Month: February 2023

Source: United States Navy

“It has been one of the great honors of my life to serve as executive officer and commanding officer on Porter,” said Petro. “I am extremely proud of Porter’s Sailors and all that they have accomplished. They have risen to every challenge and executed with incredible rofessionalism.”
 
Under Petro’s leadership, Porter completed four forward-deployed patrols in the European area of operations as well as executed a successful homeport shift, bringing Porter home to Naval Station Norfolk, completing her time as a forward deployed warship. Porter is now a part of Task Group Greyhound.
 
Petro’s next assignment is as an instructor at Surface Warfare Officers School Command in Newport, Rhode Island.
 
“It has been a privilege to serve with Cmdr. Petro,” said Hamilton. “I am extremely fortunate to have learned under his leadership and will continue in his legacy. Porter Sailors are some of the best and brightest our Navy has to offer, and I am tremendously pleased to lead this crew.”
 
Hamilton was born and raised in Green Pond, South Carolina. He graduated from The Citadel, through which he earned his commission via their Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps program. Previously, Hamilton held command on the USS Patriot (MCM 7) based in Sasebo, Japan, and has most recently served as the executive officer aboard Porter.

Porter is the last of the Flight II Arleigh Burke-class destroyers and bears the name of not one but two naval legends: Cmdre. David Porter (1780-1843) and his son, Adm. David Dixon Porter (1813-1891).

Commodore David Porter served in the Quasi War, the War of 1812 and in the West Indies. He was taken as a prisoner of war during the Barbary Wars while serving as the acting captain of the USS Constitution. As USS Essex commander in the War of 1812, Capt. Porter achieved fame by capturing Alert, the first British warship taken in the conflict. Cmdre. Porter resigned his commission in 1826 and became the Commander-in-Chief of the Mexican Navy before returning to the United States to become the charge d’affaires to Istanbul in 1831 and U.S. Consul to Turkey in 1841.

Adm. David Dixon Porter served in the Mexican War, and the Civil War. He entered the Navy as a midshipman at the age of 16. At the outbreak of the Civil War he was promoted to the rank of commander and made significant contributions in the Battle of New Orleans and the Battle of Vicksburg, although his most significant appearance was the assault he led on Fort Fischer, the final significant naval contribution of the Civil War. After Fort Fischer, he was promoted to admiral, and soon after the war he was promoted to vice admiral.

After the death of Adm. David Farragut, the adopted son of Cmdre. David Dixon Porter was promoted to admiral, only the second American to hold that title. He received command of the United States Navy and ended with his service as Superintendent of the Naval Academy where he was responsible for a significant series of reforms laying the groundwork for the current mission of the Naval Academy.

Source: United States Navy

Ariana joined the Navy in 2017 knowing she wanted to be a master-at-arms. Her motivation to join was gaining a sense of independence. Angelica followed her sister into the Navy the following year as an aviation boatswain’s mate (equipment).

Both, from Phoenix, never imagined being stationed on the same base, let alone at same command. Angelica was already assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) for a year and a half before Ariana discovered she would be too.

“We didn’t grow up very affectionate towards each other,” said Angelica. “Being in the military, at the same command, definitely brought us a lot closer. I remember when Arianna told me. I was so happy because I knew her coming here meant my mom, niece, and little brother were coming with her. It made everything a lot better.”

They rarely saw each other before being assigned to the same ship and quickly learned what they were missing.

“It made us realize how much we actually do depend on each other and love each other,” said Angelica.

Approximately 5,000 Sailors are deployed aboard the George H.W. Bush. More than 70 percent of the crew, including the Aguirre sisters, never deployed before when the ship left home port on Aug. 10, 2022.

“I know we are very fortunate to have each other on deployment,” said Angelica. “It’s definitely made deployment easier because you’re going to go through hard days out here.”

“Our family thinks it’s so cool,” said Ariana. “They enjoy watching us grow together here.”

Ariana returned to Norfolk and is interested to see how her sister handles the rest of it alone.

“With personal issues, it’s hard to talk to people outside of your family,” said Arianna. “So, having her here and being able to vent about what’s not only going on here but what’s going on back home, she can understand. I know Angelica will be fine without me, but I am extremely grateful to have gotten to be a part of this with her. It is something I will cherish forever.”

The sisters used the tough times and joyful experiences of deployment to build their relationship to new heights they never thought imaginable.

George H.W. Bush provides the national command authority flexible, tailorable warfighting capability as the flagship of a carrier strike group that maintains maritime stability and security to ensure access, deter aggression and defend U.S., allied and partner interests.

The George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is underway completing a certification exercise to increase U.S. and allied interoperability and warfighting capability before a future deployment. The George H.W. Bush CSG is an integrated combat weapons system that delivers superior combat capability to deter, and if necessary, defeat America’s adversaries in support of national security. It achieves its mission by projecting the combined power of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush, CVW-7, Destroyer Squadron 26, the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), and its Information Warfare Commander.

For more information about George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group, head to Facebook (www.facebook.com/csg10) and (www.facebook.com/ussgeorgehwbush). Instagram (www.instagram.com/ghwbcvn77). LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/carrier-strike-group-ten) and (www.linkedin.com/uss-george-h-w-bush-cvn77).

Source: United States Navy

Capt. Dave Pollard, commanding officer of George H.W. Bush, praised Sandifer’s leadership and commitment to Sailors.

“Gun Boss demonstrates every day what it means to be a leader. The values she embodies and her natural ability to be an encourager and champion of Sailors across George H.W. Bush have been a huge benefit from the most junior Sailors aboard our ship to the most senior,” said Pollard.

“It is because of leaders like her who put in the effort each day to make a difference in the lives of those around her – setting the example for those they serve – that we are the deterrent force we are today. Much like our namesake, she lives a life of ‘ceiling and visibility unlimited.’”

As a young woman, Sandifer worked tirelessly to escape what she describes as the “slums.” Trying to avoid what she knew was likely to be a dead end, she relied on the discipline instilled in her by her mother and grandmother and enlisted in the U.S. Navy.

“I knew my family couldn’t afford for me to go to college, but I knew I wanted to get out there and make a difference,” said Sandifer. “I’m the first one in my family to ever join the military. I figured why not get out there and see what happens.”

Sandifer, a New York native, enlisted the U.S. Navy in August 1991 as an aviation ordnanceman airman.

When Sandifer graduated “A” school, women were not yet allowed to serve aboard aircraft carriers so her first command was a P-3 squadron. As the first woman in the P-3 shop, it was there she learned she would need to establish herself in a field dominated by men.

“I worked hard to show I was just as capable as the men I worked with,” said Sandifer. “I competed to defy my leaders’ expectations and once my shipmates realized I was every bit as dedicated and capable as them, I earned their respect.”

After working to advance, and picking up a knack for leading Sailors along the way, Sandifer began to look to her future. It wasn’t long before she learned about the opportunities of earning a commission, and set her sights on accomplishing that goal.

Her path to commissioning was full of challenges and required perseverance. She applied for the Limited Duty Officer (LDO) program multiple times before finally earning her commission on May 1, 2006.

As a newly minted naval officer, Sandifer absorbed all the guidance she could from mentors and role models. One bit of advice she still carriers with her today – and tries to instill in her Sailors – is from retired Capt. Michael Price.

“He used to tell me ‘if it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you,’” said Sandifer. “I’ve tried to face every challenge head on and to encourage my Sailors to do the same.”

Sandifer will complete her 10th deployment when she departs George H.W. Bush this week, and in all her experiences at sea, there’s one thing she cherishes above all else.

“The greatest achievement of my career is being able to help my Sailors,” said Sandifer. “Nothing compares to knowing your team is achieving the unachievable.”

And in living out her values and principles each day, she provides inspiration for young Sailors to achieve their goals and highest aspirations.

“As a young female Sailor, seeing a leader such as her inspires me to be strong and to shine a brighter path for the future of women in the Navy,” said Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Lily Cook. “That’s what she has done for us.”

Sandifer’s deployment aboard with the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) earned her a place in naval history as the first woman deployed as the ordnance handling officer (OHO) on the East Coast.

She also served as the first female force OHO, and is the third woman aviation ordnance LDO to achieve the rank of commander.

Her career impact has been so widespread that her colleagues, peers, and mentors serving in the ordnance community at Naval Air Force Atlantic even put together a framed photo of her featuring her accomplishments that they hang proudly in their office.

“The picture we did is heartfelt from the entire staff and really shows the respect we have for her,” said Bill Glenn, Aerial & Seaborne Targets Manager at Naval Air Force Atlantic. “She’s a rock star in the ordnance community.”

And even as Sandifer prepared to depart George H.W. Bush, she urged all Sailors to continue being humble, but hungry.

“Remain who you are,” said Sandifer. “Don’t be someone you’re not. Learn from bad experiences, and turn them around. Most of all, do whatever you need to do in order to make a difference.”

After completing her assignment aboard George H.W. Bush, she will move on to become the first woman to command Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit Oceana where she will continue to inspire Sailors both old and new.

Source: United States Navy

The Seabees and Georgian Land Forces held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the opening of the new railhead, which was built collaboratively by both NMCB 11 Seabees and Georgian Land Forces engineers.

“We could not have completed this without the help of our partners here in Georgia,” said Chief Builder Larry Ferguson, assistant officer in charge, CTU 68.2.4. “They have been great hosts and worked with us every step of the way.”

Construction of this new railhead will serve to vastly improve freight transport in the region and will directly support multinational exercises such as Agile Spirit and Noble Partner. This project is a demonstration of the capability and technical expertise of U.S. Navy Seabees and their host nation counterparts. Projects like these underscore their combined capacity and their contributions to critical infrastructure construction throughout the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa areas of operations.

“We thank you all for your hard work and dedication to transform this site,” said Georgian Land Forces Colonel Ivane Buchukuri, chief of logistics. “The work out here will allow us to move heavy cargo and equipment across the country. It has been a pleasure to work with the Seabees and you are welcome back anytime.”

At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Colonel Buchukuri exchanged gifts with Lt. j.g. Leah Gordon, CTU 68.2.4 officer in charge, and Chief Ferguson. He also personally congratulated Builder 2nd Class Ian Potter, crew lead, and Builder Constructionman Gabriella Coupe for being outstanding performers on the job site.

While CTU 68.2.4 received many accolades for completing the mission, completing the construction project was at times challenging. The unit faced inclement weather throughout their deployment, often working in cold and wet conditions. Against all odds, and with their mission always in mind, the unit overcame these challenges and finished the mission together.

“This deployment has been an incredibly unique and rewarding experience,” said Potter. “I am grateful for the opportunity and am proud of the team for pushing through.”

NMCB 11 is forward deployed to execute construction, humanitarian assistance, and theater security cooperation in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa and Sixth Fleet areas of operations, in direct support of CTF 68.

CTF 68, headquartered in Rota, Spain, commands all Navy Expeditionary Forces in the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) areas of responsibility and is responsible for providing EOD operations, naval construction, expeditionary security, and theater security efforts in direct support of U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) and U.S. Sixth Fleet.

For over 80 years, NAVEUR-NAVAF has forged strategic relationships with allies and partners, leveraging a foundation of shared values to preserve security and stability.

Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces in the USEUCOM and USAFRICOM areas of responsibility. U.S. Sixth Fleet is permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, and employs maritime forces through the full spectrum of joint and naval operations.

Source: United States Navy

This marks the completion of EASR system deliveries for what will be the first LPD 17 Class ship and the first U.S. Navy install and activation of the SPY-6(V)2, rotating variant, S-Band radar.

“The progress made is a testament to the collaboration across multiple organizations in bringing this next-generation radar to the LPD program. The Navy and our industry partners look forward to systems activation and testing as LPD 29 continues on the path to sea trials later this year,” said Capt. Cedric J. McNeal, Amphibious Warfare Program Manager, Program Executive Office (PEO Ships).

SPY-6(V)2 provides the U.S. Navy with a common hardware variant for carrier and amphibious ships. In addition to providing hardware and software commonality, the radar will also contribute to increased engagement and overall ship self-defense.

As with all incremental technology enhancements, the Navy is applying an increased focus to ensure that the system is provided on schedule, integrated into the ship/combat system and activated. Ultimately, EASR will be made ready as an integral sensor in an integrated Ship Self-Defense System to support the ship’s employment.

As one of the Defense Department’s largest acquisition organizations, PEO Ships is responsible for executing the development and procurement of all destroyers, amphibious ships, special mission and support ships, boats and craft.