Category: Defence

Source: United States Navy

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Researchers with Naval Medical Research Unit (NAMRU) INDO PACIFIC received the 2024 Outstanding Research Accomplishment Team Award at the opening ceremony of the Military Health System Research Symposium (MHSRS) on August 26.

The award recognized the accomplishments of the NAMRU’S Long-Term Immunity Against Novel and Known Strains of SARS-CoV-2 (LINKS-COVID) Study team.

MHSRS, a four-day annual event which took place at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Conference Center, provided personnel with multiple forums to demonstrate the impact of research done by stakeholders of the Military Health System.

The LINKS-COVID team’s research addresses whether the DoD should recommend a COVID-19 booster that is specifically formulated to target the latest variants at the time the study was conducted.

“The DoD can’t force individuals to get the booster,” explained Capt. Andrew Letizia, science director from NAMRU INDO PACIFIC, “but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends any American over 6 months old should get it.”

“Our study looked to specifically address if the primarily young, healthy adult population that make up our U.S. Navy population should obtain a COVID-19 booster,” Letizia added. “It focused on a medical readiness question that can then be generalized to the civilian population that represents a similar demographic niche.”

LINKS-COVID findings showed that active-duty individuals who have not had a SARS-CoV-2 exposure, either through vaccination or natural infection, within 12 months of enrollment into the study had significantly lower binding and neutralizing antibodies against circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants, compared to those with an exposure in the past 12 months.

Capt. Jonathan Stahl, former commanding officer for NAMRU INDO PACIFIC, accepted the award on behalf of the team. Stahl handed off leadership of the command earlier this summer, ahead of his retirement after 30 years with the U.S. Navy.

“We were really excited to have Capt. Stahl accept the award, as he led the team,” said Capt. Nicholas Martin, commanding officer of NAMRU INDO PACIFIC. “We’re starting the next iteration of the study this month, and looking for more good things to come out of it.”

“This award demonstrates how the Military Health System recognizes the power of Navy medical research to address a contemporary research question,” Letizia said, “and obtain that answer for our forces when academia and industry aren’t incentivized to research this topic. With our focus on the active-duty forces, we are concerned about metrics such as lost duty days. This project helped fulfill our unique mandate for DOD research of improving force health protection.”

Lt. Huy Nguyen, principal investigator for the study, expressed gratitude to NAMRU INDO PACIFIC leadership, administration, scientists and other facilitators for their efforts on the study.

“Everyone contributed significant effort and time to the project,” Nguyen explained. “Everyone went above and beyond to ensure mission success, so it’s really humbling and satisfying to see all our hard work paid off and recognized by this prestigious award.”

Letizia moderated a breakout session on August 29, the final day of MHSRS. The session featured speakers presenting on recent findings in the field of emerging diseases of military importance, covering issues such as blood tests for infections, wastewater surveillance and drug-resistant bacteria.

MHSRS is the Department of Defense’s premier scientific meeting that focuses specifically on the unique medical needs of service members. This annual educational symposium brings together healthcare professionals, researchers, and DoD leaders for four days of critical learning, intensive idea sharing and relationship building.

Navy Medicine Research and Development attended MHSRS and participated in breakout sessions, poster presentations, lectures and manned booths in the exhibit hall. The eight Navy Medicine Research and Development commands, led by Naval Medical Research Command (NMRC), and consisting of Naval Health Research Center, Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory (NSMRL) and NAMRUs Dayton, San Antonio, EURAFCENT, INDO PACIFIC and SOUTH, are engaged in a broad spectrum of activity from basic science in the laboratory to field studies in austere and remote areas of the world to investigations in operational environments. In support of the Navy, Marine Corps and joint U.S. warfighters, researchers study infectious diseases, biological warfare detection and defense, combat casualty care, environmental health concerns, aerospace and undersea medicine, medical modeling, simulation, operational mission support, epidemiology and behavioral sciences.

Story originally posted on DVIDS: NAMRU INDO PACIFIC Receives Award, Presents Science at MHSRS 2024 

Source: United States Navy

NAVAL AIR STATION PENSACOLA, Fla. (Aug. 2, 2024) – Aviation Structural Mechanic 1st Class Nick Kaminski’s journey from Maryland to a supervisor position with the prestigious Blue Angels team is a testament to the power of world-class naval education and training. Joining the Navy in 2017, Kaminski’s career in naval aviation took flight after attending the Airframes “A” School at Naval Air Technical Training Center (NATTC) in Pensacola, Florida, in March 2018.

Reflecting on his initial experiences with Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) and its training centers, Kaminski recalls the critical role that NATTC played in setting the foundation for his Navy career. NATTC is where Kaminski first encountered the rigorous curriculum and dedicated instructors that would shape his future in naval aviation.

“NATTC set the tone for the beginning of my career in naval aviation,” Kaminski explains. “The instructors and curriculum provided me with the essential theories and concepts of aviation, which I still rely on today.”

After completing his training at NATTC, Kaminski’s first assignment took him to the “Vikings” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129 in Whidbey Island, Washington. He later served with the “Diamondbacks” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 102 in Iwakuni, Japan, where he completed two deployments aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). These experiences further honed the skills he acquired at NATTC, particularly his ability to understand and read hydraulic schematics, a skill that has proven invaluable in troubleshooting complex maintenance issues throughout his career.

Kaminski’s journey eventually led him to apply for the Blue Angels team in 2022, where he now serves as a supervisor within the airframes work center. When asked about the aspects of NATTC training that he believes are critical in preparing Sailors for the high standards required by elite teams like the Blue Angels, Kaminski emphasized the importance of camaraderie and teamwork.

“The camaraderie and teamwork taught and displayed at NATTC are very similar to that at the Blue Angels and are necessities anywhere in the fleet,” Kaminski explains. “These values are instilled in Sailors from the very beginning and are vital to ensuring mission success, especially in high-pressure environments.”

As the Navy continues to evolve, the importance of foundational training through NETC remains clear. By leveraging cutting-edge learning science and technology, NETC is committed to recruiting the best future Sailors and delivering a world-class education that equips them with the skills and knowledge needed for success in the fleet.

Kaminski’s career is a yet another example of how the Navy’s commitment to training and development prepares Sailors for the demands of the fleet and the elite standards of teams like the Blue Angels. His journey from the classroom at NATTC to the Blue Angels demonstrates the Navy’s dedication to building a lethal and survivable fleet through top-tier vocational training.

For more information on the Navy and how it can set you up for success, visit https://www.navy.com/.

Source: United States Navy

WASHINGTON (Sep. 4, 2024) – Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro visited the Office of Naval Intelligence in Suitland, Maryland, September 4, 2024.

Secretary Del Toro met with ONI Commanding Officer Rear Adm. Mike Brookes and various uniformed and civilian personnel, which provided the secretary with an opportunity to share his strategic guidance and enduring priorities directly with the ONI workforce.

Del Toro received a command overview to learn about the different analytic centers and how they provide unique information warfare capabilities to the Navy, the Department of Defense and broader intelligence community.

“The Office of Naval Intelligence strengthens the Navy’s capacities across all warfighting domains and expand the United States’ ability to adapt and enable new technologies,” said Del Toro. The visit imparted a sense of importance and value for ONI’s mission and its workforce at the highest levels of the U.S. Navy.  

ONI is America’s premier maritime intelligence service and a core element of the U.S. Navy’s information warfare community, possessing unmatched knowledge of the maritime operating environment and delivers penetrating understanding of threats to America’s security to national decision makers and the fleet.

“It was an honor to host SECNAV Del Toro to highlight ONI’s unique maritime intelligence capabilities and the dedicated warfighting experts who contribute to the safety of our Navy and our nation every day,” said Rear Adm. Brookes.

Established in 1882, ONI is the nation’s longest-serving intelligence agency.

“ONI plays a vital role in keeping us one step ahead of our adversaries and competitors, directly contributing to our naval power, and shaping how we fight in every domain in which we operate,” said Del Toro.

The Office of Naval Intelligence delivers war-winning maritime expertise that promotes our nation’s prosperity and security, deters aggression, and provides informed options to our leaders. ONI empowers warfighters and policymakers alike, from the fleet up to the president.

Source: United States Navy

A multinational team representing five Pacific nations kicked off the fourth mission stop of Pacific Partnership 2024-2 (PP24-2) in Yap, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Sept. 4, 2024.

Yap Gov. Charles Chieng hosted U.S. Navy Capt. Daniel Keeler, PP24-2 mission commander, and Royal Australian Air Force Wing Cmdr. Scott Minchin, PP24-2 deputy mission commander, for a key leadership engagement at the governor’s office as the first official event of the stop.

The Yap mission stop, which runs from Sept. 4-10, brings together approximately 70 participants from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, and the United States, all working to increase humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HA/DR) preparedness in the Indo-Pacific.

“The U.S. has a long-standing relationship with Yap, reflecting our deep commitment to our Pacific neighbors. Given Yap’s vulnerability to natural disasters, the Pacific Partnership team is dedicated to helping prepare for and manage these emergencies,” said Keeler. “By collaborating with our partners from Australia, Canada, Japan, and New Zealand, along with the people of Yap, we aim to strengthen disaster preparedness and response, ensuring we prepare in calm to respond in crisis.”

At the invitation of the host nation, emergency operations training workshops covering disaster relief and humanitarian assistance will take place with the U.S. Coast Guard; U.S. Army Civil Affairs; Yap Disaster Control Office; Center for Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance; International Organization for Migration; Catholic Relief Services; and FSM Department of Environment, Climate Change, and Emergency Management. 

The Pacific Partnership Band, composed of musicians from the U.S. Pacific Fleet Band and the Royal Australian Army Band, will perform in a variety of community engagements.

Pacific Partnership medical providers will work shoulder-to-shoulder with providers at Yap State Hospital and technicians at Ulithi atoll and Fais Island to provide tailored medical care focusing on optometry exams, dental screenings, community health engagements and subject matter exchanges as well as spay and neuter clinics for cats and dogs.

“We are thrilled to once again welcome the multinational Pacific Partnership team to the Federated States of Micronesia. This year, the people of Yap will see first-hand meaningful engagements with the mission team, a stellar example of the enduring cooperation between our two nations,” said Hon. Ms. Jennifer Johnson, U.S. Ambassador to the Federated States of Micronesia.

In the aftermath of the December 2004 “Boxing Day” tsunami that devastated parts of South and Southeast Asia, the United States mobilized numerous military assets and personnel to support the relief effort. Recognizing the opportunity to build on the goodwill and lessons learned from that initial mission, the U.S. Navy planned and executed the inaugural Pacific Partnership mission in 2006; its primary aim was to proactively prepare for a more effective response to natural disasters while strengthening relationships and security ties between nations.

Now in its 20th iteration, the Pacific Partnership series is the U.S. Navy’s largest annual multinational HA/DR preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific.

For more information about Pacific Partnership visit, www.clwp.navy.mil/Pacific-Partnership.

Source: United States Navy

Ssang Yong, held regularly since 2012, aims to enhance combined defensive posture on the Korean Peninsula. This year, the exercise includes more than 13,000 personnel from the ROK and U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, as well as the U.K. Commando Force which is participating for a second consecutive year. The exercise also involves the ROK Army Aviation Command, ROK Air Force Operations Command, and the ROK Drone Operations Command.

The primary focus of this year’s exercise is to enhance the capability to conduct a combined-joint forcible entry operation, in which coalition forces would swiftly neutralize key enemy facilities to terminate a hypothetical conflict scenario. The ROK-U.S. Navy and Marine Corps conducted joint amphibious operations, followed by land-based operations to rehearse eliminating enemy forces.

Notably, this year’s exercise includes the first deployment of a combined ROK-U.S. battle staff, which commands amphibious operations from the Dokdo-class landing transport helicopter ship ROKS Marado (LPH-6112). This combined battle staff is assessing command and control capabilities and is developing lessons learned for future operations.

The exercise features large-scale joint and combined forces, including a division-sized landing force, the ROKS Marado and Dokdo (LPH-6111), the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD-4), amphibious assault carrier USS America (LHA-6), more than 20 naval vessels, 30 aircraft such as the ROK Marine Corps’ MUH-1 “Marineon” helicopters, U.S. F-35B Lightning II fighter aircraft, and ROK Army CH-47 Chinook helicopters, as well as 40 amphibious assault vehicles, including the Korea Assault Amphibious Vehicle.

Significantly, Ssang Yong 24 is the first time the U.S. Marine Corps’ next-generation Amphibious Combat Vehicle is employed in an exercise on the Korean Peninsula, conducting joint amphibious operations with the ROK Marine Corps. Furthermore, the ROK Marine Corps’ MUH-1 helicopters have undergone deck-landing qualifications on U.S. vessels for the first time.

The exercise’s decisive-action amphibious landing event took place on September 2 along the coastal area of Songra-myeon, Pohang. This phase included simultaneous amphibious and airborne simulated assaults:
• Reconnaissance units from the ROK Drone Operations Command provided real-time intelligence, while reconnaissance forces from the ROK and U.S. Marines, and UK Royal Marines, infiltrated the objective area via sea and air to conduct surveillance and guide precision strike rehearsals.

• Close air support provided by U.S. F-35B Lightning II fighter aircraft and AH-1Z Viper helicopters launched from land and sea to neutralize enemy targets, setting conditions for the amphibious assault.
• Amphibious forces including Marines storming the beaches in ROK Assault Amphibious Vehicles and U.S. Amphibious Combat Vehicles to establish a beachhead, followed by the deployment of armored vehicles via U.S. and ROK Navy landing craft including Landing Craft, Air Cushion hovercraft and tank landing ships.
• Airborne forces completed a tactical airdrop from ROK Air Force C-130 transport aircraft, while the U.S. Marine Corps’ MV-22 Osprey, ROK Marine Corps’ MUH-1, ROK Army CH-47 Chinooks, and ROK Navy UH-60 helicopters rehearsed air assaults maneuvers.
• Following the successful amphibious assault, the ROK Marine Corps’ logistics units established a division-level Combat Service Support Area on the beach to sustain land operations.
• The landing forces then transitioned to land-based operations, including simulated CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear)-response elimination operations with combat casualty care exercises to further refine their combined training objectives.
ROK Marine Corps Lt. Col. Cho Hyun-Chul, who participated in the exercise as battalion commander of the landing forces, stated: “This exercise reaffirms the strong alliance between the ROK and U.S. Marine Corps and further strengthens our combined defense posture. Going forward, the ROK and U.S. Marine Corps will firmly retaliate against any provocation from the enemy.”
U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Gabriel Tiggs, executive officer of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, said: “Rehearsing this kind of combined joint forcible entry training with an amphibious landing, then follow-on operations, is very important because of how complex they are. The defense of the Korean Peninsula depends on our ROK-U.S. forces to continuously work together, shoulder-to-shoulder, including this Ssang Yong and into the future.”