Month: January 2023

Source: United States Navy

Capt. Brian R. Iber, commanding officer of CLDJ, accompanied Collins during his tour of the base medical facilities, barracks, Airfield, and other up and coming projects on CLDJ, giving him a deeper understanding of the ongoing mission of the base over 20 tenant commands.

As the camp continues to expand and will most likely do so for years to come, the base tour included many construction sites, with half built architecture and visions of what the future holds for Camp Lemonnier.

“This installation is so important to what goes on in this AOR,” said Collins, who participated in an All Hands Call and a coining ceremony at the conclusion of his visit.

“What you are doing here is making an impact, not only does it play a part in larger geo-political issues with players outside the base here in Djibouti, but how things happening on this continent can affect other regions outside of Africa as well.”

Iber concurred with Collins statement, and went on to say “We are a dedicated team, working together to provide the best service and support for tenant commands, service members and transient assets supporting the operations in the EURAFCENT AOR and will support however necessary in the future .”

As one of Navy Region EURAFCENT’s nine installations, CLDJ serves as an expeditionary base for U.S. military forces providing support to ships, aircraft and personnel that ensure security throughout Europe, Africa and Southwest Asia. The base enables maritime and combat operations in the Horn of Africa while fostering positive U.S.-Africa relations.

Source: United States Navy

As part of this joint service collaborative effort, leaders from the two logistics commands and Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Distribution conducted a professional development session aboard USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) Jan. 12, 2023. This session allowed participants to learn more about each other’s organizations and current operational planning efforts.

“This professional development session was an ideal opportunity for NAVSUP FLCSI attendees to learn more about how the U.S. Army is setting the European theater and establishing joint logistics capabilities,” said Capt. Douglas S. MacKenzie, NAVSUP FLCSI commanding officer. “From our discussions, all participants gained insights into how we – as a joint force – can better exploit the synergy of our logistics organizations.”

During the event, participants discussed current USNAVEUR operations plans, particularly the U.S. Army’s Theater Concept of Sustainment.

Lt. Col. Scott Gum, Theater Movement Center- Europe chief, represented the U.S. Army’s 21st TSC aboard the George H.W. Bush and provided a briefing to the event attendees that covered its organization’s mission and capabilities.

“A key message I conveyed to my U.S. Navy logistics colleagues was that in order to effectively set the European Theater for logistics, options are required as is a flexibility and a true understanding of commercial and military support capacities,” Gum said.

George H.W. Bush’s supply department members also attended the professional development session.

“Lt. Col. Gum’s briefing was very insightful and articulated the importance of logistical interoperability in the region and within DoD services,” said Cmdr. Don McIntyre, USS George H.W. Bush supply officer. “Each military service branch faces unique logistical challenges but by understanding them from a holistic perspective, our services can leverage our strengths and create solution sets in an operational environment to maximize efficiency and lethality of our combined forces. The discussions between NAVSUP FLCSI and the 21st TSC truly opened up the aperture for junior supply officers about the continued direction of joint U.S. military operations and the importance of what Get Real Get Better brings to the fight!”

George H.W. Bush is the flagship of the Bush Carrier Strike Group, which is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied and partner interests.

“The ship was an ideal venue for this kind of professional development session for our two logistics communities,” Gum said. “The European theater has some of the most challenging problem sets for logistics and sustainment operations in support of NATO, Allies and partner nations. Sharing our communicating sustainment plans is critical to closing gaps and seams of getting logistics to the point of need as a joint force and also in identifying shared concepts and ways of better supporting operations. Joint matters!”

Supply and logistics professionals assigned to George H.W. Bush echoed Gum’s statements about the importance of sharing tactics, techniques and procedures.

“Our discussion with Lt. Col. Gum and the FLCSI leadership was an opportunity to learn how a carrier strike group fits into a theater’s joint logistics efforts; specifically how George H.W. Bush is connected to efforts across USNAVEUR,” said Lt. Cmdr. Michael Curtis, George H.W. Bush principal assistant for services (PAS). “The visit with these leaders was an important chance for us to learn from two organizations executing logistics at a joint level and how we, as supply corps officers, may be able to leverage their capabilities later in our careers.”

Gum and Cmdr. Ed Windas, NAVSUP FLCSI operations officer, agreed that the success of the professional development session aboard George H.W. Bush is just the beginning of a productive and mutually-beneficial relationship between the 21st TSC and NAVSUP FLCSI.

“Our two logistics organizations will continue to identify future opportunities to strengthen our relationship to set the European theater through plans, joint exercises and engagements with nations and NATO,” Gum said. “By aligning strategic engagements and finding exercises to test joint capability, we will continue to improve logistics support capability and capacity in Europe.”

“From a NAVSUP FLCSI perspective, we needed this event to be successful and it was,” Windas said. “Any conflict requiring U.S. kinetic military action will not be fought in a vacuum. Resources are limited – whether they be specific classes of supply, ground lines of transportation, or points of access to sea ports for re-supply. As the U.S. military logistics leaders in Europe, we have an obligation to understand how our joint forces will be brought to bear. Only through constant dialogue with our U.S. Army logistics counterparts can we manage risk and exploit the opportunities this AOR presents.”

George H.W. Bush is the flagship of CSG-10, George H.W. Bush CSG. CSG-10 comprises 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).

NAVSUP FLCSI logisticians, customs clearance and transportation managers, along with their mission partners, have delivered more than one million pounds of mail and nearly one million pounds of mission-related cargo to George H.W. Bush CSG crewmembers since they began operating in theater in August 2022.

21st TSC executes mission command of operational sustainment across the European and African Theater, by interfacing, integrating, and pursuing interoperability with U.S., NATO, and other partner nations to facilitate theater sustainment and freedom of maneuver for combined allied forces. The TSC moves all U.S. Army forces and logistics throughout the European theater with all modes of transport and by closely partnering with Allied and partner nations.

FLCSI is one of NAVSUP’s eight globally-positioned commands that provides for the full range of solutions for logistics, business and support services to the U.S. Naval, Joint, NATO and Allied Forces across 14 enduring and forward operating sites; forward contingency and cooperative security locations in 13 countries in Europe and Africa.

Source: United States Navy

CARAT/MAREX Sri Lanka took place in Colombo, at Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) bases in Trincomalee and Mullikullam, and in the Laccadive Sea, Jan. 19-26. The exercise focused on increasing proficiency in humanitarian assistance, disaster relief (HADR), and maritime security capabilities.

“From our maritime roots comes a reliance on the sea for our prosperity, and a shared vision of a world in which all sovereign states can peacefully interact with each other and participate in a rules-based order,” said Rear Adm. Joaquin J. Martinez de Pinillos, vice commander, U.S. 7th Fleet. “This exercise, and the efforts of all who helped bring it to life, are a testament to the United States and Sri Lanka’s commitment to achieving that shared vision.”

SLN offshore patrol vessels SLNS Gajabahu (P 626) and SLNS Vijayabahu (P 627) met amphibious transport dock USS Anchorage (LPD 23), with embarked 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), at sea. This year’s exercise included participants from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and Maldives National Defence Force, as well as the Sri Lanka Air Force.

For the HADR training, two USN landing craft transferred troops, supplies, and vehicles ashore to a beach area of Mullikulam. The subsequent exercises tested and improved the partners’ ability to coordinate and communicate with one another in a simulated disaster environment.

“I thank all participants for their commitment and enthusiasm throughout the exercise and really appreciate all the hard work and level of professionalism demonstrated throughout the last few days in order to conduct this exercise beyond expectations,” said Commander of the SLN Vice Adm. Priyantha Perera. “I hope this good relationship among Sri Lanka, United States, Japan and Maldives will continue progressively in the future to cherish the strong relationships that we are maintaining to effectively address common interests.”

Additional exercises conducted at sea included divisional tactics, visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS), replenishment-at-sea approaches, and reconnaissance and gunnery exercises. Helicopters aboard Anchorage successfully carried out VBSS exercises, embarkation, and disembarkation of personnel and material on the decks of the SLN ships involved in the sea phase.

Shore phase highlights included a Women, Peace and Security roundtable with members of the Sri Lanka and U.S. militaries hosted by U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung, public performances between both countries’ navy bands, a sports day, and a series of community service activities.

“During this fifth iteration of CARAT/MAREX Sri Lanka, our two countries were able to conduct knowledge exchanges with follow-on practical application,” said Lt. Col. Jared Reddinger, commanding officer, Battalion Landing Team 2/4, 13th MEU. “In doing so, we sharpened our skills, improved interoperability, and worked together towards a mutual vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

The shore phase training consisted of subject matter expert exchanges on issues like diving and underwater construction, medical support, and maritime domain awareness. Additional participating U.S. assets included a P-8A Poseidon and personnel from U.S. 7th Fleet, Commander, Task Force (CTF) 72, CTF 73, CTF 76/3, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, and Amphibious Squadron 7.

“Both on land and at sea, the success of the CARAT exercise is a testament to the depth of the U.S. – Sri Lanka bilateral relationship, which is 75 years strong,” said Ambassador Chung. “We look forward to building on this partnership to continue to advance the security and prosperity of the region.”

CARAT/MAREX Sri Lanka is a bilateral exercise between Sri Lanka and the United States designed to promote regional security cooperation, practice humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and strengthen maritime understanding, partnerships, and interoperability.

In its 28th year, the CARAT series is comprised of multinational exercises, designed to enhance U.S. and partner forces’ abilities to operate together in response to traditional and non-traditional maritime security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group and the 13th MEU are trained to operate in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations.

As the U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed DESRON in Southeast Asia, DESRON 7 serves as the primary tactical and operational commander of littoral combat ships rotationally deployed to Singapore, functions as CTF 76/3 Sea Combat Commander, and builds partnerships through training exercises and military-to-military engagements as the executing agent of Commander, Task Group CARAT.

Task Force 76/3 recently formed as a result of merging the staffs of Navy’s Task Force 76, 7th Fleet, and 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with Allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

Source: United States Navy

The dialogue built upon the Strategic Approach Plan, originally signed by the JMSDF and the United States Navy in 2020. The Strategic Approach strengthens existing cooperation, addresses mutual strategic priorities and promotes collaborative development of defense capability.

“I am deeply grateful for the remarkable hospitality I was shown during my visit the Japanese Ministry of Defense. It was my honor to work alongside the JMSDF to identify opportunities to strengthen our longstanding partnership,” said Black. “I believe in our shared efforts to sustain a free and open Indo-Pacific and I’m optimistic about how our combined determination will manifest in collective military advantages.”

Rear Adm. Takenaka echoed the strategic value of the partnership, reflecting on the importance of ongoing dialogue.

“The United States Navy and JMSDF exchanged views on the security environment in the Indo-Pacific region based on the newly developed National Security Strategy and National Defense Strategy of both countries, deepening our mutual understanding,” he said. “We renewed our commitment to further improving our interoperability and interchangeability in order to protect the free and open oceans and the order and values based on international law.”

The U.S. – Japan alliance is a cornerstone of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. The two navies routinely operate together to deepen interoperability to enable mutual action. Recent successful joint exercises, including RIMPAC and MALABAR, demonstrate the effectiveness of the bilateral framework and the mutual benefit strong partnerships deliver.

The Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Operations, Plans and Strategy (N3/N5) is the principal advisor to the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) on Navy strategies, plans and policies, including planning and coordinating the global employment of naval forces.

Source: United States Navy

Juniper Oak 23.2 enhanced interoperability and the ability of CENTCOM forces to rapidly move combat power into the region. “Today the partnership between CENTCOM and the IDF is stronger and continues to grow,” said Gen. Michael “Erik” Kurilla, CENTCOM commander. “Our partnership is a key pillar of our commitment to expanding regional security cooperation.”

“We at CENTCOM will take the lessons learned from Exercise Juniper Oak and share and incorporate them with all our partners across the CENTCOM region,” Kurilla concluded.

Roughly 6,400 U.S. troops alongside more than 1,500 Israeli troops participated in the exercise. CENTCOM remains committed to strengthening partnerships and enhancing interoperability in support of a more stable, more secure region.