Category: Defense

Source: United States Navy

At the direction of the President to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Defense (DOD), U.S. military service members are supporting Illegal Aliens holding operations led by DHS at NGSB. U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) has set up Joint Task Force Southern Guard at the Naval Station to execute the directive.

“The Naval Station is fully committed to ensuring we have the infrastructure and resources in place to support this vital mission,” said Capt. Michael Stephen, Commander, Naval Station Guantanamo Bay. “From the moment we received the mission, our team has worked with urgency, executing contingency plans, and rapidly strengthening our capabilities.

“The level of teamwork—both within the base and across the joint force—has been outstanding,” said Stephen “Everyone is engaged, working together seamlessly to tackle challenges and ensure we’re ready for what’s ahead. The progress we’ve made in such a short time is a testament to their dedication and professionalism,” he said.

As the United States’ oldest overseas military installation, established in 1903, Naval Station Guantanamo Bay is in the USSOUTHCOM Area of Responsibility. U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. Fourth Fleet serves as USSOUTHCOM’s maritime component commander and therefore has responsibilities in contingency plans involving the naval station. U.S. Navy Region Southeast manages and oversees shore installation support for the naval station as it does for a total of 18 Navy bases in the Southeast region.

“We are very proud of our Sailors, Marines and civilians who have responded to this contingency plan at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, which is a critical forward-operating base that enables the United States to maintain a persistent presence in the Caribbean,” said Rear Adm. Sardiello. “This mission exemplifies how we integrate and deploy all-domain combat power to respond to crises, maintain regional security, and protect U.S. interests.”

Military service members and contractors have provided the manpower and organization to accommodate thousands’ illegal aliens. Additional phases of expansion will follow to meet the President’s directive to host up to 30,000 illegal aliens. This work includes the construction of large, secure tent facilities to house illegal aliens, the installation of high-security fencing and barriers to protect all personnel, and a huge increase in providing essential services, including food, medical care, and housing, to all DOD and DHS personnel. The Navy is also delivering comprehensive logistical support, ensuring the infrastructure and resources needed to sustain operations are in place.

Naval Station Guantanamo Bay ensures the freedom of action in the maritime domain and contributes to enhancing U.S. alliances and partnerships throughout the region. By executing this

critical role in the enforcement of national immigration policies, the station continues to be an integral asset in supporting the defense and security objectives of the United States.

Source: United States Navy

Vice Adm. Mike Vernazza, Commander of Naval Information Forces (NAVIFOR) and the Navy’s IBoss, played a central role in the event, delivering the keynote address at the Information Warfare Pavilion and participating in a high-profile plenary panel on the conference’s opening day. His remarks underscored the increasing demand for IW capabilities in today’s rapidly evolving maritime security environment.

“In today’s battlespace, information is not just an enabler—it is a decisive warfighting tool,” said Vernazza. “Superiority at sea requires superiority in the information domain, and that means leveraging our capabilities across intelligence, cyber warfare, electronic warfare, and battlespace awareness.”

The IW Pavilion served as a focal point for discussions and demonstrations, drawing in military leaders, industry partners, and academia to explore the latest advancements in cyber warfare, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and secure communications. The pavilion provided an immersive experience showcasing how NAVIFOR is delivering cutting-edge IW capabilities to the fleet.

“The presence of the IW Pavilion at WEST is invaluable,” said IBoss. “It allows us to not only demonstrate our operational capabilities but also engage in meaningful discussions with the brightest minds in industry and academia. These conversations directly impact our ability to stay ahead of adversaries in the information domain.”

Having a strong IW presence at the largest maritime conference on the West Coast also reinforced the Navy’s emphasis on integrating IW across all warfare areas. Throughout the event, NAVIFOR leaders met with stakeholders to discuss critical topics such as strengthening cyber resilience, improving electromagnetic spectrum operations, and enhancing battlespace awareness for decision superiority.

“Our adversaries are rapidly advancing their own information warfare capabilities,” said Vernazza during the plenary panel discussion. “If we are not continuously innovating and refining our approach, we risk losing the advantage. Events like WEST allow us to collaborate, share knowledge, and accelerate the development of solutions that keep us ahead.”

NAVIFOR Sailors and civilians were also actively engaged throughout the conference, providing firsthand perspectives on how IW is applied in real-world operations. Panel discussions and breakout sessions focused on the evolving role of cyber warfare in naval operations, data-driven decision-making, and the challenges of securing networks in contested environments.

One of the key takeaways from WEST 2025 was the importance of partnerships. By fostering relationships between the military, industry, and academia, NAVIFOR continues to ensure the Navy has the tools and talent necessary to meet future challenges.

“We cannot do this alone,” Vernazza emphasized. “Our partnerships are essential to developing the cutting-edge technologies and strategies we need to maintain information dominance. The conversations we have here at WEST help shape the future of naval operations.”

As NAVIFOR looks to the future, its commitment to warfighter readiness and information warfare excellence remains steadfast. WEST 2025 served as both a showcase of capabilities and a reminder of the ever-growing importance of information warfare in achieving maritime superiority.

NAVIFOR’s mission is to generate, directly and through our leadership of the IW Enterprise, agile and technically superior manned, trained, equipped, and certified combat-ready IW forces to ensure our Navy will decisively DETER, COMPETE, and WIN.

For more information on NAVIFOR, visit the command Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NavalInformationForces/ or the public web page at https://www.navifor.usff.navy.mil.

Source: United States Navy

The MAKO series is designed to provide Reserve Sailors hands-on experience within the operational level of war (OLW) environment including a maritime operations center (MOC) scenario.

Rear Adm. Kenneth Blackmon, Vice Commander of USFF, describes this MAKO Challenge as aligning to, “the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO)’s ‘Project 33 target’ to ‘Fight from the MOC’ by affording Reserve Component Sailors new to MOC units basic reps and sets to be better prepared to add value on day one.”

Fighting from the MOC is one of the seven targets that make up CNO Adm. Lisa Franchetti’s Project 33, a set of targets that will allow the U.S. Navy to make strategic gains in the fastest time with the resources we influence. In the Navigation Plan for America’s Warfighting Navy, the CNO states that, “through ready MOCs, the Navy will expand information and decision advantage to retain the initiative in crisis or conflict.”

The document adds that, “by 2027, all fleet headquarters, starting in the Pacific Fleet, will have ready MOCs certified and proficient in command and control, information, intelligence, fires, movement and maneuver, protection, and sustainment functions as assessed by our MOC Training Teams.”

“This investment in our Reserve Component MOC training is critical for CNO’s Fight From the MOC priority and is informed by the active component’s experiences on the watch floors around the globe,” according to Blackmon.

With limited time and high operational expectations, the Navy Reserve prioritizes training to increase warfighting readiness. This is especially important given the many geopolitical challenges the U.S. currently faces. Accordingly, evolutions like MAKO are designed to give Reserve Sailors in the fleet the most realistic training they can receive without standing on the active watch floor. MAKO also prepares participants for when they are called on orders for future exercises or to fill in for active duty gaps.

Reserve Sailors who attended MAKO make a direct impact on the readiness of the Navy through realistic training, and the MOC and other OLW lines of effort are priorities of Navy leadership.

Senior leaders visited the watch floor and spoke with Reserve Sailors and mentors in order to better understand the training taking place and witness the active and Reserve integration firsthand.

Source: United States Navy

NORFOLK, Va. — On February 5, 2025, a multi-agency exercise simulating an active shooter scenario and improvised explosive device (IED) threat took place in Naval Support Activity (NSA) Hampton Roads Iowa Estates. The drill was designed to test the readiness and coordination of various local and federal agencies, enhancing their ability to respond to complex, high-stress situations. The exercise was a collaborative effort involving Navy Police, Norfolk Police, Norfolk Fire, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Fire, Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD).

“Exercises like this are critical in ensuring our personnel are prepared for real-world threats. The collaboration between multiple agencies strengthens our ability to respond effectively and keep our communities safe,” said Captain Mathew Olson, NSA Hampton Roads Commanding Officer.

The exercise began with a simulated active shooter incident at Iowa Estates. The scenario unfolded when a suspect entered the area and began firing shots. Navy Police quickly responded, pursuing the suspect into the residential area. During the pursuit, officers encountered a suspected IED, adding an additional layer of urgency and complexity to the situation. The discovery prompted an immediate shift in tactics, requiring coordination with EOD specialists to assess and neutralize the threat while law enforcement continued their response.

Following a brief chase, the suspect barricaded himself in his vehicle, prompting a tactical response from the involved agencies. In response to the evolving situation, NCIS took charge of negotiations with the suspect in an attempt to resolve the standoff peacefully. The standoff lasted just under two hours, allowing participants to refine and assess their protocols for crisis management, communication, and the coordination of multiple teams.

The primary aim of the exercise was to provide participating agencies with an opportunity to experience “real-world” training, enabling them to sharpen their response times, improve tactical strategies, and ensure the safety of both law enforcement personnel and the public.

“The more we train together, the better prepared we are. These scenarios push us to refine our strategies and ensure that when a real crisis occurs, we’re ready to respond with precision and professionalism,” said Lieutenant Shawn Watkins, NSA Hampton Roads Security Officer.

The scenarios emphasized the importance of clear communication between the agencies involved, allowing for effective coordination. Fire departments were also instrumental, responding to potential hazards and ensuring the safety of all responders, while EOD teams worked swiftly to evaluate and neutralize the IED threat, preventing further escalation.

This training allowed personnel to practice both offensive and defensive tactics, developing their ability to work together under high pressure. The simulation also tested the agencies’ capacity to maintain situational awareness, handle negotiations, and defuse a dangerous situation in a timely manner.

The exercise underscored the importance of a unified approach when responding to critical incidents. With a combination of law enforcement, fire, medical, and military personnel, the agencies worked seamlessly to bring the exercise to a successful conclusion. The integration of different units—from police negotiators to fire response teams—demonstrated the value of multi-agency collaboration in safeguarding public safety during complex emergencies.

“At the end of the day, everything we do is about protecting lives. This exercise allowed us to test and improve our skills so that if the worst happens, we can respond swiftly and effectively,” said Captain Olson.

Moving forward, the lessons learned during this event will serve as a foundation for future training exercises and real-world responses, ensuring that all participants remain prepared to protect and serve with the highest level of professionalism and efficiency.

Source: United States Navy

While the strike group’s material readiness is the top priority of the visit, ensuring maintenance and upkeep across the ships and aircraft, Sailors will have the opportunity to enjoy liberty and experience Crete’s rich history and culture. 

“I’m incredibly proud of the dedication and service of this team and their tireless work around the clock,” said Capt. Dave Snowden, commanding officer of USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). “Their efforts keep our ship operating at peak performance and aircraft ready to support combat operations.” 

After entering the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility on Dec. 14, the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG) supported multiple self-defense strikes against targets across Iran-backed Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. The strikes directly contributed to CENTCOM’s campaign to degrade the Houthis attempts to threaten regional partners and the free flow of commerce in the region. On Feb. 1, HSTCSG conducted airstrikes against ISIS-Somalia in support of U.S. Africa Command and in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia. 

“The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group remains the most adaptable and lethal presence in theater,” said Rear Adm. Sean Bailey, commander, HSTCSG. “This port visit provides the opportunity to reset and focus on maintenance for maximum readiness ahead of future operations.” 

The visit is HSTCSG’s third port visit of deployment, following stops in Oslo, Norway, and Marseille, France. NSA Souda Bay is a remote forward operating installation that enables power projection and warfighting capabilities from the Eastern Mediterranean.

“Team Souda is happy to welcome HSTCSG to Crete,” from Capt. Stephen Steacy, commanding officer, NSA Souda Bay. “As the crossroads of the 6th Fleet, we are strategically located in the Eastern Mediterranean to support our forward-deployed forces. The hospitality of the local community is unmatched, giving Sailors the opportunity for a much-needed break.”

The Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (IKECSG) visited NSA Souda Bay for a similar port visit in April 2024. The IKECSG and HSTCSG have operated in the most intense period of sustained combat activity for the U.S. Navy since World War II.

The carrier strike group includes the flagship USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75); Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1, with eight embarked aviation squadrons; staffs from CSG-8, CVW-1, and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 28; the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG 64); and two Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers, USS Stout (DDG 55) and USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109). 

HSTCSG’s mission is to conduct prompt and sustained combat operations at sea and maintain a forward presence through sea control and power projection capabilities. For more information, visit DVIDS at https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/CVN75.