Category: Defence

Source: United States Navy

The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) is underway completing its final deployment preparations including Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), but she isn’t alone. 

While it is not a surprise that the flagship of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 8, Harry S. Truman CSG, is operating with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 and its eight aviation squadrons, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 28 with two Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers, and the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser, one unique element of the underway period was Truman’s work alongside the Italian Navy Carlo Bergamini-class frigate ITS Carabiniere (F 593). 

“Working side by side with an allied force is very motivating, especially with a U.S. Carrier Strike Group, the highest expression of power projection in the world,” said Cmdr. Marco Felici, commanding officer of ITS Carabiniere (F 593). “It was an invaluable opportunity to experience a different working and living environment. The best part of it all was sharing different practices and points of view, targeting the same goals.”

In the exercise, ITS Carabiniere operated as part of the Harry S. Truman CSG, which forged personal relationships and tactical acumen that support NATO’s collective defense. COMPTUEXs simulate real-world multi-domain scenarios to provide training, mentorship, and assessment opportunities that increase proficiency and identify areas for improvement. While working as a U.S. national force is critically important, one of the U.S. Navy’s greatest strengths is interoperability with Allies and partners. In recent years, for example, Carabiniere operated in the Mediterranean with multiple U.S. Navy ships and strike groups.

“The integration further strengthens and highlights a unity of intent that is already a ‘fait accompli,’” said Felici. “Our countries’ military alliance benefits in many ways. Our integration strengthens confidence and trust in each other’s competence and capability, thus fostering mutual trust at all levels.”

Just as a U.S. Navy CSG is often a key element of numbered fleet and combatant command operations, they also serve the same role when operating under the authority of a NATO maritime component commander such as Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO). The opportunity for Harry S. Truman, Carabiniere, and CSG teammates to work together ensured that U.S. and Italian Sailors alike – including many first-term Sailors – were able to collaborate in a training environment before an upcoming deployment that may include similar operations. 

Source: United States Navy

In the week preceding the ceremony, the crew built ties with their namesake city and visited the King Ranch for a luncheon at the Henrietta Memorial Museum and a tour of the historic ranch. The crew visited with the mayor of Kingsville, the ship’s sponsor, Ms. Katherine Kline, and her parents Dr. Rich and Mrs. Sue Sugden. The U.S. Navy prides itself on a strong tradition of the relationship between a ship and their namesake community or family. These enduring ties at the beginning of Kingsville’s service will strengthen bonds between the ship and the communities of Kingsville and its commissioning location of Corpus Christi.

Leaders and distinguished guests wished the crew of Kingsville fair winds and following seas as they brought the ship to life and began its commissioned service.

Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Financial Management and Comptroller, the Honorable Russell Rumbaugh, delivered the commissioning ceremony’s principal address. The ceremony also featured remarks from Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Integration and Capabilities and Resources, Vice Adm. Brad Skillman, United States Representatives, the Honorable Vicente Gonzalez, Jr. and the Honorable Michael Cloud, the Mayor of Kingsville, the Honorable Sam Fugate and the Mayor of Corpus Christi, the Honorable Paulette Guajardo.

“A ship commissioning is one of the ways the U.S. Navy keeps itself tied to the nation it serves. It’s why we name ships after cities and states. And what better moment to celebrate our long and intimate relationship than commissioning a ship named after Kingsville,” said Rumbaugh. “This ship will provide maritime security in each of our fleet operations. We in the Department of the Navy are proud of the Littoral Combat Ships.”

During the ceremony, Kingsville’s commanding officer Cmdr. Ludwig Mann III, reported the ship manned and ready, and ship sponsor, gave the traditional order to “Man our ship and bring her to life!” Helping to welcome the ship to the fleet, T-45C aircraft assigned to VT-21 at Naval Air Station Kingsville flew over the ship as the crew ran aboard the ship – bringing her to life.

“This experience is a unique one and should be cherished. You will create a culture that I am sure will last as the Kingsville way for decades to come,” said Skillman. “To the triad, Cmdr. Mann, Cmdr. Kavanaugh, Command Senior Chief Moran, I also know you and the crew are ready to get out there and do the Navy and the nation’s business around the globe. Tough and confident, go get them.”

The night prior to commissioning, the Kingsville Commissioning Committee held an evening reception onboard the USS Lexington Museum where the committee recognized the crew of Kingsville for their service and dedication that ended with a fireworks display.

Kingsville, the 18th Independence-variant LCS, is the first to bear this name and pays homage to the city of Kingsville and the King Ranch. The ship’s sponsor is a member of the sixth generation of the King Ranch family, descendants of steamboat captain Richard King who founded in the King Ranch in Kingsville in 1853. The King Ranch continues to foster a relationship with Naval Air Station Kingsville which was founded in 1942 and is located three miles from the city’s center.

Independence-variant littoral combat ships are fast, optimally manned, mission-tailored surface combatants that operate in near-shore and open-ocean environments, winning against 21st-century coastal threats. LCS integrate with joint combined, manned and unmanned teams to support forward presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence missions around the globe.

The mission of CNSP is to man, train, and equip the Surface Force to provide fleet commanders with credible naval power to control the sea and project power ashore.

For more news from Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, visit https://www.surfpac.navy.mil/.

For more news from Commander, Littoral Combat Ship Squadron One, visit https://www.surfpac.navy.mil/comlcsron1/ or follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/COMLCSRONONE/.

Source: United States Navy

In addition to supplementing the final training and certification event for the Harry S. Truman CSG, the mid-COMPTUEX NATO scenario also served as an opportunity for the fleet staff to exercise the maritime headquarters staff in a challenging environment.

“This was an outstanding opportunity to command-and-control Allied forces, to assess our staff’s strengths and weaknesses as a maritime headquarters, and to continuously improve our effectiveness as a team,” said Perry. “The level of teamwork, experience, and knowledge to be a world-class team requires consistent training and assessment. I couldn’t be more proud of our team, the Truman CSG, Navy Warfare Development Command, and CSG-4 who all worked together on this valuable training to the force.”

The NATO training event built into this COMPTUEX schedule is the tenth of its kind delivered by CSG-4 for CSGs and Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) – Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) teams preparing to deploy since 2020.

“We train, mentor, and assess Naval forces to compete at an incredibly high-level,” said Rear Adm. Max McCoy, commander, Carrier Strike Group 4. “Our ability to integrate within the Joint force alongside Allies and partners is a powerful force multiplier that elevates naval task force capabilities.”

Additional examples of CSG-4 led Allied training events include a recent Fleet Synthetic Training event with the U.K. Strike Force, as well as the Italian Navy Carlo Bergamini-class frigate ITS Carabiniere’s (F 593) participation in HSTCSG’s COMPTUEX.

“Working side-by-side with an Allied force is very motivating, especially with a U.S. carrier strike group – the highest expression of power projection in the world,” said Cmdr. Marco Felici, commanding officer, ITS Carabiniere (F 593). “We can learn a lot from the differences in our navies – various technologies, new approaches to known and upcoming problems, training differences that provide valuable insight.”

In recent years, Carabiniere operated in the Mediterranean with multiple U.S. Navy ships and strike groups.

“It is a privilege to work alongside our NATO Allies and partners,” said Rear Adm. Sean Bailey, commander, Carrier Strike Group 8, HSTCSG. “The integration of these maritime countries represents another chance to hone and enhance our skills as mariners and warfighters within the NATO Alliance.”

The NATO scenario was a display of advanced capabilities in the maritime domain and the NATO Alliance’s role as a deterrent against adversaries to prevent escalation – and defend the Alliance if necessary. In recent years, U.S. CSG’s and ARG-MEU teams participated in a multitude of NATO-led vigilance activities such as Steadfast Defender and Neptune Strikes which underscores the importance of maritime statecraft in Secretary of the Navy Carlos del Toro’s priorities.

“And as we engage with nations around the world, we focus on communicating three things – that we value their partnership, we will support them in addressing their challenges, and that we will be a trusted, dependable, and durable partner,” said del Toro in a speech at Harvard University’s Kennedy School. “This type of soft power is truly our competitive advantage.”

Units participating in the NATO scenario within COMPTUEX were CSG-8, Harry S. Truman CSG, the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG 64), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 28, and the Arleigh Burke guided-missile destroyers USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109), USS Stout (DDG 55), USS The Sullivans (DDG 68), and USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79).

Carrier Strike Group 4’s mission is to train, mentor, and assess carrier strike groups, amphibious ready groups, and independent deployers for global combat against peer competitors. You can find them on LinkedIn, Twitter (@CSG_4), and DVIDS.

Source: United States Navy

The Honorable Russell Rumbaugh, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Financial Management and Comptroller, will deliver the commissioning ceremony’s principal address. Remarks will also be provided by the Honorable Vicente Gonzalez, U.S. Representative, Texas’ 34th District, the Honorable Michael Cloud, U.S. Representative, Texas’ 27th District, Vice Admiral Brad Skillman, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Integration of Capabilities and Resources, the Honorable Paulette Guajardo, Mayor of the City of Corpus Christi, Texas, the Honorable Sam Fugate, Mayor of the City of Kingsville, Texas, and Michelle Kruger, President, Austal USA. The ship’s sponsor is Katherine Kline, a member of the sixth generation of the King Ranch family, descendants of steamboat captain Richard King who founded the King Ranch, located in Kingsville, Texas, in 1853.

Kingsville is the 18th Independence-variant littoral combat ship (LCS) commissioned in the United States Navy, and the first U.S. Navy ship to bear this namesake. USS Kingsville highlights not only the city of Kingsville and Naval Air Station Kingsville but also shows the efforts of two communities working together.

The LCS class consists of two variants, the Freedom and the Independence, designed and built by two industry teams. Lockheed Martin leads the Freedom-variant team, the odd-numbered hulls, in Marinette, Wisconsin. Austal USA leads the Independence-variant team in Mobile, Alabama, for LCS 6 and the subsequent even-numbered hulls.

Littoral combat ships are fast, optimally manned, mission-tailored surface combatants that operate in near-shore and open-ocean environments, winning against 21st-century coastal threats. LCS ships integrate with joint, combined, manned, and unmanned teams to support forward presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence missions around the globe. The ceremony will be live-streamed at www.dvidshub.net/webcast/34091. The link becomes active approximately ten minutes prior to the event at 09:50 a.m. CDT.

Media may direct queries to the Navy Office of Information at (703) 697-5342. More information on the littoral combat ship program can be found at: https://www.navy.mil/Resources/Fact-Files/Display-FactFiles/Article/2171607/littoral-combat-ship-class-lcs/

Source: United States Navy

Leadership from Naval Weapons Station Yorktown; Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair-Newport News and staff from the Morale, Welfare and Recreation department convened for a ribbon cutting at the structure on Tuesday, August 15th. Also in attendance was a contingent of Sailors eager to exercise outdoors at the new pavilion.

“Our 24-hour outdoor fitness pavilion is a huge win for our junior Sailors that reside in and around Huntington Hall. The warfighters that work on the ships in the shipyard, their jobs are not easy so being able to bring this outdoor facility that they can use anytime after they get home from work, it just gives an outlet for them anytime of the day,” said Captain Dan Patrick, Commanding Officer of Naval Weapons Station Yorktown. “It took about an eight-month effort and over $325,000 was spent on this pavilion. My quality-of-service team worked hard to come up with great ideas and this is one win that we brought to fruition,” said Captain Patrick.

The pavilion itself is located behind Huntington Hall, and adjacent to the outdoor track and soccer field. The 800 square foot structure is open on all sides, incorporates solar panels and LED lights, and is hurricane resistant. An open floor plan covered with interlocking rubber tiles allows for a variety of cross fit and high intensity interval exercises. There are modular stations throughout the pavilion for pull ups, several climbing ropes, bench press stations, axle attachment points for barbel weights, and several squat rack stations. Additionally, outdoor storage cabinets hold additional workout equipment such as kettle bell sets, jump ropes, weighted workout balls, and additional attachments for bench press stations that add to the variety of exercise options that are now available for use 24/7.

After the brief ribbon cutting, Sailors eagerly converged under the pavilion to try out the new equipment. Several of them took turns climbing the 15-foot ropes and safely rappelled back down. Staff members from the MWR gym were also on hand to assist with attaching bench press attachments and barbel weights, and of course offer their guidance on proper and safe usage. Several remarked how the bright and airy pavilion was a welcome addition to the variety of workout options available inside at the gym. Others reveled eagerly at the variety of new equipment found throughout the structure.

Other quality of life enhancements at Huntington Hall include a newly refinished gym floor that has become popular for group sports sessions such as basketball tournaments, and dodgeball events among others. “The old floor was very dingy, and our court now is a lighter color, and it really brings out the space. Sailors are also excited to use the court,” said Matt Palandro, MWR Fitness Director for Huntington Hall.

There is also new furniture and room fixtures throughout every room, a host of new PlayStation 5 consoles, pool tables, lounge areas, laptops available to check out, a small movie theater, and wi-fi throughout the facility. Huntington Hall is also home to a Fleet and Family Support Center that delivers a variety of high-quality programs and classes to Sailors during the week.

In addition to the MWR gym, various recreation and liberty options offer a wealth of opportunities, including recreational trips and various events throughout each month such as resource fairs and educational fairs to name a few. An on-site Navy Exchange mini mart is also located at the facility and was one of the first in the region to transition to a cashless point of sale system. There is even a kitchen complete with stoves, ovens, kitchen appliances and cookware that gives Sailors an opportunity to cook.

The opening of the new 24/7 outdoor fitness pavilion is just one of the many quality of life enhancements situated throughout the facility. These enhancements are all geared towards supporting and enhancing the quality of life of the Sailors that reside at Huntington Hall and nearby while their respective ships are at Newport News Shipbuilding.