WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Department of the Navy hosted a first-of-its-kind Climate Tabletop Exercise at Marine Barracks Washington to examine the impacts that climate change has on mission, readiness and warfighting capacity, the service said in a release. 

The DoN convened role players from the Department of Defense, federal agencies, Congress, think tanks, non-governmental organizations and the private sector to test how critical elements of the recently released DoN strategy Climate Action 2030 comes into practice.   

“As the secretary of the Navy, the commandant of the Marine Corps and the chief of naval operations have said, we are looking at the impacts of climate change because it makes us better warfighters,” said Meredith Berger, assistant secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations, and Environment. “The Navy and Marine Corps must address climate change in our readiness and operations in order to maintain every advantage to fight and win.”  

Climate Action 2030 focuses the Department of the Navy on building a climate-ready force by building climate resilience and reducing the climate threat. These factors drove the design and execution of the scenario, which was created and facilitated by war game experts at the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab. 

Set in October 2030, the scenario focused on a Navy Amphibious Ready Group and an embarked Marine Expeditionary Group preparing for an amphibious exercise with a partner nation in the Western Indo-Pacific area of responsibility. A typhoon impacts the exercise, and quickly creates cascading effects on operations. The storm came on the heels of other destructive storms which made the land and local population less resilient and more susceptible to stronger damage from ensuing mudslides, electric grid, and other key infrastructure disruptions.   

Facilitators briefed players, assigned duties and challenged them to work through some of the tough questions that the Navy and Marine Corps are facing every day. Players were broken into three interrelated groups: operational forces, installations and facilities, and higher headquarters. Each table featured a Navy flag officer and Marine Corps general officer as senior mentors.  

Key takeaways from the exercise were the importance of incorporating climate predictions and considerations into planning and resourcing. The group talked about the importance of logistics, both as a warfighting enabler, resilience vulnerability, and an area where the department can make strides to become more energy efficient and therefore a more capable fighting force. Additionally, the group discussed identifying single points of failure which may be undermined climate impacts and the need for redundancy as well as efficiency. The importance of collaborative planning in order to develop resilient partnerships in the face of a dynamic and evolving climate environment were also discussed. 

“In order to strengthen and maintain our maritime dominance, we need to strengthen and maintain our maritime partnerships,” Berger said. “Partnership is a key driver of success and diversity of perspective is the enabler. Today we had the chance to work with a variety of partners to gain their perspectives and share ours so that we can better tackle the climate crisis together.” 

The DoN released the Climate Action 2030 strategy on May 24, building on a decades-long foundation of climate action and setting the department on a course to meet national and global targets to reduce the threat of climate change. The department’s Climate Action 2030 strategy document is available for download here. 

ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Navy has awarded two contracts totaling $600 million for long-lead materials for three ships to be built by General Dynamics NASSCO in San Diego. The materials will be used to build two fleet replenishment oilers and one expeditionary sea base ship.

The Naval Sea Systems Command awarded General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Co. a $500 million contract modification for long-lead-time material in support of the seventh and eighth John Lewis-class fleet replenishment oilers T-AO 211 and 212, according to a June 28 Defense Department contract announcement. The company also was awarded a $100 million contract modification for long-lead-time material in support of Lewis B. Buller-class expeditionary sea base (ESB) 8, the sixth ship of the class.

The Lewis B. Puller class ESB is a development of the Montford Point-class mobile landing platform ship. The 784-foot-long ESB is equipped with a 52,000 square-foot flight deck that can handle H-1, H-53 and H-53 helicopters and V-22 tilt-rotor aircraft. The ship is a capable platform to support mine-countermeasures missions, special operations forces, patrol boat support and unmanned systems.

Three ESBs are serving in the fleet — USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB 3), USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4) and the USS Miguel Keith (ESB 5) — and two more, the future USNS John L. Canley and USNS Robert E. Simanek (ESB 7), are under construction.

NASSCO is scheduled to deliver later this year the lead ship of the new 742-foot-long, 49,850-ton fleet oiler class, the John Lewis (T-AO 205). Three more are under construction — the future USNS Harvey Milk (T-AO 206), the future USNS Earl Warren (T-AO 207), and the future USNS Robert F. Kennedy (T-AO 208) — and two more are under contract. The oilers each will have a fuel capacity of 157,000 barrels of oil as well as other dry stores to replenish ships at sea.

“NASSCO shipbuilders are honored to build T-AO 211, T-AO 212 and ESB 8,” Dave Carver, president of General Dynamics NASSCO, said in a release. “The NASSCO team is excited to work with our Navy partners to ensure the success of both historic programs which are critical in supporting the Navy’s forward presence.”

NASSCO said the construction of the three ships is planned for third quarter of 2023 and continue into 2027. The company sees the contracts as helpful in sustaining and growing its workforce.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Marine Corps mourns the passing of Hershel “Woody” Williams, the Corps said in a June 29 release.

Woody exemplified the warfighting spirit of all Marines — a combat-proven leader whose lifelong dedication to all service members and Gold Star families began with his heroic actions at the Battle of Iwo Jima. His legacy as a warrior and an advocate for veterans will live on among all Marines, and he will be deeply missed, the Corps said. 

Marine Corps retired Chief Warrant Officer 4 Hershel Woodrow “Woody” Williams, the last living World War II Medal of Honor recipient, passed away early on June 29. Williams was surrounded by his family at the VA Medical Center in Huntington, West Virginia.  

Born on Oct. 2, 1923, in Quiet Dell, West Virginia, Williams enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve May 26, 1943, and advanced to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 4 before his retirement in 1969 after 17 years of service. During WWII, Woody served in New Caledonia, Guadalcanal and Guam before landing in Iwo Jima where his actions earned him the Medal of Honor. 

From Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. David H. Berger and Sgt. Maj. Troy E. Black: 

“On behalf of all Marines, Sgt. Maj. Black and I are heartbroken to learn of Woody’s passing. From his actions on Iwo Jima to his lifelong service to our Gold Star Families, Woody has left an indelible mark on the legacy of our Corps. As the last of America’s “greatest generation” to receive the Medal of Honor, we will forever carry with us the memory of his selfless dedication to those who made the ultimate sacrifice to our great nation. The Marine Corps is fortunate to have many heroes, but there is only one Woody Williams. Semper Fidelis, Marine.” 

Williams is remembered through the naming of several locations throughout his native West Virginia. Most recently, on March 7, 2020, the Lewis B. Puller-class expeditionary mobile base USS Hershel Woody Williams (ESB 4) was commissioned in Norfolk, Virginia, commemorating Williams’ legacy. 

Williams’ Medal of Honor citation can be found here: https://www.usmcu.edu/Research/Marine-Corps-History-Division/Information-for-Units/Medal-of-Honor-Recipients-By-Unit/Cpl-Hershel-Woodrow-Williams/ 

PENTAGON, Virginia — Gen. David Berger, 38th commandant of the Marine Corps, signed “Marine Corps Doctrinal Publication (MCDP) 8, Information,” publishing the Corps’ newest doctrine, June 29, the Marine Corps said in a release. 

The release of MCDP 8, Information marks the establishment of the first capstone service doctrine to describe the purpose and mechanics of the Marine Corps’ seventh warfighting function, information.  

The Deputy Commandant for Information developed the publication in coordination with Doctrine Branch, Policy and Standards Division, Training and Education Command.  

“Information is key to gaining advantage in all domains, whether during kinetic actions on the battlefield or during day-to-day operations in competition,” Berger said. “It’s especially critical when our Marines need to sense and make sense of the operating environment in support of the joint force or to exploit opportunities and take action against our adversaries.” 

The purpose of MCDP 8, Information is to introduce a conceptual framework for understanding and employing the information warfighting function in addition to providing Marines with increased flexibility in their operational approaches across all phases of the competition continuum, in all warfighting domains.  

“MCDP 8, Information is written within context of Force Design 2030: threat-informed, concept-based and accountable to a campaign of learning,” said Lt. Gen. Matthew Glavy, deputy commandant for information. “To maximize the information warfighting function we must make it a component of 21st century combined arms — such that we generate, preserve, deny and project information in full integration with fire and maneuver.” 

MCDP 8, Information is comprised of four chapters describing the nature of information, the theory of information, effective use of information and institutionalizing information.  

“Any service, or service member, regardless of what their tactical implementation of information is, can apply the core concepts outlined in MCDP 8, Information,” said Eric Schaner, senior information strategy and policy analyst, Plans and Strategy, DC I. “Our intent is to increase overall understanding that information is a warfighting function that can be applied through combined arms and maneuver to support commander’s objectives.” 

JEANERETTE, La. — To help Ukraine to better protect its coastline, waterways and ports, the United States is providing the country with a range of defense articles, including 23 welded-aluminum military vessels built by Louisiana-based Metal Shark. 

Last week the Defense Department announced that six of the U.S. Navy’s new 40 PB maritime combat vessels would be sent to Ukraine as part of a $450 million security assistance package. Built by Metal Shark and delivered to the Navy in 2021 as part of a currently active defense contract for 50 vessels, these next-generation vessels feature six Mk16 weapons foundations plus a large forward foundation for stabilized, remote operated, optically guided Mk49/Mk50 weapons systems. Ballistic protection enables the 40 PB to sustain extended firefights, allowing crews to respond with overwhelming force while remaining secure and protected from hostile fire.  

At Metal Shark’s Franklin and Jeanerette, Louisiana, production facilities, production is well underway on 17 additional vessels for Ukraine, including 10 38-foot Defiant pilothouse patrol vessels, four 38-foot Defiant center console patrol vessels, and three 36-foot Fearless high-performance military interceptor vessels. Each of these vessels are proven military platforms optimized for the Ukraine mission. 

The boats are being built and delivered as part of a long-range foreign policy strategy years in the making, but recent events in Ukraine have caused an acceleration of the timelines. As a result, vessels will begin shipping immediately. 

“Metal Shark has been working closely with the U.S. Embassy in Kiev since 2019 to develop the strategy now being implemented to support Ukraine’s maritime capabilities, so it is fulfilling to see that the vessels will arrive when they are most needed,” said Henry Irizarry, Metal Shark’s vice president of International Business Development. “Metal Shark provides next-generation, proven platforms to partner nations, but most importantly, we create long term partnerships with end users to train boat crews and provide seamless technical support to assure 24/7 operational readiness.” 

Metal Shark is a diversified shipbuilder specializing in the design and construction of welded aluminum and steel vessels from 16 feet to over 300 feet for defense, law enforcement, and commercial operators. Key customers include the United States Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force, Army, foreign militaries, law enforcement agencies, fire departments, passenger vessel operators, pilot associations, towboat operators and other clients worldwide. 

WASHINGTON — Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday hosted the chief of staff of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), Adm. Ryo Sakai, in Washington, D.C., for an office visit on June 28, the CNO’s public affairs office said in a release. 

The two leaders discussed maritime security and ongoing efforts to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific.    

“The alliance between Japan and the United States is the cornerstone of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific,” said Gilday. “Our bond with Japan has never been stronger. We share a common vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific and, together, we will work tirelessly to ensure and maintain security and stability in one of the world’s most important regions. Adm. Sakai’s visit provides a great opportunity to gain his first-hand strategic insights into regional security issues as well as engage in productive discussions on how our navies can accelerate critical advances in interoperability.” 

“The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force will be celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, and our history has always been with the U.S. Navy, protecting peace and security in the Indo-Pacific Region,” said Sakai. “The importance of the U.S.-Japan alliance is growing by the day, and today Adm. Gilday and I confirmed our strong bond and will to realize our common values of peace and stability in Indo-Pacific region.” 

The meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss how Japan and the U.S. can increase readiness, deter and counter malign gray-zone activities in the Indo-Pacific, and focus on interoperability and interchangeability between the two forces. 

JMSDF and U.S. naval forces regularly operate together around the globe. This year the two navies participated in exercises such as Noble Fusion, Sea Dragon, Resilient Shield, and numerous other bilateral engagements.  

This is the first opportunity for the two leaders to meet since Sakai became JMSDF’s chief of staff in March 2022.  

WASHINGTON — Seventy-eight years after its loss during World War II, the U.S. Navy confirmed on June 25 the location of USS Samuel B. Roberts (DE 413), the Naval History and Heritage Command said June 27. 

As announced on Twitter June 24 by retired naval officer and underwater explorer Victor Vescovo, he and a team from the undersea technology company Caladan Oceanic located the destroyer escort ship more than four miles beneath the surface in the Philippine Sea. 

Vescovo tweeted, “With sonar specialist Jeremie Morizet, I piloted the submersible Limiting Factor to the wreck of the Samuel B. Roberts [DE 413]. Resting at 6,895 meters, it is now the deepest shipwreck ever located and surveyed. It was indeed the ‘destroyer escort that fought like a battleship.’” 

USS Samuel B. Roberts was the first ship named for Coxswain Samuel Booker Roberts Jr., who was killed in the Battle of Guadalcanal. Commissioned April 28, 1944, the destroyer escort was lost that same year during the Battle off Samar when it, along with several other U.S. warships, engaged Japanese forces off the Philippine coast and selflessly put itself in harm’s way to protect U.S. invasion forces in Leyte Gulf. 

“USS Samuel B. Roberts was lost in one of the most valiant actions in the history of the U.S. Navy,” said Naval History and Heritage Command Director Samuel Cox, a retired rear admiral. “The gallantry of her crew serves to inspire U.S. Navy personnel today, knowing they are entrusted with upholding the legacy and example of this ship and crew.” 

Now that USS Samuel B. Roberts has been positively identified, the wreck site is considered a Department of the Navy sunken military craft protected from unauthorized disturbance by the Sunken Military Craft Act. Violations of the act can carry penalties of up to $100,000 a day, confiscation of the vessel used to disturb the sunken military craft and liability for damages caused. Permission to disturb U.S. Navy sunken military craft for archaeological, historical, or educational purposes is sought from the Naval History and Heritage Command. There are no plans to disturb USS Samuel B. Roberts. 

“The site of the wreck marks the location of a hallowed war grave,” Cox added. “It serves to remind all Americans of the great cost born by previous generations for the freedom we should not take for granted today.” 

More than 40 years after the ship’s historic actions in WWII, the story of DE 413 and its crew’s heroism inspired another generation of Sailors serving on a ship with the same name. 

A bronze plaque commemorating the crew of DE 413 was aboard the Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided missile frigate USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58) when the ship struck an Iranian mine in the Persian Gulf April 14, 1988. The mine blew a 15-foot hole in the hull of the ship, breaking its keel. Because of the fast actions of the crew, after a five-hour effort to purge water and fight fires, the ship was saved. The captain of the vessel, Cmdr. Paul Rinn, noted that while running to their stations to save the ship, the FFG crew would touch the plaque for good luck to honor and recognize the bravery of the crew of DE 413. 

The plaque is now in the collection at the National Museum of the U.S. Navy at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, D.C. It reads: “In Memory of Those Who Have Sailed Before Us/USS Samuel B. Roberts (DE-413)/LCDR R. W. Copeland, Commanding Officer.” The remainder of the plaque includes the names of the original crew of the USS Samuel B. Roberts. 

ARLINGTON, Va. — The USS Gravely (DDG 107) returned to Naval Station Norfolk June 24, becoming the first ship of the strike group to return home. USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) followed on June 26, returning to its homeport of Naval Station Mayport, Florida.

USS Gravely participated in numerous exercises during its time in European waters, including Neptune Strike 2022, Cold Response, Operation Songwright, Dynamic Manta, Neptune Shield 2022, and Hedgehog 22 with forces from Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Turkey and the United Kingdom, according to a release.

“Exercises with our allies and partners allowed for a more cohesive alliance and fluid operations,” Cmdr. Hunter Washburn, Gravely’s commanding officer said in the release. “Operating with allies and partners is paramount to further developing our communication and operational capabilities to ensure mission readiness at a moment’s notice.”

USS Jason Dunham also operated in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility, but also spent part of its deployment perated with the U.S. 5th Fleet in the Middle East. The DDG escorted ships through the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait multiple times.

During operations in U.S. 6th Fleet, the DDG operated with Forward Deployed Naval Forces-Europe ships, the Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 and the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group.

“In the Mediterranean, Jason Dunham took part in NATO-led activity Neptune Shield 22, demonstrating NATO’s ability to integrate the high-end maritime warfare capabilities of allied aircraft carrier strike groups, amphibious ready groups and marine expeditionary units to support the defense of the alliance,” according to a release.

MANAMA, Bahrain — USS Sioux City (LCS 11) arrived at Bahrain for a scheduled port visit, June 25, marking the completion of a 10,000-mile journey while becoming the first littoral combat ship to operate in the Middle East, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Public Affairs said June 25. 

The ship and crew of 75 personnel departed Mayport, Florida, in April. While in the U.S. 5th Fleet region, Sioux City has provided maritime security presence enabling the free flow of commerce in key corridors of trade. 

“We’re thrilled to have Sioux City’s crew here helping us understand how to integrate the LCS platform into our operations, and we’re exercising every one of the ship’s support capabilities,” said Capt. Robert Francis, commander of Task Force 55. Task Force 55 oversees U.S. surface forces operating in the Middle East. 

After arriving in the Middle East in May, Sioux City operated in support of Combined Task Force (CTF) 153 and focused on maritime security and partner capacity building in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb and Gulf of Aden. CTF 153 is one of four multinational task forces organized under Combined Maritime Forces, the largest international naval partnership with 34 nations. Led by the United States, Combined Maritime Forces is headquartered in Bahrain with U.S. 5th Fleet. 

“I’m incredibly proud of our Sailors for executing every mission we’ve been tasked with,” said Cmdr. Scott Whitworth, commanding officer of USS Sioux City. “We are forging a new frontier for littoral combat ships.” 

Sioux City is deployed with an MH-60 Seahawk helicopter from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 22. 

The U.S. 5th Fleet region includes 21 countries, the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea, parts of the Indian Ocean and three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, Bab al-Mandeb and Suez Canal. 

ALLIED JOINT FORCES COMMAND NAPLES, Italy — U.S. Navy Adm. Stuart B. Munsch relieved Adm. Robert P. Burke as commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) during a change of command ceremony held onboard Joint Forces Command (JFC) Naples Headquarters in Naples, Italy, June 27, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. Sixth Fleet Public Affairs said in a release. 

U.S. Army Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), and U.S. Air Force Gen. Tod D. Wolters, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) and commander, U.S. European Command (EUCOM), served as the presiding officers of the ceremony. 

Townsend commenced the official remarks and reflected on Burke’s steadfast leadership as the commander of U.S. Africa Command’s maritime component. 

“At U.S. Africa Command, we fully appreciate how important sea lines of communication are to Western economies and to our ability to project power,” said Townsend. “It is also apparent to me that our adversaries appreciate these facts as well. Every day, they are competing with us, the United States, NATO and our other allies and partners to gain an edge in the maritime domain.” 

Townsend spoke to NAVAF’s critical role in stemming malign activities in Africa, highlighting Burke’s unwavering support to African partners to promote maritime security and stability across the continent. 

“In the face of these challenges, and arguably a more complex portfolio than Europe, Bob Burke ensured that NAVAF was always at the right place at the right time to maximize our strategic impact and provide seamless support to our allies and our partners,” said Townsend. 

Townsend noted that despite heavy operational demands and fiscal pressures, Burke didn’t just hold the line, he advanced America’s interests in Africa and every facet of the maritime domain. 

During his remarks, Townsend also welcomed the incoming commander, Munsch. 

“You have an impressive resume of operational experience, and your time at key strategic positions in the Pentagon is going to pay off for us here,” said Townsend. “I know that NAVAF has steady hands on the helm.” 

Wolters also praised Burke and his wife Barbara for 39 years of dedicated service during the ceremony. 

“Barbara, we know that you have delivered to us, one of the most spectacular commanders in the history of conflict, and we thank you so much for facilitating the extraordinary accomplishments of your husband, and we thank you so much for the sacrifices that you’ve made in the past,” said Wolters. “Bob, I am so proud of you. We’re old shipmates, I’m going to miss you. We talked a lot on the phone because there has been a lot of late night duty and the one thing that you knew about Bob Burke is that 1000 percent of the time, he was going to be ready. Bob, we wish you and Barbara the calmest of seas and the bluest of skies, as you press back to Florida and congratulations on 39 years of superior service. Well done my friend.” 

Wolters acknowledged the tremendous responsibilities that Burke managed during his tenure as commander of NAVEUR-NAVAF as well as his many NATO duties as the commander of JFC Naples, chief among them being Operation Allies Welcome and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which he called Burke’s most important task. 

“For me as the SHAPE Commander, the single human being on planet earth that is most responsible for deterring our sovereign soil and the effectiveness that we’ve been able to sustain to this point is Bob Burke,” said Wolters. 

Burke touched on his role in the current geopolitical situation in Europe, underscoring the gravity of the moment and the continued work that will be required from the NAVEUR-NAVAF team. 

“We are living through a seminal moment in trans-Atlantic security. You have been front and center for the U.S. response to that reality, playing key roles in the most fundamental recalibration of the U.S. Navy in Europe I’ve seen in 40 years of service,” said Burke. “I am so grateful for your commitment to service, teamwork, learning and innovation – all of which ensures this inspiring team of teams stands ready to fight and win should the need arise.” 

During his tenure, Burke assumed operational responsibility for naval forces and activities in a wide expanse of territory, including 93 countries from the North Pole to the Cape of Good Hope and eastward from the mid-Atlantic to the Caspian Sea. In addition to overseeing units and personnel typically assigned to Commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Central and U.S. Sixth Fleet, Burke also led multiple carrier strike groups as well as amphibious ready groups and marine expeditionary units. Burke and the NAVEUR and SIXTHFLT teams established Task Force 61 Naval Amphibious Forces Europe/2d Marine Division (TF-61/2) to synchronize Navy and Marine Corps efforts across Europe and Africa. 

Under Burke’s leadership, Naval Forces Europe enhanced interoperability with NATO allies and partners through some of the largest and most successful multinational exercises and activities, including BALTOPS, Formidable Shield, and the Project Neptune Series, Allied multi-carrier operations, and unprecedented support to NATO enhanced air policing missions. 

As the commander of Naval Forces Africa, he bolstered relations throughout the African continent, spearheading projects like Women, Peace and Security and the expeditionary sea base USS Hershel “Woody” Williams’ (ESB 4) circumnavigation of the African continent. Williams’ circumnavigation also featured the first voyage repair availability of the ESB platform in South Africa.  Additionally, NAVAF facilitated the regional Express Series exercises, Obangame in Western Africa, Cutlass in Eastern Africa and Phoenix in Northern Africa, as part of a comprehensive strategy to provide collaborative opportunities amongst African forces and international partners that addresses maritime security concerns, including interdiction operations.  

 “Together, you are maintaining an unprecedented level of activity throughout the European Command and Africa Command areas of responsibility and demonstrating that our collaborative network at sea remains the Joint Force’s asymmetric advantage,” said Burke. 

Munsch, a native of North Dakota, recently served as director for Joint Force Development, J-7, Joint Staff, Washington D.C. Other notable assignments include serving aboard USS Will Rogers (SSBN 659), USS Jefferson City (SSN 759), USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63), on the staff of Commander, Cruiser Destroyer Group 5, and USS Tucson (SSN 770). He also commanded USS Albuquerque (SSN 706) from 2002 to 2005, followed by duty in the Pentagon as the military assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defense and then as executive assistant to the Director, Submarine Warfare, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV N87). 

“In some way, this tour represents coming full circle for me. My father was in the Navy for one enlistment, but it gave him a lifetime of stories,” said Munsch. “And his favorite place to visit was always Italy, and in particular, Naples because of the people and of course because of the food.” 

 Munsch thanked Burke for his enduring contributions and outlined his goals upon assuming command as NAVEUR-NAVAF and JFC Naples. 

“I would like to thank the Burkes, you have been most gracious both professionally and personally to ease us into this transition. Thank you so much,” said Munsch. “I look forward to working with [JFC Naples and NAVEUR-NAVAF] to deter and defend, to advance our interoperability and strengthen our alliance.” 

In closing, Burke thanked Sailors and leadership for their extraordinary work and urged all hands to continue to confront emerging challenges with steadfast resolve. 

“Our two headquarters here in Naples continue to punch well above their weight. It’s what we’ve needed and what we’ll continue to rely on as our margins for error are getting thinner and two revisionist powers continue to exploit their perceived advantages,” said Burke. “Uncertainty is the new normal, leaving us with the imperative to always press the advantages that we have while staying ready for anything, from any direction, at any time.” 

For over 80 years, 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 EUCOM and AFRICOM 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.