Month: January 2023

Source: United States Navy

The ship’s two sponsors are Ms. Christine Trinidad, one of the great-granddaughters of Medal of Honor recipient Petty Officer 2nd Class Telesforo de la Cruz Trinidad; and retired Rear Adm. Connie Mariano, the first Filipino-American in history to become a U.S. Navy Admiral, and the first military woman in American history to be appointed White House Physician.

“A ship’s commanding officer will change hands, and the crew will come and go, but the sponsors hold a special bond through the ship’s entire lifetime,” said Del Toro. “I am excited for the enduring partnership that Christine and Connie will build with this ship and the crew in the years to come.”

Telesforo Trinidad was a fireman in the U.S. Navy who received the Medal of Honor for his actions in Mexican waters near La Paz, on board the USS San Diego on Jan. 21, 1915. He is the second service member, and the first and only sailor of Asian descent to receive the award in peacetime. Trinidad served during both World Wars before retiring to the Philippines.

Additional information on Telesforo de la Cruz Trinidad can be found here.

More information on guided-missile destroyer programs can be found here.

Source: United States Navy

The James E Williams transited the Strait of Gibraltar later that day. She transited east into the Mediterranean Sea to start her training, surveillance activities and task group assignments with the other NATO vessels in the task group. Currently, SNMG2 is comprised of its new flagship USS James E Williams as well as Carlo Bergamini-class frigate ITS Carlo Margottini (F 592), and Aquitaine-class frigate FS Alsace (D656).

“James E Williams has quickly demonstrated that she is ready to execute the demanding responsibilities of NATO task group flagship” said U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Scott Sciretta, commander of SNMG2. “The ship has quickly integrated into a multi-national environment, seamlessly operating and communicating with Allied warships. Her addition, along with that of ITS Carlo Margottini and FS Alsace, strengthen our deterrence and defense posture and deny adversaries of any possible opportunities for aggression.”

As a NATO task group, SNMG2 prioritizes its mandate to enhance the collective readiness, responsiveness, deployable readiness, integration and interoperability of its forces. Its focus is on deterrence and defense against all adversaries in the maritime domain, upholding freedom of navigation, securing maritime trade routes and protecting the main lines of communication.

SNMG2 is a multinational integrated task group that projects a constant and visible reminder of the Alliance’s solidarity and cohesion afloat. This continuous maritime capability performs a wide range of tasks, including exercises and real-world operations in periods of crisis and conflict.

SNMG2 is one of four Standing Naval Forces that operate under NATO Allied Maritime Command, headquartered in Northwood, United Kingdom.

For more news and information on SNMG2, visit https://mc.nato.int/SNMG2 or follow us at:
www.facebook.com/StandingNATOMaritimeGroup2
www.twitter.com/COM_SNMG2
www.instagram.com/snmg_two.

Source: United States Navy

As part of this enduring campaign, he highlighted the North Star goal of 75 Mission Capable (MC) ships to be ready on any given day, which the Surface Force determined is needed to meet operational requirements.

“This goal isn’t arbitrary or random. It was born from our investments in data analytics and an assessment of operational requirements,” said Kitchener. “This imperative for 75 mission capable ships drives every program and action we take, and across our force, the enterprise is
aligned to reach this North Star.”

To work toward this goal and make better, data-informed decisions, Kitchener discussed the creation of the Surface Response Plan, the Surface Force’s strategy to prioritize and allocate ships to support fleet commanders. Within the type commands, Surface Maintenance Operations Centers (S-MOCs) will be established to address the challenges of current readiness by driving down casualty reports (CASREPS) and prioritizing repairs and parts.

Kitchener also discussed the establishment of Surface Readiness Groups (SURFGRUs) in fleet concentration areas. The readiness focused commands will be manned, trained, and equipped to manage surface ships through the maintenance and basic phases of the optimized fleet response plan, while maintaining oversight of readiness during the follow-on phases including a ship’s deployment.

“This transformation of our readiness structure is a journey,” said Kitchener. “A course from which our Surface Force cannot deviate, lag, or delay and we will need the help of our partners in industry, in Congress, and at OPNAV to achieve this necessary goal.”

In alignment with the previous year’s theme, the 2023 SNA theme is “Getting Ready: Sharpening Our Competitive Edge.”

“Getting ready is why we embarked on the Competitive Edge campaign a year ago, a strategy that is laser-focused on generating and sustaining Force Readiness,” said Kitchener. “It’s kept us busy this past year. Implementing, accelerating, and sharpening our competitive edge and the
core Lines of Effort.”

The Competitive Edge Strategy details five broad lines of effort, assigning accountability, responsibility, and leadership roles while providing action items with prescribed timelines. Those lines of effort are:

– Develop the Leader, Warrior, Mariner, and Manager
– Produce More, Ready Ships
– Achieve Excellence in Fleet Introduction
– Create Clear and Innovative Operational Concepts
– Establish Infrastructure for the Future Force

The strategy lays out commander’s intent to face current and future challenges and maintain the Surface Force’s warfighting advantage in the decade ahead.

The Surface Navy Association was incorporated in 1985 to promote greater coordination and communication among the military, business and academic communities who share a common interest in naval surface warfare and to support the activities of Surface Naval Forces. The SNA
is dedicated to recognizing the continuing contributions of the United States Navy and Coast Guard’s surface forces, showcasing professional excellence within the surface naval forces, dealing with the challenges faced by surface naval forces, nurturing communication among military, academic and business communities, enhancing and preserving the heritage of surface naval forces and providing forums on professional matters affecting the surface naval forces.

The mission of CNSP is to man, train, and equip the Surface Force to provide fleet commanders with credible naval power to control the sea and project power ashore.

For more news from Naval Surface Forces, visit https://www.surfpac.navy.mil/.

For information about the Competitive Edge, visit:
https://www.surfpac.navy.mil/Portals/54/Documents/CNSP/SNA/SNA-2022/Competitive-Edge-Paper-Approved-Dec-20th.pdf.

Source: United States Navy

Naval Horizons is a STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) essay contest designed to introduce high school and college students to cutting-edge STEM topics impacting the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps through an engaging video series.

With 10 new videos, NSCO expanded the technical areas to include aerospace optometry, aircraft test and evaluation, environmental science, nuclear engineering and more. It was also the first year a Navy officer and a Senior Executive Service member served as guest speakers.

“In addition to impressive platforms such as aircraft carriers and submarines, we’re excited to be able to illuminate some of the lesser-known STEM fields the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps are working daily,” said Sandy Landsberg, who is both the Naval STEM Coordination Office executive and a division director in ONR’s Information, Cyber and Spectrum Superiority Department.

“Our student survey data is very positive: 95% of participants agree they have a better awareness of real-world naval science and technology challenges after participating in Naval Horizons. Also, 94% agree they are more aware of the many pathways towards a STEM career after participating in Naval Horizons,” Landsberg continued.

In addition to the great feedback from the students participating in the contest, the complete Naval Horizons video library, available on the Naval Horizons website, has over 31,000 views.

“Naval Horizons allows us to reach students, parents and educators and bring clarity to what we do in the Navy and STEM,” said Landsberg. “We will keep Naval Horizons going, and we hope to see continued growth in participants and video views each year. So stay tuned for the 2023 contest!”

Learn more about Naval Horizons and the contest winners and highest honors at https://www.navalhorizons.us/.

Source: United States Navy

The Naval Safety Command (NAVSAFECOM) continues to conduct virtual Risk Management Information Streamlined Incident Reporting (RMI SIR) familiarization training with the next sessions starting Jan. 17 through Feb. 9 via Teams. Training will cover topics including instruction on SIR account access, accounts management, entering mishaps and recommendations, message approval process, memorandums of final evaluation and hazard abatement and mishap recommendation management.

The four-hour live sessions will start promptly within each respective time zone and will be recorded for later viewing. Safety professionals, safety specialists and collateral duty safety officers are highly encouraged to attend.

The RMI SIR provides a baseline of classes of mishaps, hazard reports and near misses and provides the basis for analysis and trending to improve safety and risk management. The RMI SIR is an integrated system for reporting aviation, afloat, ground and motor vehicle mishaps. The system synthesizes incident report data into useful products to help mitigate risk and safety conditions.

RMI SIR Familiarization Training Schedule

Access training via Teams using the following URL and dial-in information:: https://dod.teams.microsoft.us/l/meetup-join/19%3adod%3ameeting_243a2d8fcc544d54ab14e5757bb5e296%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22e3333e00-c877-4b87-b6ad-45e942de1750%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22125e1dd9-b3fc-4588-ba51-cbda205a41fe%22%7d.

Dial-in: (410) 874-6751, conference ID 278524802#

 Jan. 17: EST 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.                    
Jan. 18: PST 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. and EST 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Jan. 19: HST 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. and EST 1 – 5 p.m.
Jan. 24: PST 12 – 4 p.m. and EST 3 – 7 p.m.
Jan. 25: CST 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. and EST 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Jan. 26: EST 12 – 4 p.m.
Jan. 30-31: EST 10 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Jan. 31: JST 12 – 4 p.m.                           
Feb. 1: CET 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. and EST 2 – 6 a.m.
Feb. 2: EST 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.                      
Feb. 6: EST 6 – 10 p.m.
Feb. 7: JST 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.                            
Feb. 8: HST 12 – 4 p.m. and EST 5 – 9 p.m.
Feb. 9: PST 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. and EST 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

 

EST – Eastern Standard Time

CST – Central Standard Time

PST – Pacific Standard Time

HST – Hawaii Standard Time

JST – Japan Standard Time

CET – Central European Time (Italy, Spain)