Category: United States of America

Source: United States Navy

“I want to thank all of you for your service and your dedication, I know it’s been a long journey to get to this point. In the past few weeks alone, you’ve traveled over 2,000 nautical miles through four Great Lakes and 15 locks to get here.” said the Honorable Michelle Wu, mayor of Boston, Massachusetts. “While we know the Charlestown Navy Ship Yard isn’t your final stop, it’s a source of great pride for this city and the people of Boston to be granted the privilege of sending you off to your homeport.”

Guest speakers for the event also included the Honorable Maura Healey, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, who delivered the commissioning ceremony’s principal address. Remarks were also provided by the Honorable Polly Spencer, ship’s sponsor; the Honorable Bill Keating, U.S. Representative, Massachusetts’ 8th District; the Honorable Meredith Berger, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations and Environment; Vice Adm. Michael Boyle, Director of Navy Staff; and Mr. Paul Lemmo, Vice President and General Manager, Lockheed Martin Integrated Warfare Systems and Sensors.

“Today we gather to celebrate a remarkable addition to our naval fleet, USS Nantucket. I’m honored to represent Lockheed Martin and we’re proud to partner with the U.S. Navy to build the Freedom-variant littoral combat ships,” said Lemmo. “USS Nantucket is not just a ship, it embodies innovation, resilience, and the spirit of our maritime forces.”

The ship’s sponsor, The Honorable Polly Spencer, wife of the 76th Secretary of the Navy, joined by her two daughters, Sarah Minella and Amy Ambrecht gave the order to “man our ship and bring her to life!”

“I’m so heartened to look out and see young boys and girls here and I hope they leave today inspired to answer the call to service,” said Healy. “The freedom – all the freedoms, all the privileges that we enjoy today as Americans are only possible because of those who have served and those who continue to serve.”

Nantucket is the 14th Freedom-variant littoral combat ship (LCS) commissioned in the United States Navy and the third to be commissioned in naval service to bear this namesake.

USS Nantucket (LCS 27) was built by the Lockheed Martin and Fincantieri Marinette Marine in Marinette, Wisconsin. The ship was authorized on Oct. 10, 2017, and named on Feb. 13, 2018. It was christened Aug. 7, 2021, and completed acceptance trials the following year. The ship was delivered to the U.S. Navy on July 29, 2024.

“My journey began in September 2021 when I received word that I would be the first commanding officer of USS Nantucket and unveiled the crest on the island.” said Cmdr. Kari Yakubisin, Nantucket’s commanding officer. “Our mission on Nantucket is the same as the Constitution was in 1812, while technology has changed over the last 200 years, the mission of the United States Navy remains the same, keep the sea lanes open for commerce, deter piracy and promote peace around the world. I am proud of this crew and the hard work they put in for the last seven months.”

LCS class ships like Nantucket will be equipped with Over the Horizon – Weapons System (OTH-WS) Naval Strike Missile (NSM). The OTH NSM provides the U.S. and its allies with long range anti-surface offensive strike capability as well as increased coastline defense, deterrence, and interoperability. This will include the MK 70 Payload Delivery System (PDS) which uses combat proven MK 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) technology to provide mid-range precision fires capabilities. The MK 70 enables rapid deployment of offensive capability to non-traditional platforms and locations.

The ceremony featured early successes, milestones, fair wishes, and following seas while showcasing a weeklong series of events celebrating the ship, its crew, community and namesake city.

USS Nantucket will be homeported at Naval Station Mayport, Florida.

LCS is a fast, agile, mission-focused platform designed for operation in near-shore environments yet capable of open-ocean operation. It is designed to defeat asymmetric “anti-access” threats such as mines, quiet diesel submarines and fast surface craft. They are capable of supporting forward presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence.

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 DVIDS – Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

Source: United States Navy

CARAT Brunei 2024 is a bilateral exercise designed to promote regional security, cooperation, maintain and strengthen maritime partnerships, and enhance interoperability between the two nations.

“The U.S.-Brunei partnership has never been stronger than it is today,” said Rear Adm. Katie Sheldon, Vice Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet. “We are proud of our longstanding relationship with the Royal Brunei Armed Forces and look forward to work side-by-side across a broad spectrum of naval competencies during this week’s CARAT exercise.”

This year marks the 30th anniversary of CARAT Brunei, in which participants will focus on a wide-range of training ashore and at sea, including maritime domain awareness, anti-surface warfare, maritime interdiction operations, helicopter interoperability, underwater demolition, and force protection.

During the shore phase, Marine Rotational Force – Southeast Asia (MRF-SEA) will conduct expert exchanges with the RBAF, covering force protection topics including Marine Corps Martial Arts, non-lethal riot control, and military operations in urban terrain (MOUT), enhancing the combined force’s collective skills and increasing interoperability. The at-sea phase will take place in the South China Sea, in which ships and aircraft from both partner militaries will work together through numerous advanced training events. These events aim to enhance the collective interoperability and proficiency between U.S. and Brunei forces while cultivating strong relationships as partners.

“CARAT has become a vital platform for enhancing interoperability and enforcing the bond between Brunei Darussalam and the United States. Our nations recognize that today’s security environment requires collaboration, mutual respect and resilience,” said the Chief of Staff, Joint Force Headquarters Royal Brunei Armed Forces. “Through this exercise we are building more than just capabilities. We are building trust, understanding and shared purpose.”

Despite variation between exercises, a common theme across the CARAT exercise series is the development of cooperative maritime security capabilities in support of peace and stability in maritime regions throughout South and Southeast Asia. CARAT exercises highlight the United States’ commitment to the region and to a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Participating U.S. assets include staff from U.S. 7th Fleet, Commander, Task Force (CTF) 72, CTF 73, CTF 74, CTF 75, and CTF 76, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, MRF-SEA, Naval Special Warfare, the U.S. 7th Fleet Band, and the U.S. Embassy Brunei.

The Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Omaha (LCS 12) with an embarked MH-60R Sea Hawk from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 35 will take part in the exercise while on rotational deployment to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations.

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

“On-time completion of our PIA, and subsequent sea trials, is a product of both the Avenger’s rock-solid teamwork with Norfolk Naval Shipyard and the tireless dedication of our Sailors,” said Capt. Robert Bibeau, Bush’s commanding officer. “Through full ownership of the work package, complete integrity every step of the way with our successes and challenges, and forward-leaning deck plate leadership on both the ship and at the shipyard, we were able to get the ship back in action and return lethality to the Fleet.”
George H.W. Bush’s maintenance period at Norfolk Naval Shipyard focused on modernization efforts, structural repair, and preservation work. Warfighting sensor and system upgrades were installed increasing the warfighting capability of the ship, and multiple areas received preservation to include tanks, voids, weapons elevators, areas of the flight deck and hangar bay, the main mast and exterior of the ship, as well as general repairs to the hull, and mechanical and electrical infrastructure.
Additionally, there were many Quality of Service improvements made during modernization that improve life for the Sailors living onboard. In addition to upgrading crew living spaces, combination ovens in the ship’s galley, modular refrigeration equipment, Wi-Fi capability and a computer network upgrade were installed.
“The Avenger and NNSY team applied the true spirit of ‘Get Real, Get Better’ by embracing the red and owning, communicating, and aggressively attacking challenges on a daily basis to ensure that we got back out to sea more capable, more adaptable, and more lethal than ever before,” said Bibeau.
Following the ship’s departure from Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Bush completed sea trials. Sea Trials is a comprehensive assessment to ensure that the ship’s systems and equipment are sufficiently working after a maintenance availability period. This period of time allowed the crew to practice damage control, deck seamanship, and flight deck operations, simulating real scenarios that Sailors encounter at sea during future operations.
Bush is in the basic phase of the Optimized Fleet Response Plan following sea trials.
For media queries, please contact Lt. Cmdr. Madie Hansen, USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs Officer, at pao@cvn77.navy.mil.

Source: United States Navy

The Honorable Maura Healey, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts will deliver the principal address at the commissioning ceremony. Remarks will also be provided by The Honorable Bill Keating, U.S. Representative, Massachusetts 9th District, The Honorable Meredith Berger, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations, and Environment, Vice Admiral Michael Boyle, Director of Navy Staff, The Honorable Michelle Wu, Mayor of Boston, Massachusetts, and Mr. Paul Lemmo, Vice President and General Manager, Integrated Warfare Systems and Sensors, Lockheed Martin.

The ship’s sponsor is Polly Spencer, a business owner, grandmother, and wife of Richard Spencer, the 76th Secretary of the Navy. Mrs. Spencer’s connection to Nantucket dates back to 1976, when she was a year-round resident of the island, raising her three children and owning and operating a children’s clothing and toy store. As the wife of Richard Spencer, she traveled to visit sailors, Marines, and their families both at home and abroad. Noting the sacrifices and unwavering dedication she observed, she cites this experience—along with being the sponsor of USS Nantucket—as the highlights of her career.

“The crew, along with our industry partners, have worked tirelessly over the past several years to bring the USS Nantucket (LCS 27) to life, and I am proud of each of them for their contributions and service,” said Secretary Del Toro. “Nantucket already made an impact when she supported a U.S. Coast Guard operation in October in Lake Erie. I take great pride in knowing that Nantucket represents the future of our Fleet and Force — equipped with advanced technology and sailed by our Navy’s best and brightest crews.”

Nantucket is the 14th Freedom-variant littoral combat ship (LCS) commissioned in the United States Navy and the third U.S. Navy ship to bear this name.

The LCS class consists of two variants: the Freedom and the Independence, designed and built by two industry teams. Lockheed Martin leads the Freedom-variant team, building the odd-numbered hulls in Marinette, Wisconsin. Austal USA leads the Independence-variant team in Mobile, Alabama, constructing LCS 6 and the subsequent even-numbered hulls.

Littoral combat ships like Nantucket will be equipped with Over the Horizon – Weapons System (OTH-WS) Naval Strike Missile (NSM). The OTH NSM provides the U.S. and its allies with long range anti-surface offensive strike capability as well as increased coastline defense, deterrence, and interoperability.

Littoral combat ships are fast, optimally manned, mission-tailored surface combatants that operate in both near-shore and open-ocean environments, countering 21st-century coastal threats. LCS ships integrate with joint, combined, manned, and unmanned teams to support forward presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence missions around the globe.

The ceremony will be live-streamed at www.dvidshub.net/webcast/34487. The link will become active approximately ten minutes prior to the event, at 09:50 a.m. EST.

Media inquiries may be directed to the Navy Office of Information at (703) 697-5342. For more information on the littoral combat ship program, visit: https://www.navy.mil/Resources/Fact-Files/Display-FactFiles/Article/2171607/littoral-combat-ship-class-lcs/

Source: United States Navy

This year’s exercise was hosted in Tunisia with training taking place throughout the Southern Mediterranean Sea and territorial waters of participating North African nations. Members of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Army worked alongside African and European Allies and partners to incorporate the use of the multinational communication center (MNCC), improving communications among maritime forces from Europe, North Africa, and the United States.

This 12-day exercise brings together North African, European, and U.S. maritime forces as part of a global network of maritime security forces to enhance cooperation and expertise in maritime security operations in the Southern Mediterranean Sea.

“Phoenix Express is one of the most significant ways our nations collaborate,” said Vice Adm. J.T.  Anderson, Commander U.S. 6^th Fleet. “It is crucial to improve regional cooperation, maritime domain awareness, information sharing, and tactical expertise with our Allies and partner nations to counter sea-based illicit activity in North Africa and the Southern Mediterranean Sea.”

Phoenix Express focuses on increasing the capabilities and interoperability of land- and sea-based maritime security operations. The use of the MNCC and maritime operations center sought to improve communications with participating Allies and partner nations. Ship-boarding, diving, and search and rescue exercises allowed participating nations to share information, refine tactics, and improve techniques to bolster maritime security in the region.

“Tunisia is honored to host Phoenix Express 2024,” said Commodore Noureddine Chakroun, Tunisian Navy Deputy Chief of Staff in Charge of Operations. “Our strategic location in the Mediterranean allowed us to facilitate multinational operations that addressed shared security objectives by collectively addressing maritime security challenges.”

Participating nations included Algeria, Belgium, Georgia, Italy, Libya, Malta, Mauritania, Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia, Türkiye, and the United States.

Phoenix Express is one of three regional maritime exercises led by U.S. Naval Forces Africa, facilitated by Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet, as part of a comprehensive strategy to provide collaborative opportunities to African forces and international partners to address maritime security concerns.

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