Category: Defence

Source: United States Navy

“It’s another exciting step to see our Royal Australian Navy sailors graduate from this unique and challenging training. I am incredibly proud of their exceptional dedication and effort to reach this significant milestone,” said Chief of the Royal Australian Navy Vice Adm. Mark Hammond. “I’d like to thank our long-standing partners and friends in the U.S. Navy for providing the training to assist the Royal Australian Navy to operate, maintain and support Australia’s future nuclear-powered submarine capability.”

Incorporating Royal Australian Navy enlisted personnel into the U.S. Navy’s submarine training pipeline is essential to developing Australian crews ahead of Australia’s acquisition of sovereign Virginia-class submarines that will be sold to Australia by 2030. Enlisted personnel make up the bulk of a Virginia-class submarine crew, which is typically comprised of 15 officers and 117 enlisted sailors. Royal Australian Navy sailors are also enrolled in the UK Royal Navy’s nuclear training pipeline, with the first officers graduating from the UK Royal Navy’s Officers Nuclear Operators Course earlier this month. All work by Australian personnel in the U.S. and UK will remain consistent with Australia’s domestic and international legal obligations, including its non-proliferation obligations and commitments.

“For the last two months, these sailors have trained diligently alongside their American counterparts to acquire the capability to safely operate SSNs,” said Naval Submarine School Commanding Officer Capt. Matthew Fanning. “They will continue to hone their skills in rate-specific training prior to reporting to a Virginia-class submarine as part of the crew to put their training into execution alongside U.S. submariners.”

The BESS graduation comes just months after the first three Royal Australian Navy officers completed their training at the U.S. Navy’s Submarine Officer Basic Course in April 2024 and reported to Virginia-class submarines based in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Nearly 100 Royal Australian Navy officers and enlisted personnel will enter the submarine and U.S. Naval Nuclear Propulsion training pipelines this year.

“Our sailors are the backbone of our Navy. Their training success demonstrates the exceptional skillset and knowledge of our people,” said Warrant Officer of the Royal Australian Navy Andrew Bertoncin, the service’s senior non-commissioned representative. “I’m proud of what our sailors have achieved and look forward to seeing them continue to master their craft onboard a Virginia-class submarine.”

At BESS, the Royal Australian Navy sailors joined their American counterparts for a rigorous eight-week course where they developed the skills and competence needed to operate nuclear-powered attack submarines. Sailors studied the construction and operation of nuclear-powered submarines and gained hands-on experience through intensive simulations.

“We are extremely proud of what these sailors have accomplished as the first Royal Australian Navy enlisted sailors to graduate from one of the U.S. Navy’s most demanding training courses,” said Vice Adm. Jonathan Mead, Director General of the Australian Submarine Agency. “Their success in this training is another positive step forward as we work with our U.S. and UK partners to progress along the AUKUS Pillar 1 Optimal Pathway and toward our shared goal of a stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.”

“These sailors are the foundation of Australia’s future SSN crews,” said the U.S. Navy’s AUKUS Integration and Acquisition Program Manager Rear Adm. Lincoln Reifsteck. “They are trailblazers leading the broader effort to strengthen the interoperability and capabilities of the AUKUS nations. Their graduation is a major step toward realizing the strategic goals of AUKUS as well as deepening the ties among our nations.”

AUKUS is a strategic partnership that will promote a safe, free, and open Indo-Pacific, enhance national security, and uplift the three industrial bases. AUKUS Pillar 1 will deliver a conventionally armed SSN capability to the Royal Australian Navy by the early 2030s. The Department of the Navy’s AUKUS Integration and Acquisition Program Office is the U.S. lead responsible for executing the trilateral partnership to deliver conventionally armed, nuclear-powered attack submarines to the Royal Australian Navy at the earliest possible date while setting the highest nuclear stewardship standards and continuing to maintain the highest standards of non-proliferation.

Source: United States Navy

From a maiden deployment in 1991 and emergency deployments to Somalia and Kuwait in 1993, the USS Wasp (LHD 1) has been one of the premier emergency response forces since her commissioning. Throughout her first decade of service, Wasp participated in Operation Restore Hope, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and served a key role in humanitarian aid and disaster relief efforts throughout Central and South America. In 2007, Wasp was the first ship to deploy the MV-22B Osprey, and in 2011 was the first ship to receive flight deck modifications for the F-35B Lightning. While forward deployed in Sasebo, Japan in 2018 Wasp served as the first operational shipboard deployment for the F-35B.

Fast-forward to 2024, while steaming in the Mediterranean Sea during a scheduled deployment, the first-in-class amphibious assault ship and her crew celebrated the ship’s 35th birthday with a cake cutting on the ship’s mess decks. This milestone provided an opportunity to pause during the steady drum of underway life and a chance to look back upon all the ship has accomplished over the preceding years.

“Wasp is recognized as one of the most lethal and versatile ships on the waterfront because she’s always had the best crews in the fleet,” said Capt. Christopher Purcell, Wasp’s commanding officer. “Every Sailor and Marine on Wasp is a true American hero for today’s Navy.” Purcell thanked the crew for their part in bringing the ship to mission ready status and looked back to all Wasp Sailors who have contributed to defending the nation’s security.

“This birthday marks the 35th year since the ship commissioned and is the 10th ship to bear the name Wasp,” Purcell said. “I’m proud to serve with each and every one of you and be part of a ship with such time honored tradition.”

During the birthday ceremony on the ship’s mess decks, the youngest and oldest Sailors present at the ceremony were able to cut a custom birthday cake made by the ship’s “cake boss,” Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Hayden Clark.

“It’s my third year aboard Wasp, and to see it come out of the yards and into deployment makes me extremely proud,” said Clark.

After the ceremony, the crew enjoyed a specially crafted lunch to celebrate. The meal featured chicken and beef kabobs, gyros, fried cabbage, garlic roasted potato wedges, and macaroni salad.

“I’m ecstatic to be part of the crew and along for the ship’s journey through history,” said Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Norie Roberson. “This birthday is special because we’re on deployment and the entire crew is able to celebrate together. This is an experience I can be proud to share with my family back home.”

Culinary Specialist Seaman Apprentice Isaiah Climes, a lead member along with Roberson on the galley team that prepared the special meal, explained how humbling it was to put together the meal for the crew on such a significant anniversary.

“I’m happy to do something I love to do,” said Climes. “We put a lot of effort into this meal so the crew can enjoy the birthday as much as possible.”

In a speech over the ship’s 1 main circuit, Purcell reiterated the motto which all Wasp Sailors keep to heart whenever they report for duty. “It’s you, the crew, who have made this ship ‘Number One in the Fleet,’” Purcell said.

Wasp is conducting operations in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) area of operations as the flagship of the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group (WSP ARG)-24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Special Operations Capable (SOC). The WSP ARG-24th MEU (SOC) is on a schedule 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.

You can follow USS Wasp’s adventures on Facebook and Instagram (@usswasp_lhd1).
To learn more about WASP ARG and 24th MEU “Team of Teams,” visit their DVIDS feature page at https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/wasparg24thmeu.

Source: United States Navy

Richard E. “Dick” Miralles, assigned to Bombing Squadron (VB) 21 of Carrier Air Group (CVG) 11, received the Air Medal (first through 14th Strike/Flight) and Distinguished Flying Cross (with three gold stars in lieu of fourth) awards for meritorious achievement in aerial flight during 85 combat missions as an Aviation Radioman 2nd Class from 16 August 1942 to 25 July 1943.

During the ceremony, Lt. Cmdr. Brantley Harvey, Naval Aviator and executive officer of Navy Reserve Center Sacramento had the privilege of presenting the awards to Miralles in the presence of his friends and four generations of family.

“I accept these for all of those that didn’t make it back,” said Miralles.

Miralles is believed to be the last surviving veteran of CVG-11 and received this award days before his 100th Birthday on July 28, 2024.

Dick joined the Navy at 17 years old and began his career in the back seat of the Scout Bomber Douglas (SBD) Dauntless Dive-Bomber. He describes experiences in war where he survived multiple crash landings, being shot down, torpedoed on USS Honolulu (CL- 48), and even an occasion where he threw his radio and equipment as a last resort during aerial combat. He concluded his service as ship’s company aboard the escort carrier USS Hoggatt Bay (CVE-75).

Miralles completed his service in 1945 without receiving the awards he earned in aerial flight.

During a search for fellow members of CVG-11, Miralles connected with the grandson of one of his old shipmates, George Retelas. George Retelas, named after his grandfather who served with Dick, wrote to the Honorable Secretary of the Navy, Carlos Del Toro on October 10, 2023 and helped Miralles finally receive his awards.

“It was a great honor to help him get his awards,” said Retelas. “Mostly, it was an honor to spend time with him. Hearing his stories and the oral history of the service members was such an honor. Dick is the last living member of Air Group 11, so being there for the award pinning was so special because at any age, but especially at his age, every day is a gift.”

After the war, Dick spent more than 30 years with the California Department of Forestry (now CalFire) and authored his memoir, “War and Fire” where he recounts his time in service and in Forestry.

Miralles currently resides in Sacramento, California with his wife Joy and will celebrate his 100th birthday this Sunday with friends and family at the church he attends.

Source: United States Navy

“This is the foundation that enables our Sailors to be an effective warfighting force,” said Rear Adm. Blackmon, vice commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command. “Our ability to be well-trained and work efficiently in the MOC on day one acts as a deterrent to our adversaries.”

The MAKO exercise series is conducted annually at the Navy Warfare Development Center (NWDC) in Norfolk, the Navy Reserve OLW Center of Excellence in San Diego, and other key locations nationwide to ensure reserve Sailors are prepared to support their active-duty counterparts in real-world situations with hands-on experience.

“It makes a tremendous difference in our ability to go into the numbered fleet commands, stand the watch, and provide the commander with the best decisions to execute at an operational level of war,” said Rear Adm. Ruttenberg, reserve deputy commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet.

The U.S. Navy acts as a bastion of defense across the globe, and MAKO is crucial for maintaining readiness and adapting to rapidly changing situations worldwide. The unique perspective of reservists, who work in diverse civilian occupations, adds valuable insights to the exercise and prompts the active duty coordinators to improve training based on feedback gathered each year.

“I really like the fast pace of the watchfloor,” shared Intelligence Specialist 3rd Class Meghan McLellan from U.S. Fleet Forces about her first experience at MAKO Global. “I would recommend everyone do at least one MAKO, especially in your first two years, to get a good situational awareness of how information is passed and used.”

As Sailors continue to attend MAKO exercises, the MOC becomes a familiar environment allowing them to excel when manning watchstations and operate comfortably on the operational level of warfare.

“You’re here wearing the cloth of the nation,” concluded Rear Adm. Blackmon. “Thank you for what you do.”

This integrated training operation is a unique partnership between reserve and active-duty Sailors across the U.S. and is integral in preparing them to perform at the highest level upon deployment. As MAKO continues to evolve every year with the support of Sailors across the nation, so does the reserve force.

Source: United States Navy

Romania hosted exercise Eurasian Partnership Mine Countermeasure (EPMCM) in and around Constanța, while the latter exercise was the Bulgarian-hosted TRITON, which took place at Varna Naval Station. The exercises, designed to increase interoperability with NATO Allies in the Black Sea region, focused on mine countermeasures (MCM), demolition operations, and helicopter cast and recovery.

“Maritime exercises like EPMCM and TRITON strengthen our collective security alongside our Black Sea Allies on NATO’s Eastern Flank and strengthen our collective capabilities to be ready to demine the Black Sea when conditions permit,” said Capt. Geoffrey Townsend, Commodore, CTF 68. “We are grateful for these opportunities to train alongside our Allies in Romania and Bulgaria, and grateful for their wealth of knowledge and experience in this area.”

EPMCM is an annual exercise hosted by the Romanian Navy near the important Romanian port city of Constanța. This year’s iteration involved personnel from Bulgaria, France, Romania, Türkiye, the United States, and observers from Japan. Participants conducted multi-national floating mine response training to increase capability and interoperability for future mine countermeasures operations in the Black Sea.

TRITON 2024 was the fourth annual diving exercise hosted by the Bulgarian Navy in Varna. Five Allied nations, including Bulgaria, France, Romania, Türkiye, and the United States, participated in the latest iteration of the exercise. These nations came together to train in executing NATO procedures and standards for underwater diving and demolition operations, bolstering interoperability among participants in neutralizing the mine threat at sea.

“The camaraderie built at these important exercises builds a foundation for future multi-national engagements like this,” said EODMU 8’s officer-in-charge for the exercises. “Our team performed admirably in these exercises and came away with a greater understanding of MCM operations in this region by working alongside our close Allies.”

Both exercises came shortly before another MCM-focused exercise involving Black Sea nations, Sea Breeze 2024-1, kicked off in Glasgow, Scotland, and concurrently with other MCM training in the Baltic Sea. Taken together, CTF 68’s routine participation in these exercises demonstrates the U.S. Navy’s commitment to ensuring freedom of navigation in international waters. The exercises, designed to identify and neutralize the threat of mine warfare in European waters, particularly in the Black Sea, ensure maritime safety and security throughout the continent.

CTF 68, headquartered in Rota, Spain, commands all Navy Expeditionary Forces in the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) areas of responsibility and is responsible for providing EOD operations, naval construction, expeditionary security, and theater security efforts in direct support of U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) and U.S. Sixth Fleet.

For over 80 years, NAVEUR-NAVAF has forged strategic relationships with allies and partners, leveraging a foundation of shared values to preserve security and stability.

Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces in the USEUCOM and USAFRICOM areas of responsibility. U.S. Sixth Fleet is permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, and employs maritime forces through the full spectrum of joint and naval operations.