Month: May 2024

Source: United States Navy

RIMPAC 2024 is the 29th exercise in the series that began in 1971. As the world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC combines force capabilities in a dynamic maritime environment to demonstrate enduring interoperability across the full spectrum of military operations.

The theme of RIMPAC 2024 is “Partners: Integrated and Prepared.” To promote a free and open Indo-Pacific, Exercise RIMPAC is the premier joint and combined maritime exercise, utilizing and preserving a world class maritime training environment. With inclusivity at its core, RIMPAC fosters multi-national cooperation and trust, leverages interoperability, and achieves respective national objectives to strengthen integrated, prepared, coalition partners.

This year’s exercise includes forces from Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, Ecuador, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tonga, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Hosted by Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, RIMPAC 2024 will be led by Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, who will serve as the Combined Task Force (CTF) commander. For the first time in RIMPAC history, a member of the Chilean Navy, Commodore Alberto Guerrero, will serve as deputy commander of the CTF. Rear Adm. Kazushi Yokota of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force will serve as vice commander. Other key leaders of the multinational force will include Commodore Kristjan Monaghan of Canada, who will command the maritime component, and Air Commodore Louise Desjardins of Australia, who will command the air component.

During RIMPAC, integrated and prepared partners train and operate together in order to strengthen our collective forces and promote a free and open Indo-Pacific. RIMPAC 2024 contributes to the increased interoperability, resiliency and agility needed by the Joint and Combined Force to deter and defeat aggression by major powers across all domains and levels of conflict.

Details of RIMPAC activities and imagery are available at http://www.cpf.navy.mil/rimpac and https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/RIMPAC2024. Media coverage of RIMPAC 2024 is authorized and encouraged, but in all cases will be coordinated through the Combined Joint Information Bureau (CJIB). Media interested in covering the exercise should fill out the following form:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdSTgxjVU15yNS-2OB_BKyzTxJQSjbVzecnbj5XU9vUke6QRQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

Any additional questions/queries should be sent to rimpac.media@gmail.com, or the C3F PA team (619-767-4383). Contact information for the RIMPAC CJIB will be made available prior to the beginning of the exercise.

Source: United States Navy

Commander, Task Force (CTF) 66 will drive innovation, development, and acceleration of asymmetric capabilities in support of Allies and partners across the European and African theaters. The task force staff will consist of 40 military and civilian personnel based at Naval Support Activity Naples, Italy.

While attending the Combined Naval Event in Farnborough, U.K., Rear. Adm. Mike Mattis, commander of CTF 66 noted that the task force reflected the Navy’s response to integrating naval capabilities across all-domains (e.g., information, cyber, space, land, sea and air) in a highly competitive, increasingly contested maritime environment.

“CTF 66 is just starting this journey,” said Mattis. “We look forward to working with our government and industry partners to rapidly integrate new capabilities, while also working with our NATO Allies and partners to codify standards that we can all employ.”

CTF 66 will leverage collaboration between the government, industry and academia – including pairing operational tacticians with international experts to accelerate development and fielding of new systems at scale:

– Unmanned – integrate all-domain unmanned systems (UxS) across the joint force, Coalition, Allies, and partner nations.

– Maritime Domain Awareness – support multinational efforts to address transnational issues like illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUUx) activities.

– All-Domain – drive operations to integrate capabilities across information, space, cyber, sea, air, and land domains enabled by UxS.

The task force will work closely with the Navy Disruptive Capabilities Office (DCO) on rapid experimentation and prototyping. It will also work with Naval Postgraduate School’s Naval Innovation Center (NIC) established by SECNAV on ways to accelerate technology solutions and applications.

CTF 66 recently participated in Triton surface/subsurface drone testing from aboard USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4) during exercise Obangame Express off the coast of Gabon, Africa. In the coming months, the task force will support several more exercises in the European and African theaters, including Baltops, Dacia, Seabreeze, Phoenix Express, and Cutlass Express. These exercises will validate concepts of operations, accelerate capability development, and support integration across fleet operations as well as with Allies and partners.
For over 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-U.S. Naval Forces 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 U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (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

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. During this observance, we reinforce our collective commitment to building a culture of warfighting excellence by preserving the health, safety, and well-being of our Sailors, Marines, Civilians, and their families.

Unaddressed stress (i.e., work, relationship, legal, and/or financial stress) can have a compounding and detrimental effect on the overall well-being of our personnel and their loved ones. When left unchecked, stress can affect your body, your thoughts and feelings, and your behavior.

Proactively addressing stressors not only enhances our individual well-being but also contributes to a resilient and supportive military community. I strongly encourage every Navy and Marine Corps leader to adopt the principle of "manage stress before it manages us."

To guide these efforts, leaders at all levels need to emphasize the five most common stress alleviators:
   1) Good Sleep:  Prioritize quality sleep to rejuvenate the mind and body.
   2) Regular Exercise:  Engage in physical activities that promote both physical and mental well-being.
   3) Balanced Diet:  Nourish the body with a well-rounded and nutritious diet to support overall health.
   4) Financial Readiness:  Foster financial stability through prudent planning and responsible practices.
   5) Healthy Relationships:  Cultivate and nurture positive connections with others to build a strong support system.

By incorporating these resilience-enhancing and stress-reducing practices into our daily lives, we strengthen our mental health and reinforce the bonds that unite us as a community. This month serves as a catalyst for open conversations, mutual support, and a shared commitment to well-being.

I encourage leaders to foster a culture of safety and support by proactively and routinely engaging with their Sailors, Marines, and Civilian employees about difficult topics, such as stress and fatigue.  By taking even small actions, leaders have the power to influence change and create conditions that will positively impact their teams.

Together, we can create an environment where we prioritize mental health and each member of our community feels valued, supported, and empowered. Thank you for your dedication to the health and well-being of our Navy and Marine Corps family.

Resources for mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual support are available 24/7, 365.
   1) The National Suicide Hotline: 988.
   2) The Veterans/Military Crisis Line: 988 (press 1) or Text 838255
       * Europe: +1 844-702-5495 or DSN 988
       * Southwest Asia: +1 855-422-7719 or DSN 988 
       * Pacific: +1 844-702-5493 or DSN 988.
    3) Military OneSource: 800-342-9647 / 
    4) Local resources: Fleet and Family Support Centers, Marine and Family Services, Military Family Life Counselors, Deployment Resiliency Counselors, Deployment Readiness Coordinators, chaplains, and your leadership.
    5) Mental Health Playbook Mental Health Playbook
    6) Culture of Excellence 2.0 Culture of Excellence
    7) Vet Centers: 877-WAR-VETS (877-927-8387)
    8) DON Civilian Employee Assistance Program (DONCEAP): 
       * 844-DONCEAP (1-844-366-2327) 
       * TTY: 888-262-7848 
       * International: 866-829-0270

Released by the Honorable Carlos Del Toro, Secretary of the Navy.

Source: United States Navy

 Most falls are preventable, and planning, compliance and preparation are key attributes toward achieving an accident-free workplace. Assisting with the foundation for a mishap-free outcome is a primary focus of the Department of the Navy’s recently updated Fall Protection Guide.

Fall protection guidance is continually being updated as industry needs change and lessons are learned from incidents. “The intent of the guide is to provide best practices and fall hazard mitigation strategies for developing and managing fall protection programs to heighten fall hazard awareness and protect all our Sailors, Marines and civilians working at heights or who manage fall protection programs in the workplace,” said Charles Gum, deputy director, Shore Directorate at the Naval Safety Command (NAVSAFECOM).
 
Gum said the DON continues to experience serious fall-related mishaps, which lead to reduced readiness and productivity, high medical and compensation costs resulting from these mishaps and suffering to victims and their families.
 
The Navy has experienced three fall protection-related fatalities from 2019  to present. Gum noted the causal factors for these fatalities were rooted in non-compliance with established policy, procedure and mandatory training.
 
Primary factors attributed to these fall-related mishaps included improper personal protective equipment use and failing to properly identify and mitigate hazards related to unguarded edges. Beyond these fatal mishaps, 43% of all reported fall-related mishaps over the same five-year timeframe involved unguarded edges over four feet. The NAVSAFECOM’s local area assessment observations over the past two years further indicated the underlying causal factors of these mishaps were present in all communities and internal self-assessment efforts were not effectively correcting this behavior.

The updated Fall Protection Guide addresses lessons learned across the naval enterprise. Gum said the guide is a complete revision and should be read in its entirety to understand all the updates. Key takeaways include:
 

• Updating the guidance for self-retracting lifelines/self-retracting devices to align with ANSI/ASSP Z359.14-2021, which took effect Aug. 1, 2023.
•  Removing any wording that would lead users to believe the Guide could be   used in lieu of policy.
• Updating various chapters to align with current ANSI Z-359 requirements.

The bottom line is that falls continue to be a major hazard to workers, both in the private and public sector. Gum provided the following statistics: These falls are the source of nearly 13% of all fatal occupational injuries; in the construction industry, falls to a lower level account for 37.3% of fatal injuries. Specifically, falls to a lower level represent 4.18% of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses in private industry and these are among the most severe nonfatal cases, as reflected by the 22 median days away from work in 2022. New data on the height of falls could help quantify the increased risks of severe injury and death due to falling to a lower level from any height, Gum added.
 
The revised guide is the outcome of the fall protection working group that met last year at NAVSAFECOM. “There was a misunderstanding that the old guide was actually policy and it was not,” said Gum. To correct this perception, the group updated the glossary and removed obsolete and duplicate definitions. Proposed comments were made throughout the document to remove any language that was directive in nature. The group also clarified sections and terminology throughout, tightening the verbiage and ensuring consistency.
 
“The guide is an important asset for Sailors and Marines, and we believe the update will enhance their fall protection programs and serve as a complement to OPNAV policy,” said Gum.
 
The DON Fall Protection Guide is available here  https://navalsafetycommand.navy.mil/Portals/29/Documents/Fall_Protection_Guide.pdf
and on the mobile app  Shore/ORM (navy.mil).

Source: United States Navy

Annually, DOD honors exemplary fire departments that have attained a superior level of excellence in supporting their mission and managing fire safety.

This year, the United States Navy has demonstrated outstanding performance in several categories achieving the highest degree of excellence in mission support and fire protection management. One Medium Category Installation Fire Department, one military firefighter, and one civilian firefighter were recipients of awards for their superior job performance, outstanding contributions, and leadership.

“In every crisis, the spirit of service burns bright in our firefighters and emergency responders. Their selflessness inspires hope in our communities, touching lives with each courageous act,” said Carl B. Glover Jr, Commander, Navy Installation Command F&ES Director. “We owe them a debt of gratitude, for they are the unsung heroes who rise to meet our greatest challenges.”

Winning the Fire Department of the Year, Medium Category, is Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan. Their accomplishments include responding to 1,025 emergencies, organizing a 16-week fire academy, and publishing a multi-agency carrier Fire Response Plan that solidified an integrated fire response.

“I’m incredibly honored and proud at Winning the Department of Defense Medium fire department of the year is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and professionalism of every member of our department,” said John Serrato, Assistant Chief of Training, Yokosuka F&ES. “This recognition validates our commitment to excellence in fire safety and emergency response. It’s truly humbling to be recognized among our peers in the Department of Defense, and we are grateful for the opportunity to serve and protect our community. This award is a reflection of our collective efforts, and I couldn’t be more proud of what we’ve achieved together.”

This year’s DOD Military Firefighter of the Year is Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Aircraft Handler 1st Class Anna Perez from Naval Support Activity Naples, Italy. Her accomplishments include mitigation of 65 emergencies, protecting 10,000 personnel, and preserving 354 facilities.

“As a military firefighter, my responsibilities include crucial fire protection and emergency services, which include, fire prevention, suppression, rescue operations, and medical aid,” said Perez. “These services are essential in ensuring the safety and security of our personnel, infrastructure, and assets. The impact of our work is helps to maintain operational readiness, protects lives and property, and ensures the continuous execution of the Navy’s mission.”

This year’s DOD Civilian Firefighter of the Year (FFOTY) is Jeffry Frawley from Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas who served as the chief architect for the pre-fire plan program, updating 50 plans by identifying hazards, hydrants, and facility layout, which improved team safety and incident mitigation strategies.

“To even be nominated for so many awards is an honor in itself, but to be awarded CNRSE, CNIC, and DOD FFOTY is absolutely the pinnacle of my career,” said Frawley. “It would bring recognition to the installation, showcasing our talent and dedication. Ultimately, it signifies that our efforts are being acknowledged and appreciated by others in the field.”

These are nothing short of amazing accomplishments to say the least. Fire officers each receive an award for their superior job performance, outstanding contributions, and leadership for a DOD F&ES organization.

Congratulations to all the winners on a job well done and for their remarkable achievements as they continue to support installation resilience. 

Commander, Navy Installations Command is responsible for worldwide U.S. Navy shore installation management as the Navy’s shore integrator, designing and developing integrated solutions for sustainment, development of Navy shore infrastructure, and execution and oversight of multiple quality of life programs and services. CNIC oversees 10 Navy regions, 70 bases, and more than 48,000 employees who sustain the fleet, enable the fighter and support the family. Follow CNIC on social media: Facebook, Facebook.com/NavyInstallations; Twitter, @cnichq; and Instagram, @cnichq.