Category: MIL-OSI

Source: United States Navy

Brazilian Navy Rear Admiral Antonio Braz de Souza relinquished command of Combined Task Force (CTF) 151 to Turkish Navy Rear Admiral Rüştü Sezer as the commander of CMF, Vice Adm. George Wikoff, looked on. Braz de Souza assumed command in January.

Under Braz de Souza’s leadership, CTF 151 carried out five successful Sea Joint Activities (SJA) and one Focused Operation (Mare Liberum IV) with 13 participating countries, aimed at enhancing interoperability among assets from various nations and deterring illicit activities on the high seas. Additionally, he conducted key leader engagements with multiple countries and maritime organizations to discuss the importance of collaboration, information sharing and the exchange of knowledge. Braz de Souza also strengthened partnerships with other naval forces, such as the European Union Naval Forces ATALANTA and ASPIDES, to support maritime security efforts.

The CTF, established in January 2009, is one of five operational task forces under CMF and focuses on deterring piracy and suppressing other illicit activities in the Western Indian Ocean. CTF 151 includes representatives from Brazil, Bahrain, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Republic of Korea, Spain, Thailand and Türkiye.

“When I took over command of CTF 151, I was aware of the importance and responsibilities that this position entailed. Especially in this command, after a long dormant period, we were faced with the resurgence of piracy, a challenge that demanded a swift and coordinated response from all of us,” said Braz de Souza. “Thanks to the effort and dedication of every member of this task force, we managed to confront this threat with competence and determination. I am grateful to Vice Admiral Wikoff, whose high competence is an example to all of us, always seeking to guide and foster an excellent work environment.”

Sezer comes to the CTF after serving as Commodore of 5th Destroyer Division Command. This change of command marks the seventh time Türkiye has commanded CTF 151.

“It is indeed an honor and great privilege for me to take command of this unique task force on behalf of my country, Türkiye, and to be a part of the Combined Maritime Forces family,” said Sezer. “Global maritime commerce continues to be protected and freedom of navigation continues to be secured.”

CTF 151 is one of five task forces under CMF, the world’s largest international naval partnership. CTF 151’s mission is to deter, disrupt, and suppress piracy and armed robbery in the maritime environment.

Combined Maritime Forces is a 44-nation naval partnership upholding the international rules-based order by promoting security and stability across 3.2 million square miles of water encompassing some of the world’s most important shipping lanes.

Source: United States Navy

“The U.S. and Japan have a strong strategic alliance,” said Capt. Robert R. Williams, Commodore of MSC Far East in Singapore. “Interoperable refueling capabilities enhance this partnership by enabling joint operations, training exercises, and real-world missions. This cooperation reinforces mutual defense commitments and helps promote regional stability.”

CONSOL capability is when a specially outfitted MSC-controlled tanker conducts underway refueling operations, transferring cargo to combat logistics-force (CLF) ships at sea.

Typically, CLF ships are required to return to shore to a supply depot to resupply. A CONSOL eliminates those round-trips to a supply point, thereby, reduces cost and increases time at sea to support the fleet.

The training evolution builds upon a previous SQT between a U.S. Navy commercial oiler and a JMSDF oiler in October 2023. The ability of a JMSDF tanker to CONSOL allows them to also carry fuel out to the fleet, and provide underway replenishment of fuel, fleet cargo, and stores to customer ships at sea, thereby increasing capacity in the Indo-Pacific region.

Badlands Trader is one of a few commercial oil tankers that has been chartered and outfitted to pump fuel to CLFs at sea, which allows the CLF ships to stay closer to the fleet.

“CONSULs between JMSDF and U.S Navy fleet replenishment oilers are not new,” said Peter P. Bok, strategic sealift officer, MSC Far East. “However, the ability for JMSDF vessels to connect with an MSC-chartered commercial oiler is a capability that we are honing. This increases operational reach and endurance of both naval forces.”

In a CONSOL, providing fuel to CLF ships means they don’t have to return to a Defense Fuel Support Point to refuel, added Bok.

The two-day SQT began at port on board U.S. Fleet Activities Sasebo, Japan, and both crews participated in safety briefings, discussions and cross-deck training.

Day one involved pier side SQTs: deploying, retrieving and re-deploying the fuel lines between the two ships while at port.

Day two, both ships got underway and connected at sea as planned offering a successful proof-of-concept.

Both ships returned to port on day three.

“The SQTs reduce the risk of misunderstandings during CONSOL operations,” said Bok. “It also encourages the adoption of standardized procedures and equipment.”

MSC Far East supports the U.S. 7th Fleet and ensures approximately 50 ships in the Indo-Pacific Region are manned, trained, and equipped to deliver essential supplies, fuel, cargo, and equipment to warfighters, both at sea and on shore. 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.

Celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2024, MSC exists to support the joint warfighter across the full spectrum of military operations, with a workforce that includes approximately 6,000 Civil Service Mariners and 1,100 contract mariners, supported by 1,500 shore staff and 1,400 active duty and Reserve military personnel.

Source: United States Navy

The exercise tested the Navy’s emergency response capabilities and its ability to work with multiple agencies to respond to a spill consisting of a mixture of water and cleaning solution at the facility, ahead of the commencement of pressure washing fuel tanks that have completed successful fuel and sludge removal. 

Experts from the Navy, Environmental Protection Agency, Hawaii Department of Health, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, and Honolulu Department of Emergency Management participated in the drill.  

“As we move into the next stages of tank cleaning operations, our goal is to ensure our teams are prepared to respond to any situation if there is an unplanned release or spill,” said Rear Adm. Marc Williams, NCTF-RH deputy commander. “We remain committed to ensure the safety of our workers, our community, and the environment.”  

NCTF-RH is committed to working with all government agencies and community stakeholders to safely and deliberately close the RHBFSF underground storage tanks and associated pipelines, conduct long-term environmental remediation, and ensure continued access to safe drinking water in compliance with all Federal, State, and local laws, policies and regulations. 

For more information about NCTF-RH, visit www.navyclosuretaskforce.navy.mil or download the mobile app by searching for “NCTF-Red Hill” in the Apple App store or Google Play store.   

SAFE. DELIBERATE. ENGAGED. COMMITTED. 

– NCTF – RH –  

Source: United States Navy

Norfolk, Va. (July 14, 2024) – Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro visited Naval Station Norfok to welcome the ships and squadrons of Carrier Strike Group TWO home, July 13-14.

Secretary Del Toro was in Norfolk for the arrivals of USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) and USS Gravely (DDG 107). In May, Secretary Del Toro presented a Navy Unit Commendation (NUC) for forces assigned to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, including the Eisenhower Strike Group, at the return to homeport ceremony of USS Carney (DDG 64).

“By defending our allies as well as innocent civilian merchant mariners against relentless attacks, they made an incredible impact that will be an enduring part of our naval services’ legacy,” said Secretary Del Toro. “Their achievements and actions are worthy of the Navy Unit Commendation and Combat Action Ribbon that I awarded to them earlier this year.”

The NUC is awarded to any ship, aircraft, or other unit of the Navy or Marine Corps that has distinguished itself by outstanding heroism in action against enemy forces and is the second highest unit award in the Department of the Navy, behind the Presidential Unit Citation. 

Following the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attacks in Israel, USS Carney operated alongside the Gerald R. Ford and Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Groups in the Red Sea, defending commercial shipping lanes, innocent merchant mariners, and American, allied, and partner vessels against drone and missile attacks launched by the Iranian-aligned Houthis in Yemen. 

In all, the Eisenhower Strike Group conducted more than 750engagements, utilizing 792 munitions in combat. The threats included land attack cruise missiles, anti-ship ballistic missiles, and unmanned systems.

While in Norfolk, Secretary Del Toro also addressed families on the pier for the three ships, thanking them for their support throughout the strike group’s deployment and discussing how proud their Sailors’ service makes him.

“We must also remember that our Sailors and Marines are volunteers—volunteers who chose to dedicate their careers and their lives to defending the values and ideals we as an American people hold dear,” said Secretary Del Toro. “They understand that service is not an obligation—it is indeed a calling. And as we’ve witnessed throughout the IKE Carrier Strike Group’s deployment, it is an opportunity to be a part of something much greater than ourselves, standing tall against the terrorist acts of the Iranian-aligned Houthis in defense of the defenseless. “

On Saturday, Secretary Del Toro accompanied National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Admiral Lisa Franchetti, the Chief of Naval Operations, to USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) before their return on Sunday.

Read Secretary Del Toro’s full remarks online.

Read the full Navy Unit Commendation online.