Month: January 2024

Source: United States Navy

Commander, Naval Forces Korea (CNFK) participated with Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1 aboard USS Carl Vinson in the multi-day, trilateral exercise that focused on integration, interoperability, and readiness across multiple complex warfare areas.

“This exercise sharpens our combined skills and deepens our relationship with our partner nations,” said Rear Adm. Neil Koprowski, commander, CNFK. “Our close-knit teamwork with ROK and JMSDF is critical to the success of conducting combined maritime operations and training at sea.”

The collaborative exercise reflects shared values, through a trilateral commitment to deter aggression, and to maintain peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

The USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), the flagship of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1, kicked off the exercise Monday. The USS Carl Vinson previously conducted a trilateral maritime exercise with JMSDF and ROK, November 26, 2023.

These exercises support a free and open Indo-Pacific.

CNFK is the U.S. Navy’s representative in the Republic of Korea, it fosters enduring relationships with joint, combined, and multinational partners and strengthens combined maritime warfighting capability, interoperability, and readiness.

For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnfk.

Source: United States Navy

Gerald R. Ford is the flagship of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 12 and deployed to the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations.

“I am incredibly proud of every member of the strike group, especially the triads who led their teams of exceptionally talented sailors with professionalism and perseverance,” said Rear Adm. Erik Eslich, commander of CSG 12. “Due to our collective efforts, we excelled during a very challenging deployment, demonstrating the capabilities of a U.S. Navy carrier strike group, assuring our partners and allies, and deterring our adversaries with our operations in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations.”

While in the Mediterranean, the carrier strike group participated in and supported numerous multinational exercises and vigilance activities to increase NATO capability and deter aggression in the region. The carrier visited ports in Croatia, Greece, Italy, Norway and Türkiye. Other ships in the strike group visited Belgium, Cyprus, Montenegro, Spain, and Sweden.

The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (GRFCSG) was extended 76 days following the outbreak of conflict in Israel and operated in the Mediterranean Sea to deter further escalation and support Israel in its right to self-defense. Two of the strike group’s ships, the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS McFaul (DDG 74) and USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116) deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of maritime security objectives.

In total, the GRFCSG worked with 17 nations throughout its deployment during exercises Baltic Operations, Air Defender, Bomber Task Force Viking Trident, Neptune Strike, and Sage Wolverine. The strike group operated with Standing NATO Maritime Groups 1 and 2, conducted dual-carrier operations with USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), and exercised with navies from France, Greece, Norway, Türkiye and the United Kingdom.

In 239 days underway, the ship’s crew conducted 43 underway replenishments, logged more than 17,826 flight hours and 10,396 sorties, sailed more than 83,476 nautical miles, and safely transferred 20.7 million gallons of fuel with zero mishaps. The Ford crew conducted 33,444 flight deck moves, 3,124 hangar bay aircraft moves, 2,883 aircraft elevator moves, 16,351 aircraft fueling evolutions, and transferred 8,850 pallets of cargo and mail. The Gerald R. Ford culinary team prepared and served 3.1 million meals, which included approximately 48,000 dozen eggs, 24,000 gallons of milk, 131,000 hamburgers, 367,000 pounds of chicken, and Gerald R. Ford’s favorite, 79,000 chocolate chip cookies.

“The Gerald R. Ford is everything our nation hoped it would be, and more. I am so proud of the crew, who breathed life into the world’s most technologically advanced warship and stood the watch in defense of our national interests,” said Capt. Rick Burgess, Gerald R. Ford’s commanding officer. “Though extended, we were the right ship at the right time to answer the call, and our Sailors performed admirably. Ford Sailors honored our namesake’s legacies of hard work, integrity, and courage.”

Sailors and resiliency were at the forefront of Gerald R. Ford’s first combat deployment. The ship offered an array of services, including chaplain support, a deployed resiliency counselor and educator, a shipboard Wolverine TV program and daily Wolverine newspaper – an homage to President Ford’s alma mater – and command associations and clubs. The Gerald R. Ford deployment also introduced the first military facility working dog to deploy with a U.S. Navy ship, pioneering a pilot program meant to address operational stress and promote morale and resiliency.

Notable visitors to the Gerald R. Ford included U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, U.S. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, commanders of Naval Forces Europe-Africa, U.S. 6th Fleet, Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO, the director of exercises and assessments and advisor on reserve component affairs for U.S. European Command, crown prince of the Kingdom of Norway, chief of the Norwegian fleet, and commander in chief of the Italian Navy.

In addition to the carrier, the GRFCSG consists of CSG 12 staff, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 2 staff and units, and the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60). In total, the GRFCSG deploys with more than 5,000 Sailors across all platforms ready to respond globally to combatant commander’s tasking.

The ships of DESRON 2 are 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 “Bear Aces” of Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 124, and the “Rawhides” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40 located in Norfolk, Va.; the “Ragin’ Bulls” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 37, the “Blacklions” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 213, the “Golden Warriors” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 87, and the “Tomcatters” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 31 located in Virginia Beach, Va.; the “Gray Wolves” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 142 based in Whidbey Island, Wa.; and the “Spartans” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 70 from Mayport, Fla.

Gerald R. Ford is the U.S. Navy’s newest, largest, and most advanced aircraft carrier. As first in its class, the ship represents a generational leap in the U.S. Navy’s capacity to project power on a global scale. Ford-class aircraft carriers introduce 23 new technologies, including Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS), Advanced Arresting Gear and Advanced Weapons Elevators. The new systems on Ford-class ships are designed to generate a higher sortie rate with a 20% smaller crew than a Nimitz-class carrier, paving the way for future naval aviation.

For more information about the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), visit https://www.airlant.usff.navy.mil/cvn78/ and follow along on Facebook: @USSGeraldRFord, Instagram: @cvn78_grford, Twitter: @Warship_78, DVIDS www.dvids.net/CVN78 and LinkedIn at USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78).

Source: United States Navy

The Sentinel-class fast response cutter USCGC Emlen Tunnell (WPC 1145) seized 173 kilograms of methamphetamines following a search. The Coast Guardsmen properly disposed of the drugs and released the vessel.

This is the second interdiction by CTF 150 of the year and marks the 14th time they have seized illegal narcotics at sea since France took command in July 2023. During their tenure, more than 16 tons of illegal narcotics with a street value of over $600 million were seized and disposed of, preventing criminal and terrorist organizations generating income from drug smuggling. The seizure came one day before France turned over command of the task force to the Royal Canadian Navy.

The mission of Combined Task Force 150 is to disrupt the ability of non-state actors to move weapons or drugs, or engage in other illicit activities, in the Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean.

CTF 150 is one of five task forces under Combined Maritime Forces, the world’s largest multinational naval partnership, and focuses on maritime security operations in the Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean.

The 39-nation naval partnership upholds the international rules-based order by promoting security and stability across 3.2 million square miles of water encompassing some of the world’s most important shipping lanes.

Source: United States Navy

MOBILE, Ala. – The U.S. Navy accepted delivery of the first Flight II Expeditionary Fast Transport vessel, USNS Cody (EPF 14), January 11.

EPFs are designed to operate in shallow waterways and are capable of a wide range of activities. These versatile, non-combatant transport ships are used for the high-speed transportation of troops, military vehicles, and equipment.

“The delivery of the first Flight II EPF is a significant milestone. The ship’s enhanced medical capabilities will ensure that it provides critical support to our sailors and marines, while still performing its other mission sets.” said Tim Roberts, Strategic and Theater Sealift Program Manager, Program Executive Office (PEO), Ships.

Flight II EPF vessels have added medical mission afloat capabilities. The ships can also transport approximately 419 short tons and travel 1,200 nautical miles at an average speed of 33 knots. Each vessel includes a flight deck to support day and night aircraft launch and recovery operations. The ships are capable of on/off-loading heavy equipment and vehicles such as a fully combat-loaded Abrams Main Battle Tank.

Austal USA is also constructing two additional Flight II vessels, the future USNS Point Loma (EPF 15) and EPF 16.

As one of the Defense Department’s largest acquisition organizations, PEO Ships is responsible for executing the development and procurement of all destroyers, amphibious ships, special mission, support ships, and special warfare craft.

Source: United States Navy

ARLINGTON, Va. – Surface Combat Systems Training Command (SCSTC) educated the Surface Force, Cuttermen, and industry partners on how they are molding Sailors into combat systems warfighters who are prepared to fight, to win, and to return home safely during the Surface Navy Association’s (SNA) 36th National Symposium, Jan. 9 -11. 
 
SCSTC is part of the Naval Education and Training Command, led by Rear Adm. Jeffrey Czerewko.  With over 6,500 staff and students across 12 global locations, SCSTC delivers training to over 37,000 U.S. Navy Sailors as well as 700 international Sailors from 27 partner nations annually.  With surface community partners and force development counterparts, SCSTC provides system and platform specific combat systems training to a growing surface Navy. 
 
In alignment with this year’s theme, “The Fight, The Force, The Future,” attendees were able to get a firsthand look at how SCSTC is adapting and implementing innovative ways to train our future warfighting force. 

SCSTC’s team of subject matter experts, consisting of military and civilian instructors, provided demonstrations of Surface Training Advanced Virtual Environment – Combat Systems (STAVE-CS) training systems to include the Aegis Virtual Maintenance Trainer, Aegis Part Task Trainer, Multi-Mission Team Trainer Ship Self Defense System Sensor Supervisor, Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) Operator, and CIWS Visual Integrated Simulation and Training Application Maintenance.  STAVE-CS, the Director, Surface Warfare’s (OPNAV N96) program of record, was introduced in 2015 as a means to invest in training technologies, devices, and facilities to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, and availability of all surface training. 
 
“A key component to our training approach is to immerse trainees in realistic real world training environments by emulating, simulating, or providing the physical elements of the equipment and operating conditions,” explained Capt. George A. Kessler, Jr., SCSTC’s commodore. 
 
Both Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti and Commander, Naval Surface Force, Vice Adm. Brendan McLane, emphasized the importance of training in their remarks at the symposium. Unveiling her priorities in a paper titled “America’s Warfighting Navy,” Franchetti highlighted Warfighting, Warfighters, and the Foundation that supports them.  Outlining his vision for the Surface Force, McLane discussed continuing the Competitive Edge strategy and achieving the North Star goal of 75 mission capable ships on any given day that are sufficiently manned, trained, and ready for the fight. 
 
“As a global training organization, SCSTC plays an integral role in achieving both the CNO and SWO Boss’ objectives by training warfighters to employ, maintain, and repair their systems while defending our national interests and protecting the global commons – whenever and wherever called,” said Kessler.  “We must ensure our warfighters possess the tactical and technical competence and proficiency needed to execute across the spectrum of operations in today’s challenging environment.” 
 
Surface Navy Association (SNA) was incorporated in 1985 to promote greater coordination and communication among those in the military, business, and academic communities who share a common interest in Surface Warfare while supporting the activities of Surface Forces. SNA’s annual National Symposium brings together joint experts and decision-makers in the military, industry, and Congress to discuss how the Surface Force is a critical element of national defense and security.
 
For information about the Surface Navy Association, visit
http://www.navysna.org/
 
For information about Surface Combat Systems Training Command, visit https://www.netc.navy.mil/SCSTC    
 
Visit SCSTC on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/SurfaceCombatSystemsTrainingCommand