Category: United States Navy

Source: United States Navy

SAN DIEGO — The Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Comstock (LSD 45) returned to homeport in San Diego, following a nearly four-month deployment to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, Oct. 8.

Along with its more than 400 Sailors, Comstock participated in multiple exercises and operations, displaying interoperability and the U.S. commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

“The Sailors aboard Comstock performed their duty in an exemplary manner to support tasking in U.S. 7th Fleet,” said Cmdr. Byron Stocks, commanding officer of Comstock. “The mission execution afforded the opportunity to demonstrate joint force capability.”

With a focus on joint operations, Comstock and its embarked units supported the America Amphibious Ready Group and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) during advanced integrated training and MEU certification. Comstock also successfully integrated with motorized weapons company of 31st MEU and Combat Logistics Battalion 31.

During the deployment, Comstock embarked two landing crafts utility from Naval Beach Group 7 to rehearse and demonstrate capability of the amphibious Navy’s shore connectors.

Comstock also participated in Exercise Ssang Yong 24. During the decisive action phase of Ssang Yong, Republic of Korea and U.S. combined and joint forces conducted large-scale maneuvers from sea and air to showcase the overwhelming power of the alliance and its capability to carry out combined amphibious operations.

Since 2012, the ROK and U.S. Navy and Marine Corps have regularly conducted Ssang Yong to enhance defensive posture on the Korean Peninsula while improving naval and amphibious capabilities.

After Ssang Yong, Comstock transited home to San Diego following a nearly four-month deployment.

When not at sea, Comstock Sailors had the opportunity to enjoy foreign cultures during port visits to Guam, Japan, and Republic of Korea.

USS Comstock is homeported at Naval Base San Diego and assigned to Amphibious Squadron 1.

An integral part of U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. 3rd Fleet leads naval forces in the Indo-Pacific and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary to flawlessly execute our Navy’s role across the full spectrum of military operations—from combat operations to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. U.S. 3rd Fleet works together with our allies and partners to advance freedom of navigation, the rule of law, and other principles that underpin security for the Indo-Pacific region.

For more information on Comstock, please visit https://www.surfpac.navy.mil/lsd45/

Source: United States Navy

Chief of Naval Operations Spokesperson Cmdr. Desiree Frame provided the following readout:

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti met Chief of Naval Staff of Nigeria Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla for a formal bilateral engagement during the 14th Trans-Regional Seapower Symposium in Venice, Italy, today.

The two leaders discussed their enduring partnership, how U.S Navy ship visits and collaboration demonstrate their shared commitment to security and stability in the region, and opportunities to increase maritime cooperation and counter piracy efforts in the Gulf of Guinea.

Franchetti thanked Ogalla for Nigeria’s leadership in promoting maritime cooperation during exercises such as Obangame Express.    

The CNO also discussed her recently-released strategic guidance: the Navigation Plan for America’s Warfighting Navy, and ways to advance their shared interests, specifically with an increased focus on Maritime Operations Centers and the use of Robotic and Autonomous Systems to enhance maritime domain awareness.

The United States and Nigeria are strong partners committed to fostering regional stability and enhancing collective security efforts.

Source: United States Navy

Chief of Naval Operations Spokesperson Cmdr. Desiree Frame provided the following readout:

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti met with Chief of the Italian Navy Adm. Enrico Credendino for a formal bilateral engagement during the 14th Trans-Regional Seapower Symposium (TRSS) in Venice, Italy, today.

The two leaders discussed strengthening their naval partnership through increased interoperability, ongoing security cooperation in the Middle East, European and Pacific theaters, and the importance of the NATO alliance.  

Franchetti thanked Credendino for hosting TRSS, for their robust participation in the latest BALTOPS exercise, and their steadfast commitment to many U.S. Navy and Marina Militare operations around the globe, most recently during the USS Abrahm Lincoln Carrier and the ITS Cavour Carrier Strike Groups’ first-ever bilateral Multi-Large Deck Event.

Italy is a key NATO ally, leader for global security and shares a long-standing and vital partnership with the United States. Franchetti last met Credendino in January 2024 during the Paris Naval Conference.

Source: United States Navy

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. — Navy Medicine celebrated a pivotal moment in its expeditionary mission with the official establishment of a new command and renamed Naval Expeditionary Medical Training Institute (NEMTI) to the Naval Expeditionary Medicine Warfighter Development Center (NEMWDC) during a ceremony at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 4.

The command establishment signified a strategic shift in Navy Medicine’s approach to combat trauma readiness and operational medical support.

“This transformation represents more than a change in name; it marks the continued evolution of Navy Medicine’s mission to support the warfighter, strengthen our operational capabilities, and provide unmatched medical expertise both in garrison and in forward-deployed locations,” said Rear Adm. Guido Valdes, Naval Medical Forces Pacific (NMFP) commander.

The ceremony also marked NEMWDC’s organizational realignment from Navy Medicine Operational Training Command (NMOTC) to NMFP as an echelon 4 command, gaining more resources, capacity, and a broader and more dynamic role in bolstering Navy Medicine’s ability to support the warfighters.

NEMWDC will serve as a center of excellence for unit level training for medical capabilities, enhancing combat trauma skills and certifying expeditionary medical platforms for future operations. This new command aligns with Navy Medicine’s “North Star,” ensuring that by 2027, the force will deliver trained and certified medical units capable of supporting the Fleet, Fleet Marine Force, and Joint Forces in any environment.

“The impact of this change will resonate across Navy Medicine and serve to amplify our role in ensuring that medical forces are ready and fully equipped to support any mission, anytime, anywhere,” Valdes said.

Capt. Kevin Bailey, the first commanding officer of NEMWDC, reflected on the journey that led to the establishment of the new command, noting that the foundation laid by NEMTI will guide NEMWDC’s efforts as it prepares expeditionary medical teams for future fight.

“NEMWDC is truly a unique gem in Navy Medicine,” Bailey said. “This command is at the focal point for unit-level training leading to basic phase certification of Expeditionary Medicine (EXMED).”

Capt. Bailey also shared his vision for integrating innovative technologies like health informatics and virtual reality into the training pipeline, ensuring that NEMWDC remains at the forefront of medical readiness.

As NEMWDC evolves, it will focus on training medical personnel to deliver seamless care from Role 1 to Role 3 medical units, ensuring lifesaving support from the frontlines to more advanced medical facilities. This strategic realignment is expected to amplify Navy Medicine’s role in supporting warfighters in the most challenging environments.

For Cmdr. Damian Storz, who transitioned from officer in charge of NEMTI to NEMWDC’s executive officer, the day marked the culmination of years of hard work and collaboration.

“Our team’s dedication and our collaboration with leadership were key to overcoming challenges and setting the stage for this transition,” Storz said, noting that NEMWDC is well positioned to ensure medical units are ready for deployment.

The ceremony also honored the long history of NEMTI, which has been at the forefront of expeditionary medical training since its establishment.

“NEMTI’s impact has reached far and wide, ensuring operational success, whether it’s preparing medical teams for the frontlines or equipping them with the skills to operate in humanitarian or disaster scenarios,” Valdes said.

The event concluded with a message of gratitude to the NEMWDC staff for their tireless dedication.

“To the Sailors of the newly designated Naval Expeditionary Medicine Warfighter Development Center, I look forward to serving you as your commanding officer,” Bailey said.

Naval Medical Forces Pacific (NMFP) provides oversight for 11 Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Commands (NMRTC), on the West Coast and Pacific Rim that train, man, and equip medical forces, primarily in military treatment facilities. Globally, NMFP oversees eight research laboratories that deliver research expertise in support of warfighter health and readiness. Additionally, NMFP manages the Naval Expeditionary Medicine Warfighter Development Center (NEMWDC), which plays a critical role in preparing medical teams for expeditionary and operational environments.

Source: United States Navy

NORFOLK Va., (Sept. 24, 2024) — Recently, Civil Service Mariners (CIVMARS) aboard the Military Sealift Command (MSC) fleet replenishment oiler USNS Harvey Milk (T-AO 206) completed their first replenishment-at-sea (RAS) with two Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) vessels.

Apart of a six-month around the world training cruise, that began in May 2024 and included 180 newly commissioned JMSDF officers, JMSDF training vessels JS Kashima (TV-3508) and guided missile destroyer JS Shimakaze (DDG 172, TV 3521), which has now been converted into a training vessel, completed its first RAS event with USNS Harvey Milk in the Virginia Capes’ (VACAPES) operating area in the Atlantic Ocean, Sept. 24. This bilateral exercise between the United States and Japan helps to improve JMSDF’s tactical capabilities and to build on the interoperability between the JMSDF and the U.S. Navy.

According to USNS Harvey Milk’s Ship Master Capt. James “Jim” White, this refueling event was a rare opportunity for the Harvey Milk crew to work with the professionals of the JMSDF and a chance to demonstrate the capabilities of the T-AO 205 class oiler. This event marked only the second time that a T-AO 205 class oiler has replenished two ships simultaneously.

USNS Harvey Milk is the second ship of the T-AO 205 class oiler, operated by MSC. The ship provides diesel fuel, lubricating oil and jet fuel; small quantities of fresh and frozen provisions and dry stores; and potable water to Navy ships at sea. T-AOs add underway replenishment capacity to the Navy’s Combat Logistics Force (CLF) and is expected to become the cornerstone of the fuel delivery system.

USNS Harvey Milk is named after U.S. Navy veteran and LGBT activist Harvey Milk who was one of the first openly gay candidates elected to public office as a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1978.

Constructed in the 1990’s, JS Kashima is JMSDF’s flagship training vessel, which helps trainees build relations with other nations and develop seamanship skills and international experience.

JS Shimakaze is the second of the Hatakaze-class guided missile destroyers built for JMSDF. The vessel was reclassified as a training ship in 2021.