Category: Defence

Source: United States Navy

Secretary Del Toro made the announcement during his keynote address at this year’s Surface Navy Association’s 37th National Symposium in Arlington, Va.

“Today, at my final Surface Navy Association Symposium as Secretary of the Navy, I am honored to announce four new ships which represent the future of our fleet,” said Del Toro. “The newest Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers will be: USS Ray Mabus (DDG 147); USS Kyle Carpenter (DDG 148); USS Robert R. Ingram (DDG 149). And the newest Constellation-class guided-missile frigate will be USS Everett Alvarez Jr. (FFG 68).”

The naming of the three destroyers aligns with the Navy’s tradition of naming destroyers after heroes and leaders in the Naval service. There have been no previous Navy vessels named for any of the four namesake ships named today.

The future USS Ray Mabus honors former Secretary of the Navy Raymond Edwin Mabus, Jr.

Born in Mississippi, Mabus served in the Navy from 1970 to 1972 as a surface warfare officer aboard USS Little Rock (CLG-4). He then attended law school. In 1983, he was elected as the State Auditor of Mississippi and was elected Governor of Mississippi in 1988.  In 1994, Mabus was appointed as Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by President William Clinton.

In 2009, Mabus was nominated and confirmed as the 75th Secretary of the Navy. As Secretary, Mabus focused on four key priorities -people, platforms, power, and partnerships. He worked to improve the quality of life for Sailors, Marines, and their families; increase the size of the fleet; decrease the Navy’s reliance on fossil fuels; and strengthen partnerships with industry and internationally. During his tenure, the Navy went from building fewer than five ships per year to having more than 70 under contract. He championed the “21st Century Sailor and Marine” initiative to build and maintain the most resilient and ready force possible. He directed the Navy and Marine Corps to change the way they use, produce, and acquire energy, setting an aggressive goal of relying on alternative sources for at least 50 percent of their energy by 2020. In 2010, Mabus was appointed by President Barack Obama to prepare the long-term recovery plan for the Gulf of Mexico in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, with most of his recommendations passed into law by Congress as the Restore Act.

Mabus served until 2017, becoming the longest service Secretary of the Navy since World War I. 

“Serving my country in uniform as a young LTJG aboard a guided missile cruiser and then, decades later, leading our naval services are the greatest privileges and most consequential times of my life,” said Mabus.  “The highest honor of my life is to know that sailors will defend our country and represent our values around the world for years aboard a ship bearing my name.  That LTJG would never have imagined and this former SECNAV could not be more thankful, more honored, or more moved.”

The future USS Kyle Carpenter honors Medal of Honor recipient, Corporal William “Kyle” Carpenter, USMC (Ret).

Enlisting in the Marine Corps in 2009, Carpenter was assigned as a squad automatic weapon gunner with Company F, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment. Deploying to Helmand Province, Afghanistan, with Regimental Combat Team 1, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) during Operation Moshtarak.

On 21 November 2010, Carpenter was manning a rooftop security outpost when enemy fighters threw hand grenades at the outpost, one of which landed in their sandbagged position. Without hesitation, and with complete disregard for his own safety, Carpenter moved toward the grenade in an attempt to shield his fellow Marine from the deadly blast.  When the grenade detonated, his body absorbed the brunt of the blast, severely wounding him, but saving the life of his fellow Marine. He was evacuated for his wounds, including the shattering of his right arm and jaw, and the loss of his right eye and most of his teeth. 

Medically retired in 2013, Carpenter was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Barack Obama in 2014. In 2023, the United States Army Engineer Research and Development Center named a high-performance computing cluster Carpenter in his honor.

“The only honor greater than this Guided Missile Destroyer (DDG 148) bearing my name was being able to serve and sacrifice for this country that I love, as a United States Marine,” said Carpenter. “It is humbling beyond measure to know that, in spirit, I will be sailing the seas with our Nation’s warriors, the might of the United States Navy, and with those who faithfully stand ready to protect our freedoms and people around the world. And, to all who have served during the global war on terror, this is a moment and legacy for us all. Hooyah and Semper Fidelis!”

The future USS Robert R. Ingram honors Medal of Honor recipient, Hospital Corpsman Third Class (HM3) Robert Ronald Ingram, USN (Ret). 

Born in Clearwater, Florida, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1963 and attended Hospital Corps School and Field Medical Service School prior to deploying with C Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division to the Republic of Vietnam in 1965.

During a fierce engagement on 8 February 1966, HM3 Ingram rushed forward while under fire to treat between 12 and 14 wounded Marines. He received the Silver Star for his actions. 

When Ingram’s unit was attacked in Quang Ngai Province on 28 March 1966, killing or wounding all in the lead squad of C Company, the corpsman crawled across the terrain to attend to the injured Marines. Struck in the hand by enemy gunfire, Ingram continued collecting ammunition from the dead and administering aid to the wounded. He sustained two more wounds – one of which was life-threatening – yet still rendered aid to the injured until he reached the right flank of the platoon. There, while dressing the head wound of another corpsman, Ingram sustained a fourth bullet wound. Even then, he tried to delay his own medical evacuation, saving many lives and asking that the injured Marines go first. 

For his selflessness, he was nominated for the Medal of Honor, but the original nomination paperwork was lost.

Following his discharge, Ingram became a registered nurse. 

In 1998, Ingram finally received his long overdue recognition, becoming the first Navy member to receive the Medal of Honor in 20 years. Fittingly, his award ceremony was held in advance of the 100th anniversary of the Navy Hospital Corps. In 2004, the Naval Branch Health Clinic Mayport was dedicated in his honor. 

Along with the ship names, Del Toro has selected the sponsors for the three newly named destroyers. The sponsor plays an important role in the life of each ship and is typically selected because of a relationship to the namesake or to the ship’s current mission. In their role as the ship’s sponsor, they will represent a lifelong relationship with the ship and crew. The following individuals were identified as sponsors:

Liz Mabus, daughter of Mabus, will sponsor the future USS Ray Mabus (DDG 147).

Robin and Brittany Carpenter, the mother and spouse of Carpenter will sponsor the future USS Kyle Carpenter (DDG 148).

Dana Ingram, daughter of Ingram will sponsor the future Robert R. Ingram (DDG 149).

Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, built around the Aegis Combat System, are the backbone of the U.S. Navy’s surface fleet providing protection to America around the globe. They incorporate stealth techniques, allowing these highly capable, multi-mission ships to conduct a variety of operations, from peacetime presence to national security, providing a wide range of warfighting capabilities in multi-threat air, surface and subsurface domains. These elements of sea power enable the Navy to defend American prosperity and prevent future conflict abroad.

More information on guided-missile destroyer programs can be found here.

The naming of the future FFG 68 honors Commander Everett Alvarez Jr., USN (Ret), the first U.S. aviator taken captive in the Republic of Vietnam after being shot down near Hanoi. 

Alvarez, the grandson of Mexican immigrants, was commissioned in the U.S. Naval Reserve in 1960 and joined Attack Squadron 144 (VA-144) in 1962. While conducting a bombing mission over North Vietnam in retaliation after a reported North Vietnamese attack a day earlier on two U.S. destroyers (now known as the Gulf of Tonkin incident), Lieutenant (JG) Alvarez’s Douglas A-4 Skyhawk was shot down in the vicinity of Hon Gay Harbor. He was reported missing on 5 August 1964 and endured eight years and seven months as a prisoner of war at the Hỏa Lò Prison in Hanoi. One of the longest-held U.S. prisoners of war, Alvarez was released from captivity on 12 February 1973.

Upon his return to the United States, he attended the U.S. Naval Post Graduate School and subsequently served at the Naval Air Systems Command until his retirement from the Navy in 1980. He went on to hold civilian positions with the Peace Corps, Veterans Administration (now Department of Veterans Affairs), Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, and Vietnam War Commemoration Advisory Council.

For his service and sacrifice, Everett has received the Congressional Gold Medal, the Silver Star, two Legions of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, two Bronze Stars, and two Purple Hearts. A subdivision at Naval Air Station Lemoore in California was also named in his honor during his internment.

Along with the ship’s name, Secretary Del Toro announced the sponsor for FFG 68 to be the namesake’s spouse, Thomasine Alvarez. She, and her chosen maids and matrons will represent the ship throughout the duration of its lifetime.

The Constellation-class guided-missile frigate represents the Navy’s next generation small surface combatant. This ship class will be an agile, multi-mission warship, capable of operations in both blue-water and littoral environments, providing increased combat-credible forward presence that provides a military advantage at sea. The Constellation-class will have multi-mission capability to conduct air warfare, anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare, electronic warfare, and information operations.

More information on guided missile frigates can be found here.

Source: United States Navy

Greetings to the faculty, staff, and esteemed members of the Naval Postgraduate School family.

It is wonderful to be with all of you today for my last address as your Secretary of the Navy.

While I wish it could be in person, time has not worked to my advantage.

President Rondeau, thank you for that kind introduction, for your years of distinguished service in the United States Navy, and for your leadership and stewardship of the Naval Postgraduate School.

If I may, Ann, having seen you in action these past several years leaves me no doubt that you are unquestionably where you need to be for our Navy, Marine Corps, and Nation, and I am proud to have extended you for another five-year term. God speed, Ann!

It is a privilege to address you today—although I must admit it is also bittersweet—as I bid farewell to a role and a mission which have profoundly shaped my life.

As I reflect on my tenure as Secretary of the Navy, I cannot help but feel both an immense sense of pride and gratitude for the remarkable academic institutions such as NPS which serve as a beacon for innovation and technological excellence for the Navy, Marine Corps, and Department of Defense.

As a young naval officer, I too had the opportunity to study and learn at NPS—I earned my master’s degree in Space Systems Engineering and am proud to call myself a member of the Navy space cadre to this day.

I had the privilege and opportunity to study under the tutelage of the great Professor Panholzer, former Chair of Space Systems Academic Group.

Admiral Grace Hopper once said, “You don’t teach people how to be curious. You give them the tools through which they can express their curiosity.”

Today, I am excited to reflect on our shared commitment to curiosity, innovation, and excellence, and to look ahead to the pivotal role the Naval Postgraduate School will continue to play in advancing the readiness and capabilities of our Navy, Marine Corps, and indeed our Nation as a whole.

Prior to NPS’ founding, the United States Navy had a long tradition of resisting going ashore to school in favor of gaining practical experience at sea.

In the days when a Commanding Officer’s ability to judge subtle changes in wind and sea state might make the difference between winning and losing a battle, or having his ship dismasted or lost in a storm, this was not completely illogical—Sailors and Naval Officers belonged at sea to hone their craft.

And so, convincing the Navy at large that education ashore was worth the time and resources was a long battle.

When Rear Admiral Luce established the Naval War College in 1884, he envisioned not only the study of war and strategy, but also advanced technical education.

Despite the advocacy of Luce, and others such as Admirals Dewey and Sims, it would be another 25 years before the Navy established what would become the Naval Postgraduate School.

In February 1909, the Great White Fleet returned from just over a year circumnavigating the globe.

I have a painting of that flagship—the Olympia—in my office to remind me of the impact great ideas can have on global diplomacy.

The voyage, while successful, also revealed several design flaws with our ships, and they experienced all kinds of technical challenges which were overcome in ad hoc manners—acceptable for the voyage but unacceptable if the Fleet had been called to fight.

As a result, George von L. Meyer wasted no time ensuring our Navy had what it needed to compete in an increasingly complex global arena.

On June 9th, 1909, he signed General Order #27, establishing a School of Marine Engineering for postgraduate engineering and technical training at Annapolis.

It was to serve as an extension of the United States Naval Academy, with the aim of offering graduate-level education in scientific and technical disciplines.

But as technological advancements continued to shape naval warfare, the Navy recognized the growing importance of specialized education to maintain a strategic and operational edge.

The demand for a broader range of research opportunities and expanded facilities outpaced the capacity of its location in Annapolis.

And in 1951, the Naval Postgraduate School relocated to its current home in Monterey—enabling the school the ability to expand its mission and resources.

The evolution of the Naval Postgraduate School over the following decades was not necessarily linear, and there would be periodic efforts to close the school or shift the post-graduate education of naval officers to civilian universities as a means to cut costs.

Besides Ernest King, the most vocal supporters of NPS over the years have included Admirals Chester Nimitz, Raymond Spruance, Arleigh Burke, James Watkins, and, if I may be so bold, Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, and not because I am the only Secretary of the Navy to have graduated from NPS.

The real dividend of the Naval Postgraduate School would not necessarily become apparent until World War II and in the decades after—graduates of the Class of 1928 included Lieutenant William “Deak” Parsons and Lieutenant Hyman Rickover.

Rickover is more well known as the “Father of the Nuclear Navy,” but Parsons, besides inventing the radar proximity fuse, was responsible for turning the scientific atomic theory into a bomb that actually worked, and was the mission commander on the Enola Gay.  

Admiral Arleigh Burke, who graduated from NPS in 1930 with a degree in Ordnance Engineering, applied his studies at the onset of World War II while serving at the Naval Gun Factory in Washington, D.C.

To show you the value your degree holds, the Navy denied his strenuous requests for transfer to an operational billet—so important was his application of what he had learned at NPS to the war effort.

Rear Admiral Wayne E. Meyer, the “Father of Aegis,” graduated from the Naval Postgraduate School and pioneered the AEGIS Combat System, fundamentally transforming naval warfare.

His legacy lives on through USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108) and the Meyer Scholar Program at NPS, which carries forward his mantra: “Build a little, test a little, learn a lot.”

Another distinguished graduate was Admiral Michael Mullen (Operations Research ’85), the first alum to serve as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and for whom I named an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, DDG 144. 

Today, the Naval Postgraduate School continues to set the standard for defense-focused graduate education, and its mission—its reason for being—remains just as strong today as it was in 1909.

Through rigorous academic programs and hands-on research, NPS equips leaders with the critical knowledge and innovative solutions required to meet the demands of contemporary and future conflict.

NPS fulfills its mission by fostering an environment where education, research, and operational expertise converge—it is truly “Where Science Meets the Art of Warfare.”

Given the unique challenges of today, this institution is more vital and relevant than ever.

And to meet those challenges, I announced my vision for a new National Maritime Statecraft, a call for a whole-of-government effort to build comprehensive U.S. and allied maritime power, both commercial and naval, to prevail in an era of intense strategic competition.

As we stand at the crossroads of strategic competition, innovation is no longer a luxury—it is a necessity.

But innovation is not just about technology—it’s about people, culture, and mindset.

We are committed to investing in our Sailors and Marines, who are at the heart and soul of our innovation efforts.

And we must continue to build a culture of innovation which permeates throughout our entire Department.

We must encourage our Sailors and Marines to never stop asking, “Why can’t we do this better?”

The Department of the Navy Naval Education Strategy is a cornerstone of our commitment to cultivating a force that thrives in an era of strategic competition.

It prioritizes the development of critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation across all levels of the Navy and Marine Corps.

Education is not just about knowledge—it’s about empowering our Sailors and Marines to challenge assumptions, adapt to rapidly changing environments, and pioneer solutions that enhance our operational effectiveness.

For example, last year, the Department of the Navy stood up the Science and Technology Board, chaired by former Secretary of the Navy Richard Danzig, to bring together leaders across a wide range of disciplines to advise and help identify new technologies and capabilities.

I challenged my team to innovate at the speed of relevance to deliver concepts of operations and capabilities which bolster deterrence and expand our warfighting advantage.

The Board recommendations strengthen how we build and counter asymmetric warfighting advantage—including unmanned vehicles, mission assurance of digital infrastructure, sailor health, additive manufacturing, electronic warfare for terminal defense of ships, and ship maintenance.

Our new Naval Science and Technology Strategy now drives our Navy and Marine Corps’ innovation investments in science and technology research during this decisive period.

I want to thank Rear Admiral Rothenhaus and the team at the Office of Naval Research for their incredible work in developing this strategy.

We remain committed to the continual evaluation of our processes and approach to see what gaps or challenges are preventing us from rapidly adopting and fielding new capabilities and technologies.

Such progress is never achieved alone.

Just last month, we announced a partnership between NPS and NVIDIA’s [en-VID-ee-UH] AI Technology Center Program to work together on advancing AI-driven technologies for education and research.

This partnership highlights NPS’ unique position in providing continuous technological advancement for the Department of Defense through the ability to conduct research with leading tech companies.

You here at NPS—the students, professors, staff, and faculty—are at the forefront of innovative efforts.

Your initiatives advance Admiral Franchetti’s vision for the Navy—which she outlined in NAVPLAN 2024—and seeks to further AI as an enabling technology.

And your initiatives advance the Marine Corps’ Force Design and Commandant’s Planning Guidance efforts through the embracing of unmanned systems and autonomous technologies.

ONR collaborates with you here at the Naval Postgraduate School to further innovation efforts.

And ONR developed our newest directed energy weapons technology, the Laser Weapon System Demonstrator.

LWSD, the most advanced and powerful electric high-energy laser system ever installed on a US Navy ship, is designed to neutralize and destroy hostile drones, small craft, and other threats.

Directed energy weapons, including high-energy lasers, are the future of warfare—offering a lower cost-per-shot against air and missile defense engagements.

In addition, ONR partners with NPS on a variety of academic efforts, including the Consortium for Robotics and Unmanned Systems Education and Research, or CRUSER.

This initiative brings together a diverse group of stakeholders to advance the frontiers of unmanned systems education and research.

And here at NPS, the Modeling Virtual Environments and Simulation, or MOVES, Institute is directly impacting our Fleet and partnerships around the world.

MOVES developed the user interface utilized in this year’s Northwest Pacific Wargame 2024, which supported integrated training between PACFLT, Seventh Fleet, and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.

And NPS students are driving innovation through integrated training in the Fleet.

NPS graduate Major Will Oblak conducted thesis research on developing a Live, Virtual, and Constructive (LVC) training environment that accurately simulates the electronic warfare spectrum.

Major Oblak’s work is now being expanded in partnership with the Marine Corps Software Factory to deliver a Fleet-wide training solution, enhancing readiness and training capabilities.

The current global landscape underscores the need to strengthen our maritime dominance with new technologies and integrated training environments.

And those in this room today are pushing the bounds of tactics and capabilities—look no further than the Red Sea, where the technologies born through your research and development have enabled our ships to defend themselves and innocent mariners from hostile drones and missiles.

Our simulation tools and programs offer our warfighters realistic training while minimizing the costs and risks associated with open-air testing.

As a leader in defense research and education, NPS serves as a vital hub for developing and advancing the technologies which support our national security objectives.

When I first entered office as Secretary of the Navy, I knew that innovation could not wait. The pace of technological advancement and the complexity of the security challenges we face demand that we act with urgency to stay ahead of our adversaries.

As we explore how to further expand our engagement with companies at the leading edge of technology innovation, the Department of the Navy recognizes a fundamental truth: true innovation begins with education.

And so, in 2022, I announced my vision for the Naval Innovation Center.

The NIC is designed to enhance and accelerate the innovation process for the Department of the Navy by transforming cutting-edge research concepts into operational capabilities faster.

By empowering students, our world-class faculty, and partners across the entire naval research and development enterprise to collaborate with industry and the broader naval innovation ecosystem, the NIC takes a whole-of-Navy approach to solving the toughest challenges and delivering critical warfighting advantages to our forces.

To support this vision, we are investing in the construction of a purposefully-designed facility which will ensure emerging technologies are not only developed, but also refined and aligned to meet the evolving demands of naval operations.

In parallel with the NIC, efforts are underway to modernize existing NPS buildings, many of which were constructed in the 1950s, to enhance educational facilities and research laboratories essential for specialized graduate studies.

Alongside ONR, the Navy Research and Development enterprise, our industry and academic partners, the NIC at NPS will eliminate barriers to collaboration and accelerate ideas to impact at a great speed and scale.

And I am proud to announce that I have signed a Memorandum of Agreement between the Department of the Navy and the Naval Postgraduate School Foundation which will support the NIC with the critical infrastructure necessary to accomplish our mission.

This partnership is a testament to the shared vision of advancing innovation and supporting our warfighters through education and cutting-edge research.

Together, we will ensure that the Navy remains at the forefront of technological and strategic capabilities.

Just as NPS itself was a bold vision in 1909, the future NIC is a bold vision that will carry the Naval Postgraduate School and Department of the Navy well into the 22nd Century.

We are indeed in an innovation race—one we have faced before, and one we must win.

On September 12, 1962, former Naval Officer and President John F. Kennedy, in his address to the Nation at Rice University, rallied us to face the challenges of progress and space travel with a singular goal: putting human feet on the moon.

He famously declared, “We choose to go to the moon. We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win.”

We must embrace innovation within the Department of the Navy with the same urgency and resolve.

As I close my remarks, I do so tremendously grateful for the opportunity of a lifetime—to lead the nearly one million Sailors, Marines, and Department of the Navy civilians who proudly serve the greatest Nation on earth.

I leave you with a challenge—a question to consider as you return to your studies and to the Fleet or workforce.

What does the future of naval warfare look like in an age of unprecedented technological change?

We stand at the precipice of a new era of innovation—an era which demands not only the courage to face the unknown but also the boldness to lead it.

The future of our Navy and Marine Corps, and indeed our nation, will be shaped by those in this room today.

Just as President Kennedy challenged a generation to reach the moon, I challenge you to push the bounds of the possible, to do the hard things—not only because you have the opportunity, but because it is your responsibility.

The mission of NPS is enduring.

And I know that the future of NPS is in good hands—yours.

As I close out my time as your 78th Secretary, please know that it has been the honor of my life to serve you, and please know that my wife Betty and I will always carry you in our hearts and prayers till our dying days.

May God bless you, and may God bless the United States of America.

And now that I have shared my thoughts, I would like to hear from you, the current and future leaders of our great Nation.

No question is off-limits. Who’s first?

Source: United States Navy

WASHINGTON-The Department of the Navy Office of Strategic Assessment is pleased to announce the inaugural cohort of the Naval Strategic Studies Group.

Members represent the Navy, Marine Corps and DON civilian workforce, and come from a range of backgrounds. They are the first cadre of participants in the NSSG program, which is meant to develop advanced strategists who are prepared to lead our Navy and Marine Corps through uncertain times.

“As we think about strategic challenges in the naval domain, it’s important for leaders to have varied professional backgrounds to draw upon when generating potential solutions. The six cohort members bring a range of experiences and expertise to NSSG and will be able to apply these to their research on some of the DON’s most pressing strategic concerns,” OSA Director Dr. Cara LaPointe said.

2025 NSSG Members

CAPTAIN TARA GOLDEN is a naval flight officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve and also a veterinarian. She served in both the active and reserve components, currently as the deputy director of the Joint Staff J35 Reserve Component. Golden has held policy and strategy positions at U.S. European Command, NATO’s Allied Command Transformation, Navy Warfare Development Command, and U.S. Central Command. In her civilian life, Golden is the owner and lead veterinarian at Golden Paws Veterinary Service and Housecalls in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. She is a 1998 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

COLONEL NATHAN FLEISCHAKER most recently served as the Inspector-Instructor for 3d Battalion, 23d Marines, a reserve infantry battalion. In the operational force, he has deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan and Australia. Additionally, he has served as a MAGTF planner, chief of plans, and deputy for strategies, plans, and policy at U.S. Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command and Joint Task Force ARES, and as a strategic advisor in the Commandant of the Marine Corps’ Office of Net Assessment.  Fleischaker graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2003 and also holds degrees from Oxford University, the Marine Corps University, and Stanford University.     

COMMANDER KATHLEEN CRAIG is the commanding officer for the Office of Naval Research Science and Technology Unit 206 in Atlanta. She commissioned as a surface warfare officer in 2004. Since joining the reserve component in 2011, she has largely supported the research and development community, including assignments at the Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division in Indian Head, Maryland; the Office of Naval Research Det 112 in Albuquerque, New Mexico; and a U.S. Fleet Forces unit in Fort Dix, New Jersey. Craig is a graduate of Northwestern University, where she earned both a bachelor’s degree in political science and international studies and a Master of Business Administration from the Kellogg School of Management.

MAJOR CHRISTOPHER HUFF is an MV-22 pilot who most recently served as a strategic analyst at the U.S. Marine Corps Headquarters office. He began his Marine Corps career as an infantry officer before training as an AH-1Z light attack helicopter pilot and then an MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor pilot. Huff deployed to Afghanistan, Japan and Djibouti. He has published several papers in the Marine Corps Gazette over the past four years, including “Strategic Gap in the Pacific” in July 2024. Huff is a graduate of San Antonio College, Texas Tech University, and the Naval Postgraduate School.

HUNTER STIRES was a maritime strategist to the Secretary of the Navy. He is also the project director of the U.S. Naval Institute’s Maritime Counterinsurgency Project; a fellow with the U.S. Naval War College’s John B. Hattendorf Center for Maritime Historical Research; and a non-resident fellow with the Navy League’s Center for Maritime Strategy. Stires has won two U.S. Naval Institute essay contests and writes regularly for The National Interest. He is a graduate of Columbia University.

MICHAEL TEHRANI served both the Navy and Defense departments’ intelligence communities since 2019. He is currently a program analyst for the Technology Studies Group under the Deputy Under Secretary of the Navy for Intelligence and Security, where he focuses on undersea warfare, as well as a senior strategic advisor to the deputy director of the Influence and Perception Management Office that falls under the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security. Tehrani also worked on the Hill, both on the House Armed Services Committee staff and the staff of Rep. Austin Scott (R-Ga.). A former Army airborne infantryman, Tehrani holds degrees from University of Florida and The Institute of World Politics.

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Source: United States Navy

The bilateral operations included the U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Higgins (DDG 76) and the Royal Canadian Navy Halifax-class frigate HMCS Ottawa (FFH 341).

“Operating alongside our Royal Navy partners shows a unified front,” said Capt. Justin Harts, Commander, Destroyer Squadron 15. “We are committed to strengthening and demonstrating interoperability with our allies.”

During the operations, Higgins and Ottawa conducted maritime communications training and dynamic coordinated maneuvering.

“Exercise Noble Wolverine was, for our team, another successful integration between two highly trained and capable navies. The anti-submarine warfare, communications exercises and flying operations were seamless as usual, and occurred in the international waters of an area of the world where undisrupted movement of maritime trade is critical to the region and greater global community,” said Cmdr. Adriano Lozer, commanding officer of HMCS Ottawa. “This activity served once again to demonstrate how strong historic partners in defense at home and around the world, with enduring relationships that promote international law in a free and open Indo Pacific, can interchangeably play an active role in contributing to peace and security”

The U.S. Navy regularly operates alongside our allies in the Indo-Pacific region as a demonstration of our shared commitment to the rules-based international order. Bilateral operations such as this one provide valuable opportunities to train, exercise and develop tactical interoperability across allied navies in the Indo-Pacific.

DESRON 15 is the Navy’s largest destroyer squadron and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. It is forward deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of security and stability in the Indo-Pacific.

U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

Source: United States Navy

WASHINGTON – Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro awarded the Navy Expeditionary Medal to U.S. Fifth Fleet for exceptional leadership and achievements from Oct. 1, 2021, to Sept. 30, 2024 during Operation Unified Takedown today, Jan. 14.

Operation Unified Takedown is a comprehensive effort to disrupt smuggling networks that fund extremism and contribute to the global circulation of illegal substances. Over the three-year period, the operation resulted in the seizure of more than 70 tons of explosive propellant, 1,400 weapons, 226,000 rounds of ammunition, and 43,000 kilograms of narcotics. These actions significantly disrupted terrorist supply chains, bolstered regional stability, and curbed the global impact of illicit trafficking.

“The Sailors and Marines of U.S. Fifth Fleet have set an extraordinary standard of excellence and perseverance,” said Secretary Del Toro. “Their success in Operation Unified Takedown has not only enhanced maritime security but also strengthened global partnerships and fostered long-term regional stability.”

Vice Adm. George Wikoff, Commander of U.S. Fifth Fleet, also expressed his gratitude and pride in the fleet’s accomplishments.

“This recognition reflects the relentless commitment, courage, and professionalism of our Sailors and Marines,” said Vice Adm. Wikoff. “Operation Unified Takedown has been a team effort, and our success would not have been possible without the unwavering support of our coalition partners and the dedication of every individual involved.”

The award recognizes the fleet for its innovative use of resources, including advanced unmanned systems, robust intelligence sharing, and seamless integration with coalition forces.

“This operation showcases how innovation and collaboration can drive success in addressing complex maritime challenges,” added Secretary Del Toro. “The men and women of COMFIFTHFLT exemplify the Navy’s commitment to protecting our national interests and those of our allies.”

The Navy Expeditionary Medal highlights the profound contributions and unwavering resilience of COMFIFTHFLT’s Sailors and Marines. Their efforts have disrupted illicit activities, saved lives, and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

This announcement follows Secretary Del Toro’s recent visits with units in Manama, Bahrain, and Rota, Spain, that will be eligible for the award.