Navy

YOKOSUKA, Japan — The Ohio-class guided-missile submarine USS Michigan (SSGN 727) (Blue) departed Busan, South Korea, June 22, after completing a scheduled port visit.

The port visit in Busan reflects the United States’ commitment to the Indo-Pacific region and complements the many exercises, training, operations, and other military cooperation activities conducted by U.S. submarine forces with our Republic of Korea (ROK) allies.

During the port visit, Brig. Gen. Park Hu-byeong, commander, ROK Navy Special Warfare Flotilla, and Brig. Gen. Derek N. Lipson, commander, U.S. Special Operations Command Korea, visited the submarine.

“The visit to the USS Michigan improved the ROK-US special warfare operation capabilities and served as an opportunity to strengthen the combined defense posture,” said Park.

This port call marks the first visit to Busan for Michigan since 2017.

Michigan is one of four Ohio-class guided-missile submarines. The Navy’s guided-missile submarines provides strike and special operation mission capabilities from a stealthy, clandestine platform. Guided-missile submarines are capable of launching missile strikes, support special operation forces missions armed with tactical missiles, and are equipped with superior communications capabilities.

“The opportunity to observe and discuss the capabilities of the USS Michigan will lead to better combined and joint training and capabilities development,” said Lipson. “It increases SOCKOR [Special Operations Command Korea] and ROK Special Operations Forces’ understanding of multi-domain operations and how to increase joint training opportunities to create advantages in competition.”

Michigan is one of the largest submarines in the world measuring more than 560 feet long and weighing more than 18,000 tons when submerged.

During the visit, Sailors experienced the culture and history of the ROK and strengthened the relations between the U.S. Navy, ROK military, and the local Korean community.

“We are incredibly grateful for the welcome we received here and the opportunity to meet with our shipmates in Korea,” said Capt. Jason Geddes, commanding officer, USS Michigan (Blue). “It is an honor to visit Busan.”

Michigan is the second submarine of the Ohio-class of ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) and guided missile submarines (SSGNs), and the third U.S. Navy ship to bear the name. Michigan is homeported in Naval Base Kitsap, Washington, and is operating under Commander, Submarine Group (CSG) 7 in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations.

CSG 7 directs forward-deployed, combat capable forces across the full spectrum of undersea warfare throughout the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea.

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 Commander, Submarine Group 7, visit www.csp.navy.mil/csg7/

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam — Typhoon Mawar battered Andersen Air Force Base and the island of Guam with winds reaching 140 mph and up to 28 inches of rain on May 24, 2023.

It left a destructive path across the island and was the strongest storm in more than 20 years, the previous being Super Typhoon Pongsona. Andersen AFB was left with damage to facilities and equipment, but this did not stop the mission.

More than 30 days after the typhoon, members of Team Andersen have been working to restore the base and helping the local community.

Several flight line structures sustained damage, but members worked hard to return the flight line to a fully operational status and completed a foreign object debris walk to remove any items off the airfield that landed there due to the storm.

While the total cost of damages to the base are still being calculated, a project management office will be stood up on the installation to help with the repair and rebuilding for the foreseeable future.

“Typhoon Mawar was a unique storm that is providing unique challenges at Andersen that we did not face at Tyndall or Offutt,” said Col. Dustin Born, Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center Detachment 2 PMO team lead. “Andersen faces a lot of roof, door and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning repairs to bring facilities back to where they were before the storm but due to the amazing response of on-site crews the mission has never faltered.”

The 734th Air Mobility Squadron assigned to Andersen AFB has since received a total of 134 aircraft ranging from passenger planes, commercial airliners, U.S. Navy aircrafts and foreign partner aircraft. The unit also received 906 personnel to include aid workers and helped 576 people leave the island. They have also received 1,828,505 pounds of cargo to include humanitarian aid.

While ensuring operations on the base are able to continue, members have also provided assistance to the local community.

Since Typhoon Mawar, Team Andersen members have devoted more than 3,520 man hours to helping the residents of Guam. Members have distributed over 325,600 meals, 590,400 liters of water and 500 blankets. Also along with Task Force RISE UP, the 554th Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers have repaired 36 roofs of homes across the island.

“Typhoon Mawar was a devastating storm with impacts felt all across the island,” said Brig. Gen. Paul Fast, 36th Wing commander. “I cannot be more proud of the team here at Andersen in the resilience the Airmen and families have shown. From the preparations when we were first notified about Typhoon Mawar to where we are 30 days after the storm and continuing operations. We are actively projecting airpower and leading the way from the forward edge of the Indo-Pacific.”

MANAMA, Bahrain – The commander of a Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) counter-piracy task force met with the commander for a European naval task force aboard an Italian warship that was pierside in Bahrain, June 23.

Republic of Korea Navy Rear Adm. Ko Seung-bum, commander of Combined Task Force 151, visited Italian Navy Rear Adm. Mauro Panebainco, commander of Task Force 474, aboard Italian frigate ITS Rizzo (F595).

The leaders discussed current maritime operations, opportunities for regular information sharing and closer collaboration. They also received a briefing from Cmdr. Valerio DI Giammatteo, Rizzo’s commanding officer, on the ship’s capabilities.

Task Force 474 is the operational arm of naval coalition called the European Maritime Awareness in the Strait of Hormuz. The partnership, consisting of eight nations, protects navigational rights of regional mariners in Middle East waters.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to learn more about Task Force 474 and ITS Rizzo’s capabilities in the maritime environment,” said Ko. “As CMF has demonstrated, international cooperation and collaboration are vital to ensure that all maritime trade remains protected and unhindered from safe and free navigation in regional waters.”

As one of CMF’s five operational staffs, Combined Task Force 151 focuses on counter-piracy missions in the Middle East. The multinational team includes nearly 30 personnel from a dozen country.

NAS Lemoore, Calif. – Naval Air Station Lemoore is excited to announce the return of Carrier Air Wing Seventeen (CVW-17) and Strike Fighter Squadrons VFA-22, VFA-94, VFA-137 and VFA-146 after a nearly 7-month deployment to the Western Pacific with USS Nimitz (CVN-68) Carrier Strike Group (CSG-11). The homecoming event is Tuesday and Wednesday, June 27-28, 2023, and will feature both the aviators and the nearly 1,000 Sailors who keep the Navy fighter jets in the air.

CVW-17, nicknamed “Team Quicksand,” and the four squadrons that are attached to it have been away from their home base of Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif., since Dec. 5, 2022. During their deployment, they have been engaged by U.S. Seventh Fleet to defend U.S., Allied and partner interests in the U.S. Naval Forces Indo-Pacific area of operations.

The Air Group that would come to be known as CVW-17 was created during World War II on Apr. 1, 1944, in Atlantic City. CVW-17 is currently composed of VFA-22, VFA-94 VFA-137 and VFA-146 flying the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet; VAW-116 flying the E-2C Hawkeye; VAQ-139 flying the E/A-18G GROWLER; HSC-6 flying the MH-60S Seahawk; and HSM-73 flying the MH-60R Seahawk.

Strike Fighter Squadron 22 (VFA-22), or the “Fighting Redcocks,” was originally commissioned as Fighter Squadron 63 at Naval Air Station Norfolk, Va., in July 1948, but was re-designated Attack Squadron 22 in July 1959. VFA-22 operates the F/A-18 Super Hornet, which is one of the Navy’s newest and most lethal strike-fighter aircraft.

Strike Fighter Squadron 94 (VFA-94), also known as the “Mighty Shrikes,” was commissioned in 1952 and nicknamed after a small carnivorous bird of prey that impales its victim on sharp thorns. The Mighty Shrikes began flying the F4U Corsair, but now operates the F/A-18 Super Hornet.

Strike Fighter Squadron 137 (VFA-137), or the “Kestrels,” was established in 1985 and is named after the native North American Falcon. It, too, operates the F/A-18 Super Hornet. VFA-137 joined CVW-17 in the spring of 2019.

Strike Fighter Squadron 146 (VFA-146), or the “Blue Diamonds,” was established in 1956. The squadron’s original nickname was the “Blacktails,” which was derived from its assigned color as the sixth squadron of the air group, but just a few years later, the squadron adopted its current nickname the “Blue Diamonds.” VFA-146 also operates the F/A-18E Super Hornet, which is one of the most advanced fighter aircraft in the world.

All four squadrons’ capabilities and versatility make them critical assets to the Navy’s mission, and their dedication and commitment to excellence continue to inspire and motivate future generations of naval aviators.

MANAMA, Bahrain – The following is a joint statement from 22 nations and the Gulf Cooperation Council that participated in a maritime security meeting hosted by U.S. Naval Forces Central Command at the U.S. Navy base in Bahrain:

“At the invitation of the United States, senior government officials from Bahrain, Belgium, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Lithuania, Morocco, the Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom, as well as senior representatives from the Gulf Cooperation Council, held a high-level, multilateral meeting in Bahrain on June 25, 2023, to discuss current maritime security and ways to further enhance maritime security in the region. Participants reiterated commitment to uphold navigational rights and operate consistent with international law, as well as pursue collective efforts to prevent threats to vessels traveling through regional waterways that are critical to international trade and the global economy.”