Category: United States of America

Source: United States Navy

The goal of the exercise was to use FEM-02, an Aegis Guam System missile intercept test held Dec. 10, as a tactical training event to hone skills, increase interoperability, and improve communication and understanding between forces while also coordinating with civil authorities to train for a whole-of-government approach to crisis response.

Sling Stone, held in conjunction with Joint Task Force-Micronesia, validated the Guam Defense System concept of operations. It brought together assets and personnel from the Air Force, Army, Navy, and allied forces to use the missile intercept for multi-domain training.

“The success of Sling Stone is a testament to the incredible work our joint-service team does every day to maintain a strong defensive posture in the Indo-Pacific region,” said Navy Rear Adm. Greg Huffman, commander, JTF-M. “Leveraging MDA’s missile intercept test to train how we fight just made sense. We will take lessons learned and continue to strengthen the architecture of Guam’s defense against evolving adversary missile threats.”

The CAPEX was conducted in two main phases. Phase one began ahead of FEM-02 and included live, virtual, and constructive training environments simulating real-world multi-domain operations on land, in the air, and at/from the sea.

Phase two of Sling Stone used MDA’s missile intercept to allow the joint force to detect, track, and simulate engagement of the threat. During the event, a Standard Missile-3 Blk IIA, fired from a vertical launch system at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, intercepted a surrogate Medium Range Ballistic Missile target more than 200 nautical miles off the coast of northeast Guam, which was air-launched from an Air Force C-17 Globemaster III.

Simultaneously, the Navy’s Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Milius (DDG 69), operating off the coast of Guam, detected, tracked, and simulated engagement of the missile, providing air defense coverage from the sea.

Task Force Talon, the Army’s Terminal High Altitude Area Defense unit located on Guam, also received missile tracking information. The THAAD battery provides ballistic missile defense coverage for the entire island of Guam.

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Maya-class guided-missile destroyer JS Haguro (DDG 180) exercised its air defense support, increasing interoperability between international forces and fostering a broader-spectrum, shared information environment.

JTF-M and Joint Region Marianas continue to work closely with the Government of Guam to ensure military operations and exercises are fully coordinated. Sling Stone provided an opportunity for the military and Guam Homeland Security/Office of Civil Defense to rehearse the notification process and increase crisis-response readiness to better serve the community.

FEM-02 is part of the long-term initiative for the defense of Guam and will inform the larger effort to develop, install and operate Guam Defense System, which is comprised of a combination of Army, Navy, Air Force and MDA components that work together to provide Enhanced Integrated Air and Missile Defense. These defense entities will develop and deploy a persistent layered missile defense system for Guam.

JTF-M’s mission is to perform Homeland Defense, Defense Support to Civil Authorities, and Foreign Humanitarian Assistance through a whole of government approach within its assigned joint operations area.

For more information about JTF-M, visit https://www.pacom.mil/JTF-Micronesia/

For more information on MDA’s role in the Defense of Guam, visit https://www.mda.mil/system/guamft/

Source: United States Navy

Patuxent’s Chief Mate Chris Parke said he is immensely proud of the entire crew. “The on-time sea services provided by the crew, while operating in the Mediterranean Sea were beyond top-notch, they were extraordinary. It’s an honor to be back in Norfolk, just in time for Christmas, and I am glad so many of our crewmembers get to spend the holidays with their families and friends.”

For the past 75 years, MSC’s fleet replenishment oilers have played a vital role in the U.S. Navy’s logistics system, making it possible for combatant ships to stay forward deployed to protect America’s interests worldwide.

While steaming 54,827 nautical miles, Patuxent circumnavigated the globe twice. With just 77 civil service mariners (CIVMARS), the crew supported a variety of high visibility multinational and partner nation operations, providing multi-mission capable combat logistic tanker support in U.S. Sixth Fleet’s AOR. More specifically, Patuxent’s flexibility and steadfast commitment enabled the safe delivery of 12.9 million gallons of fuel and 86 underway replenishments for 54 U.S. Navy and 32 Allied Surface Combatant ships at-sea.

During the height of the Israel-Hamas war, Patuxent played a key role in ensuring the secure shipping of 120 pallets of bottled water, which was crucial to the well-being of the Gaza citizens.

Likewise, Patuxent served as goodwill ambassadors to 25 friendship-building port visits to Augusta Bay, Sicily; Malaga, Spain; Rota, Spain; Souda Bay, Crete, and Taranto, Italy. These friendship-building port visits are all-important for Navy diplomacy as they provide a visible symbol of cooperation between nations.

Patuxent is the fifteenth ship of the Henry J. Kaiser’s Combat Logistic Force ships. Underway replenishments are a vital naval capability that allows U.S. Navy and Allied Surface Combatant ships to be resupplied with fuel, food, and stores without pulling into a port. They are particularly important when combatants are unable to receive supplies from local ports in theater due to force protections measures. Replenishment oilers have a maximum sustained speed of 20 knots and are fitted with five fueling stations capable of pumping 900,000 gallons per hour to two ships at a time.

CLF ships are U.S. Government-owned and are operated by U.S. Government CIVMARS. Composed of 33 ships (17 fleet replenishment oilers, 14 ordnance and dry cargo ships, and two fast combat support ships), CLF ships allow Navy warships to remain on station indefinitely, projecting power.

Military Sealift Command operates non-combatant, civilian-crewed ships that replenish U.S. Navy ships, conduct specialized missions, and strategically preposition combat cargo at sea around the world while moving military cargo and supplies used by deployed U.S. forces and coalition partners.

For more news on Military Sealift Command, visit https://www.msc.usff.navy.mil.

Source: United States Navy

Delivery follows the completion of Integrated Sea Trials where the ship’s readiness and capabilities are tested and validated to delivery requirements.

“This delivery is a significant milestone as we bring another oiler to our fleet and increase our replenishment underway capabilities,” said John Lighthammer, program manager, Auxiliary and Special Mission Ships, Program Executive Office, Ships (PEO Ships). “This is the final stepping stone in getting this essential ship to our civilian mariners in need of its tools.

John Lewis-class ships (T-AOs) are operated by Military Sealift Command and feature substantial volume for oil; significant dry cargo capacity; and aviation capability. T-AOs provide additional capacity to the Navy’s Combat Logistics Force and are a cornerstone of the Navy’s fuel delivery system.

General Dynamics NASSCO, the shipbuilder, is also in production on T-AOs USNS Lucy Stone (T-AO 209), USNS Sojourner Truth (T-AO 210), USNS Thurgood Marshall (T-AO 211), and USNS Ruth Bader Ginsburg (T-AO 212). The future USNS Harriet Tubman (T-AO 213) and USNS Dolores Huerta (T-AO 214) are under contract. Additionally, a Block Buy contract was issued in September 2024 for the detail design and construction of T-AO 214-221.

PEO Ships, one of the Department of Defense’s largest acquisition organizations, is responsible for executing the development and procurement of all destroyers, amphibious ships and craft, and auxiliary ships, including special mission ships, sealift ships and support ships.

For more on PEO Ships, visit: NAVSEA/PEO Ships

Source: United States Navy

“Our focus is on delivering a streamlined yet robust training experience that equips our Sailors with the essential skills they need to succeed in the fleet,” said Rear Adm. Craig Mattingly, Commander, Naval Service Training Command (NSTC). “This change will help us achieve that, providing a rigorous curriculum that ensures readiness while enabling Recruits to join the fleet faster.”
 
The revised BMT program reflects refinements to key training modules and a renewed emphasis on core competencies such as Warrior Toughness, Firefighting, Seamanship, and Watchstanding. The program will also continue to incorporate the Sailor for Life philosophy, aimed at fostering resilience, mental toughness, and leadership throughout a Sailor’s career. This restructured curriculum was informed by extensive feedback from Recruit Training Command (RTC) staff and training experts.
 
“From the deckplate to the classroom, our team has worked hard to identify efficiencies that uphold our high standards while advancing the CNO’s vision for a capable and ready Navy,” Mattingly added. “This optimization doesn’t just shorten the time-to-train; it enhances our Recruits’ ability to transition seamlessly into the fleet and contribute immediately.”
 
“Recruit Training Command is prepared to execute this change in support of the CNO’s Navigation Plan. Our mission remains to transform civilians into smartly disciplined, physically fit, basically trained Sailors who are ready for follow on training and service to the fleet,” said Capt. Kenneth Froberg, Commanding Officer, Recruit Training Command.
 
For families planning to attend Recruit graduation, please check www.bootcamp.navy.mil for travel guidelines and the latest graduation information.
 

Source: United States Navy

The bilateral training incorporated critical skills such as emergency medical training, dive medicine, maritime interdiction operations and shipboard close quarters combat, over-the-beach maneuvers and direct-action raids.

“This training was invaluable, providing us with a deeper understanding of the capabilities of our Indian partners and allowing us to demonstrate how we can enhance our collaborative efforts,” said an NSW operator. “By recognizing their strengths and sharing our expertise, we can effectively strengthen and solidify our partnership.”

Exercise SANGAM 2024 provided NSW members a valuable opportunity to engage in more than just an exchange of operational capabilities. It facilitated a rich cultural exchange and allowed for the building of lasting friendships with MARCOS, India’s elite maritime special operations unit. Through shared experiences and open dialogue, both teams established connections beyond professional collaboration, laying the foundation for enduring partnerships based on mutual respect and understanding.

“Getting to know our counterparts in the MARCOS from a cultural perspective enhanced our ability to exchange training on an operational perspective,” said another NSW operator. “This experience not only sharpened our skills but also deepened our partnership, enabling us to work together effectively and tackle any mission that comes our way.”

High-quality, realistic training is essential to maintaining and demonstrating the United States’ commitment to a Free and Open Indo-Pacific and the U.S.-India partnership.

NSW is the nation’s elite maritime special operations force, uniquely positioned to extend the Fleet’s reach. Furthermore, U.S. Special Operations Forces provide flexible responses to contingencies in the Indo-Pacific. Integral to this capability is a forward-deployed posture and continuous engagement with partner and ally forces, heightening mutual interoperability and regional expertise.