Month: December 2023

Source: United States Navy

The two-week training exchange consisted of a week-long subject matter expert exchange (SMEE) and a week-long multilateral disaster response training.

The first week of the joint training included classroom instruction from Nepali Special Operators and instructors from the Nepali Army’s High Altitude Mountain Warfare School.

“Having the opportunity to learn from mountaineering experts trained in the largest mountain range in the world was an incredible and invaluable experience,” said a U.S. Naval Warfare Special operator. “The Nepali Army SOF Brigade’s professionalism and expertise was unmatched.”

In addition to mountaineering tactics and training, NSW Operators shared combat medical and tactical scenario skills with the Nepali Army’s SOF Brigade.  “The training was invaluable,” said one Nepali special operator.

“We were able to learn so much from our friends in the partner force and the information exchange was an incredibly valuable asset for us all.”

During the second week of training, NSW Operators participated in 2023 Nepal Disaster Response Exercise and Exchange (DREE).

Hosted by U.S. Army Pacific, the DREE saw multiple partner forces come together to participate in the disaster response exercise, including the United Kingdom, Sri Lanka, India, Maldives, Mongolia, Thailand and Canada.

The DREE culminated in multiple field training exercises showcasing swift water and dive recovery, firefighting, mass casualty response, disaster response search and recovery and hazardous material decontamination.

U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) have a long-standing history of providing flexible, timely disaster response and relief to partner-nations in the region, and executing complex, realistic training exercises such as the DREE help to heighten mutual interoperability and enhance bilateral relations.

Training exchanges such as this benefit ally nations, help to synchronize special operations capabilities among partners and allies, and help build stronger multilateral coordination between the U.S., Nepal and other regional nations with a unified goal of humanitarian assistance during natural or man-made disasters.

Naval Special Warfare trains with forces worldwide to improve and further specialize skills required to conduct missions and respond to crises.

Source: United States Navy

Serving as liaisons between the Navy and the crew of the ship and the stevedores on the pier, the EPU 114 reservists are coordinating the loadout of 407 pieces of cargo, consisting of containers filled with mechanical parts, vehicles, construction materials, office supplies and electronics equipment, and mobile office unites; supplies needed for the year’s survival at McMurdo Station, Antarctica.

According to Cmdr. Timothy Cushanick, EPU 114’s commanding officer, the moral among the six-member reserve team is high, something he attributes to the mission itself, and to the fact that this year’s mission will be completed before Christmas, unlike past years when it was conducted during the holiday.

“Everybody is excited to support the mission, because it is so different than anything we normally do, but also because we will be home for the holidays!” he explained. “You can feel the excitement talking to the ship’s master and crew. They really want to be on this mission and to go to Antarctica. ODF is truly one a one of a kind thing for all of us, and we all feel privileged to be a part of it.”

Loading cargo into the 545-foot Ocean Gladiator requires advanced planning. Weight differences in cargo, as well as the types of cargo loaded and the storage issues require a specific load order, which is followed to the letter to ensure an on time departure. Because of this, the reservists have worked with members of the MSCPAC Operations team as well as Ocean Gladiator’s crew, port workers, stevedores and members of the National Science Foundation and Ports of America.

“This mission is supporting real-world operations, and not a table-top scenario type exercise like we as reservists normally do,” said Cushanick. “This is a fantastic opportunity for all of us, because we are working as a new team, with organizations we don’t normally work with. This mission is special, because of the length of it. Because it is nearly two weeks long, we are able to really get to know all the players, especially the ship’s crew, their capabilities and their needs. These are things we can take with us into other missions.”

Navy reservists are used to working in new environments with a team they have not met before, but that does not mean it is easy. Working as a new team can have its own set of challenges. To make the transition into the ODF mission easier, the EPU-114 team began communication through electronic means weeks ago, getting to know each other, and identifying strength of each member. While they had not worked as a team before reaching Port Hueneme, they did have a familiarization with each other.

“Working electronically before the mission set the stage for working together,” said Cushanick. “We might not know each other physically, but we did know each other’s names and a little bit of their personalities, which definitely makes the first couple of days easier.”
Ocean Gladiator will depart Port Hueneme later in the week. Following a stop in Christchurch, New Zealand, where the ship will load additional cargo, it will travel to the ice-pier at McMurdo Station, where members of Navy Cargo Handling Battalion ONE will conduct the offload. Before departing McMurdo station, Ocean Gladiator will be loaded with ice core samples that will be stored on the ship in sub-zero freezer containers. The ice core samples will be delivered to the United States for scientific study. In addition, retrograde cargo will be loaded onto the ship for transportation off the continent. These include trash and recyclable materials for disposal and equipment no longer required on the station.

Operation Deep Freeze is a joint service, on-going Defense Support to Civilian Authorities activity in support of the National Science Foundation (NSF), lead agency for the United States Antarctic Program. Mission support consists of active duty, Guard and Reserve personnel from the U.S. Air Force, Navy, Army, and Coast Guard as well as Department of Defense civilians and attached non-DOD civilians. ODF operates from two primary locations situated at Christchurch, New Zealand and McMurdo Station, Antarctica. An MSC-chartered cargo ship and tanker have made the challenging voyage to Antarctica every year since the station and its resupply mission were established in 1955.

Source: United States Navy

Rear Adm. Kurt J. Rothenhaus, Ph.D., Chief of Naval Research, served as the keynote speaker for 284 graduates, including 31 international students from 19 countries. During his remarks, Rothenhaus, himself an NPS alumnus, offered his congratulations to the graduates – but also urged them to be mindful of the work which lies ahead.

“As you prepare for the next adventure, take a moment to look in the back, in the wake – that wake from the ship – and be proud,” said Rothenhaus. “You have accomplished so much, and you should have a justifiable sense of pride and celebration. But then, we need you to head quickly to the bridge.”

Rothenhaus expressed his belief that NPS is ideally suited to producing future leaders – not just in the Navy and Marine Corps, but also throughout the Department of Defense.

“It’s that look towards the horizon, to put your passions, your energies, your skills into something bigger, bigger than our own ambitions and desires,” noted Rothenhaus. “To be part of an organization that values us for our ability to team, to partner, to work towards the greater good, which goes to the very heart of this beloved institution, Naval Postgraduate School.” 

Reflecting on his time as a student at NPS, Rothenhaus also reminded the graduates of the school’s exemplary faculty. 

“If you go to any one of the departments here at NPS, in any field of study, the faculty is world-class,” said Rothenhaus. “And we are very, very fortunate to have them personally instruct us – which is not the model everywhere else.”

Prior to the keynote address, NPS Provost and Academic Dean Scott Gartner presented Rothenhaus with the NPS Distinguished Alumnus Award, which honors former students for significant contributions to national security, exceptional service, or outstanding professional achievements.

Speaking on the convergence of academic rigor and military strategy, retired Vice Adm. Ann E. Rondeau, president of NPS, highlighted the critical role of educated individuals in shaping defense tactics for combat and preventing conflict.

“I’d like to say that this is ‘where science meets the art of warfare.’ You are the art,” said Rondeau. “You are magnificent creations of knowledge and proficiency that our nation and all nations depend upon to come up with their right answers – to have answers about warfare, but also have answers about the deterrence of warfare. And that is even more essential than anything else.

“The degree that you have today signals to all that you not only increased your knowledge, but that you have distinguished yourself as a warrior-scholar – and, most importantly, as an innovative leader,” added Rondeau. 

Before presenting the graduates with their degrees, Rothenhaus encouraged them to reflect on their achievements with pride and to celebrate their successes, but to be ready to apply this knowledge as they move on to their next endeavors.

“As graduates, you face a much more complex and challenging world than the one I did 24 years ago. Our daughters and sons head out to sea, along with the joint warfighters, allies and partners, to face off against a potential adversary that has the economic, technological and warfighting capabilities we haven’t seen in a very long time,” said Rothenhaus. “And we need your help to navigate through these times – and all the skills that you’ve learned and knowledge and wisdom from the Naval Postgraduate School as you go forward.

“So, again, look back in the wake with pride and get up to the bridge.”

For more information about this latest class and to watch the full ceremony, visit the NPS Graduation website at https://nps.edu/graduation.

Source: United States Navy

Mr. Owens’ visit included a tour of the NSA Naples Trigeneration Energy plant, Water Treatment plant, Sailor barracks, and the hospital. He also met with the commanding officer of NAS Sigonella to discuss various infrastructure projects.
The Trigeneration plant, recently completed in spring of 2023, diversifies the installation’s energy portfolio with resilient energy. Both the Trigeneration plant and Water Treatment plant fall within the Department of Defense’s initiative to reduce environmental impacts through the adoption of renewable resources, and improve military readiness and quality of life for the installation community onboard NSA Naples.

“I appreciate Mr. Owens taking the time to visit NSA Naples, it’s clear the EI&E team is invested in quality of life improvements,” said NSA Naples Commanding Officer Captain John Randazzo. “We are proud of the work we continue to do on critical infrastructure to make this a more efficient and resilient base in the future. Providing environmentally responsible resources to our base community is critical for mission readiness.”

The base’s commitment to renewable resources and the environment is evident in numerous projects on board NSA Naples promoting infrastructure resiliency. Projects include replacement of the potable water distribution system, upgrades to energy control systems, replacement of fluorescent lights with LED lighting fixtures, replacement of low-flow water fixtures, upgraded cooling systems, and construction of the Trigeneration Plant. The plant can produce up to 2MW of electricity for Capodichino, as well as hot and chilled water for HVAC systems throughout the installation.
 
At NAS Sigonella, solar panels help reduce base energy consumption by 10%, annually. These photovoltaic (PV) systems are just a small part of ongoing efforts to provide renewable resources to the installation. Future projects include a base-wide de-carbonization project to reduce natural gas consumption and carbon emissions, a smart grid project to improve energy reliability and resiliency, and a microgrid project at the wastewater treatment plant to improve energy resilience.

“Here on board NAS Sigonella, we are working to be more responsible about energy consumption, by reducing waste, and employing clean water and air practices,” said NAS Sigonella Commanding Officer Capt. Aaron Shoemaker. “Our community is dedicated to being responsible neighbors and protecting Sicily’s resources.”
 
The projects on board NSA Naples and NAS Sigonella are in line with Navy Region Europe, Africa, Central’s efforts to remain responsible stewards of the environment while providing mission critical services. EURAFCENT’s responsibility to the fleet and warfighter as well as the surrounding community is evident in current projects involving base infrastructure, power, and water treatment facilities.
 
The ongoing Regional Energy Savings Performance Contract includes tri-generation plants in Naples and Sigonella that improve reliability, resiliency, and efficiency for both installations. Further, upcoming investments to add a microgrid with Photovoltaics and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Naples and a similar system to support Sigonella’s water treatment plant solidifies the region as a committed partner in delivering sustainable and responsible capabilities to support fleet operational imperatives.
 
Energy, Installation, and Environment (EI&E) within the Department of Defense is dedicated to climate, communities, and critical infrastructure. Viewing climate action as a strategic enabler, EI&E’s mission is to create pathways to reliable and resilient energy to ensure our forces are trained, equipped, and ready to deter when and where they are needed.

Navy Region EURAFCENT provides mission-critical logistics and support to the warfighter, their families, and the fleet across seven countries, enabling U.S., allied, and partner nation forces to be where they are needed, when they are needed to maintain security, stability, and freedom of navigation in the European, African, and Central Command areas of responsibility.
 

Source: United States Navy

The Sullivans presence demonstrates our commitment, flexibility and capability to operate throughout the region.

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.

For more than 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) has forged strategic relationships with our Allies and partners, leveraging a foundation of shared values to preserve security and stability.