Month: November 2023

Source: United States Navy

Secretary Del Toro officially upgraded Schott’s Bronze Star medal to Silver Star medal earlier this year for his heroic actions during the Battle of Okinawa during World War II. Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7472 hosted a ceremony, May 18, celebrating the medal upgrade in Ellicott City, Md.

Many Veterans and family members campaigned for years to have Schott’s medal upgraded to the Silver Star Medal, in recognition of his heroic and selfless actions.

Born in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and the youngest of eight children, Schott graduated from LaSalle University in Philadelphia, joined the Marine Corps, and was commissioned an infantry officer in 1943.

He deployed to the Pacific, where he led 44 Marines in the bitter Battle of Peleliu in September 1944. Expected to last four days, the battle stretched more than two months. After a week and a half of the fight, only 10 of Schott’s 44 Marines remained. Then he was hit by explosives. Wounded in action, he was medically evacuated and earned a Purple Heart. After recovering from his wounds, he was sent back into action.

On June 20, 1945, as a rifle company commander in the Battle of Okinawa, Schott exposed himself to enemy fire, noticed Japanese forces reinforcing a position through a surrounding cave system, which he helped eliminate, before taking the hill.

According to his Silver Star citation, “He formulated a plan whereby his objective was taken with minimal friendly casualties. By his aggressive initiative and able leadership, 2nd Lt. Schott saved the lives of many of his Marines and Sailors.” For gallantry in combat against enemy forces, he was awarded the Silver Star, the third-highest military combat decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States armed forces.

After the war, Schott joined the Marine Corps Reserve, where he served until his retirement at the rank of Colonel. As a civilian he worked as a management analyst for the Social Security Administration and retired in 1977.

At the time of his passing, the 102-year-old Schott was considered the oldest ranking U.S. Marine Corps officer.

Source: United States Navy

Participating ships included the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers USS Kidd (DDG 100) and USS Sterett (DDG 104), JS Kirisame (DD 104) of the JMSDF, and ROKS Sejong the Great (DDG-991) of the ROKN.

The exercise provided an opportunity for the three maritime forces to sail together, conduct enhanced planning and advanced maritime communication operations.

“It is critical for our success in combined operations that we continually learn how to plan together, how to align our operations, and how to execute our tactics together,” said CSG-1 Commander Rear Adm. Carlos Sardiello. “The work we do with our allies, like this trilateral exercise with Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Republic of Korea Navy makes us stronger and is critical to strengthening deterrence to ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.”

The U.S. Navy regularly conducts exercises like these to strengthen ties among allied countries. These exercises enhance combined readiness and capabilities and support a free and open Indo-Pacific.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the U.S.-Republic of Korea Mutual Defense Treaty of 1953, and over 70 years of partnership with Japan since the 1951 Security Treaty between the U.S. and Japan.

Since arriving in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operation, CSG-1 has participated in Multi-Large Deck Event (MLDE) and Annual Exercise (ANNUALEX) 2023 in the Philippine Sea. In both exercises, the strike group worked and trained alongside allies and partners to include the Royal Australian Navy, Royal Canadian Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. During MLDE and ANNUALEX, participants engaged in various events comprising enhanced maritime communication tactics, anti-submarine warfare operations, air warfare operations, and replenishments-at-sea to bolster their combined warfighting readiness.
CSG-1 is a multiplatform team of ships and aircraft, capable of carrying out a wide variety of missions around the globe from combat missions to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief response. CSG-1 is currently deployed to U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of free and open Indo-Pacific.

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.

For more news from CSG-1, visit http://www.dvidshub.net/unit/CSG1.

Source: United States Navy

Digital Talon 2.0, the second exercise of its type in as many months, showcased “manned-unmanned teaming” by meshing together Indianapolis, three unmanned surface vehicles, and an unmanned aerial vehicle to create a single common operating picture and what is known as a “mesh network” providing targeting data to all stations taking part in the exercise.

NAVCENT’s Task Force 59 – the Navy’s first Unmanned and Artificial Intelligence Task Force – partnered with Indianapolis to demonstrate the ability of unmanned platforms to pair with traditionally crewed ships. The manned and unmanned teams identified, targeted, engaged and then destroyed simulated hostile forces at sea, represented through the use of a target boat.

“This second iteration of Digital Talon continues building on our earlier successes,” said Capt. Colin Corridan, TF-59 commodore. “We keep progressing toward fulfilling NAVCENT’s priorities of deterrence and de-escalation by demonstrating live firing from a tight ‘manned-unmanned teaming’ model.”

In multiple firing events, a T-38 Devil Ray unmanned surface vessel (USV), equipped with a Lethal Miniature Aerial Missile System, and successfully scored direct hits on the target boat each time. As with the previous Digital Talon exercise, a human operator ashore at TF-59’s Robotics Operations Center made the engagement decisions.

The unmanned vehicles taking part in the exercise included a Flexrotor unmanned aerial vehicle; an Arabian Fox MAST-13 USV; and an additional T-38 Devil Ray USV.

Digital Talon 2.0 took a significant step forward, Collidan said, noting the results from this event, “have proven these unmanned platforms paired with our manned combat ships can enhance fleet lethality. In doing so, we are strengthening regional maritime security and enhancing deterrence against malign activity.”

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet’s area of operations encompasses about 2.5 million square miles of water area and includes the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. This expanse, comprising 21 nations, includes three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Strait of Bab al Mandeb.

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Source: United States Navy

Statement from the commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, Vice Adm. Brad Cooper:

“Today, Iranian unmanned aircraft took unsafe and unprofessional actions near USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (IKE) during the course of routine flight operations in international waters, Nov. 28.

“The Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (IKECSG) was conducting routine flight operations in the international waters of the Central Arabian Gulf when it detected an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The UAV was visually identified as Iranian. Its closest point of approach to IKE was approximately 1,500 yards. Multiple hails and warnings were ignored by Iran.

“This Iranian action violated safety precautions outlined in a daily Notice to Airmen (NOTAM). The NOTAM directed manned and unmanned aircraft to remain greater than 10 nautical miles from the aircraft carrier in order to ensure safety of flight of military and civilian aviation.

“No injuries were reported and no aircraft was damaged.

“This unsafe, unprofessional, and irresponsible behavior by Iran risks U.S. and partner nation lives and needs to cease immediately.

“U.S. naval forces remain vigilant and will continue to fly, sail and operate anywhere international law allows while promoting regional maritime security.”

Source: United States Navy

CTF-68 sent divers assigned to Underwater Construction Team ONE (UCT 1), to Georgia from mid-September to the end of October to work with Georgian Coast Guard divers to begin port security infrastructure enhancements in Batumi and Poti. The project adds new security features to the ports and is part of a larger maritime domain awareness program that provides U.S. assistance to the Georgian Coast Guard in coordination with complimentary NATO and Allies and partners efforts.
The port security enhancement project required the divers and Georgian Coast Guard personnel to complete a range of tasks involving small boat operations, diving, underwater concrete placement, hydrographic and topographic surveying, and use of underwater hydraulic tools.

“Coming to Georgia and working with the Georgia Coast Guard has been a fantastic experience,” said Chief Equipment Operator, Joey Rodriguez, Master Diver, assigned to UCT 1 Dive Detachment Bravo. “We are very excited to visit Georgia and experience the culture and hospitality of our new friends.”

During their deployment to Georgia, the Seabee divers were also able to assist with development a new European Command Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) program with the Georgian Coast Guard and the Georgian Special Forces Maritime Detachment (MARDET). This program will build the Georgian capability to respond to explosive threats within Georgian maritime territory. The Seabee divers conducted a review of the Georgian Coast Guard divers training, equipment and maintenance programs in order to make recommendations on how the new HMA program should progress.

Since a floating sea mine exploded near a beach in Batumi last February, the Georgian Coast Guard has prioritized building the capacity and capability to deal with this new threat to maritime commerce and public safety.

“We have an acute focus on building the overall Georgia Coast Guard capability, specifically the ability to respond to drifting sea mines,” said Captain Ramaz Papidze, commander of the Georgian Coast Guard. “We intend to increase the quantity of divers within the Georgian Coast Guard and enhance our Maritime Domain Awareness. We are very happy to host the U.S. Navy Divers here in Georgia again.”

The Black Sea ports of Poti and Batumi are important ports to U.S. 6th Fleet as Georgia plays a critical role in maintaining security and stability in the Black Sea and is a valuable partner in this region. “The work completed by UCT 1 was nothing short of superb and is symbolic of our strong relationship with the Georgian Coast Guard” said Mr. Steve Bower, U.S. Maritime Advisor to the Georgia Border Police. “The team integrated seamlessly with the Georgian Coast Guard and overcame many challenges to make this mission a success.”

CTF-68 has conducted numerous exercises with both the Georgian Coast Guard and Georgian Army over the last year, including the building of a new intermodal railhead project at the Port of Poti which enables the Georgian Ministry of Defense to distribute cargo and heavy equipment across the Caucasus region.

“What the Seabees in Poti have been doing with my engineers is incredible” said Lt. Col. Levan Shubiti, commanding officer of Combat Engineer Battalion West, Republic of Georgia Army. “We are very excited to have an opportunity to learn new construction skills and partner with the U.S. Navy Seabees.”

Underwater Construction Team 1 is forward deployed to execute construction, humanitarian assistance, and theater security cooperation in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe and 6th Fleet areas of operation in direct support of CTF-68. CTF-68, headquartered in Rota, Spain, commands all Navy Expeditionary Forces in U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command areas of responsibility and is responsible for providing EOD operations, naval construction, expeditionary security, and theater security efforts in direct support of U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa and U.S. 6th Fleet.

For over 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) has forged strategic relationships with 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 U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) areas of responsibility. U.S. 6th Fleet is permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, and employs maritime forces through the full spectrum of joint and naval operations.