Month: March 2024

Source: United States Navy

Throughout the Seychelles, from Beau Vallon Bay in the north, to Victoria, to the Seychelles Coast Guard base for the Cutlass Express 2024 opening ceremony, the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF)’s Topside Brass Band delighted and entertained dignitaries, distinguished guests, and Seychellois citizens during a series of performances in support of the exercise.

“Our visit to Seychelles was one of the greatest experiences I have had during my 18 years in the U.S. Navy,” said Musician 1st Class Tim Deal, the Topside Brass Band’s Unit Leader. “We had such a blast performing for the local community. The highlights of the trip included performing with Mr. David Andre, the Secretary General of Seychelles’ Institute of Culture, Heritage and the Arts, who also happens to be a singer/songwriter and we had the distinct honor of performing his song, ‘Esper Sa Sanson,’ with him on stage!”

To prepare for these engagements, the team learned Creole music and practiced a myriad of other songs to play to the crowds. Deal learned “Esper Sa Sanson” from scratch, then led his team in performing the ballad alongside Andre. The Brass Band played songs with a local connection, as well as some of their most popular songs and renditions of today’s hits, throughout their many events across Mahé Island. Many of these engagements, or “gigs,” featured Seychellois counterparts, demonstrating the power of music in strengthening bonds and building friendships.

“It was amazing to perform with the Seychelles Defense Academy Band,” said Deal. “Best of all, we loved watching the students dance and sing along with our music at each Plaisance Secondary School, as well as at the Children’s Home in President’s Village. Each performance was wonderful and we have made many beautiful memories to be cherished for a lifetime.”

In addition to their larger public concerts, the Brass Band also played smaller gigs, including a Radio Studio performance for the Seychelles Broadcasting Service. In these more intimate settings, the Band is able to interact on a more personal level, gaining an even deeper understanding of their audience and underscoring the power of music to bring people together. As with many of their performances, the gig they played in studio left the audience wanting more, with the radio host and staff saying they wished the spot was longer.

“This trip makes you pinch yourself to be sure this is actually your job,” said Chief Musician Joseph Schoonmaker, the Band’s lead planner for Cutlass Express 2024. “Every engagement was special. We met so many wonderful people – Seychellois, expats, and tourists. What a beautiful and fascinating country.”

These performances electrified audiences and involved multiple Seychellois bands and organizations, as well. The Seychelles Defense Academy Band and National Brass Band joined for some of their gigs, including the opening ceremony for Cutlass Express 2024 in the Seychelles. Distinguished visitors, including Rear Adm. Calvin Foster, U.S. Sixth Fleet’s vice commander and Director, Maritime Partnership Program, and the U.S. Ambassador to Mauritius and the Seychelles Ambassador Henry Jardine, joined in the festivities on multiple occasions.

The sentiment of appreciation and mutual respect across national boundaries was one shared by our partners, too, including Terry Melanie, a musician in the Seychelles National Brass Band.

“The Navy Band was so amazing. It is like those gigs I see on TV but in real life,” said Melanie. “If we could have more of that in the future, it would be a huge plus for us.”

The U.S. shares a common interest with African partner nations in ensuring security, safety, and freedom of navigation on the waters surrounding the continent, because these waters are critical for Africa’s prosperity and access to global markets.

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.

For more information on Cutlass Express, visit https://www.c6f.navy.mil/, https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/cutlassexpress2024, & https://twitter.com/usnavyEurope/.

Source: United States Navy

More than 50 senior enlisted leaders and delegates attended the symposium to train, discuss, and combine their knowledge and experience to improve several themes including warfighting competency, professional and character development, and Sailor’s quality of life.

“Our focus this week, and each day is centered on America’s Warfighting Navy,” said U.S. 6th Fleet Command Master Chief Medea Dudley.

Throughout the symposium, speakers and leadership experts engaged in thought-provoking discussions and interactive sessions, focusing on strategies and techniques to cultivate trust, instill confidence, and foster respect within teams while maintaining U.S. operational effectiveness.

The Navy Region Europe, Africa, Central, Command Master Chief Gary Rosenbaum expanded on why these meetings are so important saying “These are the discussions we need to be having to build better Warfighters and understand where to improve.”

They also discussed how to develop trust, and how that trust increases operational effectiveness in combined forces.

U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa Senior Enlisted Leadership Symposium 2024 aspires to inspire attendees to prioritize trust, confidence, and respect within their teams. By fostering these core values, senior enlisted leaders can help create a more unified and harmonious society, laying the foundation for a peaceful tomorrow.

Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces in the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) 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

WASHINGTON – Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jim Kilby visited HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding, in Virginia, to discuss submarine and aircraft carrier maintenance and Quality of Service in the shipyard, March 5.

Kilby began his visit receiving updates from the shipyard’s leadership on the shipyard’s major programs, infrastructure investments and workforce developments.

NNS is the sole designer, builder and refueler of the Navy’s aircraft carriers and one of two builders of nuclear-powered submarines.

“This is where the current and future of our Navy’s air and undersea dominance starts,” said Kilby. “It’s an immense undertaking to build these nuclear-powered platforms, and we must continue to work closely together and continually improve processes and deliver these carriers and submarines time and on budget.”

The shipyard is building the Navy’s newest Ford-class aircraft carriers. The future USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) began its topside testing of the electromagnetic aircraft launch system last month. EMALS, first integrated into USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), replaces the existing steam catapults currently in use on the Nimitz-class aircraft carriers.

Kilby also toured manufacturing facilities where NNS is building modules for the new Columbia-class submarines. 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.

“The partnership we have with this shipyard and its suppliers is critically important to our Navy, our nation and our national defense,” said Kilby. “The future of our nation’s sea-based deterrent starts here.” 

During the visit, Kilby focused on the Sailors’ Quality of Service during the maintenance periods on the shipyard, with stops at Sailor housing, dining and medical facilities, and spoke with leadership from USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), currently undergoing a refueling and complex overhaul.

Kilby also met with carrier and submarine leadership from other crews in the shipyard

“Every Sailor has volunteered to be in the Navy and we need to make sure we’re supporting their quality of life and work,” said Kilby. “This means access to quality food, housing, medical care and a command they can trust to take care of them.”

The Navy has taken a critical eye on Sailors’ Quality of Service, especially while in a maintenance period. Commander, Navy Installations Command, Vice Adm. Scott Gray joined Kilby on the trip. Gray leads the Navy’s Quality of Service Cross Functional Team.

“I am incredibly thankful for the commitment NNS and the city of Newport News has made to improve our Sailors’ Quality of Service,” said Gray. “The Navy recognizes we need to do better and we can’t do this without the support from industry, our Navy communities and Congress.”

Specific focus on NNS includes off-site housing options for Sailors undergoing maintenance, improved access to medical care, expanded access to healthy food options and improving WiFi connectivity. This includes free, high speed WiFi aboard Stennis’ berthing barge.

The Navy launched a WiFi pilot program in January at 12 permanent party unaccompanied housing located onboard Naval Station Norfolk, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, and Norfolk Naval Shipyard.

The Wi-Fi pilot is part of a new and larger program called the Virtual Single Sailor Program, which directly supports the Quality of Service of Sailors.

More information on VSSP can be found here: https://www.navylifema.com/vssp.

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Source: United States Navy

Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) recently welcomed aviation icon Fat Albert and its team for scheduled inspections and maintenance, which gave FRCE a unique opportunity to learn from the “best of the best.”

FRCE’s Minor Depot Inspection (MDI) Team worked alongside the Blue Angels Fat Albert Maintenance Team to complete annual maintenance and inspections on Fat Albert, the Blue Angels’ C-130J Super Hercules support aircraft.

According to Staff Sgt. Patrick Angles, who serves as both the Fat Albert maintenance staff noncommissioned officer in charge and engine mechanic, working with FRCE’s MDI Team reduced time spent on the aircraft’s maintenance and inspections by 50%.

“We have seen how working with them has made the process considerably faster,” said Angles. “It typically takes a bit longer as we are all ‘one of ones,’ meaning we only have one airframer, one engine mechanic, one flight equipment mechanic and so on. Having the extra hands has helped tremendously.”

Not only did working alongside the Blue Angels team decrease the turnaround time for the aircraft’s inspections, but it also provided FRCE employees with beneficial exposure, according to Mike Edwards, relief supervisor for the C-130 platform.

“We’ve learned a lot. They are very knowledgeable, the top of their class,” said Edwards. “We have a lot of younger employees who are still learning and, in this situation, they get to learn from the best of the best. That can only help us as a facility because if we are being trained, and trained the right way, then that can have a domino effect.”

FRCE’s MDI Team regularly performs maintenance on C-130 aircraft, but this is their first time working on Fat Albert. As a transportation aircraft used for airshows and not designed for carrier operations, Fat Albert has a different capability set than typical C-130s, making this a unique experience for FRCE employees.

“There are just a few things Fat Albert does not have that a typical C-130 would, for tactical use,” said Edwards. “For example, Fat Albert does not have in-flight refueling capabilities. But as far as inspection processes, they are the same. We still check flight controls, brakes, landing gear and counter warfare measures.”

Affectionally known as “Bert” by many of the aircraft’s crewmembers, Fat Albert plays an important role in the Blue Angels’ mission. Angles said Bert is more than just an aircraft with a unique paint job, so ensuring the aircraft is well-maintained and properly prepared for each trip is important.

“Bert is our main source of transportation and is responsible for getting us everywhere we need to go,” said Angles. “Every weekend, we will pack up 48 Blue Angels and 40,000 pounds of gear and we go from show site to show site; we make sure everything gets where it needs to go.”

Blue Angels Fat Albert Maintenance Controller Sgt. Payton Lopez said he hopes the Blue Angels get to work alongside FRCE’s MDI Team again next year.

“As successful as we have been while here for inspections, we hope to continue working alongside the MDI Team at FRC East,” said Lopez. “We cannot thank them enough for letting us work alongside of them and making it easy for us, but also being there if we need anything. I can’t stress that enough.”

Lopez said having FRCE’s help with the annual inspections helps the Blue Angels increase mission accomplishment and readiness.

“Anything that makes the C-130 fly, we are checking during this inspection,” said Lopez. “We do this to ensure Bert is good for the rest of the air show season that starts in March.”

As a part of the United States Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels’ mission is to showcase the teamwork and professionalism of the United States Navy and Marine Corps by inspiring a culture of excellence and service to the country through flight demonstrations and community outreach, according to the Blue Angels’ website.

Earlier this year, the Navy named FRCE the future depot source of repair for Navy C-130 aircraft, making this experience even more beneficial. The depot could begin the new C-130 workload as soon as the end of the fiscal year 2026.

Fat Albert and the Blue Angels Team will return to Cherry Point for the MCAS Cherry Point Air Show in early May.

Source: United States Navy

Cmdr. Matthew Dominick is serving as commander for the Crew-8 mission, which launched from Launch Complex 39A at NASA Kennedy Space Center in Florida aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, propelling the Dragon spacecraft into orbit. The spacecraft also carried NASA astronauts Michael Barratt and Jeanette Epps, along with Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin.

Dominick shared that the immense responsibility assumed early in his naval aviation career provided a pathway to NASA. He credits his deployments at sea with helping prepare him for life in space.

“I am an astronaut today and, leading this mission, due to the skill set that naval aviation taught me,” Dominick said. “The immense responsibility that the Navy trains you to assume and execute is amazing. I often think about the trust that Navy leaders put in junior service members. NASA is trusting me to lead a mission to the International Space Station, and that is an immense responsibility. The skill sets come from the U.S. Navy.”

Dominick was selected by NASA to join the Astronaut Candidate Class in 2017. Prior to joining NASA, he completed more than 1,600 hours of flight time in 28 aircraft, 400 carrier-arrested landings, 61 combat missions, and nearly 200 flight test carrier landings (arrested and touch-and-go).

“The Navy has a long history of training the right skills that map directly into what we do in the development of spaceflight,” Dominick said.

Dominick added that, of all the branches of services, the U.S. Navy has provided the most pathways for future astronauts. “The skills required to live and operate on a ship map directly to space,” he said.

Dominick was designated as a naval aviator in 2007 and, after completing flight school, reported to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 106. Following his initial training, Dominick was assigned to VFA-143. He made two deployments to the North Arabian Sea, flying close air support missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Dominick reflected on his early experiences as a junior officer and college experiences earlier in his naval aviation career.

“As a Lt. j.g., and flying close air support missions, my flight lead got pulled off in a combat zone and gave me the authority for weapons release,” Dominick said, recalling the experiences he gained in the Navy compared to working in other industries. “The immense responsibility that the Navy trains you to assume and execute is amazing, and you grow so fast.”

While with VFA-143, Dominick was selected to attend the Naval Postgraduate School, U.S. Naval Test Pilot School Cooperative Program, where he earned a Master of Science in Systems Engineering and, upon graduation, was designated a developmental test pilot in 2013.

In his formative years, Dominick was inspired by the movie “Apollo 13,” which served as the inspiration to become a NASA astronaut. He was motivated to pursue space exploration by observing advanced teams of engineers solving complex problems and by the mentors and leaders throughout his career.

Dominick added that his naval experiences taught him the value of showing up prepared to execute the mission.
“At NASA, we want folks who are technically competent, work well in teams, and want to explore. That option is out there,” Dominick said.