Category: United States of America

Source: United States Navy

The MAKO series is designed to provide Reserve Sailors with hands-on experience in a Maritime Operations Center (MOC) overseeing forces at the Operational Level of War (OLW).  

“U.S. Sixth Fleet is hosting this year’s MAKO Challenge to provide Reserve Sailors with the experience and skills necessary to establish and operate a Maritime Operations Center in the event of a crisis or large-scale conflict,” said Rear Adm. Jason ‘PADI’ Naidyhorski, vice commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet. “Given the threats we face in the Sixth Fleet area of operations, our Reserve Sailors have to be ready on Day One to step into scenarios like this at a moment’s notice.” 

Reserve Sailors from U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF), Fleet Forces Command (USFF), U.S. Second Fleet, U.S. Fourth Fleet, U.S. Fifth Fleet, and U.S. Tenth Fleet are also participating in the exercise. 

The MAKO series of exercises is conducted annually to provide Reserve Sailors with realistic training in MOC procedures, preparing them to support their active-duty counterparts in both exercises and real-world contingencies.  

Over the course of the four-day exercise, Sailors enhance warfighting readiness through hands-on training in MOC watchstanding, briefing commanders, and establishing operational planning teams and cross-functional planning teams in support of the Fleet Commander’s Decision Cycle. 

Both the Chief of Naval Operations’ 2024 Warfighting Instructions and Chief of Navy Reserve’s 2024 Strategic Guidance prioritize readiness for the possibility of large scale conflict, in which the MOC construct would play a critical role in operations.  The MAKO series of exercises has been tailored to prepare for Reserve Sailors this contingency in accordance with this guidance. 

Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in coordination with Allied and interagency partners, to advance U.S. national interests and promote security and stability in Europe and Africa. 

Source: United States Navy

WASHINGTON — Since the start of FY23, the program has reduced the waitlist for child development centers (CDCs) and school age care (SAC) by 50%. The number of children with unmet childcare needs dropped from approximately 5,000 to about 2,500 by October 2024.

“The Navy is committed to improving quality of service and a significant part of that is child care,” said Vice Adm. Scott Gray, commander of Navy Installations Command, which oversees Navy CYP. “Readiness suffers when Sailors and their families lack dependable, high-quality child care. That’s why we invested an additional $51.7 million to grow our childcare services, including increasing staff salaries and benefits as well as boosting subsidies for community and family childcare spaces.”

IMPROVING QUALITY OF CARE

In FY 2024, Navy CYP introduced several initiatives to improve the quality of care. These included updating staffing models at CDCs and adding management support to address the complex needs of children in care. Additional classroom staff have been authorized to assist with managing complex behaviors, particularly in preschool classrooms.

Management training has been enhanced with in-person sessions focused on prevention strategies and protective factors to reduce incidents within CYP settings. Additionally, a new rest period policy and in-service training days have been implemented to support the health, wellness, and professional development of CYP staff.

To improve reporting and safety, clear incident reporting requirements have been established, ensuring timely documentation and enabling trend analysis. These measures reflect CYP’s commitment to creating safe, supportive environments for children while providing staff with the necessary resources to succeed.

ADDRESSING STAFFING CHALLENGES

Consistent with municipal and commercial childcare programs, the Navy faces ongoing challenges in attracting qualified caregivers. A shortage of classroom staff has forced CDCs to operate below capacity to maintain the required staff-to-child ratios. 

To address this, Navy CYP has focused on expanding capacity at installation CDCs by enhancing its workforce. Strategies include salary increases, recruitment and retention incentives, strategic marketing of CYP positions, and providing professional development opportunities. Additionally, CYP direct care staff receive childcare discounts of 100% for their first child and 20% for additional children, while management and support staff enjoy a 50% discount for their first child and 20% for others.

These efforts have had a measurable impact. As of September 2022, 75% of childcare positions were filled, and enrollment was at 76% capacity. By October 2024, staffing had increased to 88%, allowing the program to operate at 85% capacity.

FOCUS ON STAFF RETENTION AND ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE

Navy CYP has also launched initiatives to prioritize staff retention. In 2025, the program will introduce a new initiative called CARES (Culture, Accountability, Respect, Engagement, and Safety). This program aligns with CNIC’s core values and focuses on enhancing communication, supporting employee wellness, and addressing workplace concerns. By fostering a positive organizational culture, CARES aims to attract, develop, and retain high-quality staff.

STREAMLINING OPERATIONS

Navy CYP is also working to enhance efficiencies for families and staff. In FY25, the program will roll out a new Child and Youth Management System to streamline operations and improve the customer experience. This system will include a user-friendly parent portal to simplify paperwork and improve communication between parents and staff.

STRUCTURAL EXPANSION AND FACILITY UPGRADES

In addition to staffing and operational improvements, Navy CYP is expanding its physical infrastructure. Ongoing construction projects at CDCs on Naval Base Kitsap, Naval Base Point Loma, Naval Support Activity Hampton Roads, and Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek/Fort Story will add 978 childcare spaces and upgrade existing facilities. Over the next five years, 12 more CDC projects are scheduled, which will add approximately 2,000 additional spaces to the Navy’s CDC capacity.

The Navy is also investing in sustainment, restoration, and modernization (SRM) to improve or maintain the quality of its existing CDCs.

REPURPOSING EXISTING SPACES

To further expand capacity, the Navy has been converting underutilized community spaces into childcare facilities. Unused warehouses, chapels, community centers, and MWR spaces are being repurposed to meet the demand for child care. Recently, spaces at Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka and Naval Air Station Patuxent River were converted into School Age Care facilities.

EXPANDING MILITARY CHILDCARE IN YOUR NEIGHRBORHOOD

The Navy has expanded its Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood (MCCYN) program, which provides community-based fee assistance to active duty families. As of October 2024, 8,623 children were enrolled in MCCYN, up from 4,100 at the start of FY23.

Additionally, the Navy is partnering with commercial childcare providers to secure dedicated spaces exclusively for military families. These spaces are integrated into the installation’s CDC inventory and managed through the Department of Defense’s request for care platform, militarychildcare.com.

LOOKING AHEAD

“Navy CYP has made significant progress in increasing enrollment across its programs,” said Maryann Coutino, Director of Navy CYP. “However, we still have about 2,500 children on our waitlist with unmet childcare needs. Addressing this challenge requires a comprehensive strategy that includes staffing improvements, new facilities, and leveraging community resources. We are committed to steadily increasing childcare capacity to better support our service members and their families.”

Commander, Navy Installations Command is responsible for worldwide U.S. Navy Shore installation management, designing and developing integrated solutions for sustainment and development of Navy shore infrastructure as well as quality of life programs. CNIC oversees 10 Navy regions, 70 installations, and more than 43,000 employees who sustain the fleet, enable the fighter, and support the family.

Learn more by visiting CNIC’s website at https://www.cnic.navy.mil/ or following CNIC on social media: Facebook, Facebook.com/NavyInstallations; X, @cnichq; and Instagram, @cnichq.

Source: United States Navy

Naval Support Activity (NSA) Washington, NSA Bethesda, NSA Annapolis, NSA South Potomac, and Naval Air Station Patuxent River, will participate in the yearly, two-part anti-terrorism and force protection exercise designed to test the effectiveness of the installations readiness and training programs.

“Citadel Shield-Solid Curtain 2025 is an important exercise that ensures our security forces are at peak readiness to respond to evolving threats,” said Rob Shaffer, Security Director Naval District Washington. “We train the way we fight, and this exercise allows us to refine our procedures, strengthen our decision-making, and enhance coordination with partner agencies, ultimately protecting our most valuable asset – our people.”

During the first week of February 3 – 7, emergency responders on Navy installations will engage in Citadel Shield. Throughout the week, the field training will focus on the installation level with various scenarios such as an active shooter, unauthorized base access, suspicious packages, and unmanned aerial surveillance.

“The Navy is committed to being a good neighbor, and the safety of our personnel and the surrounding community is our top priority,” said Shaffer. “While Citadel Shield-Solid Curtain 2025 may lead to increased activity around our installations, we are working to minimize disruptions. This exercise reinforces the importance of a proactive force protection mindset for all Navy personnel, ensuring we are ready to respond to any potential threat while also allowing our Sailors to hone their skills and maintain the highest level of readiness.”

The second week of February (the 10th through the 14th) is the Solid Curtain portion of the exercise, which will focus on various national-level scenarios. During this week, base force protection conditions or FPCON levels will change daily with training evolutions. Some scenarios may cause irregular traffic patterns or gate hours on the installations.

Installation personnel can obtain essential notifications during CS/SC25 by registering for the Wide Area Alert Network (WAAN). Personnel should also familiarize themselves with their command or tenant command anti-terrorism plan to know what to expect during the exercise.

Register for the WAAN at https://ndw.cnic.navy.mil/waan/

To keep up with all things NDW, follow our socials at https://www.facebook.com/NavDistWash, https://www.instagram.com/navdistwash/

Source: United States Navy

The U.S. relationship with Thailand is one of the oldest in the Indo-Pacific region. The countries have shared friendly and diplomatic relations for over 190 years. Thailand is one of five treaty allies of the U.S. in the Indo-Pacific Region and continues to be a longstanding security partner and leader in Southeast Asia.

“We are incredibly grateful to Thailand for hosting the Carrier Strike Group ONE team,” said Rear Adm. Michael Wosje, commander, Carrier Strike Group ONE. “Port visits like this are a testament to the vital importance of the U.S.-Thailand Alliance and Partnership that contributes to peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. We have shared history, shared interests, and common values that will continue to unite us for the good of both of our countries.”

The U.S. remains committed to the Kingdom of Thailand, promoting military-to-military relations, as well as advancing interoperability and coordination with the Royal Thai Armed Forces, to promote regional security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

“Thank you, Rear Admiral Michael Wosje and the captains and crew of the USS Carl Vinson and other ships of Carrier Strike Group ONE, for your visit to Thailand! Your time here reinforced the excellent relations between Thailand and the United States and our shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. We look forward to future visits,” said U.S. Ambassador to Thailand, Robert F. Godec.

During their stay in Thailand, the nearly 7,500 Sailors from Carrier Strike Group ONE participated in cultural exchanges, community relations events, and Morale, Welfare and Recreation sponsored tours to enhance cultural understanding and cooperation between the two countries.

“I know I can speak for all of the Carl Vinson crew when I say how grateful we are to the people of Laem Chabang and Pattaya City for welcoming our Sailors with such kindness and hospitality,” said Capt. Matthew Thomas, commanding officer, USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). “This port visit allowed our Sailors the opportunity to recharge and prepare to approach the next stretch of our time at sea maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific. We are committed to the U.S.-Thai friendship and look forward to future opportunities that strengthen this bond.”

The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group consists of USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), embarked staffs of Carrier Strike Group ONE and Destroyer Squadron one, Carrier Air Wing Two, Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Sterett (DDG 104) and USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110). Carrier Air Wing Two is composed of nine squadrons flying the F-35C Lightning II, F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, EA-18G Growler, E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, CMV-22 Osprey and MH-60R/S Seahawks.

The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th 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.

For more news from Carrier Strike Group ONE and Carl Vinson visit: https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/CSG1, https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/CVN70

Source: United States Navy

Hodges assumed command in February 2023 and led the crew throughout the workup cycle leading to the ship’s deployment on Sept. 23, 2024, to the U.S. European and Central Command areas of responsibility as the Air and Missile Defense Commander for the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG).

“Serving as the commanding officer of this extraordinary crew has been the privilege of a lifetime,” said Hodges. “These amazing men and women represent all that is great about our Navy and it’s been an enormous honor to serve with them.”

Lucas, Gettysburg’s new commanding officer, completed a successful tour on the Joint Staff, J7 Directorate, before reporting to the ship.

“What struck me most about this crew was your attitude and resiliency,” said Lucas. “I am motivated, honored, and humbled to be your commanding officer.”

USS Gettysburg was commissioned June 22, 1991, and is homeported in Norfolk, Virginia.