Defense News: BLUE RIDGE CO VISITS DPAA SITE

Source: United States Navy

The site, less than 5 miles off the coast of Nha Trang City in Khanh Hoa province of Vietnam, is currently in the process of being excavated by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA). There, nearly 100 ft below the surface, divers and other specialized personnel search for the remains of four service members who have not yet been accounted for. Lost in October of 1971, the Army helicopter was carrying five crew members and five passengers when it plummeted into the sea. Of the ten, the remains of four were recovered by search teams in November of 1971. DPAA was able to recover and identify two more during other missions to the site.  

It was a hot, hazy day in Nha Trang as Capt. DeLeo and other senior members of both the Blue Ridge, USCGC Waesche, U.S. 7th Fleet staff, U.S. Consul General Burns, and Vietnamese government officials from the Vietnam Office of Seeking Missing Persons (VNOSMP) piled into a shaded speedboat. Soon, they were zipping across the calm bay waters with the city behind them, surrounded by the gentle embrace of verdant hills. Fishing boats and pleasure crafts dotted the bay. Set off from the others, a large red and blue barge, loaded with equipment and crowned with a yellow crane arching over nearly a third of its length, came into view. It is from this barge that DPAA has done their work for the last two and a half months.

U.S. Army Capt. Weston Iannone is a recovery team leader for the U.S. personnel working on the site. 

“We’ve been out here since May 2,” said Iannone. “Almost every day, short of weather and we took one day off on Independence Day. We’re all here from 7am until about 4pm – us, the Vietnamese, all the contractors and security you see. This is not to float our own boat. Really, it’s a combined, multinational effort across all services just to bring them all home.”

These kinds of missions bring a vital sense of closure to families, whose loved ones left home and never returned.

“I was greatly impressed by the hard work and focus demonstrated by the DPAA site team,” said DeLeo. “Their effort to recover our missing-in-action service members truly demonstrates our country’s support of the men and women who wear the uniform.  It was a moving experience.”

Mission personnel have already recovered aircraft wreckage, possible osseous materials, and identification media. The area is patrolled daily by the Vietnam Border Guard, providing the security needed to ensure the site and the recovery team remain undisturbed.

U.S. 7th Fleet is the largest forward-deployed fleet in the world, and with the help of a network of alliances and partners from 35 other maritime-nations, the U.S. Navy has operated in the Indo-Pacific region for more than 70 years, providing credible, ready forces to help preserve peace and prevent conflict.

Defense News: Continuing Promise 2024 hosts Women, Peace and Security Symposium in Jamaica

Source: United States Navy

Close to 35 government and community leaders, including those from the JDF, national and local law enforcement, and correctional officers, attended the symposium where they participated in multiple group exercises and lively discussions focused on the prevention of gender-based violence (GBV).
 
“GBV is a human rights issue, and it happens to everyone,” said Dr. Lynn Lawry, Professor of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics at Uniformed Services University, who served as the principal speaker for the event. “This is not just a woman’s issue, it is a man’s issue, a girl’s issue, a boy’s issue, and there’s no age limit. We want to be able to prevent it.”
 
Continuing Promise 2024 marks the mission’s third visit to Jamaica since 2015, making it one of the mission’s most popular destinations, which emphasizes the 62-year-long partnership the U.S. and Jamaica share.
 
“It’s been really exhilarating to understand what the differences are between our two countries, and to know what their strides are toward prevention of GBV,” said Lt. Cmdr. Kami Tabor, the U.S. Navy Continuing Promise 2024 representative for WPS.
 
WPS is a United Nations (UN) initiative that started with UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 signed in 2000. The UN resolution is a public acknowledgment that women are more adversely impacted by conflict and crisis, and including women in security planning will lead to a more peaceful world. The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) signed the WPS Implementation Plan in 2020. It outlines defense objectives and goals that the DoD will strive to achieve to move the bar toward full WPS implementation. As such, the WPS program is a cornerstone to USNAVSOUTH & U.S. 4th Fleet’s goal of promoting regional security and prosperity across the Caribbean, Central and South America.
 
“This gender-based violence symposium is an important aspect of or military development,” said Maj. Andre Dennis, JDF force gender advisor. “Particularly because it still remains one of the challenges that we face in society and in our communities, even among our peers.”
 
The WPS Symposium was held as part of Continuing Promise 2024, a mission that aims to foster goodwill, strengthen existing partnerships with partner nations, and encourage the establishment of new partnerships among countries, non-government organizations, and international organizations.
 
“I’m hoping that we can do more sessions like this with, of course, the participation of our partnership with the U.S armed forces,” said Dennis.
 
USNAVSOUTH/FOURTHFLT is the trusted maritime partner for Caribbean, Central, and South American maritime forces leading to improved unity, security, and stability. Learn more about USNAVSOUTH/4th Fleet at https://www.fourthfleet.navy.mil, https://www.facebook.com/NAVSOUS4THFLT and @NAVSOUS4THFLT
 

Defense News: USS Carney Visits Newport, Shares Warfighting Experiences

Source: United States Navy

NEWPORT, R.I. – The guided-missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) visited Naval Station Newport, July 11-15, engaging with various training and education commands to share lessons learned from the crew’s September 2023 to May 2024 independent deployment to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation.

Defense News: Fighter Squadron 147, Fleet Logistics Squadron 30 Detachment to Forward Deploy to Japan

Source: United States Navy

The squadrons will join the aircraft of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, which is forward-deployed to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni.

The F-35C Lightning II aircraft of VFA 147 will replace the F/A-18 Hornets of VFA 115, while the CMV-22B Osprey aircraft of VRM 30, Det FDNF will replace the C-2A Greyhound aircraft of the Fleet Logistics Squadron (VRC) 30 detachment previously supporting CVW 5 and Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 5.

The F-35C is the most capable fighter in the U.S. Navy and the backbone of air superiority; it complements the carrier strike group with a dominant, multi-role, 5th generation aircraft that enhances U.S. power projection and deterrence.

The Navy’s V-22 variant includes increased operational range, faster cargo loading/unloading, aerial refueling capability, increased survivability and enhanced beyond-line-of-sight communications when compared to the legacy C-2A. This aircraft brings agility, flexibility and sustainability to effectively operate our naval forces forward in a high-end fight. The CMV-22B represents the next generation of the Carrier Onboard Delivery (COD) mission and is the critical enabler to ensure sustained deployed mobility for the carrier strike group.

CVW 5 is currently embarked aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), which is slated to return to the United States for scheduled maintenance this year after nearly nine years forward-deployed to Japan.

Ronald Reagan, which is conducting routine operations in the Pacific Ocean, will be replaced as America’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier in Yokosuka by USS George Washington (CVN 73). CVW 5 will continue to serve as the U.S. forward-deployed carrier air wing and will be embarked aboard George Washington upon its return to Japan later this year.

George Washington previously served as the Navy’s forward-deployed carrier in Yokosuka from 2008-2015.

The forward presence of VFA 147 and VRM 30 supports the United States’ commitment to the defense of Japan and the security and stability of the vital Indo-Pacific region. They will directly support the Defense Strategic Guidance to posture the most capable units forward in the Indo-Pacific region.

The United States values Japan’s contributions to the peace, security and stability of the Indo-Pacific and its long-term commitment and hospitality in hosting U.S. forces forward deployed there. These forces, along with their counterparts in the Japan Self-Defense Forces, make up the core capabilities needed by the alliance to meet our common strategic objectives.

The security environment in the Indo-Pacific requires that the U.S. Navy station the most capable ships and aircraft forward. This posture enables rapid response times for maritime and joint forces, and brings our most capable ships with the greatest amount of striking power and operational capability to bear.

Defense News: Unprecedented: Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group Returns from Combat Deployment

Source: United States Navy

The strike group – comprised of the nine squadrons of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3, Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58), and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Gravely (DDG 107) and USS Mason (DDG 87) of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 22 – engaged in combat operations in the Middle East region from Nov. 2023 to June 2024.

“We provide options to our nation’s decision makers. Our job is to preserve the peace, respond in crisis, and if necessary, fight and win decisively, and you delivered on all of those objectives,” said Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti. “You had a mission and you did it every day with purpose and perseverance.”

When Houthi capabilities threatened innocent merchant traffic in critical waterways, CVW-3 collaborated with U.S. Air Force assets and coalition partners to launch seven pre-planned, dedicated strikes into Iranian-backed, Houthi-controlled territories in Yemen. The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Laboon (DDG 58) and USS Carney (DDG 64) augmented the strike group in the U.S. 5th Fleet operating area, launching Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAMs) into Yemen from the Red Sea to support the strikes.

“When called upon, the force brought the fight to the Houthis in their front yard, linking airpower and dynamic and self-defense strikes. These acts reduced the risk to shipping and also reinforced our nation’s commitment to maritime security,” said Vice Adm. George Wikoff, commander, U.S. 5th Fleet. “The currency used to fund this important mission was incredible focus, resiliency and professionalism of the sailors of the IKE Carrier Strike Group over eight months…this is the Navy’s finest moments since World War II.”

Beyond self-defensive strikes into Yemen, IKECSG units engaged dozens of one-way attack uncrewed aerial vehicles, uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs), and uncrewed underwater vehicles, earning awards including the Combat Action Ribbon and Navy Unit Commendation award. Several aviators were also awarded personal medals for their exemplary actions against the December 31, January 9, and subsequent Houthi attacks on IKECSG units. At sea, Philippine Sea and Gravely successfully escorted over 28 high-value, vulnerable units conducting innocent passage through the Strait of Hormuz, Gulfs of Oman and Aden, Bab al-Mandeb Strait, and through the Red Sea.

In total, IKECSG warships launched 155 standard missiles, and 135 TLAMs from their vertical launch system across self-defense and pre-planned strikes. IKECSG aircraft expended nearly 60 air-to-air missiles and released 420 air-to-surface weapons.

The Houthi targets in Yemen posed an immediate threat to U.S., coalition, and merchant shipping, and these strikes were designed to degrade Houthi offensive capabilities.across more than 460 pre-planned, dynamic, and self-defense targets.

These threats damaged many civilian vessels, and IKECSG warships answered their distress calls. Laboon rescued stranded civilians in the Red Sea and returned them to the regional coast guard. Philippine Sea and its embarked detachment of MH-60R helicopters from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 74 rescued 24 civilian mariners in distress after a USV struck the M/V Tutor in the southern Red Sea.

For nine months, the units within IKECSG sustained operations with minimal port calls thanks to their seamless integration with Military Sealift Command (MSC). The Supply-class fast combat ship USNS Supply (T-AOE-6) deployed as a part of the IKECSG. Also supporting logistics in the Red Sea were the Henry J. Kaiser class USNS Kanawha (T-AO 196), and the Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship USNS Alan Shepard (T-AKE-3). Together with the carrier, they enabled all strike group operations, logistics support, command and control structure, and essential medical resources.

The Sailors of IKECSG demonstrated unparalleled resiliency, supported by the embarked Deployment Resiliency Team who worked tirelessly to build connections between Sailors, families, and friends. The team included a Deployed Resiliency Counselor, two psychologists, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, an Embedded Integrated Prevention Coordinator, seven Chaplains, and a command facility dog named Demo, As IKECSG returns home, Return and Reunion teams are embarked to offer Sailors workshops and one-on-one counseling designed to help them ease back into reuniting with loved ones at home.

“What a wonderful day,” said Rear Adm. Kavon Hakimzadeh, Commander, CSG-2, IKECSG, speaking on the return of IKECSG. “These Sailors are surrounded by their loved ones after a long deployment. Every single one of them demonstrated a level of courage and resiliency that we can all be proud of. I am so proud to be part of this Navy team, and I am grateful to everyone who put in the time and effort to make this a great homecoming!”

The units departed their homeports of Norfolk and Oceana, Virginia, Mayport, Florida, and Whidbey Island, Washington, on Oct. 13 & 14 for the scheduled deployment. Now back home, IKECSG Sailors will get opportunities for downtime to rest and recuperate.

Squadrons of Carrier Air Wing 3 include the “Gunslingers” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 105, the “Fighting Swordsmen” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 32, the “Rampagers” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 83, the “Wildcats” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 131, the “Screwtops” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 123, the “Zappers” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 130, the “Dusty Dogs” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 7, the “Swamp Foxes” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 74 and the “Rawhides” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40.

For more information about the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group, head to Facebook (/CSGTwo & /TheCVN69); Instagram (@CarrierStrikeGroupTwo & @TheCVN69); LinkedIn (Carrier-Strike-Group-TWO). For inquiries, email pao@cvn69.navy.mil.