Month: August 2023

Source: United States Navy

Below is a transcript of the remarks as delivered:

Secretary Austin, Secretary Hicks, Chairman Milley, Secretary Del Toro, Service Chiefs, Fleet Commanders, Senior Enlisted Leaders, Former CNOs, leaders of Industry, and distinguished guests. Thank you for honoring this ceremony with your presence.

Admiral Gilday, as the sun sets on your extraordinary career, let me add my voice to the chorus of voices expressing our gratitude to you and your family.

Your vision and transformational leadership these past four years has laid the foundation on which we are building our Navy’s readiness for today… while designing the fleet of tomorrow. At the outset of this decisive decade, you have prepared us to lead… and to win. I join our Sailors from around the world in thanking you, Linda, and your family for your service, sacrifice, and steadfast devotion to our Navy and our Navy families. We wish you all fair winds and following seas for your many voyages to come. As Admiral Gilday highlighted, no one reaches this level of leadership on their own. We all follow in the footsteps of mentors and friends who guide us with their example… and I am blessed by having too many to name today… but thank you all for inspiring me to lead, as you have, with integrity, passion, and conviction.

As I assume the duties of the Chief of Naval Operations, I will continue to rely on the strength, love, and support of my husband Jim, our rising high-school senior Isabel, my sister Meg, my brother Lawrence, my Uncle Lin, Aunt Sue… and my Mom and Dad who are here in spirit. Navy readiness is anchored to family readiness, and just as I am grateful to my own family… I am grateful to all our incredible Navy families for the support they provide to their Sailors every day.

To Secretary Austin and Secretary Del Toro, thank you for your leadership and for your advocacy for our Navy. You help ensure we have nothing less than the very best ships, submarines, aircraft, and combat systems in the world. . . as well as the most resilient, most professional, best-trained warfighters. As Vice Chief of Naval Operations, I’m incredibly proud to lead this extraordinary team. Our Sailors and Civilians are patriots who come together from across the rich fabric of America to serve a cause greater than themselves. As potential adversaries work every day to out-build and out-gun us, it is our Sailors and Civilians who deliver our true warfighting advantage… on, under, and above the seas.

As we look to the horizon and prepare for the challenges that lie ahead … I will act with a sense of urgency to ensure our Sailors have everything they need to maintain our warfighting edge. 

For the past 247 years, the U.S. Navy has stood the watch. We…along with the Marine Corps … are America’s Away Team … around the world… around the clock.

As we look to the future… our mission continues… undisrupted and unabated. We fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows… so that others can too. We often sail at the point of friction with would-be adversaries… and always at the point of friendship with those who support the cause of freedom around the world.

To our allies and partners: know that you have no more trusted friend than us.

Ladies and gentlemen, in closing . . . 

To our competitors: know that you will have no more determined adversary . . . than us. And to our fellow Americans, be confident in the knowledge that your United States Navy has the watch.

Thank you very much.

Source: United States Navy

WASHINGTON – Adm. Mike Gilday relinquished the office of the Chief of Naval Operations after successfully concluding his four-year tenure as the Navy’s top military leader in a ceremony at the United States Naval Academy, Aug. 14.

Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti, who has been nominated by President Biden to be the next CNO, will perform the duties of the CNO until someone is formally appointed to that role in accordance with law.

Gilday became the 32nd CNO in August 2019. As a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the CNO acts as an advisor to the President of the United States, the National Security Council, the Homeland Security Council, and the Secretary of Defense. Under direction of the Secretary of the Navy, the CNO is responsible for the command, utilization of resources, and operating efficiency of naval forces and shore activities.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin spoke at the ceremony highlighting the importance of the Navy, and the increasingly critical role the service plays in strategic competition.

“To tackle the national security challenges of the 21st century, we need our Navy more than ever,” said Austin. “We rely on our Navy to project American power, to protect American interests; we rely on our Navy to bolster our unmatched network of allies and partners, from the South China Sea to the Caribbean; and we rely on our Navy to deter conflict and keep the peace.”

Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro acted as the presiding officer and keynote speaker of the ceremony. Similar to Austin, Del Toro emphasized Gilday’s “transformational leadership” and prioritization of readiness during an era of strategic competition.

“Admiral Gilday boldly charged forward, leading and inspiring Sailors at every level, from the tactical, to the operational, to the strategic… he’s also championed our strategic relationships with allies and partners,” said Del Toro. “He served as our 32nd Chief of Naval Operations during a pivotal – and perhaps sometimes even a bit chaotic – time for our fleet, for our Nation, and for our friends around the world – many of whom are represented here today.”

For his part, Gilday reflected on the adaptation and change the Navy has undergone in adjusting to a new and challenging security environment, while also calling for the Department to “act with urgency and purpose” in order to maintain maritime superiority.  He expressed confidence and optimism in the Navy’s direction, while praising Sailors and families around the Fleet for their resilience and service.

“We have the best Navy in the world,” said Gilday. “Every day, our people are standing the watch, operating globally and at the tip of the spear, strengthening our alliances and partnerships.”  

As he departed he left the Fleet with a message of service, to be leaders and serve with a purpose.

“Embody humility; selflessness; complete transparency; acknowledge the value of every Sailor and civilian; and always do the right thing, especially when it is difficult,” said Gilday.  “Have total ownership of your job and duty… because when you are called upon to sail into harm’s way, your mission is to fight and win for our nation.”  

Gilday described Adm. Franchetti as exceptionally well-qualified to perform the duties of CNO during this uncertain and unprecedented leadership transition. 

“I am proud that she will be my CNO,” said Gilday.  “She is a Fleet Sailor, an operator, a warfighter. She has already made the Navy better as our Vice Chief of Naval Operations, the Navy is in good hands with her at the helm.”

During the ceremony, Franchetti and Del Toro both thanked Gilday, his wife Linda Gilday, as well as their entire family for their service and leadership throughout the years.

“Admiral Gilday and his wife Linda have dedicated so much of themselves and their time over the past four years focusing on quality of life and quality of service issues to ensure our Sailors and their families have the resources they need to be resilient during their time in service to our Navy and our nation,” said Del Toro.  “I especially want to highlight Linda’s significant accomplishments in supporting our Navy families and spouses.  You have been a shining example for our service members and families of a remarkable professional and an extraordinary public servant; we express our deepest gratitude to you for your devotion to our Navy family.”

VCNO also stressed the importance of a seamless transition with Gilday’s departure.

“As we look to the horizon and prepare for the challenges that lie ahead, I will act with a sense of urgency to ensure our Sailors have everything they need to maintain our warfighting edge,” said Franchetti.

She added, “For the past 247 years, the U.S. Navy has stood the watch.  We, along with the Marine Corps are America’s Away Team, around the world and around the clock. As we look to the future, our mission continues, undisrupted and unabated.  We fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows so that others can too.”

In the absence of a confirmed 33rd Chief of Naval Operations, and in accordance with 10 U.S.C. 8035, Franchetti assumes the responsibilities of the CNO as the current Vice Chief of Naval Operations.

Adm. Franchetti was nominated by President Biden to be the 33rd Chief of Naval Operations this past July. If confirmed, she would be the first woman service chief and member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

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Source: United States Navy

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Southeast (NAVFAC SE) opened its doors, August 3, to welcome 20 high school students from across three local counties, including several home school students, for a day of exploration, learning, and hands-on experience in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

Source: United States Navy

Dickinson previously served as principal military deputy and chief operating officer for Director, Surface Ship Maintenance, Modernization and Sustainment (SEA 21), and Commander, Navy Regional Maintenance Center. Byrne had served as Warfare Centers commander since April 20, 2020.

“Tom, I know you are the right officer for the job, and with the experience and dedication of the NAVSEA Warfare Centers team behind you, you are well-positioned to build on Kevin’s successes,” said NAVSEA Commander Vice Adm. William Galinis, who presided over the ceremony. “To you both, and your families, congratulations! I wish you nothing but continued success.”

The NAVSEA Warfare Centers execute research, development, test and evaluation efforts for the future Navy as well as provide in-service engineering and logistics support for the operational surface and submarine forces. With headquarters in Washington, D.C., and Newport, Rhode Island, the Warfare Centers are comprised of more than 29,000 scientists, engineers, technicians and support personnel, both civilian and active duty, at eight Surface Warfare Divisions and two Undersea Warfare Divisions across the country. They are led by a commander and an executive director, with Dr. Marty Irvine Jr. taking on the latter role in June.

Byrne thanked the Division technical directors who served on a rotating basis as acting executive director before Irvine’s selection, and wished both Irvine and Dickinson well in their new roles.

“I was often asked, ‘Do you like your job?’ I quickly had a response that I loved the job,” Byrne said. “And why did I love my job? It was the people and mission they were performing … never looking for the limelight, but rather executing their mission to support the Navy of today, tomorrow and the Navy after next.”

Dickinson, a native of Whitehall, Michigan, graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1995 with a bachelor of science in economics and earned a Master of Business Administration at the Naval Postgraduate School. His initial assignments at sea were aboard USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) as anti-submarine warfare officer, and USS Champion (MCM 4) as operations officer.

Dickinson served as executive officer of USS Barry (DDG 52) from May 2011 to November 2012 and assumed command of Barry from November 2012 to April 2014 – relieving Byrne, who led USS Barry from 2010 to 2012. During Dickinson’s command tour, USS Barry completed a nine-month Ballistic Missile Defense deployment in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea and earned the Battle “E.”

Upon completion of command-at-sea, Dickinson was a Prospective Commanding Officer Course Instructor at the Naval Leadership and Ethics Command in Newport. In 2016, he became an acquisition professional in the surface community, serving in Program Executive Office, Integrated Warfare Systems 1.0 as the Fleet Introduction Program Manager for AEGIS Ashore. From October 2018 to July 2021, he served as the AEGIS BMD Weapon Systems Program Manager at the Missile Defense Agency in Dahlgren, Virginia, and from August 2021 to August 2022, he served as executive assistant to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition.

In 2014, Dickinson was awarded the Vice Admiral James Bond Stockdale Award for Inspirational Leadership. In 2020, he was the inaugural recipient of the Rear Admiral “Deak” Parsons Award for Program Management Excellence.

“It is my great honor and privilege to assume duties and responsibilities as commander of the NAVSEA Warfare Centers this morning,” Dickinson said. “Simply stated, the Warfare Centers provide a bridge between the technical community and the warfighter: We deliver readiness, capability, and capacity to our fleet. I look forward to teaming with Navy leadership and partners across DoD, industry and academia to successfully deliver on our highest priority programs,” he said. “Working together, I’m confident that we will maintain our position as the No. 1 Navy on this planet.”

Source: United States Navy

The NAS Whidbey Island SAR team launched before 10 p.m. last night to respond to a climber suffering from chest pains on a cliff ledge at an elevation of 8,400 feet on Mt. Stuart. The SAR crew was able to contact the ailing climber and his friend and ask them to turn on strobe lights to aid in finding them once the helicopter was on station.
 
When the SAR crew arrived on scene at about 10 p.m. they saw the strobe light and found the climbing team on a small ledge among small spires running along a steep spine on the north face. The SAR team were able to hoist the patient aboard and deliver him to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle where they landed just before 11 p.m.

Naval Air Station Whidbey Island SAR has conducted 25 missions this calendar year, which includes 1 MEDEVAC, 4 searches and 20 rescues.

The Navy SAR unit operates three MH-60S helicopters from NAS Whidbey Island as search and rescue/medical evacuation (SAR/MEDEVAC) platforms for the EA-18G aircraft as well as other squadrons and personnel assigned to the installation. Pursuant to the National SAR Plan of the United States, the unit may also be used for civil SAR/MEDEVAC needs to the fullest extent practicable on a non-interference basis with primary military duties according to applicable national directives, plans, guidelines and agreements; specifically, the unit may launch in response to tasking by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (based on a Washington State Memorandum of Understanding) for inland missions, and/or tasking by the United States Coast Guard for all other aeronautical and maritime regions, when other assets are unavailable.