Month: June 2024

Source: United States Navy

The deployment is a scheduled rotation of forces that fosters maritime security and increased theater cooperation. The ARG provides a forward naval expeditionary presence with vast, specialized crisis response capabilities to support geographic combatant commander, numbered fleet commander, and joint special operations task force commander.

“The Wasp ARG is ready,” said Capt. Nakia Cooper, commodore of Amphibious Squadron 4. “I’m confident in the skill and unwavering commitment of our team. Through robust training and real-world events, we have demonstrated professionalism and proficiency at every level. We are ready to support combatant commanders around the globe in any capacity deemed necessary.”

WSP ARG certified to deploy following a composite training unit exercise, which concluded May 12. The ARG consists of three Hampton Roads-based ships: amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21), and dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51), totaling more than 4,500 Sailors and Marines across the force.

“The Marines and Sailors of the 24th MEU (SOC) demonstrated their tactical acumen throughout our pre-deployment training program, and we are ready to execute in any clime or place,” said Col. Todd Mahar, commanding officer, 24th MEU (SOC). “We are excited to deploy with our Wasp ARG teammates and take our naval warfighting capabilities forward to support national security objectives.”

Coupled with the WSP ARG, the 24th MEU (SOC) serves as a premier stand-in force with a full complement of all-domain capabilities to operate persistently within the littorals or weapons engagement zones of an adversary. The 24th MEU (SOC) serves as one of the Nation’s primary crisis response forces capable of conducting amphibious operations, crisis response, and limited contingency operations, including enabling the introduction of follow-on forces and designated special operations, in support of theater requirements of the geographic combatant commander.

U.S. 2nd Fleet, reestablished in 2018 in response to the changing global security environment, develops and employs maritime forces ready to fight across multiple domains in the Atlantic and Arctic in order to ensure access, deter aggression and defend U.S., allied, and partner interests.

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.

Source: United States Navy

Navy and Marine Corps Sailors participating in Fleet Week New York (FWNY) attended the event. Vice Adm. John Gumbleton, commander, Task Force 80, and deputy commander, U.S. Fleet Forces, served as one of the guest speakers to pay tribute to the sacrifices of Gold Star families. During his remarks, Gumbleton honored the Gold Star families in attendance, as well as recognized the service of veterans. He took time to inspire the next generation in a call to service.

“We should all reflect that service is not an obligation, it’s a choice, so, it is important to think that of all of the choices that you have in this modern life, are you going to do something that is bigger than yourself,” Gumbleton said, as he encouraged the youth in attendance to find pathways to contribute to society.

During the event, two Gold Star family members shared stories of their loved ones who died in service to our nation to include U.S. Army Ranger Sgt. Ronald Kubik and U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Dalton Beals.

U.S. Army Veteran Ed Graf, history teacher and coordinator of the annual “Proud to be an American Day” appreciated the dedication from civilian, military and education stakeholders who came together to support and honor Gold Star families.

“The presence of Vice Adm. Gumbleton certainly added so much to our ‘Proud to be an American Day’ ceremony,” Graf said. “He was not only a great speaker, but an inspiration to the students and comforter to the Gold Star families.”

Graf added that the yearly event is a day set aside to teach students about how to honor the Gold Star families and the importance of service to one’s country.

Static displays were available for touring at the event in Somerset to include the Nimitz Virtual Reality Trailer and a U.S. Marine Corps UH-1Y helicopter.

Now in its 36th year, FWNY is the city’s time-honored celebration of the sea services. It is an unparalleled opportunity for the citizens of New York and the surrounding tri-state area to meet Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen and witness the latest capabilities of today’s maritime services. Nearly 2,300 U.S. service members will participate in the festivities this year.

Source: United States Navy

Nineteen NATO Allies, more than 50 ships, more than 85 aircraft, and approximately 9,000 personnel will participate in BALTOPS 2024. With four Amphibious Task Groups and Multinational Task Units taking part, this is set to be the largest assembled coalition of amphibious forces in the Baltic Sea, as well as the largest assembled coalition of Mine Countermeasure forces in NATO. In addition, this year will feature naval assets assigned to U.S. Indo-Pacific Command – the first time in recent history an asset tied to the Pacific theater has participated within the U.S. Navy Europe area of operations.

Started in 1972, BALTOPS is an annual exercise that visibly demonstrates NATO’s commitment to preserving regional peace and security by exercising a team of international forces that can rapidly respond in a time of crisis.

Participating nations include Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Of note, though Sweden has participated in BALTOPS for more than a decade, this year will mark the first time Sweden will participate in the exercise as a member-nation and NATO Ally. BALTOPS remains an alliance proving ground, and is vital for honing the leading edge of combined interoperability with allied and partner nations, in and around the Baltic Sea.

BALTOPS 24 is also part of the U.S. Department of Defense exercise series, Large Scale Global Exercise (LSGE). LSGE is an umbrella term that incorporates several exercises and military activities, which enable the U.S. Joint Force to train with Allies and partners and improve shared understanding, trust and interoperability on security challenges across the globe.

Details of BALTOPS activities and imagery are available at http://www.c6f.navy.mil. Media interested in covering the exercise should contact the U.S. Naval Forces Europe Public Affairs Office at mail to: cne_cna_c6fpao@us.navy.mil

Source: United States Navy

A directorate of Naval Medical Readiness Logistics Command headed by Capt. Christopher Barnes, NORA is the largest of the 22 U.S. Army and U.S. Navy Optical Fabrication Labs and provides guidance to all military optical fabrication labs around the world.

While there, Kilby learned that NORA deploys Sailors and Soldiers with mobile optical fabrication capability in support of the National Guard and Navy Reserve missions, with prefabricated eyewear for overseas humanitarian relief and medical civic action program missions. NORA is also the only laboratory to produce eyewear for the Coast Guard, Public Health Service, NASA, NOAA, as well as providing optical care for active duty, reserve components, NATO and several other federal beneficiaries.

Two Sailors learned they were promoted to the next highest paygrade when Adm. Kilby summoned Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Avey Pokorny and Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Michael Northland front and center. They weren’t sure why they were being called out by the Kilby. They were happy to learn of their promotions.

NMRLC’s mission is to develop, acquire, produce, field, sustain, and provide enduring lifecycle support of medical materiel solutions to the Fleet, Fleet Marine Force, and Joint Forces in high end competition, crisis, and combat. Its vision is to be the Joint Force’s premier integrated medical logistics support activity.

Story originally posted on DVIDS: VCNO Visits Naval Ophthalmic Readiness Activity, Yorktown, VA