Month: March 2023

Source: United States Navy

USS Nimitz (CVN 68), USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108), and USS Decatur (DDG 73) cooperated in anti-submarine drills, air defense exercises, helicopter cross deck landings, and integrated maritime fires training with JS Ise (DDH-182). JMSDF staff members embarked on Nimitz in support of integration and exercise execution.

This is the second time NIMCSG has worked with the JMSDF on its deployment, with commodore, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 9 embarking on JS Asagiri (DD 151) February 22 for an operational planning meeting.

“Our partners in the Japan Self-Defense Forces are incredibly important Allies, and it is essential that we continue to integrate and train together to expand interoperability and strengthen our capabilities,” said Rear Adm. Christopher Sweeney, commander, Carrier Strike Group 11. “This Alliance has never been stronger or more important as we remain resolute to fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows.”

The U.S. Navy and JMSDF routinely operate together to improve interoperability in support of maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.

Commander of Escort Division 6, Captain YOKOYAMA Shigeki, who assumed command of the Japanese side, said, “Through this bilateral exercise, we were able to improve the tactical capabilities of our units and their interoperability with the U.S. Navy. Under the strong U.S.-Japan alliance, the naval forces of our two countries are tirelessly strengthening their deterrence and response capabilities to respond immediately to any contingency through bilateral exercises such as this one.”

NIMCSG consists of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17, the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52), DESRON 9, and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Decatur (DDG 73), and USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108).
Nimitz’s embarked air wing consists of the “Fighting Redcocks” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22, “Mighty Shrikes” of VFA-94, “Kestrels” of VFA-137, “Blue Diamonds” of VFA-146, “Sun Kings” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 116, “Cougars” of Electronic Attack Squadron 139, “Battlecats” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 73, “Screamin’ Indians” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 6 and “Providers” of Fleet Logistic Support Squadron 30.

NIMCSG is in U.S. 7th Fleet conducting routine operations. 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

President Renato Schifani, president of Sicilian Region and President of the Sicilian parliament Gaetano Galvagno along with other Italian civilian and military leaders, and U.S diplomats visited the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) at sea, March 23, 2023.

Sicily plays a vital role in the Transatlantic alliance, and it hosts three important U.S. Navy sites in Sigonella, Augusta Bay, and a communications station at Niscemi which all contribute to strengthening NATO security in the region.

“I am grateful to the United States Navy for its appreciation towards Sicily and for its commitment to protecting the security of Italy and Europe. We are aware of Sicily’s strategic importance in the Mediterranean and we are also grateful to the U.S. military and NATO allies for their fundamental contribution to the security and protection of our people and our countries,” said Schifani.

“It is gratifying to receive acknowledgement of the hospitality the Sicilians have always granted to the American military and appreciation for the fruitful collaboration between Sicily, Italy and the United States. My government will always bolster the friendship and strong partnership we have with the American people and institution,” he continued.

During the key leader engagement aboard George H.W. Bush, the Sicilian military and civilian leaders, and U.S. diplomats met with CSG-10, George H.W. Bush CSG leadership to discuss the importance of strong U.S.-Italian partnership.

“Italy and Europe have a crucial ally and an extraordinary friend and partner in the United States Navy. The presence of the USS George H.W. Bush offers a fundamental contribution to safeguarding security and stability in the Mediterranean,” said Galvagno following his visit aboard the ship as it was sailing off the coasts of Sicily.

“I am grateful towards the U.S. Navy leadership for welcoming me aboard one of their largest aircraft carriers. I had the chance to reiterate my personal commitment, as well as that of the Sicilian parliament, to maintaining and consolidating our friendship and cooperation. I am certain that Italy, Europe and the United States will continue to stand united in their commitment towards our shared values of peace and security.”

Navy leaders aboard the ship were equally as complimentary of the opportunity to engage aboard the ship and the long-term relationship between nations.

“It was an honor to meet President Schifani to thank him, and our Italian and Sicilian partners and friends, for their long-standing support to the Alliance and our Navy,” said Rear Adm. Dennis Velez, commander, Carrier Strike Group 10, George H.W. Bush CSG. “For him and his colleagues to see, firsthand, the Sailors of the George H.W. Bush Strike Group and what they do to support stability and peace wherever they go was a great opportunity to reinforce our strong relationship, and to highlight the critical role that Sicily plays in supporting our operations in the U.S. European Command area of responsibility.”

Additionally, the visitors toured the ship’s hangar bay to observe the maintenance and teamwork required to maintain ready and capable aircraft in support of the strike group’s mission, observed ship maneuvering from the navigation bridge, and flight operations from the flight deck.

“I’ve been fortunate to live and serve in Italy with our southern Italian partners throughout my career, and this deployment built on those incredible relationships to support the Alliance,” said Capt. Dave Pollard, commanding officer, USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). “Whether it is supplies we get from ships coming out of Augusta Bay, aircraft and logistics support from Naval Air Station Sigonella, or support and care from Naval Hospital Sigonella, it is due to the graciousness of our Sicilian hosts. Our team is grateful for the continued support we get from Sicilians.”

CSG-10, George H.W. Bush CSG, is on a scheduled deployment in the NAVEUR-NAVAF area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied and partner interests.

George H.W. Bush is the flagship of CSG-10, George H.W. Bush CSG. George H.W. Bush CSG is comprised of George H.W. Bush, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26, the Information Warfare Commander, and Leyte Gulf.

The ships of DESRON-26 within CSG-10 are the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Nitze (DDG 94), USS Farragut (DDG 99), USS Truxtun (DDG 103), and USS Delbert D. Black (DDG 119).

The squadrons of CVW-7 embarked aboard George H.W. Bush are the “Jolly Rogers” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 103, the “Pukin Dogs” of VFA-143, the “Bluetails” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 121, the “Nightdippers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5, the “Sidewinders” of VFA-86, the “Nighthawks” of VFA-136, the “Patriots” of VAQ-140, and the “Grandmasters” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 46.

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.

Source: United States Navy

While in port, the crew had a busy slate of tours and public engagement activities, highlighted by a visit from Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and other Australian political leaders.

Asheville was visiting Perth for combined training exercises with RAN submarine forces as part of a regularly scheduled patrol in the Indo-Pacific region.

“Asheville’s visit to Western Australia demonstrates an investment in new operational capabilities, advanced technologies, and idea-sharing with some of our closest Allies,” said Cmdr. Tom Dixon, commanding officer of Asheville. “My crew is committed to the sustainment of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.”

In addition to the tour with the Deputy Prime Minister, the submarine hosted tours for other leading Australian political figures, to include Treasurer Jim Chalmers, Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy, plus Western Australia Federal MPs Minister for Northern Australia and Resources Madeleine King and Minister for Defence Personnel and Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh.

An underway during the middle of the visit provided a chance for the submarine to embark an additional group of Australian and diplomatic guests, for a rare opportunity to see what life is like at sea onboard a nuclear-powered submarine.

Guests for the underway included U.K. High Commissioner Vicki Treadell, U.K. Consul General Tina Redshaw and Federal Member for Solomon Luke Gosling MP. The guests were also joined by RAN Rear Adm. Matt Buckley, Head of Capability, Nuclear-Powered Submarine Taskforce, Rear Adm. Rick Seif, commander, Submarine Group 7, and U.S. Consul General Perth Siriana Nair.

Many Asheville Sailors enjoyed their time exploring the area around HMAS Stirling, to include restaurants in the Fremantle area, and the sights of Perth.

“I really enjoyed my time in Australia, particularly the restaurants in Perth and Fremantle,” said Lt. j.g. Michael Nix, operational safety officer onboard Asheville. “It was amazing to work with multiple Royal Australian commands as one team to maintain freedom of the seas in the INDOPACOM AOR.”

Asheville is assigned to Commander, Submarine Squadron (COMSUBRON) 15, which is located at Polaris Point, Naval Base Guam, in Apra Harbor, Guam, and consists of four Los Angeles-class attack submarines. The COMSUBRON 15 staff is responsible for providing training, material and personnel readiness support to these commands. Also based out of Naval Base Guam are submarine tenders USS Frank Cable (AS 40) and USS Emory S. Land (AS 39). The submarines and tenders are maintained as part of the U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed submarine force and are readily capable of meeting global operational requirements.

Asheville was commissioned September 1991 and is named for Asheville, North Carolina.

For more information on Asheville, please visit https://www.csp.navy.mil/asheville/.

Source: United States Navy

Assault Craft Unit TWO (ACU2) and the Eleventh Transportation Battalion conducted a Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS) tactical exercise on March 20 and 21 at Fort Story that provided some key training opportunities. 

One was to practice operating the Landing Craft Mechanized (LCM) boats near the beach. 

Another involved learning to drive the Load Handling System (LHS) tactical trucks in the sand, and getting the vehicle unstuck a few times.

ACU2 Commanding Officer, Cmdr. John Hoy said the focus of the exercise was to increase cohesion between the Army and Navy. Hoy said with differing priorities, communicating intent became paramount. The Army, for example, prioritized keeping the bilges dry on the LHS. The Navy prioritized monitoring tidal depth. That diminishing tidal depth became a challenge when loading the LCM with vehicles and controlling weight distribution. Hoy said with a few more similar training evolutions, this will become a seamless operation.

Those tactics ranged from setting up an armed perimeter, grounding the LCM to the sandbar, and expeditious deployment of vehicles over the shore. One such vehicle was the bulldozer, which helped free a few LHS trucks from the sand. The bulldozer was the one vehicle both branches praised for its unrivaled versatility, having also pushed an LCM off a sandbar. This was particularly noteworthy as ACU2 recently took possession of the bulldozers from Amphibious Construction Battalion TWO (ACB2).

On March 21, Commanding General of the XVIII Airborne and Fort Bragg, Lt. Gen. Christopher Donahue, boarded a Modular Causeway System ferry from the beach and was given a brief on that day’s amphibious operations. Upon his return to shore, he presented challenge coins to three deserving soldiers. In a show of solidarity, he also requested a group photo with the Navy.