Month: February 2024

Source: United States Navy

This relationship serves as a powerful deterrent, showcasing a united front against potential threats to regional and maritime security in the area.

“Our partnership with the Cypriot Underwater Demolition Team sends a clear message to our adversaries. Together, we stand as a resolute force, ready to respond to any challenge and defend the shared interests of our nations,” said Capt. Bill Gallagher, Naval Special Warfare Group TWO Commodore. “This is not just a collaboration; it’s a crucible of excellence. Through joint endeavors, we fortify our capabilities and make clear that any aggression will be met with a swift, unyielding response.”

One of the marquee iterations involved the special operations forces deploying from the expeditionary fast transport ship USNS Yuma (T-EPF 8) at night in the technologically advanced Combatant Craft Medium boats, navigating to a vessel of interest, climbing aboard, conducting close quarters clearance and site exploitation. Naval Special Warfare’s integration with Fleet assets like Yuma extends their tactical reach and provides multi-domain response options to counter national security threats and deter aggression from potential adversaries.

The on-site SEAL commander stated, “The interoperability and camaraderie displayed here transcend conventional military cooperation. These face-to-face iterations of training not only bolster our combat capabilities but ensures the U.S. and Cypriot relationship remains steadfast.”

Navigating persistent waves, the SEALs and their Cypriot partners engaged in synchronized drills, honing their skills in covert operations, maritime operations, and Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) at sea. The intensity of these exercises reflects the unwavering commitment Naval Special Warfare has to training their personnel to ensure readiness and the ability to operate in dynamic maritime environments.

Yuma is one of 14 Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport ships that provide a high-speed, shallow draft vessel for rapid intra-theater transport of medium-sized cargo payloads. These ships have a flight deck and a load ramp which allows the rapid transit and deployment of conventional or special operations forces, equipment and supplies.

The MYK special operations forces are highly skilled operators of the Cypriot Navy who conduct special reconnaissance, direct action, military assistance, combat search and rescue, and maritime operations to safeguard the interests of Cyprus and promote regional security.

Naval Special Warfare Group TWO produces, supports, and deploys the world’s premier maritime special operations forces to conduct full-spectrum operations and integrated deterrence in support of U.S. national objectives. For more information, visit https://www.nsw.navy.mil/

Source: United States Navy

Secretary Del Toro made the announcement during a ship naming ceremony at the National Museum of the American Indian, Feb. 21. 

The naming selection of the future USNS James. D. Fairbanks (T-ATS 13) follows the tradition of naming towing, salvage and rescue ships after prominent Native Americans or Native American tribes.  

“The names of thousands of indigenous heroes who have served with distinction in our military – and especially our Navy and Marine Corps – echo and inspire us still,” said Secretary Del Toro. “This Navajo-class ship bearing the name James D. Fairbanks will carry his legacy of service forward and symbolize his dedication to the Seabees and our Nation.”  

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Chairman of the White Earth Indian Reservation Michael Fairbanks joined Secretary Del Toro for the ceremony honoring James D. Fairbanks, who was born and raised on the White Earth Indian Reservation in Northern Minnesota. Both spoke about the honor and meaning behind the naming of the Navy’s newest T-ATS.  

“What the Navy knows, and what White Earth [Nation] knows, is that stories matter. That history matters. That traditions matter. Honoring warriors like FORCM Fairbanks matters,” said Governor Walz. 

“Force Master Chief James Fairbanks was in our language an Ogiichidaa, a Warrior for our People – the Anishinaabeg, and the citizens of the United States. He served with distinction and valor with great honor,” said Michael Fairbanks, Chairman of the White Earth Indian Reservation. “A Warrior in Native American culture holds a great deal of respect by tribal members.  James Fairbanks was a true Warrior that represented the White Earth Nation and the U.S. Navy with honor.  He unknowingly became a great role model for not only White Earth youth, but for all Native youth.  Due to his exemplary leadership, he has earned the right to have a ship named in his honor.” 

Born Jan. 9, 1952, James D. Fairbanks served in both the U. S. Navy and Marine Corps. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1970 and served as an ordnanceman with 2nd Battalion, 11th Marines, until he was honorably discharged in 1972. He then worked as a civilian welder until 1977 before enlisting in the Navy. Fairbanks served with an amphibious construction battalion (ACB) until his honorable discharge in 1979. In 1986, he resumed Naval service as a Seabee. While deployed to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Fairbanks received the Bronze Star for meritorious leadership under proximate enemy fire and threat of enemy attack. From 2005 to 2008, Fairbanks served as the 13th Force Master Chief for the Seabees, the highest-ranking enlisted Seabee and first Native American to hold this position.  

Along with the ship’s name, Secretary Del Toro also announced the sponsors for the future USNS James D. Fairbanks as Paulette Fairbanks Molin, the late Fairbanks’ sister, and Mrs. Susan Sharpe, the spouse of the 19th Force Master Chief Petty Officer of the Seabees. They, in their role as sponsors, will represent a lifelong relationship with the ship and crew. 

“The USNS James D. Fairbanks is the namesake of a great leader, one who worked selflessly and tirelessly to serve our great country throughout his extraordinary career,” said Fairbanks Molin. “He was a builder, but not just any builder, he was a Seabee.” 

Navajo-class ships will provide ocean-going tug, salvage, and rescue capabilities to support Fleet operations. The current capabilities are provided by Powhatan-class T-ATF Fleet Tugs and Safeguard-class T-ARS Rescue and Salvage vessels, which began reaching the end of their expected service lives in 2020. Navajo-class ships will be capable of towing U.S. Navy ships and will have 6,000 square feet of deck space for embarked systems. 

More information on our towing, salvage, and rescue ship programs can be found here.

Read Secretary Del Toro’s full remarks here. 

Source: United States Navy

Good morning, everyone! It is an honor to be with you all today at the National Museum of the American Indian. Thank you, Associate Director Maria Marable-Bunch, for that kind introduction and for welcoming us to this incredible museum that so beautifully captures the history of indigenous peoples in North America.

Chairman Fairbanks and Governor Walz, I’m honored you were both able to make the trip and join us here in D.C. for this event.

Finally, friends, family, and representatives of the several organizations present—thank you for coming.

Before I go further, I’d like to point out that we are not here by accident.

The names of thousands of indigenous heroes that have served with distinction in our military—and especially our Navy and Marine Corps—echo and inspire us still.

From the very moment of our nation’s founding—and even before—Native Americans have served in our armed services.

Right outside, on the grounds of this museum, is the National Native American Veterans Memorial.

To paraphrase Harvey Pratt, a Vietnam veteran, member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes, and the memorial’s designer, “Native American people have defended this land, this country, from the very beginning. And you’re still here. You’re still defending this land, this country.”

During the Civil War alone, more than 20,000 Native Americans served with Union forces both at sea and on land—General Ely S. Parker, a member of the Seneca Nation, was future President Grant’s military secretary and drafted the Confederate terms of surrender.

Another 15,000 volunteered to fight during World War I—despite the fact they were neither recognized as citizens nor allowed to vote.

Nearly 13% of the entire Native American population of the United States volunteered for the military in World War II—making them the demographic with the highest volunteer rate in the country.

Of the 42,000 Native Americans who served in Vietnam, 90% of them were volunteers—compared to just 75% for the military overall.

And during the conflicts following the September 11th attacks, nearly one-fifth of all Native Americans have chosen to serve our country—to raise their right hand and swear the same oath I first swore on Induction Day at the Naval Academy in 1979.

Today, more than 183,000 Native Americans are veterans of our armed services, and more than 24,000 serve on active duty.

These brave and selfless men and women follow in the footsteps of Sailors and Marines, like Lt. Cmdr. Maria Emiliana Aquino, the first Occupational Therapist in the Navy’s Medical Service Corps, Commander John B. Herrington, the first enrolled member of a tribe to fly in space, or Corporal Ira Hayes, one of the six Marines who raised the flag on Iwo Jima.

Veterans understand that service is not merely a duty.

It is a calling, an opportunity to contribute to something greater than ourselves, to defend the values that define our nation, and to make a lasting impact on the world.

The service of the many thousands of indigenous veterans over the past 250 years have proven, continually, their bravery, dedication, and unyielding commitment to freedom and liberty—the very fabric of our nation.

And some of our ships still bear the names of indigenous Sailors and their tribes.

From destroyers like USS James E. Williams (DDG 95) and the future USS Ernest E. Evans (DDG 141)—named for Medal of Honor recipients—to the Navajo-class of seagoing tugs, the Department of the Navy is committed to honoring the contributions of native individuals and peoples to our fleet, our force, and indeed our nation.

Of course, most veterans cannot claim service in both halves of my Department—the Navy and the Marine Corps.

But Force Master Chief James D. Fairbanks, who grew up on the White Earth Indian Reservation in Northern Minnesota, was one who could.

He first graduated from basic training in 1970 at storied Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego and served as a Marine with Second Battalion Eleventh Marines—achieving the rank of Corporal before being discharged in 1972.

But after a few years as a civilian, he returned to active duty in the Navy and became a Seabee in 1977.

After serving for two more years, he temporarily left the service to work for American Iron and Supply Company back home in Minnesota—but he couldn’t stay away.   

The Navy has a way of bringing people back, and Master Chief Fairbanks certainly heard and answered the call—re-enlisting for the final time in 1986.

He rose through the ranks during his long, distinguished career—from Seaman Recruit to Force Master Chief of the Seabees—and received numerous awards, including a Bronze Star for actions in Iraq.

He served from the fall of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War, through the 1990s and into the Global War on Terrorism—and his honor and courage were a credit to the community that raised him.

And it is with great honor and conviction that I announce the name of the next of the Navajo-class will bear his name—USNS James D. Fairbanks (T-ATS 13) will carry his legacy of service forward and symbolize his dedication to the Seabees.

This class of Fleet Ocean Tugs—named for indigenous tribes, communities, and distinguished Native American veterans—are critical to the future of our Fleet, enabling a wide range of military operations.

They will include ocean-going salvage, towing, rescue, humanitarian assistance, oil spill response, and wide-area search and surveillance operations utilizing unmanned platforms.

To the Fairbanks family and members of the Ojibwe nation, we are honored to have you here with us today.

I am also pleased to announce that the ship’s co-sponsors will be Ms. Paulette Fairbanks Molin—Master Chief Fairbanks’ sister—and Mrs. Susan Sharpe—the wife of the current Force Master Chief of the Seabees.

Ladies, please join me on stage.

The role of a ship’s sponsor is to serve as the connection between a ship, her crew, and her namesake.

I can think of no better representative and liaison for Master Chief Fairbanks than the two of you.

I know you will certainly be a guiding light to the crew of USNS Fairbanks wherever she may sail, and I thank you for your presence during today’s ceremony.

Thank you to everyone joining us today for this special occasion, and for your support for our Fleet, our Marine Corps, the Fairbanks family, and our Nation.

On behalf of a grateful nation, thank you to all who have fought, served, and sacrificed in the long history of defending freedom around the world—and to all the families who served and sacrificed alongside them.

May God bless our Sailors, Marines, civilians, and their families with fair winds and following seas.

And now, I would like to introduce Chairman Michael Fairbanks of the White Earth Nation.

Source: United States Navy

NEWPORT, R.I. – Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jim Kilby visited Newport, R.I., to meet with defense industry leaders at General Dynamics Electric Boat, Quonset Point and Navy leadership at Naval Station Newport, Feb. 20.

Kilby began his visit at Electric Boat’s Quonset Point facility, which works on the Navy’s major submarine components and a critical industry partner for the Navy’s submarine industrial base.

While at Quonset Point, Kilby received updates on the company’s work on the Navy’s Virginia-class fast-attack submarines and the Columbia-class ballistic-missile submarine to include engineering and design, construction, and overhauls and repairs.

Kilby also toured the tube and module outfitting facilities. Submarine hull cylinders completed at Quonset Point are transported to Electric Boat’s Groton facility or Huntington Ingalls-Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Virginia, for completion.

The Columbia-class will replace the Ohio-class as the Navy’s contribution to the nuclear triad, which remains the most survivable leg of the U.S. strategic nuclear deterrent force.

“This is the future of our nation’s undersea dominance,” said Kilby. “We must deliver our submarines on time and on budget and we can’t do it without our industry partners, Congress and the immense support of the New England community.” 

During his time at Naval Station Newport, Kilby spoke to enlisted leadership attending the Senior Enlisted Academy, stressing the Chief of Naval Operation’s three priorities.

“As we look to the future, CNO is focusing us on three areas,” said Kilby. “First, Warfighting – improving our readiness and getting more players on the field to deliver decisive combat power at sea.  Second, Warfighters – because platforms don’t fight and win war…people do.  Third, Fortify the Foundation to build trust, align resources, and ensure that we’re ready for anything.”

The U.S. Navy Senior Enlisted Academy is a six-week leadership development program for active and reserve E-8 and E-9 personnel from the U.S. Navy, Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, National Guard, Space Force, as well as international service partners.

The SEA is the Navy’s only professional military education institution dedicated to senior enlisted personnel, focusing on management, leadership, national security and physical fitness.

Naval Station Newport is home to 50 different commands and is the Navy’s premier site for training and educating officers, officer candidates, senior enlisted personnel and midshipman candidates into future leaders, as well as testing and evaluating advanced undersea warfare and development systems.

Source: United States Navy

USS Gunston Hall will later be joined by Italian aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi and amphibious transport dock San Giorgio. The USS Gunston Hall has embarked French forces onto the ship in Portsmouth, U.K. and will be embarking Finnish and Swedish forces in Harstad to conduct amphibious training exercises in Norway.

Exercise Steadfast Defender will involve approximately 90,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airmen from across the 31 NATO Allied countries and Sweden participating in Steadfast Defender 2024. Beyond the significant contribution of personnel supporting these operations, we have approximately 50 naval assets and over 80 aircraft assigned to the exercise, all bringing diverse capabilities. Through exercises like Steadfast Defender, the collective aim is to prevent conflict, solidify relationships and enhance force readiness through robust training.

“We are excited to be here in Harstad to begin staging for the upcoming amphibious training events,” said Cmdr. Christopher W. Van Loenen, commanding officer, Gunston Hall. “As our Allies and partners integrate with our ship we will learn from one another and have a tremendous opportunity ahead of us sending allied and partner amphibious crafts from our welldeck to the shores of Norway.”

This is the second 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.

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 approximately 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.

Follow exercise Steadfast Defender: https://www.defense.gov/Spotlights/Steadfast-Defender-24/