Month: December 2023

Source: United States Navy

Ward, from Springfield, Ohio, was accorded full military honors, ensuring his enduring legacy as a symbol of valor and sacrifice.

“Today is one that will stay with our family. My mom and grandparents would be pleased with this honor of James,” said Richard Hanna, nephew of Ward. “We should all honor those who have served and are serving at home and abroad.” 

Ward was assigned to USS Oklahoma (BB 37) when it was sunk during the attack on Pearl Harbor Dec. 7, 1941. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for remaining onboard and guiding his shipmates to safety with a flashlight.

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy James Honea, and other distinguished guests joined Ward’s family members at the Thursday ceremony.

Franchetti presented Ward’s family with a replacement Medal of Honor medal, Medal of Honor Flag, and a copy of the citation prior to the ceremony.

“On December 7th, 1941, our Sailors and Marines displayed unmatched resilience and heroism at Pearl Harbor,” said Franchetti. “Seaman 1st Class Ward is among these exceptional heroes and his actions that fateful Sunday morning are an inspiration to each of us. I am honored to see him properly laid to rest after these 82 years.”

Ward was transported through the cemetery on a hearse-led caisson accompanied by the Old Guard and Navy Band. Four F/A-18 Super Hornets assigned to the “Gladiators” of Strike Fighter Squadron 106 performed a flyover at the beginning of the ceremony. The firing party conducted three volleys of fire and casket bearers folded the American flag as a Navy Band bugler concluded the service with the traditional song of “Taps.” Vice Adm. Johnny Wolfe Jr., Director for Strategic Systems Programs, presented the flag to the Ward family.

“We are grateful to the Navy and the persistence of all the numerous civilian and military personnel who were involved in the recovery and identification of James,” said Hanna. “Our family is honored to be able to finally bring James to Arlington National Cemetery, his deserved resting place. The attention to detail involved in his memorial from the first day we were notified, to the personnel assigned to our family’s needs, has been overwhelming.”

A total of 16 service members, ranging in rank from Seaman to Rear Adm., were awarded Medals of Honor related to events at Pearl Harbor; 11 posthumously. Ward’s family was presented the Medal of Honor in March 1942, along with a letter from President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox. The Edsall-class destroyer escort ship USS. J. Richard Ward (DE 243) was named in his honor, commissioned July 5, 1943.

In 2003 the USS Oklahoma Project set out to identify the Sailors’ remains that were lost with the Nevada-class battleship. Of the 394 service members originally deemed unaccounted-for, 361 Sailors and Marines have since been individually identified. On Feb. 22, 2022, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced that it had positively identified Ward’s remains on Aug. 19, 2021. As a symbol that Ward had been accounted for, a rosette now adorns his name in the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Over 400,000 Veterans are buried at Arlington National Cemetery, with over 8,000 being World War II Veterans and over 400 being Medal of Honor Recipients.

Source: United States Navy

Under the direction of Commander, Task Force (CTF) 68, the Navy embarked experts from Supervisor of Salvage and Diving (SUPSALV), Phoenix International, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 8 (EODMU 8), and U.S. Army Special Operations Aviation Command (USASOAC) aboard the contracted multipurpose vessel, NG Worker, and proceeded to the crash site on Dec. 8. Once on station, highly skilled operators located and recovered the aircraft using state-of-the-art underwater survey and recovery equipment mounted on the Deep Drone remote operated vehicle (ROV). The 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.

“The success of this mission can be attributed to highly trained Sailors, Soldiers, and civilians from the combined Army-Navy team who came together and displayed extreme skill to safely recover the helicopter,” said Cdr. John Kennedy, Commanding Officer of EODMU 8 and Commander, Task Group (CTG) 68.1. “Everyone onboard was humbled by the opportunity to play a small role in helping to bring closure to grieving families.”

Assigned to U.S. Army Special Operations Command, the MH-60 Blackhawk was carrying five special operations aviation Soldiers when it crashed. All Soldiers on board were killed. The remains of two Soldiers were recovered during initial search and recovery efforts.

The remains of the three other Soldiers were recovered and will be flown to Dover Air force Base and returned to the families. The identities of the Soldiers recovered will be withheld pending notification to next of kin.

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.

Source: United States Navy

 

Under the command of Cmdr. Clint Christofk, Washington, also referred to as ‘Blackfish’, returns from a six-month deployment where it executed the Chief of Naval Operations’ maritime strategy by supporting national security interest and maritime security operations. 

“The crew onboard Blackfish fought hard through a difficult deployment, showing the tenacity that submariners are known for,” said Christofk. “I am immensely proud of the crew for their grit, drive, and dedication to the mission, which allowed Blackfish to complete a historic deployment.”

Washington’s return to Norfolk is just in time for the holidays, which had the crew, friends and families more excited than usual for the boat’s return. 

“We are all happy to be back in Norfolk to rest and celebrate the holidays with loved ones,” said Christofk before saying Washington’s battle cry. “Fear the Blackfish!”

Lt. j.g. Remya Wiley, Washington’s communications officer, shared Christofk’s sentiment. 

“It feels amazing to feel the sun on my face and to know I’m home,” said Wiley. “I’m going to miss the down times after a long day of watch and working a lot where the crew got to spend time together, but everyone is definitely more relaxed and happier that they’re now home with their families in time for the holidays.”

If being home in time for the holidays was not enough to be excited for, Culinary Specialist (Submarine) 1st Class Joel Huffman was one of the first Sailors off the boat to greet his significant other with the traditional first hug. 

“If feels so good to be back home and to have the opportunity to be one of the first crewmembers off that boat that I almost can’t put it into words,” Huffman. “We’re all very much looking forward to relaxing and distressing over the holidays after all the hard work we did.” 

During the deployment, Washington garnered more days on station that any east coast deployment on record, had the first chief intelligence specialist to earn the submarine warfare qualifications, known as ‘dolphins’, and had the most women ever deployed on a fast-attack submarine, including one chief petty officer.

Washington steamed more than 37,000 nautical miles with the crew supporting diplomatic relationships by conducting port visits in Faslane, Scotland, and Grotsund, Norway. 

Forty-four enlisted Sailors and five officers earned their submarine warfare qualification, known as ‘dolphins,’ 10 officers promoted, and four Sailors reenlisted.

Fast-attack submarines are multi-mission platforms enabling five of the six Navy maritime strategy core capabilities – sea control, power project, forward presence, maritime security, and deterrence. They are designed to excel in anti-submarine warfare, anti-ship warfare, strike warfare, special operations, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, irregular warfare and mine warfare. Fast-attack submarines project power ashore with special operations forces and Tomahawk cruise missiles in the prevention or preparation of regional crises.

The Virginia-class submarine is 377 feet long and 34 feet wide, and weighs about 7,900 tons when submerged. Underwater, it can reach speeds in excess of 25 knots. 
 

Source: United States Navy

At the invitation of host nations, Pacific Partnership’s mission partners will conduct tailored humanitarian civil action preparedness activities in areas such as engineering, disaster response, public health, and host nation outreach events.

This year’s mission will feature military personnel from Australia, Japan, United Kingdom, Germany, and New Zealand. The Pacific Partnership 24-1 mission has completed stops in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands and Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia. Its final mission stop will be in Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia.

“The United States is committed to the people of Palau as we share deep ties and a long-standing friendship that spans decades”, said U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Palau, Joel Ehrendreich. “Pacific Partnership allows us to work shoulder-to-shoulder as friends and partner nations to collectively grow our ability to quickly respond to disasters or medical emergencies, if and when that comes to the Indo-Pacific region.”

USNS Mercy will anchor off the state of Koror with a team of more than 750 civilian crew members and uniformed military members. The ship has 12 fully equipped operating rooms, 1,000 hospital beds, radiological services, a dental clinic, a medical laboratory, a pharmacy, optometry facilities, a CT scanner, and an oxygen-producing plant.

During the Palau mission stop, the Pacific Partnership team will conduct community health engagements in Koror, Peleliu, and Babeldaob, which include optometry (vision screenings, glasses and sunglasses dispensing), dentistry (examinations, extractions, and fluoride treatments), and chronic disease screening. These services are free and open to the public on a first come, first serve basis. The U.S. Embassy Koror Facebook page will provide updated information on the location and times of these community engagements.

Surgeons will also perform operations onboard USNS Mercy. Patients will be pre-screened through a process coordinated through the Palau Ministry of Health and Human Services and with local doctors. Pacific Partnership medical providers will also conduct medical subspecialty care and training engagements at Belau National Hospital, working side-by-side with their Palauan medical colleagues, as well as training in trauma, obstetric, and neonatal emergencies.

Additionally, the U.S. Pacific Partnership band, comprised of musicians from the U.S. Pacific Fleet Band, the Royal Australian Navy and the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force will perform free concerts at Ernguul Park on Dec. 23rd, Surangel’s Shopping Center in Airai on Christmas Eve, and at the Old Age Home in Koror on December 28th. There will also be host nation outreach events for Sailors to play sports with students who are on Christmas break from school. Experts in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief will conduct workshops for safe boating and disaster risk management.

“When speaking about the Palau mission stop, U.S. Joint Region Marianas (JRM) Senior Military Official for the Republic of Palau, Rear Admiral Greg Huffman said, “I would like to express my sincere appreciation to President Whipps, his staff and the entire Palau community for the support they have provided this mission. The trust built through collaborative exercises like Pacific Partnership strengthen our shared capacity and deepen our special strategic partnership.” Rear Admiral Huffman will attend the opening ceremony of Pacific Partnership 24-1 in Palau onboard USNS Mercy. “This mission fosters multilateral cooperation and emphasizes a multinational and whole-of-government approach between our countries that continues to promote stability, unity and prosperity in Palau and throughout the region.”

Born out of the devastation brought by the December 2004 tsunami that swept through parts of South and Southeast Asia, Pacific Partnership began as a military-led humanitarian response to one of the world’s most catastrophic natural disasters. Building on the success and goodwill of this operation, the U.S. helped spearhead the inaugural Pacific Partnership mission in 2006.

Pacific Partnership, now in its 19th iteration, is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Each year the mission team works collectively 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, go to www.facebook.com/pacificpartnership, www.instagram.com/pacific_partnership/ or https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/PacificPartnership. For questions about Pacific Partnership engagements and band concerts, please contact U.S. Embassy Koror public affairs officer Jason Frohnmayer at FrohnmayerJO@state.gov.

Source: United States Navy

This mission stop hosted a fly-in only team of 76 Pacific Partnership 24-1 (PP 24-1) personnel. Due to the size of USNS Mercy (T-AH 19), the ship was unable to anchor off the coast of Pohnpei. This was Pacific Partnership’s third time to visit Pohnpei.

“Pacific Partnership’s Mission Team has done an amazing job in their short time in the state of Pohnpei,” said U.S. Embassy Kolonia Ambassador Jennifer Johnson. “Their presence has been felt across communities here through cultural events, no-cost dental and optical care, training of health care personnel, community service, and disaster management preparation, adding to our already deep and enduring partnership and ties with the FSM.”

Pacific Partnership fosters enduring friendship and cooperation among many nations. During the mission stop, personnel from the U.S. Navy and Army collaborated with Pohnpei professionals and U.S. military veterans in Pohnpei to enhance capabilities across medical, humanitarian assistance disaster relief and host nation outreach lines of effort.

“I would like to thank the government and people of Pohnpei for welcoming the Pacific Partnership team into their country,” said Capt. Jeffrey Feinberg, commanding officer of USNS Mercy. “I am inspired by the collaboration between our team and the community of Pohnpei that demonstrates bonds of friendship and enduring trust between our nations.”

Pacific Partnership is an enduring mission that focuses on multinational cooperation and host nation capacity building in order to ensure a more secure Indo-Pacific.

Throughout their 10-day stay in Pohnpei, PP24-1 forces conducted more than 51 medical engagements, including 737 dental procedures. The optometry team distributed more than 685 prescription glasses and 777 pairs of sunglasses. Additionally, the Pacific Partnership medical team conducted 29 side-by-side surgeries at Pohnpei State Hospital.

The mission’s humanitarian assistance and disaster response leads conducted 2 workshops, which included Pohnpei first responders. U.S. Army personnel, along with U.S. Coast Guard members from United States Coast Guard Sector Guam, hosted one search and rescue exercise in order to increase host nation capability during disaster relief.

Part of the host nation outreach line of effort, U.S. Pacific Fleet Band members performed seven concerts for local schools and the local community around Pohnpei. These concerts contributed to enhancing strong bonds of friendships with U.S. members and the local community.

“Playing music around Pohnpei during Pacific Partnership has been a truly remarkable experience,” said Petty Officer First Class Paul Tomson. “Pohnpei inspired us with hospitality, and we hope that we’ve inspired Pohnpei through music. We look forward to continuing our partnership by making music together in the future.”

As part of Pacific Partnership 24-1, U.S. Navy divers from Task Group 73.6 removed and disposed of MV Micro Glory, a derelict cargo vessel, from Dekehtik Harbor. This operation was at the request of the Micronesian Government in coordination with Transportation, Communications, and Infrastructure Department, Environmental Protection Agency, and Pohnpei Port Authority. The disposal reduced the risk of future environment and economic impacts in Pohnpei.

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