Month: June 2024

Source: United States Navy

The exercise demonstrated HSC-2’s capability to work together in the event of a local disaster with multiple casualties. This interoperability exercise opened the door for future training collaboration between HSC-2 and NMCP to prepare for real-world casualty events. In addition to NMCP, Naval Support Activity (NSA) Hampton Roads fire and security supported the simulated exercise along with other commands. 

“Working with our shipmates at NMC Portsmouth, EMF-Juliet, and NSA Hampton Roads to plan and execute this mass casualty exercise provided an outstanding opportunity for operational cross-training and I’m grateful for their outstanding efforts to make the event such a success,” Capt. Matt Wright, commanding officer, HSC-2.

EMF-Juliet, established in September of 2022, provides health service support to full range military operations as expeditionary advanced base functional components during ground-based, air and maritime operations.
The mission of the EMF is “to provide standardized, modular, flexible theater hospitalization and health service support functionality to an advanced base environment throughout the full range of military operations,” according to the Navy EMF directive.

During the four-hour training, HSC-2 provided two helicopters to transfer simulated survivors following a large magnitude earthquake in the Hampton Roads region. The major elements that were evaluated during the training included command and control, triaging a large number of patients with varying injuries, and assessing the ability to successfully monitor all patients throughout the process.

“Obviously, we hope to never use these lifesaving skills, but are absolutely committed to maintaining our readiness and uphold the Navy Rescue Swimmer motto: ‘So others may live’,” Wright said.

The ultimate goal with the training exercise was to test a viable plan in the event of a mass casualty, whether natural or man-made, that requires NMCP to receive patients.

HSC-2 is located on board Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia and is responsible for operating Sikorsky MH-60S Knighthawk helicopters. As a Fleet Replacement Squadron, HSC-2 trains pilots and aircrewmen to employ the MH-60S worldwide in a variety of missions, including fleet logistics support, search and rescue, medical evacuation, special warfare support, anti-surface warfare and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. The squadron fulfills secondary missions of theater security cooperation and U.S. 2nd Fleet operational support.
  
 
 
 

Source: United States Navy

Aquatic life is an integral part of ecosystems and economies. In environments ranging from freshwater through marine, it underpins the health, culture, opportunities and economic wellbeing of the nation—from local communities to the entire country. The ability to inventory and monitor the status and trends of aquatic biodiversity is key to maintaining national prosperity.

Today, the White House Office of Science, Technology, and Policy (OSTP) released the “National Strategy for Aquatic Environmental DNA.” The Environmental DNA (eDNA) Task Team had 10 federal agencies participating in drafting the strategy and included significant scoping and engagement of the private sector, academia and non-profit organizations.

“There is an urgent need for improved biological survey tools to meet the scale, scope and management/monitoring needs in the U.S., and eDNA is an exciting tool that has come of age and can meet the need,” said Michael Weise, the Office of Naval Research (ONR) Marine Mammals & Biology Program Officer, and co-chair of the federal eDNA Task Team.

To properly monitor and support national aquatic biodiversity requires timely and trusted information. Through eDNA analysis, the simple act of collecting water can lead to critical insights into the nation’s aquatic biodiversity from microbes to whales—with a tool that is non-invasive and can be scaled to meet the demands of large-scale surveys. This powerful new technology is revolutionizing how we explore, measure and monitor biodiversity in ecosystems across the national and international landscape.

The National Aquatic eDNA Strategy lays out a plan to harness the power of eDNA to explore, map, monitor and better understand aquatic life to sustain and restore biological resources now and in the future. The strategy is a call to action for federal agencies and non-federal partners to build a national eDNA enterprise through coordinated and collaborative efforts that unite scientific inquiry, entrepreneurial enterprise, philanthropic endeavor, and public and private investment.

Understanding that shared technical knowledge is critical to the production of reliable and credible data, the strategy provides a pathway to comprehensive assessments of aquatic life in U.S. waters.

“The National Aquatic Strategy sets the stage for the co-design of implementation milestones, including harmonized technical approaches, coordinated observations, and aligned communication strategies,” said Weise. “This network of shared information will result in a nationwide eDNA network to inform decisions that promote resilient ecosystems.”

With enhanced knowledge of these ecosystems and its diverse inhabitants, Sailors and Marines will be able to test and train more effectively in U.S. waters.

The extensive list of partner organizations focused on eDNA supports recent guidance from the Secretary of the Navy, the Hon. Carlos Del Toro, who recently released the Naval Science and Technology Strategy. In that document, the Secretary notes that “Naval S&T has a long history of highly successful relationships with sister services and other U.S. government S&T and research organizations…Additionally in areas of climate science and understanding our oceans we will work with other agencies to increase our knowledge.”

OSTP release: https://www.whitehouse.gov/ostp/news-updates/2024/06/03/white-house-releases-new-strategies-to-advance-sustainable-ocean-management/

Source: United States Navy

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C.  — A commitment to safety and occupational health excellence has earned Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) the 2023 Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Shore Safety Award in the Large Industrial Activity category. This is FRCE’s third time receiving the award.

Source: United States Navy

Speaking to a full house at King Hall Auditorium, Mattis answered questions in a fireside chat format with retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Eric Wendt, an NPS distinguished alumnus and professor of practice in the Department of Defense Analysis, before taking questions from NPS’ warrior-scholar students about national security threats and how to address them.

“My top concern is the rise of the China-led axis with Russia, North Korea and Iran. It is a ‘1940 moment’ for the U.S. and the world,” said Mattis. “My answer to this problem can be said in three words: allies, allies, allies.”

While Mattis conveyed confidence in democratic alliances to stand against autocracies, he recognized that democracy is often messy and slow. Nevertheless, he expressed urgency to resolve our national debt and differences, and to restore decency to debate necessary to inform rational decision-making and progress on hard issues. A unified voice, Mattis argued, strengthens America’s hand.

“Diplomacy is also enabled by deterrence, which requires a strong, credible military and leaders unapologetic about defending our shared values,” explained Mattis. “We need to build up our forces to be more lethal, agile, and innovative, and I believe you are the caliber of talented leaders with the right ethos our county needs now – be ready to go.”

In addition to NPS students, faculty and staff, the audience included 101-year-old Edward Cavallini, a former Marine Corps captain and infantry platoon commander who was wounded twice during the Battle of Iwo Jima in 1945. Mattis met Cavallini, who lives in the Monterey area, and exemplified him in his talk.

“We have no divine right to freedom,” Mattis said. “Much has been sacrificed by those who stood against tyranny before us, and your country expects no less of you than what has already been given by others like Captain Cavallini.”

Mattis spent more than four decades in uniform, rising to the rank of general after having commanded Marines at all levels, from an infantry rifle platoon to a Marine Expeditionary Force, and ultimately commanding joint forces as Commander, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).

During his visit, Mattis engaged in meetings with the NPS President and Provost, received briefings on the school’s future, and spent 90 minutes in a private session with students in the Command and Leadership class taught by Wendt. One of Wendt’s students, Marine Corps Maj. Michael Noblit, a Special Operations Officer and Marine Raider, offered his thoughts on the exchange.

“I’m sure I speak for all my classmates in expressing our gratitude to Secretary Mattis for being so giving of his time and wisdom, which speaks volumes about him as a leader and his ongoing dedication to our country’s future,” said Noblit. “Open and honest, his authenticity is unquestionable, and he didn’t pull any punches in sharing lessons from his real-world experiences with insights invaluable to leading in combat or in our local communities.”

Source: United States Navy

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti met with Turkish Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler and the Commander of the Turkish Armed Forces Gen. Metin Gürak at the Ministry of National Defense, and the Turkish Head of Navy Adm. Ercument Tatlıoğlu at the Turkish Navy Headquarters in Ankara, Türkiye, June 3.

Franchetti highlighted that Türkiye is a longstanding and valued NATO Ally and that the U.S. values our strong bilateral relationship. Franchetti further expressed gratitude for Türkiye’s ongoing regional stabilization initiatives, and shared that she looks forward to increased collaboration in the future.

The leaders also discussed opportunities to maximize cooperation on Black Sea security, particularly de-mining efforts. U.S. and Turkish Navies operate and train together continuously, including various interoperability exercises between their two newest large-deck ships, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) and Türkiye’s TCG Anadolu.

This is the first time Franchetti has met with Güler as the Chief of Naval Operations. This was also the first time Franchetti has met with Gürak as the CNO; the two leaders last met when Franchetti visited Türkiye as Commander, U.S. 6^th Fleet, in 2019.

Franchetti last met with Tatlıoğlu in September 2023 at the International Seapower Symposium, in Newport, R.I.