Category: MIL-OSI

Source: United States Navy

“Naval Aviation is ecstatic to welcome the first CMV-22B Osprey to Norfolk,” said Rear Adm. Doug Verissimo, commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic (CNAL). “This first aircraft’s arrival symbolizes an evolution and change in Naval Aviation as we look toward the future. The event represents the hard work and stamina of our aviators, aircrewmen, maintainers and sustainment personnel in the VRM community.” 

The CMV-22B will provide the fleet’s medium-lift and long-range aerial logistics capability, eventually replacing the C-2A Greyhounds of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40 over the next several years. The squadron’s relocation to Naval Station Norfolk is part of their permanent duty station change from Naval Air Station (NAS) North Island in preparation to provide fleet logistic aviation assets to the Atlantic Fleet beginning in 2025.

The VRM-40 “Mighty Bison” were established aside their existing sister squadron, VRM-30, and the training squadron, VRM-50, aboard NAS North Island in March 2022.

All squadron personnel have been officially stationed in Norfolk since Feb. 1, 2024. The remaining VRM-40 aircraft will begin to arrive to Hampton Roads in the summer of 2024.

VRM-40’s leadership consists of Cmdr. Matthew Boyce, commanding officer; Cmdr. Mason Fox, executive officer, and Command Master Chief Bradley Wissinger.

“We are proud to join the Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic team and eager to lean forward into our next phase of stand-up,” Boyce said.

Fox discussed the importance of standing up a new squadron on the East Coast.

“We’re excited to be in our permanent home at Naval Station Norfolk and focused on continuing to build the squadron to execute our mission – delivering high priority people and parts to carrier strike groups at sea,” Fox said. “The Osprey is an extremely capable aircraft and will be critically important to the way the Navy fights for many years to come.”

In addition to VRM-40, a type wing detachment was established onboard Naval Station Norfolk earlier in 2023 to provide local representation of Commander, Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Wing (CVRMW), based at NAS North Island.

CVRMW’s mission is to provide Pacific and Atlantic Fleet VRM squadrons the ability to sustain lethality for carrier strike groups of the future through the timely, persistent air logistics missions our nation demands any place in the world. The CMV-22B is the Navy’s long-range/medium-lift element of the intra-theater aerial logistics capability responsible for transporting personnel, mail and priority cargo from shore logistics sites to ships at sea.

Naval Air Force Atlantic is responsible for seven nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, 55 aircraft squadrons, 1,200 aircraft and 52,000 officers, enlisted and civilian personnel with priorities focused on warfighting, people, and readiness by providing combat ready, sustainable naval air forces with the right personnel, properly trained and equipped, with a focus on readiness, operational excellence, interoperability, safety, and efficient resourcing.

Source: United States Navy

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii (April 6, 2024) – Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Lisa Franchetti visited Navy Closure Task Force – Red Hill (NCTF-RH), April 4, to reinforce the Navy’s commitment to the safe and expeditious closure of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility (RHBFSF).

While there, Franchetti reiterated the Navy’s commitment over the long term to protecting the environment, the aquifer, and the broader community. She also stressed the Navy’s dedication to working with local, state, and federal regulators to ensure the RHBFSF’s underground storage tanks and piping system are permanently closed, and to rebuilding trust with the people of Hawaii.

“We have a tremendous responsibility to the community here – the community you are all a part of – and to the island of Oahu itself,” Franchetti told the NCTF-RH team. “Your task ahead is a significant, serious effort to safely close Red Hill. The relationships that you’ve built alongside JTF-Red Hill are critical and I know that you will continue to prioritize and invest in those relationships.”

During the visit, CNO held a meeting with Rear Adm. Steve Barnett, commander, NCTF-RH, and commander, Navy Region Hawaii, and his leadership team, to receive an update on their Integrated Master Schedule and strategic community engagement plan. She emphasized that the closure of RHBFSF is one of her top priorities and she will work closely with U.S. Pacific Fleet and NCTF-RH to ensure a safe closure of the facility.

Prior to the meeting she also met with Sailors and Navy civilians to recognize their dedication and hard work as a partner to JTF-Red Hill in the defueling process, taking part in community outreach events and stakeholder engagement opportunities with open and transparent communication, and for ensuring an effective transition to NCTF-RH.

“I couldn’t be more proud of our Navy team and the work that you did here with the Joint Task Force Red Hill,” Franchetti said. “You have been incredibly effective, 99.9 percent of fuel is gone – six months early – and a lot of work went in to making that happen, while you laid the foundation for the future of the Navy Closure Task Force – Red Hill.”

NCTF-RH assumed full responsibility of the facility March 28, 2024 from Joint Task Force-Red Hill. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin stood up JTF-RH in September 2022 to defuel the RHBFSF, which was completed Dec. 7, 2023. NCTF-RH’s mandate includes overseeing the closure of the tanks, removal of pipelines, long-term environmental remediation, and decommissioning of the facility.

According to Franchetti, her visit to NCTF-RH underscores the Navy’s commitment to transparency and accountability, and continuous dedication to the people of Hawaii and our joint service members and their families.

This was Franchetti’s first visit to NCTF-RH as the Chief of Naval Operations.

Source: United States Navy

Capt. Marter has served as the NAMRU SOUTH Commanding Officer since July 2023. Cmdr. Michael Prouty will assume duties as Acting Commanding Officer pending the assignment of a permanent Commanding Officer.

Capt. Marter will be temporarily reassigned to Naval Medical Research Command.

Navy Commanding Officers are held to the highest standards of personal and professional conduct. They are expected to uphold the highest standards of responsibility, reliability, and leadership, and the Navy holds them accountable when they fall short of meeting these standards.

For questions related to this release, contact Cmdr. Jessica McNulty, BUMED Public Affairs at jessica.l.mcnulty.mil@health.mil and 703.681.9069.

Source: United States Navy

George Washington, Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, USS Porter (DDG 78), and Henry J. Kaiser-class replenishment oiler USNS John Lenthall (T-AO-189) are scheduled to conduct passing exercises and operations at sea with partner nation maritime forces as the ships circumnavigate the continent of South America. Southern Seas 2024 will feature subject matter expert exchanges and provide the opportunity for distinguished visitors from partner nations to see aircraft carrier operations up close. Engagements are planned with Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Uruguay, with port visits planned for Brazil, Chile, and Peru.

“Southern Seas 2024 will provide the opportunity to improve interoperability and increase proficiency with partner nation maritime forces,” said Rear Adm. Jim Aiken, Commander U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet. “Deployments like Southern Seas strengthen maritime partnerships and build trust with our partners in the region.”

“We look forward to building readiness and advancing training as we engage with our friends and partners in South America,” said Rear Adm. Robert Westendorff, Commander, Carrier Strike Group 10. “We also look forward to visiting several spectacular locations in South America, as U.S. Navy Sailors don’t often get to see this part of the world.”

New for Southern Seas 2024, an embarked international staff of approximately two dozen officers from 11 partner nations will serve aboard USS George Washington. This international staff will receive instruction from U.S. Naval War College professors and will work alongside embarked Destroyer Squadron 40 personnel to conduct detailed operational planning in support of operations at sea. Countries planning to participate in this embarked international staff include Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, the Netherlands, Paraguay, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, and the United States.

Southern Seas 2024 marks the 10th mission to the region since 2007 and the third time involving USS George Washington. The aircraft carrier also conducted Southern Seas 2008 and Southern Seas 2015. Like the previous deployments, Southern Seas 2024 will foster goodwill, strengthen maritime partnerships, counter threats, and build our team.

Aircraft carrier USS George Washington is one of the centerpieces of America’s Naval forces – the most adaptable and survivable airfields in the world. On any given day, Sailors aboard an aircraft carrier and its air wing come to the fight trained and equipped across a full range of missions. They are ready to control the sea, conduct strikes, and maneuver across the electromagnetic spectrum and cyberspace. No other naval force fields a commensurate range and depth of combat capabilities.

USNAVSOUTH/FOURTHFLT is the trusted maritime partner for Caribbean, Central and South America maritime forces improving regional unity, security and stability.
Learn more about USNAVSOUTH/4th Fleet at https://www.fourthfleet.navy.mil, https://www.facebook.com/NAVSOUS4THFLT and @NAVSOUS4THFLT.

Source: United States Navy

Porting in Larnaca further strengthens the United States’ partnership with Cyprus and also demonstrates the U.S.’s commitment to a stable, secure, and prosperous Europe.

The Arleigh Burke began its fourth Forward Deployed Naval Forces-Europe patrol on Nov. 6th, 2023. Throughout the patrol it has supported both Carrier Strike Group Twelve and the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group.

While in Cyprus, the Arleigh Burke has the opportunity to welcome guests including Commodore Minas Solomonides, Head of the Republic of Cyprus Navy, Julie Fisher, American Ambassador to the Republic of Cyprus, Vice Admiral Thomas E. Ishee, Commander, SIXTH Fleet, and Rear Admiral Calvin M. Foster, Director of the Maritime Partnership Program SIXTH Fleet and Vice Commander, SIXTH Fleet.

“We are excited to return to Cyprus,” says Commander Tyrchra Bowman, Commanding Officer of the USS Arleigh Burke. “We have previously visited Limassol and the crew is excited to visit a new city. Additionally, Arleigh Burke will build our relationship with the Cypriot Navy by welcoming guests for tours and meals onboard.”

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.