Month: August 2023

Source: United States Navy

This year, 15 students graduated from the M.S. in Hydrographic Science, the Joint International Hydrographic Applied Science Program – a cooperation between the U.S. Navy, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, and USM. Three others graduated from the University’s B.S. program in Marine Science, with an emphasis in Hydrographic Science.

USM is one of only three universities in North America providing a pathway to a certificate of completion of competence of a Category-A program recognized by the International Board on Standards for Competence for Hydrographic Surveyors and Nautical Cartographers (IBSC). The B.S. in Marine Science, with emphasis in Hydrographic Science, is the only program in North America leading to a certificate of completion of competence of a Category-B program recognized by IBSC.

Since the program’s debut in 2000, USM has graduated 255 students, including 66 international students from 36 different countries. Dr. Stephan Howden, who serves at the Hydrographic Science Program Director, applauds this year’s graduates for their commitment to the curriculum.

“This class of graduates has done a remarkable job in their coursework and conducting hydrographic surveys that utilize both traditional survey vessels and uncrewed survey vessels,” said Howden.

Graduates earning Category-A certificates include:

AKEEM ADEMOLA BAKARE

Graduate Assistant, Division of Marine Science, The University of Southern Mississippi

B.S. Geoinformatics and Surveying, University of Nigeria, 2006

 Distinction in Land Surveying National Diploma Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Nigeria 2000

KEVIN R. BOUNDS

Graduate Assistant, Division of Marine Science, The University of Southern Mississippi

B.S. Marine Science (HYD), The University of Southern Mississippi, 2021

A.A., Pearl River Community College, 2017

ROCKFORD RAYMOND BOWMAN

Lieutenant Junior Grade, U.S. Navy, Naval Oceanography Mine Warfare Center.

B.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of Dayton, 2018

OLAGOKE EMMANUEL DARAMOLA

Graduate Assistant, Division of Marine Science, The University of Southern Mississippi

M.S. Surveying and Geoinformatics Engineering, University of Lagos, Nigeria, 2020

B.S. Surveying and Geoinformatics Engineering, University of Lagos, Nigeria, 2016

CASSANDRA MICHAELA HANKINS

Graduate Assistant, Division of Marine Science, The University of Southern Mississippi

B.S. Marine Science (HYD), The University of Southern Mississippi, 2021

A.S. Science, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, 2018

PETER IREWOLFE KOMOLAFE

Graduate Assistant, Division of Marine Science, The University of Southern Mississippi

B.S. Technology, Marine Science and Technology, The Federal University of Technology, Nigeria, 2018

RAJU KUNDU

Graduate Assistant, Division of Marine Science, The University of Southern Mississippi

B.S. Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Bangladesh, 2017

NIKOLAY LYASKOVSKI

Lieutenant Commander, Bulgarian Navy, Bulgaria

M.S. Navigation, Naval Academy “Nikola Vaptsarov”, Bulgaria, 2012

B.S. Navigation, Naval Academy “Nikola Vaptsarov”, Bulgaria, 2008

OLAOLUWA MICHAEL ODERINDE

B.S. Hons. Surveying and Geoinformatics Engineering, University of Lagos, Nigeria, 2018

EMA LINNEA PARKER

Graduate Assistant, Division of Marine Science, The University of Southern Mississippi

B.S. Mathematics, University of Utah, 2020

SHAWN MICHAEL PASSERI

Graduate Assistant, Division of Marine Science, The University of Southern Mississippi

B.S. Marine Science, Coastal Carolina University, 2021

DIEGO F. MENDEZ PORTA

Lieutenant Junior Grade, Guatemala Navy

B.S. Marine Engineering, Universidad Galileo, Guatemala, 2015

Navigation and Merchant Seafarer, Universidad Galileo, Guatemala, 2015

Guatemala Naval Academy, Guatemala, 2015

BRANDON MATTHEW SAWYER

Lieutenant, U.S. Navy, Naval Oceanography Mine Warefare Center

B.S. Meteorology and Atmospheric Science, Pennsylvania State University, 2019

HIRAM J. TORRES SURIS

Graduate Assistant, Division of Marine Science, The University of Southern Mississippi

B.S. Land Surveying and Mapping, Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, 2020

JAMES THOMPSON

Graduate Assistant, Division of Marine Science, The University of Southern Mississippi
M.S. Geology, USM (2021)
B.S. Geology, University of Georgia (2013)

Graduates earning Category-B certificates include:

PAUL SANDERS FRYE

LAUREN ELISABETH KEGLEY

GREYSON FOSTER MEYERS

Hydrographers produce information that directly affects the daily lives of people across the globe, yet many may be unaware. Hydrographers work in such demanding areas as:

• Enabling exploitation of gas and minerals
• Construction of ports and offshore alternative energy sites
• Laying of communication cables and pipelines
• Establishment of aquaculture farms
• Optimization of shipping routes
• Dredging of navigation channels
• Preparation and response to natural disasters

Howden says the importance of USM’s role in training the next generation of Hydrographic Science professionals cannot be overstated.

“Hydrographic Science is incredibly important for providing the geospatial framework within which all science, management, recreation, and commerce occur in the oceans, lakes and rivers,” he said. “The hydrography workforce is aging, and there is a large demand for trained hydrograpers.”

Naval Oceanography has approximately 2,900 globally distributed military and civilian personnel, who collect, process and exploit environmental information to assist Fleet and Joint Commanders in all warfare areas to guarantee the U.S. Navy’s freedom of action in the physical battlespace from the depths of the ocean to the stars.

To learn more about the hydrographic science program at USM, call 228.688.7123 or visit: https://www.usm.edu/graduate-programs/hydrographic-science.php

Source: United States Navy

Expeditionary Re-Arming

The training events kicked off with Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group (NAVELSG) further refining their ability to reload a destroyer’s missile tubes using a crane from an auxiliary ship, August 3. NAVELSG Sailors assigned to Navy Cargo Handling Battalion’s expeditionary reload team assisted the crews of the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) and Military Sealift Command’s (MSC) dry cargo ammunition ship USNS William McLean (T-AKE 12) in performing a MK 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS) re-arm using simulated ordnance, pier-side, at Naval Station Norfolk. The expeditionary ordnance reload teams also conducted re-arming efforts in Mayport, Florida, during the exercise.

“Expeditionary logistics allow the Navy to quickly return to maintaining maritime dominance,” said Rear Adm. Brad Andros, commander, NECC. “Operating in support of Military Sealift Command during Large Scale Exercise 2023 provides our expeditionary reload teams the opportunity to train to different platforms so that they can continue to sustain capacity and increase the persistent combat power of naval forces.”

Expeditionary Port Damage Repair

Navy Expeditionary Combat Forces leveraged an aging pier on Naval Station Norfolk August as a training site to not only practice their ability to conduct expeditionary port damage repair operations (ExPDRO) but also improve real-word infrastructure for future fleet use.

Prior to beginning the repair, Navy divers from Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 2 conducted harbor clearance and a pier survey with remotely operated vehicles to ensure a safe working environment, and the Maritime Expeditionary Security Force conducted patrol boat operations, providing security of the entry and exit points for our forces.

Sailors conducting ExPDRO revive sea ports of debarkation through diving, salvage, expeditionary dredging and expedient construction operations to remove impediments to shipping, repair piers, quay walls and other waterfront infrastructure in contested environments to support maneuverability and resupply of forces. The 22nd Naval Construction Regiment oversaw the successful ExPDRO event, commanding and controlling Underwater Construction Team (UCT) 2, who provided underwater construction capabilities, and Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11, who used a task-tailored waterfront construction company who specializes in maritime construction to provide topside construction capabilities. Improvements for the pier included constructing new reinforcements with trussing, restoring and painting cleats, wrapping piles, and underwater pier bracing.

“Repairing sea ports of debarkation is incredibly important for enabling distributed maritime operations,” said Andros. “Our forces were able to demonstrate their ability to repair piers quickly and effectively so that the Fleet can return to the fight. This capability enables expeditionary logistics and resupply of expeditionary advanced base forces.”

Expeditionary Airfield Damage Repair and Expeditionary Refueling

Navy Expeditionary Combat Forces also conducted airfield damage repair efforts onboard Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro, North Carolina. To exercise integration with the amphibious surface fleet and U.S. Marine Corps, Seabees from NMCB 11 embarked the amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21) with construction vehicles and supplies and conducted a beach landing onto Onslow Beach at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune with the support of landing craft, air cushions.

Once they landed, they refueled and convoyed to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base where they met Navy explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technicians from EOD Mobile Unit (EODMU) 6 and began airfield damage repair efforts which included surveying the airfield, identifying explosive hazards, clearing the area of simulated ordnance and repairing craters and spalls to return the airfield back to full functionality.

Sailors from Navy Cargo Handling Battalion’s expeditionary refueling team also integrated with Marines from Marine Wing Support Squadron 272 to establish a forward arming and refueling point for fixed wing aircraft at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base that enabled sea-to-shore and shore-to-sea expeditionary logistics capabilities, a critical node in ensuring distributed maritime operations.

Expeditionary Mine Countermeasures and Battle Damage Repair

An expeditionary mine countermeasures company from EODMU 12 comprised of a command and control element, an unmanned systems platoon and an explosive ordnance disposal mine countermeasures platoon, embarked aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44) to provide expeditionary mine countermeasures “q-route” clearance in the 2nd Fleet operational area. They used a combination of unmanned systems and EOD technicians to locate, identify and eliminate simulated explosive threats with underwater detonations so that the ship could safely operate in a simulated contested environment.

Sailors from MDSU 2 demonstrated their ability to rapidly deploy, conduct damage assessments, and “fight the ship” alongside Sailors from the USS Porter (DDG 78) during a simulated emergency response scenario on the ship. This capability, known as expeditionary battle damage assessment and repair, is designed to increase surface combatant resiliency and get the Navy’s ships back in the fight to continue their missions. The initial entry team from MDSU 2 conducted a fast rope insertion onto the Porter from a helicopter where they integrated into shipboard damage control and engineering efforts while also establishing communication back to their higher headquarters ashore. They then dispersed throughout the ship to check repair efforts, identify water intrusion points, and conduct clearance and explosive hazard mitigation.

Andros said he was incredibly proud of his Sailors and the warfighting concepts that were refined during LSE 2023 so that the Navy Expeditionary Combat Force can continue to support the Navy in fighting, winning, and deterring potential aggressors.

“Our Sailors are trained to operate globally and thrive in littoral environments to reinforce America’s maritime dominance,” said Andros. “The capabilities of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Force were on full display during Large Scale Exercise 2023, and I look forward to future iterations as we build upon our ability to rearm, refuel, resupply, repair and revive naval forces to stay in the fight.”

Navy Expeditionary Combat Command mans, trains, equips, organizes, and sustains warfighting readiness for the Navy’s explosive ordnance disposal, construction, maritime expeditionary security, expeditionary logistics support, and expeditionary intelligence forces so that Navy and Joint Force commanders can apply our unique capabilities to their missions.

LSE 2023 demonstrates the Navy’s and Marine Corps’ ability to employ precise, lethal, and overwhelming force globally across six maritime component commands, seven numbered fleets, and 22 time zones. LSE 2023 merges real-world operations with virtually constructed scenarios to create a realistic training environment that allows Sailors and Marines to train how they will fight, regardless of geographic boundaries.

For more information about NECC and our units, visit our website: https://www.necc.usff.navy.mil/

Source: United States Navy

Returning to the Philippines since last year’s stop in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Pacific Partnership enables participants to work together to enhance disaster response capabilities and foster new and enduring friendships in the Philippines.

At the invitation of the Philippines, Pacific Partnership’s mission is to conduct tailored humanitarian and civic preparedness activities in areas such as engineering, disaster response, public health, and Philippine outreach events. This year’s mission, featuring nearly 1500 personnel, was a joint effort on behalf of Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States.

“The U.S. Navy and our allies and partners value our growing cooperation with the Philippines,” said U.S. Navy Capt. Claudine Caluori, mission commander. “I am confident that the planning and hard work we’ve invested thus far with our partners will have a long-lasting impact here in the Philippines.”

While in San Fernando City, La Union, Philippines, Pacific Partnership 2023 will provide tailored medical care focusing on subject-matter exchanges and community education; constructing and reconstruction of multiple schoolhouses and knowledge exchanges with exercises covering disaster response and humanitarian assistance. Additionally, the U.S. Pacific Fleet Band will perform in a variety of community engagements.

“We welcome our allies and partners as we embark in another opportunity to build strong, stable and resilient communities, “ said Lt. Col. Enrico Gil Ileto, Chief of the Public Affairs Office. “This exercise underscores our commitment to regional stability, disaster response readiness, and the well-being of every Filipino and our neighbors. With our partners, this will help us hurdle challenges by fostering goodwill and fostering safer, more resilient communities for generations to come.”

As part of PP23, the mission team will conduct missions throughout Southeast Asia and the South Pacific Islands.

For more information about Pacific Partnership  visit www.facebook.com/pacificpartnership, www.instagram.com/pacific_partnership/ or https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/C-LGWP. Pacific Partnership public affairs can be reached via email at publicaffairs.pp23@gmail.com.

Source: United States Navy

Today we celebrate Women’s Equality Day.

Women continue to make history in our Department of the Navy, and this year, milestones and monumental shifts in gender equality were achieved.

We won’t rest on these historic achievements.

This is simply the beginning and I am proud of the diversity of our force.

Read the full memo HERE.