Month: August 2024

Source: United States Navy

Pacific Dragon, hosted by U.S. 3rd Fleet, is a biennial exercise designed to improve participating forces’ ability to work together to track and intercept ballistic missiles. Participating forces conducted live-fire and simulated ballistic missile intercepts and tracking events with the goal of exercising, refining and improving their integrated air and missile defense (IAMD) capability in a coalition environment.

PD24 was the first to use a new and improved target called an Integrated Air and Missile Defense Target (IAMD-T). An IAMD-T is a semi-guided target designed to trigger and engage terminal ship defense combat systems, such as Standard Missile (SM)-2 and SM-6.

Participating units and assets included the HMAS Sydney (DDG 42) and E-7A from the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), ITS Montecuccoli (P432) from the Italian Navy (ITN), JS Haguro (DDG 180) from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), ROKS Yulgok Yi I (DDG 992) from the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN), HNLMS Tromp (F803) from the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN), an MQ-9 from the 163rd Attack Wing of the California Air National Guard, and USS Carl M. Levin (DDG 120), USS Kidd (DDG 100), USS Shiloh (CG 67), as well as a P-8A from the U.S. Navy.

“Through exercises and engagements like Pacific Dragon, we improve system interoperability and tactical procedures with our allies and partners,” said Vice Adm. John Wade, commander, U.S. Third Fleet. “Combined operations and Integrated Air and Missile Defense tracking and live-fire events improve our proficiency and contribute to maritime security.”

An integral part of U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. Third Fleet operates naval forces in the Indo-Pacific and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary to execute our Navy’s role, in support of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and the joint force, across the full spectrum of military operations – from combat operations to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. U.S. Third Fleet works with allies and partners to advance freedom of navigation, the rule of law, and other principles that underpin security and a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Source: United States Navy

The two helicopters, each with a crew of five personnel, were conducting routine training at the time of the incident. All ten crew members were transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment and have been released from the hospital following medical treatment for non-life threatening injuries.

The cause of the mishap remains under investigation. Security personnel from NAS Fallon have secured the mishap site, which is on the Fallon Range Training Complex in a remote location.

Assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, HSC-12 is currently at NAS Fallon for comprehensive, integrated training in both real and simulated environments. CVW-5 is the ready, reliable and proven Forward-Deployed Naval Forces-Japan (FDNF-J) carrier air wing. CVW-5 will remain the FDNF-J air wing following the planned hull swap with Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73).

Source: United States Navy

The mixed crew of U.S. Navy and Royal Australian Navy personnel will take part in a Submarine Tendered Maintenance Period (STMP) over the next several weeks as Australian technicians perform maintenance on a U.S Navy nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine (SSN) scheduled to arrive for a port visit.

The STMP marks a significant step toward Australia becoming sovereign-ready to operate, maintain, and support a fleet of conventionally armed SSNs, which is a central requirement in executing Pillar 1 of the AUKUS security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

“Our knowledge exchange with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Fleet Support Unit (FSU) since January has been exceptionally productive,” said Capt. Brent Spillner, commanding officer of the Emory S. Land. “Within weeks they were working shoulder-to-shoulder with U.S. technicians on real submarine repairs, and for the last six weeks we’ve had a team of U.S. Sailors embedded in the FSU West workshops at HMAS Stirling. We’re learning as much from them as they are from us, and we have Australian sailors and officers in the key management positions for the STMP.”

More than 30 Australian sailors will execute the majority of planned maintenance work under the supervision of U.S. personnel, which will include the replacement of a mast in the submarine’s sail and a key hydraulic valve, along with the simulated removal of a large pump weighing more than 3,500 pounds from within the boat.

“Both of our navies are benefiting tremendously from the interoperability we’ve been developing during this deployment, and are now better able to support each other’s fleets around the world. This STMP marks the first time that Australian workers will perform maintenance on an American SSN in Australian waters, but it’s really just the next step in a long partnership,” said Spillner. “This is an important milestone and learning opportunity as we work together to establish Submarine Rotational Force – West, where both U.S. and UK submarines will regularly transit through HMAS Stirling, with maintenance and logistics assisted by Australian personnel, as they develop their own Intermediate-Level Maintenance capability for the eventual Australian SSNs.”

The deployment has been an opportunity for sailors from the three navies to work together.

“The opportunity to have RAN sailors from FSU integrated with my repair department has been phenomenal,” said Cmdr. Derek Fletcher, repair officer aboard Emory S. Land. “The ability to work side-by-side in Guam on U.S. SSNs and then continue that side-by-side work on RAN vessels and even a Royal Navy vessel while in Australia has truly demonstrated our interoperability. It’s been incredible to see our Sailors working together to provide repair services to vessels from all three AUKUS partners.”

Since the start of the Emory S. Land’s deployment, 176 U.S. Sailors have participated in 18 community relations events, investing 731 hours into the communities of Darwin, Cairns, Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide. While in port at HMAS Stirling, U.S. Sailors are planning an additional eight to 10 community relations events throughout the region, as well as having the ability to tour Western Australia.

“This deployment is like none other I have ever experienced and will not easily be forgotten,” said Lt. Cmdr. Mark Miller, Emory S. Land’s chaplain. “The warmth and hospitality which the U.S. Sailors have received is truly heartfelt. We are grateful for the strong bond of our two nations and we look forward to our stop in Western Australia.”

Emory S. Land is on deployment supporting the U.S. 7th Fleet, the U.S. Navy’s largest forward deployed numbered fleet, operating with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Emory S. Land provides expeditionary intermediate-level maintenance, services, and logistics support to deployed submarines.

Guam is home to the U.S. Navy’s only submarine tenders, Emory S. Land and USS Frank Cable (AS 40), as well as Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarines. The submarine tenders provide maintenance, hotel services and logistical support to submarines and surface ships in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operation. The submarines and tenders are maintained as part of the U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed submarine force and are capable of meeting global operational requirements.
For more information about Emory S. Land, visit us at http://www.csp.navy.mil/emorysland/ or like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/EmorySLand, or on Twitter @EmorySLand.
For more news from USS Emory S. Land (AS 39), visit http://www.navy.mil/local/as39/.

Are you interested in taking orders to Guam? Want to learn more about the duty station and life on our island? For more information, check out the ‘Go Guam!’ website at http://www.csp.navy.mil/go-guam/ and download the ‘1st Fifteen’ checklist.

Source: United States Navy

Operation Nanook (OP NANOOK), led by the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), is an annual northern operation designed to test the ability of multinational forces to operate in the Arctic environment. The U.S.’s long-standing partnership with Canada enhances both nations’ operational capabilities, with Black bringing advanced maritime tools to the operation and testing the region’s maritime homeland defense capabilities.

“Canada is one of the U.S.’s closest neighbors, and we share a collective interest in homeland defense,” said Vice Adm. Doug Perry, Commander, U.S. Second Fleet. “The mission of the Second Fleet extends beyond our coastal waters, and our ability to provide assets across the Atlantic is critical. We are good neighbors and strong partners. When the call comes from our allies, Second Fleet is ready to fight in any environment.”

Maritime homeland defense is a core mission of the U.S. Second Fleet (C2F), and Arctic operations are part of a comprehensive series of joint, interagency, and multinational activities designed to defend Canada and secure northern regions. Working alongside Allies and partners, C2F plays a vital role in preserving the Arctic as a secure and stable region, and ensuring the North American homeland is defended. C2F has annually participated in OP NANOOK, strengthening these partnerships and demonstrating U.S. Arctic capabilities.

Earlier this year, C2F demonstrated its global readiness by performing Arctic operations during Steadfast Defender 2024, further solidifying its role as a key player in Arctic defense. This experience, coupled with the annual participation in OP NANOOK, underscores the fleet’s adaptability and commitment to safeguarding the Arctic region.

“The NATO alliance is strong and our collective navies are adaptable, interchangeable, and always ready,” said Canadian Rear Admiral David Patchell, Vice Commander U.S. Second Fleet, who recently served as Commander, Task Force-North during Steadfast Defender 2024. “Each time we exercise with our partners in the Atlantic and Arctic, it makes us stronger and more capable. It is crucial that we seize every opportunity to train in the North, as this environment has its own unique set of operational and sustainment challenges.”

The maritime portion of OP NANOOK will enhance polar interoperability between the Royal Canadian Navy, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Navy, and the Royal Danish Navy. Participating forces will engage in a series of exercises, including Maritime Interdiction Operations, boarding drills, gunnery exercises, search and rescue simulations, damage control scenarios, and fleet maneuver drills. These activities will be conducted in northern Arctic waters, including fjord transits near Nuuk, Greenland.

“U.S. Second Fleet brings a wide range of command and control capability, expertise and mission sets to any maritime operation,” said Patchell. “Exercises such as OP NANOOK demonstrate an enduring commitment to the Arctic while providing invaluable insight into the capabilities, tactics, and procedures of participating nations, enabling us to further our combined Northern operational readiness.”

The participating units include the Royal Canadian Navy’s Harry DeWolf-Class Offshore Patrol Vessels, HMCS Margaret Brooke and HMCS Harry DeWolf; the Royal Danish Navy’s Knud Rasmussen-Class Patrol Vessel, HDMS Lauge Koch; the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter, USCGC Northland; and the U.S. Navy’s USS Delbert D. Black.

As the Arctic environment continues to change, with increasing maritime military and commercial traffic, the Navy is committed to environmental stewardship. Strong defense relationships with Arctic allies provide a collective deterrent against strategic challenges. OP NANOOK-Tuugaalik, the maritime component of the exercise, showcases the U.S. and Royal Canadian Navy’s ability to operate in extreme Arctic conditions, ensuring readiness and protecting shared interests.

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.