Month: February 2024

Source: United States Navy

This marks Carter Hall’s second visit to the port during its deployment to the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of responsibility (AOR). Apart from the routine maintenance, refueling and restocking of critical supplies for the ship, this port visit re-enables the Sailors and Marines aboard Carter Hall to experience the unique culture that Souda Bay has to offer.

“The Sixth Fleet area of operations contains a myriad of countries that are home to countless historic sites, rich cultures and populations, but also, some very important relationships,” said Cmdr. Brad Fancher, commanding officer of Carter Hall. “This port visit to Souda Bay falls in line with the Navy’s long-lived tradition of providing our embarked Sailors and Marines some hard-earned rest while furthermore bestowing upon us the opportunity to foster and advance our relationships with our Allies and Partners in the region.”

The trans-Atlantic strategic relationship between the U.S. and Greece has been forged over the past decades, and it is built on a foundation of shared values, experiences and vision.

“I stepped onboard this ship fully expecting to only see the same two ports between several months at sea,” said Lance Cpl. Zachary Livesay, an anti-tank missile gunner assigned to the 26^th Marine Expeditionary Unit. “Having the opportunity to sample some of the tastiest foods in interesting places like Souda Bay, alongside my brothers and sisters in arms, makes me so grateful to have been proven wrong.

The Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) is a special operations capable, Marine Air-Ground Task Force comprised of approximately 4,500 Marines and Sailors supported by three major subordinate elements with the ability to provide agility in a dynamic security environment.

These subordinate elements include the Command Element, Ground Combat Element, Aviation Combat Element and the Logistics Combat Element.

Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), under the tactical command and control of Task Force 61/2, is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe AOR, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied and partner interests.

Headquartered in Naples, Italy, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-U.S. Naval Forces Africa 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

During a special presentation with students in the STEAM program, Secretary Del Toro highlighted his time as a small business owner and his 26-year career in the Navy.

“I wanted to share that experience with you, and perhaps, open your mind to serving our Nation as well,” said Secretary Del Toro. “While you continue to pursue your passion, remember, there isn’t anything that we don’t do in the Department of the Navy. Explore a career in the Navy or the Marine Corps.”

“We are excited to welcome Secretary Del Toro to our campus,” said José E. Roca, Belen’s Principal and 1984 graduate. “We are honored to be able to provide our students with this opportunity and enjoyed hearing his story and words of inspiration.”

Secretary Del Toro toured the school’s Innovation Center, home to the school’s STEAM Program, and observed an engineering and design and innovation class.

“He greeted us and asked my team what project we were working on,” said Senior Jake Usallan. “I was happy to explain, and he listened intently and asked us insightful questions. I wasn’t sure how it would go at first, but it went even better than I expected. Meeting him definitely reaffirmed that what we were working on was worth it and gave us even more motivation to push harder to get it done.” 

“Technical education isn’t just about learning the tools; it’s about empowering students to shape our future,” said Adriana Salazar, Ph.D., STEAM Director. “I’m thrilled Secretary Del Toro highlighted the importance of this and the opportunities the Department of the Navy provides to innovate.”

While in Miami, Secretary Del Toro also visited at U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) headquarters. There, he met with command leadership, discussed maritime security in Latin America and the Caribbean, and spoke with Sailors and Marines.

Source: United States Navy

While in port, the ship and 26th MEU(SOC) team will conduct a routine liberty port, as well as host a reception for a group of distinguished visitors, to include Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet, Vice Adm. Thomas Ishee.

“Our Sailors and Marines onboard the ship have been working hard over the past few months, and I can’t be more proud of them,” said Bataan Commanding Officer Capt. Paul Burkhart. “I am excited to visit Cyprus, and glad that we will get some well-earned off-time in such a great area.”

The ship’s visit to the Republic of Cyprus marks the third port visit for the Sailors and Marines of Bataan and 26th MEU(SOC) in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) area of responsibility.

Amphibious Ready Groups provide an inherently flexible maneuver force ready to meet emerging missions or contingencies, respond to humanitarian crises, reassure allies and Partners, and promote the free flow of maritime commerce and regional stability.

The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, with the embarked 26th MEU(SOC), is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., Allied and partner interests.

Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces in the U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command areas of responsibility. U.S. 6th Fleet is permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF and employs maritime forces through the full spectrum of joint and naval operations.

Source: United States Navy

Capt. James Von St. Paul will assume the duties as commodore of Destroyer Squadron 2. Harkin will be temporarily reassigned to the staff of Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic. There is no impact to the command’s mission due to the relief.

Navy leaders are held to high standards of personal and professional conduct, both on and off duty. They are expected to uphold the highest standards of responsibility, reliability, and leadership, and the Navy holds them accountable.

For additional questions, please contact Lt. Cmdr. David Carter, Naval Surface Force Atlantic Public Affairs Officer at david.j.carter9.mil@us.navy.mil.

Source: United States Navy

A research project from the Office of Naval Research (ONR) Global is providing valuable information about the effects of melting glaciers in Patagonia that feed into coastal fjords, transporting sediments, freshwater and nutrients.

Dr. Chris Konek, science advisor at ONR Global in Chile, said the research will help the Department of the Navy (DoN) understand the effects of a changing climate on the coastal environment.

“That’s the kind of the thing the Marines need to be able to handle,” he said. “It’s basic research and so it will help provide a fundamental understanding of this aspect of coastal systems where you can expect more things like this to happen in the future – more glacial melting as opposed to less.”

Konek said sediment trapped in the melting glaciers creates higher density in the water that feeds into the fjords, creating stratification and internal waves.

“When we have those waves between different layers in the water in the ocean, we call those internal waves,” Konek said. “So then the idea of the project is that you have this glacial plume, the sediment and the internal waves, and you’re looking to see how these different features interact with one another.”

Cristian Escauriaza, professor, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, is the principal investigator along with his university colleague, Megan Williams. They are working with the Filantropía Cortés-Solari, a conservation organization that owns and manages the Melimoyu Elemental Reserve in northern Patagonia.

Escauriaza said, “We are interested in understanding the changes in the physical environment produced by the large input of glacial rivers to the coast.  In these sub-Antarctic regions, and similarly near the Arctic, the effects of the fresh water in the coastal ocean can change the physical properties and dynamics of the flow in the adjacent fjords.”

Patagonia is largely remote with a diverse ecosystem and a rich array of wildlife, including penguins and blue whales. Konek said ONR Global is interested in Escauriaza’s project for its potential to inform what’s happening to that ecosystem, which can also help inform what’s happening to other coastal regions experiencing the same challenges.

While the project in Patagonia was awarded about a year ago, Escuariaza’s team recently carried out field measurements.

“Early information has shown that measurements of the tide amplitudes, river discharge variability, temperature and salinity are critical to identify the leading mechanisms of the formation and propagation of internal waves,” Escuariaza said. 

He added, “The fjords and river systems in Patagonia are a critical part of the sub-Antarctic region and understanding their dynamics is vital to addressing the challenges posed by climate change. Our goal is to provide new insights into the processes that govern these coastal systems, which will help develop sustainable strategies for their management.” 

Researchers from Stanford and Stonybrook Universities, Oliver Fringer, Stephen Monismith and Jacqueline McSweeney, are also taking part in the study. 

Konek said collaboration among the scientific community is key to what ONR Global is able to accomplish through its research awards.

“We’ve got two people at the Naval Research Lab that are involved in, and really supportive of the project.  One of them just moved over to ONR headquarters as a program officer, so we’re hoping that kind of collaboration continues and expands.” 

In addition to measuring the effects of glacial waters in Patagonia’s coastal fjords, Konek said ONR Global is sponsoring another project on climate change with the same university for the prediction of heat waves across both North and South America.