Category: MIL-OSI

Source: United States Navy

This port visit, as part of the exercise, strengthens the U.S.-Gabonese partnership as the two nations work together for a stable, secure, and prosperous Gulf of Guinea and West Africa region. The ship will also host a reception for distinguished visitors to kick off the exercise. These events allow the Sailors and CIVMARs of Hershel “Woody” Williams a chance to experience Gabon’s rich culture, history and hospitality as a critical regional partner.

Following the scheduled port visit to Libreville, Gabon, Hershel “Woody” Williams will join the at-sea portion of Obangame Express with more than 30 countries slated to participate. The exercise will include Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS), Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV’s) launches and recoveries, and personnel exchange training evolutions.

“The port visit is the perfect opportunity to strengthen relationships with our partners,” said CAPT Lenard Mitchell, commanding officer of USS Hershel “Woody” Williams Gold MILCREW. “The US Navy’s support for Obangame Express demonstrates our commitment to the region, and these types of engagements underscore the potential for future interoperability.”

After Exercise Obangame Express 2024, Hershel “Woody” Williams will continue its deployment along the African continent, leveraging opportunities to work alongside regional allies and partners in a variety of exercises and operations to improve maritime security, and highlight our shared commitment to fostering regional security and stability.

USS Hershel “Woody” Williams is forward deployed to Souda Bay, Greece and serves as the first U.S. Navy ship permanently 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 assistance and disaster relief operations. 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

Good morning, everyone!

Thank you, Ms. Webb, for that kind introduction, for all your work with PortMiami, and for hosting us here for Fleet Week.

I want to especially thank the Honorable Daniella Levine Cava, Mayor of Miami-Dade County—and our host for the week—for opening the city of Miami to our Sailors, Marines, and Department of the Navy civilians.

Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz, welcome, and thank you for your support of our service members and Veterans. We thank you for your leadership as the Ranking Member on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veteran Affairs!

Thank you to the Honorable Franklin Parker, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, for the incredible work you have done to ensure the personnel readiness of our Sailors, Marines, civilians, and family members within the Department of the Navy.

And I also want to thank the Honorable Oliver Gilbert and the Honorable Danielle Cohen Higgins for your work within the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners.

General Richardson, thank you for your leadership of the service men and women in US Southern Command.

And I also thank Admiral Caudle, for your service and leadership of US Fleet Forces.

I welcome and thank Mr. Lewis, Norwegian Cruise Lines Senior Vice President and Chief Security Officer—and also a Navy Veteran! Thank you for your service as a Navy seal, sir.

To our flag officers, general officers, senior enlisted leaders, and other distinguished guests with us here today—welcome, and thank you for your unwavering support of our maritime services and this incredible event that will take place this week.

Last year, on July 14^th 2023, here at PortMiami, on a very hot but beautiful day, Mayor Levine Cava and I announced the inaugural Fleet Week in this great city.

And now, we celebrate the beginning of a new tradition of service in Miami-Dade County—Fleet Week Miami.

Thousands of our Sailors, Marines, Coast Guardsmen and women, and civilian employees will take part in events across the greater Miami-Dade area, engaging with the American public they serve and standing ready to share their stories and motivations for their careers in public service.

Miami holds a special place in my heart—it was where the first chapter of my American story began.

My story began in Havana in the early 1960s.

The Castro Regime imprisoned my father, Raul Del Toro, for “counter-revolutionary activities.”  

When I was ten months old, my father was paroled while he awaited trial.

During this time, our emergency visas into the U.S. came through, and with what we could carry on our backs, we fled to America.

And America greeted us with a warm welcome in Miami.

Like thousands of other Cuban refugees, we called the Freedom Tower, our first stop on the road to freedom, home until we relocated to a tenement building on 42^nd Street and 10^th Avenue in Hell’s Kitchen, New York, where I grew up.

I often tell people that growing up in Hell’s Kitchen was just like the play West Side Story without the music or the dancing!

Throughout my childhood, both of my parents sacrificed and labored for the sake of their children—they wanted to give us a better life in America, a life unattainable back in Cuba.

I watched as they both worked two jobs to support our family.

Their service and sacrifice instilled in me a desire to give back to this great Nation which took us in at a time when we were most vulnerable.

In 1979, I left New York to attend the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

This began my career of service to this country.

Service to our nation is ingrained in the very fabric of this country.

And service does not only mean putting on a uniform—service can be defined in a multitude of other ways.

This week, as a part of Fleet Week Miami, I am proud to announce the Department of the Navy’s “National Call to Maritime Service” campaign.

Service in the Navy and Marine Corps is more than just a job—it represents a chance to serve something bigger than yourself.

To be part of a legacy of courage and honor that stretches back to the very founding of our nation—and beyond.

The Navy offers unparalleled benefits, free education and training, cutting-edge technology, and—best of all—the chance to see the world.

Becoming a Marine will push you to your limits, and in the process, you will learn you’re capable of more than you ever dreamed of.

Our Sailors and Marines are more than just service members—they are diplomats, humanitarians, and leaders.

Every one of the thousands of Sailors and Marines in their Navy Dress Whites and Marine Dress Blues this week chose to serve their nation, and it is my hope that you will consider it too.

And this is not the only way you can serve.

The Department of the Navy also provides numerous opportunities for public service beyond serving in uniform.

By choosing a career working as a civilian within our Department, you also have an opportunity to be a part of something greater than yourselves.

And no matter how you serve, you’ll be part of a team working together toward a shared goal.

You’ll learn invaluable skills and gain leadership experience.

As a Department of the Navy civilian, you have an opportunity to leverage your education, skills, and talents across a variety of disciplines—from healthcare to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics—from human resources to program analysis.

Collectively, as a Sailor, Marine, or civilian, you will take part in tackling the world’s toughest challenges while promoting peace and preserving democracy around the world.

And in return, the Navy and Marine Corps offer stable careers, great salaries, comprehensive healthcare benefits, world-class education and training, opportunities to live and travel around the world, and a sense of tremendous pride and satisfaction in support of a noble cause.

We recognize the desire of Americans from all walks of life to use their talents to better our great Nation.

Our Navy and Marine Corps Team is the most powerful, capable, and lethal Force this world has ever seen.

I encourage all Floridians to come out this week and engage with Sailors, Marines, Coast Guardsmen and women, and all the civilians who support them—come listen to the stories of service and see where you can fit into the story.

And if what you hear inspires you to answer the call and join our ranks—we look forward to welcoming you aboard our naval family.

Thank you again, Mayor Levine Cava, for hosting our Sailors and Marines here in beautiful Miami—we look forward to an incredible week that will strengthen the bonds between our naval services and all of you who call Miami and South Florida home.

May God bless you and our Sailors, Marines, and service members all over the world.

Thank you.

Source: United States Navy

OKINAWA, Japan – Okinawa Japan, Camp Hansen, Dr. Robert Eberly, Department Head and Family and Sports Medicine Physician recently took the time to talk about some of the new technology he is using to get our fighting force back in the fight and rehabilitated sooner.

Source: United States Navy

A third LCAC rendered immediate assistance and transported all 38 Sailors and Marines to USS Wasp (LHD 1) and USS New York (LPD 21) for evaluation and treatment. The total number of Sailors and Marines who received medical care for injuries was 35, which is updated from the 30 previously reported. Sailors and Marines with minor injuries were treated aboard Wasp and New York. Five Sailors were medically evacuated for further care at Savannah Memorial University Medical Center. Four of the five Sailors were released from the hospital after treatment.

After further evaluation, one of the five Sailors treated in Savannah was transported on May 3 to Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (NMCP) via an alert aircraft as part of Project Caladrius. This is the closest military treatment facility to the Sailor’s home station of Norfolk, Va. The Sailor is in stable condition. Treatment at NMCP allows the Sailor to receive further care and recovery close to their family and support system.

Sailors and Marines assigned to the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group and 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) were conducting a training exercise when the incident occurred.

The incident is under investigation, and more information will be provided by U.S. 2nd Fleet once available.

For inquiries, contact U.S. 2nd Fleet Public Affairs at c2f_pao@us.navy.mil.

For questions on Project Caladrius, contact Bureau of Medicine Public Affairs at jessica.l.mcnulty.mil@health.mil.

Source: United States Navy

NORFOLK, Va. (May 3, 2024) – Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti traveled to Hampton Roads, Virginia, to meet with Navy leaders and engage with Sailors, May 3.

The visit provided the CNO the opportunity to discuss her warfighting priority with Sailors and help them connect their efforts to the Navy mission. It also enabled Sailors to speak directly to the CNO about their quality of service.

“It’s a very complex world, and our Navy team is making a difference wherever we go. We have an amazing mission – our nation is a beacon of hope and democracy for the entire world,” said Franchetti. “We are forward deployed, flexible, and provide options to the Secretary of Defense every day, and that’s the important value of the Navy and Marine Corps team.”

Franchetti first met with Rear Adm. Doug Verissimo, Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic, and major commanders at Naval Air Station Oceana. She emphasized how one of her priorities for America’s Warfighting Navy is to empower leaders at all levels to evaluate how they operate in uncertain, complex, and rapidly changing environments.

“It’s important that our Sailors understand every day how they connect to our mission. Whether they’re deployed today, whether they deployed in the past, whether they’re going to be deployed in the future, or whether they’re supporting deployed forces, it’s all part of our business.”

She expressed her pride in the work being done throughout the naval aviation community, noting that the U.S. Navy is able to operate forward like no other nation, pointing to the recent efforts in the Red Sea by the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3 team.

“I could not be more proud of everything that our aviation community delivers. Whether it’s from our airwings, helicopters, MPRF or our new Tritons, there’s so many things you do that make a difference for our Nation every day,” said Franchetti. “The People’s Republic of China, Russia, Iran, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and Violent Extremist Organizations desire to rewrite the global rules-based order for their own political, military, and economic interests. It is our job to deter conflict and to work alongside our Allies and partners and with the Joint Force to fight and win our Nation’s wars should deterrence fail.”

CNO then hosted an all-hands call at Naval Air Station Oceana for more than 200 Sailors from commands around Hampton Roads. During the all-hands call she recognized Sailors, discussed quality of service improvements the Navy is making for Sailors, and emphasized Culture of Excellence 2.0 (COE 2.0) and Get Real Get Better initiatives.

“I’m focused on making sure that you have a good quality of service, which is your quality of work and your quality of life, and ensuring you have world-class workspaces and all the tools and resources you need to be able to deliver combat lethality every single day when it matters and where it matters,” Franchetti said. “That’s why it’s so important to be here today, so I can have a better understanding of what is going on out in the fleet and strongly advocate for you.”

On COE 2.0 Franchetti said, “We are all about building a culture that embraces everybody, that empowers everybody to do their job, and that builds great people, great leaders and great teams. It is through those great teams that we can do all the things we need to do as a Navy for our nation.”

Following the all-hands call, Franchetti visited with Adm. Daryl Caudle, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFFC) and Vice Adm. Doug Perry, commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet, at Naval Support Activity Hampton Roads and toured the USFF and U.S. 2nd Fleet Maritime Operations Centers (MOC). Fleet MOCs were developed as a warfighting capability belonging to the Navy component commander and numbered fleet commander, to support commander’s decision-making and set conditions for operational command and control of naval, joint, interagency and combined forces.

Rear Adm. Kavon Hakimzadeh, director Joint/Fleet operations, USFFC, briefed the CNO on how the MOC manages the command and control of assets between Combined Task Force (CTF)-80 and CTF-20, and on their recent successful certification.

“Congratulations on your MOC certification. That is really hard work and I know you learned a lot of valuable lessons,” said Franchetti. “Fighting from the MOC is one of my top priorities because the battlespace is very complex. Understanding how we integrate into the fleet and the operational commands is essential to delivering warfighting advantage.”

This was Franchetti’s first trip to Hampton Roads as CNO.