Month: June 2024

Source: United States Navy

NORMANDY, France – Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Lisa Franchetti visited Türkiye, Bahrain, and Normandy, to meet with partner navies, government and military leaders, and Sailors, ahead of the 80th D-Day anniversary, June 2-6.

The international trip began in Ankara, Türkiye, where CNO laid a ceremonial wreath at the Anitkabir Mausoleum, dedicated to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Türkiye.

Following the ceremony, CNO held office calls with multiple Turkish defense leaders to include Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler, the commander of the Turkish Armed Forces Gen. Metin Gürak, and Turkish Head of Navy Adm. Ercument Tatlıoğlu. During these engagements, she emphasized the importance of the deep, long-standing defense and security ties the U.S. shares with Türkiye.

CNO then joined Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) James Honea in Manama, Bahrain, where they met with U.S. Naval Forces Central Command leadership, held an all hands call to discuss her priorities of warfighting, warfighters, and the foundation that supports them, and to recognize Sailors and civilians for the work they do every day to promote security and prosperity in the 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility (AOR).

“It has been incredible to be in Bahrain and see first-hand all the amazing things you are doing every single day for our United States Navy. What you do makes a difference every day,” said Franchetti. “You promote regional peace, stability, and security – and in this part of the world that is absolutely critical. Fifth Fleet is home to the artery of trade that flows all around the world, and you are all part of building strong relationships that help maintain freedom of navigation for the U.S Navy and for our Allies and partners.”

MCPON added, “A lot has changed since I served as the 5th Fleet Command Master Chief, what hasn’t changed is the hard work, the worthwhile work our Sailors and Marines are doing every day at the tip of the spear in the 5th Fleet AOR. The current maritime domain requires a flexible, dynamic response of our Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard and partner nation combat teams. Our ready forces are demonstrating this combat power 24/7 to keep global commerce lanes open and operating, I’m very proud of the work you are doing.”

While in Bahrain, CNO addressed the Combined Maritime Forces’ Senior National Representatives and participants of the Combined Force Maritime Component Commander (CFMCC) course. Delivered by U.S. Naval War College faculty, the CFMCC course is designed to prepare U.S. and international flag officers for regional leadership and to give them a broad

perspective of the operational level of war. CNO discussed maritime power, her priorities, and how navies make a difference.

“Navies are always important, but our mission is more important than ever in this maritime century. Your presence here is a testament to the naval power that comes when we operate together as strong links in the maritime chain,” said Franchetti. “When I speak about my priority of warfighters, I am also talking about our Allies and partners. We deter together, we respond in crisis together, we provide peace and stability around the world together, and if we have to, we fight and win together. That’s what navies do.”

CNO and MCPON also toured the Task Force (TF) 59 Robotics Operations Center. Established in September 2021, TF-59 is the Navy’s first Unmanned and Artificial Intelligence Task Force. It has tested, upgraded, evolved and operated with more than 23 different unmanned systems and helps to ensure maritime security and stability in the Middle East region.

“I’ve been following Task Force 59 for the last two years, but it is really good to get out here to see the equipment, to meet with you, and see where you’re operating from,” said Franchetti. “It’s clear that the character of war is changing. Here in the Red Sea, there is a proliferation of unmanned technology. The nations that can adapt quickly to using technology and integrating unmanned capabilities with conventionally manned platforms will have the advantage because it brings extended reach and lethality, and with the integration of artificial intelligence, speed of decision.”

During the visit, MCPON also met with spouses, where they discussed family support initiatives in the area, and he thanked them for their continued support.

“Some people in the Navy say, ‘that your spouse doesn’t come in your seabag,’ well I can tell you that my wife helps carry mine,” said Honea. “We are working hard to make sure that not only our Sailors have what they need to be successful, but also their spouses.”

While in Bahrain CNO went to Gudaibiya Palace, where she met Crown Prince and Prime Minister, His Royal Highness Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. She also went to the Bahrain Defense Force Headquarters to meet with His Excellency Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Commander in Charge, Bahrain Defense Force and Rear Admiral Ahmed Mohammed Ibrahim Al Bin Ali, Commander, Royal Bahrain Naval Force. Throughout the meetings, the leaders discussed their shared commitment to promoting safety and stability in the region.

CNO and MCPON concluded their overseas trip in Normandy, France, where they visited the Normandy American Cemetery for the 80th Anniversary of D-Day Ceremony.

“In the existential fight between freedom and tyranny, freedom carried the day on the beaches of Normandy due to the daring initiative, raw courage, and indomitable will to win of the junior-

most soldiers and sailors, even in the face of staggering losses,” said Franchetti. “Freedom prevailed at Normandy because an alliance of nations beholden to their citizens proved stronger than one nation with allegiance to one man. The cost of freedom was incredibly high on 6 June 1944, and we must never forget the sacrifice of those who gave their today for our tomorrow.”

This was Franchetti’s first trip to Türkiye, Bahrain, and Normandy as Chief of Naval Operations.

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Source: United States Navy

Winners from Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Pacific, NIWC Atlantic, and Program Executive Office Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (PEO C4I) demonstrated professionalism and dedication in promoting scientific and engineering excellence within the DON.

“I’m so proud of all our scientists and engineers, and everyone who supports their work. It’s great to see this recognition from the Navy for what we see every day from these amazing people,” NAVWAR Commander Rear Adm. Doug Small said.

PEO C4I’s NORTH Joint Capability Technology Development (JCTD) Team won in the Teams category with contributors across the enterprise for demonstrating the capability to automatically form and sustain digital high-frequency mesh communication networks across large geographical areas. Thanks to their efforts, a rapidly deployable, government-owned software suite will provide legacy U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and joint service radios and modems to communicate on the same internet protocol-based network, providing resilient long-haul communications networks for critical missions.

The team, led by James Mahan, technical director for NORTH JCTD at NAVWAR, included:

From NIWC Atlantic

· Jay Smith, engineer

· Larry Verhelle, engineer

From NIWC Pacific

· Michael Daly, Ph.D., supervisor

· John Rockway, Ph.D., engineer

· Michael Luong, supervisor

· Demi Truong, engineer

· Francisco Raygoza, engineer

· Joshua Stein, engineer

Two NIWC Atlantic teams also won awards in the Teams category. The NIWC Atlantic U.S. Coast Guard Integrated Product Team IT Services team developed and implemented a 5G Wireless Shore Tie solution that provides low-cost, highly scalable wireless pier-side connectivity, enabling high-speed, reliable, and resilient data connectivity while entering, exiting, and in port. Their solution reduced operational costs of maintaining the legacy pier cables and eliminated connectivity issues for the deployed crew when coming into port. The team includes:

· Cecil Williams, scientist

· Stephen Stogner, IT specialist

· Horace Anderson, III, IT specialist

The Ground Air Transmitter Receiver Team developed a method to establish air traffic control (ATC) communications via a ground air transmitter receiver, establishing connections for transmission between Naval Air Facility El Centro, California, and Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona. The NIWC Atlantic project team designed and tested a solution using readily available systems belonging to the Air Force and assembled a prototype in the NIWC Atlantic ATC facility. Once verified, the team procured the materials and worked with the El Centro and Yuma facilities to install the system, route communications, and install supporting infrastructure, all within a few months, resulting in more than $1 million of cost savings. The team includes:

· Kevin Rowe, engineer

· M. Todd Eckrich, engineer

· Michael Pawlak, technician

· Luis Carvajal, engineer and supervisor

· Christopher Nuckols, engineer

From NIWC Pacific, Ramiro Rodriguez won an Emergent Engineer Award for advancing quantum technology with his contributions to the adaptive quantum machine learning and signal intelligence and communications fields. Among other achievements, he developed and executed the first application to sense remote broadcast stations, a leap in quantum computing. Advances in quantum technology provide the DDD novel capabilities in dynamic scheduling, routing, and control mechanisms so networks can deliver traffic efficiently and reliably.

Also from NIWC Pacific, Michael Nappi won an Individual Engineer Award for his technical contributions and leadership across engineering, acquisition, and operational communities. His discernment of complex problem sets and commitment to modernizing, optimizing, and securing the DON’s IT landscape both afloat and ashore contributed to the revolutionary design and rapid execution of a transformational cloud architecture. This effort shapes how the DOD delivers, protects, and manages data and information systems worldwide.

“The Commanding Officer and I are extremely proud of your accomplishments and your many efforts to deliver the best there is in fleet capability and readiness. Well done!” said NIWC Pacific Executive Director Michael McMillan to award winners.

From NIWC Atlantic, Robert Younts, Ph.D., won an Emerging Scientist award for developing two prototypes for resilient and enhanced Naval communications in contested environments. Once matured, these optical and quantum approaches to enhanced Naval communications will enable the Navy and Marine Corps to sense and communicate in contested environments while reducing risk of exposure to adversary capabilities.

Also from NIWC Atlantic, Jonathan James won an Individual Engineer award for his work on the Tactical Service Oriented Architecture (TSOA). James established Java Script Object Notation schema application programming interface connections, enabling rapid connection of authorized data sources to TSOA. These data sources can be combined to provide one common operating picture for all TSOA users.

“The level of professionalism and dedication to our mission and the warfighter that our NIWC Atlantic award winners have shown is truly unparalleled and drives us toward our vision to win the information war,” said Capt. Nicole Nigro, NIWC Atlantic commanding officer. “Congratulations to all the winners. It’s a great honor to be selected for this prestigious recognition and these accolades showcase how our workforce helps drive innovation as the technical backbone of the Navy.”

Winners will be recognized in an award ceremony at the Pentagon June 12.

NAVWAR identifies, develops, delivers and sustains information warfighting capabilities and services that enable naval, joint, coalition and other national missions operating in warfighting domains from seabed to space. NAVWAR consists of more than 11,000 civilian, active duty and reserve professionals located around the world.

Source: United States Navy

The monument park was opened to the public on the 80th anniversary year of the D-Day invasion, serving as a tribute to the selfless sacrifice of NCDU and S&R service members in the D-Day invasion.

During his remarks, Davids discussed the courage and grit displayed by the men whose surveillance and beach-clearing efforts contributed to the D-Day invasion, underscoring the enduring importance of global alliances in achieving common objectives.

“As we dedicate this park, we salute the brave NCDU service members and S&Rs, forefathers of Naval Special Warfare, for their service and sacrifice, said Davids. “This monument will carry forward their legacy, ensuring their stories inspire future generations to cherish and defend the liberties we hold dear.”

Overlooking the shores of Omaha Beach, the monument tells the story of the NCDU and S&Rs teams through maps, historical panels, and artifacts.

The monument’s center features a Living Beach with a hedgehog barrier. This barrier was a common obstacle cleared by the NCDUs during the D-Day invasion. The beach is surrounded by sand from global locations where NSW service members have trained, fought, and died. The sand was spread around the hedgehog by NSW service members and the friends and family of NCDU service members and S&Rs.

Before the monument’s dedication, Davids and NSW Force Master Chief Walter Dittmar paid their respects at the NCDU and S&R gravesites in the Normandy American Cemetery and Monument. This cemetery, where over 9,000 American service members are interred, honors those who fell during the Normandy invasion from June 6 to August 30, 1944.

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

During the visit, USS Normandy will participate in a remembrance event that marks the 80th anniversary of the Allied invasion of France, scheduled for June 6, 2024, which marked the turn in America’s campaign during World War II. Leadership will also participate in a reception attended by The 76th Secretary of the Navy, The Honorable Carlos Del Toro, Admiral Stuart B. Munsch, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) and Allied Joint Forces Command (JFC) Naples, and Admiral Nicolas Vaujour, 63rd Chief of Staff of the French Navy.

“It is an honor to be a part of this historic milestone and pay tribute to the men and women who paid the ultimate price in the name of freedom,” said Capt. Errol Robinson, Commanding Officer of USS Normandy. “Representing not only these Sailors, but the countless other French, American, and Allied heroes who gave their lives on these hallowed grounds is a moment in time that will never be forgotten.”

USS Normandy is named after the French region of Normandy, the site of the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944 that shifted the tide of WWII in favor of the allies. In the months that followed D-Day, American, French resistance, and Allied forces fought to drive Nazi occupiers from the region and establish a strong base for the final push to liberate France.

USS Normandy is independently deployed to enhance integration for future operations and demonstrate the U.S. Navy’s commitment to a peaceful, stable and conflict-free Atlantic region.

For more than 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) has forged strategic relationships with our 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

Oak Hill Sailors and Marines, as well as the embarked 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Special Operations Capable (SOC) and Sailors assigned to Beach Masters Unit (BMU) 2 visited with French Navy counterparts assigned to amphibious assault ship FS Mistral (L9013) while in Brest. Together, U.S. and French forces planned and participated in a variety of events celebrating the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings and Operation Overlord, the decisive World War II campaign that brought Allied troops ashore in nearby Normandy.

Cmdr. Jason Nowell, Oak Hill’s commanding officer, visited the Mistral to meet Capt. Olivier Roussille, Mistral’s commanding officer, for a concept of operations (CONOPS) brief about the D-Day celebration.

“I worked alongside Roussille and our staffs to coordinate all of the events our ships are executing,” said Nowell. “We all have the same goals, safely and smartly executing our evolutions to commemorate and honor the 80th anniversary of the Allied landings in Normandy. It’s important we work together for this event. Our demonstrations ensure people don’t just read about these brave historic events in books—they see and experience it. Equally important, we continue to strengthen our partnership with France.”

The events Sailors and Marines will participate in during the D-Day celebration at Normandy include ceremony, landing craft, utility (LCU) demonstrations, and a commemorative hike.

Tours for French and U.S. Sailors and Marines were conducted aboard both Oak Hill and Mistral. In addition to these tours, the Mistral crew hosted a high-intensity interval training competition aboard the French ship, allowing not only for a friendly test of strength, but also creating bonds and strengthening relations between countries.

“I don’t think I’ll have a chance like this again,” said Information Specialist 2nd Class Bretburton Clark, one of Oak Hill’s competitors. “The course was fun, but it destroyed us. Teaming up with [the French Navy,] I got to talk to them and make friends with them. I learned so much about their culture.”

France is a long-standing NATO ally of the United States, dating back to NATO’s inception in 1949. The celebration provided a chance to further strengthen the U.S.’s relationship with France, while allowing the Sailors and Marines to memorialize World War II and a cultural exchange.

D-Day was an amphibious and airborne assault on the beaches of Normandy during World War II conducted by United States, United Kingdom and other Allied forces to liberate France from Nazi-Germany control on June 6, 1944.

Oak Hill deployed from Norfolk, Virginia, May 22, and has conducted training, exercises, and operations to support maritime stability and security in defense of U.S., Allied, and partner interests.

Oak Hill is conducting operations in U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations as part of the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group (WSP ARG)-24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Special Operations Capable (SOC).

The WSP ARG-24th MEU (SOC) is comprised of its flagship namesake, the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21), Oak Hill, and the embarked 24th MEU (SOC).

The 24th MEU (SOC) is a Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) with a command element, Aviation Combat Element (Medium Marine Tiltrotor Squadron 365 (Reinforced), Ground Combat Element (Battalion Landing Team 1/8), and Logistics Combat Element (Combat Logistics Battalion 24).

For more than 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) has forged strategic relationships with our Allies and partners, leveraging a foundation of shared values to preserve security and stability.

To learn more about WASP ARG and 24th MEU “Team of Teams,” visit their DVIDS feature page at https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/wasparg24thmeu.
You can find Amphibious Squadron 4, Wasp Amphibious Ready Group on Facebook and DVIDS.
You can find the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit on Facebook, Twitter (@the24MEU), Instagram (@24MEU), and DVIDS.
You can find USS Wasp on Facebook and Instagram (@usswasp_lhd1)
You can find USS New York on Facebook and Instagram (@uss_newyork)
You can find USS Oak Hill on Facebook.