Month: July 2024

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Defense News: U.S. Navy, JMSDF Conduct Ships Qualification Training

Source: United States Navy

“The U.S. and Japan have a strong strategic alliance,” said Capt. Robert R. Williams, Commodore of MSC Far East in Singapore. “Interoperable refueling capabilities enhance this partnership by enabling joint operations, training exercises, and real-world missions. This cooperation reinforces mutual defense commitments and helps promote regional stability.”

CONSOL capability is when a specially outfitted MSC-controlled tanker conducts underway refueling operations, transferring cargo to combat logistics-force (CLF) ships at sea.

Typically, CLF ships are required to return to shore to a supply depot to resupply. A CONSOL eliminates those round-trips to a supply point, thereby, reduces cost and increases time at sea to support the fleet.

The training evolution builds upon a previous SQT between a U.S. Navy commercial oiler and a JMSDF oiler in October 2023. The ability of a JMSDF tanker to CONSOL allows them to also carry fuel out to the fleet, and provide underway replenishment of fuel, fleet cargo, and stores to customer ships at sea, thereby increasing capacity in the Indo-Pacific region.

Badlands Trader is one of a few commercial oil tankers that has been chartered and outfitted to pump fuel to CLFs at sea, which allows the CLF ships to stay closer to the fleet.

“CONSULs between JMSDF and U.S Navy fleet replenishment oilers are not new,” said Peter P. Bok, strategic sealift officer, MSC Far East. “However, the ability for JMSDF vessels to connect with an MSC-chartered commercial oiler is a capability that we are honing. This increases operational reach and endurance of both naval forces.”

In a CONSOL, providing fuel to CLF ships means they don’t have to return to a Defense Fuel Support Point to refuel, added Bok.

The two-day SQT began at port on board U.S. Fleet Activities Sasebo, Japan, and both crews participated in safety briefings, discussions and cross-deck training.

Day one involved pier side SQTs: deploying, retrieving and re-deploying the fuel lines between the two ships while at port.

Day two, both ships got underway and connected at sea as planned offering a successful proof-of-concept.

Both ships returned to port on day three.

“The SQTs reduce the risk of misunderstandings during CONSOL operations,” said Bok. “It also encourages the adoption of standardized procedures and equipment.”

MSC Far East supports the U.S. 7th Fleet and ensures approximately 50 ships in the Indo-Pacific Region are manned, trained, and equipped to deliver essential supplies, fuel, cargo, and equipment to warfighters, both at sea and on shore. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

Celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2024, MSC exists to support the joint warfighter across the full spectrum of military operations, with a workforce that includes approximately 6,000 Civil Service Mariners and 1,100 contract mariners, supported by 1,500 shore staff and 1,400 active duty and Reserve military personnel.

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Defense News: NCTF-RH Conducts Spill Drill Ahead of Tank Pressure Washing Operations

Source: United States Navy

The exercise tested the Navy’s emergency response capabilities and its ability to work with multiple agencies to respond to a spill consisting of a mixture of water and cleaning solution at the facility, ahead of the commencement of pressure washing fuel tanks that have completed successful fuel and sludge removal. 

Experts from the Navy, Environmental Protection Agency, Hawaii Department of Health, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, and Honolulu Department of Emergency Management participated in the drill.  

“As we move into the next stages of tank cleaning operations, our goal is to ensure our teams are prepared to respond to any situation if there is an unplanned release or spill,” said Rear Adm. Marc Williams, NCTF-RH deputy commander. “We remain committed to ensure the safety of our workers, our community, and the environment.”  

NCTF-RH is committed to working with all government agencies and community stakeholders to safely and deliberately close the RHBFSF underground storage tanks and associated pipelines, conduct long-term environmental remediation, and ensure continued access to safe drinking water in compliance with all Federal, State, and local laws, policies and regulations. 

For more information about NCTF-RH, visit www.navyclosuretaskforce.navy.mil or download the mobile app by searching for “NCTF-Red Hill” in the Apple App store or Google Play store.   

SAFE. DELIBERATE. ENGAGED. COMMITTED. 

– NCTF – RH –  

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Justice Department Hosts Workshop to Enhance Cooperation in Tackling Environmental Crime

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

The Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) recently partnered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to host a workshop to enhance coordination in addressing environmental crime and examine improved enforcement techniques. Individuals from the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the U.S. Coast Guard – as well as representatives of Europol and the governments of Scotland, Canada and Mexico – also attended the workshop.

ENRD Environmental Crimes Section (ECS) Deputy Chief Joseph Poux (left) walks to the workshop.

Chapter 24 of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) – entered into in 2020 – outlines seven multilateral environmental agreements, including to combat wildlife and fauna trafficking and to address air quality and ocean pollution. The workshop focused on pollution and waste crimes.

ENRD Deputy Assistant Attorney General Seth Barsky addresses the workshop.

Speakers highlighted the increased importance of enforcing environmental laws and international agreements in light of climate change and its devastating and increasingly apparent effects around the globe. But investigating and prosecuting environmental crime can be challenging because of the intersection of complex white-collar crime, financial structures and technical and scientific issues.

Against this background, the workshop expanded on new enforcement techniques, like using data analytics and unmanned aerial vehicles, to improve the investigation and prosecution of environmental crimes across international borders. The workshop closed with identifying specific ways to deliver operational enforcement activities within the next year.

“Environmental crimes are often transnational, affecting a variety of communities in myriad ways. It is important to foster collaboration within the U.S. government, and between our government and those of other nations, to enforce laws to reduce waste and pollution, among other things. This week’s workshop did that, and highlighted ways to incorporate more sophisticated enforcement resources. We thank all who attended the workshop for their commitment to uphold the rule of law.”

— Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of ENRD.

The workshop builds on ENRD’s work to improve collaboration around the world in addressing environmental crimes, including in Guatemala, Mozambique and Ghana, Southeast Asia, Cameroon and Ukraine.

ENRD ECS Deputy Chief Joseph Poux addresses the workshop.
Photo of workshop participants.

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Defense News: SECNAV Del Toro Welcomes IKECSG Home

Source: United States Navy

Norfolk, Va. (July 14, 2024) – Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro visited Naval Station Norfok to welcome the ships and squadrons of Carrier Strike Group TWO home, July 13-14.

Secretary Del Toro was in Norfolk for the arrivals of USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) and USS Gravely (DDG 107). In May, Secretary Del Toro presented a Navy Unit Commendation (NUC) for forces assigned to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, including the Eisenhower Strike Group, at the return to homeport ceremony of USS Carney (DDG 64).

“By defending our allies as well as innocent civilian merchant mariners against relentless attacks, they made an incredible impact that will be an enduring part of our naval services’ legacy,” said Secretary Del Toro. “Their achievements and actions are worthy of the Navy Unit Commendation and Combat Action Ribbon that I awarded to them earlier this year.”

The NUC is awarded to any ship, aircraft, or other unit of the Navy or Marine Corps that has distinguished itself by outstanding heroism in action against enemy forces and is the second highest unit award in the Department of the Navy, behind the Presidential Unit Citation. 

Following the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attacks in Israel, USS Carney operated alongside the Gerald R. Ford and Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Groups in the Red Sea, defending commercial shipping lanes, innocent merchant mariners, and American, allied, and partner vessels against drone and missile attacks launched by the Iranian-aligned Houthis in Yemen. 

In all, the Eisenhower Strike Group conducted more than 750engagements, utilizing 792 munitions in combat. The threats included land attack cruise missiles, anti-ship ballistic missiles, and unmanned systems.

While in Norfolk, Secretary Del Toro also addressed families on the pier for the three ships, thanking them for their support throughout the strike group’s deployment and discussing how proud their Sailors’ service makes him.

“We must also remember that our Sailors and Marines are volunteers—volunteers who chose to dedicate their careers and their lives to defending the values and ideals we as an American people hold dear,” said Secretary Del Toro. “They understand that service is not an obligation—it is indeed a calling. And as we’ve witnessed throughout the IKE Carrier Strike Group’s deployment, it is an opportunity to be a part of something much greater than ourselves, standing tall against the terrorist acts of the Iranian-aligned Houthis in defense of the defenseless. “

On Saturday, Secretary Del Toro accompanied National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Admiral Lisa Franchetti, the Chief of Naval Operations, to USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) before their return on Sunday.

Read Secretary Del Toro’s full remarks online.

Read the full Navy Unit Commendation online.

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West Virginia Business Owner Charged with Employment Tax Offenses and Not Filing Personal Tax Returns

Source: United States Department of Justice

A federal grand jury in Charleston, West Virginia, returned an indictment today charging a West Virginia man with not paying employment taxes and not filing his personal tax returns.

According to the indictment, since 1994, Dean Dawson, of Hurricane, owned and operated Real Property Consulting Group LLC, a real estate appraisal business. The indictment charges that from the third quarter of 2018 to 2023, Dawson did not pay to the IRS the Social Security, Medicare and federal income taxes that were withheld from employees’ paychecks or file quarterly tax returns reporting those withholdings, as required by law. Though Dawson allegedly provided his employees with Forms W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, he did not file those forms with the Social Security Administration. Dawson allegedly used his business bank account to pay his personal expenses and directed funds to his wife who was not an employee. The indictment further alleges that Dawson did not file personal tax returns from 2018 to 2023. 

Dawson was charged with 19 counts of failing to collect and pay over employment taxes and six counts of willfully failing to file personal tax returns tax returns. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for each employment tax count and a maximum penalty of one year in prison for each count of failure to file a tax return. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney William S. Thompson for the Southern District of Western Virginia made the announcement.

IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.

Trial Attorneys Brian E. Flanaghan and Rebecca A. Caruso of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Storage for the Southern District of West Virginia are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.