Month: October 2024

Source: United States Navy

In line with this year’s NDEAM theme, “Access to Good Jobs for All,” the DON has developed an array of targeted initiatives aimed at raising awareness about the importance of disability inclusion in the workplace and promoting available opportunities for IWD. The DON’s own theme is “Your Abilities. Our Mission. One Team.”

“National Disability Employment Awareness Month is an important opportunity for us to celebrate the talents and skills that individuals with disabilities bring to our workforce,” said Robert Hogue, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs and DON IWD Champions Council Chair. “Our campaign reflects our commitment to harnessing the individual talent and value of our people, regardless of disability, ensuring equal opportunity to contribute meaningfully to our mission.”

This is part the DON’s ongoing efforts to foster an inclusive and supportive environment that values the contributions of all individuals, including those with disabilities. Demonstrating this commitment, the DON established an IWD Champions Council, which is a collection of Senior Executive leaders taking actionable steps to target recruitment of IWD and promoting a more accessible work environment with accommodations in place necessary for successful employment.

For more information on this initiative, please visit https://www.secnav.navy.mil/navalciviliancareers/Pages/Individuals-with-Disabilities.aspx and youtube.com/@NavalCivilianCareers to view more material showcasing the stories and contributions of DON civilian employees with disabilities, highlighting their critical roles in supporting the mission of the Navy and Marine Corps

Source: United States Navy

Keen Sword is the latest in a series of joint-bilateral field training exercises designed to increase combat readiness and interoperability of Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) and U.S. forces.

In addition to Carrier Air Wing 5 and the strike group staff, embarked aboard the flagship Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), CTF 70 is represented in the exercise by the expeditionary Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 134, as well as the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70) and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Preble (DDG 88), both operating under Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15.

“The George Washington Carrier Strike Group’s presence is crucial in Keen Sword 25,” said Rear Adm. Greg Newkirk, commander of Task Force 70 and the carrier strike group. “In Keen Sword, our strike group rehearses complex, high-end warfighting with the joint force and allies. This type of exercise showcases the range, agility and lethality of our unified force and reestablishes the George Washington Carrier Strike Group in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations with emphasis.”

George Washington, returning in its second stint as the U.S. Navy’s aircraft carrier forward-deployed to Japan, departed the San Diego area on Oct. 8 to begin operations in the Indo-Pacific.

The carrier was previously forward-deployed to Yokosuka from 2008 to 2015, and will return there in late fall after completion of its current patrol. The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) served as the forward-deployed carrier from 2015 until earlier this year.

“Keen Sword 25 provides the George Washington CSG an arena to flex its considerable capability in the air, surface and information domains,” said Newkirk. “Not only is the strike group conducting dynamic flight operations and complex expeditionary logistics during this exercise, it is also serving as a hub for tactical decision-making, driving action and reaction among forces throughout the region.”

The CSG team, with DESRON 15, is coordinating with Lake Erie, operating with allies in the Philippine Sea near Okinawa, as well as Preble, which is in Yokosuka providing a platform for bilateral Tomahawk Land-Attack Missile (TLAM) training with Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force specialists.

Keen Sword is a biennial exercise designed to help promote peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region. This exercise, and others like it, are an opportunity to demonstrate to the world the will of the U.S. and allies to defend Japan, as well as the ironclad nature of the U.S.-Japan alliance, which has stood for more than 70 years.

Source: United States Navy

Franchetti and Honea’s visit provided the opportunity for them to see firsthand how NSWC PCD, one of the Navy’s premiere research, development, test and evaluation laboratories, supports the fleet through capabilities including mine warfare, expeditionary warfare, robotics, autonomous systems, and naval special warfare.

“It was really exciting to see all the amazing work that is going on all around here. I got to walk around and talk with many [people from this workforce], the commands here and the service members,” said Franchetti. “I’m very excited about the future. It is a very bright future thanks to all the great work that you’re doing here today and have been doing for quite some time.”

Franchetti and Honea spent the first part of their visit engaging with sailors and civilians, while learning more about capabilities to ensure wartime readiness.

“NSWC PCD continues to meet mission readiness by ensuring alignment to the CNO’s Navigation Plan, which poises our Navy to enhance the Navy’s long-term advantage,” said Capt. David Back, NSWC PCD commanding officer. “It is an honor to host the CNO and MCPON.”

Dr. Peter Adair, SES, NSWC PCD technical director, emphasized the significance of getting NSWC PCD’s capabilities to the fleet rapidly.

“Taking sailors and marines out of harm’s way and reducing the operational timeline is imperative. Unmanned technologies are how we are going to get there,” said Adair. “It is our role to ensure the fleet has the capabilities they need for today, tomorrow and the Navy after next.”

The visit concluded with a CNO and MCPON-led All Hands Call with sailors and civilians across Naval Support Activity Panama City.

The warfighter is the Navy’s asymmetric advantage. Franchetti’s Navigation Plan 2024 America’s Warfighting Navy outlines the need to build our unmatched warfighting teams—active and reserve Sailors, with Navy civilians—through a relentless focus on training and learning.

“When I am asked ‘who is the warfighter’ many groups of people come to mind. There are our sailors, on the frontline, but there are also those in the behind the scenes that contribute significantly to Project 33 and to the Navy getting real, getting better,” said Franchetti during her All-Hands address. “I am incredibly grateful for the hard work each of you put into ensuring our mission not only advances operationally, but processes continue to improve so we can support the frontline more efficiently and safely.”

Fourteen individuals were recognized for their significant contributions to the Navy, including 13 sailor recognitions for achievements.

CNO and MCPON presented a Meritorious Civilian Service Award to Andrea Perles, leader in mine warfare for the U.S. Navy. NSWC PCD also announced Hospital Corpsman Second Class Nicholas Harburckak from Chambers, Neb., as the Junior Sailor of the Year and Aviation Ordnanceman First Class Kevin Rodriguez from Smithfield, Va., as the Sailor of the Year at this installation.

The visit provided Franchetti and Honea with a richer understanding of NSWC PCD’s mission to support the America’s Warfighting Navy.

“It is your efforts, your dedication, and your expertise that provides us with the capabilities and enablement of manned and unmanned vessels in the fleet,” said Honea. “Whether you are wearing a uniform or intricately in the behind the scenes, the work you do matters.”

This was Franchetti and Honea’s first visit to NSWC PCD as Chief of Naval Operations and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy.

Source: United States Navy

Brenda Johnson-Turner, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Installations and Facilities, along with senior leaders from the Navy and Marine Corps signed the new agreement with Sourcewell representatives at the Defense Communities Installation Innovation Forum conference in San Antonio, TX, Oct. 28. 

“I am truly excited about our new agreement with Sourcewell,” stated Ms. Johnson-Turner, “as a department, we must use the authorities Congress grants in innovative and sound ways to meet our installation missions in a fiscally constrained environment.  The IGSA authority is a terrific tool, and this particular agreement with Sourcewell will provide new opportunities for our Navy and Marine Corps teams to ensure our installations are ready to support the needs of our warfighters.”

The agreement aims to increase Navy and Marine Corps buying power by decreasing procurement costs and delivery timelines for various installation-support services, supplies, and equipment. It also allows Navy and Marine Corps installations to leverage Sourcewell’s extensive list of competitively awarded contracts to procure goods and services faster.  This translates to increased opportunity to buy down risk to naval missions and forces by ensuring U.S. tax dollars approved for Department of the Navy spending go further in meeting infrastructure and base support requirements.  Installations will be able to request Sourcewell’s services in key areas to include installation supplies, equipment, services, and small-scale construction projects.

“It’s an honor to work with Navy and Marine Corps installations, providing efficient and effective support so they can achieve mission success,” said Dr. Chad Coauette, Sourcewell Chief Executive Officer. “This agreement enables our team to work with installation leadership to procure goods and services through local businesses whenever possible. By awarding supplier contracts at the corporate level, Sourcewell makes it possible for installations to work with local authorized dealers and contractors.”

This is the second IGSA between Sourcewell and a Department of Defense military department. Earlier this year, Sourcewell signed a similar agreement with the U.S. Army.