Source: United States Navy
Source: United States Navy
“We are excited to have the MEDIG team visit our command,” described Carolyn Medina, the NMFL regional medical inspector general. “We have worked hard this past year and it has been more challenging with the transition of clinical staff and operations to the Defense Health Agency, which affected what programs would be inspected.”
About 12 inspectors and augments provided 50 evaluations of command programs and collateral duties over three days to improve performance and processes. The MEDIG team worked with command program managers to verify optimal functionality of inspected programs through the employment of self-assessments developed by Navy Medicine program owners.
“We inspect to ensure the programs are serving the command’s needs,” explained Capt. Trent L. Outhouse, the MEDIG. “It is the program managers who are responsible for the program’s functionality at all times.”
The information gleaned from the inspection will help validate and inform Rear Adm. Darin K. Via, the acting Navy Surgeon General, of NMFL’s readiness posture and command climate. The insights gained from this evaluation will also help hone the command’s best practices and procedures across NMFL’s area of responsibility.
“The MEDIG team really liked our structure of the programs,” stated Hospital Corpsman 1st Class John Gorey, the primary lead for the command indoctrination and sponsorship programs. “They wished for us to push our processes down to the region to implement.”
During the visit, there were open-door opportunities and focus groups for staff to provide an avenue to address concerns and communicate them with members of the MEDIG team. The focus groups included civilians, active duty and Reserve members of all ranks and grades.
“The focus groups were an opportunity for everyone to provide feedback on what they see within the command and how they feel about it,” said Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Charles M. Nallie, Jr., an action officer for planning, operations and medical intelligence.
The MEDIG team identified 24 exceptional programs that were of superior performance and the program managers were recognized for their attention to detail and keen organizational skills that provided a positive impact on the command’s inspection results.
“You are setting the standard, and your echelon four commands are following through,” expressed Outhouse during an all-hands debrief. “So that right there shows effective leadership and communication from the program managers at this level that is being promogulated down, and that is exactly what we want to see.”
The NMFL IG team worked for 8-months to ensure the command had enough time to address any program discrepancies before the 30-day inspection notification. As a result, out of the 50 programs inspected, 47 were fully compliant and exceeded the MEDIG goal by receiving a 96% score.
“We have been empowered by our leadership to solve problems and conduct self-assessments,” articulated Medina. “We understand our strengths and shortcomings, but through our teambuilding principles we continue to improve.”
MEDIG inspections take place approximately every three years to assess a command’s effectiveness, capability, and quality of programs in accordance with the Secretary of the Navy, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations and BUMED directives and instructions.
“We are so proud of our teams for their hard work,” concluded NMFL Commander Rear Adm. Matthew Case. “They put in tireless efforts to ensure our programs are running smoothly.”
NMFL, headquartered in Portsmouth, Virginia, delivers operationally focused medical expertise and capabilities to meet Fleet, Marine and Joint Force requirements by providing equipment, sustainment and maintenance of medical forces during combat operations and public health crises. NMFL provides oversight for 21 NMRTCs, logistics, and public health and dental services throughout the U.S. East Coast, U.S. Gulf Coast, Cuba, Hawaii, Europe, and the Middle East.
Navy Medicine – represented by more than 44,000 highly-trained military and civilian health care professionals – provides enduring expeditionary medical support to the warfighter on, below, and above the sea, and ashore.
Source: United States Navy
Nitze deployed July 17, 2022, following completion of a four-week composite training unit exercise with Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10, George H.W. Bush CSG.
While operating in U.S. 5th Fleet, Nitze and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Delbert D. Black (DDG 119) recovered two U.S. Saildrone Explorer unmanned surface vehicles captured by an Iranian ship in the Red Sea.
Cmdr. Katie Jacobson relieved Cmdr. Sam Sareini as commanding officer during a change of command ceremony in the Gulf of Aden, Sept. 28.
Nitze worked with the Yemen Coast Guard to respond to a fire onboard a small motorboat in the Gulf of Aden, Oct. 26, rescuing three Yemeni civilians. Additionally, Nitze worked with the U.S. Air Force to deconflict air space for the President of the United States during a United Nations conference.
As part of Operation Unified Takedown, the ship completed maritime interdiction and security operations, supporting regional maritime stability through counter-narcotics and counter-weapons smuggling operations. During Unified Takedown, Nitze completed numerous visit, board, search, and seizure operations, resulting in the seizure of 2,200 kilograms of hash and 320 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine worth an estimated $43 million.
The ship left U.S. 5th Fleet and rejoined the George H.W. Bush CSG in the Mediterranean Sea, where the ship participated in Exercise Juniper Oak 23-2, the largest bi-lateral U.S.-Israeli exercise in history, and the NATO-led vigilance activity Neptune Strike 23.1. Nitze also worked to strengthen interoperability during the French-led, multi-national Exercise ORION.
“I am incredibly proud of my crew and the excellence they achieved while conducting high risk, high visibility mission sets during this extended deployment,” Jacobson said. “Our officers and crew advanced maritime security at sea, served as ambassadors ashore, and seamlessly integrated with our allies and partners. They embodied our mantra of ‘Better Every Day’ and reflected superbly on the United States and the U.S. Navy.”
Throughout the deployment, the crew had the opportunity to experience the regions of Rota, Spain; Eilat, Israel; Aqaba, Jordan; Salalah, Oman; Duqm, Oman; Djibouti; Rome, Italy; Gölcük, Türkiye; and Valletta, Malta during scheduled port visits. Additionally, the crew hosted key leaders, including the U.S. Ambassadors to Türkiye and Malta, strengthening important allied and partner relationships across the theaters.
The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) is the flagship of CSG-10, George H.W. Bush CSG. CSG-10 is comprised of George H.W. Bush, Carrier Air Wing (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 completing deployment within CSG-10 are the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers Nitze, USS Truxtun (DDG 103), and Delbert D. Black.
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 Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (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 more information about USS Nitze (DDG 94) or U.S. 2nd Fleet, contact C2F_PAO@navy.mil.
Source: United States Navy
Ssang Yong, meaning “twin dragons,” is normally a routine, bilateral exercise between U.S. and ROK Navy and Marine Corps forces, conducted in the Republic of Korea. The last full SSang Yong was conducted in 2018, which made both amphibious forces eager to be training together again. “Through this training, we were able to confirm once again the solid Alliance and combined defensive posture of the ROK-U.S. Marine Corps,” emphasized Col. An Byung Jin, commanding officer, 7th Battalion, ROK 1st Marine Division.
Ssang Yong 23 participants included ROK Marine Corps, ROK Navy, 13th MEU, Makin Island ARG, 40 Commando Royal Marines, and observers from France, Philippines and Australia. The week and a half long training consisted of live-fire ranges, ROKMC ranger training, comprised of fast roping and repelling, military free-fall exercises, and several subject matter expert exchanges with our ROK counterparts. The main event was an amphibious assault exercise consisting of nine ROK ships alongside the USS Makin Island, USS Anchorage, and USS John P. Murtha, as well as surface and air connectors from both U.S. and ROK amphibious forces.
The amphibious assault was a multi-faceted operation. The landing site was a concentrated beach, requiring small operational areas for the 12 Allied ships. The deconfliction of ship geometries was only part of the complicated amphibious operation, as small unit leaders within Korean amphibious assault vehicles and U.S. landing craft, air cushions deconflicted ship-to-shore movements. “Conducting an over-the-horizon assault from the ARG is an advanced maneuver,” explained Capt. Jonathan Eaton, combat cargo officer, Amphibious Squadron 7. “Conducting an OTH assault as a multi-national unit under a single Commander of the Amphibious Task Force, across the same beach, demonstrates advanced capabilities as an Allied force.” The last piece to this expeditionary puzzle was the aircraft overhead, deconflicting air space with ROK aviators and executing a flawless formation. “The ROK and USMC aviation power conducted its first joint operation,” stated Maj. Kim Sangwoo, operations officer, ROK Marine Air Group. “The training involved bilateral air planning, integrated briefing and a rehearsal of concept drill. This exercise was a great opportunity to confirm interoperability of the ROK-U.S. air power.”
The amphibious assault exercise required not only the ARG/MEU team to bring their A game, but mandated the U.S.-ROK amphibious forces transcend language barriers and operate as a unified force. An extensive liaison officer network across U.S. and ROK ships was essential in creating this combined amphibious force. “The combined force’s attention to detail and will-to-win ensured the safe execution of a near-simultaneous amphibious and aerial assault on two objectives,” expressed Capt. Christian Thiessen, technical information operations officer, 13th MEU. “This event rehearsed combined forcible entry operations in the event the ARG/MEU is required to join the ROK Navy and ROK Marine Corps for combat operations.” The amphibious assault exercise concluded with all U.S. and ROK forces projected ashore, continuing inland to conduct follow-on, bilateral training.
The 13th MEU disembarked the entirety of Battalion Landing Team 2/4 to participate in military operations in urban terrain training, close-quarters battle training, and various live-fire ranges with our ROK counterparts. “Personally, this training is the biggest training in my 6 years as a Marine,” provided Gunnery Sgt. Park Minjae, deputy squad leader, 71st Battalion, ROK 1st Marine Division. “Also, this training is being proceeded while the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is committing armed provocation. This is why this training is much more earnest and solemn compared to other trainings. We will do our best since it’s an opportunity to prove the ROKMC’s purpose.”
The main focus of Ssang Yong 23 was to improve our interoperability with our ROK Allies. “True Interoperability is when we can communicate with our eyes and our actions without translators, if we were ever to go to combat together,” articulated Col. Song Yoonseok, commanding officer, 31st Battalion, ROK 1st Marine Division. The language barrier was the obvious challenge during Ssang Yong 23, but we were able to bypass this obstacle through our similarities in force structure and esprit de corps. Ssang Yong 23 launched our bilateral amphibious forces toward true interoperability, through integrating U.S. and ROK Marines at every opportunity. At the closing ceremony, the III Marine Expeditionary Force Band conducted an integrated concert with the ROKMC. Our different languages and diverse instruments blended together, playing the same music, symbolized the true meaning of Ssang Yong 23.
Ssang Yong 23 was a successful training evolution that not only improved interoperability between the U.S. and ROK amphibious forces, but also developed lasting relationships. “This exercise was an opportunity for our team to conduct training with our ROK Allies, develop relationships, and improve our ability to work together,” conveyed Col. Samuel Meyer, commanding officer, 13th MEU. “These relationships and experiences help our forces come together as a synchronized team, training together side-by-side, and enhancing our capabilities.” For 70 years, the U.S.-ROK Alliance has remained ironclad. Ssang Yong 23 symbolizes the next step in harnessing true interoperability within this powerful Alliance. Together, we’re unbreakable in the combined defense of the Korean Peninsula.
Source: United States Navy
Capt. Oliver Herion relieved Capt. Joseph “Karl” Haywood as the commander of Task Force 56 during a ceremony attended by leaders and members of U.S. 5th Fleet.
Haywood assumed command of Task Force 56 in February 2021. During his two-year tenure, he led more than 800 Sailors, Soldiers and civilians in eight subordinate task groups deployed across the Middle East.
Expeditionary combat forces specialize in explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), naval coastal warfare, naval construction, expeditionary intelligence and expeditionary logistics support. Under Haywood’s leadership, Task Force 56 personnel participated in more than 20 joint and combined training exercises with regional partners.
“Thank you for trusting me,” said Haywood to his staff. “Your support and professionalism has been beyond reproach.
Haywood also led logistics coordination and planning during U.S. 5th Fleet’s support for Operation Allies Refuge in 2021, which assisted the safe evacuation of more than 7,000 people from Afghanistan to the United States. U.S. 5th Fleet provided the evacuees meals, entertainment, short-term lodging and medical care during a temporary stop in Bahrain.
Herion assumes command of Task Force 56 after most recently completing a tour at Joint Special Operations Command based in North Carolina. He has previously deployed with various EOD mobile units to the Indo-Pacific, Africa, Europe and Middle East regions.
“It’s great to be back in the 5th Fleet of the world’s finest Navy,” said Herion. “We will continue the coordination, the integration and the interoperability that Capt. Haywood fostered.”
The U.S. 5th Fleet operating area includes 21 countries, the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea, parts of the Indian Ocean and three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, Bab al-Mandeb and Suez Canal.