Month: March 2023

Source: United States Navy

Capt. Ruth Lane is the Commanding Officer of Farragut, Wendy Wenzlick is its Executive Director, and Cristin Rider-Riojas is the Chief Scientist of the Naval Intelligence Enterprise, serving as a senior advisor to Farragut and mission manager for ONI. All three have Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) degrees and, together, the women share 64 years of experience in STEM fields.

“Women of the ONI workforce are on the leading edge of the Navy and Intelligence Community in bridging the STEM gap and contributing in brilliant ways to advance our nation’s security,” said Commander of ONI, Rear Adm. Mike Studeman. “These incredibly talented leaders continue to inspire those around them, routinely tackle the toughest challenges in Naval Intelligence, and serve as powerful role models for both men and women. Farragut’s new women-dominated chain of command is no surprise to anyone who knows these amazing professionals and my hope is that what seems remarkable today is made unremarkable in the future as more women take their well-earned places at the top of every chain of command.”

Farragut Technical Analysis Center provides strategic scientific and technical intelligence analysis of foreign technologies, sensors, weapons, platforms, combat systems, C4ISR, and cyber capabilities. In addition to its all-source capabilities, Farragut conducts ONI’s foreign materiel exploitation and signal analysis and is home to the national maritime acoustic intelligence laboratory.

In their positions, Lane, Wenzlick, and Rider-Riojas are driving the analytic processes and the executive-level decisions needed to solve real-world intelligence problems that ultimately support the Navy and nation.

The work closely resembles the scientific method that Rider-Riojas fell in love with at the early age of nine. She explains, “It’s analytic. It’s using bits of information to build knowledge systems, designing approaches to test hypotheses, and gathering pieces to solve the puzzles. It’s problem solving, and all for a mission that contributes to national security.”

Wenzlick shares that passion for purpose at ONI. “It’s a great mission, a clear sense of value, and work with a purpose… it’s hard work, but it’s work that matters,” she says.

The trio solves real-world intelligence problems on a daily basis, but also happen to be improving the representation of women in STEM fields. Their leadership success shatters long-standing barriers, such as the lack of women role models in a traditionally male-dominated STEM culture, which experts theorize perpetuate the gender gap in STEM related fields.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, women account for only 27 percent of STEM occupations, despite making up nearly 50 percent of the U.S. workforce. These ONI leaders agreed that they were often the only women in the room throughout their careers. Lane remembers her male-dominated classes at the U.S. Naval Academy where the male to female ratio was 12 to one, and Wenzlick noted the decrease in fellow female classmates as she progressed in her STEM courses during school.

Despite these challenges, pursuing a career in STEM has been a rewarding and positive experience. All three women recall instances where being the only women in the room was an advantage. Rider-Riojas theorizes that it made her more memorable to others, and Wenzlick says she added value to discussions by bringing a unique perspective.

When asked if they would change anything about the STEM culture, the trio had a few ideas. At the top of the list – stronger communication skills for fellow STEM professionals. “Our critical knowledge doesn’t matter and isn’t useful if we can’t communicate it,” says Lane. “We need to be able to translate our technical talk to something understandable and actionable for our audiences.”

“And we shouldn’t all be saying the same thing,” adds Rider-Riojas. “The STEM world needs more diversity.” More women, more minorities, more people with varying backgrounds, ethnicities, interests, experiences, and outlooks; because these things contribute to the way we look at problems and the way we find solutions.

For those young girls feeling alone in their STEM classes, who will one day be the next women in STEM, these leaders have advice: stick with it, and don’t give up.

“I find myself repeating a quote from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe: ‘Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it,’” says Lane. “Be bold.”

Source: United States Navy

I extend a very special greeting to all participants in this important Summit.   I wish you a pleasant stay among us.

Cabo Verde and the island of Sal warmly welcome you.

It is a distinction for Cabo Verde to host the first Summit of African Maritime Forces.

We are meeting here in Sal, in a framework of strengthening cooperation and cooperative maritime security. In a framework of great trust and friendship between our states and peoples.

We welcome you!

This Summit allows us to exchange experiences, share solutions and strategic commitments for the security of our countries in the seas and oceans that unite us.

The fight against transnational organized crime, drug trafficking, human trafficking, piracy, terrorism, cybercrime, and illegal fishing is an imperative for the economic development, social peace, and stability of the countries.

These are onslaughts, risks and threats from the criminal world that must be fought and overcome permanently with strong and engaged institutions at the level of each country and strong partnerships at the level of the common interests of cooperative security.

Partnership for defense and security is as important as partnership for development. It is, in fact, a condition for development.

The development effort is eroded and undermined when security is not provided and guaranteed to citizens. Worse than that, it can set countries back.

And I am talking about security in the broad sense: security for people and goods, food security, health security, environmental and climate security, security against organized crime and corruption.

It is in this sense that we advocate a greater harmony and commitment between the partnership for development and the partnership for defense and security, in the sense of mutual gains between countries and their global responsibility.

Distinguished participants and guests,

We are holding this Summit in an archipelagic country with two important characteristics: Cabo Verde is much more sea than land due to its vast maritime area; Cabo Verde is more than its nine inhabited islands due to the vast diaspora concentrated in the U.S., Europe and the African Continent.

Our location puts us at the center of the corridor from Brazil to the Gulf of Guinea. We are at the crossroads of the Atlantic, connecting Africa to Europe and the Americas.

This same location and the purpose of maritime security led to the installation on the island of St. Vincent, in 1819, of the first U.S. Navy Squadron on the African continent.

Today, in new times and facing new challenges, Cabo Verde is positioning itself as an interested and useful partner for cooperative security in its relationship with the U.S. and the E.U. and in the framework of African regional integration.  This is the reference of our foreign policy and our defense and security policy.

The vast Exclusive Economic Zone and the location, are strong reasons for us to elect maritime security as a high national priority.

We want to promote and leverage our geostrategic position based on and sustained by international maritime planning, always in scrupulous compliance with international standards.

The installation of the Maritime Coordination Center of Zone G in Cape Verde, which is in the operational phase, is an important instrument for the cooperative positioning of our country in strengthening maritime security in the Atlantic region.

In the same sense, Cabo Verde can be a strategic partner for AFRICOM and the United States of America, a country with which we aspire to a more comprehensive and structuring agreement in the field of defense and security.

We recognize important bilateral agreements and achievements, with the U.S. and EU countries, in the training of our military, Coast Guard vessels, military equipment and materials, surveillance and patrolling, and participation in military exercises and joint operations.

Particularly with the U.S., I would like to highlight (1) the Partnership Agreement between Cape Verde and the State of New Hampshire National Guard; (2) the Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation; and (3) the recent Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation for the Protection and Preventive Security against the entry of persons linked to terrorism, crime, and other security threat situations.

Cabo Verde has made remarkable efforts in investments and training in digital technologies and equipment on air and maritime borders, document security, criminal investigation and transparency and exchange of fiscal information.

Within budget limitations, with the country’s own resources, the Coast Guard will be provided with an aircraft for inspection, patrolling, search and rescue and emergency actions to support civil protection.

We wish to strengthen cooperative security cooperation to provide the Coast Guard with helicopters, an important complementary aerial means for an archipelagic country with Cabo Verde’s orography and extensive coastal and maritime area.

Naval resources must also be reinforced, including the technical and financial capacity to maintain vessels.

The surveillance of our extensive maritime area, for reasons of security and economic protection, is very demanding and also requires more sophisticated technological support such as satellite support to provide relevant information.

Maritime security and the alliance for defense and security are central elements of the new strategic concept for defense and security under preparation.

I conclude by reinforcing the conviction that the world needs more than ever strategic, assertive, durable, predictable, and impactful partnerships for maritime security and global safety.

I hope this Summit will contribute to that.

I express our support and willingness to host other summits and initiatives, which are of utmost importance to our states and peoples.

I wish you all a great stay with us. 

Thank you very much.

Source: United States Navy

But I must say, there is something very familiar and even nostalgic to me about this unique archipelago—Cabo Verde has much in common, historically and culturally, with Caribbean islands such as my place of birth, Cuba.

And in fact, my ancestry can be traced back from Cuba to Toro, Spain, as you might guess from my name, with stops in the Canary Islands and Cadiz.

You might say that I am beginning to experience a bit of “saudade” myself.

It is a joy to discover the sights, sounds, cuisine, and music of Cabo Verde, and I only wish I had more time to explore these beautiful islands, and to learn more about the people of Cabo Verde.

First and foremost, I would like to thank Prime Minister de Pina Correia e Silva for co-hosting this historic summit with the United States.

Our two nations have enjoyed a strong relationship for decades; and as an island nation, you understand and experience many of the issues we will discuss during our time together.

The African Maritime Forces Summit is the first event of its kind, involving the senior-most maritime leadership not only from across the African continent but also from North America, South America, and Europe.

Seeing how many countries are represented at this summit is a testament to each of these countries’ willingness to work together towards common goals.

We are all stronger together, and this gathering is a positive step towards enhanced cooperation.

Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, Chief of Naval Staff of the Nigerian Navy, speaking at the closing ceremony of Obangame Express 2023 in Lagos last month, put it beautifully: “Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.”

We have come together here for the first time, marking a new beginning.  And the United States Navy and Marine Corps are here to stay with you, and to work with you.

As President Biden said during the African Leaders Symposium in Washington, DC, this past December, the United States is all-in on Africa and all-in with Africa.

That is why the United States presence at this summit includes senior leaders not only from the Department of the Navy and Coast Guard, but also from the Department of State and USAID.

It takes all of us working together to tackle the types of challenges we are here to discuss.

And as the Kenyan proverb goes, “having a good discussion is like having riches.”

Together, in this type of atmosphere, we build an environment anchored in trust and mutual respect.

And respect on a country-to-country level begins with the concept of national sovereignty.

As Vice President Harris has made clear, America stands for “respect for sovereignty and international integrity, unimpeded lawful commerce, the peaceful resolution of disputes, and freedom of navigation.”

In order to defend freedom of the sea, we work to ensure our Sailors and Marines have the capability and forward presence to stand by our allies and our partners.

That is a reason why I am here today, speaking to you, our allies and partners, to confirm that the United States is committed to a rules-based international order, especially in the maritime domain.

We respect your sovereignty, we respect your borders, we respect your exclusive economic zones, we respect your people, and we invite every nation around the world to do the same.

Even more important than speaking to you, however, is listening to you.  I am here to meet you, to talk to you, and to listen to you.  I want to learn what the world looks like through your eyes.

And I want to know what we can do to strengthen our bonds with you.

International partnerships are indeed at the very top of my list of priorities as the Secretary of the Navy—because the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps depend on allies and partners around the world to maintain free and open sea lanes, where trade and commerce can flourish, which is to all nations’ advantage.

Our partnerships in Africa are of mutual benefit and we seek every opportunity to strengthen them, whether at-sea or ashore.  When like-minded partners come together to develop African-led solutions to our common challenges, the result will inevitably be increased economic prosperity and greater global security.

As I said, this is my first visit to Africa, but fortunately I have had the pleasure of meeting with some of you already.

I had the opportunity to engage with Equatorial Guinea’s Head of Navy, Colonel Esono Nchama, and Rear Admiral Adel Jehane, Head of the Tunisian Navy, during the 2021 International Seapower Symposium, where naval leaders from around the globe come together to discuss common maritime challenges as well as opportunities to enhance security cooperation.

And last September, I met Rear Admiral Mendoua, Head of the Navy of Cameroon, during the UNITAS 63 Exercise in Brazil, which was the first such exercise to include maritime forces from African nations. 

Sailors from both Cameroon and Namibia crossed the Atlantic Ocean to join eighteen other nations in the two-week long exercise—I want to once again express my congratulations to these two nations for this historic first.

I plan to meet many more of you, my counterparts, in the next day or two, and I look forward to sharing a meal or even a sip of Grogue together.

During this summit, and as long as I am Secretary of the Navy, I intend to strengthen our relationships with like-minded maritime nations, and to deepen interoperability with them in order to enable mutual action to address shared challenges, including:

• maritime piracy—a serious problem that poses a real threat not only to the safety of vessels and their crews, but also to the economies of affected countries;
• illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing—an estimated $9.4 billion are lost to IUU fishing every year in West Africa alone;
• and the effects of climate change—which we are seeing all too often, and most recently with the tragic aftermath of Cyclone Freddy in Mozambique and Malawi…

The United States is committed to transparency and inclusion when working with our partners to achieve our collective and common goals of security and stability across the continent.

We are grateful to our indispensable African partners present here, as well as to Brazil, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, and the United Kingdom, for their continued commitment to addressing regional security challenges, and we welcome all nations’ contributions to the global issues we all face.

I am especially thankful to Nigeria for hosting this year’s Exercise Obangame Express 2023.

Obangame Express started 12 years ago as a communications exercise with a small number of at-sea training opportunities.

Today, it has grown into the largest multinational maritime exercise in Western and Central Africa…

And, this year, 29 nations participated, 21 of which are present at this summit.

I’m very proud of the hard work of our American Sailors and Marines, and I’m also tremendously impressed by all that you, our partners, have accomplished, to include exchanging ship-boarding techniques, demonstrating proper collection and reporting of evidence, and much more.

On the other side of the continent, in the Indian Ocean, Exercise Cutlass Express 2023 just concluded earlier this month, with 15 nations participating, including Comoros, Djibouti, France, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Tanzania, and the United Kingdom.

This regional exercise offered collaborative opportunities for participating nations to address shared transnational maritime concerns through increased maritime awareness, response capabilities, and infrastructure.

And in the next few months, Exercise Phoenix Express 2023 will commence in the Mediterranean, with several of our North African partner nations here present.

Last year’s Phoenix Express, the 17^th such exercise, was hosted at the La Goulette Naval Base in Tunis, and included a preparatory in-port phase as well as five days of maritime security training in the Mediterranean Sea.

The at-sea portion of the exercise helped improve the participating nations’ abilities to respond to irregular migration and to combat illicit trafficking and the movement of illegal goods and materials.

These three annual maritime exercises are extremely important to our Navy and Marine Corps team, and they are extremely important to me.

It is through these types of activities that we share best practices, learn about each other, and hone our skills.

And perhaps most importantly, the conduct of these exercises serves as a highly visible deterrent to those who seek to violate your exclusive economic zones and undermine our rules-based world order.

As I said earlier, all nations benefit from free and open access to the maritime domain. The waters around the African continent are home to many critical global shipping lanes, and the coastal waters of Africa contain some of the world’s richest fishing grounds.

Maintaining security and freedom of movement within your exclusive economic zones and territorial waters is indeed a global best interest—and one of the roles of the U.S. sea services is to assist our partners in fostering a united, global effort to safeguard this access.

Together, we can prevent intrusions of criminal elements—who take away your “blue” economic resources and thrive at your expense—and avert commercial shipping disruptions.

When African maritime economies thrive, when exclusive economic zones are respected and freedom of the sea is secured, the global economy also thrives.

I will not pretend that securing the maritime domain is an easy task, but by working together we can accomplish much more than each of us could on our own.

The whole is truly greater than the sum of its parts.

We all share common challenges—and once we think we have resolved one challenge, a new one can pop up.

Some of these challenges can be resolved by sharing maritime information.  For example, the “SeaVision” tool, which enables users to view and share maritime information, can go a long way in improving operational efficiency and interoperability among us.

Some of you recently used SeaVision during Exercise Cutlass Express—and I hope to hear feedback on your experiences with it.

Interoperability enables us to share responsibility and to collectively respond to security challenges and threats by speaking the same operational language.

We can also build interoperability with each other through military personnel exchanges, which I strongly support. 

In fact, I can tell you first-hand how valuable personnel exchanges can be.

About 40 years ago, when I was a young midshipman, I was lucky enough to participate in an exchange with the Spanish Royal Navy, during which we sailed to the Canary Islands.

It was a formative experience for me, one that I will never forget…

And speaking of experiences, seeing USS Bulkeley here in the Sal port has certainly brought back many memories for me…

You see, I had the honor of being the first commanding officer of USS Bulkeley, over 20 years ago.

I remember sailing out of New York harbor shortly after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001… A time when so many nations around the world expressed their solidarity with the people of the United States.

We have not forgotten your friendship.

I would love to hear about your experiences, leading your sailors, or being sailors yourselves—and I know we have much to share, because we have much in common.

As security partners, we share a vision of a more peaceful and prosperous world, a world in which all our children have a chance to live free and to pursue their dreams.

As leaders, we share many of the duties that come with our roles in our respective nations, and we share the weight of responsibility of taking care of the men and women under our charge.

And as sailors, we share a love of the sea.

There is no one who has captured both the allure of the sea and the loneliness of being away from your home more perfectly than the inimitable Cesária Évora:

Oh Sea

Years pass by, and time flies

The sun comes up and the moon leaves the sky

And I’m still away from my land

Oh Sea

I want to once more thank you all for being here this week.

I am very grateful for the opportunity to speak to you, and to be here with you in Cabo Verde.

I look forward to meeting with many of you and having honest discussions on the challenges you face in combating maritime security threats in the waters surrounding Africa.

And I want to know how we can best support you.

Muito obrigado!

Source: United States Navy

The high-speed ship is capable of rapid intra-theater military transport and is quickly adapted to whatever assigned mission to include transporting tanks and troops; carrying containerized portable hospital equipment; and providing support in the form of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

The hybrid crew consists of military personnel and MSC civil service mariners (CIVMARS), and the ship is currently deployed to the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations.

“I’m excited that the USNS Carson City is the first EPF to pull into the Port of Naples,” said Capt. Susan Orsini, Carson City’s Master. “Naples being home to 6th fleet, and our direct Operational Commander, CTF 63 Commodore Pickard. It will be a privilege and a pleasure to meet the people who support USNS Carson City, and all of our ships. It’s a reminder and an opportunity to appreciate that all we do is through team effort.”

Carson City is the first MSC ship to go pierside in Naples since USNS Yuma (T-EPF 8) hosted a Military Sealift Command Europe and Africa (MSCEURAF) Change of Command ceremony on board in April 2019. Capt. Kenneth Pickard is dual-hatted as Task Force 63 commander (CTF 63), and MSCEURAF commodore.

Carson City will be spending a week in Naples which will allow for some rest and relaxation for the crew.

“It is also exciting to be able to explore the amazing city of Naples,” added Orsini. “It will be an experience to explore the culture, appreciate the architecture and history – not to mention indulging in the culinary delights.”

Military Sealift Command operates approximately 125 naval auxiliary civilian-crewed ships, replenishes U.S. Navy ships, strategically prepositions combat cargo at sea and moves military cargo and supplies used by deployed U.S. forces and coalition partners around the world.

U.S. Sixth Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national security interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

Source: United States Navy

This marks the fifth time an Italian ship has joined the strike group since the start of its scheduled deployment to the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations demonstrating the versatility and interchangeability of the two NATO allies.

“Working with our allies in the Bush Carrier Strike Group displayed the breadth of our capabilities and the ease with which we can integrate into one warfighting team,” said Italian Navy Cmdr. Fabio Casamassima, commanding officer of Fasan. “We look forward to future opportunities to train and operate together.”

Casamassima also visited with Vice Adm. Thomas Ishee, commander, U.S. 6th Fleet and Striking and Support Forces NATO, and Lt. Gen. Steven Basham, deputy commander, U.S. European Command (EUCOM), during a key leader engagement hosted by CSG-10 aboard George H.W. Bush on March 8.

“It has been our unique pleasure to work extensively with our Italian allies throughout our time in theater,” said Rear Adm. Dennis Velez, commander, CSG-10, George H.W. Bush CSG. “We‘ve built upon the already robust relationship between the U.S. and Italy to deliver interchangeability among the NATO alliance for security and prosperity.”

Fasan accompanied George H.W. Bush during its scheduled port visit in Souda Bay, Crete, further demonstrating the depth of the NATO alliance.

George H.W. Bush is the flagship of CSG-10. CSG-10 is comprised of George H.W. Bush, CVW-7, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26, the Information Warfare Commander, and the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55).

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

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

For over 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-U.S. Naval Forces Africa (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 EUCOM and U.S. Africa Command 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.