two USCIS personnel traveled to the Pentagon to connect to the Truman for a virtual teleconference.

During the virtual ceremony, the keynote speaker, Rear Adm. Paul Spedero Jr., commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 8, spoke about the path the Sailors traveled to become American citizens.

“Most of us here today were born Americans,” said Spedero. “Our citizenship was a gift that we were given. But your citizenship is earned. You’ve earned the right to be called Americans through your service to this country. You’ve proven that you are Americans through these many months deployed with all of us doing this nation’s work in defense of American ideals abroad.”

After the ceremony, Gacad and Manaog expressed their gratitude for all the help they received.

“The Navy is a team,” said Gacad. “You will never feel like you are alone because there is always someone there to help you when you need it. Without the legal team, I wouldn’t be in this position, and I would like to say thanks for all their hard work.”

This event also marks the first time a naturalization ceremony was held on a deployed aircraft carrier.

“That Petty Officer Gacad and Petty Officer Manaog will be able to walk off the ship on U.S. soil as U.S. citizens when we return home is phenomenal,” said Capt. Gavin Duff, Truman’s commanding officer. “In 2022, that we have the capability to conduct this ceremony virtually and provide this opportunity for them is humbling to say the least. It was a community effort to help these impressive Sailors realize their dream and become citizens of the country they have served so proudly. We look forward to their success and accomplishments in their future as Americans.”

Truman is the flagship of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG); additional elements include the nine squadrons of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1, commanded by Capt. Patrick Hourigan; the staff and guided-missile destroyers of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 28 commanded by Capt. Blair Guy; and the Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS San Jacinto (CG 56), commanded by Capt. Christopher Marvin.
The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group is currently operating in the Atlantic Ocean in support of naval operations to maintain maritime stability and security in order to ensure access, deter aggression and defend U.S., allied and partner interest.

For more news from U.S. 2nd Fleet, visit https://www.c2f.navy.mil/ and for more information visit http://www.facebook.com/US2ndFleet/ or http://twitter.com/US2ndFleet.

For more news from Truman, visit www.airlant.usff.navy.mil/cvn75/, ww.facebook.com/cvn75, www.twitter.com/ussharrystruman, or http://instagram.com/uss_harrys.truman

Source: United States Navy

The Aug. 29 ship familiarization tour introduced Argentine Navy leadership to life and operations aboard Boxer ahead of the assignment of an Argentine surface warfare officer candidate to a U.S. Navy amphibious ship through the Personnel Exchange Program.

“My staff and I enjoyed the tour and are excited to embark one of our officers on a U.S. amphibious ship to learn through the Personnel Exchange Program,” said Berazay-Martinez.

Assigned to Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 3, Boxer is a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship, commissioned Feb. 11, 1995, and is the sixth U.S. ship to bear the name. Boxer’s crew is made up of approximately 1,200 officers and enlisted personnel and can accommodate up to 1,800 Marines. The ship recently completed a scheduled maintenance availability and is preparing for upcoming operations.

ESG 3 Commander Rear Adm. Wayne “Mouse” Baze was aboard Boxer to welcome the delegation and joined the group for the tour.

“International partnerships strengthen our team, and we look forward to welcoming an Argentine Navy officer aboard one of our ships to share our knowledge and skillsets with one another,” said Baze. “These exchanges bolster cooperative operations across the fleet and produce capable officers that thrive in a combined environment.”

The tour reached multiple decks and aspects of the 844-foot long ship. The delegation was able to learn about Boxer’s leading technology and amphibious support capabilities as they toured the combat information center, pilot house, flight deck, medical, dental, and upper vehicle and lower vehicle decks. The Argentine Navy delegation was also able to see where the junior officer would eat and sleep on board.

“I am honored Boxer was asked to represent the fleet and introduce our unique and expansive capabilities to Rear Adm. Berazay-Martinez and the Argentine Navy,” said Capt. Matthew Cieslukowski, Boxer’s commanding officer. “Partnerships in the maritime domain are critical, and these regular exchanges of experiences and skills strengthen us all as naval professionals and warfighters, particularly in the amphibious domain. I am grateful the Argentine delegation was able to interact with the dedicated Sailors on board who are the foundation of the world’s greatest amphibious assault ship and would gladly welcome the addition of an Argentine Navy Officer to our crew.”

While Argentina is an existing Personnel Exchange Program participant nation, this will be the first time an Argentine Navy officer is assigned to a U.S. Navy amphibious ship. Like their American counterparts, the Argentine Officer would complete required ship handling and navigation courses ahead of checking in on board a ship. Known as Basic Division Officer Course, enrolled students complete a rigorous nine-week curriculum that includes a combination of classroom, labs, ship simulators, and waterfront engagement.

Argentina is one of 20 foreign nations participating in the Personnel Exchange Program with the U.S. Navy. The program was established to coordinate the exchange of military personnel between U.S. Navy and foreign military services, enhancing interoperability and international relationships.

Source: United States Navy

The ceremony held at the U.S. Naval Academy’s Mahan Hall marked the end of more than three decades of Naval service for MCPON Smith.

Smith has served as the 15th MCPON since August 29, 2018. During his term, he instituted Laying the Keel, an updated leadership development career path, revised the command master chief instruction, and the Sailor of the Year program. More importantly, he tirelessly advocated policy and program improvements for the Navy’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program as well as increased Sailor access for mental health care to congressional members during his annual testimonies before the House Armed Services Committee.

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael Gilday presided over the ceremony and highlighted Smith’s accomplishments during his naval career while thanking him for his leadership.

“Your tireless efforts to provide Sailors with mental, morale, and spiritual support has helped make our fleet more resilient and much more effective,” said Gilday. “Your leadership ensured that our most important resource, our people, are ready to serve and defend the Nation we love. Having conducted more than 200 fleet visits all over the world, your outreach and willingness to be there for Sailors and their families is what truly made your service so remarkable. Thank you for everything you have done over these past four years. Our Navy and our Navy family are much stronger than it was four years ago.”

After the ceremonial passing of the MCPON cutlass, MCPON Honea took the helm of the enlisted force as the Navy’s 16th MCPON. During the ceremony, he spoke about his top priorities; warfighting competency, professional and character development, and quality of life.

“When I was selected for MCPON, I thought heavily on what my tenure means and what I could bring to you all,” said Honea. “I’m glad I chose to be challenged by this adventure and I’m proud of what it has brought me. I thank you all for accepting the same challenge and being on this journey with me. I have always been proud to be your Shipmate, and I’m privileged to be your MCPON.”

The MCPON serves as an advisor to the CNO and to the Chief of Naval Personnel in matters dealing with enlisted personnel and their families. The MCPON is also an advisor to boards dealing with enlisted personnel issues; is the enlisted representative of the Department of the Navy at special events; may be called upon to testify on enlisted personnel issues before Congress, and maintains a liaison with enlisted spouse organizations.