Category: United States Navy

Source: United States Navy

Once out to sea, F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, E-2D Hawkeyes, and MH-60S Nighthawks assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8 conducted operations to prove the ship’s and crew’s capabilities. To achieve certification, Ford conducted more than 400 day and night catapult launches and trap recoveries. Prior to getting underway, Ford’s air department was evaluated on its ability to respond to flight deck emergencies and firefighting.

“Ford and Carrier Air Wing 8 were meticulous during the whole certification evolution,” said Senior Chief Aviation Boatswain Mate (Equipment) Carl Higdon, the air department’s leading chief petty officer. “Every Sailor aboard contributed to our success of the mission. I’m really proud to be a part of this team.”

Following flight deck certification, flight operations continued to keep pilots’ carrier qualifications and proficiency current, demonstrating Ford’s contribution to air wing and fleet readiness through capabilities provided by the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launching System (EMALS) and Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG).

“Flight deck certification is a significant milestone in preparation for our first deployment,” said Capt. Paul Lanzilotta, Ford’s Commanding Officer. “We have more tests and evaluations to complete during our next underway periods, and I have no doubt that our Sailors will rise to the challenge and accomplish the mission.”

Ford will head underway again this month for additional milestone events that will prepare the ship for a scheduled deployment later this year.

“We put our first-in-class warship to the test and our crew delivered,” said Lanzilotta. “From the air controllers and flight deck crews, to the catapult and arresting gear teams, our crew showed a level of professionalism that enabled a successful air wing integration with Carrier Air Wing 8. The best part, I think, is seeing our teammates from Carrier Air Wing 8 come aboard and fit right in with our enthusiastic and motivated approach to getting the job done. I look forward to seeing what we can do together in the coming months.”

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) is the first of the Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers and represents the first major design investment in aircraft carriers since the 1960s. Ford’s flight deck certification and carrier qualifications are part of the basic training phase prior to the ship’s first deployment.

Source: United States Navy

STAFFEX included approximately 90 senior staff members from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Singapore, and the United States, who form the senior leadership in the exercise.

STAFFEX was held following the RIMPAC Final Planning Conference, a large-scale planning conference held in Hawaii from March 21-25 that included approximately 1,000 personnel from 27 nations who will participate in RIMPAC 2022, to improve readiness for working with partner nations to accomplish the objectives of the exercise.

“Ultimately, going through these scenarios makes us more agile and ready for real-world exercises and operations,” said Vice Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet. “We continue to build relationships with each other and hone our skills and processes to ensure smooth execution on game day.”

While the Final Planning Conference was designed for participants to conduct a review of the overall exercise plan, STAFFEX allowed its attendees to walk through scenarios in a computer-based format in advance of executing operations at sea off the coast of Hawaii this summer.

“STAFFEX proved to be a very successful event to execute all the planning and documentation developed in the preceding 12 months,” said Royal Australian Navy Lt. Cmdr. James Dobson, RIMPAC Coordinator. “The ability to test our procedures and reporting chains in a synthetic environment prior to maneuvering multinational live forces remains invaluable.”

RIMPAC began in 1971 and was held annually until 1974, when it became a biennial exercise due to its large scale. The founding nations are the United States, Australia, and Canada. This will be the 28th RIMPAC since inception and currently consists of 27 like-minded partner nations, committing 41 ships, 4 submarines, more than 170 aircraft, and nearly 25,000 personnel.

An integral part of U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. 3rd Fleet not only leads naval forces in the Indo-Pacific, but also 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.

Source: United States Navy

Featured in booth 1701 this year are examples displaying state-of-the-art Navy uniforms and garments engineered to provide Sailors with clothing that performs well in the operating environment, aboard ships, and in their workspaces. Also featured in the NAVSUP booth are live demonstrations by NAVSUP’s data analytics team. The team is demonstrating the processes they use to deliver informed data analytics to ensure fleet readiness, increase capability, and support the Navy mission.

Multiple speaking engagements are taking place at the NAVSUP booth during each day of the expo. Speaking topics include how small businesses can effectively do business with NAVSUP; Navy uniform and organizational clothing’s mission, function, and capability gaps; and NAVSUP’s analytic mission.

NAVSUP will also demonstrate a new version of a combination oven, which is being tested now and could replace similar ovens used aboard some Navy ships today.

“Sea Air Space provides a platform to exhibit the latest developments in how NAVSUP enables the supply chain, generates readiness and sustains our naval forces worldwide, said Kurt Wendelken, NAVSUP vice commander. “It also offers the opportunity to engage multiple, key, stakeholders in one location and share ideas that enhance support of the Navy mission.”

On Tuesday, April 5 at 10:00 a.m. NAVSUP Vice Commander Kurt Wendelken and NAVSUP Executive for Strategic Initiatives Karen Fenstermacher will participate in a Supply Chain Risk Roundtable in the Cherry Blossom Ballroom. The roundtable discussion will focus on the health of the weapon systems supply chain, current readiness risks that have been identified, initiatives to combat these weaknesses and where the small business community can best support this mission. Other roundtable members include Jimmy Smith, director, Department of the Navy Small Business Programs and Clark Dumont, senior director of Global Procurement, BAE Systems. NAVSUP Small Business Director Chris Espenshade will moderate the discussion.

Wendelken will also participate in a Supply Chain Logistics Panel on Wednesday, April 6 at 9:30 a.m. in Potomac AB. The panel will focus on lessons learned during the current supply chain crisis and deliberate what the United States has gotten right and wrong in terms of supply chain, infrastructure and labor, investment during the last decade. Panel members will also discuss how to improve gaps in commercial and defense/military related supply chain processes to better support consumers and service members while adhering to the administration’s “Made in America” and America’s supply chain priorities. Other panel members include Maj. Gen. David Maxwell, vice director of logistics, Joint Staff, U.S. Marine Corps; Dr. Sal Mercoliano, associate professor, Campbell University; and Abby Lilly, vice president of Global Supply Chain, Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems.

Throughout the show, NAVSUP senior leadership will engage with top aviation and maritime domain industry partners in an effort to continue NAVSUP’s commitment to communicate its strategic priorities and direction with industry to drive improved supply chain performance and support to the warfighter.

Representatives from the NAVSUP Office of Small Business Programs will also be in the booth sharing information on the NAVSUP mission, as well as upcoming procurement opportunities for small business industry partners. The office of small business is committed to strengthening the Navy’s mission by maximizing procurement opportunities for all small business concerns. This effort is in support of the Secretary of the Navy’s goal to identify and develop small businesses that can support the Navy/Marine Corps force for tomorrow. NAVSUP’s procurement responsibilities include weapon systems spares and repair parts, Navy medical supplies and services, and commercial supplies and services that support the fleet.

Sea-Air-Space is the largest maritime exposition in the U.S. and continues as an invaluable extension of the Navy League’s mission of maritime policy education and sea service support.

NAVSUP is headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, and employs a diverse, worldwide workforce of more than 25,000 military and civilian personnel. NAVSUP and the Navy Supply Corps conduct and enable supply chain, acquisition, operational logistics and Sailor & family care activities with our mission partners to generate readiness and sustain naval forces worldwide to prevent and decisively win wars.. Learn more at www.navsup.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/navsup and https://twitter.com/navsupsyscom.

Source: United States Navy

SWATT, led by Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC), starts with a weeklong in port academic phase followed by a two week at sea training phase. Exercise events include Air Defense, Anti-Submarine Warfare, Surface Warfare, Amphibious Warfare, and includes several live-fire exercises culminating with a live-fire with a purpose missile launch.

“Initially, we are looking for strong indicators the ship retained the tactical foundations provided during the basic phase,” said Capt. Jim Kenny, SMWDC’s senior mentor aboard during Forward Deployed Naval Forces Japan (FDNF-J) SWATT 2022. “The Warfare Tactics Instructors (WTIs) aboard the ships conduct over-the-shoulder focused training to fill any knowledge gaps before they get into the application of warfighting tactics.”

“SWATT is meant to challenge our warfighting readiness in order to ensure that we are ready for the high-end tactical fight, and if need be, execute our number one mission, which is to win in conflict,” said Capt. Walter Mainor, deputy commodore of Commander, Task Force (CTF) 71/Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15. “Just like anything we do, you get out of it what you put into it, so we take this opportunity to sharpen our tactics, review our readiness, and make sure we are prepared.”

Kenny added there is no passing or failing grade for ships participating in the training, but SMWDC looks for indicators the ship retained tactical foundations, utilizing metrics gathered during SWATT to demonstrate changes in a ship’s day-to-day performance across events. At the conclusion of SWATT, the ship goes through a capstone event covering multiple warfare areas over a 24-hour period.

“Having the opportunity to be out here and have the time to do the dedicated training and the tactical maneuvering is value added,” said Mainor. “But most importantly is the Sailors. Having them absorb the information and learn, and having the chance to practice shooting the missile, shooting the guns – all of those things that sometimes we read about but maybe for whatever reason might not be able to perform. To have the Sailors be able to do that is value added beyond measure.”

While SWATT focuses on tactical watch stander proficiency – including tactical action officers, warfare coordinators, and warfare-centric watch stations, supporting the event involves every Sailor assigned to the ship.

“Dewey, from the commanding officer to the newest check-in, has been ‘all in’ on SWATT,” said Kenny. “I have personally witnessed the PBED [Planning, Brief, Execution, Debrief] process on a daily basis, and the crew has been extremely receptive to feedback from the WTIs and quick to implement lessons learned. I have been extremely impressed by the Dewey team and can clearly see why they were awarded the Battle Efficiency award this year.”

Cmdr. Jermaine Brooms, commanding officer of Dewey, said he was thankful for the opportunity and time to focus on this advanced tactical training to hone the crew’s skills as warfighters and mariners. “By executing the repetitious actions consistent with the SWATT process, my team stands ready to confidently engage the enemy in conflict if required to do such,” said Brooms. “My most junior watch-stander knows what right looks like because they are well practiced and can now contribute to overall safety of the ship by recognizing anomalies due to familiarity.”

Dewey is assigned to DESRON 15 and is underway supporting a free and open Indo-Pacific. CTF-71/DESRON 15 is the Navy’s largest forward-deployed DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force.

Source: United States Navy

Information Systems Technician Senior Chief Christine Reed, IWTC Virginia Beach’s multi-cultural heritage committee coordinator, welcomed those in attendance and spoke about the importance of celebrating Women’s History Month.
 
“Since the early 1900s, when our fellow sisters first enlisted, our country and Navy have made tremendous strides. Over 187,000 women are currently serving today,” said Reed. “March allows women to celebrate our many but growing victories and acknowledge our struggles.” 
 
Retired Master Chief Petty Officer Linda Fox was the first guest speaker to address the audience during which she shared a brief outline of her personal history and professional background.
 
Fox enlisted in the Navy in 1974 and would later become the only woman at her command to obtain the rank of Chief Petty Officer in 1984. Following her retirement in 1995, Fox began working with the Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps program at a high school in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia. Fox, a two-time cancer survivor, spoke about how her passion for running kept her motivated throughout her recovery and helped to her set personal goals.
 
Fox’s last powerful message was delivered after she provided a motivational saying for each letter of the alphabet from A to Z.
 
“Write down your goals, avoid negativity, and employ the 26 steps of success. You’ll be amazed by the things you can accomplish,” said Fox.
 
Master Chief Aviation Maintenance Administrationman Courtney Barber, senior enlisted leader at Fleet Readiness Center Mid-Atlantic, spoke after Fox to close out the ceremony.
 
Barber, a three-time published author and podcast host, said she has dedicated her personal and professional life to motivating Sailors currently serving in the armed forces. Barber currently serves a catalyst for the My Navy Coaching initiative and is slated to become the next senior enlisted leader for My Navy Coaching in late 2022.
 
Barber concentrated her speech on the importance of demonstrating humility towards fellow Sailors regardless of who they are.
 
“No matter the gender, remember to check in on your shipmates because you never know what baggage they may be carrying,” said Barber.
 
The conclusion of Barber’s speech was call for self-resilience during which she stated, “If you are the person struggling, don’t think that your vulnerability is a weakness; it is your strength.”
 
IWTC Virginia Beach currently offers 56 courses of instruction in information technology, cryptology, and intelligence with an instructor and support staff of 278 military, civilian, and contract members who train over 6,600 students every year at five training sites in the Hampton Roads area. It is one of four schoolhouses for the Center for Information Warfare Training (CIWT) and also oversees learning sites at Jacksonville and Mayport, Florida; Kings Bay, Georgia; and Groton, Connecticut to continue aligning information warfare community training.