Category: United States of America

Source: United States Navy

The combined bilateral exercise is designed to broaden levels of cooperation, support long term regional security, and enhance interoperability. Scenarios included: visit, board, search and seizure, unmanned system integration, harbor defense, diving, medical training, and training at sea.

This is one of many exercises in which the U.S. military participates with partner nations in the Middle East intended to enhance partnerships and interoperability.

The U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations encompasses nearly 2.5 million square miles of water area 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 Bab al-Mandeb.

Source: United States Navy

Sleep is critically important to the overall health and wellness of Sailors. In 2017, based in part on extensive research from the Naval Postgraduate School’s (NPS) Crew Endurance Team, the Surface Navy mandated the use of circadian-based watch rotations. To monitor the success of such policy changes, researchers are using wearable technologies and self-report questionnaires to collect data on the sleep and mental health of Sailors. One such effort currently underway by the NPS team shows great progress in this area.

For the first time, crew members of three warships assigned to the same Carrier Strike Group are participating in a one- to two-year longitudinal study to examine the sleep habits, health, and wellness both while deployed and in port. Outfitted with nearly 100 Oura rings per crew, the three warships assigned to the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group will deploy to the 5th and 6th Fleet areas, likely participating in combat operations as they relieve the USS Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group on station. “We have already learned a lot about resilience from the IKESG ships, but having wearable monitors on a large percentage of the crews will take it to the next level” said Dr. John Cordle, Human Factors Engineer for Commander Naval Surface Force Atlantic. “We are excited to participate in this important study,” said Commander Mathew Rechkemmer, Commanding Officer of USS The Sullivans (DDG 68). “Our Sailors lined up to volunteer, exceeding the goal of 75 by leaps and bounds!” In addition to the warships headed out on deployment, the NPS team also enrolled nearly 100 Sailors on USS James E. Williams (DDG 95), currently in a 2-year midlife maintenance availability. “Sleep is critically important to both Sailor well-being and operational readiness, and the shipyard environment can be especially challenging,” said Dr. Chris McClernon, a senior researcher for the study. “This is the first time to collect data on a crew executing import maintenance duties over such a long period of time; we will be able to compare the results to their counterparts executing strike group missions downrange – the results will have a lasting impact.”

“We are serious about this commitment to better sleep,” said Admiral Joe Cahill, the Commander of Naval Surface Forces Atlantic, “This is the future, with the ability for the Commanding Officer to make data-informed decisions about the readiness of their crew in real time.” It is also about personal responsibility, noted Cahill. “This is leadership saying we care about you, and we want to provide tools to improve your personal performance and well-being”. Cahill praised all four crews for the level of participation. “The team made this happen in the space of four months from me asking if it can be done.” Sailors on the four warships will wear Õura rings, receive sleep enhancement kits as part of a separate effort to help Sailors with eye masks, ear plugs, and a Sleep Hygiene card with tips for healthy sleep, and answer periodic questionnaires on their watch and work schedules. In addition to The Sullivans and USS James E. Williams, the USS Stout and USS Jason Dunham and about 30 members of the Destroyer Squadron Twenty Eight staff are also participating in the longitudinal study. This study is part of a much larger longitudinal study funded by the Defense Suicide Prevention Office (DSPO) that is tracking the sleep and mental health of over 1,000 active duty service members. The results will inform future research and policy concerning sleep, fatigue, and mental health.

“The study was designed by Dr. Nita Shattuck, a professor of Operations Research at the Naval Postgraduate School, who has been leading this foundational research for decades. Her work has enabled effective policy changes in crew rest and operations across the Department of the Navy. It was fitting that in this major study involving an entire Carrier Strike Group, the study builds on Dr. Shattuck’s work, adding to her team’s legacy of fleet impact and crew safety,” said Dr. Cordle, “Their work over the years has changed the way the Navy stands watch at sea and is beyond measure.”

Source: United States Navy

The signing took place to bring attention to the resources available to military families impacted by domestic violence and to show solidarity with survivors of domestic abuse and continue a culture where they can feel safe seeking help.

“Domestic violence impacts not only the victims directly involved, but also undermines unit cohesion, morale and overall operational readiness,” said Shashaty. “By addressing domestic violence proactively, we strengthen our teams and enhance the resilience of our service members.”

The event, hosted in collaboration with the NAS Pensacola Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC), aimed to raise awareness and provide support for survivors of domestic violence. FFSC representatives emphasized the importance of addressing domestic violence within the military and offering the necessary services to prevent and respond to incidents.

“It’s vital that we break the silence around domestic violence and offer resources to those affected,” said FFSC Family Advocate Program Victim Advocate Brittany Oehrle. “Knowing the signs of domestic violence is key and speaking up against it is what we need to do to create safe and healthy spaces for people to come forward.”

Emergency resources are available for military personnel and their families who experience domestic violence. The National Domestic Violence Hotline provides 24/7 confidential support at 1-800-799-7233. Active-duty service members, their families and reservists on active duty can also access assistance through the Fleet and Family Support Center and the DoD Safe Helpline at 877-995-5247.

NAS Pensacola, referred to as the ‘Cradle of Naval Aviation,’ is designed to support operational and training missions of tenant commands, including the Naval Aviation Technical Training Center, Naval Aviation Schools Command, the Center for Information Warfare Training, Marine Aviation Training Support Groups 21 and 23 and serves as the headquarters for Naval Education and Training Command.

Source: United States Navy

SMEEs allow crews to exchange best practices and sharpen the edges of their technical expertise in foreign environments.

“It was an invaluable experience and incredibly beneficial getting to work alongside our peers in the 5 Squadron” said Lt. Brian DePaola, aircraft commander, VP-10. “Sharing our experiences and skills not only strengthens our partnership but fosters a unified approach to maritime security in the Indo-Pacific.”

The Red Lancer crew conducted multiple briefings, flights, and exchanges with their RNZAF counterparts covering topics ranging from anti-submarine warfare to search and rescue.

“Search and rescue operations were a particular area that the RNZAF was able to showcase and demonstrate their extensive expertise in,” said DePaola. “Since the U.S. Navy and RNZAF both operate the P-8A Poseidon, the techniques for surveillance and rescue operations were exchanged seamlessly, supporting unified and refined responses to catastrophic events.”

Among the many opportunities over the seven-day event, the VP-10 crew practiced anti-submarine warfare tactics on an Expendable Mobile Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Target (EMATT) alongside MH-60Rs from the Royal Australian Navy 816 Squadron and a Royal New Zealand Navy Anzac-class frigate, the HMNZS Te Kaha. This provided invaluable experience for interoperating with allies and partners in both the air and sea domains.

The Red Lancer crew also participated in community outreach, volunteering at a local animal shelter and helping to build animal enclosures for the Hayward Heights branch of New Zealand’s largest no-kill animal shelter, HUHA (Helping You Help Animals).

“I can confidently speak for the entire VP-10 detachment in saying that we truly enjoyed the uniqueness and the hospitality that New Zealand had to offer,” said DePaola.

The “Red Lancers” of VP-10 are based in Jacksonville, Florida. The squadron conducts maritime patrol and reconnaissance as well as theater outreach operations, supporting Commander, Task Force 72, U.S. Seventh Fleet, and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command objectives throughout the Indo-Pacific region.

U.S. Seventh Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

Source: United States Navy

LARNACA, Cyprus – The Harpers Ferry-class amphibious landing dock ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) and embarked 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Special Operations Capable (SOC) arrived in Larnaca, Cyprus, for a scheduled port visit, Oct. 17, 2024.

“This port visit enables us to conduct training with the Republic of Cyprus, as well as enjoy some downtime for the crew,” said Cmdr. Beth-Ann Martin, Oak Hill’s executive officer. “Port visits are vital opportunities to bolster relationships with our partners.”

While Oak Hill is in Larnaca, Marines of the 24th MEU (SOC) will conduct individual and small unit training with the Republic of Cyprus National Guard. Sailors and Marines will also have the opportunity to explore the city and surrounding areas.

Oak Hill is conducting operations as part of the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group (WSP ARG)-24th MEU (SOC) in the U.S. 6th Fleet and U.S. Naval Forces Europe-U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) areas of operations, supporting U.S., Allied and partner interests in the region, including in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, to continue promoting regional stability and deterring aggression.

The WSP ARG-24th MEU (SOC) is comprised of its flagship namesake, the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21), Oak Hill, and the embarked 24th MEU (SOC).

The 24th MEU (SOC) is a Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) with a Command Element, Aviation Combat Element, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 (Reinforced), Ground Combat Element, Battalion Landing Team 1/8, and Logistics Combat Element, Combat Logistics Battalion 24.

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To learn more about WSP ARG-24th MEU (SOC), please visit our DVIDS feature page: https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/wasparg24thmeu