Category: Defence

Source: United States Navy

PORT HUENEME, California – Among the flurry of fleet activities in the recent Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise in Hawaii was a milestone that Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division (NSWC PHD) spearheaded — the first demonstration firing of a Naval Strike Missile (NSM) from a U.S. Navy destroyer.

Working under a compressed timeline, NSWC PHD and its partners installed the first Over-the-Horizon (OTH) Weapon System on a destroyer, USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62), in time for it to launch an NSM at a decommissioned ship on July 18 during RIMPAC.

Other major players in the effort included Program Executive Office Integrated Warfare Systems (PEO IWS) 3H, Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD) China Lake, General Dynamics Mission Systems and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS.

“This was a high-visibility requirement for the Navy,” said Eric Romero, customer advocate for OTH with NSWC PHD in Port Hueneme, California.

OTH is a long-range surface-to-surface warfare system that launches NSMs, which are anti-ship guided missiles. The Navy has added the system to about a dozen Independence-variant littoral combat ships over the past five years.

In late September 2023, the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations challenged PEO IWS, which in turn tasked NSWC PHD, with installing an OTH on Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Fitzgerald in time to demonstrate it at RIMPAC 2024. That left only about nine months before the biennial international fleet exercise.

“We knew we were working on an aggressive schedule, but we had all the right personnel on the team to make sure we were successful in executing it,” Romero said.

NSWC PHD employees took on various projects to pull off the endeavor at this accelerated pace, from developing ship installation drawings to getting cybersecurity approval to installing and testing the equipment.

The overall effort encompassed nearly 20 organizations, including five program offices, four warfare centers and a dozen external entities, according to Todd Jenkins, platform integration lead with NSWC PHD in San Diego.

“We were expecting a great deal of roadblocks due to the compressed timeline, but everyone came together to accomplish this monumental event,” Jenkins said.

Typically, this type of first-of-class installation takes at least two years, according to Robert “Tony” Honeycutt, Alteration Installation Team manager at NSWC PHD’s Virginia Beach Detachment in Virginia. A key factor in speeding up the process was proposing the OTH as a temporary change to USS Fitzgerald, which reduced the requirements for documentation and drawings compared to a permanent change.

Beyond streamlining the paperwork, Honeycutt and Jenkins met frequently with stakeholders from PEO IWS 3H and NAWCWD China Lake to overcome obstacles and stay on schedule.

“Basically, we were just driving it as hard as we could,” Honeycutt said. “As soon as we ran into a problem, we had a group powwow and figured out the solution.”

Another task that the team sped up was securing the cybersecurity accreditation known as authority to operate (ATO) for the OTH software that would be installed on the ship. The rigorous six-step process typically takes about a year, but in this case it had to be completed much quicker so the installation could start.

“We had to do the cyber ATO in two months,” Romero said.

The team installed the OTH on USS Fitzgerald at Naval Base San Diego from mid-March to late May. The main components of the system are the launcher and an operator interface console. To make it compatible with the destroyer, the system also required a navigation adapter.

After installing the OTH, NSWC PHD trained crew members and helped them test the system while underway.

“We made sure they were trained up, such as to be self-sustaining as operators,” Romero said.

In Hawaii for RIMPAC in July, USS Fitzgerald participated with other ships and aircraft in a sinking exercise, known as a SINKEX. The target was a decommissioned amphibious ship about 50 nautical miles off the coast of Kauai.

With NSWC PHD team members monitoring remotely, USS Fitzgerald launched its first NSM from the OTH. The NSM successfully searched the target area, detected and prosecuted the target.

“It was a successful NSM live-fire shot launched from the OTH Weapon System,” Romero said.

Following the inaugural firing at RIMPAC, NSWC PHD personnel will help prepare USS Fitzgerald to go on deployment with the OTH.

While the new weapon system is still authorized as a temporary installation on USS Fitzgerald, the team is working to secure approval for it to stay on the ship indefinitely.

“We’re migrating the ship change document to a permanent change, as we want to keep the system aboard DDG 62,” Romero said.

The work done on DDG 62 will help inform the way forward on providing this capability to other DDGs.

Source: United States Navy

“Growing up, I knew I wanted more,” Segarra recalled. “Where I come from, people don’t usually make it out. The Navy was my way out and my way forward, and joining was a decision that truly saved my life.”

As he approaches 10 years of Navy service, Segarra is the Systems Administration Course supervisor and leading petty officer at Information Warfare Training Command (IWTC) San Diego, a position that allows him to mentor young Sailors who might come from similar backgrounds. He also dedicates his free time to being an active father to his daughter and providing her with a caring childhood.

Turning a New Page with NETC

Segarra’s story is a testament to how Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) has the power to set Sailors on a new course. Through NETC’s robust training programs, Sailors like Segarra receive not only technical skills but also the discipline and support they need to change their lives. For Segarra, his first encounter with NETC came during boot camp at Recruit Training Command (RTC), an experience that he describes as transformative.

“Boot camp was the first time in my life that I experienced real silence,” he said. “Coming from a neighborhood where sirens and gunshots were constant, it was powerful to be in a place where I could focus and grow. That’s when I realized I was becoming part of something bigger than myself.”

From RTC, Segarra moved on to Information Technician “A” School, where he faced the challenge of intense coursework. He credits his instructor, Chief Information Systems Technician Kelley Torranto, for believing in him and pushing him to succeed.

“Chief Torranto was the first person outside of my uncle who truly believed in me,” he reflected. “She kept pushing me, even when I felt like giving up. I still have the challenge coin she gave me after I graduated—it reminds me every day of what I’ve overcome.”

A Career Defined by Service and Mentorship

Since those early days, Segarra’s career has been marked by rapid advancement and recognition. He served at the Naval Communications Security Material System in Washington, D.C., where he quickly advanced in rank, and earned titles like Bluejacket of the Year and Junior Sailor of the Year. Later, while serving aboard littoral combat ships, Segarra deployed on pioneering missions, including counter-drug operations in the U.S. 4th Fleet area of responsibility.

Now, as an instructor at IWTC San Diego, Segarra focuses on preparing the next generation of Navy information warriors. He shares his background with new Sailors, especially those from difficult upbringings, offering hope and encouragement as someone who understands their challenges.

“I’ve been where they are, and I know what it’s like to think there’s no way out,” he said. “My goal is to help them see what’s possible with hard work and commitment.”

The Impact of NETC Training

Segarra’s story highlights the strengths of NETC’s training programs, which combine technical instruction with personal mentorship to create well-rounded, fleet-ready Sailors. He emphasizes that NETC’s focus on real-world skills and fleet-relevant training helps Sailors gain confidence and expertise.

“NETC isn’t just about teaching us the basics,” he explained. “It’s about setting us up for success, both on and off the ship. The Navy has given me stability, purpose and the ability to give my daughter a life I never had. For me, that’s worth everything.”

Looking Ahead

As he continues his Navy career, Segarra remains deeply grateful for the opportunities and experiences that have shaped his journey. He looks forward to furthering his career in the Navy and using the skills and values he has gained to inspire others.

“My peers sometimes joke about how motivated I am, but they don’t realize how much I feel indebted to the Navy for giving me this second chance,” Segarra said. “Thanks to the Navy, I can be the dad I always wanted to be, and I can provide a better future for my family. That’s something I never take for granted.”

Conclusion

Segarra’s story is a powerful reminder of how the Navy and NETC’s training programs can transform lives. From the streets of Philadelphia to his current role at IWTC San Diego, Segarra’s journey is a testament to resilience, dedication and the life-changing impact of military service. Through his continued work, he helps shape the next generation of Sailors, showing them that, with hard work and determination, they too can achieve their dreams.

For more information on how NETC prepares Sailors for success in the fleet, visit https://www.netc.navy.mil/.

Source: United States Navy

Today, the Office of Naval Research (ONR) celebrates the 40th year of its Young Investigator Program (YIP) by honoring the Class of 2025 YIP awardees.

Approximately $18 million in funding will be shared by 24 university professors to conduct innovative scientific research that will benefit science and technology development for the Department of the Navy.

“In order for ONR to bring innovative science and technology to the Sailors and Marines we have the privilege of serving, we must identify and attract the brightest scientists and engineers from around the nation,” said Chief of Naval Research Rear Adm. Kurt Rothenhaus. “The Young Investigator Program is crucial to that mission, and I am honored to announce the recipients for 2025.”

The ONR YIP is a highly competitive program that attracts outstanding early-career academics in science, technology, engineering and mathematics to propose innovative solutions to Navy and Marine Corps warfighter challenges. Prior academic accomplishments and potential for significant scientific breakthroughs are key elements of the evaluation criteria. The 2025 YIP awardees were chosen from more than 230 applicants — all of whom are college and university tenure-track or equivalent faculty and who obtained a Ph.D. on or after Jan. 1, 2017.

Awardees represent 19 academic institutions in 14 states, supporting a broad range of naval-relevant research topics, including quantum information, mathematical optimization, atmospheric predictions, quantum materials, artificial intelligence, autonomous operations, advanced sensors, soft robotics, cognitive performance, unsteady boundary layers and high-temperature thermal management.

The YIP awards support postdoctoral and graduate student stipends and scholarships, the acquisition of laboratory equipment, and other expenses critical to the planned research. Typical grants are $750,000 over a three-year period.

“Congratulations to the ONR Young Investigator Program on 40 years of fostering and advancing scientific discovery and cultivating creative, forward-thinking scientists and engineers,” said ONR Executive Director Dr. Thomas Fu. “This esteemed program is vital to ensuring the Department of the Navy has an abundant pipeline of talent to address naval S&T challenges.”

Established in 1985, the ONR YIP is one of the nation’s oldest and most selective basic-research, early-career awards in science and technology. Its purpose is to fund tenure-track academic researchers, or equivalent, whose scientific pursuits show outstanding promise for supporting the Department of Defense, while also promoting their professional development.

View the list of 2025 Office of Naval Research Young Investigator awardees at https://www.onr.navy.mil/2025-young-investigators.

Source: United States Navy

MLDE provide the ships and aircrafts of the two naval forces, comprised of more than 7,500 U.S. and Italian Sailors and Marines, an opportunity to advance interoperability by carrying out integrated planning and coordination, communications, cross-deck leadership exchanges, a fast-roping exercise, and an air defense exercise to strengthen combined maritime operations and combat readiness.

“The opportunity to exercise our interoperability with our Cavour CSG counterparts for a second time in our deployment, highlights our strategic advantage inherent to our network of strong alliances,” said Rear Adm. Adan Cruz, commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 3. “We have seized every opportunity to fly and sail with our Italian counterparts to deepen our combined operational capacity anywhere in international waters.”

During the event, Rear Adm. Giancarlo Ciappina, commander, Cavour Carrier Strike Group, hosted Cruz, aboard the ITS Cavour for a visit focused on building relationships.

“We are proud to work once again alongside Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, after almost two months from our first interaction in the Pacific Ocean,” said Ciappina. “[It] has represented another precious opportunity to train together and to exchange experiences and knowledge, highlighting the versatility and flexibility of Navies operating on a global scale, wherever a presence is required to keep maritime lines of communication open and safe to strengthen our bonds and to enhance levels of cooperation with commitment to security.”

This marks the second time the Abraham Lincoln CSG participated in an MLDE with the Italian Navy during the 2024 deployment. The previous event in August marked the first-ever MLDE between U.S. and Italian Navies in the Indo-Pacific.

Participating ships in the MLDE included Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), Integrated Air and Missile Defense Commander (IAMDC) USS Frank E. Petersen, Jr. (DDG 121), Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS O’Kane (DDG 77) & USS Michael Murphy (DDG 111), assigned to Destroyer Squadron 21, Italian aircraft carrier ITS Cavour (CVH 550), Italian Frigate ITS Alpino (F 594), and Italian Multipurpose Combat Ship Raimondo Montecuccoli (P 432).

Participating aircraft included MH-60S and MH-60R Sea Hawks, F/A-18E & F Super Hornets, E/A-18G Growlers, F-35C Lightning II, and E-2D Hawkeye, all assigned to Carrier Air Wing 9; and Italian F-35B Lightning II and AV-8B Harrier II assigned to Cavour CSG.

Cruz and Ciappina conducted a conditions check via virtual teleconference prior to the commencement to ensure all participants were ready, Oct. 17. The exercise started with personnel exchanges where key Abraham Lincoln CSG leadership toured Cavour and Italian officers toured Abraham Lincoln. O’Kane and ITS Raimondo Montecuccoli conducted a joint live-fire exercise, while the embarked U.S. explosive ordnance disposal team conducted a subject matter expert exchange and fast rope exercise with Italian counterparts. The event concluded with a complex air defense exercise involving both CSG’s tactical aircraft.

“It is an honor to once again have the opportunity to work jointly with our NATO Allies,” said Cruz. “I am grateful to Rear Adm. Ciappina and his entire crew of the ITS Cavour for their gracious hospitality aboard their ship. I am also grateful to continue training and operating together to drive interoperability forward.”

Ciappina responded with his reflection on the MLDE.

“I am very grateful to Adm. Cruz and to the whole crew of ABE CSG for their great effort and professionalism continuously shown during these challenging times for peace and international stability and that clearly confirm their strong commitment towards own common values, which are shared within the allied and partner Navies on a global scale,” concluded Ciappina.

The Abraham Lincoln CSG stands ready to successfully conduct any mission essential to U.S. National security, spanning combat operations to integrated maritime operations with our allies and partners to maritime security and stability in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. It also operates postured to deliver unfaltering maritime force to deter, defend, and if necessary, defeat coercive behavior from those who seek to challenge the rules-based international order.

The Abraham Lincoln CSG 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, IAMDC USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG 121), and USS O’Kane (DDG 77), USS Spruance (DDG 111), and USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112).

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

The Oscar Austin departed Norfolk, Va., September 30, after being homeported there since its commissioning Aug. 19, 2000, and is now assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 60 / Commander, Task Force (CTF) 65 and U.S. 6th Fleet, now the fifth DDG in Rota with a sixth to follow.

Oscar Austin is ballistic missile defense, anti-submarine, and anti-surface warfare capable.

NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center Sigonella (FLCSI) Site Rota has been preparing for the arrival for years to ensure the crew and their families, approximately 500 people, can be properly supported with mailing and household goods services.

“NAVSUP FLCSI plays a huge role in behind-the-scenes logistics,” said Commander Travis Miller, NAVSUP FLCSI Site Rota director. “We strive and take strategic action to meet the operational needs of the forward-deployed ships, and in parallel, support the needs of the crew and their families.”

FLCSI is responsible for all material processing, shipping, receiving and woodworking since the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) turned over their largest warehouse and its responsibilities to NAVSUP in 2020. While everything, including the storage containers for fuels, was built before the arrival of the first DDG to Site Rota in 2014, FLCSI has been investing to improve the support of all operational forces operating out of this base.

“Moving a ship to a new homeport is a very big deal,” said Andrew Benson, the FLCSI executive director, who attended the ceremony. “The new sailors and their families have property that needs to be shipped overseas. They have letter mail and Amazon packages coming into our post offices. We have to figure out how to store more fuel and more parts for the ships. This is what we do at FLCSI; we sustain the warfighter. This isn’t something that just happens, we’ve been planning for this for a long time to ensure we are ready to support.”

Prior to Oscar Austin’s arrival, the mail center in NAVSTA Rota was at 98 percent capacity for boxes on site. With the arrival of USS Oscar Austin, the estimated growth was 250 new mailboxes. To prepare, NAVSUP FLCSI Site Rota added 360 new mailboxes with plans for a fleet mail center expansion to improve functionally and storage on site.

NAVSUP FLCSI, in conjunction with NAVSUP headquarters, identified a need for more manpower resulting in a proposed increase of 24 additional personnel being added to NAVSUP FLCSI Site Rota to support this growth in mission.

“We’ve had considerable growth in all products and services supporting all customers across the Iberian Peninsula,” Miller said. “The Oscar Austin is the acute eyes on target that is arriving, but the base footprint itself has grown considerably.”

Over the last two years, NAVSUP FLCSI Site Rota has seen an increase of 500 household goods shipping transactions to support new sailors and their families. This number doesn’t include the other increases in manning around the base as new units move in to support the ships.

The arrival of the Oscar Austin and the other DDGs doesn’t impact just Rota; it makes an impact on FLCSI sites around the region as the ships move through their areas of responsibility.

“As these additional ships operate throughout our critical area of responsibility, we are likely to be supporting them from every site across the FLCSI enterprise,” Benson said. “Our wonderful team of logistics professionals is standing by to support the Oscar Austin and all the other DDGs that now call Rota their home as the move throughout the region.”