Month: June 2023

Source: United States Navy

This premier maritime-focused annual exercise in the Baltic Region takes place June 4-16 and provides a unique training opportunity to strengthen the combined response capability critical to preserving the freedom of navigation and security in the Baltic Sea.

“Fresh from the completion of exercise Formidable Shield 23, and concurrent with Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group operations in the North Atlantic, BALTOPS 23 commences as a tangible indication of commitment to collective defense capability across the NATO Alliance. We continue to meet the security challenges of today, and prepare for tomorrow, through interoperability and seamless integration in real world operations. Rising above these challenges takes teamwork and trust,” said Vice Adm. Thomas Ishee, commander, Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO) and U.S. Sixth Fleet. “Also, we welcome Finland’s participation in BALTOPS as a NATO Ally for the first time in 52 years of BALTOPS history, which reflects our dedication to improving security and stability in Europe.”

Participating nations include Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Of note, though Finland has routinely participated in past iterations, this year marks the first time Finland will participate in the exercise as a member of the NATO Alliance. BALTOPS remains an alliance proving ground, and is vital for honing the leading edge of combined interoperability with ally in partner nations, in and around the Baltic Sea.

These countries will exercise a myriad of capabilities, demonstrating the inherent flexibility of maritime forces. Exercise scenarios include amphibious, gunnery, anti-submarine, air defense, and mine clearance operations, as well as explosive ordnance disposal, unmanned underwater and surface vehicle exercises, and medical responses.

While the exercise is led by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa and U.S. Sixth Fleet (NAVEUR-NAVAF/SIXTHFLT), it will be command-and-controlled by STRIKFORNATO, headquartered in Oeiras, Portugal; after STRIKFORNATO just completed Formidable Shield 23, which concluded on May 26. STRIKFORNATO’s headquarters will host a large multinational coalition of liaison officers from each participating nation, working together and bringing unique personal and national strengths to the exercise’s control hub.

Rear Adm. James Morley, STRIKFORNATO deputy commander, will command the exercise control group.

“BALTOPS remains the most significant annual exercise in the Baltic Sea and is a tremendous opportunity for allied and partner nations to train together – building trust across the air, land, and sea forces while improving interoperability,” said Morley. “This year’s BALTOPS is no exception as we continue building our list of firsts including using U.S. logistics capability to reload a dummy missile on a Danish frigate on Bornholm Island; integrating unmanned surface vehicles to conduct personnel recovery & medical transfers; and a more robust incorporation of Allied chaplaincy into the scenario to spiritually care for or most important assets, our people. Thousands of hours have gone into creating an exercise that not only builds the tactical skills of all participants but also serves to assure those in the region that NATO stands ready to defend.”

This year’s exercise features, for the first time, robust training in personnel recovery using unmanned surface vehicles. Another enhancement to BALTOPS23 is the collaboration of sixteen chaplains representing three different faith/life stance traditions from eight participating nations. Their focus is to promote the strength of spirit that enables Sailors and Marines to accomplish the mission with honor. These additions – along with others underwater and space domain, will build on last year’s BALTOPS 2022 scenario story lines, including the integration of the NATO Space Center for space domain scenarios.

For over 80 years, NAVEUR-NAVAF forged strategic relationships with our 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. SIXTHFLT is permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, and employs maritime forces through the full spectrum of joint and naval operations.

STRIKFORNATO, headquartered in Oeiras, Portugal, is Supreme Allied Commander Europe’s (SACEUR) premier, rapidly deployable and flexible, maritime power projection Headquarters, capable of planning and executing full spectrum joint maritime operations.

Source: United States Navy

During the annual SOY week nominees visited historic sites including the USS Arizona Memorial, USS Missouri, USS Utah, and Ford Island. They also visited the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA). Adm. Samuel Paparo, PACFLT commander, noted that this week’s events were included by design, in order to reflect on our nation’s heroes and the courage they demonstrated in the midst of adversity. He noted that their bravery and resiliency provided inspiration for many generations to come.
 
U.S. Pacific Fleet Master Chief James “Smitty” Tocorzic and board members shared their experience and encouragement with nominees. Many elements of the week centered around Adm. Paparo’s Fleet Orders of Safety, Readiness to Fight, Shipshape & Seaworthy, Teamwork, Morale, and Family.

“Every one of these Sailors represents the best of Pac Fleet,” said Tocorzic. “Anyone who doubts the readiness of today’s Sailors has not sat across from them and looked them in the eye the way I have. Their willingness to step up on behalf of our Navy and our nation was clearly evident during this week’s board process and the packages submitted by their commands. This was just a small glimpse into their level of service and commitment.”
 
Yeager, representing U.S. 7th Fleet, and Nagara, representing Aviation Support Division Misawa, will be meritoriously promoted to chief petty officer as part of their selection as the Sea and Shore Sailor of the Year.
 
The sea SOY finalists were: Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Brianna Bartholomew representing 1st Medical Battalion, Electronics Technician 1st Class Benjamin Priga representing Joint Mobile Ashore Support Team Pacific, Yeoman 1st Class Sarita McBride representing Carrier Strike Group 15, and Operations Specialist 1st Class Matthew Yeager representing U.S. 7th Fleet.
 
The shore SOY finalists were: Machinist’s Mate Submarine Auxiliary (MMA) 1st Class Ronald Carbone Jr. representing Submarine Readiness Squadron 31, Musician 1st Class Marc Heskett representing U.S. 7th Fleet Band, Information Systems Technician 1st Class Charles Hayley representing U.S. 3rd Fleet, Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jessica Pielop representing U.S. Pacific Fleet, Logistics Specialist 1st Class Putra Nagara representing Aviation Support Division Misawa, and Hospital Corpsman 1st Class John Pascual representing Afloat Training Group Pacific.
 

Source: United States Navy

The ceremony, held in downtown Norfolk, Va., capped off a week of rigorous interviews and team-building events focused on leadership, mentorship, and heritage.

“These highly-motivated Sailors reflect the grit, determination, tenacity, and fighting spirit that defines what it means to be a United States Navy Sailor – whose reputation gives our nation’s adversaries pause,” said Caudle. “We are extremely proud to serve alongside these Sailors who represent the best of the best our Navy has to offer.”  

Although only two Sailors are named “Fleet Forces Sea or Shore Sailor of the Year,” the nine candidates on the East Coast were hand-selected from 125,000 Sailors who serve USFFC.

“After sitting down with these top performing Sailors, who represent a variety of warfighting communities and occupational specialties, I am confident our Navy will continue to be in good hands,” said Fleet Master Chief John Perryman, USFFC. “These outstanding Sailors represent their family, their mentors, leadership, and their commands. Their nomination is a testament to all who have helped shape and mold their careers.”

The ceremony focused on the finalists’ sustained superior performance and how they rose to become masters of their craft through technical, managerial, and leadership excellence.

The Sea and Shore SOYs thanked their chains of command, mentors and fellow Sailors for contributing to their success.  

For Tomkin, born abroad in Weisbaden, Germany, selection as Sea Sailor of the Year was a very emotional experience.

“There’s so many people [to thank] but my family, my husband, my mother, my children, are probably the most important people, because without them and their support, there’s no way I’d be able to juggle everything that I do,” she said.

Rufohuse also had many she wanted to thank.

“It feels very surreal, and I can’t wait to make sure that all of my juniors and my peers and everyone knows because this is really a reflection of all of our hard work,” said Rufohuse a native of Cleveland, Ohio. “It’s not mine, its theirs, we’re together as a team and this would never have happened without them.”

To her fellow finalists, Rufohuse said, “Continue to be the sheepdog, because that’s what leaders are, they stand next to their flock, but they’re never one of them. They mentor them, protect them, guide them and lead them. And they have no problem turning on towards the wolf, taking them on and then returning to the flock, because that’s what leaders do. So I have no doubt you guys are going to continue to do that.”

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the SOY program established in 1972 by Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Elmo Zumwalt and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy John Whittet, to recognize the fleet’s top performing Sailors.

The U.S. Fleet Forces Sea and Shore SOY winner will be meritoriously advanced to Chief Petty Officer (CPO) and will complete CPO initiation and be frocked during their CPO pinning ceremony.  

Fleet Forces Sea Finalists:

Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Jeffrey Bentley, United States Marine Corps Forces Command

Gunner’s Mate 1st Class Collin Vlazny, Navy Munitions Command Atlantic

Personnel Specialist 1st Class Kezia Thomas, Military Sealift Command

Fleet Forces Shore Finalists:

Yeoman 1st Class Latoya Dobbs, United States Fleet Forces DRA

Information Systems Technician 1st Class Alec Garleb, Submarine Force Atlantic

Naval Aircrewman Helicopter 1st Class Aaron Primm, Naval Air Force Atlantic

Interior Communications Technician 1st Class Gianna D’Esposito, Naval Surface Force Atlantic

Source: United States Navy

SNMG2 entered Naval Station Rota, Spain on Thursday, with its flagship, USS James E. Williams (DDG 95) for the first time since the scheduled flagship turnover from the USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98.) While in Rota, U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Scott Sciretta, SNMG2 Commander, engaged with senior NATO and Spanish Navy leadership to discuss future opportunities for maritime operations as well as exercise preparations. Additionally, he hosted a press conference with local Spanish media.

FLOTEX-23 is a Spanish Navy-led maritime exercise designed to provide joint warfare interoperability training in a Crisis Response Operation. It demonstrates the Spanish Navy’s commitment to NATO. All NATO nations are invited to participate. The exercise provides Allies the opportunity to test and enhance their cohesion and interoperability in order to increase their ability to deter and defend if necessary. SNMG2 is scheduled to participate in FLOTEX-23 from early to mid-June.

As a NATO task group, SNMG2 prioritizes its mandate to enhance the collective readiness, responsiveness, deployable readiness, integration and interoperability of its forces. Its focus is on deterrence and defense against all adversaries in the maritime domain, upholding freedom of navigation, securing maritime trade routes and protecting the main lines of communication.

SNMG2 is a multinational integrated task group that projects a constant and visible reminder of the Alliance’s solidarity and cohesion afloat. This continuous maritime capability performs a wide range of tasks, including exercises and real-world operations in periods of crisis and conflict.

SNMG2 is one of four Standing Naval Forces that operate under NATO Allied Maritime Command, headquartered in Northwood, United Kingdom.

For more news and information on SNMG2, visit https://mc.nato.int/SNMG2 or follow us at:
www.facebook.com/StandingNATOMaritimeGroup2
www.twitter.com/COM_SNMG2
www.instagram.com/snmg_two.