Month: September 2023

Source: United States Navy

The award honors military service members and Department of Defense (DoD) civilians who support the mission and whose attributes best epitomize the qualities and core values of their respective service branches or DoD components. National Blacks in Government is one of the DoD’s diversity affinity groups which focuses on the need for African Americans in public service to organize around issues of mutual concern and use their collective strength to confront workplace and community issues.

“This award is about how many avenues you are creating, whether it’s in the military or out of the military for African Americans and people who look like you,” Hough said. “It’s an honor to be recognized for this award. It allows me to tell my sons I’m not just out here talking about what I’m doing, I’m actually doing it.”

Hough attributes his drive to succeed and serve others to lessons his grandfather taught him at a young age.

“The reason I became a prosecutor, the reason I joined the Navy, the reason I am selected for this award for my community service is because of my grandfather,” Hough said. “Growing up, he would tell me, ‘I worked very hard to get you here, so go do something good with it, and do three things: serve your country, serve your state, and serve your community.’ ”

Those three tasks became the pillars for Hough’s life goals – starting with his service to the state of North Carolina. As an Assistant District Attorney in the Union County district attorney’s office, he was one of three members of the Superior Court Trial Team, handling crimes ranging from DWIs to murder. After a successful tenure in the DA office, Hough began to look toward another facet of his grandfather’s advice.

“I was trying jury trials and I got to the point where I was really getting good at it, but I was burning out a little bit,” Hough said. “Something in my head said, if you want to go serve, then this is the time.”

During his six years of active duty service to the U.S. Navy, Hough has served as a defense counsel and victim’s legal counsel in over 80 cases.

“Hough’s achievement underscores the importance of fostering an inclusive military community where all individual’s talents are recognized and celebrated. His leadership qualities, commitment to mentorship, and dedication to advancing the mission have left an indelible mark on the armed forces,” said Vice Adm. Del Crandall, Judge Advocate General of the Navy.

Hough makes community service a cornerstone of his day-to-day life. He spearheads community outreach programs including school supply drives and scholarship opportunities that became a significant factor in his selection for the award.

For more information on careers in the Navy JAG Corps, visit Navy JAG Careers.

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Source: United States Navy

Background
Technological advances in the Standard Missile coupled with the Aegis combat system in the Ticonderoga class cruisers have increased the Anti-Air Warfare (AAW) capability of surface combatants to pinpoint accuracy from wave-top to zenith.
 

Source: United States Navy

U.S. assets participating in CARAT Brunei includes staff from U.S. 7th Fleet, Commander, Task Force (CTF) 76/3, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area, Patrol and Reconnaissance Squadron SIXTEEN (VP-16) and U.S. Embassy Brunei. The exercise focuses on innovative naval capabilities and features cooperative evolutions that highlight the ability of Brunei and the U.S. to collaborate on common goals maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific.

U.S. Coast Guard national security cutter USCGC Munro (WMSL 755) will take part in the exercise while on her rotational deployment to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations.

“Military-to-military ties are the cornerstone of the U.S.-Brunei relationship, and CARAT remains one of our most important annual exercises,” said U.S. Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam, Her Excellency Caryn R. McClelland. “It’s particularly fitting that the U.S. Coast Guard will join CARAT this year as the U.S. continues to support Brunei in increasing their Maritime Security and Maritime Domain Awareness,”

The exercise includes a variety of symposia and hands-on training ashore and at sea including humanitarian assistance and disaster response scenarios, underwater medical tactics, and maritime security operations.

“CARAT Brunei is a highlight to the robust training DESRON 7 coordinates throughout the year in 7th Fleet. Our strong partnership is based on our many shared regional priorities and consistent collaboration,” said Capt. Sean Lewis, commanding officer, DESRON 7. “Brunei was one of our original CARAT partners when the exercise series began in 1995. Our partnership and coordination are even stronger today and it shows in the highly professional in-depth training that we are seeing this week.”

This year, training will also include aviation training involving maritime patrol reconnaissance aircraft (MPRA). MPRA provide a unit the ability to patrol and monitor their exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and assist in search and rescue (SAR) missions. During CARAT, VP-16 will work with the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) to enhance interoperability and tactics related to maritime domain awareness. These events further strengthen the growing relationship we have with Brunei and allow for our collective armed forces to grow together.

“CARAT Brunei is a unique opportunity to strengthen our relationship with
the Royal Brunei Armed Forces and to exchange knowledge and ideas on how to protect the maritime community,” said Lt. Elizabeth Millward, the detachment officer in charge of the P-8A aircrew while in Brunei. “We’re excited to support and be a part of this bilateral exercise.”

As the U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed DESRON in Southeast Asia, DESRON 7 serves as the primary tactical and operational commander of littoral combat ships rotationally deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility, functions as Expeditionary Strike Group 7’s Sea Combat Commander and builds partnerships through training and exercises and military-to military engagements.

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.