Category: United States Navy

Source: United States Navy

As part of Phase I, 28 schools across DoDEA Americas will introduce the Universal Prekindergarten Program, laying a solid educational foundation for the youngest learners within the military community. This initiative is poised to expand further, with 5 additional schools joining in Phases II and III.

DoDEA has a long history of supporting military families, and this program is a testament to that dedication. While DoDEA Americas has previously offered half-day prekindergarten to eligible families, the Universal Prekindergarten Program represents the first full-scale implementation of a full-day prekindergarten program across DoDEA Americas’ primary schools.

“The approval of the Universal Prekindergarten Program underscores our dedication to providing the highest quality education to military-connected children,” said Dr. Judith Minor, Americas Director for Student Excellence. “Early childhood education is a critical foundation for future academic success, and we are excited to offer this opportunity to our primary school students.”

The importance of early childhood education cannot be overstated. Studies consistently show that high-quality early learning experiences are crucial for cognitive, social, and emotional development. These formative years lay the groundwork for lifelong learning and success, making programs like DoDEA’s Universal Prekindergarten beneficial and essential.

The Universal Prekindergarten Program creates a supportive and engaging learning environment, enhancing various aspects of child development and preparing students for a smooth transition into kindergarten.

DoDEA’s commitment to providing a world-class education to military-connected students shines through in the Universal Prekindergarten Program. As this initiative takes flight, it promises to profoundly impact young learners’ lives, setting them on a path of academic and personal success.

For additional information on our below phase I schools please check our website, https://www.dodea.edu/americas or https://www.dodea.edu/education/universal-prekindergarten-program.

Camp Lejeune – Delalio Elementary School
Camp Lejeune – Heroes Elementary School
Camp Lejeune – Johnson Primary School
Camp Lejeune – Tarawa Terrace Elementary School
Naval Station Guantanamo Bay Cuba – WT Sampson Elementary/High School
NSF Dahlgren – Dahlgren School
Fort Liberty – Bowley Elementary School
Fort Liberty – Devers Elementary School
Fort Liberty – Gordon Elementary School
Fort Liberty – Kimberly Hampton Primary School
Fort Liberty – Mildred B. Poole Elementary School
Fort Liberty – Shughart Elementary School
Puerto Rico – Antilles Elementary School
Puerto Rico – Ramey School
Marine Corps Base Quantico – Crossroads Elementary School
West Point – West Point Elementary School
Fort Jackson – Pierce Terrace Elementary School
Fort Knox – Kingsolver Elementary School
Fort Knox – Van Voorhis Elementary School
Fort Moore – Edward A. White Elementary School
Fort Moore – Freddie Stowers Elementary School
Fort Moore – Herbert J. Dexter Elementary School
Fort Moore – Morris R. McBride Elementary School
Fort Stewart – Charles P Murray Elementary School
Fort Stewart – Diamond Elementary School
Fort Stewart – Patrick L. Kessler Elementary School
Maxwell AFB – Maxwell AFB Elementary/Middle School
MCAS Beaufort – Middleton S. Elliott Elementary School

Source: United States Navy

Participants trained in a wide range of dynamic scenarios, including Urban Search and Rescue (USAR), Hawaii Healthcare Emergency Management (HHEM) mass casualty response, mass movement of evacuees, aerial survey, port restoration, and logistical support for humanitarian assistance.

“Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief is a critical part of the Navy’s mission,” said Vice Adm. John Wade, commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet and Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024 Combined Task Force (CTF). “During the HADR exercise, we trained our expeditionary forces to respond to crisis scenarios with the goal of improving our efficiency and interoperability with global maritime partners. Our forces are always at their best when we train together.”

Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Rear Adm. Kazushi Yokota, commander, JMSDF Escort Flotilla Three and Exercise RIMPAC 2024 CTF vice commander, led the HADR portion of the exercise and collaboration with local hospital personnel.

”During this great RIMPAC, I am confident to say that we have enhanced integration, interoperability with global maritime partners and demonstrated effective communication,” said Rear Adm. Yokota. “We prepared and exercised crisis response capabilities amongst interagency partners by working together, growing together and learning from each other’s professionalism.”

First-time achievements from this year’s HADR drill included:
First time conducting USAR with participation from Mexico, Peru and the U.S.
First time conducting an HHEM mass casualty event with partner nations, including Mexico, Peru, and the U.S.
First time operating with HMCS Max Bernays (AOPV 432), a Canadian special mission support platform and icebreaker.
First time operating with JS Kunisaki (LST-4003), a JMSDF Osumi-class amphibious landing ship.
First time integrating U.S. Marines from Combat Logistics Company 33 (CLC-33) and Seabees from First Naval Construction Regiment (1NCR) in constructing a helo landing zone, the creation of drinking water, assessing bridges, and removing downed trees.
First time constructing a pagoda with combined Seabee forces from ROK and the U.S.
First time using unmanned aerial systems from Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command for port surveys and damage assessment.

The HADR training, which began July 8, showcased enhanced integration and effective crisis response capabilities between allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region.

“It has been exciting to work with our multinational partners during RIMPAC,” said Capt. Douglas Whimpey, commodore, First Naval Construction Regiment and deputy commander, HADR Task Force. “Together, we have a tremendous opportunity to train, improve our skills and build new relationships. Training with our multinational partners strengthens our ability to operate together. That’s what RIMPAC is all about.”

Twenty-nine nations, 40 surface ships, three submarines, 14 national land forces, more than 150 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC in and around the Hawaiian Islands, June 27 to Aug. 1. The world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s oceans. RIMPAC 2024 is the 29th exercise in the series that began in 1971.

Source: United States Navy

PACIFIC OCEAN — The Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Gridley (DDG 101) participated in a multinational visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) drill while underway July 15 during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC), a large-scale international maritime exercise.

Source: United States Navy

A helicopter from HSM 79, conducting routine flight operations from Bulkeley spotted people indicating distress onboard a dead-in-the-water vessel, and reported the adrift vessel back to the destroyer.

Bulkeley, in coordination with the Joint Rescue Coordination Center, requested a nearby merchant, the Motor Vessel Seaways Sabine to approach the vessel and provide assistance. The Seaways Sabine found 31 personnel onboard a vessel that had been adrift for days, and found three people who needed medical attention.

The Bulkeley’s Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat delivered Bulkeley’s Corpsmen to the Seaways Sabine to provide medical assistance to the three unresponsive personnel. Unfortunately, the medical team was not able to save one of the patients despite an extended period of CPR. The two other patients in need of medical assistance are in a stable condition, and are being transported to the nearest suitable port by the Seaways Sabine.

“In times of crisis, the United States Navy is there to respond and assist whenever possible,” said Cmdr. Arturo Trejo, commanding officer of USS Bulkeley. “I want to thank our crew aboard and the crew aboard Seaways Sabine for their quick action and teamwork in assisting those during a time of need. This incident, while unfortunate, underscores our Navy’s ability to respond to those in need and showcases the readiness and capabilities of our team.”

Motor Vessel Seaways Sabine will be taking the rescued personnel to Port Sidi Kurayr, Egypt for further assistance.

U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

Source: United States Navy

Seeking to strengthen relationships among senior regional medical leaders, the conference attendees discussed a range of topics, including preparing medical teams for combat missions; managing common injuries in the field; utilizing telemedicine in a field setting; supporting a multinational fighting force; and providing ancillary support in combat.

More than 100 personnel from 12 countries participated.

“I’m grateful to all the 12 partner nations who come out and join us from around the globe, all in a unified commitment to do the best that we can within military medicine to improve survivability and provide care both from a physical and a mental standpoint during times of crisis and even during times of peace,” said Capt. Jorge Brito, NAVCENT force surgeon and U.S. Fifth fleet surgeon.

Brito added that the universal language of medical care, which transcends every language barrier, aims for the same goal: to save lives and advance medicine on a global scale.

“The ability to present everyone’s best practices and lessons learned from medical care, whether it be trauma care for forces, U.S. forces, and partners allow us to achieve the understanding of cooperation and collaboration,” said Lt. Freddie Mawanay, the event’s coordinator. “The ability to understand someone else’s medical capabilities allows us to have that self-service support for any patient that presents in front of us,” said Mawanay.

NAVCENT/C5F is the maritime component commander of U.S. Central Command in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations, which encompasses about 2.5 million square miles of water in the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. The expanse comprises more than 20 countries and includes three critical choke points: the Suez Canal, and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and the Strait of Hormuz.