Month: October 2023

Source: United States Navy

While each service hosts programs designed to educate and inform Americans on the importance of their services, this Navy/Marine Corps Week will mark the first collaboration of its kind. Together, the services will share with the citizens of Philadelphia and Camden, N.J., how their Navy department deploys around the world and around the clock, and why a strong Navy/Marine Corps team is vital to protecting the American way of life.

“We are excited to bring Navy/Marine Corps Week to the Philadelphia metropolitan area, the birthplace of our services,” said Cmdr. Anthony Falvo, director of the Navy’s Office of Community Outreach who is overseeing the event. “The Navy/Marine Corps team is our nation’s most powerful instrument of military influence, and this week will allow us to showcase how we collectively serve America at sea, in the air, and ashore. Further, it will allow us to demonstrate how we directly impact the people in and around the Philadelphia metropolitan area.”

Throughout this Navy/Marine Corps Week, Sailors and Marines will participate in more than 100 outreach events across the metropolitan area via corporate, civic, government, education, media, veterans, and community service engagements. Visiting service members will engage with students across multiple schools, and volunteer at various locations throughout the area to include Camden’s Cathedral Kitchen and Evergreen Cemetery, and Philadelphia’s Police Athletic League, Independence Seaport Museum, and Greater Philadelphia YMCAs.

“True leadership in the Marine Corps and the Navy extends beyond the battlefield. It is exemplified by our unwavering commitment to the communities we serve,” said Ms. Tracey Campbell, director of Community Relations, Communication Directorate, Headquarters Marine Corps. “Philadelphia is the birthplace of our services and a city that is steeped in history which embodies values of resiliency and diversity. We can’t think of a better place to bring community relations events and celebrate our long history. We want to demonstrate that we stand united, not only in our duty to protect and defend, but also in fostering a sense of unity, understanding, and shared purpose. The Marines look forward to the opportunity to foster relationships, forge partnerships, and ignite inspiration – leaving an indelible mark of goodwill.”

U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Rick Cheeseman, the Navy’s Chief of Navy Personnel, will serve as the week’s senior executive. Other participating personnel and assets include Sailors and Marines from: USS Cooperstown (LCS 23); USS Pennsylvania (SSBN 735); USS Germantown (LSD 42); USS Scranton (SSN 756); Marines with Headquarters Marine Corps and Marine Corps Base Quantico; Marine Corps Recruiting Command; Marine Recruiting Stations Harrisburg and New Jersey; Marine Forces Reserve; 3D Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment Artillery Marines; 2D Marine Division Band; Naval History and Heritage Command; USS Constitution; U.S. Navy Esports; Navy Band Northeast; U.S. Ceremonial Guard Drill Team and Color Guard; Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command; Navy Talent Acquisition Group Philadelphia; Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group; Navy Weapon Systems Support; U.S. Naval Academy; the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration; Naval Support Activity Mechanicsburg; Office of Civilian Human Resources; Office of Small Business Programs, Naval Support Activity Philadelphia; U.S. Coast Guard – Delaware Bay; and U.S. Fleet Forces Command.

The Marine Corps welcomes residents and visitors to see performances by the Silent Drill Platoon and the 2D Marine Division Band at Independence Park, surrounding high schools, and at various events around the city. Furthermore, Marines will host a wreath laying and commemorative pinning ceremony in honor of our Vietnam Veterans and their families at the Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Oct. 12 at 10 a.m.

Residents will also enjoy free live music by Navy Band Northeast at various venues throughout the week, including: Oct. 10 at 8 a.m. at the Liberty Bell; Oct. 11 at 6 p.m. in a joint performance with the Marine Division Band at Independence Seaport Museum; and Oct. 13 at 5 p.m. at Subaru Park.

A complete list of appearances and community service engagements is available at http://outreach.navy.mil/

Media organizations wishing to cover engagements throughout Philadelphia Navy/Marine Corps Week should contact Lead Planner Lt. Omari Faulkner at (540) 326-1802 or omari.j.faulkner2.mil@us.navy.mil. For any other issues, contact Program Manager Lt. Caroline Ready at (901) 874-5805 or caroline.e.ready.mil@us.navy.mil.

Source: United States Navy

The Navy announced Cmdr. David B. Burke, from U.S. Fleet Forces Command, and Cmdr. Jeffrey C. Fassbender, from U.S. Pacific Fleet, as the 2023 recipients of the Vice Admiral James Bond Stockdale Award for inspirational leadership, Oct. 2.

Source: United States Navy

Celebrating its twentieth year, the National Cybersecurity Awareness month campaign has grown globally since its inception, reaching consumers, small and medium-sized businesses, corporations, and families in over 75 countries and territories.

The National Cybersecurity Alliance’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month theme this year is “It’s easy to Stay Safe online,” reminding internet users that there are plenty of simple ways to keep personal information and private data secure when browsing and using the internet. In line with that, the U.S. Navy has adopted Navy-specific themes for our observance: Teach cybersecurity, Practice cybersecurity, Talk cybersecurity, and Prioritize cybersecurity.

“Any individual logging on to a Navy information system has a responsibility to ensure cybersecurity,” said Scott St. Pierre, Director of the Navy’s Enterprise Networks and Cybersecurity Division. “Each user must follow the principles of zero trust, to prevent a harmful impact to our global force and breaches to our systems”.

The Navy is increasingly reliant on technology and cyberspace to conduct its missions and protect the United States. Unlike traditional combat, a cyber-attack has the ability to affect multiple areas in very little time due to the nature of communications systems.

“Remember the threats,” said St. Pierre. “Social engineers, spear phishers, hackers, insider threats, ransom artists, and nation states all seek to undermine the U.S. and its institutions.”

Every day across the Department of Defense information network there are 48 million e-mails processed, 174.8 billion cybersecurity events, 420 million marketing and phishing attacks, and 1.5 billion malicious cyber-attacks blocked.

A successful cyber intrusion of the Navy’s network can jeopardize systems and data that affect nearly every aspect of the Navy’s mission. A larger cyber footprint, coupled with technological advances among adversaries, has increased the Navy’s risk for potential cyber intrusions. All those who access Navy information systems need to understand that their decisions in the digital environment are either an asset or a threat to protecting the Navy’s networks, and also a threat to them and their families outside the work environment.

“Throughout this month we will be sharing cybersecurity best practices. I invite you to challenge yourself, your colleagues, and your command to take a collective responsibility in protecting the Navy’s cyber infrastructure,” said St. Pierre.

For more information on the Navy’s Cybersecurity Awareness Campaign, visit doncio.navy.mil and search “Cybersecurity Awareness Month.”

Source: United States Navy

Maritime Training Activity (MTA) Sama Sama includes a shore and sea phase that incorporate training in medicine, legal concepts, engineering, logistics and public affairs while diving and explosive ordnance disposal teams, naval vessels and maritime surveillance aircraft conduct exercises focused on anti-submarine (ASW), surface (ASUW) and air (AAW) warfare, and maritime domain awareness.

“In the Indo-Pacific, I truly believe the ties that make up the ‘fabric of peace’ are grounded in our maritime ties. These ties are woven like the sea lanes that interconnect our nations,” said Vice Adm. Karl Thomas, commander, U.S. 7th Fleet. “Our maritime ties are strong, built on thousands of years of trade. Our strong maritime ties are built on the foundation that all nations are free and open to make their own decisions, a foundation anchored in the rules based international order that has served this region so well for so many years. “

The multilateral training has evolved in complexity and sophistication as the Maritime Training Activity series continues. This year is the largest yet, with participants from Australia, Canada, France, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, United Kingdom, and United States.

“In Tagalog ‘Sama Sama’ is a phrase that means ‘together’ and there could not be a better phrase to capture the spirit of this exercise,” said Capt. Sean Lewis, commodore, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7. “With so many shared values, a security partnership of 77 years, and a history of military collaboration, our alliance with the Philippines enables us to build truly robust training evolutions like this one. Together we can address a spectrum of security threats and enhance interoperability and with more nations participating than ever before, we can increase innovation and build a ready, united force that ensures stability in the region.”

Participating assets include the U.S. Navy’s dry cargo ammunition ship USNS Wally Schirra (T-AKE 8), Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Dewey (DDG 105) and a maritime surveillance aircraft P-8 Poseidon along with the Philippine Navy’s BRP Antonio Luna (FF 151), Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force’s JS Akebono (DD 108) and the Royal Canadian Navy frigate HMCS Vancouver (FFG -331).

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

Source: United States Navy

Today, the Office of Naval Research (ONR) recognized awardees of the 2024 Young Investigator Program (YIP).

Twenty-four recipients will share nearly $18 million in funding to conduct innovative scientific research that will benefit science and technology for the Department of the Navy.

“In order for ONR to support the Sailors and Marines we have the privilege of serving with innovation and scientific and technological excellence, we must identify and attract the brightest scientists and engineers from around the nation,” said Chief of Naval Research Rear Adm. Kurt Rothenhaus. “The Young Investigator Program is critical to that goal, and I am honored to announce the recipients for 2024.”

The ONR YIP is a highly competitive program that attracts outstanding early-career academics in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) to propose innovative solutions to Navy and Marine Corps warfighter challenges. Prior academic accomplishments and potential for significant scientific breakthroughs are key elements of the evaluation criteria. The 2024 YIP awardees were chosen from more than 220 applicants — all of whom are college and university tenure-track or equivalent faculty and obtained a Ph.D. on or after Jan. 1, 2016.

Awardees represent 20 academic institutions in 16 states, supporting a broad range of naval-relevant research topics, including quantum information, artificial intelligence, autonomous operations, sensors and sensing, power systems, robotics, high-temperature thermal management and hypersonics.

The YIP awards support postdoctoral and graduate student stipends and scholarships, the acquisition of laboratory equipment, and other expenses critical to the planned research. Typical grants are $750,000 over a three-year period.

Established in 1985, the ONR YIP is one of the nation’s oldest and most selective basic-research, early-career awards in science and technology. Its purpose is to fund tenure-track academic researchers, or equivalent, whose scientific pursuits show outstanding promise for supporting the Department of Defense, while also promoting their professional development.

View the list of 2024 Office of Naval Research Young Investigator awardees.