From U.S. Central Command 

Aug. 6, 2024

TAMPA, Fla. - In the past 24 hours, U.S. Central Command forces successfully destroyed one Iranian-backed Houthi uncrewed aerial vehicle and two Iranian-backed Houthi anti-ship ballistic missiles launched from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen over the Red Sea. 

These weapons presented a clear and imminent threat to U.S. and coalition forces, and merchant vessels in the region. This reckless and dangerous behavior by Iranian-backed Houthis continues to threaten regional stability and security. 

Aug. 5, 2024

TAMPA, Fla. - In the past 24 hours, U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) forces successfully destroyed three Iranian-backed Houthi uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) launched from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen over the Gulf of Aden. 

Additionally, USCENTCOM forces successfully destroyed one Iranian-backed Houthi UAS in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen. 

Separately, USCENTCOM forces successfully destroyed one Houthi uncrewed surface vessel (USV), one Houthi uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) and one Houthi anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) in the Red Sea. 

These weapons presented a clear and imminent threat to U.S. and coalition forces, and merchant vessels in the region. This reckless and dangerous behavior by Iranian-backed Houthis continues to threaten regional stability and security. 

06 August 2024 

From Grady T. Fontana 

JINHAE, South Korea — Soldiers with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Aviation Regiment, 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade (2-2 CAB) conducted deck landings with U.S. Army UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters aboard Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship USNS Sacagawea (T-AKE 2), July 30-31, 2024. 

The aircraft crews from Assault Helicopter Battalion 2-2 CAB practiced single-spot deck landings aboard USNS Sacagawea, off the coast of Jinhae, South Korea, to certify nine crew members and 13 pilots in landing on a ship. 

The DLQs were conducted through coordination between Military Sealift Command Office-Korea, USNS Sacagawea, and crews from Assault Helicopter Battalion 2-2 CAB to qualify or reset their crew on single-spot DLQ currency. 
 
The training environment was also an opportunity for Army aircrews to ensure maritime air movement capability and readiness. 
 
“Combining the expertise of professional civilian mariners aboard USNS Sacagawea, and the joint efforts between U.S. Army’s 2-2 CAB and MSCO-Korea personnel, this evolution provided a valuable opportunity to enhance interoperability between all involved,” said Cmdr. Patrick J. Moore, commanding officer, MSCO-Korea. “Overall, there was great collaboration between MSCO-K, USNS Sacagawea, and the soldiers of 2-2 CAB.” 
 
The event was executed safely and without incident. 

Commander, Military Sealift Command Far East ensures approximately 50 ships in the Indo-Pacific Region, are manned, trained and equipped to deliver essential supplies, fuel, cargo, and equipment to warfighters, both at sea and on shore. 
 
Celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2024, MSC exists to support the joint warfighter across the full spectrum of military operations, with a workforce that includes approximately 6,000 Civil Service Mariners and 1,100 contract mariners, supported by 1,500 shore staff and 1,400 active duty and Reserve military personnel. 

From KBR, Aug. 5, 2024 

KBR (NYSE: KBR) announced it has been awarded an estimated $153 million cost plus fixed fee recompete contract to support Naval Test Wings Atlantic and Pacific Aircrew Services over a five-year period. The work will be performed primarily at Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River, Maryland, but also at NAS Pt. Mugu, California, and NAS China Lake, California. 

Under the terms of the contract, KBR will provide aircrew services, engineering technical services, independent analysis and technical support to the Naval Test Wing air vehicles test mission. This unit includes seven developmental test squadrons, their platform coordination offices and local commands, including the United States Naval Test Pilot School. Services under the contract include application of knowledge and expertise in the fields of test and evaluation, air vehicle operation and ground operations. 

“KBR builds upon our more than forty-five years of aircrew services and flight test support to the U.S. Navy,” said Byron Bright, President of Government Solutions U.S. “This strategic win solidifies KBR’s commitment to bring unmatched capability and expertise to naval aviation.” 

Undersea Warfare Systems Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2019-2029F 

By Type (Weapon Systems, Communication and Surveillance Systems, Sensors and Computation Systems, Countermeasure Systems and Payload, Unmanned Underwater Vehicles), By Mode of Operation (Manned Operations, Autonomous Operations, Remotely Operations), By Application (Combat, C4ISR, Others), By Region, Competition, 2019-2029F 

KBR operates one of the most extensive independent flight test organizations in the United States, both in scale and capabilities. The company has the unique ability to provide Test Pilot School graduates with developmental test experience to enhance aircrew services and flight test support within the Department of Defense. 

From General Dynamics Electric Boat 

GROTON, Conn. (Aug. 5, 2024) – General Dynamics Electric Boat, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), announced today it has been awarded a $1.3 billion undefinitized contract modification allowing Electric Boat to purchase long lead time materials for Virginia Class Block VI submarines as detailed in the U.S. Department of Defense contract award.   

“This contract modification sends a crucial demand signal, enabling our suppliers to invest in the capacity and materials needed to increase production volume,” said Kevin Graney, president of General Dynamics Electric Boat. “Consistent funding for the supply base is essential to achieve the high-rate production the Navy requires of the entire submarine enterprise.” 

Virginia-class submarines are designed from the keel up for the full range of 21st-century mission requirements, including anti-submarine and surface ship warfare and special operations support. General Dynamics Electric Boat is the prime contractor and lead design yard for the Virginia class and constructs them in a teaming arrangement with HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia. 

General Dynamics Electric Boat designs, builds, repairs and modernizes nuclear submarines for the U.S. Navy. Headquartered in Groton, Connecticut, it employs more than 23,000 people. More information about General Dynamics Electric Boat is available at www.gdeb.com. 

  

  

  

From Austal USA, Aug. 5, 2024 

MOBILE, Ala. – Austal USA has successfully launched future USS Pierre (LCS 38), the last ship of the Navy’s Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program. Following launch, Austal USA’s test and activation team will spend the next several months preparing her for sea trials later this year. 

This is the 23rd LCS launched at Austal USA using the modern, safe and efficient multi-step method of rolling the ship onto a moored deck barge and then transferring the ship from the barge to a floating dry dock.  The dry dock is submerged enabling the ship to float for the first time and then removed from the dry dock and moored pier side to get ready for engine light-off and trials. 

“Meeting this ship milestone in such a safe and timely manner demonstrates how well our Austal USA launch team, transporter operators and tug pilots have learned to work together over the last 13 years, seamlessly executing this technical launch process,” stated Austal USA Vice President of New Construction, Dave Growden. “Our industry teams work methodically alongside our Navy partners to improve this innovative process with each launch evolution, guaranteeing the Navy a quality product delivered on time and on budget.” 

Pierre, christened in May, is the Navy’s 19th and final Independence-variant LCS, and will be deployed to the Pacific fleet area of responsibility supporting forward presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence. She is the second U.S. Navy ship launched at Austal USA this year. 

From U.S. Central Command 

Aug 3, 2024 
 

TAMPA, Fla. – In the past 24 hours U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) forces successfully destroyed one Iranian-backed Houthi land attack cruise missile (LACM) in Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen. 

It was determined the LACM presented an imminent threat to U.S. and coalition forces, and merchant vessels in the region. These actions were taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure. 

From U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area, Aug. 2, 2024 

KEY WEST, Fla. — The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Thetis (WMEC 910) returned to their home port in Key West, Friday, following a 75-day migrant interdiction patrol in the Windward Passage and South Florida Straits. 

Thetis’ crew deployed in support of Homeland Security Task Force – Southeast and Operation Vigilant Sentry while patrolling in the Seventh Coast Guard District’s area of operations. Crew members carried out maritime safety and security operations aimed at safeguarding lives at sea and upholding U.S. maritime regulations. 

During two separate interdictions made by Thetis crew members and Coast Guard Station Key West personnel, 44 Cuban migrants were interdicted while attempting to reach the U.S. unlawfully by sea. 

In addition, Thetis crew members cared for and repatriated 197 Haitian migrants after they were transferred aboard from Coast Guard Cutter Valiant (WMEC 621). 

Thetis also embarked two suspected drug smugglers and seized contraband after a transfer with Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Tezanos (WPC 1118). 

While deployed, Thetis crew members had the opportunity to work with the Haitian Coast Guard, providing assessments of their vessels and capabilities. The collaboration served to strengthen an important regional partnership with the Caribbean nation. 

During a port-of-call in Puerta Plata, Dominican Republic, crew members volunteered to help the Fundación Casa Niños Felices, a local orphanage for Dominican children. Thetis crew members assembled fitness and sports equipment for the children, which upgraded the orphanage’s recreational facility and created a long-lasting positive impact. 

“This patrol was filled with diverse operations that highlighted the importance of the U.S. Coast Guard operating in the Windward Pass and South Florida Straits,” said Cmdr. Gavin Garcia, commanding officer of Thetis. “I could not be more pleased with the performance of the men and women on board and their ability to overcome adversity, resulting in a resoundingly successful patrol.” 

Thetis is a 270-foot, Famous-class medium endurance cutter with a crew of 100. The cutter’s primary missions are counter-narcotics and migrant interdiction operations, living marine resources protection, and search and rescue in support of U.S. Coast Guard operations throughout the Western Hemisphere. 

For information on how to join the U.S. Coast Guard, visit GoCoastGuard.com to learn about active duty, reserve, officer, and enlisted opportunities. Information on how to apply to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy can be found here.  

The Maritime Administration has a good story to tell, and Ann Phillips, the retired Navy admiral who runs MARAD, is seeking new ways to tell it.

“Not enough people know enough about the maritime ministry, and they don’t know what opportunities are there for them,” she said in an interview with Seapower at the Department of Transportation headquarters in Washington, D.C. “It’s good paying jobs, good paying union jobs, good paying jobs with a career advancement opportunity.”

MARAD, established in 1950, is the DOT agency responsible for the nation’s waterborne transportation system, including supporting the technical aspects of ships and shipping, port and vessel operations and national security-related maritime transportation. It maintains a fleet of cargo ships in reserve to provide sealift surge capability in wartime and in case of national emergencies. Phillips was sworn in as administrator on May 16, 2022, after serving nearly 31 years in the U.S. Navy as a surface warfare officer.

Like its military brethren, the maritime industry faces challenges, such as an aging ships in the Ready Reserve Force (part of the wartime surge capability) and a shortage of Mariners. A few years ago, MARAD faced a shortage of an estimated 1,800 Mariners to be able to activate the full Ready Reserve Force for six months, such as might be required in wartime.

“And along came COVID, which made it worse for sure,” Phillips said. “People left because they weren’t guaranteed replacements. They left because they were stuck overseas. They left because they didn’t want to get COVID or they didn’t want to get involved in all the challenges of operating under those circumstances.”

Things are looking brighter. Enrollment is trending up at the MARAD-funded and owned Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York, as well as the six state academies in California, Michigan, Maine, Massachusetts, New York and Texas.

MARAD has a Student Incentive Program for the state academies, and Congress authorized doubling the incentive to $64,000 over four years, which mostly covers student expenses. Upon graduation, officers become part of the Navy’s Strategic Sealift Officer Force, according to a description of the program published by the California State University Maritime Academy.

“This year we completely filled up all the slots for the Student Incentive Program for the first time in forever,” Phillips said. There was a question as to whether upping the funding would matter, but “it would appear the answer is yes, it will make a difference,” Phillips said with a laugh.

The academy at Kings Point has also been working hard on recruiting, she said, and has 300 students coming into the new freshman class, up from recent years.

“They have to get through the very arduous and rigorous curriculum at Kings Point. But, that’s a success,” Phillips said.

Improvements

MARAD has made several improvements lately to continue to attract and retain recruits, both in terms of hardware and policy and standards.

It has developed a program to designate some qualified training entities as Centers of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education, a voluntary program intended to improve and support the workforce. As of earlier this year, 32 centers have been designated, including colleges and other facilities in 17 states and Guam.

“It’s not just credentialing Mariners, it’s also workforce development for maritime more broadly,” Phillips said. The designation gives the centers “bragging rights” but for the industry it helps tap into a broader set of potential industry members and provides “other opportunities to get the word about out about the maritime industry and what it can do for you.”

On the policy and standards side, MARAD has implemented EMBARC, which stands for Every Mariner Builds A Respectful Culture. The program was introduced by MARAD and the Merchant Marine Academy in December 2021. It lays out policies, programs, procedures and practices to help prevent and respond to sexual assault and harassment. The owners and operators of any vessel that embarks Merchant Marine Academy cadets on board must adopt the EMBARC standards, which include zero tolerance for sexual assault and harassment, eliminating barriers to reporting such incidents, supporting survivors, witnesses and bystanders who report incidents, among several others.

“Any vessel that is required to carry midshipmen, which is anybody receiving a payment under the maritime security program, tanker security, or cable fleet security program, plus our operators of Ready Reserve fleet vessels, all have to be a part of the program, or we may withhold their stipend, their payment,” Phillips said.

MARAD isn’t interested in withholding payments, but in ensuring the safety of Mariners at sea. Other ship operators that aren’t required to comply have been coming forward to do so, Phillips said, meaning a “vast percentage of the U.S.-flag fleet” is now EMBARC compliant.

The program was underway before she became administrator, Phillips noted, “but to be able to take it from a program to a law in a year is almost unheard of. And it has made a difference. It has made a difference. Talking to midshipmen — we have a Midshipman Advisory Council now, we were tasked to put together at Kings Point — and they talk to me about how they feel EMBARC matters and has made a difference to them. Some of them have said, I don’t know a maritime industry without EMBARC.”

EMBARC and other quality-of-life improvements MARAD is making may help in recruiting women, who are not a large part of the commercial maritime industry to date. Phillips said 8% of the U.S. industry are women but just 2% globally.

“There are not many women in the industry, broadly. And so, that’s a shortfall. Fifty percent of our country’s population, roughly, are women, and yet 8% of the industry is women. We know this from the Navy, you’ve got to get to a critical mass. And once you do, everything becomes more straightforward because the novelty is gone, right?” Phillips said. “And so, we’re not yet there in maritime, but if we want to, if we want to grow our Mariner pool [but] we’re missing half the people in the country, then well, that’s an obvious place to look. And if you want to make people feel safe at sea, that applies to everybody. That’s just not women. That’s Mariners broadly. So, all of that comes together in EMBARC.”

NSMV

There is also a strong new hardware push, namely getting MARAD’s new National Security Multi-Mission Vessels, or NSMVs, out to the training academies to replace the older National Defense Reserve Fleet ships now in use. A model of an NSMV sat in the middle of the table in the MARAD office where we spoke.

“New York has theirs. She just took off on her summer cruise yesterday morning,” Phillips said on June 11 of the ship, Empire State. “Massachusetts will be getting theirs later this summer, Patriot State, and there’s three more coming for the rest of the Maritime Academies. They are tremendous training vessels. It’s much more modern than the ships that we’ve had. Although I cast no aspersions on steam vessels or the training vessels that the academies have been using, they have all served their purpose and served their country well … but this is a state-of-the-art vessel.”

The NSMV represents more than just a shiny new ship, Phillips said, it’s also a boon to recruitment and retention. Students at all six of the state academies and the Merchant Marine Academy will have access to the ships, which can also be mobilized by the federal government if they are needed to respond to disasters or for humanitarian assistance.

“It makes a difference with young recruits,” she said. “They don’t want to see steam.” The new ships also are a way to boost quality of life, as they give cadets a flexibility their forebears didn’t have.

“I think the, the work-life balance piece matters now more than ever,” Phillips said. “And we’ve seen, when I visit our Ready Reserve fleet ships — which of course are much older — and quality of life is, of course, challenged on an older vessel. But when I ask Mariners what they want, they want connectivity. They want internet, they want Starlink [satellite communications], they want be able to get on Instagram and talk to their kids. All these things that this can do, right?” she said, pointing to the NSMV model. “All these things that can do. But they want that. They want a gym. They want good quality food.

“They just want to know you care about them.”

In addition to benefiting the training schools, the NSMV is helping bolster America’s shipbuilding industry, which suffers from a worker shortage and backed-up schedules. The NSMV ships are being built by Philly Shipyard under a firm fixed-price contract from TOTE Services LLC, the program’s vessel construction manager.

“Philly had 88 people on their rolls and now they have easily 1,400 people working on this,” Phillips said. “And we’ve been a part of that the whole way. Our small shipyard grant program helped provide them opportunities to get their very modest amounts of money to get their apprenticeship training up and running.”

The NSMV contract also enabled the shipyard to win other contracts, and now “they’ve got an order book and they’re off to the races … that’s an example of how that can be done. So, let’s keep doing it,” she said.

The Flexibility of Maritime

Merchant Marine Academy graduates also have unusual flexibility, in that they can commission with any of the military services if they choose.

“If you go to King’s Point, you … graduate with your license, either third mate or third engineer, you graduate with a Naval Reserve Commission or perhaps an active-duty commission. You can do that too. And of course, you have your degree. So, you have an engineering degree, a license, and a military commission. The world is your oyster. You can do all kinds of things with that. You’re pretty much set for the rest of your life,” Phillips said.

She recounted a story from an academy graduate whose father wanted her to go to the Naval Academy, as he was a Navy man.

“She said, no, daddy, I want to go to Kings Point, because then I can go to any of the services,” Phillips said. “And he admitted to me, yeah, she was right. In the end, she did not accept a commission, but she works for the Navy and she’s a port engineer for the Navy and handles naval vessels and using her King’s Point experience.”

Students can wait until their senior year to decide to join any of the other services.

“We’ve had Space Force commissions last year, I think two Coast Guard — lots of folks do that — but all services,” she said, noting their Merchant Marine background is still useful even if they go into another service.

“If they’re going to join the Navy with a Navy commission then they aren’t sailing U.S. flag, right? But they still come with that background. And I can tell you from personal experience, that’s a connection. … One of the ships I was on, the supply officer was a Kings Point graduate. She could stand a bridge watch any day of the week. She had no problem. All of that was learned here. She done it. She had experiential learning. It was easy for her.”

Phillips said being a Merchant Mariner is simply a good job that not enough people know about, and most people don’t understand how much of their daily goods are shipped over water.

“They don’t realize how much of their goods are moved commercially on rivers or in coastwise trade. They just don’t really think about it,” Phillips said. Also, “people don’t think of it as an industry. They don’t think of it as an industry where they can have a long-term career.”

And a flexible career at that. Phillips said during her Navy years, “when I came back from deployment, if I had duty the next day, it was like, oh, that’s nice. You got back from deployment. You’ve been gone for eight months. Don’t be late for watch. But when you’re off in the industry, you’re off. You can work six months a year. You can work nine months a year. It’s up to you. You can do it in pieces. It depends on who you’re sailing for and what your watch rotation is. But you get an excellent salary and you get excellent benefits … if you’re part of a labor union or with your company.”

That flexibility means “you can manage your life in a different way,” Phillips said. “And you can’t do that in the military.”

The Future

Asked where she would like the maritime industry to be in five years, Phillips said she’d like to see the construction of more sealift and tanker security vessels, expanded capacity at the Kings Point academy and a congressional appropriation for a grant program to help expand the work of the Centers of Excellence.

“The Center of Excellence program has a grant program authorized, but not appropriated,” Phillips said. “So, an appropriation there would help us work collaboratively across the selected centers of excellence institutions and give them the ability to build more capacity, to do more recruiting locally.”

One goal she described as aspirational would be a collaboration across all the maritime stakeholders to create an advocacy program for Merchant Mariners to “get that word out there” about the good jobs the industry can provide.

The U.S. Marine Corps has had Super Bowl ads: Why not one for the Merchant Marine?

From the July-August issue of Seapower magazine.

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Lisa Franchetti reviewed Quality of Service initiatives with Navy and shipyard leadership at HII Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Virginia, July 31, 2024. 

Last year, the Navy signed a Joint Memo “Setting a New Course for Navy Quality of Service,” to ensure Sailors have the support and resources they require. During her second visit to Newport News, Franchetti received updates on the shipyard’s major programs, infrastructure investments and QoS improvements. 

“It’s great to hear from our Sailors here in the Newport News Shipbuilding that our Quality of Service initiatives are making a difference,” said Franchetti. “I appreciate the candid conversations and hard work to remove barriers that has occurred this past year as a result of the Cross Functional Team’s efforts to work with our industry partners and other stakeholders to transform Fleet feedback into results.” 

Franchetti visited the triad of the USS Columbus (SSN 762) to get their perspective on QoS initiatives and improvements to safety and security outside of the shipyard. They also discussed a new contract incentive that has enabled HII to construct two new buildings on the pier where Engineering Overhauls of Columbus and then USS Boise (SSN 764) will take place. One building will house berthing and a galley, and the other a work center to improve the quality of life of the service members on board these submarines.  

While touring the facilities CNO was briefed on the design and planning underway for a new parking garage that will create more than 2,000 new spaces at NNS once it is complete in 2026, as well as the plans for the construction of a Carrier Refueling Overhaul Workcenter (CROW) facility, which will provide approximately 80,000 square feet of multi-use space for Sailors and HII-NNS shipyard workers. She also saw the 24/7 micro market, designed to provide Sailors with access to more quality food options. 

The trip included a tour of Huntington Hall, where renovations are currently ongoing. The updates include refurnished furniture and improvements such as upgraded televisions, kitchen equipment, and an upgraded air conditioning system in the gym, which will soon be available for 24/7 access. 

“These upgrades to our existing facilities are making Newport News a better place to work and live for our Sailors,” said Franchetti. “This is just the beginning of Quality of Service improvements, and I am committed to ensuring this work continues here – and then scales out to other Fleet concentration areas – for the next generation of Sailors.” 

Vice Admiral Scott Gray serves as the chair of the QoS Cross Functional Team that reports directly to Admiral James Kilby, Vice Chief of Naval Operations, on the CFT’s efforts to establish standards and measures for QoS and bring them to life at Newport News Shipbuilding.  

From Petty Officer 1st Class Travis Alston, 1 August 2024 

KINGS BAY, Ga. — Ohio-class guided-missile submarine USS Florida (SSGN 728) returned to Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia, following a 727- day deployment to 5th, 6th, and 7th fleet areas of operations, July 31.

Assigned to Commander, Submarine Group Ten, USS Florida departed in August 2022 and conducted five crew swaps, before returning to Kings Bay. 

“We have demonstrated the versatility of SSGN platform to operate anywhere at any time,” said Capt. Peter French, blue crew commanding officer. “We operated in several different oceans. It’s very uncommon for East Coast submarines to deploy to the west coast, but we managed to do an exceptional job completing the mission.” 
 
During their deployment, the crews conducted vital missions crucial to national security, enhancing operational capabilities and reinforcing deterrence effort, while traveling more than 60,000 nautical miles. The crews also had the opportunity to visit Greece, Guam, Diego Garcia and the United Kingdom, as part of routine port calls. 
 
“Our Sailors are the true strength for our boat and the Navy,” said Master Chief Electronics Technician Submarine, Navigation Christopher L. Martell, gold crew chief of the boat. “They consistently impress me with their unwavering dedication to the submarine force. We train and we fight as a family, and I’m excited to get the crews back home to the actual families and enjoy some much needed time off.” 
 
USS Florida entered Norfolk Naval Shipyard in July 2003 to undergo a refueling and conversion from an SSBN to an SSGN. The conversion was completed in April 2006 and is homeported in Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia. 

On May 25, 2006 the boat had a return to service ceremony at Naval Station Mayport, Florida. 

Submarine Group Ten is the nation’s preeminent provider of sea-based strategic deterrence, Tomahawk Land Attack Missile strikes, and unique submarine-based special operations capabilities. The base is home to all east coast Ohio-class submarines. 
 
For more news from Commander, Submarine Group 10, visit Commander, Submarine Group 10 (navy.mil) and http://www.facebook.com/submarinegroupten