Category: United States of America

Source: United States Navy

“Our ship remains operationally ready to complete deployment with mission and purpose on full display by the entire crew,” said Capt. Chris Hill, commanding officer of Harry S. Truman. “We are out here launching and recovering aircraft, ready to ‘Give ‘em Hell’ with combat credible power.”

The U.S. Navy’s ability to rapidly repair its warships anywhere in the world is a testament to our lethality and the warfighting advantage of relationships with Allies and partners.

Led by Forward Deployed Regional Maintenance Center (FDRMC), Truman completed the five-day ERAV at Naval Support Activity (NSA) Souda Bay, Greece. In an all-hands effort, Sailors worked with FDRMC personnel, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, and local industry partner Theodoropoulos Group to assess damage, develop a repair plan, and restore weathertight integrity to the ship following the collision on Feb. 12.

“FDRMC is focused on keeping our forward-deployed naval forces mission-ready across 5th and 6th Fleets, maintaining critical combat readiness for the ships and their Sailors,” said Capt. Mollie Bily, FDRMC commanding officer. “The rapid repair effort on Truman was a testament to our expeditionary maintenance expertise and the exceptional collaboration with our Norfolk Naval Shipyard teammates and industry partners.”

Since deploying, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 has flown over 5,500 sorties, including two self-defense strikes into Houthi-controlled Yemen territory and a large force strike against ISIS-Somalia targets in Northeast Somalia in coordination with U.S. Africa Command. The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group continues to provide maritime security and regional stability in support of its component commanders.

The carrier strike group includes the flagship USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75); Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1, with eight embarked aviation squadrons; staffs from CSG-8, CVW-1, and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 28; the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG 64); and three Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers, USS Stout (DDG 55), USS The Sullivans (DDG 68), and USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109).

HSTCSG’s mission is to conduct prompt and sustained combat operations at sea and maintain a forward presence through sea control and power projection capabilities. For more information, visit DVIDS at https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/CVN75.

Source: United States Navy

“Our top priorities are ensuring the base remains mission-ready and keeping our personnel safe,” said NAS Oceana’s Commanding Officer Capt. Josh Appezzato. “Thanks to the dedication of our security forces, public works teams, air operations personnel and culinary specialists, we’re able to continue operations despite the wintry conditions.”

Safety remained a key focus, with NAS Oceana security forces ensuring gate operations ran smoothly and the installation remained secure. “Even in conditions like this, our security forces are on duty 24/7,” said NAS Oceana Security Officer Lt. Kari Wood. “We’re making sure mission-essential personnel can safely access the base while maintaining the security of our facilities.”

Since Wednesday, the installation’s public works crews have been actively clearing the entire airfield as well as NAS Oceana and Dam Neck Annex’s primary roads to keep base access routes and the flight line open. “Our teams are working nonstop to clear priority areas like the installation’s main roads and emergency routes,” said NAS Oceana Public Works Officer Cmdr. Matthew Milkowski. “As we continue to clear secondary roads and parking lots, please use caution and give our crews the space they need to get the job done.”

NAS Oceana’s air operations personnel closely monitored airfield conditions and cleared runways to ensure aircraft safety. “We’ve been removing snow from the airfield and closely watching the changing weather conditions to minimize the impact on our squadrons,” said NAS Oceana’s Airfield Manager Dean Dawes. “Providing a safe operating environment remains our top priority before we resume regular flight operations.”

Keeping mission-essential teams fueled are the installation’s culinary specialists who continue to prepare and serve hot meals at NAS Oceana and Dam Neck Annex’s galleys. “Our job is to take care of the people who keep the base running,” said Bernice Williamson, food service officer at NAS Oceana’s Dam Neck Galley. “No matter the weather, our mission is to make sure our service members have a hot meal to keep them going.”

The snowstorm produced nearly a foot of snow, breaking records for yearly snowfall in Virginia Beach since 1980, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. While much of the region came to a standstill during the record-breaking snowfall, NAS Oceana’s mission-essential personnel worked tirelessly to keep the base operational, ensuring aircraft and facilities remained secure. Appezzato emphasized that preparation, teamwork and professionalism were key to making this possible.

“It’s no small task to keep the Navy’s master jet base mission-ready in nearly a foot of snow, but NAS Oceana’s mission-essential personnel handled it with professionalism and expertise,” Appezzato said. “These dedicated individuals are critical to NAS Oceana’s ability to remain mission-ready in all conditions, and I am honored to have them on our team.”

Source: United States Navy

The exercise ran from Jan. 29 to Feb. 11 off the eastern coast of Japan. It is part of an annual series of exercises between the U.S. Navy and JMSDF designed to increase proficiency in mine countermeasure operations between the two forces.

“The JA series is an extraordinary opportunity for us to flex our muscles as a joint force,” said Capt. Antonio L. Hyde, Commodore of Mine Countermeasures Squadron (MCMRON) 7. “Operating together allows us to support our shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific
region.”

During the 12-day exercise, personnel from U.S. Navy Expeditionary Mine Countermeasures (ExMCM) Company 5-2, a U.S. Marine Corps Littoral Explosive Ordnance Neutralization (LEON) team, and JMSDF MCM units and EOD personnel worked together to clear a route for ships through a simulated minefield using mine hunting, detection and neutralization capabilities.

JMSDF Mine Warfare Force and MCMRON 7 commanders partnered throughout the exercise to direct mine hunting tasks for U.S. Navy and JMSDF units. This training allowed U.S. and Japanese participants to practice communicating and operating as a bilateral team while learning to maximize their cumulative mine hunting capability.

U.S. Navy participation in MIWEX 1JA included personnel from Mine Counter Measure Squadron (MCMRON) 7, Expeditionary Mine Countermeasures (ExMCM) Company 5-2 and a U.S. Marine Corps littoral explosive ordnance neutralization (LEON) team. JMSDF participants were an explosive ordnance disposal company and 13 ships from their Mine Warfare Force, consisting of one submarine, one frigate, one minesweeper tender, two ocean minesweepers and eight coastal minesweepers.

The exercise took place in U.S. 7th Fleet, the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, which routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.

Source: United States Navy

Stockdale departed San Diego on an independent deployment to U.S. 5th Fleet to conduct operations in support of regional stability, July 24, 2024. They joined the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group (ABECSG) August to November 2024 and remained in 5th Fleet following the departure of the ABECSG.

“The crew of Stockdale displayed immeasurable courage and unwavering dedication while serving in some of the most complex naval combat operations since World War II,” said Cmdr. Lauren Johnson, commanding officer, Stockdale. “This has been a historical deployment, and the crew answered every challenge with strength and resilience. Driven by their determination, professionalism, and training, Team 007 demonstrated that we remain the most lethal destroyer in the Navy. I could not be more proud of every crew member and our families at home who supported us along the way.”

While in 5th Fleet, Stockdale successfully repelled multiple Iranian-backed Houthi attacks during transits of the Bab el-Mandeb strait and escort operations of U.S.-flagged vessels in the Gulf of Aden. During these engagements, Stockdale successfully engaged and defeated one-way attack uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), anti-ship ballistic missiles and anti-ship cruise missiles. Stockdale received no damage and no personnel were hurt. Stockdale and her crew were well prepared, trained, and supported, to defend the ship.

Stockdale deployed to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility to bolster U.S. military force posture in the Middle East and deter regional escalation to promote security, stability and prosperity throughout the region. While in 5th Fleet, Stockdale worked alongside the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group and CENTCOM joint forces to support global maritime security operations.

Stockdale held bilateral partnership meetings to reinforce regional stability and capability. Stockdale made a port call in Safaga, Egypt, where Johnson met with Egyptian Red Sea Naval Base leadership, and subsequently participated in an at-sea sailing exercise with Egyptian Navy corvette ENS Abu Qir (F941) to increase interoperability. In the Republic of Maldives, Stockdale hosted the Chief of Defense Force for the Maldives National Defense Force and other leadership during an onboard reception and dinner. Both events reinforced U.S. commitment to its international network of partners to further enhance free and open seas.

Throughout deployment, Stockdale, with an air wing detachment from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 71, traveled over 44,000 nautical miles, conducted 12 replenishments-at-sea, 28 sea and anchor details, and HSM 71 conducted over 650 hours of rotary air wing hours and achieved an air-to-air kill of an Iranian-backed Houthi one-way attack UAS. Stockdale was recognized as Destroyer Squadron 21’s recipient of the 2024 Battle Effectiveness Award, and the Sailors were awarded the Combat Action Ribbon for their actions in 5th Fleet.

Stockdale was led by their commanding officer, Cmdr. Lauren Johnson, executive officers Cmdr. Jacob Beckelhymer and Cmdr. Carissa Moore, and Command Master Chief Gomer Turiano.

As an integral part of U.S. Pacific Fleet, Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet operates naval forces in the Indo-Pacific and provides the realistic and relevant training to ensure the readiness necessary to execute the U.S. Navy’s timeless role across the full spectrum of military operations. U.S. 3rd Fleet works together with our allies and partners to advance freedom of navigation, the rule of law, and other principles that underpin security for the Indo-Pacific region.

Source: United States Navy

The destroyer and its crew provided direct support to the Australian-led multinational task force during January and February, keeping watch for illicit activities including piracy, smuggling and narcotics trafficking.

While on patrol, crew members practiced skills needed to safely visit, board and search vessels, and to legally seize illicit materials being smuggled through the vital waterway.

The training came as CTF153 refocused on its core maritime security mission after responsibility for Operation Prosperity Guardian—the international response to attacks on merchant shipping by Houthi terrorists—was transferred from CMF to U.S. Navy Destroyer Squadron 50 (DESRON 50).

Commander CTF 153, Royal Australian Navy Capt. Jorge McKee praised the Stout commanding officer and crew for the teamwork with his staff ashore.

“While our task force team ashore closely monitor the Red Sea for any activity requiring closer investigation by ships at sea, the crew of Stout are keeping their skills sharp and ready,” Captain McKee said. “It is an honor to work with USS Stout, as it is named in honor of U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Herald F. Stout, who served alongside Australians in the Second World War.”

Established in 2022, CTF 153 is one of five task forces under CMF. Its mission is to deter and impede illicit non-state actors in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab and Gulf of Aden.

CTF153’s area of responsibility includes some of the world’s most important shipping lanes, connecting the Mediterranean Sea with the Indian Ocean and the greater Middle East region.

Combined Maritime Forces, a 46-nation naval partnership headquartered in Bahrain, is the world’s largest multinational naval partnership. It is committed to upholding the rules-based international order at sea, promoting security, stability and prosperity across approximately 3.2 million square miles of international waters, including crucial shipping lanes.