Month: November 2022

Source: United States Navy

Higgins’ return marks the end of a six-month patrol that began in May and took the ship and crew from the northern Pacific Ocean to the South China Sea and back.

“Our patrol this year was a great illustration of how much ground 7th Fleet covers and the disparate environments and challenges found throughout the area of operations,” said Cmdr. Joseph McGettigan, Higgins commanding officer. “We started back in May operating Northeast of Japan near the Kuril Islands, with fairly cold temperatures, and quickly found ourselves in the heat, crossing the equator south of Guam, a few weeks later. At the end of 6 months of operations, we have travelled all around the South China Sea and back to Japan again. I am very impressed with how well the crew operated as a team and really came together as a family to support each other throughout our time at sea.”

In August, Higgins joined the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), and Royal Australian Navy (RAN) conducting multi-lateral operation in support of Indo-Pacific deployments for JMSDF, RAN, and RCN in the South China Sea. The time with Allies and partners included a series of exercises such as live-fire events, flight operations, and several strait transits.

Higgins also participated in cooperative maritime exercise Pacific Vanguard (PACVAN) 2022 alongside maritime forces from RAN, JMSDF, and Republic of Korea Navy, conducting maritime operations, anti-submarine warfare operations, air warfare operations, live-fire missile events, and replenishment at sea.

“Working with other countries strengthened our international relations as a whole,” said Fire Controlman (Aegis) 2nd Class, Stephen Baugh, from Washington, D.C. “Coordinating with members of the Australian and Canadian navies showed us the technological and combatant advancement the U.S. as a whole is always striving to achieve; especially with our Allies.”

During the deployment, Higgins visited foreign ports to include Brunei, the Philippines and Thailand. During these visits, Higgins Sailors were able to participate in relationship building opportunities such as a community relations event at the Child Development and Protection Center in Pattaya, Thailand, and with “Lil Bravehearts,” an organization in Manila, Philippines devoted to caring for and supporting the families of children with Down syndrome. Sailors also explored and experienced the host country’s rich culture with the locals through Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) scheduled tours and events, and conducted ship tours-hosting distinguished visitors to include the Ambassador of the U.S. to Brunei, members of Veterans of Foreign War (VFW) Post 9876, VFW Post 12146 and American Legion Post TH02.

Higgins is 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.

Higgins is forward-deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. U.S. 7th Fleet is the largest numbered fleet in the world, and 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

Ally-ship, which was the theme for the event, is a call to action for the Naval aviation community to consciously advocate for others, embrace and support differences and communicate respectfully to achieve the inclusion of every group.  

“You’re wearing wings, you’re wearing flight suits,” said Vice Adm. Kenneth Whitesell, Commander, Naval Air Forces. “We’ve all gone through the training…we are warfighting professionals. If we keep focused on that and make advances in areas that have been blind to us in the past, we’ll be a much better service.”

The purpose of the summit was to implement DEI concepts into the framework of the Naval Aviation Enterprise through the following three primary objectives: Providing a broad understanding of DEI concepts to enhance operational readiness and support warfighting excellence, establishing DEI feedback loops for fleet and senior leadership discussions and to build force resilience, and providing tangible tools to implement DEI core competencies in the workplace.

Approximately 330 Naval Aviators and guests attended the two-day event. Day one featured a host of civilian and military guest speakers including Dr. Mona Armijo, DEI Officer, Naval Special Warfare; Lt. Elizabeth Elrod, 21^st Century Sailor Office (OPNAV N17); U.S. Army Lt. Col. Dr. Chavesco Cook, founder, Military Mentors; and retired U.S. Naval Officers Alan Greer, Dr. Roy Nafarrete, Reuben Green, and Dr. John Cordle. The morning began with a personal video message from Adm. Lisa Franchetti, Vice Chief of Naval Operations.

“Through this conference, we are reaffirming that all members of the Naval Aviation community are responsible to advocate for each other, to embrace and support differences, and to work to create an inclusive environment for each person on our teams,” said Franchetti. “Our force is a reflection of America, and the rich fabric our nation offers; the talent we need to deliver warfighting advantage. Today’s theme of ally-ship is a key enabler for building inclusive teams.”

Day two of the summit presented a dynamic, interactive environment, fostering open discussion between the audience and a women’s panel, a men’s panel, and a flag panel. One of the flag panelists, Rear Adm. Brett Mietus, director, OPNAV N17, formed a metaphor for diversity from his perspective as a former Naval Academy football player.

“One of the things I’ve learned by playing football was – teams matter,” said Mietus. “So, for me, what ally-ship means is that if I’m going to have the audacity to lead, then I have to be bold in bringing people into the team. It is being active. It is recognizing that not everyone is going to walk in and feel like they’re part of the team, and my job from the leadership perspective is to bring them in.”

Earlier in the summit during a discussion session, a suggestion had been made that by including junior officers in interactions they would not normally participate in, such as commander’s conferences, senior leadership could be made aware of the current needs of their juniors and aide in creating a more inclusive environment. The flag panel volunteered a vacant seat to a junior officer in attendance, and Lt. j.g. Madison Bergethon, assigned to the “Airwolves” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 40, was able to join the panel.

“I’ve absolutely had allies and I have been the person who needed to be stood up to and I have been the person that has stood up for someone else,” said Bergethon. “I think that coming to this summit last year and being here again has allowed me to reflect on a lot of that and going into my first Fleet tour, ready to bring that with me.”

Bergethon recounted a pivotal moment in her career where she benefitted from an ally. She had not been exposed to aviation before her military career, and as a brand-new student, she required extra instruction to keep pace with her classmates. Her dedicated primary instructor provided guidance and mentorship to her along the way.

“Doing that, he took a really big risk,” said Bergethon. “He was a guy and I was a girl. We spent a lot of time together in situations where people were starting to say, ‘hey, this might not be kosher, this might not be good,’ but he stood up and said, ‘listen, we do not have an inappropriate relationship, I am her instructor, and she is my student, and we are getting through this together…I look at that as the first time I had had an educational experience where I didn’t have to worry about what my gender meant to my instructor, and what it meant to the people looking at me in that environment.”

Following the panels, Whitesell hosted a town hall discussion with the summit’s attendees.

“Your chances of being in conflict are more than the chances I’ve had in 37 years,” said Whitesell. “So the courage that you had to sign up, the courage that you had to train for the sake of your platform, the desire that you’ve made by your presence here today to make Naval Aviation better, no matter how small or how large the issue is, will move the football down the field. These two conferences [2021/2022] are where we have moved the football more than anything else in Naval Aviation, so I’m very proud of you.”
 

Source: United States Navy

The visit to CTF 71 was part of the CNO’s trip to Japan to attend the International Fleet Review, which included a stop in Yokosuka to interact with senior leadership and junior Sailors.

“We were honored to have the CNO visit and engage with the staff,” said Capt. Walt Mainor, Commander, CTF 71/DESRON 15. “Our Sailors are our number one priority and during the CNO’s visit, we were able to talk about how we can ‘Get Real and Get Better,’ meet the mission and take care of our forward deployed Sailors.”

During the CNO’s visit, he re-enlisted Sailors from CTF 71/DESRON 15 assigned ships to include Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Barry (DDG 52), USS Milius (DDG 69), USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) and USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115).

The Sailors who re-enlisted include: Command Master Chief Tshombe Harris, Logistics Specialist Chief Marion Farrales, Sonar Technician (Surface) Chief Jessica Bennett, Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Benjamin Stier, Electronics Technician 2nd Class Marc Garcia, Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class Huntley Rosa, Fire Controlman (Aegis) 3rd Class Anthony Bagnato, Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Rayqoun Strand, Gas Turbine Systems Technician (Electrical) 2nd Class Timothy Hilker, Electricians Mate 1st Class Ryan Richards, Yeoman 2nd Class Akary Lwin, Operations Specialist 2nd Class Roberto Ordaz, Information System Technician 1st Class James Mattos, and Yeoman Seaman Jusenna Vasquez.

“Having the opportunity to re-enlist with the CNO has been a great experience and an honor,” said Fire Controlman (Aegis) 3rd Class Anthony Bagnato, assigned to the USS Milius. “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity that I never would have imagined and I am grateful to have had.”

After the CNO’s visit to CTF 71, he visited the Rafael Peralta while pierside and toured the ship, engaged with Sailors, presented awards and addressed the entire crew over the ship’s internal communication system.

Commander, Task Force 71/Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15 is the Navy’s largest forward-deployed DESRON and the U.S. 7th fleet’s principal surface force.

U.S. 7th Fleet is the largest forward-deployed fleet in the world, and with the help of a network of alliances and partners from 35 other maritime-nations, 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.