Month: February 2024

Source: United States Navy

Hosted by the American Legion Department of Puerto Rico, the event included a Chair of Honor solemn ceremony. Secretary Del Toro and Carmen Rosario, American Legion Puerto Rico Department Commander, draped the Prisoner of War and Missing in Action (POW/MIA) flag onto a single chair, while Taps played, remembering the 196 Puerto Rican Service members missing in action.

“The service of tens of thousands of Puerto Rican veterans over the past 130 years—from World War I, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, through the first Gulf War and this century’s conflicts in the Middle East have proven, time and time again, their dedication, bravery, and commitment to freedom and liberty,” said Secretary Del Toro.

Secretary Del Toro also noted that 28 percent of the Marine Corps is Hispanic, and 18.4 percent of the Navy is Hispanic. In addition, Secretary Del Toro thanked all in attendance, who have fought, served, and sacrificed in the long history of defending freedom around the world, and their family members who sacrificed as well.

“Our nation is stronger for your service, and we owe you and your fellow veterans our eternal gratitude,” said Secretary Del Toro.

Secretary Del Toro also asked veterans to help with the national call to service.

“I ask that each of you continue to share your stories of service with others as we look to inspire the next generation of Americans to serve our nation, regardless of whether it is in uniform or as a public servant supporting our local, state, or federal governments,” said Secretary Del Toro. “Service to our country and service in the armed forces are not merely jobs or careers. They are fundamental aspects of our democracy, deeply ingrained in the very fabric of our nation.”

While in Puerto Rico, Secretary Del Toro also met with Puerto Rico Governor Pedro Pierluisi, Puerto Rico Lt. Governor Omar Marrero, and Puerto Rico Secretary of Economic Development and Commerce Manuel Cidre, emphasizing the Department of the Navy’s commitment to Puerto Rico small business development and engagement. He also participated in two small business roundtables – a U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency Business Roundtable and a Joint U.S. Department of Defense and Navy Business Roundtable – and visited the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico San Juan to learn about students’ interests in entrepreneurship and STEM.

Prior to visiting Puerto Rico, Secretary Del Toro attended the National 8(a) Association Small Business Conference, where he delivered remarks and hosted a business roundtable with small businesses from various industry sectors seeking to learn more about doing business with the DON.

Source: United States Navy

Exercise Steadfast Defender will involve approximately 90,000 forces from 31 Allies and Sweden. The exercise will validate NATO’s ability to deploy forces rapidly from North America and other parts of the Alliance to reinforce the defense of Europe, and to showcase NATO’s ability to conduct and sustain complex multi-domain operations over several months, across thousands of miles, and in any conditions, from the High North to Central and Eastern Europe.

“The Gunston Hall and her team are looking forward to building on the strong strategic relationships we have established in NATO,” said Cmdr. Christopher W. Van Loenen, commanding officer, Gunston Hall. “We are excited to have our partners and allies embarked on our ship throughout Steadfast Defender 2024, showcasing interoperability and our ship to shore capabilities.”

This is the first port call for Gunston Hall following its departure from Naval Station Norfolk, Jan. 24.  During Steadfast Defender, Gunston Hall will participate in Exercises Joint Warrior and Nordic Response. The Gunston Hall arrived in the Sixth Fleet area of operations on Feb. 1.

Gunston Hall is one of the most versatile amphibious platforms in the U.S. Navy. With two large helicopter landing pads, the largest well deck in the fleet and troop berthing facilities, she has the ability to embark a diverse array of military forces, including NATO Allies and partners when needed.  The U.S. ship is among more than 50 NATO naval assets, 80 air platforms, and 1,100 combat vehicles participating in Steadfast Defender.  This year marks the 75^th anniversary of the NATO Alliance, and the exercise is the largest NATO exercise in 36 years. 

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

Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces in the USEUCOM and 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

“This multinational sail fortifies our relationship between the U.S., Japan and Australian allies,” said Cmdr. Earvin Taylor, commanding officer of John Finn. “We promote transparency, rule of law, freedom of navigation and all principles that underscore security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.”

The U.S. Navy regularly participates with allies and partners in high-end maritime exercises and operations, which have continued to grow in scale, scope, and complexity, to create combined operations that enhance interoperability, boost deterrence, and demonstrate shared resolve.

“Australia has maintained a robust program of international engagement with regional nations for decades and cooperative activities at sea during routine deployments are crucial for enhancing mutual understanding and our ability to operate together,” said Australia’s Joint Force Maritime Component Commander, Commodore Jonathan Ley, RAN.

U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

Source: United States Navy

The PASSEX builds upon partnership capabilities using NATO operational and tactical procedures. PASSEXs are unit exercises requiring cooperation, communication and interoperability between two or more navies, testing advanced ship maneuvering and procedures. PASSEXs afford the opportunity for partner nations to develop a greater trust, understanding and respect for each other’s unique capabilities all while improving crews’ knowledge and demonstrating shared strategies.

“It is a pleasure working with our Turkish allies and continuing to build upon a 70-year foundation of shared values and experiences,” said Capt. Martin Robertson, commander, Amphibious Squadron 8. “Conducting operations with Turkish naval forces demonstrates America’s commitment to our like-minded allies and supports the notion that we are far stronger and more capable to uphold free and open conditions at sea when we stand together.”

The Bataan ARG is comprised of Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19), and Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50). Bataan and Carter Hall recently reintegrated with Mesa Verde in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations after conducting presence and security operations in the U.S. Fifth Fleet area of operations. The separation and re-aggregation of the Bataan ARG highlighted the U.S. Navy’s inherent flexibility to conduct operations whenever and wherever we choose, giving our nation and Allies deterrence and defense options, as well as reinforcing the strong bond between the United States and Turkey.

The ARG/MEU team will continue to support its NATO Allies and partners by conducting routine operations, participating in training exercises, and supporting NATO priorities.

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.

For more information, please contact Amphibious Squadron 8 Public Affairs Team, CPR8PAO@lhd5.navy.mil.

Source: United States Navy

Secretary Del Toro met with Puerto Rico Governor Pedro Pierluisi, Puerto Rico Lt. Governor Omar Marrero, and Puerto Rico Secretary of Economic Development and Commerce Manuel Cidre, emphasizing the Department of the Navy’s commitment to Puerto Rico small business development and engagement.

“A healthy, diverse industrial base made up of companies of all sizes is absolutely crucial to the success of our Navy, our Marine Corps, and our national economy,” said Secretary Del Toro. “I’m spending two days in Puerto Rico to see how we can continue to build and grow our relationships and economies.”

Secretary Del Toro also participated in two small business roundtables: a U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency Business Roundtable and a Joint U.S. Department of Defense and Navy Business Roundtable.

“I’d like to have more small businesses, not to meet some quota, but because it is good for our economy, for the health of our national security and economic security for the country,” said Secretary Del Toro. “I know that small businesses and medium sized businesses here in Puerto Rico may not have been able to compete at an equal level. We need to break down those barriers so you have opportunities within our marketplace. That is my goal.”

“The mission of MBDA is to provide business development service delivery that supports the growth and global competitiveness of minority-owned businesses. The agency was a lead collaborator with the Department of Navy (DON), Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) and the Puerto Rico Department of Economic Development and Commerce for today’s programming, including two business roundtables that were led by Secretary Carlos Del Toro. The mission was to demonstrate a whole of government approach to helping Puerto Rico small businesses to learn more about opportunities for doing business with the DON and Federal government and leveraging MBDA Business Center, Capital Readiness Program and other Department of Commerce resources available on the Island of Puerto Rico,” said Joann J. Hill, Senior Advisor and Director, Office of Customer Experience.

The DON OSBP Acting Deputy Director, Alyse Bullock, shared information on “How to Do Business with the DON.” She encouraged businesses in attendance to visit the DON long range acquisition estimates to learn about forecasted opportunities and address questions. In addition, she shared best practices for how to leverage the Seaport NxG, Best in Class during the business roundtable and the various DON contract types including fixed price, cost reimbursement, award fee, incentive fee, and labor hour. She also shared the importance of growing the DON industrial base by disaggregating large contracts to create opportunities for small business and Rule of Two.

Secretary Del Toro also met with the U.S. Department of Defense Manufacturing Technology Program Leading Innovations for Tomorrow (LIFT), a Detroit-based Department of Defense national manufacturing innovation institute. DOD recently expanded its institute operations to Puerto Rico to begin technology and development operations in support of the Island’s manufacturing base and workforce. The institute, a nonprofit public-private partnership between industry, academia, and government, is supported by $1.9 million in funding from the Department of Defense Manufacturing Technology Program. LIFT has begun convening local stakeholders to further assess how it can meet the innovation needs of the Island’s manufacturers as well as prepare the workforce to work in the advanced manufacturing sector.  Recently, DoD announced a $1 million award for manufacturing ecosystem development in Puerto Rico.

Secretary Del Toro’s visit to Puerto Rico is the second leg of travel related to small business development and a national call to service. He will also participate in a Puerto Rican Veterans commemoration and will honor Puerto Rican Veterans. He will also visit the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico San Juan to learn about students’ interests in entrepreneurship and STEM.

Prior to visiting Puerto Rico, Secretary Del Toro attended the National 8(a) Association Small Business Conference, where he delivered remarks and hosted a business roundtable with small businesses from various industry sectors seeking to learn more about doing business with the DON.