Category: MIL-OSI

Source: United States Navy

The monument park was opened to the public on the 80th anniversary year of the D-Day invasion, serving as a tribute to the selfless sacrifice of NCDU and S&R service members in the D-Day invasion.

During his remarks, Davids discussed the courage and grit displayed by the men whose surveillance and beach-clearing efforts contributed to the D-Day invasion, underscoring the enduring importance of global alliances in achieving common objectives.

“As we dedicate this park, we salute the brave NCDU service members and S&Rs, forefathers of Naval Special Warfare, for their service and sacrifice, said Davids. “This monument will carry forward their legacy, ensuring their stories inspire future generations to cherish and defend the liberties we hold dear.”

Overlooking the shores of Omaha Beach, the monument tells the story of the NCDU and S&Rs teams through maps, historical panels, and artifacts.

The monument’s center features a Living Beach with a hedgehog barrier. This barrier was a common obstacle cleared by the NCDUs during the D-Day invasion. The beach is surrounded by sand from global locations where NSW service members have trained, fought, and died. The sand was spread around the hedgehog by NSW service members and the friends and family of NCDU service members and S&Rs.

Before the monument’s dedication, Davids and NSW Force Master Chief Walter Dittmar paid their respects at the NCDU and S&R gravesites in the Normandy American Cemetery and Monument. This cemetery, where over 9,000 American service members are interred, honors those who fell during the Normandy invasion from June 6 to August 30, 1944.

Naval Special Warfare is the nation’s elite maritime special operations force, uniquely positioned to extend the Fleet’s reach and gain and maintain access for the Joint Force in competition and conflict.

Source: United States Navy

During the visit, USS Normandy will participate in a remembrance event that marks the 80th anniversary of the Allied invasion of France, scheduled for June 6, 2024, which marked the turn in America’s campaign during World War II. Leadership will also participate in a reception attended by The 76th Secretary of the Navy, The Honorable Carlos Del Toro, Admiral Stuart B. Munsch, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) and Allied Joint Forces Command (JFC) Naples, and Admiral Nicolas Vaujour, 63rd Chief of Staff of the French Navy.

“It is an honor to be a part of this historic milestone and pay tribute to the men and women who paid the ultimate price in the name of freedom,” said Capt. Errol Robinson, Commanding Officer of USS Normandy. “Representing not only these Sailors, but the countless other French, American, and Allied heroes who gave their lives on these hallowed grounds is a moment in time that will never be forgotten.”

USS Normandy is named after the French region of Normandy, the site of the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944 that shifted the tide of WWII in favor of the allies. In the months that followed D-Day, American, French resistance, and Allied forces fought to drive Nazi occupiers from the region and establish a strong base for the final push to liberate France.

USS Normandy is independently deployed to enhance integration for future operations and demonstrate the U.S. Navy’s commitment to a peaceful, stable and conflict-free Atlantic region.

For more than 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) has forged strategic relationships with our Allies and partners, leveraging a foundation of shared values to preserve security and stability.

Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces in the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) areas of responsibility. U.S. Sixth Fleet is permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, and employs maritime forces through the full spectrum of joint and naval operations.

Source: United States Navy

Oak Hill Sailors and Marines, as well as the embarked 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Special Operations Capable (SOC) and Sailors assigned to Beach Masters Unit (BMU) 2 visited with French Navy counterparts assigned to amphibious assault ship FS Mistral (L9013) while in Brest. Together, U.S. and French forces planned and participated in a variety of events celebrating the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings and Operation Overlord, the decisive World War II campaign that brought Allied troops ashore in nearby Normandy.

Cmdr. Jason Nowell, Oak Hill’s commanding officer, visited the Mistral to meet Capt. Olivier Roussille, Mistral’s commanding officer, for a concept of operations (CONOPS) brief about the D-Day celebration.

“I worked alongside Roussille and our staffs to coordinate all of the events our ships are executing,” said Nowell. “We all have the same goals, safely and smartly executing our evolutions to commemorate and honor the 80th anniversary of the Allied landings in Normandy. It’s important we work together for this event. Our demonstrations ensure people don’t just read about these brave historic events in books—they see and experience it. Equally important, we continue to strengthen our partnership with France.”

The events Sailors and Marines will participate in during the D-Day celebration at Normandy include ceremony, landing craft, utility (LCU) demonstrations, and a commemorative hike.

Tours for French and U.S. Sailors and Marines were conducted aboard both Oak Hill and Mistral. In addition to these tours, the Mistral crew hosted a high-intensity interval training competition aboard the French ship, allowing not only for a friendly test of strength, but also creating bonds and strengthening relations between countries.

“I don’t think I’ll have a chance like this again,” said Information Specialist 2nd Class Bretburton Clark, one of Oak Hill’s competitors. “The course was fun, but it destroyed us. Teaming up with [the French Navy,] I got to talk to them and make friends with them. I learned so much about their culture.”

France is a long-standing NATO ally of the United States, dating back to NATO’s inception in 1949. The celebration provided a chance to further strengthen the U.S.’s relationship with France, while allowing the Sailors and Marines to memorialize World War II and a cultural exchange.

D-Day was an amphibious and airborne assault on the beaches of Normandy during World War II conducted by United States, United Kingdom and other Allied forces to liberate France from Nazi-Germany control on June 6, 1944.

Oak Hill deployed from Norfolk, Virginia, May 22, and has conducted training, exercises, and operations to support maritime stability and security in defense of U.S., Allied, and partner interests.

Oak Hill is conducting operations in U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations as part of the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group (WSP ARG)-24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Special Operations Capable (SOC).

The WSP ARG-24th MEU (SOC) is comprised of its flagship namesake, the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21), Oak Hill, and the embarked 24th MEU (SOC).

The 24th MEU (SOC) is a Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) with a command element, Aviation Combat Element (Medium Marine Tiltrotor Squadron 365 (Reinforced), Ground Combat Element (Battalion Landing Team 1/8), and Logistics Combat Element (Combat Logistics Battalion 24).

For more than 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) has forged strategic relationships with our Allies and partners, leveraging a foundation of shared values to preserve security and stability.

To learn more about WASP ARG and 24th MEU “Team of Teams,” visit their DVIDS feature page at https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/wasparg24thmeu.
You can find Amphibious Squadron 4, Wasp Amphibious Ready Group on Facebook and DVIDS.
You can find the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit on Facebook, Twitter (@the24MEU), Instagram (@24MEU), and DVIDS.
You can find USS Wasp on Facebook and Instagram (@usswasp_lhd1)
You can find USS New York on Facebook and Instagram (@uss_newyork)
You can find USS Oak Hill on Facebook.

Source: United States Navy

The ship departed Rota, Spain, in late February 2024 to begin its current deployment throughout European and African waters. The ship has conducted previous port visits to Tema, Ghana, and Libreville, Gabon since departing in February.

Hershel “Woody” Williams is forward deployed to Souda Bay, Greece and serves as the first U.S. Navy ship assigned to the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) area of responsibility. The ship is capable of conducting expeditionary missions, counter piracy, maritime security, and humanitarian and disaster relief operations. Hershel “Woody” Williams’ unique capabilities are part of the critical access infrastructure that supports the deployment of forces and supplies to support global missions. The ship operates with blue and gold crews, allowing it to remain continually deployed throughout AFRICOM.

For over 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) has forged strategic relationships with allies and partners, leveraging a foundation of shared values to preserve security and stability.

Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces in the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) areas of responsibility. U.S. Sixth Fleet is permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, and employs maritime forces through the full spectrum of joint and naval operations.

Source: United States Navy

During his tenure as Provost, Gartner played a pivotal role in guiding NPS through a time of budget challenges and transformational change, coming aboard during the tumultuous COVID-19 pandemic. He oversaw the restructuring of the NPS academic organization, resulting in a more interdisciplinary department-based approach in collaboration with a new team of vice provosts in academic affairs, research and innovation, leadership, and warfare studies.

Gartner also provided oversight for the establishment of the NPS Extended Campus, dedicated to the management of NPS Online, which has expanded distance learning access and opportunities for warfighters who are often challenged by tight career pipelines and operational commitments to gain advanced, relevant education. Stackable certificates organized by core program areas now enable degrees and continuous learning for naval officers, qualified servicemembers, and Department of Defense (DOD) civilians.

Dr. James Newman, Chair of the Space Systems Academic Group (SSAG) and a former NASA astronaut, has agreed to serve as Acting Provost while the process begins in the official search for a permanent successor.

Retired Vice Adm. Ann Rondeau, President of NPS, credited Gartner for playing a critical role in developing the vision and transformation outlined in the NPS Strategic Framework, a five-year plan intended to guide the institution through ongoing transformation and lay the foundation for future campus modernization efforts and the establishment of the Naval Innovation Center at NPS.

“Under Dr. Gartner’s leadership, NPS has re-established itself as the Department of the Navy’s flagship technical graduate institution, viewed by many now as a distinct and valued capability in the defense of our nation,” said Rondeau. “Leading change is hard, and Scott deserves great credit for spearheading our academic efforts to align and strengthen curricula and research for 21st century educational and innovation outcomes with increasing operational impact for the fleet and force. I am grateful for his leadership and partnership, and look forward to Scott’s contributions as he returns to the profession of defense-related scholarship, teaching and intellectual engagement that is his passion.”

Gartner came to NPS from Pennsylvania State University, where he was the Director of the School of International Affairs and held Affiliate Professorships in both the Department of Political Science and Penn State Law in University Park.

In reflecting on his time as NPS Provost, Gartner expressed his enthusiasm about being a scholar again at NPS. In fact, Gartner’s first introduction to NPS was as a visiting professor in 2014 in the Defense Analysis department – an experience which had a profound impact, leading him to vow to return and work directly in support of national defense education.

“I am profoundly grateful for my tenure as Provost of NPS, and I would like to thank President Rondeau, the faculty, staff, and students for allowing me to serve them,” said Gartner. “I am confident that the future for NPS is solid and looks bright, and I am glad to be able to stay for the exciting times ahead to contribute again as a professor working with our exceptional warrior-scholar students – that’s why we exist.”

According to Gartner, his experiences as NPS Provost have informed his strategic thinking, especially as the position evolved to include new duties as Vice President and Chief Academic Officer.

Gartner said he is eager about returning to academics, especially engaging with NPS students. “I anticipate delving into research topics that have been occupying my thoughts, but I also learn as much from our NPS students as any other colleague, and value their real-world operational experiences that helps to keep us all grounded and focused on enabling them as leaders,” he said.

While there were a number of specific accomplishments Gartner takes pride in, he expressed his greatest pride in the collective impact the entire NPS leadership team has had in revitalizing and reenergizing the relevance and value of NPS to the Navy and Marine Corps. Moreover, Gartner was most encouraged by the willingness of faculty and staff to step up and lean in despite being already overburdened.

“Our faculty and staff have helped to make NPS work better together, lowering barriers to cooperation, and gaining advocacy from senior leaders in the Pentagon, not only for NPS’ mission, but the recognition of the vital role advanced education plays in sharpening cognitive readiness for warfighting advantage,” Gartner said.

“Scott has been and will continue to be a friend and valuable colleague for us all,” said Rondeau. “His enthusiasm for teaching, research and writing is absolutely genuine and I am grateful that NPS will be his home-base as he continues and expands his intellectual exploration, analysis and decision-focused study and will have a continued voice in the life of this great institution.

“I am deeply humbled by, and grateful for, both Dr. Gartner and Dr. Newman and their willingness to serve.”