Month: November 2023

Source: United States Navy

Leaders from CMF’s partner nations attended the annual conference, in person and virtually, to discuss future partnership opportunities and initiatives amongst the world’s largest naval partnership.

The conference was an opportunity to review the accomplishments of the past year and coordinate plans to enhance future regional maritime security and partnerships.

“CMF takes great pride in being the largest maritime coalition in the world,” said Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, CMF commander. “It is important we have these discussions about where we are, where we’re going and where the future opportunities are for growing the organization.”

CMF includes five combined task forces that focus on defeating terrorism, preventing piracy, encouraging regional cooperation, and promoting a safe maritime environment.

“As a non-state facing organization, CMF remains committed to upholding the international rules-based order and supporting the free flow of legitimate commerce across the region,” said United Kingdom Royal Navy Commodore Philip Dennis, CMF deputy commander. “Our forces will continue to maintain vigilance and stand ready to respond to non-state threats.”

Combined Maritime Forces is a multi-national naval partnership, which exists to promote security, stability and prosperity across approximately 3.2 million square miles of international waters, which encompass some of the world’s most important shipping lanes.

Source: United States Navy

MLDE provided the two maritime forces an opportunity to engage in joint operations to include enhanced maritime communication operations, air warfare operations and cross-deck flight operations to strengthen maritime integrated-at-sea operations and combat readiness.

The event saw the participation of U.S. Navy Carrier Strike Groups, led by their flagships USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 5, and JMSDF’s Hyuga-class helicopter destroyer JS Hyuga (DDH 181).

“Our ability to rapidly aggregate maritime forces and work collectively alongside the Ronald Reagan strike group and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force enhances our combined readiness,” said Rear Adm. Carlos Sardiello, commander, CSG 1. “Multi-Large Deck Event demonstrates collective resolve by rehearsing with our Allies as an assurance of our commitment to regional security and stability. It is also a symbol of a willingness to extend a helping hand of partnership to willing and likeminded nations.”

The ships and aircraft of the two naval forces, with more than 10,000 Sailors, conducted coordinated surface and air operations in a complex maritime environment to demonstrate the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Joint Force’s ability to deliver a powerful maritime force.

“Through the exercise, we improved our tactical capabilities and interoperability with the U.S. Navy,” said JMSDF Rear Adm. Kazushi Yokota, commander of Escort Flotilla 3. “The Japan-U.S. Alliance is essential not only for the defense of Japan, but also for peace and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region.”

Coordinated maritime engagements and operations in the Philippine Sea are part of the U.S. Navy’s routine presence in the Indo-Pacific. U.S. naval forces, with our network of partners and Alliances, are indispensable to ensuring maritime security and the flow of unimpeded lawful commerce in the region.

“It’s a testament to the strong relations we maintain with like-minded Allies across the region—and the world—that we are able to bring together a tightly coordinated and united international force like this,” said Rear Adm. Pat Hannifin, commander of Task Force 70 and CSG 5.”

The last time CSG 1 participated in a large deck event dates back to January 2022 in the South China Sea with the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group.

In June, CSG 5 joined USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and JMSDF helicopter destroyer JS Izumo (DDH 183) for multi-large deck training in the Western Pacific alongside surface ships from the French and Royal Canadian navies.

CSG 1 consists of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, Ticonderoga class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 1, which includes Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Hopper (DDG 70), USS Kidd (DDG 100), USS Sterett (DDG 104), and USS William P.  Lawrence (DDG 110).

CSG 5 consist of Nimitz aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76); Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5; cruisers USS Antietam (CG 54) and USS Robert Smalls (CG 62), as well as destroyer USS Shoup (DDG 86) and elements of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15 staff.

The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group is forward-deployed to Yokosuka, Japan, and operates in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. 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

For more news from CSG 5, visit https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/TF70CSF-5

Source: United States Navy

“I am so proud that President Biden recognized our 16 esteemed SES members. Their exceptional leadership, unwavering commitment, and significant contributions showcase the exemplary actions of our Navy-Marine Corps Team. On behalf of the Department, I thank them for their dedication to our Sailors, Marines, civilians, and Nation,” said Secretary Del Toro.

In all, President Biden selected 232 recipients from 31 separate federal agencies. DON’s awardees exemplify the diverse and impactful contributions made by naval leaders.

This year’s DON awardees are:

1. Bilyana Anderson: Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (ASN) for Ship Programs, ASN (RDA) Washington, DC
2. Charles Bidwell: Assistant General Counsel (Energy, Installations & Environment), ASN (EI&E) Washington, DC
3. Douglas Blake: Retired, former Acting Executive Director at the Office of Naval Research
4. Steven Cade: Executive Director, Military Sealift Command HQ, Norfolk, VA
5. Bruce Danly: Director of Research, Naval Research Laboratory
6. Michael Durkin: Director, Navy Warfare Development Center, US Fleet Forces Command
7. Gregg Habel: Executive Director, US Marine Forces Reserve New Orleans, LA
8. Roy Harris: Executive Director, Fleet Readiness Centers
9. Robert Hogue: Principal Deputy, ASN Manpower & Reserve Affairs, Washington, DC
10. Craig Jensen: Associate General Counsel (Litigation)/Director, Naval Litigation, Navy Litigation Office
11. Victor Minella: Deputy Under Secretary of the Navy, Intelligence & Security, Washington, DC
12. Thomas Minvielle: Director, Resources Management Division, Naval Sea Systems Command, HQ Field Support
13. Deline Reardon: Assistant Deputy Commandant, Installations & Logistics, HQ US Marine Corps
14. Matthew Sermon: Executive Director, Program Executive Office (PEO), Columbia, PEO SSBN
15. David Stenger: Senior Scientist for Biosurveillance, Naval Research Laboratory
16. William Taylor: Deputy ASN for Air/Ground Programs, ASN (RDA), Washington, DC

For more information about the 2023 Presidential Rank Awards, check out OPM’s press release: https://www.opm.gov/news/releases/2023/11/release-president-biden-selects-2023-presidential-rank-award-winners/#:~:text=The%20President%20selected%20232%20winners,and%20Professional%20(ST)%20corps.

For the complete list of awardees, visit OPM’s website: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/presidential-rank-awards/2023/2023-presidential-rank-awards-winners/

Source: United States Navy

“This Navy Blueprint builds on decades of constant effort to improve our information systems, infrastructure, and processes. From the creation of the then-revolutionary Navy Marine Corps Intranet, to the consolidation of over 2,000 network environments, and on to current efforts to move to the Cloud; it is now time to build on those successes and lessons learned and rapidly accelerate our modernization approaches so that the Navy is positioned to out-maneuver and outpace our competitors,” Edgin stated in the introduction of the Navy Blueprint.

According to Scott St. Pierre, Director of Enterprise Networks and Cybersecurity in the office of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Warfare, “The Navy Blueprint offers a way to outline our holistic approach to implementing a modernized information ecosystem.”

“It will, among other things, define the architectural characteristics that will support the future operating environment leveraging delivery of emerging technologies, standardize terminology to improve communication between stakeholders, and define methodologies that help identify capability gaps, and prioritize innovation.” said St. Pierre.

The Navy Blueprint’s release coincided with the Navy’s annual recognition of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, held each year in October. The Navy’s cybersecurity effort, and the Navy Blueprint, share common goals – to protect the Navy, our systems, and our people from cyber threats.

Technology and cyberspace are now at the heart of all Navy operations delivering mission effectiveness and protecting the United States. With this increasing reliance on technology, a cyber-attack has the ability to affect multiple areas in very little time due to the nature of 21st century communications systems.

While we highlight cybersecurity in October, the Navy stresses cybersecurity year round, and the Navy Blueprint adds to that effort by introducing a service-wide emphasis on information ecosystem modernization to outpace our competitors around the globe.

“The Navy Blueprint is designed to deliver and sustain secure, resilient, survivable, integrated and interoperable mission performance throughout the lifecycle of information systems to ensure the Fleet can fight and win in a cyber-contested environment,” said St. Pierre.

He added, “The release of the Navy Blueprint is only the beginning. We’ll follow this release with enterprise implementation plans that will be developed via technical design meetings, data analysis, and focus groups.” The Navy Blueprint is a living document subject to updates as needed.

The Blueprint can be found here on the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS) page: https://www.dvidshub.net/publication/1402/navy-blueprint

Source: United States Navy

U.S. Naval Forces Central command is responsible for approximately 2.5 million square miles of area including the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, North Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, and the Red Sea. The U.S. Naval Forces Central Command’s mission is to conduct maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts, and strengthen partner nations’ maritime capabilities to promote security and stability in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.