Navy

JEREMIE, Haiti (Dec. 17, 2022) U.S. Navy hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) completed its fifth and final mission stop of Continuing Promise 2022 in Jeremie, Haiti, Dec. 17, 2022.

During the 7-day mission stop, the medical team, comprised of professionals from the U.S., Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Canada, U.K. and Chile, provided medical, dental, optometry and pediatric care for 1,035 patients and filled 14,012 prescriptions at the medical site located at Wharf de Jeremie.

After completing two days of medical operations, the ship experienced an incident on the night of December 12, resulting in 19 personnel overboard. All personnel were safely recovered. Two Sailors were treated for minor injuries and made full recoveries. Leadership onboard conducted a safety standdown on December 13 to reevaluate transportation. Operations resumed on December 14, with the U.S. Coast Guard providing safe and reliable transit, via rigid-hull inflatable boats, to and from the medical site.

“No mission stop will have a greater or long-lasting impact on Continuing Promise than Jeremie,” said Capt. Bryan Carmichael, commodore of Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 4. “This mission stop in many ways was the most difficult to execute. Mother Nature and logistical challenges provided for a mishap on day three of operations. However, this team never gives up. It took some time to get the momentum running again, but by the final day of medical site operations, the mission was running smoothly on all cylinders. The great work and lessons learned in Jeremie will positively shape future Continuing Promise missions.”

With the continuation of operations, personnel at the medical site were able to positively impact the lives of over 1,000 people, to include the donation of two wheelchairs, the facilitation of a pediatric cataract surgery through a non-governmental organization (NGO), New Century International, and new physicians from Ministère de la Santé Publique et de la Population received the opportunity to perform side-by-sides with Comfort medical professionals.

Additionally, this stop allowed Hospitalman Christie Guerrier, a Haitian native, to reunite with her sister, who lives in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. They conducted patient administration and interpreted at the medical site. This was the first time Guerrier had seen her sister in five years.

The ship also conducted a distinguished visitor tour with Daniel P. Erikson, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Western Hemisphere and Ambassador Eric W. Stromayer, the Chief of Affairs/Deputy Chief of Mission at embassy Port-au-Prince to showcase ship capabilities and operational status.

During the closing ceremony on December 17, Comfort leadership met with local leaders with 26 media outlets in attendance for a gift exchange and the announcement of donations to local medical facilities. The Comfort team compiled 55 pallets of medical supplies and other non-perishable goods from the crew to donate to local NGOs to use in the area.

Since the inauguration of Continuing Promise in 2007, Comfort medical teams have treated more than 484,000 patients, which comprises over 83% of the patients treated during all Continuing Promise missions, and conducted more than 7,400 surgeries, including over 800 surgeries during the 2010 earthquake relief mission in Haiti. Comfort’s current mission is the 12th Continuing Promise mission conducted in U.S. Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet area of responsibility.

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet supports U.S. Southern Command’s joint and combined military operations by employing maritime forces in cooperative maritime security operations to maintain access, enhance interoperability, and build enduring partnerships in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American region.

Learn more about USNAVSO/4th Fleet at

https://www.facebook.com/NAVSOUS4THFLT and @NAVSOUS4THFLT

By Warren Duffie Jr., Office of Naval Research

ARLINGTON, Va.—Chief of Naval Research Rear Adm. Lorin Selby, as well as other leaders from the Office of Naval Research (ONR) and ONR Global — the command’s international arm — recently traveled to Santiago, Chile, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of ONR Global’s office in that city.

Bernadette Meehan, the U.S. Ambassador to Chile, held a special commemorative event at her official residence, which featured Chilean dignitaries, political and military leaders, academics and scientific researchers, and former ONR Global staff.

“It’s incredibly humbling to stand before you to celebrate this wonderful 20-year milestone,” said Selby. “I’m so impressed with the people of Chile, the talent of your scientific community and quality of your research.

“The problems we face today are incredibly complex, and the U.S. can no longer solve them alone,” he continued. “That’s why it’s vital to seek out like-minded partner nations and establish relationships built on trust and a spirit of collaboration — relationships like the one we have with Chile.”

The celebration was part of a week-long series of engagements related to the two-decade anniversary of the Santiago office, which is located at the U.S. Embassy. ONR Global established the office in 2002 to cultivate scientific collaboration in Chile and throughout Latin America, sponsoring research to discover and advance naval capabilities.

Over the years, grants from ONR Global Santiago have supported a wide variety of science and technology projects all over Latin America — encompassing topics such as tsunami prediction, marine biofilms, polar navigation, marine mammal research, climate and meteorological research, and robotics.

““When this scientific office was established, it was the first of its kind in Latin America,” said Meehan. “The main questions it deals with involve identifying the deepest, most impactful scientific collaboration in Chile — to look for the most important research relevant to today and another 20 years from now.

“In the United States, we don’t have a monopoly on good ideas,” she continued. “It’s important to work with global partners to recognize the next scientific breakthroughs. The relationship between the U.S., ONR Global and Chile is one of shared values, a passion for scientific experimentation, a willingness to fail and the strength to keep going. It’s truly inspiring.”

During the Chile trip, Selby also spoke at ExpoNaval 2022, an important exhibition for Latin American navies and exhibitors from the global defense industry; toured a shipyard that builds vessels for the Chilean navy; visited the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile to learn about ONR Global-funded research at that school; and helped launch a new STEM program for middle school, junior high and high school students in the region of Valparaiso.

“This anniversary demonstrates that, while technology is important, partnerships and people are equally important,” said ONR Global Commanding Officer Capt. Matt Farr. “I’m excited about the future because of the great innovation we see coming out of Chile to expand on the investments we’ve made.”

The 20th anniversary of the Santiago office expands on several other upcoming milestones highlighting the U.S.-Chile partnership. For example, next year marks the 200th anniversary of official relations between both nations, and 20 years since they established a Free Trade Agreement.

“This has been a long-standing relationship that has increased throughout the years,” said Sonia Wolff, who helped open the Santiago office in 2002 and currently serves as its associate science director. “It meets with the goals and principles of ONR Global and provides Chilean scientists with the resources to research areas they might not otherwise be able to research.”

In addition, the connections between the U.S., its Navy and Chile stretch back to 1849, when Lt. James Melville Gilliss, who helped establish the U.S. Naval Observatory, arrived in Chile with a small team of assistants to set up an observatory in Santiago.

Their goal was to measure the solar parallax — determining the distance from the Earth to the Sun by observing the Sun simultaneously from two points along a known baseline on approximately the same longitude; in this case, the line between Washington, D.C., and Santiago.

Over the course of three years, Gilliss’ team would accomplish far more than these astronomical observations: collections of flora and fauna sent back to the U.S. became an early addition to the young Smithsonian Institution, seeds of various trees and crops were exchanged between the two countries, and equipment used during the expedition would form the nucleus of Chile’s first modern observatory.

Warren Duffie Jr. is a contractor for ONR Corporate Strategic Communications.

ADRIATIC SEA – Italian civilian and military leadership embarked the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) with Vice Adm. Tom Ishee, commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet, deputy commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe – Naval Forces Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) to strengthen U.S. and Italian relations, discuss further opportunities for integrated training and operations in support of maritime security, and to deter adversaries and defend the NATO alliance if called upon, Dec. 15.

“The George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group has been working with the Italian Navy since they started training in 2021 for their deployment,” said Ishee. “The integration of ITS Caio Duilio, ITS Carabiniere, and ITS Andrea Doria into their team, as well as their work with ITS Cavour during recent multi-carrier operations highlights the importance and value of not just interoperability, but interchangeability, among NATO allies and partners.”

ITS Andrea Doria (D 553) is currently operating within the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group and is executing warfare commander duties as assigned.

“The U.S. Navy and Italian Navy have an incredibly strong relationship and partnership, and integrating into one another’s strike groups is a prime example of this,” said Italian Navy Vice Adm. Aurelio De Carolis, Commander in Chief, Naval Fleet. “We look forward to continuing to work closely with our American Allies.”

The strength of the U.S. and Italian relationship reflects the historically strong relationships between NATO allies, which has only grown stronger in recent months.

“Within our team, we frequently speak about the importance of gaining experience, perspective, and wisdom from our partners, as well as the importance of building genuine relationships,” said Rear Admiral Dennis Velez, commander, CSG-10, George H.W. Bush CSG.

“It’s clear to me that within our current operating area, there is a significant warfighting capability and capacity advantage that comes from the way we operate with our partners and allies by comparison to others operating independently. We demonstrated it during recent multi-carrier operations with the Italian carrier Cavour and the French carrier Charles de Gaulle recently in the Ionian Sea. In my 31 years in the Navy, I’ve never seen such tight, strong relationships among NATO partners at sea,” he continued.

George H.W. Bush recently completed a scheduled port call in the Naples and Campania region where they hosted local officials and key leaders for a reception to honor the U.S.-Italy relationship.

CSG-10, George H.W. Bush CSG, is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied and partner interests.

George H.W. Bush is the flagship of CSG-10, George H.W. Bush CSG. George H.W. Bush CSG is comprised of George H.W. Bush, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26, the Information Warfare Commander, and the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55).

The ships of DESRON-26 within CSG-10 are the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Nitze (DDG 94), USS Farragut (DDG 99), USS Truxtun (DDG 103), and USS Delbert D. Black (DDG 119).

The squadrons of CVW-7 embarked aboard George H.W. Bush are the “Jolly Rogers” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 103, the “Pukin Dogs” of VFA-143, the “Bluetails” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 121, the “Nightdippers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5, the “Sidewinders” of VFA-86, the “Nighthawks” of VFA-136, the “Patriots” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 140, and the “Grandmasters” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 46.

For over 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) has forged strategic relationships with allies and partners, leveraging a foundation of shared values to preserve security and stability.

Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces in the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) areas of responsibility. U.S. Sixth Fleet is permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, and employs maritime forces through the full spectrum of joint and naval operations.

OLIVE BRANCH, Miss. – The U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command’s senior enlisted leader said Americans must never fail to remember, honor and teach the next generation the value of freedom and the sacrifices made by veterans and their families to preserve freedom.

USASMDC’s Command Sgt. Maj. Finis A. Dodson spoke during his hometown’s Wreaths Across America event Saturday at Blocker Cemetery in Olive Branch, where he also laid a wreath. The cemetery, established in 1847, is the final resting place for 242 veterans.

“In the Army, we know our greatest asset is our people,” Dodson said. “Our all-volunteer Army is a credit to Americans of all races, genders and creeds; and our common commitment to the defense and love of country binds us together and unifies us. Regardless of the military branch in which our veterans have served – Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard or Space Force, generations of patriots have dedicated themselves to the defense of our country to make us stronger and more resilient as a nation.”

Dodson said many veterans have continued to serve the nation in a multitude of ways.

“Today, we say thanks to them all,” Dodson said. “We should always remember those who placed their lives on the line for our freedom, honor those service members by laying wreathes on each hero’s grave, and teach each generation the importance of showing our veterans and their families that we will not forget.”

Dodson offered a sincere thanks to everyone for coming out in support of veterans past and present. He also took time to thank the family members who supported their veterans.

“Families are the key to our success as their sacrifices and selfless service allows us to complete our daily missions and ensure readiness,” Dodson said.

Jay Nichols, City of Olive Branch communications director, said that Wreaths Across America remembers the fallen, honors those who serve and their families, and teaches the next generation the value of freedom.

Nichols said a local couple, Ed and Dianna Crumpler, traveled with the Wreaths Across America group last year to lay wreaths at numerous locations throughout the country. He said it made a huge impact on them and they then met with him and the mayor to encourage Olive Branch to have its own event at the city-owned cemetery.

“The city of Olive Branch is proud to support all veterans and our military,” Nichols said. “We found this opportunity to be a great way to show our support. It’s impossible to repay these veterans and their families completely for their service and support, but we can recognize and honor them through this Wreaths Across America event, and use the event to teach the next generation.”

Nichols said the city exceeded its goal of selling 250 wreaths by 16 wreaths.

“We put out the call that we needed our community to support our veterans resting in Blocker Cemetery, and our people answered the call,” Nichols said. “They not only answered through purchasing wreaths, but many volunteered to come out to place the wreaths on the gravesites of our fallen veterans.”