Month: April 2023

Source: United States Navy

The conference brought together ESG 7 unit commanders to discuss warfighting concepts, best practices of expeditionary strike group operations and current challenges for maintenance and operations.

“It is absolutely crucial for all unit commanders to be on the same page when it comes to the challenges and obstacles we face when conducting expeditionary operations in the Indo-Pacific region,” said Rear Adm. Derek Trinque, commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 7. “This conference served as a catalyst for an in-person discussion about strategies and concerns that unit commanders may have.”

Service members from III Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) and supporting commands, staff from Task Forces 71, 75 and 76, Amphibious Squadron 11, Mine Counter Measures Squadron 7, Destroyer Squadron 7, Fleet Surgical Team 7, and Naval Beach Unit 7 were invited to attend this iteration to collaborate and share ideas.

“The value that conferences like this provide for the Navy-Marine Corps team is immeasurable, especially as we merged into Task Force 76/3,” said Lt. Col. Steve Bancroft, future operations and plans officer for TF 76/3. “This conference allowed us to come together and share insight from both the Navy and Marine Corps sides of the aisle and see how we can continue to improve naval integration and learn each other’s languages.”

The conference presented concepts supporting the theater littoral warfare construct. Navy and Marine Corps attendees engaged in discussions on several topics and encouraged open dialogue how both forces can best integrate with joint forces and a globally unified network of Allies and partners in the ever evolving security environment of the region.

“The Navy’s amphibious force works with the Marines often; in planning and operations,” said Capt. Kelly Fletcher, the commodore of Amphibious Squadron 11. “Open and honest dialogue is what enables us to operate and leverage our power as an integrated fleet effectively. Although I’m the only PHIBRON commander here, the challenges other commanders are facing aren’t so different from my own.”

As the sole expeditionary strike group forward deployed in U.S. 7th Fleet, ESG 7 is responsible for conducting expeditionary warfare operations to support a full range of theater contingencies, from humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations to full combat operations. ESG 7 units are the key enabler for the Marines’ expeditionary operations ashore that can quickly and decisively neutralize any adversary.

“The challenges, obstacles and opportunities we face in the Indo-Pacific region change frequently and we must be able to plan and adjust accordingly,” said Trinque. “As we continue to integrate with our Marine Corps counterparts, aligning concepts, capabilities and operations is one of our highest priorities. I can say with complete confidence that this conference has brought us closer to that goal.”

ESG 7 is forward-deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility to enhance interoperability with allies and partners, and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Source: United States Navy

Capt. Daniel “Prozac” Prochazka was relieved by Capt. Matthew J. Kiser as the commanding officer of Mount Whitney. Vice Adm. Thomas Ishee, commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet, presided over the ceremony and delivered remarks about Prochazka’s time aboard the Mount Whitney.

“There is no better place to celebrate and honor the tradition of the change of command ceremony than on the deck of our Sixth Fleet command ship, with beautiful Gaeta all around us,” said Ishee.

While commanding officer, Prochazka led Mount Whitney as the ship took Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO) to sea multiple times, went through the Suez Canal into the Red Sea to interdict illicit activities on the high seas, and worked in the Baltic to reassure allies and partners.

“One unique aspect of serving as the commanding officer of the U.S. Sixth Fleet flagship is how the ship and crew represent the U.S. Navy in Europe and Africa, participating in many exercises, key leader engagements, and strengthening our relationships with allies and partners,” said Ishee.

Under Prochazka’s tenure, Mount Whitney served as the flagship for Sixth Fleet and STRIKFORNATO during BALTOPS 2022, conducting exercise and events in the midst of the invasion of Ukraine.

“Trust amongst allies is the foundation of our warfighting advantage,” said Ishee. “Capt. Prochazka innately understands the importance of building trust.”

Of equal importance, the crew completed a $22 million dry-docking maintenance availability, ensuring the ship was prepared to deter and defend in one of the most dynamic theaters of the world.

“As many of you know, to complete a successful maintenance availability and depart the shipyard on-time takes a team effort from the commanding officer and crew,” said Ishee. “Prozac built a great team that accomplished all assigned missions.”

Ishee presented Prochazka with a Legion of Merit award for his exceptional performance while serving as the commanding officer for Mount Whitney.

During his remarks, Prochazka emphasized how critical his team was for such a successful and fruitful tenure, and spoke about the accomplishments Mount Whitney achieved during his tour as the commanding officer.

“Team 20 – you are an amazing group of civilian mariners and Sailors,” said Prochazka. “We put effort into this ship to ensure she is ready to go when and where needed and you did not settle for just ok but ensured everything is ready.”

Prochazka also spoke about the time-honored tradition of turning over command, and the responsibility Kiser was receiving with the command.

“You have a great team and great ship,” said Prochazka. “I am a better mariner, a better leader and a better person than when I got here. Continue to look out for each other and make our Navy and nation better.”

Kiser will lead Mount Whitney’s crew through the upcoming exercise BALTOPS 23 which is scheduled to take place in June.

“The instant I set foot aboard this warship I felt a camaraderie and spirit that only comes from a well led crew,” said Kiser. “The ship has been through incredible operational and maintenance challenges over the past twenty months and your leadership was the driving force to ensure Mount Whitney is still ready for any mission.”

USS Mount Whitney, forward-deployed to Gaeta, Italy, operates with a combined crew of U.S. Navy Sailors and Military Sealift Command civil service mariners.

For more than 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 U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (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

Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Justin A. Henriquez, leading petty officer of the Primary Care Department at Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Unit (NMRTU) Sasebo, Japan, rose above the competition to earn the SSOY distinction.

“I want to really thank all the senior enlisted leaders and master chiefs for the leadership and trust they’ve put in us all,” said Henriquez, a native of Hemet, California. “It means a lot to allow and trust us to do what we do.”

In his current role at NMRTU Sasebo, he enhances the readiness in Navy Medicine by leading 35 Sailors into providing the highest quality of care for U.S. 7th Fleet assets.

“I make it my daily duty to remind my Sailors that what they do is extremely important to the fleet being able to do their jobs and ensure that they are rewarded for their hard work at the end of the day,” said Henriquez.

In 2010, Henriquez was attending a local community college and working as an emergency medical technician in California. After a few semesters at school, he realized that he was interested in doing something more, so he went to see the local Navy recruiter.

“Before I knew it, I was swearing in with a contract as a hospital corpsman,” said Henriquez. “I have always been fascinated by the culture and history that came with being a Navy Sailor. I also had quite a few family members that served in the Navy. When the time came to choose a branch, I didn’t hesitate to choose the Navy.”

The role of a hospital corpsman is a prestigious one and the history reflects a group that’s tried and tested.

“Our role in Sasebo is extremely important as we are responsible for ensuring that our fleet Sailors are mentally and physically ready to do their jobs,” said Henriquez. “It is also my job to train and mentor my Sailors so that when the time comes, we are able to provide the sharpest and best hospital corpsman to the fleet.”

But the most rewarding part of the job is the interactions with Sailors.

“The best part of my career has been watching my Sailors grow and crush their goals,” said Henriquez. “There is nothing better than stepping into this role and seeing that exact moment when all their hard work pays off and you see that excitement on their faces; I feel like a proud parent.”

Naval Medical Forces Pacific provides oversight for 10 NMRTCs, on the West Coast and Pacific Rim that man, train, and equip medical forces, primarily in military treatment facilities. NMFP also oversees eight research laboratories that deliver cutting edge health and medical research to enhance the deployment readiness and survivability of our Joint Forces.