Month: February 2024

Source: United States Navy

NRL’s collaborators, David Peterson, Ph.D., meteorologist, Theodore McHardy, Ph.D., American Society for Engineering Education postdoctoral researcher, Nicholas Gapp, Science Applications International Corporation and Lauren Porter, STEM Student Employment Program, will lead critical weather forecasting efforts for the duration of the experiment.
 
In partnership with team members at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), NRL will provide daily briefings for the science and flight planning teams summarizing meteorology, air quality and atmospheric composition forecasts. This information will identify opportunities for data collection, including airborne measurements of many local, remote, persistent, and episodic sources of pollution.
 
“ASIA-AQ is an exciting opportunity to investigate how different climates and weather patterns influence periods of hazardous air quality and reduced visibility in several regions of eastern Asia.” said Dr. Peterson. “Beginning in the Philippines, each phase will last for two weeks then move to South Korea, Malaysia and conclude in Thailand.”
 
The primary goal of ASIA-AQ is to improve understanding of air quality in and around several Asian megacities by evaluating the factors controlling variability in daily air quality. The comprehensive study will involve South Korea’s Geostationary Environment Monitoring Spectrometer (GEMS) which measures hourly to provide a new view of air quality conditions from space that both complements and depends upon ground-based monitoring efforts of countries in its field of view. To aid in the validation and interpretation of GEMS observations, a network of ground-based remote sensing instruments (Pandora spectrometers) is being established across the GEMS domain. Pandora spectrometers can provide continuous information on the atmospheric column trace gas amounts of compounds.
 
NASA will contribute two research aircraft to the study, with flights planned over urban and marine environments in five countries in eastern Asia. ASIA-AQ flights will be conducted in full partnership with NRL and local scientists and environmental agencies responsible for air quality monitoring and assessment. These partners will contribute to the design of the flight sampling strategies, participate in the execution of the study, and be involved in the analysis of observations collected.
 
Aircraft observations provide invaluable context to the satellite and ground-based perspectives that are used more routinely to inform air quality models for both forecasting and identification of specific sources of pollution. Satellites and ground monitors focus on only a small subset of relevant atmospheric constituents. For a more complete understanding, detailed atmospheric composition measurements throughout the lower atmosphere are needed to understand how emissions, chemistry and meteorology combine to affect ozone and particulate pollution.
 
 ASIA-AQ will be able to fully harness the combination of multi-perspective observations (satellite, ground, and aircraft) and models to improve understanding of the factors controlling air quality. This calls for an international collaborative effort that includes air quality scientists, government officials, and monitoring agencies working together.
 
“We look forward to working with weather forecasters and air quality scientists in the ASIA-AQ host countries to build collaborations and broaden the impact of our work.” said Peterson.
 
After the deployment, NRL will continue to support the aircraft measurement teams and the atmospheric simulations done by ASIA-AQ scientists by providing information on how ASIA-AQ measurements were influenced by specific weather patterns. NRL will use data collected during ASIA-AQ to evaluate Navy modeling applications in eastern Asia, with the goal of improved forecasts for hazardous visibility conditions that account for potential feedback of airborne pollutants on weather.
 

About the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory

NRL is a scientific and engineering command dedicated to research that drives innovative advances for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps from the seafloor to space and in the information domain. NRL is located in Washington, D.C. with major field sites in Stennis Space Center, Mississippi; Key West, Florida; Monterey, California, and employs approximately 3,000 civilian scientists, engineers and support personnel.

For more information, contact NRL Corporate Communications at (202) 480-3746
or nrlpao@nrl.navy.mil. 

Source: United States Navy

Arctic Specialist is an annual multinational EOD and mine countermeasures (MCM) exercise aimed to provide training, exercise and development of land and maritime EOD Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTPs) at the squad and team level in a cold-weather environment. This exercise is designed to enhance capability and interoperability among participating nations. Forces from Denmark will also participate in Arctic Specialist.

EODMU Eight’s MCM Company Commander Lt. Daniel Haines said, “We rely on our experts in the High North to further expand our operations into the Arctic. Exercises like Arctic Specialist allow us to continue improving our collective security by conducting increasingly complex and high-end missions with our Allies.”

During the 11-day exercise, EOD and MCM forces will share TTPS for countering regional and global security threats.

CTF-68 commands all naval expeditionary forces in the U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command areas of responsibility in direct support of U.S. Naval Forces Europe -Africa, and U.S. 6th Fleet.

U.S. 6th Fleet conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint, and inter-agency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

Source: United States Navy

Farragut, along with the “Valkyries” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 50 Det 2 deployed in September 2023 to support Joint Interagency Task Force (JIATF)-South’s counter-narcotics operations in the Caribbean Sea.

During the deployment, Farragut, with her embarked U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET), apprehended or disrupted an estimated 1,770 kilograms of cocaine worth an estimated street value of more than $44 million and the detention of 18 suspected illicit drug runners.

“Every Sailor and Coast Guardsmen had a role in this team effort,” said Farragut Commanding Officer Cmdr. Tom Roberts. “We, alongside allies and partners, seized the opportunity to advance regional and strategic objectives in the area of operations, supporting our nation and our Navy. I could not be more proud of our team and their accomplishments.”

Farragut, the LEDET, and HSM 50 Det 2 conducted operations with the Dominican Navy and British Royal Navy to assist with the apprehension and transfer of personnel and cargo. Farragut also conducted deck landing qualifications with Joint Task Force Bravo (JTF-B) Soldiers, qualifying 18 UH-60A Black Hawk helicopter pilots for maritime operations.

Farragut’s port visits included Willemstad, Curacao, where the ship hosted local students and military personnel to showcase the capabilities of Farragut and discuss the daily lives of Sailors onboard a U.S. naval warship.

“The crew of USS Farragut demonstrated tremendous proficiency and professionalism while executing theater security cooperation events and counter illicit trafficking operations throughout their extended 4-month deployment.” said Capt. Bryan Gallo, Commodore of Task Force FOUR FIVE.

CTF 45 is the U.S. 4th Fleet surface task force charged with executing combined naval operations, building and strengthening regional maritime partnerships, and acting as a DoD-ready service provider to JIATF-South in support of counter-illicit trafficking operations in Central and South American waters.

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet is the trusted maritime partner for Caribbean, Central and South America maritime forces leading to improved unity, security and stability.

Source: United States Navy

While at Dahlgren, Secretary Del Toro visited Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD), the largest of the NAVSEA warfare centers with a combined workforce of more than 8,000, and Surface Combat Systems Training Command (SCSTC) and its learning site, SCSTC AEGIS Training and Readiness Center (ATRC).

SCSTC is a training organization of more than 6,500 staff and students across 12 global locations, and it provides the U.S. Navy and our allies with highly trained warfighters to maintain, operate, and tactically employ surface combat systems across the spectrum of operations.  SCSTC ATRC provides both Sailors and Officers the knowledge, ability, and skill to operate, employ, and assess the readiness of the AEGIS combat system aboard surface warships.

NSWCDD is a hands-on research, development, test and engineering center for the latest in naval weapon systems focusing on several technical capabilities as well as three strategic technical thrust areas: intelligent automation, hypersonic weapon systems, and integrated combat power. 

“The Surface Force is a critical element of our national strategy—upholding the rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of the sea for the benefit of all countries, and that’s especially relevant in the Red Sea today. That’s why the investment in these facilities and training here is essential to our Sailors responding to aggression and illegal activities with our allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific, the Arabian Gulf, the Caribbean, and across Europe,” said Secretary Del Toro. 

Additionally, Secretary Del Toro visited Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center’s (SMWDC) Surface Warfare Technical Division (SWTD), which provides operational support to deployed units through a reachback cell designed to increase the tactical proficiency and lethality of the Surface Force across all domains.

Secretary Del Toro also toured unaccompanied housing with Capt. David Wislon, Commanding Officer, NSA South Potomac, as part of an ongoing effort to critically assess and enrich quality of life concerns for Sailors, Marines, Civilians, and their families. Secretary Del Toro noted that while some investments have been made, more needs to be directed toward housing and accommodations.

Prior to departing, Secretary Del Toro hosted two Small Business Roundtables, hosted by MSWCDD, in coordination with the Department of the Navy Office of Small Business Programs (DON OSBP), at the University of Mary Washington Dahlgren Campus. The purpose of the roundtables was to build relationships between the Department of the Navy and small businesses in the area and to help them identify ways they can support the Navy-Marine Corps team.

“From my vantage point, a healthy, diverse industrial base made up of companies of all sizes—founded by American entrepreneurs from all walks of life—is absolutely crucial to the success of our Navy and our Marine Corps,” said Secretary Del Toro.

DON OSBP provides the highest quality of resources and information to small businesses to support their efforts and opportunities. 

Source: United States Navy

Vice Adm. Doug Perry, commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet, kicked off the two-day conference speaking about how critical it is that 2nd Fleet and Navy Medicine remain synchronized for mission readiness and success.

“This year marks the sixth anniversary since 2nd Fleet was reestablished, and today we face a dangerous and unpredictable security environment,” Perry said. “Our mission is more critical than ever in increasingly contested environments, and we remain committed to setting the conditions for success with your medical teams.”

This year’s symposium brought Hampton Roads area medical teams together with representatives from U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet to synchronize health service support and share operational medicine best practices and lessons learned to ensure mission readiness across Fleets and services.

Rear Adm. Pamela Miller, medical officer of the Marine Corps and vice chief of Bureau of Medicine and Surgery for Reserve Policy and Integration, believes it is imperative that Marine Corps and Navy health services work to align efforts to the greatest extent possible.

“Leaders at all levels in operational health service support of both services must seek opportunities to train as we fight,” said Miller. “Integral to our future training is the concept that we must partner not only as a Naval Force but as a Joint Force. We must gain efficiencies and effectiveness regarding our materiel management and health service support capabilities to optimize the critical support provided to the warfighting effort of our Sailors and Marines”.

Capt. Carolyn Rice, fleet surgeon of U.S. 2nd Fleet, explained that synchronizing with the medical communities drives the evolution of medical processes.

“Our Symposium focused on the road to crisis specifically the medical response to include patient movement and cold weather operations,” said Rice. “It was truly a ‘One Navy Medicine’ response and agenda to align and learn from recent deployers and experts and leverage novel solutions and capabilities to support Warfighting and the warfighters.”

U.S. 2nd Fleet, reestablished in 2018 in response to the changing global security environment, develops and employs maritime ready forces to fight across multiple domains in the Atlantic and Arctic in order to ensure access, deter aggression and defend U.S., allied, and partner interests.

For more U.S. 2nd Fleet news and photos, visit facebook.com/US2ndFleet, https://www.c2f.usff.navy.mil/, X – @US2ndFleet, and https://www.linkedin.com/company/commander-u-s-2nd-fleet.