Category: United States Navy

Source: United States Navy

This new supply support memorandum will help establish new wholesale planning and execution guidance directed by Director of Supply, Ordnance and Logistics Operations, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, for pre-Material Support Date systems.

Epps said, “NAVSUP WSS is always looking for opportunities to improve an incredibly complex process. Our teams at WSS and PEO IWS have been working diligently to see this MOA through to fruition. I believe this partnership aligns perfectly with Naval Sustainment System-Supply goals.”

According to Cmdr. Michael Key, Cruisers & Destroyers (CRUDES) IWST Director, the latest Office of the Chief of Naval Operations guidance that implements financial management regulation changes responsibility of initial procurement of wholesale spares to the acquisition program office.

“The guidance didn’t provide a lot of detail about how to accomplish the task, so this memorandum of understanding is our attempt to collaborate with our partner to forge a path forward,” said Key. “Being the first of its kind, there may be a few bumps in the road. As this matures and the kinks get worked out, ideally this becomes the model for similar agreements with other acquisition PEOs [program executive offices].”

The agreement will provide direction and guidance by capitalizing applicable PEO IWS Operation Materials and Supplies (OM&S) into NAVSUP wholesale inventory for post-MSD systems. The MOA also addresses obsolescence management and system harvesting to some degree. The language of the MOA is written to allow future flexibility as the need arises and reaffirms PEO IWS’s responsibilities to monitor obsolescence and conduct timely re-engineering, alterations and depot-source of repair certification as needed. Additionally, the MOA adds supportability guidelines and conditions for NAVSUP accepting management of the NIIN or part. It also adds similar guidelines and conditions for passing items back to NAVSEA or the PEO for caretaker management, when obsolescence or diminishing supply sources get to a point where NAVSUP can no longer effectively manage the NIIN.

Okano said, “My teams are excited to get this MOA signed. We see this as the vehicle to facilitate better supply support and readiness for our shipmates, customers and stakeholders.

According to Key, the Program Executive Office for Integrated Warfare Systems was an ideal partner to start with because of long-established, productive working relationships at all levels including counterparts at the flag officer and captain levels. PEO IWS provides the Navy with design, construction, and delivery of combat systems for surface ships. Each organization operates differently, so establishing some common ground rules is ideal.

NAVSUP WSS is one of 11 commands under Commander, NAVSUP. Headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, and employing a diverse, worldwide workforce of more than 22,500 military and civilian personnel, NAVSUP’s mission is to provide supplies, services, and quality-of-life support to the Navy and joint warfighter. Learn more at www.navsup.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/navsupwss and https://twitter.com/navsupsyscom.

Source: United States Navy

Trenton Navy Week brings Sailors from across the fleet to the area to emphasize the importance of the Navy to Trenton, the state of New Jersey, and the Nation.

Participating Navy organizations include Pre Commissioning Unit (PCU) New Jersey, USS Princeton (CG 59), USS George Washington (CVN 73), Navy Band Northeast, U.S. National Ice Center, Navy Talent Acquisition Group Philadelphia, USS Constitution, Naval Weapons Station Earle, U.S. Fleet Forces, Naval History and Heritage Command, and Office of Small Business Programs.

More than 50 Sailors will participate in education and community outreach events throughout the city, including a Navy Day on the pier in Camden, New Jersey, on Saturday, May 7. All participating commands will follow DOD, CDC, state, and local guidelines for safety during the current pandemic.

The Navy’s senior executive hosts are Cmdr. Jared Smith, commanding officer, PCU New Jersey, and Cmdr. Evita Salles, deputy director, Office of Women’s Policy. During Trenton Navy Week, both executives will participate in  community engagements and speak with local businesses, civic, education, and government leaders.

“I am honored to represent both the Navy and the future USS New Jersey this week in Trenton,” said Smith. “The opportunity for our Sailors to be here and learn more about the Garden State will only enhance the pride felt every day they come to work.  We are excited to give back to the communities that support us and provide an opportunity for members of this great state to learn about the Navy and one of her newest submarines.”

Navy Weeks are a series of outreach events coordinated by the Navy Office of Community Outreach designed to give Americans an opportunity to learn about the Navy, its people, and its importance to national security and prosperity. Since 2005, the Navy Week program has served as the Navy’s flagship outreach effort into areas of the country without a significant Navy presence, providing the public a firsthand look at why the Navy matters to cities like Trenton.

“It brings me great joy to visit my hometown and state, the same place where I embarked full steam ahead on my journey in the greatest Navy in the world,” said Salles. “It all started with my time in NJROTC at Neptune High School, and I could not be more proud to be here representing the Navy and sharing how the Navy has profoundly impacted me.”

Throughout the week, Sailors will participate in various community events across the area, including engaging with students across multiple high schools and volunteering for the cities of Trenton and Camden, the Salvation Army, Boys and Girls Club, Rescue Mission Trenton, and Habitat for Humanity. Residents will also enjoy live music by Navy Band Northeast at venues throughout the week, including at Trenton Thunder Ballpark at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, May 6.

Sailors will also be joined by officers of the New Jersey State Troopers Fraternal Association for a community clean up at Alberta Woods Park in Camden, New Jersey, on Wednesday, May 4. Mr. Victor Carstarphen, Mayor of Camden, will lead the efforts as part of his Camden Strong-Clean Camden Campaign.

“It is such an honor for the City of Camden to be included in Navy Week actives,” said Carstarphen. “The Navy made a firm commitment to engage with our Camden residents and participate at community events like our Camden Strong-Clean Camden Campaign neighborhood cleanup.  These interactions will undoubtedly leave a meaningful impact on our community and the connections are particularly long lasting for our young people. I commend the Navy personal and leadership, as they exemplify the true meaning of service.”

Trenton Navy Week is one of 14 Navy Weeks in 2022, which brings a variety of assets, equipment, and personnel to a single city for a weeklong series of engagements designed to bring America’s Navy closer to the people it protects. Each year, the program reaches more than 140 million people — about half the U.S. population.

Media organizations wishing to cover Trenton Navy Week events should contact Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Chambers at (901) 874-7069 or kevin.l.chambers4.mil@us.navy.mil.

Source: United States Navy

Navy Weeks are held to show Americans the investment they made in their Navy increase the awareness of the Navy’s role and purpose in our national defense.

Two U.S. Navy destroyers (USS Farragut and USS Lassen), a USCG cutter (USCG Daniel Tarr) and the French Navy vessel La Combattante (FS Tunis) are participating in the events which are scheduled to spread the breadth of New Orleans over the next three days. Additionally, several hundred Sailors and Coast Guardsmen are visiting the city to help residents understand a little more about military life.

“Just as New Orleans has always been a maritime city, our nation has always been and will always remain a Maritime Nation with sea power being critical to American security and our economic well-being,” said Rear Adm. John Menoni, Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 2. “Some of the Lassen and Farragut Sailors you are about to meet help make up the backbone of that work, and they do it 24-7-365. They do it with great pride, and often in harm’s way.”

Tours of ships are being offered to groups on the morning of Tuesday, April 19, from 8:30 to 11 a.m. The ships will be open to the general public daily in the afternoon of April 19-21 from 1 to 5 p.m., and in the mornings April 20 and 21 from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Visitors to the New Orleans’ waterfront, can see four ships from two countries this year. Current New Orleans and Department of Defense COVID requirements do not require masks while in line or aboard the ships. However, the French Navy does require them, so masks are required to tour La Combattante. All tours are free.

In addition to the ships, there are displays of military equipment on the pier for guests to view while waiting to board the ships. Displays include information on Navy environmental programs, U.S. Marine Corps vehicles and equipment, Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs) from Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, recruiting displays, U.S. Coast Guard small boats and navigational aids, and more.

Other public engagements include the Louisiana Seafood Cookoff and Navy Band performances.
The Seafood Cookoff pairs Navy Culinary Specialists from the ships with local chefs in a competition to create the piece-de-resistance of New Orleans cuisine. The event is open to the public and will take place at Spanish Plaze, April 20 beginning at 1 p.m. Nine teams will be competing for top honors!
The Navy Region Southeast Band is holding public performances at the French Market, April 19 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; at the French Quarter Parade April 21 beginning at 1000; at the Jean Lafitte and Jazz Historical Park April 21 from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

Additionally, Sailors, Coast Guardsmen, Marines, and French Sailors will give back to the city through volunteer service projects all three full days in port. Projects will include a cemetery clean-up, cleaning and painting park areas and playgrounds as well as planting trees to help restore greenway areas. More than 200 service members will participate in the projects.
Information on events and activities may be found by visiting www.neworleans.com/event/nola-navy-week/3270/ or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NolaNavyWeek.

Source: United States Navy

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), USS Mobile Bay (CG 52) and USS Spruance (DDG 111) of Carrier Strike Group Three (CSG 3) and JS Inazuma (DD 105) and JS Kongo (DDG 173) of JMSDF Escort Division 11 engaged in various joint events to include enhanced maritime communication operations, air warfare training, and various other drills to hone in on integrated maritime operations and combat readiness.

“Our enduring commitments to our relationships in the Indo-Pacific region continue to grow and blossom through integrated and bilateral at-sea exercises including the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force,” said Rear Adm. J. T. Anderson, commander, CSG 3. “These exercises demonstrate our collective combat-credible capabilities while safeguarding our shared interests and values.”

Coordinated maritime engagements and operations with international partners are part of the U.S. Navy’s routine presence in the Indo-Pacific. Since arriving in the U.S. 7th Fleet region in January, CSG 3 units have participated in multiple operations and exercises to include dual carrier operations with USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), exercises Noble Fusion and  Jungle Warfare 2022, and a long-range air demonstration. 

The ABECSG consists of CSG 3 and includes aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72); Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9; Destroyer Squadron 21; the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53); and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62), USS Gridley (DDG 101), USS Sampson (DDG 102), and USS Spruance (DDG 111).

Abraham Lincoln’s embarked air wing consists of the “Wallbangers” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 117; “Titans” of Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron (VRM) 30; “Chargers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 14; “Tophatters” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 14; “Black Aces” of VFA 41; “Wizards” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 133; “Black Knights” of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314; “Vigilantes” of VFA 151 and “Raptors” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 71.

ABECSG departed its homeport for a scheduled deployment to the Indo-Pacific January 3, 2022.

As the U.S. Navy’s largest forward deployed fleet, U.S. 7th Fleet routinely operates between 50-70 ships and submarines and 140 aircraft with approximately 20,000 Sailors. U.S. 7th Fleet’s area of operation spans more than 124 million square kilometers, stretching from the International Date Line to the India/Pakistan border; and from the Kuril Islands in the North to the Antarctic in the South Pacific, providing security and stability to the region. U.S. 7th Fleet interacts with 35 other maritime nations to build partnerships that foster maritime security while conducting a wide-range of missions to support humanitarian efforts and uphold international laws and freedoms of the sea.

For more news from CSG 3, visit http://www.dvidshub.net/unit/USSAL-CVN72

Source: United States Navy

An assumption of command is a military tradition that represents a formal transfer of authority and responsibility for a unit to a commanding officer.

Belmont previously served as FRCE’s executive officer, the depot’s second-in-command, since May 2021.  Previous tours include Production Group Military Director at Commander, Fleet Readiness Centers (COMFRC), Aviation Readiness Branch Head at Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV), and numerous operational assignments as a material control officer and maintenance material control officer.

His decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the John C. Stennis “Straight Furrow,” senior leadership award and various campaign, service and unit awards.

Belmont is a native of Chicago, Illinois, and a graduate of Lewis University and Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.

Lt. Col. Jason Raper, who served as the FRCE Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Production Officer, has assumed the duties as Acting Executive Officer.

FRCE is North Carolina’s largest maintenance, repair, overhaul and technical services provider, with more than 4,000 civilian, military and contract workers. Its annual revenue exceeds $1 billion. The depot provides service to the fleet while functioning as an integral part of the greater U.S. Navy; Naval Air Systems Command; and Commander, Fleet Readiness Centers.