Month: January 2023

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Defense News: USS Albany Holds Change of Command

Source: United States Navy

Cmdr. Jonathan Padgett relieved Cmdr. Richard McCandless as commanding officer of Albany.

Rear Adm. Robert Gaucher, the ceremony’s guest speaker, praised McCandless for his time as Albany’s commanding officer.

“The truth is Richard is a consummate professional, and model submarine officer,” said Gaucher. “He has spent his tour making a good boat better and earned his success through leadership and development of his Sailors.”

Gaucher went on to highlight several of McCandless’ accomplishments while onboard Albany.

“Richard is a captain who engages his team personally, and who takes care of the person, not just the Sailor,” said Gaucher. “On deployment alone his crew earned 48 silver dolphins, 11 gold dolphins and had seven new additions to the boat’s chief mess. Richard is a captain who leaves an exceptional legacy in the Sailors of Albany and I am extremely proud of him for all he has accomplished.”

Gaucher continued on to welcome Padgett and offered words of advice as he assumed command of Albany.

“Jonathan, I know you have a rich operational background, serving as executive officer onboard USS Jefferson City and department head on USS Nebraska,” said Gaucher. “Harness that experience, rely on your gut, take deliberate risk when necessary, and be the captain. We look forward to seeing you succeed on Albany.”

Before handing over command of Albany, McCandless took time to thank his crew for their dedication and hard work.

“To my chief quarters, you are the backbone of the ship,” said McCandless. “To my crew at large, congratulations on being the 2022 commander, Submarine Squadron Six Battle “E” boat. You should take tremendous pride in this achievement. Enjoy this moment. You all have worked so hard and accomplished so much. It has been the greatest honor and privilege of my life to be your commanding officer. You are forever my shipmates.”

McCandless’ next assignment is as a battalion officer at the U.S. Naval Academy.

While assuming command, Padgett addressed the crew as the new commanding officer.

“To the crew of Albany, I am deeply humbled to be standing here today and I look forward to working with each and every one of you,” said Padgett. “As the premier submariners of the world, we have bonds deeply rooted in history and tradition, and a duty only we can fulfill. Our job and mission as dolphin-wearing brothers is to go into harm’s way undetected, with purpose and precision, and break our adversary’s will. Our nation relies on use to be ready to maintain freedom of the seas and fight and win wars. If and when that call is made, we will answer, Gentleman, we are Albany, and I am honored to be your captain.”

Fast-attack submarines are multi-mission platforms enabling five of the six Navy maritime strategy core capabilities – sea control, power projection, forward presence, maritime security and deterrence. They are designed to excel in anti-submarine warfare, anti-ship warfare, strike warfare, special operations, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, irregular warfare and mine warfare. Fast-attack submarines project power ashore with special operations forces and Tomahawk cruise missiles in the prevention or preparation of regional crises.

The Los Angeles-class submarine is 360 feet long and 33 feet wide, and weighs about 6,900 tons when submerged. Underwater, it can reach speeds in excess of 25 knots.
 

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Defense News: USNCC to Graduate First Naval Studies Certificate Recipients

Source: United States Navy

These 34 Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen represent USNCC’s pioneers in naval education as the college has more than 1,300 students enrolled in degree-seeking programs that include the Naval Studies Certificate.

The U.S. Naval Community College was established in 2019 to provide enlisted members of the Naval Services naval-relevant education. The cornerstone of this initiative is the Naval Studies Certificate. This unique certificate is designed to provide naval professionals a common understanding of the complex maritime environment in which they operate.

“This is a significant milestone for our students,” said USNCC’s President Randi R. Cosentino, Ed.D. “These graduates are setting the bar for the future of our Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. The naval-relevant education they earned and learned from these five courses will set them up for success in their naval careers.”

The five courses are: Naval Ethics and Leadership; Modern Naval History; Naval Force Design; Civilian and Military Relations, Organization, and American Government; and Introduction to the Geopolitical Environment. These rigorous courses are transferable to each of USNCC’s partner institutions and fulfill 15 credits toward USNCC designed associate degrees.

“I wish this program existed when I was a young Marine,” said USNCC’s senior enlisted leader, Sgt. Maj. Michael Hensley. “The future of our Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard are going to be intellectually stronger as we develop enlisted leaders with better critical thinking skills to ensure we have enhanced operational readiness and increased warfighting capabilities amongst our naval forces.”

The graduation ceremony will be released on USNCC’s website, www.usncc.edu, as well as its official Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn channels. 

The United States Naval Community College is the official community college for the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. To get more information about USNCC, go to www.usncc.edu. Click on the Inquire Now link to learn how to participate in USNCC academic programs.

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Defense News: COMSUBLANT Announces 2022 Battle “E” Winners

Source: United States Navy

The Battle “E” competition is conducted to strengthen and evaluate both command and overall Force warfighting readiness and to recognize outstanding command performance. The criterion for the Battle “E” Award is the overall readiness of a crew to execute its combat mission.

“The competition for these honors was, as always, extremely keen,” said Houston. “These awards should be a source of great pride to each and every crew member.”

COMSUBLANT Battle “E” winners are the following:
USS Cheyenne (SSN 773), Commander, Submarine Squadron TWO (CCS-2)
USS North Dakota (SSN 784), CSS-4
USS Albany (SSN 753), CSS-6
USS Toledo (SSN 769), CSS-8
USS Newport News (SSN 750), CSS-12
USS Georgia (SSGN 729) (BLUE), CSS-16
USS Georgia (SSGN 729) (GOLD), CSS-16
USS Rhode Island (SSBN 740) (BLUE), CSS-20
USS Rhode Island (SSBN 740) (GOLD), CSS-20
 
Engineering Red “E” winners:
USS Virginia (SSN 774), CSS-2
USS North Dakota (SSN 784), CSS-4
USS Albany (SSN 753), CSS-6
USS Toledo (SSN 769), CSS-8
USS Delaware (SSN 791), CSS-12
USS Georgia (SSBN 729) (BLUE), CSS-16
USS Rhode Island (SSBN 740) (GOLD), CSS-20
 
White Weapons “W” winners:
USS Texas (SSN 775), CSS-2
USS South Dakota (SSN 790), CSS-4
USS New Hampshire (SSN 778), CSS-6
USS Indiana (SSN 789), CSS-12
USS Florida (SSGN 728) (GOLD), CSS-16
USS Alaska (SSBN 732) (BLUE), CSS-20
 
White Strategic “S” winner:
USS Alaska (SSBN 732) (BLUE), CSS-20
 
Navigation Red and Green “N” winners:
USS Cheyenne (SSN 773), CSS-2
USS Colorado (SSN 788), CSS-4
USS Pasadena (SSN 752), CSS-6
USS Montana (SSN 794), CSS-8
USS Indiana (SSN 789), CSS-12
USS Georgia (SSGN 729) (GOLD), CSS-16
USS Rhode Island (SSBN 740) (GOLD), CSS20
 
Communications/Cyber Green “C” winners:
USS Texas (SSN 775), CSS-2
USS Colorado (SSN 788), CSS-4
USS Albany (SSN 753), CSS-6
USS Toledo (SSN 769), CSS-8
USS Indiana (SSN 789), CSS-12
USS Georgia (SSGN 729) (GOLD), CSS-16
USS Maryland (SSBN 738) (GOLD), CSS-20
 
Electronic Warfare Green “E” winners:
USS North Dakota (SSN 784), CSS-4
USS Washington (SSN 787), CSS-6
USS Delaware (SSN 791), CSS-12
USS Florida (SSGN 728) (BLUE), CSS-16
USS Alaska (SSBN 732) (GOLD), CSS-20
 
Supply Blue “E” winners:
USS Cheyenne (SSN 773), CSS-2
USS Vermont (SSN 792), CSS-4
USS Albany (SSN 753), CSS-6
USS Montana (SSN 793), CSS-8
USS San Juan (SSN 751), CSS-12
USS Georgia (SSGN 729) (GOLD), CSS-16
USS Maryland (SSBN 738) (GOLD), CSS-20
 
Personnel White “P” winners:
USS Greeneville (SSN 772), CSS-2
USS Vermont (SSN 792), CSS-4
USS New Hampshire (SSN 778), CSS-6
PCU Massachusetts (SSN 798), CSS-8
USS San Juan (SSN 751), CSS-12
USS Georgia (SSGN 729) (GOLD), CSS-16
USS Rhode Island (SSBN 740) (GOLD), CSS-20

Medical Yellow “M” winners:
USS Texas (SSN 775), CSS-2
USS South Dakota (SSN 790), CSS-4
USS John Warner (SSN 785), CSS-6
USS Montana (SSN 794), CSS-8
USS California (SSN 781), CSS-12
USS Florida (SSGN 728) (BLUE), CSS-16
USS Tennessee (SSBN 734) (BLUE), CSS-20
 
The Battle “E” competition recognizes commands that attained the highest overall or departmental readiness to carry out assigned wartime tasks as a unit of the Atlantic Submarine Force and is based on a yearlong evaluation.

“This year’s Battle “E” award winners have undoubtedly met and excelled at every possible task, goal, or circumstance throughout the year,” said COMSUBLANT Force Master Chief Neil Ford. “Each Sailor on these boats has continuously challenged themselves to critique their strengths and weaknesses and find ways to improve.”

These ships were considered the most ready for combat throughout the year and were judged based on their warfighting readiness; mission accomplishments; self-assessments and ability to improve; ability to innovate; and resiliency in executing the ship’s schedule.

“I want every crew member to know your hard work, dedication to duty and superior work ethic has been noticed and is greatly appreciated,” said Houston. “I am proud every day of the work you all do for the Atlantic Submarine Force. Bravo Zulu for a job well done.”

The Submarine Force executes the Department of the Navy’s mission in and from the undersea domain. In addition to lending added capacity to naval forces, the Submarine Force, in particular, is expected to leverage those special advantages that come with undersea concealment to permit operational, deterrent and combat effects that the Navy and the nation could not otherwise achieve.

The Submarine Force and supporting organizations constitute the primary undersea arm of the Navy. Submarines and their crews remain the tip of the undersea spear.

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Security News: Multinational Corporation and Several Individuals Charged with Multimillion-Dollar Organic Grain Fraud Scheme

Source: United States Department of Justice 2

Two Dubai entities and several individuals were charged in an indictment unsealed in the District of Maryland recently for their roles in a multimillion-dollar scheme to export non-organic grain into the United States to be sold as certified organic.  

Hakan Agro DMCC and Hakan Organics DMCC, both based in Dubai, and Goksal Beyaz, Nuray Beyaz and Mustafa Cakiroglu, all of Turkey, were each charged with conspiracy, smuggling, and wire fraud. An initial appearance for Hakan Agro and Hakan Organics was held on Jan. 5 in the District of Maryland. 

The indictment alleges that between November 2015 and May 2017, the defendants operated a scheme where Hakan Agro, Hakan Organics and associated entities would purchase non-organic soybeans and corn from Eastern Europe before having it shipped to the United States as “organic.” This scheme allowed the defendants to charge the higher prices associated with organic grains. Organic grains often cost as much as 50% more than conventional (i.e. non-organic) grains. 

Among other misconduct, the indictment alleges: 

  • In late 2015, the defendants obtained non-organic, non-GMO soybeans from Ukraine for $423 per metric ton (MT). Thereafter, the defendants arranged to have the same soybeans shipped to Baltimore, Maryland, where they were sold as “organic soybeans” for $614/MT, totaling over $4.9 million.  
  • In early 2016, the defendants arranged to purchase non-organic corn for $168/MT and have it delivered to Constanta, Romania. Simultaneously, they arranged to sell the same corn from Constanta through Baltimore as “organic corn” for $247/MT. The invoices for this falsely labeled corn totaled over $3.3 million.  
  • In late 2016, the defendants shipped 16,250 MT of non-organic soybeans falsely labeled as “organic” from Turkey to the United States where they were sold for over $10 million 
  • In early 2017, the defendants arranged for 21,000 MT of non-organic corn to be shipped to the United States falsely labeled as organic. The invoices for the falsely-labeled corn totaled over $6.7 million.  
  • In early 2017, the defendants arranged for a load of non-organic soybeans to be shipped from Turkey to Baltimore falsely labeled as “organic” soybeans.  

Wire fraud and smuggling are each punishable by a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Conspiracy is punishable by a maximum penalty of five years in prison. Upon conviction, a federal district court judge would determine any defendant’s sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.  

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General investigated this case 

Senior Trial Attorney Adam Cullman of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney LaRai Everett for the District of Maryland are prosecuting the case.  

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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Tampa Man Sentenced to 72 Months in Prison for Bank Fraud Conspiracy

Source: United States Department of Justice News

TAMPA – A Tampa man was sentenced Thursday in a U.S. District Court to 72 months in prison and a $25,000 fine for his involvement in a bank fraud conspiracy.

According to court documents, Jaykumar Patel, 33, worked in Florida moving criminal proceeds for an India-based fraud conspiracy targeting elderly, vulnerable victims in the United States.

“Those who prey on the most susceptible victims through these kind of scare tactics and phone scams must be punished to the full extent of the law,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “Defendants both in the United States and overseas need to know that we will protect and defend vulnerable Americans.”

“Elder fraud is a growing problem as the country’s population gets older,” said FBI Springfield Field Office Special Agent in Charge David Nanz. “Illinois ranks ninth highest in total number of victims over age 60, according to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center 2021 Elder Fraud Report. The FBI takes elder fraud very seriously and, along with our law enforcement partners, will work to hold accountable those who take advantage of the isolation and vulnerability that often surrounds the elderly.”

In June 2021, the Alton, Illinois Police Department filed a report when a resident received a phone call from an individual who claimed to be a member of law enforcement warning her that her identity had been stolen. The caller demanded the victim to send $29,000 to an address in Florida so he could help rectify the situation. The story was false: the victim’s identity had not been stolen, the caller was not law enforcement, and no legitimate law enforcement officer would ever demand money from a victim. But the victim didn’t know that, so she sent the money. A few days later, Patel turned up to pick up the package in Florida and was arrested.

Further investigation showed the fraud on the Alton victim was a small part of the criminal scheme. There were several other victims across the United States who were bullied and frightened out of their hard-earned money. In just a few weeks in 2021, Mr. Patel picked up or intended to pick up packages sent by victims containing more than $481,000.

Individuals should use caution when speaking with strangers on the phone, especially if a caller is asking the person to send money. Legitimate law enforcement will never try to blackmail victims or request residents to send cash by mail. Talk to a family member or someone who can help if something doesn’t sound quite right. There are resources available:

National Elder Fraud Hotline: 833-FRAUD-11. The Department of Justice maintains a National Elder Fraud Hotline. Staffed by experienced case managers who provide personalized support to callers, the hotline serves to assist elders and caretakers who believe they have been a victim of fraud by reporting and providing appropriate services.

Money Mule Initiative. In October 2018, the Department and law enforcement partners began a concentrated effort across the country and around the world to disrupt, investigate, and prosecute money mule activity used to facilitate fraud schemes, especially those victimizing senior citizens. Money mules are individuals used to move criminal proceeds around on behalf of other criminal actors, and money mules may be knowing or unknowing. Efforts by law enforcement disrupt hundreds of money mule operations every year.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI Springfield – Fairview Heights Resident Agency, the St. Petersburg Police Department, and the Alton Police Department. Many other police departments across the United States took statements from victims. Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Reed prosecuted the case.