Month: November 2022

Source: United States Navy

Keen Sword is a biennial, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff-directed, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command-scheduled, and U.S. Pacific Fleet-sponsored field training exercise (FTX). The two week-long exercise consists of several anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and surface gunnery events designed to advance multilateral tactics between Pacific partners.

Emphasizing regional priorities, each event stresses the critical capabilities required to respond to crisis or contingency in the Indo-Pacific region.

“Regional security is a team effort now more than ever,” said Cmdr. Marcus Seeger, commanding officer of USS Benfold. “We share a sense of collective resolve. The first wave of crisis response will share the same allies present in this year’s Keen Sword.”

Recurring biennially since 1986, Keen Sword has become routine between the U.S. and Japan Self-Defense Forces, however, this year drew robust participation from international deployers from the Australian and Canadian Royal Navies helping to enhance readiness and interoperability to support the security interests of allies and partners in the region.

Comprehensive scenarios were designed to challenge the critical capabilities required to support the defense of Japan and stability of the Indo-Pacific region.

Benfold participated in various anti-submarine warfare exercises alongside Japanese, Australian, and Canadian allied units during KS23.

“I truly believe that we are an unstoppable force when united under a common goal,” said Sonar Technician (Surface) 1st Class Sydnee Cullum-Parker, assigned to Benfold. “We were challenged as an allied force to localize, track, and simulate attacks on multiple sub-surface contacts. It’s always really satisfying to see how tactics can transcend language and cultural barriers. Sharing assets and tactics, perfecting our craft as a force, these are all things that sound great in conversation, but are so much more impactful and important in practice.”

Key players at sea included the JMSDF guided-missile destroyer JS Atago (DDG 177), Asagiri-class destroyer JS Setogiri (DD 156), Atago-class guided-missile destroyer JS Ashigara (DDG 178), RCN Halifax-class frigates HMCS Vancouver (FFH 331), HMCS Winnipeg (FFH 338), and RAN guided-missile destroyer HMAS Hobart (DDG 39).

Benfold also conducted a live-fire gun shoot Nov. 13.

“Firing our 5-inch gun demonstrates one of our most impressive and intimidating capabilities,” said Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class Christopher Brown, assigned to Benfold.

Additionally, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) and U.S. Marine Corps are conducting multiple side-by-side amphibious landings on Japanese islands to demonstrate the capabilities of forward-deployed forces swiftly countering aggression against regional allies and partners.

Benfold is currently operating as part of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 5, and is permanently assigned to Commander, Task Force 71/Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest forward-deployed DESRON and the U.S. 7th fleet’s principal surface force.

Seventh Fleet is the largest numbered fleet in the world. With the help of 35 other maritime-nation allies and partners, the U.S. Navy has operated in the Indo-Pacific region for more than 70 years, providing credible, ready forces to help preserve peace and prevent conflict.

Source: United States Navy

uring the exercise, the two nations’ naval forces worked together to find, track and intercept a simulated drug smuggling vessel through a practice series of tactical shipboard movements, formations, and vectoring. The exercise also allowed for testing of maritime command and control capabilities.

Milwaukee launched an 11-meter rigid inflatable boat (RIB) as the exercise’s fast smuggling boat, and Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28, Detachment 9, provided air support from an MH-60S Seahawk. The Dominican Navy participated with coastal patrol vessel Altair (GC-112) and interceptor boat Becrux (LI-170).

The training helped to improve interoperability and demonstrate the strategic partnership with the Dominican Republic that helps facilitate conducting naval operations against emerging threats in the region.

Cmdr. Brian Forster, commanding officer of Milwaukee gave insight to the day’s interdiction exercise.

“The Dominican Republic is one of the finest navies to work with,” said Forster. “They have shown their professionalism in every manner, be it an exercise like this or real world operations. Anytime Sailors get to interact with partner nations in a controlled environment is a major win. Today’s event strengthened our ties with a strong ally in the Caribbean.”

Bilateral engagements allow both navies to strengthen tactical readiness for future operations, maintain readiness at sea, and support continued commitment to security and stability in the region.

Milwaukee conducted a similar exercises with the French Navy and Jamaican Coast Guard in February of 2022, as well as the Ecuadorian Navy in March of 2022.

Milwaukee is deployed to the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations to support Joint Interagency Task Force South’s mission, which includes counter illicit drug trafficking in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific.

Source: United States Navy

To find solutions, NAVSAFENVTRACEN analyzed its training quota dashboard. The center determined that it needed to improve communications to reduce unfilled seats and encourage commands to assess their safety training needs critically, said its learning standards officer, Amanda Carter.

 “The dashboard is a truth serum that exposes gaps that may potentially hinder readiness,” she said. “The best intervention was for us to step up our game when we communicate with our stakeholders.”

To help reduce unfilled seats, and ensure complete transparency, NAVSAFENVTRACEN now provides a list of no-show students in its bi-weekly communications with Echelon II naval organizations, to supplement a spreadsheet generated from its training quota dashboard. (Echelon II naval organizations report to leaders who report to the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO)).

The spreadsheet includes data for planned quotas and fleet quota needs, with newly added data sets not available before that indicate remaining open quotas to assist naval organizations with closing gaps caused by no shows. 

This fiscal year, NAVSAFENVTRACEN will offer 420 occupational safety, industrial hygiene, environmental protection and emergency management courses. More than 14,000 Navy and Marine Corps students will receive training if all quotas are filled.

However, several FY23 first quarter courses face cancellation due to low enrollment, including “Safety Programs Afloat,” “Hazardous Material Control and Management,” “Hazardous Substance Incident Response Management (HSIRM)” plus the HSIRM Refresher course. Visit the training center’s website for the course schedule and enrollment guidance. If a course is needed, reserve a quota using the enterprise Navy Training Reservation System (eNTRS).

At the same time, NAVSAFENVTRACEN asks that Echelon II commands complete their FY24 safety training needs assessment as well as coordinating with subordinate commands no later than Jan. 31, 2024. The needs assessment is a planning tool that allows the training center to determine the best use of resources to meet stakeholder training needs.

“We encourage organizations to assess their needs with a critical eye,” Carter said. “In a fiscally constrained environment, it is hard for us to respond to requests for additional quotas mid-year if the needs assessment does not accurately project needs.”

The official FY24 Needs Assessment is assigned as Tasker ID: DON-221024-596S – Request Echelon 2 commands provide NAVSAFENVTRACEN with FY24 quota needs.

NAVSAFENVTRACEN course offerings support ‘safe to operate and operating safely,’ the Navy’s lynch pin within its newly renewed Safety Management System (SMS). The SMS encourages a safety focus and mindset that embraces self-assessment and self-correction to manage risk and maintain accountability.

Naval Safety Command (NAVSAFECOM) implements the SMS, which aligns with the ‘Get Real, Get Better’ initiative directed by CNO. The SMS relies on four key takeaways: safe place, safe people, safe property and materiel, and safe processes and procedures.

Related links:

Course Catalog: https://navalsafetycommand.navy.mil/Portals/29/Course%20Catalog%2024FEB2022.pdf/

Request a Quota: https://navalsafetycommand.navy.mil/Learning/NAVSAFENVTRACEN/Request-a-Quota/

About NAVSAFENVTRACEN: https://navalsafetycommand.navy.mil/Learning/NAVSAFENVTRACEN/NAVSAFENVTRACEN/

Source: United States Navy

This visit to Riga is the latest demonstration of the U.S. Coast Guard’s commitment to working with like-minded nations in the Baltic Sea region. Hamilton’s port call in Riga follows multiple U.S. ship visits to the port city in 2022, highlighting the close bonds between the United States and Latvia.

While in port, the crew will meet with the U.S. Ambassador to Latvia, host a reception onboard Hamilton for members of Latvian Navy and Coast Guard forces to honor their National Day and celebrate their hospitality. Furthermore, the crew will participate in site visits and professional exchanges with national forces to enhance interoperability and collaboration between the U. S. and Latvia.

“We are privileged and enthusiastic to share in the heritage of Latvia’s 104th National Day celebrations during our visit to the historic city of Riga,” said Capt. Matthew Brown, commanding officer of Hamilton. “Hamilton’s visit to Latvia reinforces collaboration between the United States and our NATO allies in the Baltic. The U.S. Coast Guard’s partnership with the Latvian Naval Forces furthers our collective desire to maintain for peace and security in the Baltic Sea.”

Prior to arriving in Riga, Hamilton conducted multiple operations with allies and partners in the Baltic Sea, including a series of at-sea engagements with Swedish, Finnish, Estonian and Lithuanian maritime and naval forces. The U.S. Coast Guard has been, and remains, a welcome presence and key contributor to maintaining maritime safety, security and stability in the Atlantic Ocean and Baltic Sea.

Hamilton began its current deployment in October 2022. Since leaving the United States’ East Coast for deployment, the ship’s crew has advanced interoperability with allies and partners throughout the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) area of operations as they continue to hone their maritime proficiency. The U.S. Coast Guard is a member of the Joint Force, a key and always-ready instrument to further national security objectives globally. The service builds unique partnerships thanks to its wide suite of specialized maritime capabilities, competencies and authorities.

The U.S. Coast Guard’s forward-deployed presence demonstrates the continued commitment to maritime security and stability in Europe and Africa. Since 2019, Coast Guard cutters have operated in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations, demonstrating NAVEUR’s commitment and collective defense of the European region. The U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard operate forward, from the littoral to the open ocean, ensuring stability and open sea lanes across all maritime domains.

Hamilton is the fourth ship in its class. The Legend-class is the largest current cutter class of the U.S. Coast Guard. These vessels support various missions, including environmental protection, search and rescue, fisheries, port security, counterterrorism, law enforcement, drug interdiction, defense operations and other military operations.

For over 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) has forged strategic relationships with our Allies and partners, leveraging a foundation of shared values to preserve security and stability.