Month: August 2023

Source: United States Navy

This is Blue Ridge’s first visit to Brunei since 2002.

“The United States and Brunei’s relationship has entered its fourth decade in a position of strength and we continue to build our partnership through joint military exercises and engagements such as the Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT) and the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT),” said the U.S. Ambassador to Brunei, Her Excellency Caryn McClelland. “The USS Blue Ridge visit to Brunei today is another testament to our exemplary cooperation based on mutual desire for the peace, security, and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region,” she added.

During the visit, which complements the many bilateral military cooperation activities conducted by the U.S. Navy and Brunei, Vice Adm. Karl Thomas, Commander, U.S. Seventh Fleet, conducted talks with Ambassador McClelland, the Minister of Defence II, The Honorable Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Retired) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, the Commander of Royal Brunei Armed Forces, Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Muhammad Haszaimi bin Bol Hassan, and other key-leaders from Brunei.

“It was an absolute honor to visit Brunei Darussalam this past week,” said Thomas. “U.S.-Brunei defense cooperation has never been stronger. The U.S. Navy is grateful to have the opportunity to strengthen our friendship with the Royal Brunei Armed Forces and our common understanding that a safe and secure maritime environment fosters economic prosperity and regional security for all nations.”

The U.S. Navy shares a deep history with Brunei. USS Constitution made the first visit to the country in 1845. Five years later, the U.S. and Brunei formalized relations with the signing of the Treaty of Peace, Friendship, Commerce, and Navigation.

During a welcome ceremony held aboard Blue Ridge, the ship’s Commanding Officer, Capt. Dale Gregory, expressed his gratitude and desire to continue building upon the partnership. He also spoke to the historic tie between Brunei and the Blue Ridge, when his Majesty the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah made his first visit to a U.S. Navy ship in October 1985.

“The Blue Ridge and Brunei have a rich history reaching all the way back to 1985,” said Gregory. “It brings great pleasure to be welcomed by this great nation and continue building upon and already fortified partnership, our shared vision on the international rules-based order, and for peace and stability for a free and open Indo Pacific”.

While in Brunei, Muslim Sailors had the opportunity to visit and pray at a local mosque for Friday prayers.

“It was a great and exciting experience to be afforded the opportunity to pray at the local Mosque,” said Electronics Technician 3rd Class Faisal Ebadi. “The Mosque was amazing and the people were very welcoming and friendly. They even gave us a tour, explaining the history of the Mosque and Islam in Brunei”.

Blue Ridge Sailors also took part in a sports day with members of the Royal Brunei Navy, strengthening the bond between our service members and giving them a chance to interact.

“It was really cool because it is something we can do coed while respecting their cultural and religious practices,” said Damage Controlman 1st Class Brandon Carrick. “Overall, the event was really fun because it showed sportsmanship and appreciating other cultures.”

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

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Source: United States Navy

“Our Ohana on Maui is facing unprecedented, life-threatening, and life-altering events with these wildfires. We send our deepest condolences for the lives lost in the tragedy,” said PMRF Commanding Officer Capt. Brett Stevenson.
 
“For those directly impacted, their lives have crumbled literally overnight with the loss of precious loved ones, homes, and the countless businesses that are the lifeblood of the community. The scene on the ground in Lahaina is catastrophic.”
 
Stevenson continued:
 
“In an effort to provide relief to our brothers and sisters on Maui, we’ve established drop off points for donations on base that will go directly to those in need. Those sites include a drop off point outside the NEX Entrance, which is available to anyone with access to our installation.”
 
Items most in need include:

• Non-perishable food items (canned or dry goods)
• Rice
• Batteries, flashlights
• Toiletries
• Blankets
• Clothing and shoes, to include children’s items
• Children’s toys

 
“There are other ways to support those in need, and if you are in a position to be generous, I encourage you to seek out one of the many available charities that are contributing directly to the relief efforts on Maui,” said Stevenson.
 
For further information, please contact PMRF Public Affairs at PMRFPublicAffairs@us.navy.mil, or 808-335-4740.
 

Source: United States Navy

The MOU, signed by Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Energy, Installations, and Environment) Meredith Berger, and EEI President and CEO Tom Kuhn, establishes a framework for the two organizations to identify opportunities to align the common energy goals of the DON, its servicing electric companies, and nearby communities.

Relationships between America’s investor-owned electric companies and the Department of the Navy (DON) have been instrumental in increasing energy resilience, reliability, and efficiency, as well as reducing energy consumption at Navy and Marine Corps installations. The MOU will empower these relationships to identify best practices that support the energy grid, local communities, and national security interests.

“EEI and our member companies are excited to continue our partnership with the DON and to pursue additional opportunities to strengthen energy grid resilience,” said Kuhn. “The signing of this MOU will allow the industry to play a vital role in maintaining and enhancing America’s energy security by laying the foundation to enhance joint energy resilience planning.”

The Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations, and Environment ensures mission readiness through resilient installations, personnel, ranges, and capabilities. As the DON’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Secretary Berger is also responsible for establishing and overseeing execution of sustainability goals and implementing Climate Action 2030.

“The ability of the DON’s installations to plan, prepare, adapt and recover from a range of natural or manmade threats is essential to mission readiness,” said Berger. “Energy security is critical to mission success, and working with organizations that share our goals is critical to our efforts.”

About Edison Electric Institute: EEI is the association that represents all U.S. investor-owned electric companies. Our members provide electricity for nearly 250 million Americans, and operate in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. As a whole, the electric power industry supports more than 7 million jobs in communities across the United States. In addition to our U.S. members, EEI has more than 65 international electric companies, with operations in more than 90 countries, as International Members, and hundreds of industry suppliers and related organizations as Associate Members.

Contact: For more information, please contact

U.S. Navy at: 703-697-5342

PTGN_CHINFONEWSDESK@navy.mil

EEI at: mediarelations@eei.org

Source: United States Navy

Normandy’s MVDR required skill and expertise from FDRMC Naples and Bahrain team members, who executed contract management oversight, engineering support, quality assurance and diving support with industry partner Viktor Lenac providing contracted services. During MDVRs, safety and mission-essential equipment and areas are maintained and repaired, if needed.

FDRMC’s unique ability to flex personnel throughout Sixth Fleet’s area of operation provide ships comprehensive maintenance capability while on deployment. FDRMC divers, located in Bahrain, provided diving support to install a cofferdam during the availability, allowing maintainers to replace needed parts safely.

“Nothing is more satisfying then supporting a ship mid-deployment knowing we are directly impacting the ship’s readiness,” said Melissa Gooch, FDRMC Project Manager. “MDVRs are high-tempo, compressed maintenance periods that allow us to maintain and restore capability so the ship can continue executing its critical mission.”

Important work executed to maintain the air conditioning, water distillation system and other areas will ensure Normandy can continue to operate uninhibited throughout the remainder of deployment with the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group.

The last U.S. Navy ship to execute an MDVR in Croatia was San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24) in July 2022. The ability to execute critical maintenance in allied and partner countries such as Croatia provides a significant benefit to U.S. Navy ships and FDRMC’s maintenance mission.

CSG-12, Gerald R. Ford CSG, is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied and partner interests.

Normandy is a part of the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (GRFCSG). The GRFCSG is comprised of Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 2, the Information Warfare Commander, and the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60).

FDRMC provides emergent, intermediate and depot-level maintenance and modernization for transient and Forward Deployed Naval Forces in U.S. Fifth and Sixth Fleets through fleet technical assistance, voyage repair, contract management oversight, assessments, and diving and salvage.

For over 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) has 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 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.