Navy

WASHINGTON NAVY YARD – Naval History and Heritage Command released its newest publication, Best Beloved: The Wartime Letters of Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz to His Wife, Catherine, online, Nov. 19, 2024.

The new book, edited by Naval History and Heritage Command historians Tyler R. Bamford and Richard A. Hulver, offers a glimpse into the private life of Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz as he commanded the U.S. Pacific Fleet during World War II.

Through these transcribed letters between Nimitz and his wife, along with a new biography, readers can peer into the thoughts and motivations of the man who led Allied forces to victory in the Pacific War.

“These never-before-published letters are a testament to the enduring power of family bonds,” said Adm. Samuel J. Paparo Jr., Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, 2021-2024, in the publication’s foreword. “They remind us that even the strongest leader relies on the unwavering support of their loved ones.”

Nimitz rarely shared his innermost opinions, and he refused to record his opinions for posterity by writing his memoirs. Instead, he reserved his private feelings for his letters to his wife, Catherine, his “best beloved.” It was Nimitz’s understanding that Catherine would burn all of his letters. However, while Catherine did burn most of Nimitz’s letters containing sensitive information, she preserved hand-copied extracts from 73 of his letters and original pages from about 75 more, all of which she entrusted to the Naval Historical Center (predecessor of NHHC) between 1966 and 1982. For the first time, this volume presents all of the surviving wartime correspondence that Nimitz wrote to Catherine.

To download a 508-compliant PDF version, visit: https://www.history.navy.mil/research/publications/publications-by-subject/best-beloved.html

To download other NHHC publications, visit: https://www.history.navy.mil/research/publications/publications-by-subject.html

Naval History and Heritage Command, located at the Washington Navy Yard, is responsible for preserving, analyzing, and disseminating U.S. naval history and heritage. It provides the knowledge foundation for the Navy by maintaining historically relevant resources and products that reflect the Navy’s unique and enduring contributions through our nation’s history and supports the fleet by assisting with and delivering professional research, analysis, and interpretive services. NHHC is composed of many activities, including the Navy Department Library, the Navy Operational Archives, the Navy art and artifact collections, underwater archeology, Navy histories, ten museums, USS Constitution repair facility, and the historic ship Nautilus.

Aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) a team of fire controlmen are putting their knowledge and capabilities to the test. Iwo Jima began its Combat Systems Ships Qualifications Trials, on Tuesday Nov. 12th, 2024. The trials consist of vigorous testing of the combat systems aboard the ship and the fire controlmen in charge of them.
“We’re testing to make sure our systems will work to track and destroy incoming targets at certain ranges and bearings,” said Master Chief Fire Controlmen Christopher Boehme. “They’re getting to do their job and shoot the missiles.”
A fire controlmen in the Navy is responsible for combat systems and radar systems. They go through extensive training prior to being stationed at their first command.
“What FC training typically looks like is we go to our ‘A’ school and we go through a two-month long course called ATT or Apprentice technical training, a course about circuitry and electronics,” said Fire Controlmen Second Class Michael Kuklin. “Following that we have a six-month long course similar to the electronic technician’s course but with less radar training. After that, we have our ‘C’ schools which range between two months to an entire year.”
As a jet flies overhead, nearly missing the ship, an alarm begins to sound; the volume rattles the frame of the ship as a red light begins to flash.
“Right now, as you’re hearing the alarms go off, that is us doing DTE or detect to engage,” Kuklin said. “We’re having two Learjets fly over us, and then we want to simulate shooting them down using our missile systems.”
With a deployment on the horizon, the fire controlmen on Iwo Jima are determined to be prepared for anything.
“The events that we’re doing and the training we’re doing is for deployment,” said Chief Fire Controlmen Christopher Reichert. “We have simulated missiles loaded in the RAM launchers, and we have a special laptop that hooks up to the NATO [sea sparrow] launcher which makes the system think it’s really a missile when the system detects the jet. The system engages the weapons system to simulate shooting the plane.”
In an uncertain and rapidly changing global environment, it is imperative that every U.S. Navy vessel be both equipped and trained to face whatever challenges lie ahead.
“We test different scenarios based on where we’re going,” said Boehme. “For example, if we go to Iran, they have a lot of small-boat engagement, so we’re prepared to do counter small boat missiles or grenades. If we deploy to the South China Sea, then they can shoot long-range missiles, and we’ll need to be able to identify missiles, fight planes and much more.”
“We are the ship’s line of defense against mostly missiles but also planes and other hostile entities that approach the ship,” said Kuklin. “Our job is essentially shoot them down before they shoot us down.”
Evolutions like the CSSQT not only qualify the ship and its weapons systems but provide fire controlmen with hands-on experience that will prepare them to, one day, play their part on the world stage.
“They’re actually getting to do their job,” said Boehme. “They’re shooting the missiles or at least using simulators. They’re having a good time down there.”
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti released her NAVPLAN for 2024, enclosed was “Project 33”, named after Franchetti being the 33rd CNO. In the document Franchetti outlines the importance of warfighting, warfighters and the foundations that hold them stating: “Achieving our goal means we will meet our required obligations to execute relevant operational plans, with the ready people, platforms, weapons, and maritime operations centers needed to conduct decisive combat operations.”
A major goal of “Project 33” is to “reach 100% rating fill for the Navy active and reserve components, man our deploying units to 95% of billets authorized, and fill 100% of strategic depth mobilization billets,” by 2027. Among the rates seeking future Sailors is fire controlmen.
“They’re very hard workers and we need more of them,” said Reichert. “Enlist to become FC’s. It is a cool job if people out there like video games. We have an actual auto turret [and]
we’ve got the missile systems. We input false tracks and shoot at them for training. It’s like a video game with less graphics.”
“Train how you fight” is a common phrase heard in the Navy. Fire controlmen train with an awareness that there might be a high-end fight waiting around the corner that will test their skills. CSSQT is part of the certifications that Iwo Jima needs to complete in order to be ready on deployment to offensively and defensively protect itself on deployment.
“I’m pretty excited for our upcoming deployment” said Fire Controlmen First Class Erin Mikelsen. “Because, worst-case scenario we have to shoot something down and best-case scenario we don’t. Either way I think it’s going to be a good time.”

CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti (Nov. 11, 2024) – Camp Lemonnier residents stroll through 11 Degrees North, CLDJ’s recreation facility, browsing tables filled with vibrant baskets, handcrafted jewelry, patterned textiles, paintings, and carved sculptures created by Djiboutian artists and vendors during Camp Lemonnier’s biannual bazaar, Nov. 9, 2024.

Since 2007, Camp Lemonnier has hosted a biannual bazaar with support from the U.S. Embassy in Djibouti, the Djibouti Chamber of Commerce, and the Djibouti Ministry of Commerce and Tourism to bring Djiboutian culture to base residents.

“For the past 17 years, Camp Lemonnier has hosted a biannual bazaar to bolster the connection between the surrounding community and deployed U.S. military personnel,” said U.S. Navy Capt. Eilis Cancel, Camp Lemonnier commanding officer.

CLDJ residents are encouraged to shop at the bazaar to learn more about Djiboutian culture and artwork while supporting the local economy.

“Djiboutian artisans and merchants bring a variety of handmade items that tell the story of who they are, how they live and what they value,” said U.S. Navy Cmdr. Thomas Riley, religious ministries program director for Camp Lemonnier.

Saturday’s bazaar generated $51,808 (9,195,920 Djf) for Djiboutian artists and vendors, contributing $266,625 (47,405,925 Djf) to the local economy since 2021.

“By shopping at the bazaar, residents are supporting Djiboutians from all over the country and making a real impact on local communities,” said Riley. “More importantly, we are building relationships of understanding and trust with our host nation.”

Camp Lemonnier’s biannual bazaar is part of a series of events strengthening the bond between U.S. service members and Djiboutian community members. Other yearly community events include an Iftar meal and the annual Islamic cemetery visit.

“Throughout the year, Camp Lemonnier service members engage with our host nation partners through exercises and knowledge exchange events,” said Cancel. “But the bazaar gives us a unique way to connect as one community. It is a cultural exchange of art, ideas and conversation.”

Camp Lemonnier is an operational installation that enables U.S., allied and partner nation forces to be where they are needed to ensure security and protect U.S. interests. The installation provides world-class support for service members, transient U.S. assets and 36 local tenant commands. (U.S. Navy story by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Patricia Elkins)