Category: Defence

Source: United States Navy

Family members, friends, and shipmates attended the ceremony to honor and bid fair winds and following seas to Black, who served 38 years as a surface warfare officer.

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti presided over the ceremony and thanked Black for his leadership and dedication to duty.

“Thank you for personally making a difference for our Sailors, Civilians, and their families, and our Navy and our Nation.” said Franchetti. “Your service, your contributions and your legacy will be carried on in those you’ve led, mentored, and trained, many of whom are standing the watch at this very moment and engaged in kinetic operations.”

During his remarks, Black honored his family and reflected on his extensive naval career.

“I have served for 38 years around the world with incredible Sailors,” he said. “My time in the Navy has been the greatest honor and privilege.”

Black is a native of New Jersey and 1986 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, earning a Bachelor of Science in Political Science, and later a Master of Science in Management from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California.

Black assumed the role of Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Operations, Plans, and Strategy (N3N5) in October 2022.

At sea, Black served as commanding officer of USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) and USS Mason (DDG 87). While in command, Leyte Gulf and Mason deployed to the Arabian Gulf, and the North Arabian Sea.

As a flag officer, he most recently served as commander, U.S. 6th Fleet; commander Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO; deputy commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe /Africa. His previous flag officer assignments include, director, Surface Warfare Division, N96, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations in Washington, D.C.; commander, Carrier Strike Group Eight; and deputy commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet, Manama, Bahrain.

Source: United States Navy

In response to overwhelming user feedback from the first RMI review held June 2023, NAVSAFECOM hosted a second, comprehensive two-day RMI review to address critical issues and enhance the platform. A total of 310 comments were meticulously analyzed, highlighting specific deficiencies and usability issues encountered by naval enterprise personnel while interacting with the RMI system. This in-depth analysis sought to pinpoint areas for improvement within the platform and implement changes to elevate the overall user experience.

Since August 2020, NAVSAFECOM has launched a series of modules to enhance the safety reporting and safety management systems within the RMI framework. This expanded system encompasses four key areas: streamlined incident reporting (SIR), analysis and dissemination, safety program management and a single point of entry.

RMI is revolutionizing naval safety by centralizing incident reporting, safety program management and analysis. Built upon the robust AFSAS foundation, shared by four out of five military services, RMI streamlines the reporting process enabling data-driven insights to foster mishap prevention strategies. By replacing the outdated WESS and expanding capabilities across the Navy and Marine Corps, RMI fosters a safer environment for the entire Department of Defense.

Chris Tarsa, NAVSAFECOM executive director, opened the meeting with an RMI overview, noting the approximately 137 minimum data elements required in RMI that are mandated by the Department of Defense (DoD) and the continuous improvement cycle with the phased release of RMI’s safety program management modules or capabilities.

“We’re committed to continuous improvement based on direct customer feedback,” said Tarsa. “We listen, learn and evolve.”

The conference featured a comprehensive discussion on RMI issues previously submitted by stakeholders to NAVSAFECOM. Feedback encompassed various RMI areas, including hazard abatement, analytics, inspections, and training. The group explored potential solutions for each comment, either agreeing to implement or assigning follow-up actions to NAVSAFECOM or an integrated project team.

Common concerns included RMI’s complexity, the need for additional data input options, redundant fields, and unclear sections. While some suggestions conflicted with DoD mandates, others were resolved on the spot through explanation or commitment to implement system improvements.

For the attendees, the meeting was an opportunity to hear issues other users had encountered, how they addressed problems, and that NAVSAFECOM was listening and receptive to their concerns.

“By providing a space for open dialogue, NAVSAFECOM demonstrated that they are not only aware of user challenges but genuinely interested in finding solutions,” according to Krystyna Eaker, RMI Requirements manager. “This review was a valuable platform for users to share experiences and feel heard by NAVSAFECOM.”

WESS was the first of four safety reporting systems that RMI was designed to replace to provide improved enterprise transparency. The other systems are the Enterprise Safety Applications Management System (ESAMS), Medical Mishap and Compensation (MMAC), and Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Occupational Accident and Illness Reporting System (POAIRS).

To date, the following RMI Safety Program modules are complete: Inspections, Hazard Abatement, Training and Confined Space. The remaining modules are scheduled for delivery through fiscal 2027: Job Hazard Analysis, Medical Surveillance, Self-assessment, Respiratory Protection, Fall Protection, Operational Risk Management and Safety Committee.

Once fully implemented, the modules will help ensure that all safety information is captured to help support hazard mitigation and overall mishap prevention efforts.

The goal of the RMI system and the meeting is to prevent mishaps by improving data collection, transparency, analysis, and the overall safety culture within the Navy.

“The real goal of this program is mishap prevention,” said Tarsa. “Learning is lost when we don’t really understand the factors that lead up to an event.”

Source: United States Navy

Walter Reed offers the Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), providing support and skills to assist people in managing their behavioral health challenges while living at home.
The program offers a structured treatment setting with a scheduled list of activities during the day, and participants returning to their homes at night, explained Navy Lt. (Dr.) Meghan Quinn, a psychiatrist, PHP chief and assistant chief of Navy Graduate Medical Education at Walter Reed.
PHP patients have no acute safety risk for themselves or others, Quinn explained. They can function at a higher level when they stay in contact with their loved ones (not housed separately or isolated) and patients like it. They can see their partners, kids, pets and others on a daily basis, which is beneficial to their recovery and treatment, she added.

The program began at Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) and transferred to Bethesda, now Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, following (Base Realignment and Closure) BRAC and WRAMC’s closure in 2011.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the program experienced a reduction in hours, but last year, it resumed its hours prior to the pandemic. PHP is now celebrating its one-year anniversary of comprehensive trauma and general mental health treatment provided to active-duty service members, said Quinn. She added that nearly 300 patients have received this care during the last year.
The PHP at Walter Reed is a full-day program, with patients coming here as their place of duty with command approval. There is great benefit in staying in military spaces, Quinn explained. Regular communication with the patient’s command and outpatient treatment team on their progress can include fitness for duty recommendations with an eye on military standards and goals of both patients and their command.
Quinn explained the structured program is four or five weeks “The content builds so you can start at any point and not wait,” she said. There is generally a technician-led group first thing in the morning, and one closed group each day where patients and staff can address heavier topics, such as coping with suicidal thoughts.
There is a final optional group most days that patients can “wind down depending on what [kind of] day it’s been,” Quinn said.
“[The PHP] has the capacity to treat up to 40 patients at one time,” said Quinn. “We try to keep the ratio manageable so groups don’t get too big, and everyone can participate.” She went on to describe how patients are divided into two separate treatment programs upon intake. The Comprehensive Recovery Program (CRP) focuses more on general mental health topics, and the Trauma Recovery Program (TRP) helps patients process traumas that have occurred at any point in their lives that are impacting their current functioning now. These treatment programs may be split into smaller cohorts at times based on type of trauma, or other factors.
In addition to Quinn, core staff for the PHP includes 10 primary therapists (four psychologists, six social workers, an art therapist, two psychiatrists, a nurse practitioner. “The staff here are fantastic. They have a lot of experience working with military patients and their specific concerns.” She added most are former military or spouses of service members.
Rotating trainees include one psychiatry resident, and at times, medical students, 66C (psychiatric nursing) students, and Interservice Physician Assistant Program (IPAP) students.
All patients receive formal art therapy once a week and participate in trips outside of Bldg. 85T at Walter Reed, the current home of the PHP.
“We have had a few recreational activities. We’ve been to the zoo, have gone rock climbing in Rockville, Maryland, to Great Falls, Virginia and to Brookside Gardens, Maryland,” Quinn said.
There is also horticulture therapy, and Quinn added that a therapist also arranges for patients to receive regular visits from Walter Reed’s facility dogs.
“All of our patients see their prescriber weekly for medication management, in addition to having two individual therapy sessions most weeks,” Quinn added. “We meet as a clinic team once a week to discuss the progress and clinical condition of every patient in the PHP, so we are able to truly give a comprehensive overview of their status and treatment.
Quinn explained that there has been a stigma about people seeking help for mental health care, particularly service members, fearing the impact it may have on their careers. “People in the military are often hesitant to try [therapy] but here [to provide the] best mental health [care].”
According to a 2006 study in Military Medicine, 97 percent of service members who seek mental health treatment do not experience any negative career impact. In addition, seeking mental or behavioral services will not affect a service member’s security clearance (https://tricare.mil/PatientResources/MediaCenter/TRICARE-Videos/Will-Mental-Health-Services-Affect-My-Security-Clearance#:~:text=The%20short%20answer%20is%3A%20No.)
Quinn added that the PHP includes a number of adjunctive therapies, including Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), which she collaborates with Dr. Vanessa Torres-Llenza to tailor these therapies for patients. TMS uses magnetic pulses directed toward the brain to treat severe depression or anxiety, Quinn shared.
Another adjunctive therapy used in the PHP is battlefield acupuncture, in which five tiny, sterile needles are placed on a patient’s ear, which simply fall off after a short time. “It was originally [used] for pain and insomnia and is a great adjunctive therapy where depression decreases,” Quinn explained.
The program has also experienced positive outcomes with Alpha Stimulation, which helps with chronic pain and insomnia, and assists patients with relaxation, Quinn explained.
Quinn added that the PHP has a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Building 62 at Walter Reed to house patients who come from long distances, since this is the only PHP of its kind in the National Capital Region (NCR). “We meet that need, and [patients can] stay when commands [elsewhere] don’t have access [to a PHP program].”
“We are always looking at ways to adapt the program to meet the needs of our current patients and monitor trends in referrals,” said Quinn. She explained that this has led to incorporating trauma treatment into the general mental health program, including adding eye movement desensitization and reprocessing for post-traumatic stress.
“[We would like to] have information on the program spread,” Quinn said. “We have resources to work and connect with them. [We love how] patients talk to each other and get referrals. Somebody in your company was here and now word [about this PHP] is making its way around.”

She said that nearly every rank, including enlisted personnel up to E-9 and officers up to O-6, have taken advantage of the PHP. “This is the only adult PHP in the NCR without going out of the network,” she stated.
For general questions about the program, contact the PHP front desk at 301-400-2110.
If you are having a mental health emergency, please call 911, 988 (988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline), or go to your closest emergency room.

Story originally posted on DVIDS: Walter Reed Offers Partial Hospitalization Program for Mental Health Care 

Source: United States Navy

In a collaborative effort between Australia, Japan, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, United Kingdom and the United States, PP24-2 participants held basic first aid workshops for 98 members of the community, taught health and music fundamentals to 2,776 local students, facilitated training for search and rescue professionals and K-9’s, organized a multinational conference with faith community leaders, provided free spay and neuter clinics including rabies vaccinations for 281 cats and dogs, performed eight public concerts for approx. 7,500 people with the Philippine Navy Seabees Band, and renovated a building at Legazpi Port Elementary School.
The Pacific Partnership team also worked with the Legazpi City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office to test the city’s tsunami response plan for the first time. 

“Pacific Partnership brings nations together to prepare in calm to respond in crisis,” said U.S. Navy Capt. Daniel Keeler, PP24-2 mission commander. “Multilateral efforts with the local government and military representatives alike are crucial to laying the groundwork for Indo-Pacific disaster response preparedness, maritime security and stability.”

The largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific, Pacific Partnership enables participants, including U.S. and Filipino personnel, to work together to enhance disaster response capabilities and foster new and enduring friendships. 

In addition to mission leadership, the Legazpi City Mayor Carmen Geraldine B. Rosal and Philippine Army Lt. Gen. Facundo Palafox, commander Southern Luzon Command also attended the closing ceremony.

“We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks and gratitude for the services and projects you have shared with us and our community,” said Mayor Rosal. “Our collaboration is a testament that we can do great things if we put our efforts together for the benefit of the people.”

Born out of the devastation brought by the December 2004 tsunami that swept through parts of South and Southeast Asia, Pacific Partnership began as a military-led humanitarian response to one of the world’s most catastrophic natural disasters. Building on the success and goodwill of this operation the U.S. helped spearhead the inaugural Pacific Partnership mission in 2006. This mission leveraged partner nation militaries and Non-Governmental Organizations proficiencies to expand disaster relief capacity in Bangladesh, Indonesia, the Philippines and Timor-Leste.

The Pacific Partnership mission brings a unique opportunity for collaboration and cooperation to the Indo-Pacific in a deliberate, sustainable, and transparent way by working to enhance the knowledge, experience, and capacity of all participants.

“Building upon the success of last year’s Pacific Partnership, we have strengthened our collaboration, expanded our capabilities and deepened our commitment to regional resilience,” said Lt. Gen. Facundo Palafox, commander Southern Luzon Command. “This year’s progress is a clear reflection of our dedication to enhancing the partnerships that are essential to our collective security and humanitarian efforts in the Indo-Pacific region.”

The United States stands ready to assist when called upon and continuously demonstrates its commitment to the region. Recent relief efforts include the 2023 volcanic eruption in Papua New Guinea, 2022 volcanic eruption and tsunami in Tonga, 2018 Super Typhoon Yutu relief efforts in Northern Mariana Islands, 2016 earthquake relief efforts in New Zealand, 2013 relief efforts in the Philippines for Operation Damayan in the wake of Super Typhoon Haiyan, and 2011 relief efforts during Operation Tomodachi in Japan following the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami.

Pacific Partnership 2024-2 will conduct mission stops in Vietnam and the Federal States of Micronesia.

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

Source: United States Navy

The U.S. Navy and French Navy joined forces to conduct bilateral operations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific in the Philippine Sea, Aug. 13.

The operations included U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey (DDG 105) and the French Navy Aquitane-class frigate FS Bretagne (D655).

“The U.S. 7th Fleet takes regular steps to advance our interoperability with allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific, as we did during this week’s bilateral operation with our longstanding French Navy allies,” said Vice Adm. Fred Kacher, commander, U.S. 7th Fleet. “The work we do together strengthens the combined capabilities of our professional maritime forces and enhances our ability to deter conflict in the region.”

The ships conducted formation sailing, combined communication, and simulated refueling at sea.

“Our bilateral training affirms the high level of interoperability between French and American navies,” said Capt. Audrey Boutteville, commanding officer of Bretagne. “The newly-swapped crew of the FS Bretagne continues to ride with high spirits established during RIMPAC as demonstrated with our cooperation with the U.S. Navy in the Philippine Sea!”

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 provides valuable opportunities to train, exercise and develop tactical interoperability across allied navies in the Indo-Pacific.

“Professional engagement with allies, partners, and friends operating in the region allows us to build upon our existing, strong relationships and learn from each other,” said Cmdr. Nicholas Maruca, commanding officer of Dewey. “These sails are great opportunities to enhance interoperability, information sharing and combined warfighting capabilities with our partners and allies through realistic scenarios across a number of warfare areas.”

Dewey is forward-deployed and assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force.

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.