Month: September 2022

Source: United States Navy

Farragut’s arrival in Algeria follows a previous visit by the Sentinel-class fast response cutters USCGC Clarence Sutphin Jr. (WPC 1147) and USCGC John Scheuerman (WPC 1146) to Algiers in July. These visits, along with Algerian and U.S. participation in exercise Phoenix Express 2022 earlier this year, demonstrate the close bond between the two countries and their mutual commitment to security and maritime partnership in the region.

While in port, the ship and crew will host Algerian civilian and military leaders, providing an opportunity to continue building on the strong and enduring relationship between the United States and Algeria, as well as other partners and allies in the region.

“Our crew is looking forward to conducting operations with the Algerian military,” said Cmdr. Nicholas Gurley, commanding officer of Farragut. “My crew intuitively understands our role as military ambassadors, and we appreciate the opportunity to work together to build on our relationship and maintain security in the region.”

Farragut Sailors will also be able to participate in cultural events hosted by the Algerian military to strengthen interpersonal rapport with the local Algerian population.

Since departing Naval Station Norfolk in August, Farragut has operated in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations with the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (GHWBCSG), as well as NATO allies and partners in the region.

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.

The GHWBCSG is on a scheduled deployment in the NAVEUR-NAVAF area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied and partner interests.

The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) is the flagship of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10 and the GHWBCSG. CSG-10 is comprised of George H.W. Bush, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26, the Information Warfare Commander, and the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55).

Source: United States Navy

CMF is leading Operation Southern Readiness in partnership with the Seychelles People’s Defence Force, European Union Naval Force, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and India which began partnering with CMF earlier this year. This is CMF’s first iteration of Operation Southern Readiness.

“Seychelles is a strong regional maritime partner and we are very grateful for them hosting this new opportunity,” said Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet and CMF. “We are also excited to work with other international partners, including India, to train and build capacity in a vibrant way.”

Nations including Australia, Canada, France, India, Italy, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, the United Kingdom and the United States are slated to participate with personnel, ships and aircraft during several training events.

Multinational forces will conduct training on visit, board, search and seizure techniques; search and rescue operations; maritime law and information sharing.

“The training is designed to enable our partners to meet face-to-face and learn from one another and is only possible because of the teamwork and commitment from all partners,” said Royal Canadian Navy Cmdr. Alexis Dieryckx, CMF’s senior mission planner. “It’s all about building relationships because relationships are the fundamental building blocks for greater collaboration at sea.”

CMF consists of 34 member nations whose forces operate in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Northern Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, Arabian Gulf and Indian Ocean.

CMF nations are united in upholding international rules-based order to protect the free flow of commerce, ensure regional maritime security and deter illicit activity by non-state actors.

Source: United States Navy

A native of Lake Linden, Michigan, Capt. Strieter enlisted in the United States Navy in 1995. Her enlisted tours include Nuclear Field Electronic Technician A-school, Nuclear Power School, Naval Nuclear Power Training Unit and aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, serving in the Reactor Controls Division where she qualified as reactor operator and shutdown reactor operator. She enlisted before completing her college education.

Capt. Strieter chose the Lincoln Memorial as the site for her promotion because of the respect she has for him despite his lack of a formal education.

“President Lincoln is one of my favorite people and one of the things I like about him is he was self-educated and self-motivated to make himself better,” said Capt. Strieter. “He did not need a formal education to become President of the United States. I thought, ‘Hey, if he could do that, I can do anything I want.’”

Capt. Strieter later graduated from Michigan Technological University in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering. She was selected for Officer Candidate School in the Civil Engineer Corps and was commissioned as an ensign in July of 2000. She earned a Master of Engineering in project management from the University of Maryland in May of 2009.

Rear Adm. Aguayo took note of Capt. Strieter’s ambition and shared a quote from the 16th President of the United States.

“President Lincoln said, ‘I do not think much of a man,’ or in this case a woman, ‘who is not wiser today than she was yesterday,’” said Rear Adm. Aguayo. “So, that is what Juli kept doing. Every day, challenging herself and learning more. She never stops.”

As an officer, Capt. Strieter’s tours include deployment to the Middle East in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as Charlie Company commander and assistant training officer with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FOUR. In 2014, she had the distinction of being the first permanent party stationed at Naval Support Facility Deveselu, Romania, and was on the forefront of the establishment of the Navy’s first new installation in over 20 years. She later served as the Facilities Sustainment, Restoration and Modernization analyst to the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations and oversaw all aspects from programming through execution of sustainment and recapitalization across the Navy’s $305 billion shore enterprise.

Taking measure of her impressive career so far, Rear Adm. Aguayo recognized Capt. Strieter’s family and her wife, Monica.

“[Sailors] do not do this alone. We need our family support. The entire extended family, all of you, play a part in this. Your love and support for Monica and Juli are essential to their success. Monica, I want to thank you in particular. There is a lot of sacrifice that comes with this and I know you have been there to help Juli every step of the way.”

Capt. Strieter follows in her family’s tradition of Naval service. Her father was an aviation ordnanceman who served on the USS Forrestal during the Vietnam War and was aboard during the fire disaster in 1967. Her uncle, Ted Strieter, who was in attendance, served for 28 years as a Navy boiler technician. In addition to her family, the ceremony was well attended by her Navy family, many of whom are Seabees.

“In the Lincoln Memorial, a phrase is engraved from his Second Inaugural. ‘With malice toward none with charity for all.’ That is very similar to the inscription on the Seabee Memorial, which reads, ‘With compassion for others, we build, we fight for peace with freedom,’ said Capt. Strieter. “I think that fits.”