Month: February 2024

Source: United States Navy

The exercise included the Takanami-class destroyer JS Sazanami (DD 113) of the JMSDF, the Anzac-class frigate HMAS Warramunga (FFH 152) of the RAN, and USS Halsey.

Throughout this exercise, participants conducted trilateral operations designed to enhance interoperability through maneuver, communications, and information sharing. The exercise increased the collective ability of the three nations to maintain maritime security and readiness to respond to any regional contingency.

“It’s a privilege to sail alongside our allies and partners from Australia and Japan,” said Capt. Justin Harts, commander of Task Force (CTF) 71. “Fortifying our interoperability is paramount for CTF 71 and amplifies our mission of maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

The last time the three nations conducted a naval exercise as a trilateral force was on Feb. 15^th, in the South China Sea.

Australia and Japan have both forged long-standing alliances with the U.S., built on shared interests, promoting global security, stability, and economic prosperity.

Halsey is assigned to Commander, Task Force (CTF) 71/Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force.

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

Rear Adm. Keith Davids, commander, Naval Special Warfare Command (NSWC), attended and participated in AFCEA-USNI WEST (WEST) 2024 conference, Feb. 13-15.

WEST, the premier naval conference and exposition on the West Coast, brings military and industry leaders together to discuss new technologies and capabilities. The theme of the 34^th iteration of the event was, “Are Acquisition and Readiness on Pace to Meet Global Security Demands?”

Davids participated in a panel discussion alongside six leaders from sea service warfare communities to discuss acquisition and readiness and address the question, “What Changes are Community Leaders Making to Meet Global Security Demands?”
 
“Over the past two decades, the focus of Naval Special Warfare (NSW) has been primarily on counterterrorism,” said Davids. “Now, we are prioritizing integration with the Fleet and Joint Force. We can operate forward in contested areas that enhances warfighting lethality in unique ways. ”
 
Davids emphasized that conventional response methods have grown ineffective in addressing contemporary conflicts and diverse threats across the globe. To counter the instability and distinct challenges to U.S. warfare capabilities, Davids called on industry to support NSW’s value proposition.
 
“We’re interested in leveraging our maritime access and placement to deliver asymmetric effects for the Fleet. Therefore, we need industry’s help to enhance our stealth, precision, scale, and decision advantage,” said Davids. “We are eager to collaborate with many of you on new ideas and concepts.”
 
Joining Davids on the panel was Rear Adm. Brad Andros, commander, Navy Expeditionary Command, Lt. Gen. Karsten Heckl, commanding general, Marine Corps Combat Development Command, Vice Adm. Brendan McLane, commander, Naval Surface Forces, Vice Adm. Daniel Cheever, commander, Naval Air Forces and Elizabeth Nashold, deputy commander, Naval Information Forces. Retired Vice Adm. Peter H. Daly, former CEO and Publisher, U.S. Naval Institute, moderated the discussion.

AFCEA, which stands for the Armed Forces Communications & Electronics Association, and the U.S. Naval Institute (USNI), sponsor WEST each year. The conference is organized into a main program and three engagement theaters – Marine, General, and Information Warfare. 

Along with exhibits, keynote speakers and panel discussions, WEST also gives attendees a chance to hear from the Secretary of the Navy, the Chief of Naval Operations, the Commandants of the Marine Corps and Coast Guard, the Sea Service Chiefs, and various industry leaders.
 
WEST 2024 also featured a Department of the Navy (DON) Information Technology (IT) conference, an Innovation Showcase, and awards announcements recognizing individual and group winners in categories such as Emerging Leaders, a USNI essay contest, and women’s appreciation.

Naval Special Warfare is the nation’s elite maritime special operations force, uniquely positioned to extend the Fleet’s reach and gain and maintain access for the Joint Force in competition and conflict.
 

Source: United States Navy

The commissioning ceremony’s principal address will be delivered by the Honorable Carlos Del Toro, Secretary of the Navy. Remarks will also be provided by General Joseph P. Dunford, Jr., 19th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and 36th Commandant of the Marine Corps; Sergeant Major Carlos Ruiz, Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps; and Mr. David Carver, President of General Dynamics NASSCO. The ship’s sponsor is Patricia Sargent, Sgt. Maj. Canley’s daughter.

Built by General Dynamics NASSCO, currently there are six delivered ships across two variants: Expeditionary Transfer Dock (ESD) and Expeditionary Sea Base. The future USS John L. Canley (ESB 6) is a highly flexible platform used across various military operations. When commissioned, the ship will be employed as a mobile sea-based asset. It will be a part of the critical access infrastructure supporting the deployment of forces, equipment, supplies, and warfighting capability.

The first of its name, the ship honors United States Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. John L. Canley, Ret., who was awarded the Medal of Honor 50 years after his actions during the Battle of Hue City. Canley served as Company Gunnery Sergeant, Company A, First Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division in the Republic of Vietnam from Jan. 31 to Feb. 6, 1968. Sgt. Maj. Canley passed away in Bend, Oregon May 11, 2022.

ESB 6 joins the USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB 3), USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4), USS Miguel Keith (ESB 5) which support a variety of maritime-based missions, including Special Operations Forces (SOF) and Airborne Mine Counter Measures (AMCM). ESBs have a four-spot flight deck, mission deck, and hangar, designed around four core capabilities: aviation facilities, berthing, equipment staging support, and command and control assets. Follow-on ships Robert E. Simanek (ESB 7) and Hector A. Cafferata Jr. (ESB 8) are under construction. The commissioning of ESBs provides combatant commanders greater operational flexibility to employ this platform in accordance with the laws of armed conflict. The ceremony will be live streamed at https://www.dvidshub.net/webcast/33415. The link becomes active approximately ten minutes prior to the event at 09:50 a.m. PST.

Media may direct queries to the Navy Office of Information at (703) 697-5342. More information on the littoral combat ship program can be found at: https://www.navy.mil/Resources/Fact-Files/Display-FactFiles/Article/2169994/expeditionary-sea-base-esb/

Source: United States Navy

The meeting is part of Secretary Del Toro’s ongoing effort to visit naval bases, shipyards, depots, and training ranges to witness firsthand the progress made to improve the training, readiness, and modernization of our fleet and force.   

Secretary Del Toro discussed Vigor’s ship repair and modernization work that is currently focused on supporting the Nation’s warfighters, including work aboard the USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53).

Secretary Del Toro visited the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, which recently returned to Naval Station Everett during a 16-month docking selected restricted availability (DSRA) conducted by Vigor Shipyard. 

“Completing maintenance on all of our platforms and returning them to the fleet on time is a critical warfighting priority,” said Secretary Del Toro. “Overall, we have realized reductions in days of maintenance delay (DoMD), which is a positive trend, and we are committed to drive maintenance delays down even further.” 

As part of his Maritime Statecraft initiative, Secretary Del Toro has called for a whole-of-government effort to restore the maritime capabilities of the Nation. That effort includes reinvesting in ship maintenance and sustainment. 

“It is a critical imperative that American companies executing contracts with the Department of the Navy reinvest their capital into training their workforce, improving their infrastructure, and expanding their capacity,” said Secretary Del Toro. 

Throughout his visit, Secretary Del Toro also emphasized the importance of conducting ship maintenance and construction on time and on budget to increase throughput and increase the number of operational vessels in the Navy. 

“It is a strategic imperative for industry to join efforts to restore the Nation’s competitive shipbuilding and repair landscape,” said Secretary Del Toro. The future of the Navy hinges on modernization and readiness of our fleet today to build a modern, highly capable Navy and Marine Corps team dedicated to our mission of combat-readiness.” 

Source: United States Navy

This year marks the second time the U.S. has participated in the biennial exercise in order to build combined interoperability with regional allies and partners. MILAN in Hindi means “meeting.”

MILAN 2024 includes forces from more than 50 countries, the largest participation in the exercise. This year’s exercise focuses on strengthening military-to-military ties to contribute toward a free, open, inclusive, and resilient Indo-Pacific.

MILAN 2024 will include a harbor phase followed by a sea phase where ships will focus on high-end tactical training, maneuvering drills, air-defense exercises, submarine familiarization, multinational replenishment-at-sea, communications drills, gunnery exercises, and joint warfighting scenarios.

“We are grateful for the leadership of our Indian Navy partners in putting together exercise MILAN and providing us the opportunity to advance multilateral interoperability,” said Capt. Ryan Leary, commanding officer, USS Halsey. “India is a like-minded partner and leader in South Asia and the Indian Ocean, active in and connected to Southeast Asia, a driving force of regional fora, and an engine for regional growth and development.”

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.