Navy

PHILIPPINE SEA (NNS) – Maritime forces from Royal Australia Navy (RAN), Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy, and the U.S. Navy are underway July 4, conducting cooperative maritime exercise Pacific Vanguard (PV) 2023.

Pacific Vanguard is an opportunity for the four Indo-Pacific navies to strengthen their skills in maritime operations, anti-submarine warfare operations, air warfare operations, live-fire missile events, and advanced maneuvering scenarios.

The destroyer JS Shiranui (DD 120) and multiple aircraft are representing Japan. The Exercise Control (EXCON) personnel, integrating into the watch floor, are among the personnel representing Australia. The destroyer ROKS Munmu the Great (DDH 976) is representing the Republic of Korea.

The guided-missile destroyer USS Howard (DDG 83) and aircraft supporting from Commander, Task Force 72 are among the units representing the United States.

“Cooperative engagements with our Allies during exercises like Pacific Vanguard are critical to ensuring we can stay a strong and effective interoperable force,” said Cmdr. Kenji Igawa, commanding officer of USS Howard. “I am tremendously proud of my Sailors’ focus on this mission. A free and open Indo-Pacific is made possible by the relationships we build together during exercises like this one.

U.S. 7th Fleet forces routinely train to refine operational proficiency and to improve crisis and contingency response capabilities to ensure stability and security throughout the Indo-Pacific region.

USS Howard is assigned to Commander, Task Force 71/Destroyer Squadron (DESRON 15), the Navy’s largest forward-deployed DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force.

“Getting the opportunity to work together as proficient surface teammates is key to enabling peace and stability in the region,” said Capt. Walter Mainor, commander of U.S. Navy Task Force 71 and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15. “Getting to operate in the waters around Guam is valuable to our combined efforts at confronting our shared maritime challenges, and ensuring we can continually grow in all aspects of the at-sea operations that are necessary to keep this region secure.”

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.

From Lt. Cmdr. Josh Martin, Commander, Submarine Development Squadron 5

Commander, Submarine Development Squadron (DEVRON) 5, held a change of command ceremony on Naval Base Kitsap – Bangor on June 30.

Capt. Keith Floyd from Rocky Mount, North Carolina, relieved Capt. Gary Montalvo, from Santurce, Puerto Rico, as commander during a ceremony held on the newly constructed Olympic Pier – the new home of Seawolf-class fast-attack submarines.

Rear Adm. Robert Gaucher, Director of Strategic Integration in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, officiated the ceremony. He praised Montalvo’s leadership and dedication to the DEVRON mission areas.

“DEVRON FIVE is a unique squadron. It brings with it an entirely different portfolio than any other squadron in the Submarine Force. Captain Gary Montalvo has had a phenomenal tour leading DEVRON FIVE, as well as leading in the community,” said Gaucher.

“Looking to the future, I welcome Commodore Keith Floyd and his family to DEVRON FIVE. I am excited to follow your successes in the years to come. His experience as a former commanding officer of USS Jimmy Carter will prove invaluable as he continues to advance our Navy’s undersea combat portfolio through advanced research and development in the areas of special warfare, mine warfare, and undersea tactical reconnaissance.”

After assuming command of DEVRON 5 May 21, 2021, Montalvo led the squadron through many significant projects including the completion of the Olympic Pier extension, which shifted the homeport for the Seawolf-class fast-attack submarines to Naval Base Kitsap – Bangor in late 2022; and overseeing the transition of Unmanned Undersea Vehicle Squadron (UUVRON) 1 from a DEVRON detachment to a submarine force major command.

His guidance and foresight led to USS Jimmy Carter (SSN 23) returning to operational capability and USS Seawolf (SSN 21) completing two deployments in the U.S. 3rd and 7th Fleet areas of operations.

His tour culminated with the establishment of a new command in Detachment Bravo – a new unit responsible for research, development, test and evaluation to conduct reconnaissance and battle space preparations using advanced technology.

“Serving as commodore has been my most rewarding tour of duty to date. From the completion of the Olympic Pier, to all of the successful missions of our detachments and submarines, the DEVRON team professionally answered our nation’s call day in and day out,” said Montalvo. “My most rewarding experience was the honor of working alongside each and every one of you. You are the epitome of ‘undersea dominance,’ and I look forward to seeing your future successes.”

Montalvo’s next assignment will be in Washington, D.C., in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations.

Incoming commander Floyd expressed his enthusiasm in taking the helm of DESRON 5.

“I’m excited to be back in the DEVRON family,” said Floyd. “I am humbled by the opportunity to serve as commodore and to work alongside this elite team of submarine professionals.”

Floyd comes from Washington, D.C., where he served as a strategic and program analyst in the Office of the Secretary of Defense Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation.

DEVRON 5 conducts cooperative programs with civilian scientific and academic institutions in pursuit of national science objectives and is responsible within the Navy’s submarine force for tactical development, including unmanned undersea vehicles and naval special warfare.

Maintaining positive relationships and strengthening ties with host nations is an essential part of any deployed naval vessel’s mission. Sailors assigned to the world’s largest aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) volunteered their time at a community relations event at Park-šuma Marjan in Split, Croatia, June 28, 2023, in support of this mission.

Thirty-two Sailors participated in the park clean-up event, arranged by Gerald R. Ford’s command religious ministries department (CRMD). As part of the volunteer event, the group removed branches and debris, clearing the way on the Put Babe Marte (Path of the Grandmother Marta) trail.

“A primary concern for the managers of Park-šuma Marjan is forest fires,” said Lt. Benjamin Pitre, CRMD’s division officer and one of Gerald R. Ford’s chaplains. “A recent survey counted the presence of several hundred species of plant life, and the park’s managers wish to maintain and expand that number. Our efforts helped to minimize the destructive effect that fires might have on the park’s plant life.”

Often referred to as the “lungs of the city” due to the hundreds of species of plant life, Park-šuma Marjan is also home to an array of historic monuments and cultural institutions.

Projects like this help the command to form strong bonds with the communities that Gerald R. Ford visits.

“Community relations projects provide an opportunity for American Sailors to interact personally with the citizens, both civilian and military, of our allies. Sometimes, we are able to provide a service to the local community of our host nation, and other times, our presence allows for a sharing of culture,” said Pitre. “In either case, both groups learn about the other first-hand, thereby producing personal, cultural, and national bonds that reach beyond international military objectives. Forming these bonds through shared experiences instills in both nations a true allied spirit and friendship.”

Sailors are eager to volunteer at any port Gerald R. Ford pulls into. To date, CRMD has arranged community relations events in each foreign port Gerald R. Ford has visited. Pitre says that Gerald R. Ford Sailors will have more volunteer opportunities to look forward to in future port calls.

“On this deployment, we’ve had 60-90 Sailors in total sign up at each port call,” said Pitre. “Community relations are an integral part of the larger mission for Ford’s deployment.”

The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (GRFCSG) is conducting a scheduled deployment in support of interoperability and maritime security. The GRFCSG provides and inherently flexible naval force capable of deploying across combatant commands to meet emerging missions, deter potential adversaries, reassure allies and partners, enhance security and guarantee the free flow of global commerce. In total, the GRFCSG is deployed with more than 6,000 Sailors across all platforms ready to respond globally to combatant commander tasking.

Gerald R. Ford is the U.S. Navy’s newest and most advanced aircraft carrier. As the first-in-class ship of Ford-class aircraft carriers, CVN 78 represents a generational leap in the U.S. Navy’s capacity to project power on a global scale. Ford-class aircraft carriers introduce 23 new technologies, including EMALS, AAG and Advanced Weapons Elevators. The new systems incorporated onto Ford-class ships are designed to deliver greater lethality, survivability and joint interoperability with a 20% smaller crew than a Nimitz-class carrier, paving the way forward for naval aviation.

For more information about the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), visit https://www.airlant.usff.navy.mil/cvn78/ and follow along on Facebook: @USSGeraldRFord, Instagram: @cvn78_grford, Twitter: @Warship_78, DVIDS www.dvids.net/CVN78 and LinkedIn at USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78).

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii – The Department of the Navy (DON) and Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), are inviting members of the public to attend the planning meeting for the formation of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility (RHBFSF) Community Representation Initiative July 27, 2023.

The Community Representation Initiative is being established in direct response to the feedback received from the community through the 2023 Consent Order. The expressed desire for increased involvement in activities related to RHBFSF tank closure, as well as safe drinking water in the Navy water system has led to the creation of this important initiative. Its primary objective is to enable a self-selected group of individuals to represent the interests of the community to the DON, DLA, EPA, and other participating federal, state, and local agencies.

The DON is inviting all interested individuals to participate in this planning meeting, which will focus on soliciting community inputs regarding the design and roadmap for implementing the Community Representation Initiative.

The key areas of discussion will include:

• Defining and conducting the process for member nomination and selection

• Determining the composition of the membership

• Addressing member responsibilities

The Community Representation Initiative aims to foster an interactive relationship between the DON, DLA, EPA, and community stakeholders. It will facilitate early discussions and ensure a continued flow of information between all parties involved.

The planning meeting is scheduled as follows:

Date: July 27, 2023

Time: 5 – 7 p.m.

Location: Aliamanu Middle School

3271 Salt Lake Blvd

Honolulu, HI 96818

The DON encourages community members to attend this meeting and actively contribute to the formation of the Community Representation Initiative to help shape the future decision-making processes regarding the RHBFSF.

For more information about this planning meeting or the Community Representation Initiative please contact:

Mr. Stephen Hurff, United States Navy

[email protected]

or:

Dominique Smith, USEPA R9

Red Hill EJ Community Engagement Coordinator

[email protected]

808-541-2724

For more information about Red Hill and the 2023 Consent Order, please visit the Navy Region Hawaii website https://cnrh.cnic.navy.mil/Operations-and-Management/Red-Hill/.

Details for the planning meeting are also available on the EPA’s Red Hill Public Events Calendar at: https://www.epa.gov/red-hill/red-hill-public-events-calendar.

Through the CRI, the DON, along with DLA and the EPA, will build a stronger partnership with the community, ensuring community interests are effectively represented and addressed.

Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron Ten, better known as MSRON-TEN, has the distinct mission of providing force protection for all sea craft the U.S. Navy deems high-value assets.

[QUOTE: Senior Chief Eric Varela]

“A high-value asset can be anything from a submarine to aircraft carrier to a military sealift command ship that operational commanders deem a high-value asset.”

Meet Senior Chief Eric Varela, MSRON-10’s Alpha Company Senior Enlisted Leader. Varela, along with the rest of Alpha Company, are gearing up for deployment overseas to support missions in the Horn of Africa.

[QUOTE]

“We feel like we have a good team that is coming up for this deployment, and I’m just glad to be a part of it. There’s a lot of positive attitudes, and eagerness to take over this mission.”

While deployed, Alpha Company will conduct maritime force protection across all phases of military operations by defending high value assets, critical maritime infrastructure, ports, and harbors against enemies, and when commanded, conduct offensive combat operations. To carry out this mission, they will need the authority to use their weapons, and this authorization is usually reserved only for the Navy’s officer corps. But for this all-enlisted boat crew, a qualified coxswain, can authorize gunners to use deadly force, if needed. In fact, the position of coxswain is one of the few enlisted titles that can hold this critical weapons release authority.

[QUOTE]

“We pride ourselves in that. And so once you make it to that coveted qualification of coxswain, with that position, comes a greater amount of responsibility. And the commanding officer can entrust you as somebody that has weapons release authority.”

Its a responsibility these security personnel take seriously. And so they train. And they train. And they train some more, until their tactics are sound, and every sailor is completely qualified.

[QUOTE]

“We train to the one percent. Anything from doing a man overboard exercise, to an underway gun shoot, its real-life training that we do that has has meaning to protecting a high-value asset, but also protecting your shipmate that you serve with.”

And that’s why MSRON-10 will be ready, come what may, for this deployment and the next. Because these gunners are locked and loaded, ready to keep the peace. And if needed, to win the battle.