Category: United States of America

Source: United States Navy

Known as Digital Talon 3.0, the exercise tested the electronic and mechanical effectiveness of robotics and autonomous systems (RAS), the capabilities of over-the-horizon communications between unmanned systems, and testing aerial autonomous launch and recovery of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) off a unmanned surface vessel (USV).

Lt. Luis Echeverria, commanding officer of TG 59.1, said Digital Talon 3.0 expanded the over-the-horizon capabilities of these unmanned systems.

“Under Digital Talon 3.0 we were able to test the remote launch of a loitering munition, and vertical take-off and landing of UAVs from a USV,” said Echeverria. “These evolutions resulted in the successful remote launch of a loitering munition at sea.”

Commander, Special Operations Forces Central Command, the Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship USS Devastator (MCM 6) and the U.S. Coast Guard Sentinel-class fast response cutter USCGC Emlen Tunnell (WPC 1145) also participated in Digital Talon 3.0.

The first Digital Talon exercise, held in October 2023, and the second iteration a month later, advanced lethality and kinetic applications for unmanned systems. Digital Talon 3.0 examined more advanced tactics, according to TG 59.1’s executive officer, Royal Navy Lt. Samuel Hendy.

“As with all pioneering ventures and first-of-its-kind feats, there are plenty of challenges to overcome, lessons to be analyzed, but we are a learning organization and it all combines to further benefit 5th Fleets’ understanding and employment of this state-of-the-art warfare,” Hendy said. “If there is one thing we can take away, Digital Talon 3.0 affirms that the U.S. Navy, as well as her partner nations, remains at the forefront of cutting-edge unmanned system integration and deployment.”

Established in January 2024, Task Group 59.1, dubbed “The Pioneers,” tests industry solutions and focuses on the operational deployment of unmanned systems teamed with manned operators to bolster maritime security across the Middle East region. TG 59.1 reports directly to Task Force 59, the Navy’s first Unmanned and Artificial Intelligence Task Force. TF 59 integrates unmanned systems and artificial intelligence with maritime operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security and stability in the Middle East region. It has tested, upgraded, evolved and operated with more than 23 different unmanned systems.

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet’s area of operations encompasses about 2.5 million square miles of water area and includes the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. This expanse, comprising 21 nations, includes three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Strait of Bab al Mandeb.

Source: United States Navy

“Artificial Intelligence is foundational to our ability to locate, assess, and interdict bad actors hiding among the thousands of well-intentioned mariners just doing their jobs at sea,” said Vice Adm. George Wikoff, Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and U.S. 5th Fleet.

Wikoff said the U.S. Navy has embraced the challenge, noting that the Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Lisa Franchetti, recently released her Project 33 Initiative, which he said looks to, “operationalize robotic and autonomous systems and implement artificial intelligence into our maritime tasks.”

“AI unleashes our ability to assess terabytes of data rapidly, compare it against existing data, analyze patterns, and identify abnormalities, enabling us to accelerate our decision-making processes with increased accuracy,” Wikoff said.

He noted that the United States, along with countries in the region, are developing a “common operating picture” to quickly identify and share information on maritime threats.

Through Task Force 59, NAVCENT’s unmanned and AI development task force, “we’ve integrated unmanned systems into numerous multilateral and bilateral exercises to demonstrate the potential for some of the most proven technologies in the maritime,” Wikoff said.

He noted that the age of AI provides “a revolutionary opportunity” to transform maritime strategies to preserve the rules-based international order against adversaries who are intent on disrupting it.

“The stakes are high,” Wikoff said, “and competitors for these advanced capabilities are working hard to make today’s technology irrelevant tomorrow. The current operational environment calls for innovative solutions, the strategies to employ them, and the ability to assess their effectiveness so we can collectively maintain our maritime advantage in the future – and that future of warfare is upon us.”

The U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations encompasses approximately 2.5 million square miles of water space. It 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

Participating U.S. assets in CARAT Brunei 2024 included staff from U.S. 7th Fleet, Commander, Task Force (CTF) 72, CTF 73, CTF 74, CTF 75, and CTF 76, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, Marine Rotational Force – Southeast Asia (MRF-SEA), Naval Special Warfare, the U.S. 7th Fleet Band, and the U.S. Embassy Brunei.

“Building maritime relationships is what the CARAT exercise series is all about,” said Rear Adm. Katie Sheldon, Vice Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet. “Over the past week, the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and Royal Brunei Armed Forces trained together with the aim of further strengthening their cooperative maritime security capabilities in support of peace and stability.”

This year’s CARAT exercise featured a variety of subject matter expert exchange events, covering topics that included cyber security, emission control, force protection, international maritime law, maritime domain awareness, public affairs for humanitarian assistance disaster relief, and women, peace and security. Bilateral training opportunities also included best practices for a medical evacuation, mine countermeasures, visit, board, search and seizure, underwater demolition, amongst other topics.

“Exercise CARAT provided a very good platform for us to hone these capabilities,” said Yang Mulia Colonel Aldi Bin Haji Hassan, Deputy Joint Force Commander, Royal Brunei Armed Forces. “Over the past several days, we have witnessed the seamless integration of our forces in diverse scenarios. Beyond the tactical and operational gains, CARAT is also about fostering relationships. Every skill refined, every lesson learned and relationship built contributes to the greater goal of maintaining peace, stability and security in the region.”

CARAT Brunei 2024 focused on a full spectrum of dynamic naval capabilities, featuring cooperative evolutions that highlight the U.S.-Brunei partnership and its shared goal of ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific. This bilateral exercise demonstrates the United States’ longstanding commitment to allies and partners, respect for international law, as well as regional prosperity.

“We’re grateful to exercise alongside the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, seeing firsthand the progress our combined forces make when working together towards a common goal,” said U.S. Marine Corps Col. Stuart W. Glenn, commanding officer, MRF-SEA. “CARAT Brunei 2024 has showcased the strength of our Navy and Marine Corps team, demonstrating our unique strengths and providing regional stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region. We look forward to continuing to train and reinforce our strong partnership with our Brunei counterparts in the years to come.”

After 30 years of annual training events between the armed forces, CARAT Brunei remains a model for cooperation that has evolved in complexity and enables both navies to refine operations and tactics in response to both traditional and non-traditional maritime security challenges. It symbolizes the enduring trust between the U.S. and Brunei.

MRF-SEA, the U.S. Marine Corps’ newest rotational force, is derived from elements of I Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF) executing a U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific operational model that involves training events and exchanges with partner military subject matter experts, promotes security goals with allies and partner nations, and ensures a persistent I MEF presence west of the International Date Line.

As the U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed DESRON in Southeast Asia, DESRON 7 serves as the primary tactical and operational commander of littoral combat ships rotationally deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, functioning as Expeditionary Strike Group 7’s Sea Combat Commander and building partnerships through training, exercises and military-to-military engagements.

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.

Source: United States Navy

Commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 9, Rear Adm. Christopher Alexander, relieved Cmdr. Charles Diehl of his duties as VAW-115 commanding officer. He has been temporarily reassigned to Airborne Command & Control Logistics Wing based in Pt. Mugu, Calif.

The Navy maintains the highest standards for commanding officers and holds them accountable when those standards are not met.

Cmdr. Randall Fields, former commanding officer of VAW-116, has been temporarily assigned as VAW-115’s commanding officer.

Diehl assumed command of VAW-115 in May 2024.

For additional questions, please contact Commander, Naval Air Forces Public Affairs Officer, CDR Beth Teach, at beth.a.teach.mil@us.navy.mil.

Source: United States Navy

“It is truly an honor to receive the Lifetime Military Family Champion Award,” said Secretary Del Toro. “While I am grateful for this award, I cannot thank Blue Star Families enough for their incredible support for military families and for sharing countless stories about them in ways that truly resonate with all Americans.”

Blue Star Celebration, held this year in Washington D.C.’s Union Station, is an annual event that honors Americans who are doing their part to preserve our all-volunteer force’s strength by supporting our military families.

During his remarks, Secretary Del Toro talked about the sacrifices his parents made so that his entire family could have a better future in the United States.

“I can’t help but reminisce now how throughout my own childhood, both of my parents also sacrificed and labored for the sake of their children—they wanted to give us a better life in America, a life unattainable back in Cuba,” said Del Toro.

Secretary Del Toro also highlighted the value of service for every American Sailor and Marine.

“The value of service in the Navy and Marine Corps, and indeed, in the broader context of our Nation, is part of the very fabric of America. It is a value that transcends individual ambitions and fosters a sense of collective responsibility – it is very much a calling,” said Del Toro.

Concluding his speech, Secretary Del Toro lauded military families for supporting their service members throughout their careers amidst multiple moves and long periods away from them.

“When a Sailor or Marine raises their right hand and swears an oath to defend our nation, they are not alone. Their families, too, embark on a journey of service, marked by frequent deployments, long separations, and the constant worry that accompanies the uncertainty of military life,” said Del Toro.

“Every day, I witness the incredible sacrifices made by military families. What we ask of our families is not easy. Yet, you face the challenges with grace and courage. You are the true heroes.”

Founded in 2009, Blue Star Families empowers military families to thrive by connecting them with their civilian neighbors and organizations to create strong communities of support for service members.