Category: United States of America

Source: United States Navy

Continuing Promise Mission Commander Lt. Cmdr. Zachary Smith and U.S. Ambassador to Jamaica N. Nick Perry represented the U.S. delegation turning over the supplies to the government of Jamaica, which was represented by Dr. Nicole Dawkins -Wright, Director of Emergency, Disaster Management and Special Services for the Jamaican Ministry of Health and Wellness.

“On behalf of the Government and people of Jamaica, I am pleased to accept the donation of medical equipment and supplies,” said Dr. Dawkins-Wright “The healthcare team is delighted to receive the donated items, which they will make best use of in carrying out their duty of care to the Jamaican people.”

The donations presented by Continuing Promise 2024 were able to to be transported due to the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DoD) Denton Humanitarian Assistance Program. This program allows DoD assets, such as ships, planes, and trucks, to transport humanitarian supplies donated by NGOs on a space-available basis.

The NGOs that provided the donations include Friends of Disabled Adults and Children, University of Miami, Lift, GOOD360, Food for the Poor, and CORE. In total, the donations presented at the ceremony represented over $80 thousand in supplies.

“The United States and Jamaica share a deep and enduring partnership,” said Ambassador Perry. “The Continuing Promise mission exemplifies the spirit of cooperation, bringing tangible benefits to our communities and reinforcing our commitment to regional stability and prosperity.”

Continuing Promise 2024 marks the mission’s third visit to Jamaica since 2015, making it one of the mission’s most popular destinations, which emphasizes the 62-year-long partnership the U.S. and Jamaica share. This scheduled visit also comes at a significant point for Jamaica, which felt the effects of Hurricane Beryl’s landfall on July 3.

“We believe in partnerships to help to enable the delivery of the highest quality of care to the people of Jamaica, ensuring the best possible health outcomes for all,” said Dr, Dawkins-Wright. “Today’s donation, which comes at a most opportune time post Hurricane Beryl, testifies to the value of partnerships in public health and is a most excellent example of what can come from international cooperation in health – and between two countries that have enjoyed diplomatic relations for many decades.”

After the ceremony, the official party was given a tour of USNS Burlington by the ship’s captain, Capt. Tyler Driscoll. Continuing Promise 2024 marks the 14th iteration to the region since 2007, and the second aboard Burlington. The mission aims to foster goodwill, strengthen existing partnerships, and encourage the establishment of new partnerships between partner nations and NGOs.

“We extend our deepest gratitude to the people of Jamaica and the Jamaica Defense Force for the opportunity to work alongside you during this mission,” said Lt. Cmdr. Zachary Smith, Continuing Promise 2024 Mission Commander. “We are confident that our shared efforts during this time will further enhance our ability to work together effectively and further strengthen the bonds between our two nations.”

USNAVSOUTH/FOURTHFLT is the trusted maritime partner for Caribbean, Central and South America maritime forces leading to improved unity, security and stability. Learn more about USNAVSOUTH/4th Fleet at https://www.fourthfleet.navy.mil, https://www.facebook.com/NAVSOUS4THFLT and @NAVSOUS4THFLT

Source: United States Navy

San Diego will replace USS Green Bay (LPD 20), which has been forward deployed to Sasebo for a decade. Green Bay will return to the United States at its new homeport of San Diego. The forward presence of San Diego supports the United States’ commitment to the defense of Japan, enhances the national security of the United States and improves its ability to protect strategic interests. San Diego will directly support the Defense Strategic Guidance to posture the most capable units forward in the Indo-Pacific Region.

The United States values Japan’s contributions to the peace, security and stability of the Indo-Pacific and its long-term commitment and hospitality in hosting U.S. forces forward deployed there. These forces, along with their counterparts in the Japan Self-Defense Forces, make up the core capabilities needed by the alliance to meet our common strategic objectives.

The security environment in the Indo-Pacific requires that the U.S. Navy station the most capable ships forward. This posture allows the most rapid response times possible for maritime and joint forces and brings our most capable ships with the greatest amount of striking power and operational capability to bear in the timeliest manner.

Maintaining an FDNF capability with the most advanced ships supports the United States’ commitment to the defense of Japan and the security and stability of the vital Indo-Pacific region.

Source: United States Navy

Capt. Brian Reitter relieved Capt. Oliver Herion, who assumed command of TF 56 in April 2023.

The task force provides oversight for all expeditionary combat forces specializing in explosive ordnance disposal, naval coastal warfare, naval construction, expeditionary intelligence and expeditionary logistics support. Under Herion’s leadership, TF 56 personnel participated in more than 10 joint and combined training exercises with regional partners, including Resolute Union 23, Infinite Defender 24, and Eager Lion 24, which expanded and enhanced relationships with regional partners in Lebanon, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

Vice Adm. George Wikoff, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and U.S. 5th Fleet, noted how Herion not only excelled in exercises, but ensured his task force was ready for real-world events. In April 2023, during a deteriorating security crisis in Sudan, he established a task element to support the military-assisted departure of American citizens and designated personnel fleeing violence from warring factions. This task element helped move more than 530 American citizens and personnel from more than 17 nations to safety.

“Commodore Herion, you’ve set the bar high for all those who come after you,” said Wikoff. “You stood the watch in active war zones, in forward areas, and in times of uncertainty. There are people all over the world literally alive today because of your efforts in those locations.”

While commanding TF 56, Herion also stood up Combined Maritime Force’s Combined Task Force 154, focused on maritime security enhancement training. He relinquished command of CTF 154 last November. 

In his remarks, Herion gave all the credit to the men and women he served alongside.

“You operated safely and effectively across a wide spectrum of conflict,” Herion said. “Whether that work is administrative, tactical or technical, every Sailor and soldier has an important role. Your capabilities ensure our collective sum is greater than our individual parts.”

His tour complete, Herion retires from the U.S. Navy after 41 years of service.

A career EOD officer, Reitter assumes command of TF 56 following a tour as Deputy Commander of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group Two based in Little Creek, Virginia.

“Task Force 56 teammates, you are true professionals and I am consistently impressed by the work you do on daily basis,” said Capt. Brian Reitter, incoming commander of TF 56. “Thank you for your flexibility, resilience and grit shown throughout the turnover process.”

The U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations encompasses approximately 2.5 million square miles of water space and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea, parts of the Indian Ocean and three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, Suez Canal and Strait of Bab al-Mandeb.

Source: United States Navy

Yoon met with Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander, USINDOPACOM, to discuss the security environment in the IndoPacific region, demonstrating the close partnership between the two countries and highlighting USINDOPACOM’s efforts to advance the U.S.-ROK relationship through cooperation, commitment to regional security, and a shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

The Republic of Korea delegation included Yoon, as well as Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul; Director of the National Security Office Chang Hojin; Vice Chairman to the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Kang Ho Pil; Ambassador to the United States Hyundong Cho; and Consul General Lee Seo Young.

U.S. representatives included U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Philip Goldberg; Commander of United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command, and U.S. Forces Korea Gen. Paul LaCamera; U.S. Army Pacific Commander Gen. Charles Flynn; U.S. Pacific Air Forces Commander, Gen. Kevin Schneider; U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander Adm. Stephen Koehler; and U.S. Marine Forces Pacific Commander Lt. Gen. William Jurney.

The leaders discussed regional security cooperation and evaluated the operational activities in the Indo-Pacific during a classified tour to the Joint Operations Center.

Yoon also spoke to more than 700 personnel at USINDOPACOM during an all-hands address, where he underscored that the U.S.-ROK Alliance remains a linchpin of peace and security in northeast Asia and the Korean peninsula.

The visit to USINDOPACOM headquarters was one of several engagements with Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander, USINDOPACOM, demonstrating the deep friendship between the two countries and reaffirming the ironclad commitment to the U.S.-ROK Alliance.

Yoon was received with a full honors ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, and participated in a wreath-laying at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl), where a rifle detail conducted a 21-gun salute.

The events further developed the strong and durable Alliance that has proven to be among the most interoperable, capable and dynamic in the world following its establishment in 1953. U.S.-ROK combined forces remain ready and postured to protect the ROK against any threat or adversary, backed by an extensive range of capabilities, including conventional, nuclear and missile defense. Utilization of such capabilities is defensive in nature and intended to maintain alliance readiness.

USINDOPACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region with its Allies and partners by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression and, when necessary, fighting to win.

Source: United States Navy

“As we talk about climate readiness as mission readiness, Gen. Middendorp’s experience demonstrates it,” Berger said. “His message resonates with us as we work to build a climate-ready force. From increasing temperatures and sea levels to droughts and wildfires, climate change threatens our forces, communities and economies. Being a climate-ready force enables us to fight and win around the globe while anticipating, preparing for, recovering from, and adapting to the evolving climate and security future.”

According to Middendorp’s book, “The Climate General,” he made news following a 2016 speech after declaring, “Climate change is a cause of conflict,” adding that “the security sector was not paying enough attention to the climate and its impact on our existence.” His nickname was subsequently dubbed.

Middendorp discussed his time serving in Afghanistan fighting the Taliban and how, despite brief success of clearing them from a local area, his team did not fully solve the problem as the Taliban would repeatedly return.

“It took a while before we understood what was going on there. We found out that it was all about water scarcity,” he said. “These were all farmers in an agricultural environment. They all needed water, and there wasn’t enough water. The Taliban jumped in to decide who got the water. That gave them enormous leverage over these [farmers] and the local population.”

Once Middendorp’s team realized the issue, they flew in water management experts who were able to negotiate a solution to divide the water among the population.

“Once that solution was accepted in the local population, it became quiet,” he said. “A year later after mediating the solution, I could walk through the main street with our current [Dutch] king with very limited protection, which shows the enormous turnaround that happened in that village. It shows that you can win fights not just by fighting, but also by addressing root causes. And one of the main root causes has to do with climate change.”

Middendorp also provided a broader perspective on how climate impacts global security and the importance of addressing issues now. He discussed increasing global competition, regional disruption, severe weather events, climate policies and legislation, and new opportunities, all of which offered compelling narratives to help communicate the issue of climate change.

He emphasized to the attendees the importance of their roles.

“All of you working in this team, working on this topic of climate and security, I want to encourage you to take up this fight,” he said. “You are on the front line of future security. This is about the future.”

Middendorp served in the Royal Netherlands Army for 38 years. His last assignment in uniform was as the Chief of Defence of the Dutch Armed Forces, serving as the senior military advisor to the Minister of Defence.

He spent much of his career advocating for not only clean energy conversion, but also reducing the amount of environmentally harmful energy sources.

“As a former service member, I know what the price of war is,” Middendorp has previously stated. “Where there is war, there is no room for climate mitigation and adaptation. This makes it imperative to work on both ends. Climate and conflict are two sides of the same coin; we need security and stability to address climate change, while dealing with climate change can help reduce the conflict sensitivity in fragile areas around the world.”

Throughout his career, he commanded troops at all levels, led a large multinational task force in southern Afghanistan and was involved in more than 20 international military missions.

Since 2019, he has been chairman of the International Military Council on Climate and Security.

In May 2022, the Department of the Navy released Climate Action 2030 in which Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro recognized climate change as one of the most destabilizing forces of our time and charged the Department with building a climate-ready force.

The Navy and Marine Corps considers climate impacts, risks, and opportunities in all relevant guidance and decision-making processes to improve effectiveness, efficiency and resilience.

Berger is responsible for providing oversight and policy for Navy and Marine Corps energy and climate resilience; infrastructure sustainment, restoration and modernization; military construction; acquisition, utilization and disposal of real property and facilities; environmental protection, planning, restoration and natural resources conservation; and safety and occupational health.