Month: February 2023

Source: United States Navy

Prior to arrival, Antietam conducted routine exercises in the Philippine Sea alongside the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), to include a replenishment-at-sea with Mashu-class replenishment ship JS Oumi (AOE 426). These exercises and cooperative operations are aimed at enhancing interoperability between forward deployed naval forces and Allied forces in U.S. 7th Fleet.

“Without the support of the citizens of Otaru, organizations like the Self-Defense Force supporters association, and the government of Japan, this opportunity would not have been possible,” said Capt. Warren Smith, commanding officer, USS Antietam.

While at the port, the Antietam crew hosted a tour and reception for members of the local Otaru government and local news media organizations. The tour took visitors and reporters through the ship where subject matter experts explained the many ways the crew safely operates and navigates the ship.

In addition to hosting visitors, the Antietam’s Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) team arranged for tours to give the crew chances to experience the local culture and festival activities. The crew visited the Ice Festival in Sapporo and went on a skiing tour in Niseko.

“All the locals were very friendly,” said Religious Program Specialist Second Class Geno Macerelli, recounting his time exploring the museums and shops in Otaru. “They were more than happy to help you out when you were lost.”

Port visits are a critical mission for the U.S. Navy. This port visit facilitated the building of relationships and the exchanging of culture between the citizens and Sailors of Japan and Antietam Sailors. It also allowed for the demonstration of the life of a U.S. Navy Sailor and of the capabilities of a U.S. Navy cruiser.

The Antietam’s last visit to Hokkaido took place in February of 2019 when the ship arrived at the port of Ishikari for a routine port visit. Antietam’s recent visit to Otaru is the first time a U.S. Navy warship has conducted such a port visit in Otaru since USS Mustin (DDG 89) visited for the Snow Festival in 2018, making this a very special visit.

The Antietam is underway conducting routine operations and exercises building warfighting proficiency and increasing allied interoperability. Antietam is part of Commander, Task Force (CTF 70) which is theater strike warfare commander and theater air and missile defense commander.

CTF 70 is forward-deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. 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

Prior to arrival, Antietam conducted routine exercises in the Philippine Sea alongside the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), to include a replenishment-at-sea with Mashu-class replenishment ship JS Oumi (AOE 426). These exercises and cooperative operations are aimed at enhancing interoperability between forward deployed naval forces and Allied forces in U.S. 7th Fleet.

“Without the support of the citizens of Otaru, organizations like the Self-Defense Force supporters association, and the government of Japan, this opportunity would not have been possible,” said Capt. Warren Smith, commanding officer, USS Antietam.

While at the port, the Antietam crew hosted a tour and reception for members of the local Otaru government and local news media organizations. The tour took visitors and reporters through the ship where subject matter experts explained the many ways the crew safely operates and navigates the ship.

In addition to hosting visitors, the Antietam’s Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) team arranged for tours to give the crew chances to experience the local culture and festival activities. The crew visited the Ice Festival in Sapporo and went on a skiing tour in Niseko.

“All the locals were very friendly,” said Religious Program Specialist Second Class Geno Macerelli, recounting his time exploring the museums and shops in Otaru. “They were more than happy to help you out when you were lost.”

Port visits are a critical mission for the U.S. Navy. This port visit facilitated the building of relationships and the exchanging of culture between the citizens and Sailors of Japan and Antietam Sailors. It also allowed for the demonstration of the life of a U.S. Navy Sailor and of the capabilities of a U.S. Navy cruiser.

The Antietam’s last visit to Hokkaido took place in February of 2019 when the ship arrived at the port of Ishikari for a routine port visit. Antietam’s recent visit to Otaru is the first time a U.S. Navy warship has conducted such a port visit in Otaru since USS Mustin (DDG 89) visited for the Snow Festival in 2018, making this a very special visit.

The Antietam is underway conducting routine operations and exercises building warfighting proficiency and increasing allied interoperability. Antietam is part of Commander, Task Force (CTF 70) which is theater strike warfare commander and theater air and missile defense commander.

CTF 70 is forward-deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. 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

These engagements emerge when surface forces from regional countries are operating in the same area and take advantage of the opportunity to train together. U.S. and Indian Navy Sailors conducted an exchange with each ship’s officers and conducted communications drills and division tactics where ships sail together in formation. At the conclusion of the event, Paul Hamilton rendered honors to the Savitri as she passed alongside.

“Paul Hamilton had a tremendous opportunity to conduct maneuvering drills with INS Savitri as the ships both operated in the Indian Ocean,” said Cmdr. Jake Ferrari, commanding officer of the Paul Hamilton. “It was an absolute pleasure operating with and conducting a passenger exchange, which allowed our two navies to gain a greater understanding of our capabilities. Both navies are committed to keeping the strategic sea lanes open in and around India.”

Paul Hamilton departed the United States in January and arrived in the region as part of the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group. Paul Hamilton is operating as part of Commander, Task Force (CTF) 71, U.S. 7th Fleet’s principle surface force. CTF 71 is responsible for the readiness, tactical and administrative responsibilities for forward-deployed Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers as well as any surface unit conducting independent operations in the region.

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

Source: United States Navy

Since Feb. 6 and the start of relief support, daily air operations tempo increased 340 percent and 39th OSS has enabled 1,877 aircraft sorties, bringing international aid and personnel to support Türkiye.

Supporting U.S. aid efforts, Airmen assigned to the 728th AMS offloaded a 52-bed emergency field hospital tent from a chartered 747-400F in coordination with the 39th Operational Support Squadron at Incirlik Air Base, Türkiye, Feb. 10, 2023.

The role of U.S. military forces during this disaster relief mission is to rapidly respond to this natural disaster with critically needed capabilities and life-saving equipment, delivering assistance to aid areas the government of Türkiye deems most necessary.

According to 1st Lieutenant Joseph Flemming, 728th AMS flight commander of resource and readiness, the 728th AMS Airmen have played a critical role in downloading cargo and equipment for the relief effort to those in need throughout the country.

“We’re the only American squadron on base that is trained to download equipment and passengers of aircraft and we’ve downloaded over 210 aircraft since relief operations began Monday,” Flemming said. “We knew with the hospital tent that we had to download it quickly, as they are needed desperately off base.”

728th AMS aircraft support processes are made possible through the coordination of the 39th Operations Support Squadron.

“Overall, the 39th OSS, in concert “with Turkish partners, leads world-class airfield and support operations to orchestrate and control US, Turkish, and coalition forces operating at Incirlik AB in the execution of full-spectrum operations to include humanitarian operations,” said Lieutenant Col. Octavio Prieto, 39th OSS commander. “Specifically, the OSS provides air traffic control, weather services, intelligence support, airfield management, and airfield systems maintenance.”

Flemming added that many of the Airmen have been stationed at Incirlik AB for enough time to develop close personal connections with Türkiye’s people and culture.

“It’s been painful for us see the news of the devastation around the country, and our hearts are grieving with our Turkish allies,” he said.
Although the 728th AMS and 39th OSS have worked tirelessly to provide relief to those affected, the teams fully intend to continue supporting its humanitarian efforts.

“We’re happy to be tied so closely to the relief efforts with our Turkish Air Force teammates, who are working jointly with us to get cargo moved to areas most impacted by the earthquake as fast and safely as possible,” Flemming explained.

The U.S. military is working in support of USAID, the government of Türkiye and our Allies and partners to provide relief to the people of Türkiye. The 39th ABW is committed to facilitating disaster relief operations to rapidly reduce the suffering of the victims of this disaster.

Source: United States Navy

This marks the ship’s third deployment in three years.

The Sullivans deployed in 2021 with HMS Queen Elizabeth as part of U.K. Carrier Strike Group 2021 (CSG 21) and to the U.S. European Command area of responsibility under U.S. 2nd Fleet in support of NATO Allies and partners in 2022.

During this deployment, U.S. Sailors and Coast Guardsmen collaborated with regional partners during educational exchanges at U.S. 5th Fleet headquarters in Bahrain. The Sullivans conducted routine flag-verification operations while serving in the Gulf of Oman and multinational seaway defense exercise with regional partner is U.S. 5th Fleet.

“I am consistently impressed by the professionalism this crew demonstrates on a daily basis,” said Cmdr. James Diefenderfer, Jr., commanding officer of The Sullivans. “The Sullivans is a team that unfailingly answers the call to operate forward, providing presence and capability to ensure freedom of navigation and deterring illicit activity through the world’s seas.”

The crew navigated more than 29,000 nautical miles, conducted seven underway replenishments, 200 small boat operations, and 14 strait transits while operating in the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Gulf to help ensure maritime security and stability in the Middle East region.

Completing three deployments in two years, Diefenderfer said he asked more from his Sailors than most, and the crew took on each challenge while excelling at each mission they were given.

U.S. 2nd Fleet, reestablished in 2018 in response to the changing global security environment, develops and employs maritime forces ready to fight across multiple domains in the Atlantic and Arctic in order to ensure access, deter aggression and defend U.S., allied, and partner interests.

For more U.S. 2nd Fleet news and photos, visit facebook.com/US2ndFleet, Https://www.c2f.usff.navy.mil/, and Twitter – @US2ndFleet