Month: July 2024

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Defense News: USS MASON RETURNS TO MAYPORT FROM COMBAT DEPLOYMENT

Source: United States Navy

Mason was deployed for 263 days in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Mediterranean Sea, supporting freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce.

While deployed, Mason faced unprecedented attacks from the Houthi terrorist group based out of Yemen.

“I am extremely proud of this battle tested and battle proven crew who achieved unparalleled accomplishments while deployed,” said Cmdr. Justin B. Smith, Mason’s commanding officer. “No matter the threat or challenge, they demonstrated an innate ability to sustain a high level of readiness for eight months by thinking on their feet and quickly reacting. As result of their abilities, they protected Mason’s crew and exceeded all mission tasking throughout deployment.”

While deployed, Mason intercepted multiple unmanned aerial vessels and anti-ship ballistic missiles targeting merchant vessels and coalition warships. In support of the freedom of navigation and worldwide commerce, Mason escorted and saved 26 merchant vessels as they transited through the Bab Al-Mandeb Strait.

On Nov. 26, 2023, Mason responded to a distress call in the Gulf of Aden where five suspected pirates overtook M/V Central Park. Once Mason arrived, the suspected pirates fled, and Mason’s Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure team took custody of the suspected pirates and freed the crew stuck in the ship’s citadel. 

Continuing the global support of the free flow of commerce, the crew displayed proficient interoperability between coalition partners through Liaison Naval Officers, helicopter cross deck operations, ship maneuvering exercises, and coordinated engagements.

Mason was deployed as part of the Dwight D. Eisenhower (IKE) Carrier Strike Group (CSG). IKECSG operated in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operations to deepen strategic relationships with allies and partners, and to support maritime security and stability.

The strike group is commanded by CSG-2 and comprised of flagship Dwight D. Eisenhower, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3 with its nine squadrons, USS Philippine Sea (CG 58), and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 22 with its guided missile destroyers.

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Justice Department Secures Agreement with Kansas School District Regarding School Discipline, Law Enforcement and Seclusion and Restraint

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

The Justice Department announced today a settlement agreement to resolve the department’s investigation into race and disability discrimination in Wichita Public Schools, Kansas’ largest school district. Under the settlement, the district will revise practices to prevent discrimination in discipline and referrals of students to law enforcement, end the use of seclusion, reform its restraint practices and improve services to students with disabilities in certain schools and classrooms. 

The department’s investigation revealed, among other things, that the district’s Black students were disciplined more frequently and more severely than white students who engaged in similar conduct and had similar backgrounds and disciplinary histories. This pattern was most evident when it came to subjective offenses such as insubordination, and was especially stark when it came to discipline of Black girls, whose behavior was repeatedly characterized using stereotypical terms like “attitude” or “drama.” In addition, the investigation concluded that the district inappropriately and repeatedly secluded and restrained students with disabilities and relegated those with the greatest behavioral needs to inferior facilities with inadequate services and support.

“Black students inside our nation’s public schools should not have to face discipline or a referral to law enforcement because of their race. And students with disabilities should not have to experience the trauma of seclusion or improper restraint,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Schools in our communities should not be a place of fear or mistrust. This agreement upholds our core principles of ending the school to prison pipeline and protecting our most vulnerable students against all forms of discrimination and segregation.”

The school district fully cooperated with the investigation, which was conducted under Titles IV and VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. The department’s review uncovered discriminatory treatment of Black students in the administration of discipline at multiple schools, with Black girls facing especially high levels of exclusion for perceived insubordination and for dress code violations at certain middle schools. The department’s investigation also found evidence of racial discrimination in referrals to law enforcement and a pattern of security officers responding to routine discipline matters and escalating those incidents, resulting in the unnecessary referral of Black students to law enforcement for routine or minor misbehavior. 

In addition, the department’s investigation concluded that the district inappropriately and repeatedly secluded and restrained students with disabilities, including for punitive reasons or in response to noncompliance with school rules and staff directives. During the period covered by the investigation, students with disabilities received more than 98% of the district’s roughly 3,000 restraints and seclusions. At least 44 students experienced 20 or more restraints and seclusions during the period covered by the investigation and one student was restrained or secluded at least 144 times, including 99 seclusions lasting over 15 hours in total. In the district’s schools and classrooms for students with disabilities — where the vast majority of seclusions and restraints occurred — the district either lacked student behavior interventions or failed to implement them and ensure their effectiveness. When the department visited the district’s special schools for students with behavioral disabilities, it found inferior facilities devoid of furniture, educational equipment and the kinds of decor commonly found in schools, and staff who could not meet the needs of students.

Under the agreement, the district will, among other steps:

  • Develop a district-wide code of conduct, standardize dress code policies and create a behavior intervention protocol to ensure the nondiscriminatory administration of discipline and prohibit unnecessary exclusion of students from the school environment;
  • Create a system of district-level monitoring of schools’ administration of discipline to ensure nondiscrimination;
  • Ensure that school security and law enforcement only become involved in student misbehavior in appropriate circumstances and thereby avoid criminalizing routine school discipline matters;
  • Eliminate the use of seclusion;
  • Restrain students only when their behavior poses an imminent danger of serious physical harm to the student or another person, properly document all restraints and provide students who are restrained or secluded with required interventions;
  • Ensure that only professionals with the requisite expertise and training run and staff specialized schools for students with disabilities;
  • Provide counseling and compensatory education to students who have been repeatedly secluded; and
  • Create an office to monitor the district’s restraint practices (and seclusion until it is eliminated) to ensure compliance with the agreement and assist district staff in providing required interventions and supports.

Today is the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Enforcement of Titles IV and VI of the Civil Rights Act to protect students from race discrimination in school is a priority of the Civil Rights Division. In addition, this agreement is the most recent in a series of settlements under Title II of the ADA to address and prevent unlawful seclusion and restraint of students with disabilities in public schools. To learn more about the section’s work under the ADA to combat improper seclusion in schools, visit www.justice.gov/schoolseclusion.

Additional information about the Civil Rights Division is available at www.justice.gov/crt, and additional information about the Civil Rights Division’s Educational Opportunities Section’s work is available at www.justice.gov/crt/educational-opportunities-section.

Members of the public may report possible civil rights violations at www.civilrights.justice.gov/.

View the cover letter sent to Wichita Public Schools in English here.

View the cover letter sent to Wichita Public Schools in Spanish here.

View the summary of the settlement agreement in English here.

View the summary of the settlement agreement in Spanish here.

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Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Statement on the 60th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

The Justice Department issued the following statement today from Attorney General Merrick B. Garland on the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964:

“The Civil Rights Act of 1964, signed into law 60 years ago today, gave the Justice Department some of its most important tools to protect Americans from discrimination, including at school, in the workplace, in voting, and in places of public accommodation.

Today, we remember the generations of Americans who risked their lives – and the many who sacrificed their lives – in the struggle to claim the rights guaranteed to Black Americans, and to all Americans, under the Constitution.

We recognize the continued dedication of our partners in the civil rights community who are the inheritors of that legacy.

And we honor the public servants across the Justice Department who have worked to fulfill the promise of the Civil Rights Act over the past six decades and continue to do so today.

Before signing the Civil Rights Act of 1964 into law 60 years ago, President Lyndon Baines Johnson addressed the American people, saying, ‘the Civil Rights Act is a challenge to all of us to work in our communities and our States, in our homes and in our hearts, to eliminate the last vestiges of injustice in our beloved country.’

Today, as we mark the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act, the Justice Department renews our commitment to meeting that challenge.”

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Defense News: USS Springfield Returns Home to Naval Station Guam Following Indo-Pacific Deployment

Source: United States Navy

“Springfield exemplifies the excellence of our submarine force, serving as a cornerstone in maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific,” said Capt. Neil Steinhagen, commander, Submarine Squadron 15. “The crew has contributed uniquely to our mission, and their dedication reflects our steadfast commitment to our allies across the region and truly embodies their motto, United for Freedom.”

During their deployment, Springfield conducted vital missions crucial to national security, enhancing operational capabilities and reinforcing deterrence efforts within the Indo-Pacific. The crew also had the opportunity to visit Japan for a routine port visit to Yokosuka, where they hosted Mr. Arima Yutaka, Assistant Minister (Ambassador) / Director-General of North American Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

“The true strength of our vessel lies in our Sailors, who consistently impress with their professionalism, teamwork, and unwavering dedication to enhancing the operational environment,” said Cmdr. Andrew Domina, commanding officer, USS Springfield. “Outside of normal operations, our crew had the distinct honor of hosting our foreign allies and partners, allowing them to get a firsthand look at our submarines. This was a great opportunity for bilateral engagement and allowed our partners to gain a better understanding of who we are and what we do in support of our Pacific mission.”

Springfield is the fourth ship of the United States Navy to bear the name. The boat was named in honor of both the cities of Springfield, Illinois and Springfield, Massachusetts. It was launched on Jan. 4, 1992 and commissioned on Jan. 9, 1993.

Assigned to Commander, Submarine Squadron 15 at Polaris Point, Naval Base Guam, Springfield is one of four Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarines forward-deployed in the Pacific. Renowned for their unparalleled speed, endurance, stealth, and mobility, the Los Angeles-class submarines are the backbone of the Navy’s submarine force, ensuring readiness and agility in safeguarding maritime interests worldwide.

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Defense News: U.S. Sixth Fleet Conducts Bilateral Operations with IKECSG and WSP ARG

Source: United States Navy

WSP ARG recently arrived in the eastern Mediterranean Sea to ensure regional stability and deter aggression. Upon completion of their port call in Souda Bay, Crete, IKECSG joined the WSP ARG and Royal Navy ship HMS Duncan for joint operations, highlighted steaming in company.
Bilateral operations like this bolster international relationships across the region and showcase the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps team’s interoperability between our services and Allied forces.

“Carrier Strike Group 2 accomplished a lot on deployment, but we had yet to operate with our Marine brothers and sisters from an amphibious ready group,” said Rear Adm. Kavon Hakimzadeh, commander, Carrier Strike Group 2 (CSG-2), IKECSG. “The Wasp ARG is a testament to how closely our Blue/Green teams integrate, and our operations with the HMS Duncan demonstrate how effectively and expertly we are able to integrate with our partners.”

Combined, the CSG and the ARG are a battle force of nearly 10,000 Sailors and Marines who offer the fleet commander a multitude of shore and littoral capabilities to protect maritime security and stability anywhere across the globe.

“The opportunity for the WSP ARG-24 MEU (SOC) to integrate with the IKECSG and the HMS Duncan gives us the chance to showcase our interoperability with a CSG and our Allies as we take station in the Mediterranean.” said Capt. Nakia Cooper, Commodore of Amphibious Squadron 4, embarked aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1).

While the ships conducted joint operations, the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (IKE) hosted a family reunion in the onboard Morale, Welfare and Recreation center. Sailors from the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) were transported via MH-60 Seahawk helicopter to IKE, and were afforded the opportunity to spend time with their families before returning to Wasp for the deployment ahead. IKE Sailors were given a chance to catch up with their families before returning home after a nine-month deployment.

IKECSG units are returning to their homeports or Norfolk, Virginia and Mayport, Florida after a nine-month deployment to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operations. They participated in Operations Yukon Lightning and Prosperity Guardian to support maritime security and stability in the Middle East region.

The IKECSG is comprised of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile destroyer USS Philippine Sea (CG 58), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3 and its nine squadrons, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 22 and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Mason (DDG 87) and USS Gravely (DDG 107), and the Information Warfare Commander.

The Wasp Amphibious Ready Group is comprised of the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21) and the Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51).

For over 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-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.

For more news from CSG 2, visit: https://dvidshub.net/unit/csg2 or https://www.c2f.usff.navy.mil/csg2/
For more news and information from the WSP ARG, visit: https://www.c2f.usff.navy.mil/lhd1/ or https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/wasparg24thmeu
For more information about 24th MEU, visit: https://www.24thmeu.marines.mil/
For more news from USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, visit: https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/USSDDE-CVN69