Month: September 2024

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Defense News: Navy Week Returns to Albuquerque

Source: United States Navy

Albuquerque Navy Week brings Sailors from across the fleet to the area to emphasize the importance of the Navy to Albuquerque, the state of New Mexico, and the nation. More than 50 Sailors will participate in education and community outreach events throughout the city.

Participating Navy organizations include Navy Band Southwest, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, United States Ceremonial Guard and Color Guard, Navy Construction Group One, Navy Talent Acquisition Group Phoenix, Navy Bureau of Medicine, U.S. Navy Esports, Navy History and Heritage Command, USS Constitution and nuclear-power Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Santa Fe (SSN 763).

Adm. Stuart Munsch, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Europe/Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Africa/Commander, Allied Joint Forces Command, Naples will serve as this Navy Week’s senior executive. Munsch is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering. He was selected for a Rhodes scholarship and attended Oxford University and earned a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Philosophy, Politics and Economics. Munsch previously commanded USS Albuquerque (SSN 706) from 2002 to 2005.

“I am excited to be returning to Albuquerque and lead the United States Navy team that will be visiting the area to discuss with the citizens of New Mexico how the Navy makes America more secure and prosperous,” said Munsch. “Our Navy is on watch around the world, ensuring the free flow of maritime commerce that keeps the global economy, and by extension, the New Mexico economy running.”

During Albuquerque Navy Week, Sailors are participating in community engagements, meeting with students, and speaking with local business, civic, 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 Albuquerque.

“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 Albuquerque.  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 are participating in various community events across the area, including engaging with students across multiple high schools and at the Roadrunner Foodbank, Habitat for Humanity, and publicly visible at the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History, New Mexico State Fair and downtown Albuquerque. Residents will also enjoy free live music by Navy Band Southwest at venues throughout the week.

Albuquerque 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 130 million people — about half the U.S. population.

Media organizations wishing to cover Albuquerque Navy Week events should contact Lt. j.g. Madison Kwok at (808) 754-6863 or Madison.k.kwok.mil@us.navy.mil

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Defense News: UNITAS LXV Begins

Source: United States Navy

VALPARAISO, Chile – Navy and Marine forces arrived in Valparaiso in support of UNITAS LXV (65), the world’s longest-running multinational maritime exercise in the world, which officially commenced September 2, 2024. 
 
The Chilean navy is hosting this year’s UNITAS, which will feature 17 warships/vessels, two submarines, 20 aircraft (fixed wing/helicopter), and more than 4,300 personnel from 24 partner nations. Forces will conduct operations off the coast of Valparaiso, Chile, and ashore in the vicinity of Puerto Aldea, Chile, through September 12. 

Rear Adm. Rich Lofgren provided opening remarks as U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet Deputy Commander, addressing the opportunities to build relationships ashore, including subject matter exchanges, operations briefs, and a Women, Peace, and Security symposium. Creating these spaces to build relationships on shore will pay dividends at during the at-sea phase of the exercise and beyond.

“Sailors go to sea,” Lofgren added. “I look forward with great excitement to joining you at sea, as we conduct combined and joint operations. We will enhance our capabilities and improve our interoperability in these maritime events – together. Make no mistake, all of us will work hard the next 12 days. But we will communicate effectively – together. We will operate effectively – together. And we will overcome obstacles – together.”
 
UNITAS, which is Latin for unity, united, or oneness, was conceived in 1959 when representatives at the first Inter-American Naval Conference in Panama agreed to conduct an annual maritime exercise with one another. Prior to UNITAS I in 1960, U.S. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Arleigh Burke reviewed preparations for the multinational exercise. He commended planners for their progress, especially in building compatible communication systems among navies, and predicted that UNITAS would build strong relationships among Sailors of the Western Hemisphere.  
 
UNITAS I took place in 1960 with forces from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay, the United States, and Venezuela. This year marks the 65th iteration of the world’s longest-running annual multinational maritime exercise.  
 
Including the United States, UNITAS LXV will bring together 24 nations from all over the world to train forces in joint maritime operations that enhance tactical proficiency and increase interoperability. Participating nations include Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, France, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, South Korea, Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, United States, and Uruguay. 
 
Following the UNITAS LXV Opening Ceremony on September 2, the in-port phase of the exercise will feature subject matter expert exchanges, professional symposia, ship rider exchanges, and operations meetings. During this time, Marines and Sailors will conduct training events in Valparaiso to include medical, cyber defense, and diving and salvage operations. 
 
During the UNITAS LXV Underway Phase, forces will participate in events testing all warfare operations, to include live-fire exercises such as a SINKEX and an amphibious ship-to-shore landing and force withdrawal. 
 
Unmanned and hybrid fleet systems will return for a second year to UNITAS with the presence of unmanned undersea vehicles. As part of the U.S. Navy’s future hybrid fleet, the Chief of Naval Operations has tasked U.S. 4th Fleet to scale unmanned platforms to the fleet level.   
 
There are many U.S. forces participating in UNITAS LXV, including USS Germantown (LSD 42), USS St Louis (LCS 19), and USS Hampton (SSN 767). Other U.S. participants include Patrol Squadron Five (VP 5); Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 2; Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EOD) 2; Mine Countermeasures Group 2 (MCMGRU TWO); Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 50 Detachment 4 (HSM 50 Det 4); 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines (2/7); 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment (1/24); 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion (4th LAR); 4th Reconnaissance Battalion (4th Recon); Combat Logistic Regiment 4 (CLR 4); 2nd Battalion, 14th Marines (2/14); Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 234 (VMGR-234); Marine Wing Communications Squadron 48 (MWCS-48); Marine Aircraft Control Group – 48 (MACG-48); Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 112 (VMFA-112); U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Tactical Law Enforcement Team (TACLET) Pacific Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET); and USCG Maritime Security Response Team East (MSRTE) Direct Action Section. Operational and tactical level leadership will be provided by Commander, Destroyer Squadron 40, (COMDESRON 40); Commander, Amphibious Squadron Seven (COMPHIBRON SEVEN); U.S Marine Corps Forces South (MARFORSOUTH); USNAVSOUTH/FOURTHFLT; and U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM).  
 
U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet supports U.S. Southern Command’s joint and combined military operations by employing maritime forces in cooperative maritime security operations to maintain access, enhance interoperability, and build enduring partnerships in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American region. 
 
U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South is the Marine Corps component to U.S. Southern Command, is responsible for planning exercises, operations, and overall Marine Corps support for the SOUTHCOM assigned area of responsibility.

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Defense News: Centerton Native Supports Military Exercise NORTHERN VIKING in Iceland

Source: United States Navy

KEFLAVÍK AIR BASE, Iceland – Hospitalman Zachary Elliott joins U.S. Sailors and Marines for U.S.-led exercise NORTHERN VIKING 2024 (NV24) in Keflavik, Iceland, from Aug. 26 to Sept. 3, 2024.

As a native of Centerton, Arkansas, Elliott is a graduate of Bentonville West High School and parents and siblings still live in the area.

Currently, Elliott is a U.S. Navy Sailor assigned to Expeditionary Resuscitative Surgical System Team Nine (ERSS Team 9) as a hospital corpsman and surgical technologist. His job duties range from assisting an ER physician in tactical combat casualty care (TCCC) and working with the unit’s trauma surgeon in damage control surgery.

While supporting NV24, Elliott is part of exercise activities that include participants from Denmark, France, Iceland, Norway, and Poland as well as components of Standing NATO Maritime Group One and Allied Maritime Command.

“It is an honor to be part of this exercise,” said Elliott. “I am grateful for the experience it is providing me, as well as the bonding it provides our team in order to function as a professional and precise emergency medicine and surgical unit. Expanding on my tactical combat casualty care and damage control resuscitation knowledge, has helped me become a better corpsman.”

NV24 strengthens interoperability among NATO Allies through a variety of contingency situations including humanitarian crisis response caused by a simulated volcanic eruption and other training opportunities to further enhance safety and sustainment operations, expeditionary and construction capabilities, medical responses, and search and rescue, as well as humanitarian assistance.

Through NV24, the U.S., Iceland and Allied nations are able to remain prepared if needed to execute a multi-domain command and control of joint and coalition forces in the defense of Iceland and the Sea Lines of Communication in the Greenland, Iceland, United Kingdom (GIUK) gap, a vital shipping hub for commerce between North America and Europe.

Participation in multinational exercises such as NV24 enhances professional relationships and improves overall coordination for the U.S. with Allied militaries during times of crisis. It also allows U.S. servicemembers the ability to experience new cultures and visit a foreign country.

While in Iceland, Elliott said he is looking forward to exploring the area that makes this country a tourist destination for many.

“This is my first time visiting this beautiful country,” said Elliott. “I am looking forward to seeing the amazing things people have told us about, of course after our job is finished.”

Northern Viking is a biennial exercise that has been held since 1982 and is based on the provisions of the 1951 Defense Agreement between Iceland and the United States.

U.S. European Command directed and U.S. Naval Forces Europe-led, NV24 is a U.S. Sixth Fleet planned and executed Joint and Coalition live exercise. U.S. Sixth Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts a full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with Allies, in order to advance security and stability in Europe and Africa.

Story originally posted on DVIDS: Centerton Native Supports Military Exercise NORTHERN VIKING in Iceland 

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Justice Department Secures Language Access Agreement with Dane County, Wisconsin, Sheriff’s Office

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

The Justice Department announced today that it has secured a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Dane County, Wisconsin, Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) as part of its Law Enforcement Language Access Initiative. The MOU resolves an inquiry into whether DCSO complied with its nondiscrimination obligations under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI).

Under the MOU, DCSO has agreed to take new action to improve language access for individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP) in Dane County. Title VI prohibits entities that receive federal financial assistance from discriminating on the basis of race, color and national origin. Denial of appropriate language services can be national origin discrimination prohibited by Title VI. 

“To serve and protect all communities in the United States, our state and local law enforcement agencies must be able to communicate effectively with crime victims, witnesses, and other members of the public who do not speak fluent English,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Under this agreement, the Dane County Sheriff’s Office is implementing important reforms that will help ensure their services are accessible to all residents, regardless of the language they speak.”

The inquiry into DCSO began after the department received information raising concerns that an individual with LEP had not received adequate language services during the investigation of a child’s accidental death, leading to a misunderstanding about the identities of those involved in the accident. The department has offered technical assistance to DCSO, which agreed to work cooperatively with the department toward a resolution. Under the memorandum of understanding, DCSO will establish a formal language access policy that includes staff trainings, quality controls and outreach initiatives, and will undergo a period of departmental monitoring.

This agreement is part of the department’s Law Enforcement Language Access Initiative, a nationwide effort to assist law enforcement agencies in overcoming language barriers to better serve and protect communities and keep officers safe. The initiative, which is led by the Civil Rights Division, provides technical assistance resources and tools that can help state and local law enforcement provide meaningful language access to individuals with LEP, affirmatively engages law enforcement agencies that want to review, update and/or strengthen their language access polices, plans and training and strengthens the connection between law enforcement agencies, community stakeholders and populations with LEP.

Additional information about the Civil Rights Division is available on its website at www.justice.gov/crt and information about limited English proficiency and Title VI is available at www.lep.gov. More information on LELAI is available at www.lep.gov/law-enforcement. Members of the public may report possible civil rights violations at civilrights.justice.gov/report/.

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United States Seizes Aircraft Used by Nicolás Maduro Moros in Violation of U.S. Export Control and Sanctions Laws

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

The Justice Department today announced the seizure of a Dassault Falcon 900EX aircraft owned and operated for the benefit of Nicolás Maduro Moros and persons affiliated with him in Venezuela. The aircraft was seized in the Dominican Republic and transferred to the Southern District of Florida at the request of the United States based on violations of U.S. export control and sanctions laws.

“This morning, the Justice Department seized an aircraft we allege was illegally purchased for $13 million through a shell company and smuggled out of the United States for use by Nicolás Maduro and his cronies,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The Department will continue to pursue those who violate our sanctions and export controls to prevent them from using American resources to undermine the national security of the United States.”

“Let this seizure send a clear message: aircraft illegally acquired from the United States for the benefit of sanctioned Venezuelan officials cannot just fly off into the sunset,” said Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew S. Axelrod of the Department of Commerce.  “It doesn’t matter how fancy the private jet or how powerful the officials – we will work relentlessly with our partners here and across the globe to identify and return any aircraft illegally smuggled outside of the United States.”

“The United States’ seizure of the Dassault Falcon 900EX aircraft illustrates our unrelenting commitment to enforcing U.S. export control laws and imposing U.S. sanctions for any violations,” said U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida. “This successful seizure was the result of planning, coordination, and execution by the United States government, with invaluable assistance by the authorities in the Dominican Republic. Our office, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue to work to forfeit this plane and all other assets that circumvent the law.”

“The seizure of this aircraft is another significant action by Homeland Security Investigations working with our domestic and international partners against the illegal activities of the Maduro regime,” said Special Agent in Charge Anthony Salisbury of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami. “The efforts here highlight HSI’s global reach and our continued commitment to enforce US sanctions and stemming the flow of illicit proceeds being generated from high level foreign public corruption.”

In August 2019, the President issued Executive Order 13884, which prohibits U.S. persons from engaging in transactions with persons who have acted or purported to act directly or indirectly for or on behalf of, the Government of Venezuela, including as a member of the Maduro regime. To protect U.S. national security and foreign policy interests, the Department of Commerce has also imposed export controls for items intended, entirely or in part, for a Venezuelan military or military-intelligence end user. 

According to the U.S. investigation, in late 2022 and early 2023, persons affiliated with Maduro allegedly used a Caribbean-based shell company to conceal their involvement in the illegal purchase of the Dassault Falcon 900EX aircraft (which at the time was valued at approximately $13 million) from a company based in the Southern District of Florida.  The aircraft was then illegally exported from the United States to Venezuela through the Caribbean in April 2023. Since May 2023, the Dassault Falcon, bearing tail number T7-ESPRT, has flown almost exclusively to and from a military base in Venezuela and has been used for the benefit of Maduro and his representatives, including to transport Maduro on visits to other countries.   

The Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security Miami Field Office is investigating the case, along with the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) El Dorado Task Force Miami.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua Paster and Jorge Delgado for the Southern District of Florida and Trial Attorney Ahmed Almudallal of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are handling the matter. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and HSI in Santo Domingo provided significant assistance in working with authorities in the Dominican Republic. The United States thanks the Dominican Republic for its assistance in this matter.

The burden to prove forfeitability in a forfeiture proceeding is upon the government.