Month: August 2024

Source: United States Navy

Participating Navy assets include Sailors from the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard, Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron TWO, USS Constitution, Naval Talent Acquisition Group Empire State, Navy Recruiting Command, Naval History & Heritage Command, Navy Band Northeast, Office of Civilian Human Resources, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, Navy eSports, U.S. Naval Academy, and the Office of Small Business Programs.

More than 60 Sailors will participate in education and community outreach events throughout the city, including a Navy Week proclamation and recognition ceremony at City Hall and a presence at the New York State Fair, the Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science and Technology, and much more. 

The Navy’s senior executive is Rear Adm. Stephen “Josh” Jackson, Deputy Director, Operations and Integration Directorate, Defense Threat Reduction Agency. During Syracuse Navy Week, he is participating in community outreach activities and engaging with local business, civic, education, and government leaders.

Navy Weeks are a series of outreach events coordinated by the Navy Office of Community Outreach designed to give Americans an opportunity to learn about the Navy, its people, and its importance to national security and prosperity. Since 2005, the Navy Week program has served as the Navy’s flagship outreach effort into areas of the country without a significant Navy presence, providing the public a firsthand look at why the Navy matters to cities like Syracuse.

“Sailors are the reason America’s Navy is the most powerful in the world,” said NAVCO’s director, Cmdr. Julie Holland. “We are thrilled to bring your Navy Warfighters to Syracuse. At Navy Weeks, Americans will connect with Sailors who have strong character, competence, and dedication to the mission, and who continue a nearly 250-year tradition of decisive power from seabed to cyberspace.”

Throughout the week, Sailors & civilians will participate in various community events across the area, including engagements with youth at the Mary Nelson Youth Foundation and Henninger High School. Sailors are volunteering at organizations in the city of Syracuse, including Habitat for Humanity, Meals on Wheels, and Food Bank of Central New York, among others. Residents will also enjoy free live music at venues throughout the city performed by Navy Band Northeast.

Syracuse Navy Week is one of 15 Navy Weeks in 2024, which brings a variety of assets, equipment and personnel to a single city for a weeklong series of engagements designed to bring America’s Navy closer to the people it protects. Each year, the program reaches more than 140 million people – about half of the U.S. population.

Media organizations wishing to cover Syracuse Navy Week events should contact Lt. j.g. Josh Keim at (901) 232-4451 or joshua.a.keim.mil@us.navy.mil. You can find the Syracuse Navy Week schedule of events at www.outreach.navy.mil.

Source: United States Navy

While in port, the ship and the 24th MEU (SOC) team will conduct a routine liberty port as well as participate in a community relations event in coordination with the Agios Stefanos Foundation.

“Our Sailors and Marines are looking forward to experiencing the culture of Cyprus, exploring the region, enjoying local cuisine, and volunteering in the community,” said Capt. Christopher Purcell, commanding officer of USS Wasp. “Port visits like this enhance our relationships with partner nations and enable us build upon shared values and experiences.”

The Republic of Cyprus is a frequent destination for U.S. Navy ships operating in the Mediterranean. In August 2023, the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61) visited Limassol while deployed as part of the Gerald. R. Ford Carrier Strike Group. In November of the same year, the U.S. 6th Fleet Blue Ridge-class command-and-control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) arrived in Larnaca, where the combined crew of U.S. Sailors and Military Sealift Command civil service mariners enjoyed liberty while forward deployed from Gaeta, Italy.

In February 2024, the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) and embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (MEU(SOC)) conducted their third port visit of deployment in Larnaca, Republic of Cyprus.

Limassol marks the second liberty port visit for Wasp and her crew since the ship began deployment June 1.

Wasp has been underway conducting operations in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean since early April as the flagship of the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group (WSP ARG). The Wasp, along with USS New York and USS Oak Hill, the two other ships that make up the ARG, is on a scheduled deployment to the NAVEUR-NAVAF area of operations, supporting U.S., Allied and partner interests in the region, including in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, to continue promoting regional stability and deterring aggression.

The 24th MEU (SOC) is a Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) providing strategic speed and agility, ensuring our Marines are prepared to respond and protect U.S. national security interests around the globe. The MEU can respond rapidly from longer ranges with greater capabilities across the spectrum of military conflict.

You can follow USS Wasp’s adventures on Facebook and Instagram (@usswasp_lhd1).

To learn more about WSP ARG and 24th MEU (SOC) “Team of Teams,” visit their DVIDS feature page at https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/wasparg24thmeu.

Source: United States Navy

The USS Spruance (DDG 111) departed Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, the same day following a four-day port call.

The ships of Carrier Strike Group Three (CSG-3) had transited the Pacific Ocean prior to pulling into port. Port calls provide Sailors and Marines opportunities for volunteer projects around the islands and the opportunity to experience new cultures and take a break from the demands of being at sea.

“The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is thrilled to make our first port stop in Guam and Saipan, islands of rich history and deep ties with the United States Navy,” said Rear Adm. Adan Cruz, commander, CSG-3. “Guam and Saipan are vital strategic hubs for the U.S. Navy, and the gracious welcome we received is indicative of our continued strong bond in the Western Pacific.”
On arrival to Guam, 20 Sailors and Marines assigned to USS Abraham Lincoln and Carrier Air Wing Nine re-united with their families on the pier for a homecoming ceremony attended by over 75 family members.

During the port visit, Sailor’s and Marines strengthened ties with local communities by giving back through multiple volunteer opportunities. Volunteer opportunities provide a positive lasting impact and give back to the community to return its hospitality. Sailors and Marines participated in a wide variety of volunteer projects including beach, pier and hiking trail clean-ups, as well as Island Girl Power, a charitable organization whose mission is to empower young Guamanian girls.

Additionally, Sailors and Marines experienced the rich natural beauty of the islands through tours organized by Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) including tours, snorkeling, Jet Ski rentals, and cultural barbecues.

“The Abraham Lincoln team pursues and achieves greatness every day, and the hard work and efforts we have seen thus far on deployment are an excellent example of that,” said Capt. Pete Riebe, commanding officer of USS Abraham Lincoln. “After a busy few weeks conducting flight operations, replenishments-at-sea, and training across the strike group, we are grateful for the opportunity to enjoy the beauty and culture of Guam on our first port call.”

The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group consists of USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), embarked staffs of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) Three and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 21, squadrons of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) Nine, USS O’Kane (DDG 77), USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG 121), and USS Spruance (DDG 111) of DESRON 21.

CVW-9 consists of an F-35C squadron, the “Black Knights” of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314; three F/A-18E/F Super Hornet squadrons, the “Tophatters” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 14; “Black Aces” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41, the “Vigilantes” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 151; “Wizards” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 133, operating the EA-18G Growler; “Wallbangers” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 117, operating the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye; “Chargers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 14 operating the MH-60S Sea Hawk; and “Raptors” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 71, operating the MH-60R Sea Hawk.

For more news from CSG-3, http://www.dvidshub.net/unit/USSAL-CVN72#

Source: United States Navy

Demonstrating our collective commitment to strengthen regional and international cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific, our combined armed forces will conduct a Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone on August 7 and 8, 2024.

The naval and air force units of participating nations will operate together enhancing cooperation and interoperability between our armed forces. The activity will be conducted in a manner that is consistent with international law and with due regard to the safety of navigation and the rights and interests of other States.

We stand together to address common maritime challenges and underscore our shared dedication to upholding international law and the rules-based order. Our four nations reaffirm the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Tribunal Award as a final and legally binding decision on the parties to the dispute.

Source: United States Navy

During the event, members of the Navy Closure Task Force will update the public on the progress being made to clean and close the storage tanks at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility (RHBFSF).

“These quarterly Open Houses give us the opportunity to engage directly with community members to explain the progress we are making at Red Hill,” said Rear Adm. Steve Barnett, commander, NCTF-RH. “The team looks forward to sharing the progress NCTF-RH has made in getting the tanks cleaned, showing some of our newly developed information products and interactive displays, and receiving feedback from members of the community.”

The event will feature a range of information booths and displays about the tank cleaning process, progress and timeline. Attendees can view samples of sludge removed from tanks 7 and 8, Red Hill historical artifacts, images from inside the facility and receive a demonstration of an online dashboard prototype depicting the progress of cleaning and closing the tanks. Members of the NCTF-RH staff will be onsite to answer questions, and there will be a keiki activity table for children.

Water quality experts will be on hand to answer questions and provide information about the Extended Drinking Water Monitoring plan and the Water Quality Action Team. Representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency and the University of Hawaii’s Red Hill Independent Health Registry will also be present to share information and answer questions from the public.

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 piping system, 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 navyclosuretaskforce.navy.mil or download our free mobile app by searching for “NCTF-Red Hill” in the Apple App store or Google Play store. For imagery, video and other digital media please visit our DVIDS site here: https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/NCTF-RH.