Category: United States of America

Source: United States Navy

In 2024, the U.S. Pacific Fleet Band shared its music with 2.5 million people in nine countries and four Hawaiian Islands. Its 600 engagements included concerts for the community, performances for school children, official Navy events and ceremonies, and shows for Sailors. Band members also participated in the annual Pacific Partnership, the Navy’s largest multinational humanitarian and disaster relief mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific, taking them to Vietnam, the Philippines, Tonga, and across Micronesia for cultural exchanges.

It’s a rigorous schedule for the band, which has been representing the U.S. Navy in Hawaii for more than 75 years. The Pacific Fleet Band is one of 11 bands in the Navy that inspire patriotism, elevate esprit de corps, support recruiting and retention efforts, preserve the Nation’s musical heritage, and carry the Navy message around the world. Navy bands go where ships can’t go, expanding and strengthening the Navy’s network of partners. In a typical year, Navy bands travel to more than 40 countries, helping improve access and relationships abroad.

A musical ambassador for the U.S. Pacific Fleet, the Pacific Fleet Band is led by Lt. Clint Mcclanahan, who was named Fleet Bandmaster in January 2024. He enlisted in the Navy in July 2003 and commissioned in 2015 after 12 years as an enlisted electric bass player. Prior to reporting as Fleet Bandmaster, Mcclanahan received a Master of Music in wind band conducting from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University as part of the Naval Postgraduate School Civilian Institutions Program. He also holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Morehead State University.

Like Mcclanahan, all 42 members of the Pacific Fleet Band are trained musicians. Most have a bachelor’s degree in music, while some have advanced degrees. To earn a spot on the band, musicians must audition, similar to auditioning for a spot in a major symphony.

Unique Musician Rating

After boot camp, musicians go to “A” school for 21 weeks in Little Creek, Virginia.

Unlike most other Navy ratings, which have identical roles after completing initial training, musicians also have a designator indicating what instrument they play. A Navy band needs an appropriate blend of flutes, clarinets, oboes to play a John Philip Sousa march, Mcclanahan explained.

The band also has other instruments that allow it to play more than typical military fare.

“We also have vocalists, we have guitar players, piano players, drum set players, bass players, so that we can perform not just military music of our past but popular music of the day,” Mcclanahan said.

Although the band has musicians who can play multiple instruments, it is not a Navy requirement.

The band’s song list includes “bread and butter songs that live in the soul of a military musician” such as the “National Anthem,” “Eternal Father,” “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” as well as “Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī,” which is unique to a Hawaii. Mcclanahan explained that musicians also have about 25 songs ready to go at any given moment, but the list is constantly evolving based on the time of year and the band’s different ensembles.

In addition to parade, ceremonial and concerts bands, there are also smaller chamber groups like brass and woodwind quintets that perform at military ceremonies, public concerts and music education clinics.

Two musical groups perform contemporary tunes that appeal to audiences of all ages: Pipeline, a rock band that plays music from the early days of rock and roll to the latest pop and country hits; and Pau Hana Sound, which plays popular music with a nod to local instrumentation and musical styles.

December is a particularly busy time for the band with Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day ceremonies on Dec. 7, free holiday performances for the public at Ala Moana Center and Hale Koa Hotel and marching in community Christmas parades.

In January, the band heads to Hawaii Island as part of Music in School, a public school outreach program where band members host music clinics for students and perform concerts. In April, the band plans to support the Merrie Monarch Festival, the week-long festival held in April in Hilo that features an internationally acclaimed hula competition and showcases Hawaiian art and culture following the ideals of King Kalākaua. The band will travel to American Samoa later that month.

History of the Band

The U.S. Pacific Fleet Band has a unique history. It first formed in February 1941 when Pacific Fleet Headquarters was established at Pearl Harbor.

In September 1941, the band participated in the Battle of Music, a competition among Navy bands from capitol ships homeported in Pearl Harbor and bands attached to shore installations in Hawaii. However, the final round was canceled after the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. In previous rounds of the competition, bands played one swing number, a ballad, a specialty tune, and a song performed for a jitterbug contest.

On the day of the attack on Pearl Harbor, the entire USS Arizona band was at battle stations passing ammunition under gun turret number one. All band members were killed during the attack. The Battle of Music participants later decided to posthumously award that year’s tournament trophy to the band that had perished, Navy Band Unit 22. The award was renamed the Arizona Trophy.

Although Navy Bands don’t compete in official competitions in modern times, Mcclanahan said each band is proud of its performance.

“There is the usual organizational pride between each of the service bands,” he said. “We all believe that WE are the ones playing the right notes, the right way.”

In the decades after the attack on Pearl Harbor, band members have performed across Asia and the Pacific including in South Korea, Guam, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Australia.

On May 21, 2001, the band performed aboard the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) for the premiere of the movie “Pearl Harbor.”

More recently, Mcclanahan shared how adjustments made during COVID-19 in 2021, created changes that are still delighting audiences. Since the band couldn’t perform in front of live audiences, the band needed another way to reach music goers, so they turned to video and social media.

A recent example of this is the “Let it Snow” music video, featuring music by Pau Hana Sound. Navy Music, U.S. Pacific Fleet Band’s higher command that governs all fleet bands in the District of Columbia and Annapolis, started an initiative to create music videos during COVID-19 when bands were unable to perform in-person for audiences. After social isolation requirements ended, the push for music videos continued with 12 Days of Navy Music, “an online musical extravaganza” of sacred and secular music performed by Navy Bands stationed at home and around the world that is released on YouTube and Facebook.

This year’s lineup featured “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” “Mele Kalikimaka,” “Carol of the Bells,” “Run, Run, Rudolph,” “O Christmas Tree,” “Must’ve Been Old Santa Claus,” excerpts from “The Nutcracker,” “Let It Snow,” and more.

Mcclanahan shared that many band members are from the continental U.S. and they decided to capture the feeling of a cold winter with an unexpected Hawaiian twist. The result was a new version of “Let It Snow” that mixes snow, nostalgia, and blue ocean backdrops of Pearl Harbor with a warm holiday sound that might have some pining for a cup of hot chocolate despite Hawaii’s balmy weather.

Reflecting on this and the ongoing work of the U.S. Pacific Fleet Band, Mcclanahan said he appreciates the steadfast dedication and professionalism of the band members, who inspire him and the American public – and he recognizes what a distinct privilege and incredible responsibility the band enjoys every day.

“I admire the skill and dedication that every Navy Musician brings to their jobs. It’s exciting to see these Sailors engage with audiences, especially the international audiences, and strengthen international relationships through cultural exchange,” said Mcclanahan. “They are ambassadors for the Navy and the United States of America. In many cases, the only Americans that our audience will ever meet is a Navy Musician. The members of the Pacific Fleet Band understand that is a huge responsibility and amazing honor.”

Source: United States Navy

For Scott Bewley, the mission of NavalX is simple.

“We want to build, lead and sustain an ecosystem that promotes innovation not only within the Department of the Navy [DoN] but also the broader Department of Defense [DoD],” he said.

Bewley, NavalX’s deputy director of business operations, gave his remarks while leading a professional talk at the 2024 Naval Science and Technology (S&T)/Combat Systems/Technology, Systems and Ships Symposium held Dec. 9-12 in Arlington, Virginia.

Hosted by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) and the American Society of Naval Engineers, the symposium enabled attendees across the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, industry and academia to meet, discuss and learn about “Naval S&T: From Idea to Maritime Dominance.”

During his presentation, Bewley gave an overview of NavalX. Founded in 2019, NavalX, which is led by Director Capt. Joel Uzarski, is ONR’s accelerator department responsible for centralizing and streamlining the innovation pipeline at naval organizations and establishing smoother collaborations between the Naval Research and Development Establishment (NR&DE), academia and industry.

NavalX also helps the NR&DE leverage the commercial market and attract private investments to hasten and reduce the cost for defense acquisition and deployment of technologies that provide capabilities to the warfighter, employ agile best practices in contracting that accelerate awards, and provide flexibility and speed in technology maturation and adoption.

“Our success is directly aligned with the success of the entire defense innovation ecosystem,” said Bewley. “We partner with naval labs, programs and warfare centers to support technological transformation in practical ways.”

To achieve this, NavalX works closely with the DoN Technology Transfer (T2) Program Office as well as the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs — all located at ONR.

The DoN Technology Transfer (T2) Program Office oversees the policies, guidance, designations and training for the DoN T2 professionals who foster collaboration between the Navy and Marine Corps, government agencies, industry and academia. The SBIR program provides the Navy and Marine Corps with innovative advances in technology created by small businesses — while STTR transitions products developed by both small businesses and research institutions.

Bewley closed out his talk with the topic of Tech Bridges. A partnership involving ONR, NavalX, the DoN T2 Program Office, and the Navy’s systems commands, Tech Bridges serve as regional innovation hubs where warfare centers, government, academia and industry can team up and work together on technology research, evaluation and commercialization — as well as economic and workforce development.

Each hub enables local projects designed to solve pressing problems and technology needs identified by the DoN. There are 18 Tech Bridge locations worldwide — 17 in the U.S. and one in London, England.

“At the end of the day, we want to add more players to the field,” said Bewley. “They could be larger, more established companies, startups, nontraditional companies. We want to ensure the Department of the Navy has access to the best possible technology and capabilities to address operational challenges and strategic priorities.”

Click here to learn more about NavalX.

Warren Duffie Jr. is a contractor for ONR Corporate Strategic Communications.

Source: United States Navy

What role does scientific and technological innovation play in providing critical capability to Sailors and Marines around the world? How can the Naval Research and Development Establishment — and its diverse array of partners — best align to the warfighting priorities laid out by the Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV), Chief of Naval Operations and Commandant of the Marine Corps?

These were powerful underlying themes at the 2024 Naval Science and Technology (S&T)/Combat Systems/Technology, Systems and Ships Symposium held Dec. 9-12 in Arlington, Virginia.

Hosted by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) and the American Society of Naval Engineers (ASNE), the symposium enabled attendees across the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, industry and academia to meet, discuss and learn about “Naval S&T: From Idea to Maritime Dominance,” particularly focus areas crucial to the Department of the Navy.

Chief of Naval Research Rear Adm. Kurt Rothenhaus gave a joint opening keynote address with Rear Adm. Tom Dickinson, program executive officer for Integrated Warfare Systems.

“ONR appreciates the chance to team with partners like ASNE to help shape research outcomes that support the Fleet and Force,” said Rothenhaus. “It’s a prime example of the partnerships between industry, academia and government that are needed to rapidly discover and deliver for the Sailors and Marines we have the privilege of serving.”

Additional speakers included the Hon. Carlos Del Toro, SECNAV; the Hon. Nickolas Guertin, assistant secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition (ASN RD&A); and Vice Adm. Scott Pappano, principal military deputy, ASN RD&A.

The symposium showcased two ONR-led discussion panels — held Dec. 10 and 12, respectively — focusing on science and technology.

The Dec. 10 panel was titled “Naval Power: Science and Technology to deliver in an era of strategic competition and technological change.” ONR Executive Director Dr. Thomas Fu served as moderator and participants included:

• Dr. Michael Pollock, department head, ONR C5ISRT
• Dr. Knox Millsaps, department head, ONR Naval Air Warfare and Weapons
• Dr. Gregory Orris, Naval Engineering Focus Area lead, ONR Sea Warfare and Weapons

This event touched on topics such as recognizing the current state of strategic competition with peer adversaries and the need to be agile in an ever-changing environment; the importance of the Naval S&T Strategy in building partnerships, creating a culture of S&T excellence and enhancing maritime dominance; and the need to revitalize basic research and collaborate with industry and academic partners.

The Dec. 12 panel was titled “S&T to improve the lethality, survivability and affordability of the Fleet and Force.” Moderated by Capt. Steven Tarr III, the military deputy in ONR’s Sea Warfare and Weapons Department, it featured the following panelists:

• Ben Bouffard, deputy director of the Naval Sea Systems Command’s Technology Office
• Neil Graf, program lead, ONR ManTech
• Dr. Jennifer Wolk, acting department head, ONR Sea Warfare and Weapons

This event discussed issues and challenges surrounding sustainment, maintenance and manufacturing; the impact of the Cold War’s end on the U.S. military shipbuilding and industrial base, as well as subsequent struggles; and how innovations such as additive manufacturing are crucial to naval maintenance and repair.

In addition to the main S&T panels, other ONR-related professional talks included:

• Sandy Landsberg, Naval STEM Coordination Office executive and a division director in ONR’s C5ISRT Department, gave a presentation about Navy AI.
• Scott Bewley, NavalX deputy director of business operations, and Capt. Eric Hutter, ONR Global executive officer, provided overviews of their respective organizations.
• In a presentation titled “The Future of Naval Weapons,” Capt. Jesse Black, commanding officer of the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), discussed the mission and organizational structure of NRL, its history and connection to Thomas Edison, past technological successes and advances, and its current role in developing groundbreaking S&T capabilities for the Navy and Marine Corps.

“Improving not only the lethality, survivability and affordability of our current and future system is not an easy task,” said Rothenhaus. “However, by teaming early and often on a common north star — we have shown we can achieve incredible results for our Sailors and Marines.”

The broader purpose of the 2024 Naval S&T/Combat Systems/Technology, Systems and Ships Symposium aligned with the Naval S&T Strategy released earlier this year by SECNAV Del Toro. The strategy serves as sailing directions for strengthening collaboration with industry, academia, and partners and allies, to cultivate groundbreaking scientific research and accelerate delivery of technological innovation to the Navy and Marine Corps.

Warren Duffie Jr. is a contractor for ONR Corporate Strategic Communications.

Source: United States Navy

WASHINGTON – Today, Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Carlos Del Toro named the Navy’s newest Arleigh Burke-class Guided Missile Destroyer, the future USS Robert Kerrey (DDG 146).

DDG 146 honors former U.S. Senator, Nebraska Governor, and naval officer Joseph Robert Kerrey, who received the Medal of Honor for heroism displayed during the Vietnam War. This will be the first Navy vessel named after Kerrey.

“One of the great privileges I have as Secretary of the Navy is to name ships, and it is my honor to name the future USS Robert Kerrey (DDG 146),” said Del Toro. “This will be the first Navy vessel named in his honor, and it is most appropriate we do so, for his actions in Vietnam and his continued service to this country well beyond his Naval service.”

On Jan 3, Del Toro and Kerrey met in NYC to share the news of the naming of the destroyer. Del Toro named DDG 145 at a press conference at the Intrepid Museum prior to the meeting with Kerrey.

“My sincere thanks to President Biden, Secretary of the Navy Del Toro, and the United States Navy that gave me the opportunity to serve my country for three of the best years of my life,” said Senator Kerrey. “I am very grateful for this recognition.”

Born in Lincoln, NE in 1943 and entering the Navy in 1966, Kerrey completed Officer Candidate School and Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training. He deployed to the Republic of Vietnam as a platoon officer with Delta Platoon, SEAL Team 1 in 1969. On 14 March 1969, he led his team on a mission to capture important Viet Cong political leaders who had set up a base of operations on an island in the bay of Nha Trang. The platoon scaled a 350-foot cliff and were descending from a ledge overlooking the enemy camp when a grenade exploded at Kerrey’s feet, severely injuring his right leg and propelling him backward onto jagged rocks. Immobilized by his multiple wounds, Kerrey nonetheless continued directing his team in securing the enemy camp and finding an extraction site for helicopter evacuation. Kerrey ultimately would lose his lower leg, but his steadfast courage and leadership under fire earned the gratitude of his Nation.

He received the Medal of Honor in 1970, the first Navy SEAL to be so honored. He subsequently served as the 35th Governor of Nebraska (1983-1987) and as a U.S. Senator from Nebraska (1989-2001), as well as a member of the 9/11 Commission.

Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, built around the Aegis Combat System, are the backbone of the U.S. Navy’s surface fleet providing protection to America around the globe.

They incorporate stealth techniques, allowing these highly capable, multi-mission ships to conduct a variety of operations, from peacetime presence to national security, providing a wide range of warfighting capabilities in multi-threat air, surface and subsurface domains. These elements of sea power enable the Navy to defend American prosperity and prevent future conflict abroad.

Source: United States Navy

NEW YORK – Today, Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro named the Navy’s newest Arleigh Burke-class Guided Missile Destroyer, the future USS Intrepid (DDG 145) aboard the former aircraft carrier which shares its namesake as the Intrepid Museum in New York City.

DDG 145 honors the skilled, fearless crews of the four previous Navy ships to bear the name. This will be the fifth ship named Intrepid.

“It is deeply meaningful to stand aboard USS Intrepid—the fourth vessel to bear the name, and whose proud legacy continues to inspire and remind so many visitors of the courage, resilience and sacrifice that define the U.S. Navy — and it is with profound respect that we also look to the future of our Navy from these decks,” said Del Toro. “It is my pleasure to announce that the fifth vessel named Intrepid will be an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, DDG 145, USS Intrepid, in honor of her past namesakes and the courageous service of all our Sailors globally from the South China Sea to the Red Sea.”

The first Intrepid was captured from the Barbary state of Tripoli in December 1803 where she sailed under the name Mastico. In February 1804, she then slipped into Tripoli harbor to set fire to the captured US Navy ship Philadelphia.

The second Intrepid was an experimental steam torpedo ram, operating from 1874 to 1892.

The third Intrepid was a receiving and barracks ship assigned to the Yerba Buena Training Station and Mare Island Naval Yard.

The fourth Intrepid, an aircraft carrier, served from 1943 to 1974. She supported the capture of the Marshall Islands in early 1944. In September, she struck targets in the Palaus and provided close air support to Marines on Peleliu. She helped liberate the Philippines and took part in the Battle of Leyte Gulf in October 1944, where her air wing helped sink or damage three aircraft carriers, four battleships, and a cruiser. She was later hit by multiple kamikazes. She participated in the invasion of Okinawa and attacks on mainland Japan. She was decommissioned in 1947 and recommissioned in 1952, becoming the first carrier to use American-built steam catapults. She supported NATO in the 1950s and 1960s, and recovered several NASA space capsules. Intrepid then joined Seventh Fleet to support combat operations off Vietnam, where she was lauded for her speed in launching aircraft. In 1969, she returned to the North Atlantic, sailing there until decommissioning in 1974. She is preserved as a museum ship in New York City.

“We know this namesake ship will serve our Navy and our nation proudly as the former USS Intrepid did and continues to do, and we couldn’t be more thrilled that it begins its proverbial journey today at the Intrepid Museum,” said Intrepid Museum President Susan Marenoff-Zausner. “For all of its missions, the entire Museum team wishes the ships and its crew safety and success.”

Along with announcing the ship’s name, Del Toro also announced the sponsor for the future USS Intrepid (DDG 145) as Mrs. Betty Del Toro, who in her role as the ship’s sponsors will represent a lifelong relationship with the ship and crew.

Mrs. Del Toro is not only the wife of Secretary Del Toro but is also a lifelong supporter of the Navy and a steadfast advocate for Sailors and Marines. She served as a military spouse for 22 years, encompassing 17 military moves. She is passionate about matters that involve military families and children. Over the last three years, she has met with hundreds of service members, spouses and dependents.

“I am especially proud to serve as for a ship whose name embodies American courage and resilience,” said Betty Del Toro. “Having had the honor and opportunity to stand alongside my husband throughout his active duty Navy career and as the 78th Secretary of the Navy, I embrace this new role— one which emphasizes something that is deeply important to me; supporting Navy Sailors and Marines, and their families.”

Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, built around the Aegis Combat System, are the backbone of the U.S. Navy’s surface fleet providing protection to America around the globe. They incorporate stealth techniques, allowing these highly capable, multi-mission ships to conduct a variety of operations, from peacetime presence to national security, providing a wide range of warfighting capabilities in multi-threat air, surface and subsurface domains. These elements of sea power enable the Navy to defend American prosperity and prevent future conflict abroad.