Month: December 2023

Source: United States Navy

The NG Worker, equipped with the U.S. Navy Supervisor of Salvage and Diving team, is set to depart to the crash location from Augusta Bay, Sicily, in the coming days.

Once on station, salvage experts will deploy a shallow water intermediate search system (SWISS) and towed pinger locator (TPL) to search for the aircraft. The SWISS is a towed side-scan-sonar (SSS) and the TPL is used to locate emergency relocation pingers on downed military and commercial aircraft. The TPL will use passive sensors to “listen” for the aircraft pinger’s frequency. 

Recovery of the aircraft will take place using the Deep Drone remote operated vehicle (ROV). Deep Drone is a 4,100 pound ROV designed to meet the Navy’s mid-water salvage requirements to a maximum depth of 8,000 feet. Every effort will be made to recover the aircraft and the fallen Soldiers.   

NG Worker is a 288-foot offshore supply vessel that is outfitted with advanced, state-of-the-art underwater survey and positioning equipment.

Assigned to U.S. Army Special Operations Command the Blackhawk was carrying five special operations aviation Soldiers when it crashed. All Soldiers on board were killed.

The cause of the crash is under investigation. For information regarding the incident, contact the U.S. Army Special Operations Command Public Affairs office at 910-432-6005, or by email at PAO-USASOC@socom.mil.

Headquartered in Naples, Italy, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (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. Sixth Fleet is permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, and employs maritime forces through the full spectrum of joint and naval operations.

Source: United States Navy

The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group remains on deployment in the Eastern Mediterranean as part of the Pentagon’s response to the Oct. 7th Hamas attacks on the Gaza strip. While abroad, the USS Ramage served as an air defense unit for the strike group off the coast of Israel, and closely monitored Russian Federation Navy units for signs of aggression.

A recent contract for the maintenance of Ramage was awarded to BAE systems in Jacksonville. The crew’s early return to Norfolk provides an opportunity to prepare for an imminent homeport change to Mayport, Florida.

“I’m looking forward to Florida. It feels closer to home than any place I could be stationed,” says Fire Controlman Third Class Tyler Allen Wade Dickey from Refugio, Texas. “This crew is the best team I’ve ever been a part of. There’s isn’t anything we can’t accomplish together.”

In 214 days, the crew of the Ramage accomplished 40 replenishments at sea, logged over 400 helicopter landings, sailed over 50,000 miles, and prepared over 190,000 meals.

While deployed with Carrier Strike Group 12, the Ramage crew conducted maritime security operations and engaged with allied and partner nations. In May, the crew of the Ramage was able to quickly replace critical acoustic equipment and celebrate the Battle of the Atlantic 80th Anniversary in Liverpool, UK. In June, members of the Ramage crew volunteered to clear debris from a public park and planted 100 decorative plants around the municipality of Bar, Montenegro. The July visit to Durres, Albania allowed Ramage leadership to meet with local senior security officials. During the August port visit to Limassol, Cyprus the support of local contractors allowed the crew to complete an intensive week of scheduled upkeep.

The Gerald R. Ford CSG remains flexible to conduct operations wherever needed. In September, Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61) and Ford-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) shared a port visit in Trieste, Italy prior to conducting dual-carrier operations with ITS Cavour (CVH 550) and Italy’s 2nd Naval Division.

“Throughout our deployment, we’ve conducted joint operations with the British, Spanish, Italian, French, Hellenic, and Turkish Navies.” says Cmdr. Tim Yuhas, commanding officer of the USS Ramage. “These strong strategic relationships between the U.S. and our allies maintains our superior readiness and are critical to our ability to respond to any contingency in the Mediterranean.”

Strengthening partnerships during the deployment to the Naval Forces Europe area of operations builds enduring relationships and emphasizes our shared commitment to promoting safety and stability within the region, while seeking opportunities to enhance our interoperability as NATO allies.

CSG-12, Gerald R. Ford CSG, is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied, and partner interests.

The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group is comprised of its flagship and namesake, the Ford-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), Carrier Air Wing Eight (CVW-8), Destroyer Squadron Two (DESRON-2), the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG-60), and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Ramage (DDG 61), USS McFaul (DDG 74), and USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116).

The squadrons of CVW-8 embarked aboard Gerald R. Ford are the “Tridents” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 9, the “Spartans” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 70, the “Bear Aces” of Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 124, the “Ragin’ Bulls” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 37, the “Blacklions” of VFA-213, the “Golden Warriors” of VFA-87, the “Tomcatters” of VFA-31, the “Gray Wolves” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 142, and the “Rawhides” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40.

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. Sixth Fleet is permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, and employs maritime forces through the full spectrum of joint and naval operations.

Source: United States Navy

Due to the success of Pacific Partnership 2022, the Solomon Islands government invited the return of USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) for PP24-1, where the team supported the Solomon Islands’ medical infrastructure by augmenting local clinics and the National Referral Hospital (NRH) during the 2023 Pacific Games.

“It is a mission that provides services that Solomon Islanders can see, feel and touch its benefits,” said Manasseh Sogavere, Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands. “It is a mission that both the people of Solomon Islands and United States of America can be proud of.”

Mercy’s commanding officer believes that the precedent set by last year’s visit to the Solomon Islands demonstrated the benefits multilateral missions like Pacific Partnership present in enhancing partnerships and building mutual understanding with allied nations.

“Mercy being requested by the Solomon Islands to come back during the Pacific Games is a true testament to the value of the multinational cooperation between the United States, Solomon Islands and our partner nations,” said Capt. Jeffery Feinberg, commanding officer of USNS Mercy. “To be back in the Solomon Islands with Mercy is such a surreal feeling.”

Pacific Partnership fosters enduring friendship and cooperation among many nations. During the mission stop, personnel from the U.S. Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Army along with military personnel from Japan, Germany, United Kingdom and New Zealand collaborated with Solomon Island professionals to enhance capabilities across the engineering, humanitarian assistance disaster relief, and host nation outreach lines of effort.

“These are my first surgeries I’ve done in English, so it’s hard for me, but it became a very good experience, a very special experience,” said Lt. Ken Ikegami, a doctor in the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. “The treatment of patients in different countries has been my dream since I was a high school student, and this was my dream coming true, so it was very special.”

PP24-1 is a unifying mission bringing allies and partners together to help strengthen relationships, bolster host nation capacity and increase efforts to prepare for humanitarian disasters.

Throughout their 2-week stay in the Solomon Islands, PP24-1 forces conducted more than 352 medical engagements, including 2082 dental procedures. The optometry team distributed more than 3163 prescription glasses and 3780 pairs of sunglasses. Moreover, aboard USNS Mercy, a multinational team of surgeons completed 94 surgeries, while 14 surgeries were performed alongside Solomon Island doctors at National Referral Hospital.

The mission’s humanitarian assistance and disaster response leads conducted one workshop, which included the Solomon Islands National Disaster Management Office and first responders, and Seabees from Amphibious Construction Battalion 1 (ACB 1) assigned to PP24-1 led an engineering project at NRH.

While in the Solomon Islands, PP24-1 medical personnel augmented medical support to the Pacific Games, providing 150 event-days of coverage across 17 sites, many of which ran from morning to night. The team delivered approximately 60,000 pounds of ice supplied by Mercy to prevent and treat heat stress injuries. The medical team also boosted the capacity of the Australian security forces by providing 14 days of continuous role II/III surgical coverage to a 500-person multinational security force supporting the Pacific Games.

In addition to events in Honiara and Guadalcanal Province, Pacific Partnership activities included 15 courses and multispecialty medical expert exchanges in Gizo, Auki, and NRH and 10 concerts performed by the PP24-1 Band, comprised of members from the U.S. Pacific Fleet and Royal Australian Navy bands.

Now in its 19th iteration, Pacific Partnership is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific.

For more information about Pacific Partnership and USNS Mercy, visit www.facebook.com/pacificpartnership, www.facebook.com/USNSMERCY, or https://www.msc.usff.navy.mil/ships/mercy

Source: United States Navy

Scott successfully completed his command tour, which included being the first Carrier Air Wing to deploy with a combination of fourth and fifth-generation platforms that predominantly represent the “Air Wing of the Future.”

“It has been a tremendous honor to serve as the Commander of CVW-2 over the last 18 months,” Scott told CVW-2 Sailors before changing command. “The dedicated men and women that make up this air wing are the finest group of dedicated professionals with whom I have ever had the pleasure to serve. I cannot thank them enough for the positive attitudes they exhibit day in and day out, even when the going gets tough. I am truly going to miss being here.”

During Scott’s three-year tour, the Sailors of CVW-2 completed an eight-month deployment to the U.S. 7th and 3rd Fleet areas of operation during the COVID-19 pandemic, conducted over 86,000 total flight hours across nine flying squadrons, and culminated through qualification and a successful underway on its current deployment in the Indo-Pacific region.

“It is a bittersweet feeling to know my time as CAG has come to an end. It has gone by so fast, but been so rewarding,” Scott recollected his time as CVW-2 commander. “While flying has always been my first love, it is the courageous men and women of the Air Wing that I will miss the most. Their dedication and ‘can-do’ attitudes are absolutely infectious; there is no limit to what they can achieve.”

“I wish them continued success as they sail on under the leadership of Capt. Myers who I am thrilled to hand over the reins of CVW-2,” Scott continued. “Having been my right hand man for the last 18 months as the Deputy Commander, I cannot fathom a finer officer and aviator to lead this amazing organization. Under his leadership and guidance, I have no doubt that CVW-2 will only continue to thrive and grow. The Air Wing of the Future is here, and he will lead it on to victory.”

Rear Adm. Carlos Sardiello, commander, Carrier Strike Group ONE, presided over the ceremony.

“It has been my honor to work with you Capt. Scott, as I saw your team meet the challenges of precision execution of carrier flight operations day in and day out,” said Sardiello. “You demonstrated unmatched leadership and it is clear that the Air Wing’s world class performance is a direct reflection of your dedication to duty. Your tenure as the commander of one of the most combat credible, and ready Carrier Air Wings in the Fleet is a testament to the professionalism and teamwork of you and everyone on that team of teams.”

Scott was awarded the Legion of Merit for his superior accomplishments and will report to the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.

A time-honored naval tradition, the change of command ceremony allows the aircrew to formally acknowledge the passing of command from the current commander to the next.

“I want to personally thank Capt. Scott for his leadership over the last three years,” said Capt. Timothy Myers. “As his deputy, I benefited from his mentorship and personal example. There is no doubt in my mind that I am better prepared to Command Carrier Air Wing TWO because of Capt. Scott’s leadership.”

Capt. Myers takes command of Carrier Air Wing TWO after serving as commanding officer of both TOPGUN and STRIKE at the Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center, and commanding officer of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 195. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2000 and has completed over 3,800 flight hours in his career.

“I am honored and humbled to take command of Carrier Air Wing TWO, and am confident we are at the pinnacle of mission readiness as we continue our operations in the Western Pacific,” Myers added. “The Advanced Air Wing brings a plethora of unique advanced capabilities to theater, and together with our teammates in Carrier Strike Group 1, we stand ready as a tangible reflection of America’s commitment to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.”

CVW-2 is assigned to Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1 and embarked aboard flagship USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). It consists of nine squadrons flying F-35C Lightning II, F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, EA-18G Growlers, E-2D Advanced Hawkeyes, CMV-22 Ospreys and MH-60R/S Sea Hawks. CVW-2 is currently deployed to U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of free and open Indo-Pacific.

Carrier Air Wing TWO’s home station is Naval Air Station Lemoore. For more information, visit https://www.airpac.navy.mil/Organization/Carrier-Air-Wing-CVW-2/

For more information about Air Wing of the Future, contact Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet public affairs.

Source: United States Navy

MDSC reflects the Navy Reserve’s rapid alignment with the concept of Adaptive Mobilization, a process intended to improve warfighter readiness by enabling the Navy to respond with speed, agility and quantity of personnel in support of large‐scale contingencies and to improve processes and procedures that will ensure effective mass mobilization capability.

“MDSC is being established to provide oversight of all Reserve Component (RC) mobilizations and Active Component (AC) Individual Augmentee (IA) mobilizations,” said Rear Admiral Michael J Steffen, Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command. “This is a wholesale re-imagining of the legacy, centralized mobilization process and is the realization of the Reserve’s shift from operational support through a centralized center of excellence to strategic reserve via adaptive, distributed mobilizations.”    
The establishment of MDSC coincides with the disestablishment of Expeditionary Combat Readiness Center (ECRC), which transferred to Navy Reserve Forces Command (CNRFC) in January 2022.
 
MDSC will retain the Mobilization Center of Excellence role to train, oversee and execute the Navy’s mobilization processes and continue to deploy steady-state IA Sailors across the globe, while adjusting processes and procedures to encompass the Navy’s focus on Adaptive Mobilization in support of large-scale contingencies and mass mobilization requirements.

According to Steffen, MDSC will continue to set the standard across all Distributed Activation processing sites to provide deployment ready and mission capable warfighters to effectively implement the strategic, operational and tactical objectives of the Navy.
“With the drawdown in missions supporting the Global War on Terror, the return of strategic competition and the new reality of multi‐domain warfare, MDSC’s new mission and capabilities now align to the Navy’s focus in decentralizing the mobilization processing from a singular center at MDSC to the regional REDCOMs and other strategic locations,” said Steffen. “Our Reserve Force is laser-focused on warfighting readiness and our swift transformation will further sharpen our focus on one thing, and one thing only… our ability to fight and win.”