Category: United States Navy

Source: United States Navy

“We are the point of contact customers reach out to when they require an airlift to be done. Whether that’s passengers, mail, HAZMAT or even repair parts, we coordinate all of that,” said Operations Specialist 2nd Class Aaron Glenn Santos, a diplomatic clearance clerk with CTF-63 from Rizal, Philippines.

“When a customer has a lift request, we draft the flight plan and send it through the Defense Attaché Office. We let them know which planes are headed where and they process the request through the local embassy,” said Santos.

CTF-63 schedules a dozen different flight crews that provide logistics support in the European theater. Four of those crews are provided by rotational squadrons, manning the C-40 Clipper and C-130 Hercules aircraft. The other eight are permanently stationed onboard Naval Support Activity, Naples and Naval Air Station Sigonella, flying the C-26 Metroliner.

“On average, we coordinate about three flights per day. If we have a [U.S. Navy aircraft carrier] strike group in the region, that number can increase, and sometimes double,” said Naval Aircrewman (Operator) 1st Class Samuel Ghinea, another diplomatic clearance clerk with CTF-63 and a native of Fremont, California.

“And we have a team of just seven to manage it all,” Ghinea continued.

Two recent passengers requiring a flight to Paris were Brutus, a military working dog (MWD) stationed in Sigonella, and Brutus’ Handler, Master-At-Arms 3rd Class Isaiah Koontz, from Massillon, Ohio.

At the direction of the United States Secret Service, Brutus and Koontz travelled to Paris to prepare areas being visited by U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken.

Having a dedicated flight specific to this mission was an invaluable benefit according to Koontz.

“Traveling MILAIR [military aircraft] makes traveling a lot easier,” said Koontz. “…I was able to access my dog really easily and make sure he was OK. It helps us get where we need to be faster and causes less stress. I think MILAIR is better for both the handler and the MWD,” said Koontz.

Source: United States Navy

The Navy will start issuing the Certificate of Uniformed Service (Reserve Component Addendum) Feb. 1 for Reservists separating, retiring, or transitioning into the Individual Ready Reserve or Standby Reserve.

“Taking care of our teammates means setting them up for success in the next chapter after military service,” said Rear Adm. Stu Satterwhite, Commander, MyNavy Career Center (MNCC). “Having everything on one convenient form will help ensure Reservists receive the entitlements they deserve after they leave the Navy.”

The new form will document total career points, total active and inactive service, and non-regular retirement (NRR) calculations. It will provide a detailed list of activations, noting whether each qualifies for NRR eligibility age reduction, allowing Reservists with enough active service to retire with pay sooner than age 60.

“To ensure an accurate DD-214-1 and the correct entitlements, Reservists preparing to separate should continually review their retirement points, and submit accurate and timely separation or retirement requests at least 60 days before they leave the Navy,” said Satterwhite.

“Reservists can call MNCC any time to check on the status of their application or ask questions about the DD-214-1,” he added.

Navy Reservists will still receive the DD-214, or Certificate of Uniformed Service, for every individual active duty service period during their careers. Members will have copies of both forms in their Official Military Personnel File. Transaction Service Center Norfolk, MNCC’s Center of Excellence for separations, retirements, and Reserve HR, will process the DD-214-1 along with the DD-214.

The Navy is implementing the new form in compliance with DOD Instruction 1336.01, which directed all branches of service to do so by February 2025.

MNCC’s mission is to deliver modern hire-to-retire HR services through 24/7 customer service to Sailors, veterans, and their families. Through Sailor feedback, MNCC constantly strives to provide more resources and accurate resolutions. Contact MNCC at (833) 330-MNCC (6622) or AskMNCC@navy.mil. Find online self-service options on MyNavy Portal at my.navy.mil.

Source: United States Navy

Türkiye navy Rear Adm. Rustu Sezer turned over command of Combined Task Force (CTF) 151 to Pakistan navy Commodore Sohail Azmie.

Since assuming command in July, Sezer oversaw ships supporting the task force as they conducted multinational exercises to hone skills and promote transnational relationships. Ships also routinely conducted maritime patrols in the Gulf of Aden to directly suppress piracy outside territorial waters of coastal states, in coordination with the European Union Naval Force.

This was Türkiye’s seventh time in command of CTF 151.

Sezer thanked the many nations that take part in counter-piracy operations, particularly Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Pakistan, for their contributions.

“The main objective was not only deter, suppress and disturb piracy, but also maintain effective and meaningful coordination with the other counterpiracy task forces, regional partners and nations to ensure efficient use of assets and information sharing,” Sezer said. “We have been in close cooperation and sharing information to increase the effectiveness of our counterpiracy operation.”

Vice Adm. George Wikoff, commander of Combined Maritime Forces, thanked Sezer for continuing to move CTF 151 forward in supporting the task force and CMF mission.

“The challenge was clear: disrupt illicit activities, create a safer maritime domain and foster cooperation amongst the key stakeholders, and to that end, you’ve achieved all those objectives,” Wikoff said of Sezer’s tenure in command. “CTF 151 took significant step towards forwarding regional cooperation, reflecting the absolute requirement for us to combine effects to counter the maritime threats. Moving forward, we will maintain our resolute focus on maritime security, and thanks to leaders like Commodores Sezer, we remain engaged and fully mission capable.”

Calling him, “the right leader at the right time,” Wikoff expressed confidence in Azmie’s experience as a surface warfare officer. He also noted Pakistan’s strong record of leading CMF task forces.

“As most of you know, it was a week ago that the Pakistan Navy relinquished command and Task Force 150, here we are today, welcoming another senior Pakistan Navy leader to command a CMF Task Force. Pakistan’s dedication to regional security is exemplified by its willingness to demonstrate consistent leadership within the CMF,” Wikoff said.

This will be Pakistan’s eleventh time in command of CTF 151.

“We believe there exists a maritime cooperative continuum. At one end of it is the independent deployment of assets while remaining open to what Robert Kaplan says, is ‘plug-and-play’ maritime security architecture, and on the other end is the contribution towards multi-lateral constructs such as the CMF, where one aligns with the partners and allies for collective good,” Azmie said. “Our focus would be to work together with the partner nations, other commands and maritime organizations for accomplishing CMF and CTF 151 missions.”

CTF 151 was established as a multinational task force in January 2009, and is one of five operational task forces under CMF. In conjunction with the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR), and together with independently deployed naval ships, CTF 151 helps to patrol the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor.

CMF’s other task forces include CTF 150, which conducts maritime security operations outside the Arabian Gulf against threats from no-state actors; CTF 152, dedicated to maritime security in the Arabian Gulf; CTF 153, providing maritime security in the Red Sea; and CTF 154, which delivers maritime training.

CMF headquartered in Bahrain with U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and U.S. 5th Fleet, is the largest multinational naval partnership in the world, with 46 nations committed to upholding the international rules-based order at sea. It promotes security, stability and prosperity across approximately 3.2 million square miles of international waters, encompassing some of the world’s most important shipping lanes.

Source: United States Navy

“We listened to feedback from commanders that it was time to adjust the funding to better align with inflation and current costs,” said Lisa Sexauer, director of CNIC’s Fleet Readiness division, which oversees Navy Morale, Welfare & Readiness (MWR). “By raising the unit recreation funds, we’re giving commanding officers more flexibility to address the immediate needs of their Sailors and enhance morale, unit culture, cohesion, and camaraderie.” 

The increased funding applies to Navy Regions, installations, and tenant commands assigned to Navy installations for more than 30 days. Mobile units are eligible for funding only during the periods aboard the installation. This increase does not apply to shipboard afloat commands, as their recreation funds are managed under separate policies.

Unit recreation funds can be used for command-sanctioned events, recreation equipment, team-building activities, and special training. The funds may also be spent on emblematic items, recognition awards, and materials for advancement, award, and reenlistment ceremonies. All expenditures must comply with CNIC Instruction 1710.3 CH-1.

Eligible unit commanders must request funds in writing from their Navy region or installation MWR program manager and provide a list of all active-duty members assigned to the command. Requests can be submitted quarterly, bi-annually, or annually.

Commander, Navy Installations Command is responsible for worldwide U.S. Navy Shore installation management and policy. CNIC develops and implements integrated solutions for the Navy shore’s infrastructure, operations and quality of life programs. CNIC oversees 10 Navy regions, 70 installations, and more than 43,000 employees who sustain the fleet, enable the fighter, and support the family.

Learn more by visiting CNIC’s website at https://www.cnic.navy.mil/ or following CNIC on social media: Facebook, Facebook.com/NavyInstallations; X, @cnichq; and Instagram, @cnichq.

Source: United States Navy

“Be so good at whatever you do – that when you’re gone, we miss you.”

This single phrase rang true during Norfolk Naval Shipyard’s (NNSY) Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration Jan. 16. Hosted by the African American Employee Resource Group (AA-ERG), this annual event brought hundreds of employees together to honor the life and achievements of the late civil rights activist ahead of the annual holiday in January. Award-winning journalist and author Don Roberts took to the stage as the guest speaker for the event, sharing his poetic verse regarding Dr. King and sharing his insights on how Dr. King’s influence continues to inspire people to this day.

“Think about that phrase for a moment. In your work area or office, if you don’t show up for work – are you missed? Are you needed?” said Roberts. “Think about it in a grander scale in your home, neighborhood, community. Is there something you are doing that makes a difference? Are you using your gifts, your talents, your skills to do something that means something?”

He continued, “Now let’s talk about the man of the hour – Dr. King – he did exactly that – using his talents to make a difference.” Roberts recalled his report on Dr. King’s birthday in 1986 where he shared a passage regarding Dr. King’s life and achievements. “Martin has a cause and determination to make a change. We proudly honor Martin because he was a ‘king’. He died for what he believed. Be so good at whatever you do, so that when you’re gone, we miss you. That was Martin. Comfortable on the big stage, using his gifts, his talents, his skills, to try to change opinions, to try to save lives, to try and make a difference. But that was him. What about you?”

Roberts then shared that you don’t have to be a “king” to make a difference in this world, noting his own father’s contributions and the legacy he left for his family. “My dad, Nathaniel Roberts, was a humble man, hardworking man, talented man. His fingerprints were all over every inch of our house in Baltimore. If we needed something done and he didn’t have the skill to do it, he reached across the aisle, found a friend, made a friend, and they did it together,” said Roberts. “My dad was a ‘king’. He used what he had to get what he wanted, which was to care for his family, protect them, love them, raise us. He wouldn’t stand on this stage to speak to you but that wasn’t his calling. That wasn’t his gift, his talent, his skill. But dad would reach across the aisle and shake a hand and introduce himself, say ‘How you doing?’ Or if he heard that someone needed a helping hand, he would offer that. And in that way, that one man made a difference. What a way to honor Dr. King on this day ‘on’ instead of a day off. To do something that means something.”

Roberts shared that as he approached retirement in the 2010s, he began to think about what his next steps were and how he could make a difference in the community. During a news story where he visited the Newport News Juvenile Detention Center, he met with teens in the facility. He wanted to learn more about them, why they were in custody, how it impacted their families, and what their plans were for the future once they were released. Roberts found the teens were reluctant to openly talk but upon hearing that they enjoyed playing board games, an idea flickered in his mind. The next week, Roberts returned to the detention center and played chess with the teens. The following week, he returned with friends to do it again. This led to the Chess Nutz Knights Network, a weekly gathering every Wednesday where volunteers spend time playing chess with the teens while also developing meaningful mentorships through conversation.

“Chess is a very personal game so we are able to use the time spent to do something they enjoy while also talking with them, learning from them, talking about choices and consequences,” said Roberts. “Our motto in Chess Nutz [is] ‘Think before you move – always protect the king.’ We’re not just talking about the pieces. If we can get you to see yourself as a ‘king’, think of the possibilities.”

In closing, he urged the crowd to reflect on how Dr. King’s life and legacy could influence their own actions today. “When you hear the name ‘Dr. King’, what does it mean to you? It’s reputation, history, legacy. When I say your name, what do people think of you? What’s your reputation? What’s your legacy? Dr. King’s legacy is written – yours is being written right now. Let me challenge you on this birthday to do something that means something and continue to write your legacy so that when I say your name, then it will mean something. You reached across the aisle, you shook a hand, you helped someone, you took care of business at home, you’re excellent on the job, you’re so good that when you’re gone – we miss you.”

Roberts was presented with an honorary plaque and certificate of appreciation from the AA-ERG and Shipyard Commander Capt. Jip Mosman in gratitude for his time to speak with the employees of America’s Shipyard. Capt. Mosman concluded the ceremony with a reminder to all that our values within the Navy and the shipyard align directly with Dr. King’s, “When it comes to honor, courage and commitment, as well as care, ownership, respect, and excellence – I look to Dr. King’s stance of equality and justice for all, as well as love and compassion. We at America’s Shipyard strive for honor and equality by ensuring we are treating others with respect. We have a level of bravery, determination, and are willing to face any challenge that comes our way. We have ownership for what we do and have the dedication to serve. We have respect and dignity, we stand up for what is right, and we serve something better than one’s self. I’m proud of each of you and hope you are able to shine on this day ‘on’ in honor of Dr. King.”

For more information on the AA-ERG or how to become involved in programs like the Dr. King Celebration, please contact AA-ERG Chairperson Brian Harris at (757) 396-4787.