Category: Defense

Source: United States Navy

Navy Weeks are held to show Americans the investment they made in their Navy increase the awareness of the Navy’s role and purpose in our national defense.

Two U.S. Navy destroyers (USS Farragut and USS Lassen), a USCG cutter (USCG Daniel Tarr) and the French Navy vessel La Combattante (FS Tunis) are participating in the events which are scheduled to spread the breadth of New Orleans over the next three days. Additionally, several hundred Sailors and Coast Guardsmen are visiting the city to help residents understand a little more about military life.

“Just as New Orleans has always been a maritime city, our nation has always been and will always remain a Maritime Nation with sea power being critical to American security and our economic well-being,” said Rear Adm. John Menoni, Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 2. “Some of the Lassen and Farragut Sailors you are about to meet help make up the backbone of that work, and they do it 24-7-365. They do it with great pride, and often in harm’s way.”

Tours of ships are being offered to groups on the morning of Tuesday, April 19, from 8:30 to 11 a.m. The ships will be open to the general public daily in the afternoon of April 19-21 from 1 to 5 p.m., and in the mornings April 20 and 21 from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Visitors to the New Orleans’ waterfront, can see four ships from two countries this year. Current New Orleans and Department of Defense COVID requirements do not require masks while in line or aboard the ships. However, the French Navy does require them, so masks are required to tour La Combattante. All tours are free.

In addition to the ships, there are displays of military equipment on the pier for guests to view while waiting to board the ships. Displays include information on Navy environmental programs, U.S. Marine Corps vehicles and equipment, Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs) from Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, recruiting displays, U.S. Coast Guard small boats and navigational aids, and more.

Other public engagements include the Louisiana Seafood Cookoff and Navy Band performances.
The Seafood Cookoff pairs Navy Culinary Specialists from the ships with local chefs in a competition to create the piece-de-resistance of New Orleans cuisine. The event is open to the public and will take place at Spanish Plaze, April 20 beginning at 1 p.m. Nine teams will be competing for top honors!
The Navy Region Southeast Band is holding public performances at the French Market, April 19 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; at the French Quarter Parade April 21 beginning at 1000; at the Jean Lafitte and Jazz Historical Park April 21 from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

Additionally, Sailors, Coast Guardsmen, Marines, and French Sailors will give back to the city through volunteer service projects all three full days in port. Projects will include a cemetery clean-up, cleaning and painting park areas and playgrounds as well as planting trees to help restore greenway areas. More than 200 service members will participate in the projects.
Information on events and activities may be found by visiting www.neworleans.com/event/nola-navy-week/3270/ or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NolaNavyWeek.

Source: United States Navy

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), USS Mobile Bay (CG 52) and USS Spruance (DDG 111) of Carrier Strike Group Three (CSG 3) and JS Inazuma (DD 105) and JS Kongo (DDG 173) of JMSDF Escort Division 11 engaged in various joint events to include enhanced maritime communication operations, air warfare training, and various other drills to hone in on integrated maritime operations and combat readiness.

“Our enduring commitments to our relationships in the Indo-Pacific region continue to grow and blossom through integrated and bilateral at-sea exercises including the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force,” said Rear Adm. J. T. Anderson, commander, CSG 3. “These exercises demonstrate our collective combat-credible capabilities while safeguarding our shared interests and values.”

Coordinated maritime engagements and operations with international partners are part of the U.S. Navy’s routine presence in the Indo-Pacific. Since arriving in the U.S. 7th Fleet region in January, CSG 3 units have participated in multiple operations and exercises to include dual carrier operations with USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), exercises Noble Fusion and  Jungle Warfare 2022, and a long-range air demonstration. 

The ABECSG consists of CSG 3 and includes aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72); Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9; Destroyer Squadron 21; the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53); and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62), USS Gridley (DDG 101), USS Sampson (DDG 102), and USS Spruance (DDG 111).

Abraham Lincoln’s embarked air wing consists of the “Wallbangers” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 117; “Titans” of Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron (VRM) 30; “Chargers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 14; “Tophatters” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 14; “Black Aces” of VFA 41; “Wizards” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 133; “Black Knights” of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314; “Vigilantes” of VFA 151 and “Raptors” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 71.

ABECSG departed its homeport for a scheduled deployment to the Indo-Pacific January 3, 2022.

As the U.S. Navy’s largest forward deployed fleet, U.S. 7th Fleet routinely operates between 50-70 ships and submarines and 140 aircraft with approximately 20,000 Sailors. U.S. 7th Fleet’s area of operation spans more than 124 million square kilometers, stretching from the International Date Line to the India/Pakistan border; and from the Kuril Islands in the North to the Antarctic in the South Pacific, providing security and stability to the region. U.S. 7th Fleet interacts with 35 other maritime nations to build partnerships that foster maritime security while conducting a wide-range of missions to support humanitarian efforts and uphold international laws and freedoms of the sea.

For more news from CSG 3, visit http://www.dvidshub.net/unit/USSAL-CVN72

Source: United States Navy

An assumption of command is a military tradition that represents a formal transfer of authority and responsibility for a unit to a commanding officer.

Belmont previously served as FRCE’s executive officer, the depot’s second-in-command, since May 2021.  Previous tours include Production Group Military Director at Commander, Fleet Readiness Centers (COMFRC), Aviation Readiness Branch Head at Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV), and numerous operational assignments as a material control officer and maintenance material control officer.

His decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the John C. Stennis “Straight Furrow,” senior leadership award and various campaign, service and unit awards.

Belmont is a native of Chicago, Illinois, and a graduate of Lewis University and Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.

Lt. Col. Jason Raper, who served as the FRCE Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Production Officer, has assumed the duties as Acting Executive Officer.

FRCE is North Carolina’s largest maintenance, repair, overhaul and technical services provider, with more than 4,000 civilian, military and contract workers. Its annual revenue exceeds $1 billion. The depot provides service to the fleet while functioning as an integral part of the greater U.S. Navy; Naval Air Systems Command; and Commander, Fleet Readiness Centers.

Source: United States Navy

BATH, Maine (NNS) – Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Mike Gilday traveled to Bath, Maine, April 18, where he met with congressional leaders from Maine to visit General Dynamics Bath Iron Works (BIW).

Gilday met with Sen. Susan Collins and other Congressional leaders and together they visited shipyard facilities, toured and met with Sailors aboard the future USS Carl M. Levin (DDG 120).                                                                                   

“The work being done here in Maine is critically important to our Navy,” said Gilday.  “The entire workforce of Bath Iron Works is delivering cutting edge capabilities at a critical time for our nation.”

“It was a pleasure to welcome back Adm. Gilday to Bath Iron Works, where he had the opportunity to see firsthand the tremendous skill and dedication of employees who are building the Navy’s most capable ships.  We also met with the commander of the future USS Carl M. Levin.  It is reassuring to know that the brave men and women of the Navy will crew a ship built by the world’s best shipbuilders,” said Senator Collins.  “Increasing the size of our Navy fleet is imperative to our national security in order to counter the rising aggression by Russia and China.  As a senior member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I will continue to work to ensure that BIW has the resources it needs to support our Navy.”

During the tour they visited and received updates at the Bath Iron Works outfit facility, post-blast paint shop, and spoke with shipyard workers.

Gilday also met with BIW leaders to include the Interim President Robert Smith.  They discussed the importance and challenges of the shipyard, which include material delays and connecting with a younger generation of shipyard workers.

Aboard the Arleigh-Burke guided-missile destroyer, Gilday presented an award to a Sailor and expressed his appreciation to everyone on board. 

“Seeing a new warship being built is exciting, but what truly breathes life into a new ship is her crew,” said Gilday. “We are the finest fighting force in the world because of our people. I am confident USS Carl M. Levin Sailors will embrace a warfighting ethos with the integrity and uncompromising dedication that truly embraces their ship’s namesake, who helped ensure our nation’s armed forces remained the best in the world.”

The visit marked CNO’s second trip to Bath Iron Works.

Source: United States Navy

Sentinel Shield, an exercise designed to enhance interoperability, was conducted in the Arabian Gulf and involved personnel and ships from the U.S. Coast Guard and the United Arab Emirates Navy. The USCGC Baranof (WPB 1318) and UAENS Marban (P152) conducted passing exercises and maneuvering drills, as well as small boat training.

“UAE was an excellent partner in conducting the necessary serials to continue to build our relationship in the Arabian Gulf,” said Lt. Vaughn Gehman, Baranof’s commanding officer. “IMSC is essential in maintaining the free flow of commerce in these important waters.”

“I was delighted to see our Emirati partners participating in this month’s exercise,” said Commodore Don Mackinnon, commander of IMSC and CTF Sentinel. “Sentinel Shield exercises better train our task force while strengthening our ability to handle real-world scenarios and better communications with our partner nations.”

IMSC was formed in July 2019 in response to increased threats to freedom of navigation for merchant mariners transiting international waters in the Middle East. CTF Sentinel was established four months later to deter state-sponsored malign activity and reassure the merchant shipping industry in the Bab al-Mandeb and Strait of Hormuz.

The coalition includes nine member nations: the Republic of Albania, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Lithuania, Romania, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States.