Category: United States of America

Source: United States Navy

Hundreds gathered to celebrate the ship’s distinguished history of naval service. Cowpens’s Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Jac O. Ullman III spoke of the ship’s legacy and its crew.

“A guiding principle in the last chapter onboard, has been to honor the legacy of Cowpens”, said Ullman. “To honor the grit, determination, and creativity of the Continental Army and Militiamen from that cold battlefield. To honor the service of those on the first USS Cowpens – CVL 25 – and to honor the legacy of those who served before us during Mighty Moo’s 33 year career… We have done just that.”

USS Cowpens participated in many operations and exercises, contributing significantly to U.S. naval power projection and security. From enforcing no-fly zones to conducting maritime security operations, the ship demonstrated versatility and capability across a range of mission profiles.

One of the notable milestones in Cowpens’s history was its participation in Operation Enduring Freedom. Tasked with providing air defense and maritime security. The ship played a vital role in the early stages of the global war on terror, showcasing the Navy’s ability to respond swiftly to emerging threats.

The ship’s prowess was further demonstrated during Operation Iraqi Freedom, providing crucial support for coalition forces in the Persian Gulf region. From conducting surveillance to launching precision strikes, USS Cowpens contributed to the success of coalition efforts to stabilize Iraq.

“From 1983 onward, these ships [Cowpens] defended our nation’s interests, supported critical combat operations, and ensured freedom of the seas; more than that, they brought AEGIS and VLS, revolutionary technologies into the hands of our warfighters”, said Rear Adm. Ted LeClair, Deputy Commander of Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

“Cowpens, the seventeenth AEGIS ship built, provided the value of these advancements. As AEGIS and VLS have evolved in both the Cruiser and Destroyer variants, Cowpens continuously demonstrated their effectiveness and lethality.”

Also in attendance was Cowpens sponsor, Mrs. Lucy Mustin and the first commanding officer of Cowpens, Vice Adm. Edward Moore (Ret.).

“At the end of this day, no matter when we were crewmembers, we can all agree we served on the best ship, the most formidable warship, in the best Navy, and in the best country in the world”, said Moore. “I know in my heart that long after we leave this pier today, we will, from time to time, continue to reflect on our service to country, ship, and each other.”

Additionally, the ship played a key role in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations, providing aid to regions devastated by natural disasters such as the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan. These operations underscored the Navy’s commitment to global stability and humanitarian values.

The second ship to bear the name, Cowpens was built in Bath, Maine, and commissioned March 9, 1991, in Charleston, South Carolina. Named after the pivotal Battle of Cowpens during the American Revolutionary War, the ship has faithfully served the nation for more than three decades, embodying the valor and resilience of its namesake.

After the decommissioning and inactivation, the ship will be towed to the Navy’s Inactive Ship facility in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii where it will be in a Logistic Support Asset (LSA) status.

The mission of CNSP is to man, train, and equip the Surface Force to provide fleet commanders with credible naval power to control the sea and project power ashore.

For more news from Naval Surface Forces, visit https://www.surfpac.navy.mil/ and www.dvidshub.net/unit/COMNAVSURFPAC.

Source: United States Navy

During a joint Navy Week Proclamation with Onondaga County Executive, Ryan McMahon, and Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh, the Hon. Parker highlighted the broad range of opportunities to serve in the Department of the Navy, both in and out of uniform, and appealed to the audience to explore how they might answer the call.

“Service to country looks different for everyone—it might be in a uniform or public service or as a volunteer in your local community, but as a life path, it carries profound personal and national significance,” said Hon. Parker. “We need every generation to understand the important role service plays in the fabric of our Nation, and we are encouraging the next generation to take part in building the Nation’s maritime defense and, ultimately, protecting our national security.”

In May 2024, the Secretary of the Navy, Carlos Del Toro, issued the NCTMS to emphasize the benefits and importance of service to country. NCTMS is a call to our Nation’s youth, educators, veterans and leaders, as well as every citizen who values freedom, to consider how they might contribute. NCTMS encourages everyone to explore the different career paths within the DON at www.secnav.mil/calltomaritimeservice.

Developed as a portal, the website allows individuals to embrace their curiosity around service and explore areas they may never have considered. It helps determine what best resonates with the individual and directs them to adjoining sites where they can learn more about the wealth of opportunities offered with the Navy and Marine Corps, as well as other jobs in support of maritime service – both military and civilian.

“We are grateful to have Secretary Parker here to officially kick off Syracuse Navy Week and make such an important announcement about the National Call to Maritime Service,” said Mayor Walsh. “Syracuse, and the hard-working, service-oriented nature of our citizens, is the perfect backdrop for this announcement, and we are standing by to answer the call.”

The Navy Week program has served as the Navy’s principal outreach effort into areas of the nation without a significant Navy presence, with over 300 Navy Weeks held in 95 different U.S. cities. The program is designed to share with Americans how their Navy is deployed around the world and around the clock, and why a strong Navy is vital to protecting the American way of life.

To learn more about the NCTMS and the various ways that you can serve your country, please visit https://www.secnav.navy.mil/calltomaritimeservice/Pages/default.aspx.

Source: United States Navy

“Service to country looks different for everyone—it might be in a uniform or public service or as a volunteer in your local community, but as a life path, it carries profound personal and national significance,” said Hon. Parker. “We need every generation to understand the important role service plays in the fabric of our Nation, and we are encouraging the next generation to take part in building the Nation’s maritime defense and, ultimately, protecting our national security.”

In May 2024, the Secretary of the Navy, Carlos Del Toro, issued the NCTMS to emphasize the benefits and importance of service to country. NCTMS is a call to our Nation’s youth, educators, veterans and leaders, as well as every citizen who values freedom, to consider how they might contribute. NCTMS encourages everyone to explore the different career paths within the DON at www.secnav.mil/calltomaritimeservice.

Developed as a portal, the website allows individuals to embrace their curiosity around service and explore areas they may never have considered. It helps determine what best resonates with the individual and directs them to adjoining sites where they can learn more about the wealth of opportunities offered with the Navy and Marine Corps, as well as other jobs in support of maritime service – both military and civilian.

“We are grateful to have Secretary Parker here to officially kick off Syracuse Navy Week and make such an important announcement about the National Call to Maritime Service,” said Mayor Walsh. “Syracuse, and the hard-working, service-oriented nature of our citizens, is the perfect backdrop for this announcement, and we are standing by to answer the call.”

The Navy Week program has served as the Navy’s principal outreach effort into areas of the nation without a significant Navy presence, with over 300 Navy Weeks held in 95 different U.S. cities. The program is designed to share with Americans how their Navy is deployed around the world and around the clock, and why a strong Navy is vital to protecting the American way of life.

To learn more about the NCTMS and the various ways that you can serve your country, please visit https://www.secnav.navy.mil/calltomaritimeservice/Pages/default.aspx.

Source: United States Navy

Secretary Del Toro during his remarks focused on industry and small business partners to build toward a stronger Navy.

“We are focusing our efforts with industry to expand our national shipbuilding capacity, and train the “new-collar” workforce,” said Secretary Del Toro. ”Combining the cutting-edge technologies of today with traditionally blue-collar careers that our nation requires to build the fleet of the future.”

Previously, Secretary Del Toro has engaged with partners at home and abroad to expand our relationships and rebuild the Nation’s comprehensive maritime power.

For example, in July, Secretary Del Toro announced the Michigan Maritime Manufacturing Initiative (M3), a federal, state and local partnership to help rebuild the maritime industrial base workforce the Navy needs.

“Alongside officials from the Office of the Secretary of Defense and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer,” said Secretary Del Toro. “We announced the Michigan Maritime Manufacturing Initiative (M3), a federal, state, and local partnership to help rebuild the maritime industrial base workforce that the Navy needs.”

In addition, earlier this month, Secretary Del Toro visited Europe to advance the maritime statecraft initiative, in a visit to Copenhagen Secretary Del Toro amplified the commitment to protect Commercial ships and mariners. Secretary Del Toro visited Barrow-in-Furness Shipyard in the United Kingdom to meet with Royal Navy and Industry leadership to discuss expanding collaboration and applying best practices in the U.S.

“We are investing heavily in our people to identify technologies and capabilities our Fleet and our Force need to maintain their competitive advantages as they operate around the globe,” said Secretary Del Toro. “To be the most effective fighting force, our Navy and Marine Corps is enhancing strategic partnerships across the Joint Force, industry, academia, and with our allies and partners around the globe.”

SENEDIA Defense Innovation Days 2024, is a three-day national convening bringing together national security experts and policymakers with defense industry leaders developing innovative technology and the next-generation workforce.

“As we look to modernize our Fleet and our Force, and build out our national shipbuilding capacity, we welcome your ideas, capabilities, energy and enthusiasm—as we chart our course to restore our maritime power,” said Secretary Del Toro. “We have a need for critical capabilities and technologies to be deployed at speed and scale throughout our fleet and our force, and we can no longer afford to wait.

SENEDIA was established in 2002 to coordinate efforts by defense industry leaders and elected leaders to prepare for the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) of 2005. We proved our essential role as an advocate for the defense industry, which remains robust today. More than two decades later, we continue to play that role as advocate and connector, enabling the development and transition of critical technologies, fostering thought leadership, and facilitating workforce development for the industry.

Source: United States Navy

The exercise, which is the largest of its kind in the Arctic, highlighted the ability of multinational forces to interoperate effectively in the challenging northern environment, further strengthening the long-standing partnership between Canada and the United States.

Vice Adm. Doug Perry, Commander of U.S. 2nd Fleet, emphasized the importance of this partnership, stating, “Our partnership with Canada is built on a foundation of mutual respect and shared interests, particularly when it comes to securing the Arctic region. OP NANOOK demonstrated the strength of our collaboration and our shared commitment to maintaining stability in these strategic waters.”

Perry added, “The challenges posed by the Arctic environment require us to be adaptable and resilient. This year’s exercise has shown that our combined forces are more than capable of meeting those challenges head-on.”

OP NANOOK has consistently served as a critical platform for enhancing polar interoperability among Allied forces, and this year was no different. The exercise saw participation from the Royal Canadian Navy, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Navy, and the Royal Danish Navy. These forces engaged in a variety of complex maritime operations, including Maritime Interdiction Operations, gunnery exercises, search and rescue simulations, and fleet maneuver drills in the frigid waters near Nuuk, Greenland.

 “This exercise is a testament to the strength and unity of our alliances,” said Perry. “Each year, OP NANOOK brings our nations closer together, enhancing our ability to operate effectively in the Arctic and ensuring that we are prepared for any contingency.”

The participation of the U.S. 2nd Fleet in OP NANOOK underscores the fleet’s commitment to Arctic operations as part of a broader strategy to ensure homeland defense and security in the northern regions. Earlier this year, the 2nd Fleet demonstrated its global readiness during Arctic operations in Steadfast Defender 2024, further solidifying its role as a key player in Arctic defense.

 “Training in the North is particularly crucial as it increases our understanding of the unique operational and sustainment challenges experienced in the Arctic. By seizing every opportunity to train in this environment, we also further solidify our partnership among NATO allies while ensuring our readiness for future operations” emphasized Royal Canadian Rear Adm. David Patchell, Vice Commander of U.S. 2nd Fleet. “The importance of interoperability and shared experiences between NATO countries cannot be overstated. Through regular joint exercises in the Atlantic and Arctic regions, we continuously enhance our capabilities and strengthen our bond.”

As the Arctic continues to gain strategic importance, the U.S. Navy remains committed to working closely with its Arctic allies to ensure environmental stewardship and maintain stability in the region. The completion of OP NANOOK 2024 has provided participating forces with invaluable experience and has further reinforced the collective deterrence capability of allied and partner nations.

Participating units included the Royal Canadian Navy’s Harry DeWolf-Class Offshore Patrol Vessels, HMCS Margaret Brooke (AOPV 431) and HMCS Harry DeWolf (AOPV 430); the Royal Danish Navy’s Knud Rasmussen-Class Patrol Vessel, HDMS Lauge Koch (P572); the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter, USCGC Northland (WMEC 904); and the U.S. Navy’s USS Delbert D. Black (DDG 119).

With the conclusion of OP NANOOK 2024, participating units have returned to their respective homeports, better equipped to face the evolving challenges of the Arctic and to continue protecting shared interests in this increasingly vital region.

U.S. 2nd Fleet, reestablished in 2018 in response to the changing global security environment, develops and employs maritime forces ready to fight across multiple domains in the Atlantic and Arctic in order to ensure access, deter aggression and defend U.S., allied, and partner interests.