Month: August 2023

Source: United States Navy

Both Gloria and Meredith Berger, assistant secretary of the Navy for energy, installations & environment/chief sustainability officer, addressed the OTC revitalization, which would impact the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR) headquarters, at a recent San Diego Military Advisory Council (SDMAC) breakfast, Aug 16.

“The city is absolutely committed to making sure we can find a successful way to re-envision NAVWAR’s facility needs here in San Diego,” said Gloria. “We will do whatever it takes to make sure this process goes as smoothly as possible.”

The SDMAC breakfast takes place on the third Wednesday of every month and features prominent speakers, civilian and military, from the Department of Defense, the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.

“This is a significant parcel of land totaling 70 acres that the Navy has offered up in kind to get NAVWAR new facilities and give San Diego a much-needed opportunity to create new sustainable and innovative development,” said Berger. “We’re going through a secure and strict confidential process to review these proposals, and I’m confident we will see incredibly innovative ideas that are sustainable, resilient and impactful to support our community.”

The Navy OTC Revitalization Project centers around the redevelopment of NAVWAR headquarters, which is currently housed in 1941 World War II aircraft factories, on 70.5 acres of Navy-owned land at Naval Base Point Loma, in the Midway-Pacific Highway Community of San Diego, Calif. The 80-year-old buildings are not compatible with NAVWAR’s technical, high-security mission today.

In the latest milestone of the project, the Navy has received proposals from shortlisted potential master developers and has started the process of evaluating them. The request for proposals source selection evaluation process will identify the team whose proposal conforms to the solicitation, best meets NAVWAR’s mission requirements, and represents the best value to the U.S. government. The Navy plans to select one proposer by the end of calendar year 2023 to enter into a period of exclusive negotiations.

The Navy OTC facilities are well beyond their useful life and negatively affect NAVWAR’s cyber warfare mission, security, and workforce safety. The Navy’s proposed revitalization of OTC facilities would meet design standards for safety and security while enabling sustainment of NAVWAR’s national defense mission.

“I’m pleased to see progress on this important project,” said NAVWAR Commander Rear Adm. Doug Small. “As we march forward towards the goal of new mission-capable facilities for NAVWAR, we look forward to continuing our close partnership with the city of San Diego and local community.”

On April 10, 2023, the Navy shortlisted four potential master developers that advanced to Step 2: Request for Proposals based on submitted qualifications. The four shortlisted potential master developers had approximately four months to prepare their proposals to include technical and financial information to specify how they would achieve the Navy’s requirements. Proposals include details such as site and design drawings for the new government facilities; demonstration of the concept for private development; specifics on how they would finance the project; and a proposed schedule for achieving key milestones of the government facilities.

“The Navy appreciates the effort each of the master developers has devoted to their proposals over the last four months,” said Rear Adm. Brad Rosen, Navy Region Southwest commander. “We look forward to moving through the next steps. The Navy and San Diego have had a productive and mutually beneficial relationship for well over a hundred years, and I believe the potential here is another win for us both.”

The Navy will work with the selected master developer on multiple options for the private development of OTC, while continuing to evaluate the feasibility of a NAVWAR-only development funded by traditional military construction methods.

“NAVWAR needs secure, safe, modern, state-of-the-art facilities to achieve its growing and expanding mission requirements to support the Navy,” said Greg Geisen, NAVWAR’s project manager for OTC Revitalization. “We also recognize that this project can simultaneously provide tremendous positive impacts to the community and local economy alike.”

While the NAVWAR mission is driving the requirements and urgency of the revitalization project, a new facility will also attract and retain the skills and talent needed to outpace adversaries in today and tomorrow’s fast moving, more complex and increasingly competitive cybersecurity environment.

Continue to stay updated with the most current information and timelines; visit the project website at www.NAVWAR-revitalization.com.

Source: United States Navy

Noble Chinook is the latest event of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command-led Large Scale Global Exercise 23, a series of joint and multinational military activities and operations that demonstrate a robust presence and the strength of regional partnerships, interoperability and cooperation.

For Noble Chinook, U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 83) joined the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Kimball; Royal Canadian Navy’s HMCS Vancouver (FFH 331), HMCS Ottawa (FFH 341) and MV Asterix; and JMSDF JS Hyuga (DDH 181) for the exercise.

“Through the exercise, we improve our tactical capabilities and strengthen cooperation with the participating navies,” said Capt. Okishige Hiroki, commanding officer of JS Hyuga. “The exercise also demonstrates the will and the capability of Japan, allied and like-minded partners to maintain rules-based international order in order to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

The exercise provided a valuable opportunity to improve allied interoperability and conduct complex scenarios to improve combined readiness.

“These exercises provide our allied navies with an incredible opportunity to sustain and improve interoperability through dynamic, complex interactions at sea,” said Capt. Walter Mainor, commander of TF 71 and DESRON 15. “Operations like these continue to reinforce our confidence in protecting a free and open Indo-Pacific together, as a seamlessly integrated multinational force.”

Commander, Task Force 71, is U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. CTF 71 is responsible for the readiness, tactical and administrative responsibilities for forward-deployed Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers as well as any surface unit conducting independent operations in the region.

U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

Source: United States Navy

Cleveland Navy Week brings Sailors from across the fleet to the area to emphasize the importance of the Navy to Cleveland, the state of Ohio, and the nation.

More than 50 Sailors will participate in education and community outreach events throughout the city.

Participating Navy organizations include U.S. Fleet Forces Band USS Constitution, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, United States Ceremonial Guard and Color Guard, Navy Talent Acquisition Group Ohio River Valley, U.S. Navy Esports, Navy History and Heritage Command, nuclear-power Ohio-class guided-missile submarine USS Ohio (SSGN 726), the recently christened Freedom-variant Littoral Combat Ship USS Cleveland (LCS 31), and U.S. Fleet Forces.

The Navy’s senior executives are Mr. Andrew Haeuptle, director, Navy Staff for the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations and Rear Adm. Gregory Newkirk, deputy director for operations, National Joint Operations Intelligence Team Two, J3, Joint Staff. Haeuptle is a native of Sandusky and a graduate of The Ohio State University, and Newkirk is a native of Medina and a graduate of Medina High School. During Cleveland Navy Week, they are participating in community engagements, meeting with students, and speaking with local business, civic, and government leaders.

Navy Weeks are a series of outreach events coordinated by the Navy Office of Community Outreach designed to give Americans an opportunity to learn about the Navy, its people, and its importance to national security and prosperity. Since 2005, the Navy Week program has served as the Navy’s flagship outreach effort into areas of the country without a significant Navy presence, providing the public a firsthand look at why the Navy matters to cities like Cleveland.

“We are excited to bring the Navy Week program to Cleveland,” said NAVCO’s director, Cmdr. Anthony Falvo. “Seapower and America’s Navy are more important now than ever before. The U.S. Navy remains our nation’s most powerful instrument of military influence and Navy Weeks allow us to showcase how the Navy serves America at sea, in the air, and ashore.”

Throughout the week, Sailors are participating in various community events across the area, including engaging with students across multiple high schools and at the Boys & Girls Club of Cleveland, volunteering at the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, Achievements’ Center Camp Cheerful, and the Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity, and publicly visible at the Great Lakes Science Center, Greater Cleveland Aquarium, and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Residents will also enjoy free live music by U.S. Fleet Forces Band at venues throughout the week.

Cleveland Navy Week is one of 13 Navy Weeks in 2023, which brings a variety of assets, equipment, and personnel to a single city for a weeklong series of engagements designed to bring America’s Navy closer to the people it protects. Each year, the program reaches more than 140 million people — about half the U.S. population.

Media organizations wishing to cover Cleveland Navy Week events should contact Lt. Caroline Ready at (910) 915-6386 or caroline.e.ready.mil@us.navy.

Source: United States Navy

On the first Saturday of each month, staff and students dedicate four and a half hours to preparing and serving an assortment of meals at the soup kitchen operated by the Trinity United Methodist Church in San Angelo, Texas, as part of the “Our Daily Bread Soup Lunch Program.”

The soup kitchen feeds as many as 200 people daily, with the average patron consuming three or more servings of hot food and cold beverages. Our Daily Bread provides more than 40,000 meals annually to the needy in the San Angelo community.

“I’m proud of how involved our students and staff are with the community,” said Lt. Cmdr. Nicholas Leyba, Officer-In-Charge of IWTCM Detachment Goodfellow. “Goodfellow Air Force Base has an amazing civic-military relationship, and our service members embody that community and culture. Partnering up with local organizations like the United Methodist Church in San Angelo and their soup kitchen is just another way to give back and be good stewards in the community. It was amazing to be part of a group of 27 Sailors who came out to serve more than 200 meals to those who are less fortunate.”

With four schoolhouse commands, two detachments, and training sites throughout the United States and Japan, CIWT trains more than 26,000 students every year, delivering trained information warfare professionals to the Navy and joint services. CIWT also offers more than 200 courses for cryptologic technicians, cyber warfare technicians, intelligence specialists, information systems technicians, electronics technicians, and officers in the information warfare community.

Source: United States Navy

The patrol consisted of cooperative exercises, expertise and knowledge exchanges, as well as several community relationship engagements. It took the unique skill and talent of every Sailor on-board, including the mobilization and integration of Reserve Sailors, to maximize the impact of the patrol.

Acting Maritime Operations Center Director, Capt. Michael Husband, was able to see first-hand what his fellow Reserve Sailors could accomplish.

“It’s very humbling seeing my fellow reservists blending in with the staff so well. They’re professionals in their civilian careers and they’re proving to be professionals here too,” said Husband. “They’ve added value to the active component and have brought in new ideas to help improve how the active component operates.”

The innovation brought by Reserve Sailors in the areas of planning, operations and logistics added value to 7th Fleet’s role in supporting a free and open Indo-Pacific through operations at sea and port visits to Singapore; Jakarta, Indonesia; Brunei Darussalam; and Puerto Princesa, Philippines.

“There’s a lot of acceptance and understanding that reservist bring a new perspective but also are able to provide what’s required when it’s needed. I think this patrol has shown the diversity and ability of Sailors to make an actual impact,” Husband added.

Reserve Sailors bring different perspective to active missions and deployments. Intelligence Specialist 2nd Class Danielle Holle was also embarked aboard USS Blue Ridge and saw opportunity in the upcoming patrol. Holle has been a 7th fleet Sailor since 2020 and this summer patrol is her first underway with the ship.

“It’s really cool and I know being on board Blue Ridge is something that’s really unique for a reservist,” said Holle “I worked really hard to get out here and have the opportunity to get underway.”

During the patrol, Holle has had the responsibility of briefing vital information to U.S. 7th Fleet leadership and commanders, from various task forces throughout the Indo-Pacific. Information that added to the strategic depth of real time operations and exercises.

“It’s definitely a good feeling to be able to get out here and do real world things and see the information that we put out actually being implemented by commands all throughout the pacific,” said Holle “For these briefs you need to have that all-encompassing knowledge about the area of operation.“

U.S. Navy Reserve Sailors integrate within any environment, mobilizing quickly, and maintaining the strategic depth of warfighting readiness.

“While being here I’ve learned how to find comfort in the chaos. Coming here I’ve experienced so many new things all at once,” said Holle “It was a lot of learning and making mistakes and with everything I’ve experienced I’ve found my groove in the whirlwind of it all.”

Blue Ridge, with the embarked Seventh Fleet staff, is currently on patrol in the Indo-Pacific operating with allies and partners in support of preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific.