Month: July 2023

Source: United States Navy

The deployment is part of a regular rotation of forces that foster maritime security and increased theater cooperation by providing a forward naval expeditionary presence with vast, specialized crisis response capabilities to support the geographic combatant commander, numbered fleet commander, and joint special operations task force commander.

“We are ready to complete any mission before us, and we are looking forward to the opportunities we will have to work alongside our allies and partners in the months ahead,” said Capt. Martin Robertson, commander of Amphibious Squadron 8. “Our Sailors and Marines have trained hard and are ready. We are thankful for the support of our families and loved ones during this journey.”
The BAT ARG/26th MEU(SOC)’s pre-deployment training program culminated with its final certification exercise, Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), a series of exercises designed to fully integrate roughly 4,000 Marines and Sailors into one cohesive contingency force while testing the units’ abilities to carry out sustained operations from the sea. During COMPTUEX, the BAT ARG/26th MEU(SOC) operated under NATO command and control to replicate the realities of missions the Navy-Marine Corps team may encounter on deployment.

“Over the course of the last nine months, Marines and Sailors of the 26th MEU(SOC) successfully demonstrated the battle staff competencies coupled with all-domain operational capabilities and high proficiency across the MEU Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) mission essential tasks and warfighting functions, to include MEU/SOF-integration, during an enhanced, rigorous pre-deployment training program within a scenario reflective of the EUCOM, AFRICOM, and CENTCOM regions,” said Col. Dennis “Dolf” Sampson, commanding officer of the 26th MEU(SOC). “Throughout our work-ups, the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and the 26th MEU(SOC) executed multiple advanced at-sea training exercises and fully integrated into a cohesive naval expeditionary force capable of supporting theater campaigning requirements while remaining postured, as the Nation’s Immediate Response Force, to rapidly respond to any crisis.”

The Bataan ARG is comprised of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 50), the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) and the Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50). Embarked commands include commander, Amphibious Squadron (CPR) 8, Fleet Surgical Team 8, Tactical Air Control Squadron 21, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 26, Assault Craft Unit 4, Beach Master Unit 2, and the 26th MEU(SOC).

“I could not be any prouder of the Marines, Sailors, and families of the 26th MEU(SOC),” Sampson said. “They set the bar very high during our work-ups as the premiere Tri-GCC Crisis Response Force, showcasing the flexibility and all-domain operational capabilities the ARG/MEU(SOC) provides to a Fleet or Joint Task Force Commander within the littorals and beyond.”

The 26th MEU(SOC) serves as one of the Nation’s premier crisis response forces capable of conducting amphibious operations, crisis response, and limited contingency operations, to include enabling the introduction of follow-on forces and designated special operations, in support of theater requirements of the Geographic Combatant Commander. Coupled with the BAT ARG, the 26th MEU(SOC) serves as a premier stand-in force with a full complement of all-domain capabilities to operate persistently within the littorals or weapons engagement zones of an adversary.

For more information, please contact Bataan ARG and 26th MEU(SOC) Public Affairs: Bataan Amphibious Ready Group Public Affairs, CPR8PAO@lhd5.navy.mil and 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) Communication Strategy & Operations, 26MEU_COMMSTRAT@bataan.usmc.mil.

Source: United States Navy

Previously, the O-5 commanding officer billets did not qualify for the command at sea designation and only O-6 MESF squadron commanding officers were eligible. The Navy established the command-at-sea insignia to recognize the responsibility placed on unrestricted line officers who are in command of, or have successfully commanded, afloat, deploying, and or operational units defined as sea-going commands under the Navy and Marine Corps. NECC Reserve leaders said the shift recognizes the responsibility and accountability the Navy asks of its leaders regardless of their component status. 

“As we continue to prepare our forces to be ready to fight, we must organize, man and train our Reserve warfighting commands for combat. This includes properly screening candidates for command and recognizing the roles and responsibilities of our Reserve leaders who have met these high standards,” said Rear Adm. Mark Haigis, deputy commander, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command. “I’m excited for this opportunity to screen and select at-sea commanding officers from our Reserve Component who will lead combat credible naval fighting forces as we prepare for major combat operations in defense of our nation.”

The change in designation comes as part of the MESF’s force redesign, as they analyze force organization and force generation models to build readiness and competency for major combat operations and look to build new competencies in the Indo-Pacific.

​To be eligible for command at sea of a Reserve security boat company, officers must meet the following requirements:

• Must have an 1115 designator (Reserve surface warfare officer)
• Must have previously completed a MESF officer-in-charge tour, served at a Navy Reserve Readiness Unit, or have the BX3 qualification, symbolizing successful completion of at least 18 months in an operational expeditionary warfare billet within the NECC Force
• Must have the 2N1 qualification, symbolizing successful completion of the Navy Reserve Augment commanding officer/officer-in-charge command qualification process
• Must have a nomination/endorsement from reporting senior for the command screening board
• Must have the the 2D1 qualification, symbolizing successful completion of the MESF command qualification board
• Must pass a rules of the road exam with at least an 80% score

Reserve surface warfare officers who are interested in applying for Reserve O-5 command at sea should contact the NECC Reserve Program Director for more information at USFF_COMNECC_LTLC_N1_RPD@us.navy.mil.
 
The MESF deploys globally and operates throughout the sea-to-shore and inland operating environment protecting maritime infrastructure, providing insertion and extraction capabilities and supporting Fleet assets in support of maritime operations. Learn more about NECC and the MESF by visiting our website.
 
 

Source: United States Navy

As in previous editions of Neptune Strike, including NEST 23.1in February 2023, NEST 23.2 will involve the transfer of authority (TOA) of assigned national forces to STRIKFORNATO and NATO command and control. Allied forces will execute a variety of evolutions in support of enhanced vigilance activity objectives throughout European airspace, waterways, and territory.

“Transferring Allied units to NATO’s control is becoming business as usual for our NATO Alliance,” said Vice Adm. Thomas Ishee, commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet and STRIKFORNATO. “The Project Neptune series allows us to continue honing our ability to operate together with a variety of units and nations in all domains in Europe. Weeks after Formidable Shield and BALTOPS, Sixth Fleet and STRIKFORNATO’s ability to execute Neptune Strike 23-2 underscores our combined capacity and interoperability.”

During NEST 23.2, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), will come under NATO command for the second time in two months. The ship and its associated strike group reported to STRIKFORNATO while sailing in the Norwegian Sea in early June.

In addition to Gerald R. Ford, multiple Allied units, including the Italian Navy’s aircraft carrier ITS Garibaldi (C551) and Allied ships, aircraft and land units, will join the activity, reinforcing the interchangeability of Allied Forces and the agility of NATO command and control structures.

NEST 23.2 continues the natural evolution of NATO’s ability to command and control forces across Supreme Allied Commander Europe’s (SACEUR) Area of Responsibility. The enhanced vigilance activity constitutes a tangible, transparent display of advanced capabilities in all-domain operations and the defensive commitment of the NATO Alliance.

“As we continue to advance the Project Neptune series of vigilance activities, we increasingly demonstrate the flexibility, agility, and dynamism of our 31 Allied nations in all-domain operations,” said Rear Adm. James Morley, Deputy Commander, STRIKFORNATO. “Through this series, we coalesce combat credible maritime forces from multiple nations in multiple regions simultaneously, all united in a common purpose in support of the Alliance.”

Enhanced Vigilance Activities are day-to-day activities, occurring in all domains and across SACEUR’s area of responsibility, to ensure appropriate strategic awareness and force readiness required to sustain peace.

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 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.

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.