Release from Naval Air Systems Command 

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Published: May 8, 2023 

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — The Naval Aviation Training Systems and Ranges (PMA-205) and the F/A-18 and EA-18G (PMA-265) program offices are fielding a sophisticated Live Virtual Constructive (LVC) training system that has the potential to revolutionize the way the Navy trains, leading to greater readiness and significant cost savings.  

The LVC training, commonly referred to as Link Inject-to-Live (LITL), injects high fidelity simulated air-to-air and surface-to-air targets into the F/A-18E/F and EA-18G weapon systems and is projected to save the Navy millions of dollars annually.   

“The Link Inject-to-Live trainer enhances the F/A-18 and EA-18G training capability by enabling them with the ability to train against realistic air and surface threats,” said Capt. Kevin McGee, PMA-205 program manager. “The capabilities LITL brings for both deployed and home station operations are quite impressive.”   

The training system is cost-conscious and portable. This results in extremely dynamic and complex training scenarios that can be presented to deployed aviators, while reducing the administrative burden and cost of traveling to detachment sites for red air adversary support, which also reduces fuel and maintenance costs.    

“In naval aviation, we train like we fight, and Link Inject-to-Live makes training more realistic and easier, so it’s a win all around,” said Cmdr. Sarah Abbott, PMA-265 F/A-18E/F deputy program manager. “This capability is a game changer.”   

The two program offices fielded LITL aboard aircraft carriers in support of deployed units, granting squadrons the ability to continue weapons and tactics training at sea. LITL is not limited by weather conditions and relieves squadrons from using live aircraft as adversaries while increasing sortie and training event completion.   

In 2022, LITL was used for hundreds of events and thousands of sorties, which is an increase in sortie utilization from 2021. This increase is directly related to the fleet adding LITL events due to the significant increase in training fidelity provided by the system.   

“The future use cases for LITL are really exciting,” said Chuck Terry, PMA-205 Aviation Training LVC and Strategy Department team lead. “We are currently testing connections to other platform simulators that will facilitate integrated training that will accelerate air-to-air training.”   

The LITL program has the potential to provide significant positive impacts to training, paving the way for considerable changes to training syllabi.  

Release from U.S. Naval Central Forces Command Public Affairs

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MANAMA, Bahrain — A U.S. Coast Guard fast response cutter seized more than $30 million of heroin and methamphetamine from a fishing vessel transiting the Gulf of Oman, May 8. 

Operating in support of Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, USCGC Glen Harris (WPC 1144) seized 580 kilograms of methamphetamine and 35 kilograms of heroin from a vessel transiting international waters after departing Chah Bahar, Iran. 

CTF 150 is one of four task forces that form the world’s largest multinational naval partnership, Combined Maritime Forces. Naval forces supporting CTF 150 have seized illegal drugs worth a combined estimated U.S. street value of nearly $200 million in 2023. 

Glen Harris arrived in the Middle East last year and operates from the U.S. Navy base in Bahrain where CMF is headquartered with U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and U.S. 5th Fleet. 

The fast response cutter is part of a contingent of U.S. Coast Guard ships forward-deployed to the region under Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA). PATFORSWA deploys Coast Guard personnel and ships alongside U.S. and regional naval forces throughout the Middle East. 

“The dedication and expertise of Glen Harris’s leadership and crew embody our commitment to interdict and remove illicit narcotics from the sea, denying malign actors the ability to destabilize the region,” said Capt. Eric A. Helgen, PATFORSWA’s commander. “I could not be more proud of our fast response cutter crews.” 

Currently led by the United Kingdom, CTF 150 conducts maritime security and counter-terrorism operations in the Gulf of Oman and Indian Ocean to disrupt criminal and terrorist organizations and their related illicit activities, including the movement of personnel, weapons, narcotics and charcoal. These efforts help ensure legitimate commercial shipping transits the region free from non-state threats. 

U.S. and international naval units in the Middle East seized illegal drugs totaling $1 billion in value from 2021 to 2022. 

Release from the U.S. Department of Defense 

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The Navy will commission the future USS Cooperstown (LCS 23) as the newest Independence- variant littoral combat ship (LCS) during a 10:00 a.m. EDT ceremony on Saturday, May 6, in New York City. 

The principal speaker is Joe Torre, Major League Baseball executive, former manager, and member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Additional speakers include the Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York; the Honorable Eric Adams, Mayor of New York City; the Honorable Carlos Del Toro, Secretary of the Navy; Vice Adm. John Mustin, Chief of Navy Reserve; Jane Forbes Clark, chairman of the Board, National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and Honorary Sponsor; and Chauncey McIntosh, vice president and general manager, Integrated Warfare Systems and Sensors, Lockheed Martin.  The ship’s sponsor is Mrs. Alba Tull, a business woman, philanthropist and accomplished photographer.  She is the wife of Thomas Tull who is on the Board of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.  

“I am pleased to be here in my hometown of New York City to commission the Navy’s newest littoral combat ship, USS Cooperstown,” said Del Toro. “LCS 23 honors the baseball greats, who in service of our nation, sacrificed their baseball careers for us. I have full confidence that the officers and crew of this great ship will continue to honor their legacy.” 

LCS 23 is the 12th Freedom-variant LCS, the 23rd in the class. She is the first ship to bear the name of Cooperstown, New York. Cooperstown received its name on July 25, 2015, during a ceremony at the National Baseball Hall of Fame, which is located in Cooperstown. Her name honors the 70 members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame who served in the United States Armed Forces during times of conflict, ranging from the Civil War through the Korean War. 

The LCS class consists of two variants, the Freedom and the Independence, designed and built by two industry teams. Lockheed Martin leads the Freedom-variant team, the odd-numbered hulls, in Marinette, Wis.  Austal USA leads the Independence-variant team in Mobile, Al., for LCS 6 and the subsequent even-numbered hulls. 

Littoral Combat Ships are fast, optimally-manned, mission-tailored surface combatants that operate in near-shore and open-ocean environments, winning against 21st-century coastal threats. LCS integrate with joint, combined, manned and unmanned teams to support forward-presence, maritime security, sea control and deterrence missions around the globe. 

The ceremony will be live streamed at: https://www.dvidshub.net/webcast/31424. The link becomes active approximately ten minutes prior to the event (9:50 a.m. EST). 

Media may direct queries to the Navy Office of Information at (703) 697-5342. More information on the Littoral Combat Ship Program can be found at:  https://www.navy.mil/Resources/Fact-Files/Display-FactFiles/Article/2171607/littoral-combat-ship-class-lcs/. 

Release from Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet Public Affairs 

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SAN DIEGO - U.S. Pacific Fleet began its second multi-domain unmanned capabilities exercise May 1.  

The exercise features and develops unmanned capabilities “above the sea, on the sea and below the sea.” 

 
Pacific Fleet’s Unmanned Systems Integrated Battle Problem (UxS IBP) 23.1 is a tactical warfighting rehearsal event conducted by U.S. 3rd Fleet to test and develop fleet-centric concepts and capabilities. This exercise will focus on proving the concept of unmanned systems employment to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific. Unmanned systems are vessels, aircraft, or ground vehicles that can operate in risk-prone areas to reduce the potential for loss of human life. They can be operated remotely, semi- or fully-autonomously. 

 
“We view unmanned systems as a force multiplier for traditional vessels, not a replacement,” said Capt. Dan Brown, Assistant Chief of Staff for Experimentation at 3rd Fleet. “We are optimizing the contribution of unmanned systems to overall naval strategy as an addition to the use of traditional vessels.” 

 
Unmanned systems involved in this exercise contribute to a stronger naval force, further driving capabilities in the Indo-Pacific to contest adversaries. 

 
UxS IBP 23.1 is focused on long-range fire above and below sea, surveillance and reconnaissance, command and control, and re-constituting intelligence. Some of the systems participating are the Sea Hunter and Seahawk medium displacement unmanned surface vessels, RQ-20 PUMA unmanned aircraft system, and MANTAS T-38 Devil Ray unmanned surface vehicle (USV). 

 
This exercise allows PACFLT, working closely with the Type Commanders (Naval Surface Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet; Naval Air Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet; Naval Submarine Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet; Naval Special Warfare Command), to evaluate unmanned systems and highlight areas for improvement, providing that feedback to unmanned systems programs. 

 
“Successfully integrating unmanned platforms provides our commanders with better options to fight and win in contested spaces,” said Brown. 

 
Unmanned assets expand our intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance advantage, add depth to our missile magazines, and provide additional means to keep our distributed force provisioned. The capabilities of these integrated manned and unmanned systems enhance stability in the Indo-Pacific and contribute to regional maritime security, which is vital to the interests of the United States and its allies and partners. 

Through analysis, simulation, prototyping, and demonstration, our Navy will systematically field and operate systems that possess the endurance and resilience to operate with infrequent human interaction. As a result of exercises like this, Sailors will have a high degree of confidence and skill operating alongside proven unmanned platforms at sea by the end of this decade. 

Release from the U.S. Department of Defense 

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The Navy will christen one of its newest Virginia-class fast-attack submarines, the future USS Massachusetts (SSN 798), during an 11 a.m. EST ceremony Saturday, May 6, 2023, at Huntington Ingalls Industries-Newport News Shipbuilding, in Newport News, Virginia. 

The principal speaker will be the Honorable Erik Raven, Under Secretary of the Navy. Remarks will also be provided by the Honorable Bobby Scott, U.S. Representative, Virginia’s 3rd District; Vice Adm. Scott Conn, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfighting Requirements and Capabilities (N9); and Mr. Kevin Graney, president, General Dynamics Electric Boat. 

In a time-honored Navy tradition, the submarine’s sponsor, Ms. Sheryl Sandberg, will christen the boat by breaking a bottle of sparkling wine across the bow. Sandberg is the founder and chair of the Sandberg Goldberg Bernthal Family Foundation, a nonprofit organization that works to build a more equal and resilient world through three key initiatives: LeanIn.org, OptionB.org, and the Dave Goldberg Scholarship Program. 

“The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has been influential in our nation’s culture and continues to play a prominent role in history, higher education, science, research and technology,” said Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro. “Nearly eight decades later, I am proud to see Massachusetts’ legacy continue, this time as a future attack submarine.” 

The future USS Massachusetts (SSN 798) is the ninth U.S. Navy vessel named in recognition of the state. The first USS Massachusetts was a steamer built in 1845 and acquired by the U.S. War Department in 1847 to use as a transport vessel during the Mexican-American War. Prior to SSN 798, the last USS Massachusetts (BB-59) was commissioned in 1942 as a South Dakota-class fast battleship. It spent most of its career in the Pacific, decommissioning in 1947. 

Virginia-class submarines are built to operate in the world’s littoral and deep waters while conducting anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface ship warfare; strike warfare; special operations forces support; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; irregular warfare; and mine warfare missions. Their inherent stealth, endurance, mobility, and firepower directly enable them to support five of the six maritime strategy core capabilities — sea control, power projection, forward presence, maritime security and deterrence. These capabilities allow the submarine force to contribute to regional stability and preservation of future peace while operating everywhere international law allows, so everyone else can too. 

Media may direct queries to the Navy Office of Information at (703) 697-5342. More information about the Virginia-class attack submarines is available online at https://www.navy.mil/Resources/Fact-Files/Display-FactFiles/Article/2169558/attack-submarines-ssn/. 

Release from General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems 

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General Atomics Awarded Contract from General Dynamics Electric Boat 

for Virginia-class Payload Tube Manufacturing  

SAN DIEGO – 04 May 2023 – General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) announced today that it has been awarded a contract from General Dynamics Electric Boat for manufacturing, production, and delivery of Virginia Payload Tubes (VPTs) for upcoming Virginia-class submarines. GA-EMS will prepare manufacturing and quality systems, and will build, test and ship two VPTs for use by Electric Boat and HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding in their construction of the submarines.    

“Our Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Tupelo, Mississippi offers world-class fabrication and precision machining industrial base capabilities, supported by an experienced program management team and manufacturing engineering and quality assurance experts that are critical for on-time production of large, complex submarine assemblies,” stated Scott Forney, president of GA-EMS. “We are very proud to be working with Electric Boat, as we bring demonstrated expertise in manufacturing to tight tolerances, exacting specifications, and documented first-time-quality performance to deliver these critical payload tubes that allow the Virginia-class submarines to support critical national security missions.” 

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Flag Officer Announcement

03 May 2023 

Navy Vice Adm. William J. Houston for appointment to the grade of admiral, with assignment as director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, Department of the Navy/Department of Energy, Washington, D.C.  Houston is currently serving as commander, Naval Submarine Forces; commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet; and commander, Allied Submarine Command, Norfolk, Virginia. 

Release from United States Coast Guard 

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May 4, 2023 

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Napier crew and Caribbean Corridor Strike Force agents offloaded 901 pounds (411kgs) of cocaine Wednesday in San Juan, Puerto Rico, following the interdiction of a smuggling vessel north of Puerto Rico. 

The three men apprehended in this case are Dominican Republic nationals who are facing federal prosecution in District Court of Puerto Rico for Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance Aboard a Vessel Subject to the Jurisdiction of the United States. 

The Transnational Organized Crime Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico is leading the prosecution for this case, while Special Agents supporting the Caribbean Corridor Strike Force are leading the investigation. 

During a patrol Saturday night, the aircrew of a Coast Guard maritime patrol aircraft detected a suspect go-fast vessel north of Puerto Rico. Coast Guard watch standers at Sector San Juan diverted the cutter Joseph Napier that arrived on scene in pursuit and stopped the 30-foot blue and white go-fast vessel, apprehended three men and recovered 12 bales of suspected contraband that tested positive for cocaine. 

“I’m extremely proud of our crew, especially the pursuit team, for their tactical proficiency and resiliency in stopping this drug-smuggling vessel from entering Puerto Rico,” said Lt. DeVonte Weems, Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Napier commanding officer. “It was a great team effort with seamless coordination between Coast Guard surface, aerial, and shoreside units that resulted in a successful interdiction.” 

The interdiction is the result of multi-agency efforts involving the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), the Caribbean Border Interagency Group and the Caribbean Corridor Strike Force. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF. 

Cutter Joseph Napier is a 154-foot fast response cutter that is homeported in San Juan, Puerto Rico. 

Release from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit 

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CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, UNITED STATES 

04.29.2023 

Story by Capt. Angelica White  

26th Marine Expeditionary Unit   

A small task-organized element of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), II Marine Expeditionary Force (II MEF) is deploying on short notice to United States Central Command (CENTCOM) area of operations under the direction of the Combatant Commander, May 1, 2023. 
 
The 26th MEU is entering the final stage of its pre-deployment training program in preparation for a deployment to the tri-COCOM region, including EUCOM, AFRICOM and CENTCOM. As a crisis response force, the 26th MEU is prepared to aggregate forces at a moment’s notice to support operations across the globe. 
 
The 26th MEU serves as one of the Nation’s premier crisis response forces capable of conducting amphibious operations, crisis response, and limited contingency operations, to include enabling the introduction of follow-on forces and designated special operations, in support of theater requirements of the Geographic Combatant Commander. Coupled with the BAT ARG, the 26th MEU serves as a premier stand-in force with a full complement of all-domain capabilities to operate persistently within the littorals or weapons engagement zones of an adversary. 

Release from U.S. Coast Guard 17th District 

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May 3, 2023 

KODIAK, Alaska — The Coast Guard Cutter Alex Haley and crew recently returned to its homeport of Kodiak following a successful 30-day patrol in the Bering Sea. 

Nicknamed the “Bulldog of the Bering,” the Alex Haley and crew maintained a vigilant search and rescue presence throughout the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands enforcing federal fishery laws and ensuring mariners maintained all required safety equipment.  

The Alex Haley embarked a Coast Guard MH-65 helicopter and aircrew from Air Station Kodiak for the patrol, significantly increasing the range and speed at which the cutter could respond to search and rescue cases. In early April, the aircrew responded to a medevac request for a patient in King Cove. The helicopter and aircrew navigated over 170 miles in low visibility, successfully transporting the patient to Cold Bay where they were transferred to a higher level of care. 

The Alex Haley crew sailed over 2,000 nautical miles from the Alaskan Peninsula to Adak and north of the Pribilof Islands. They also steamed west and crossed the 180th Meridian into the eastern hemisphere where they conducted a time-honored naval ceremony. 

Training and drills were performed throughout the patrol ensuring mission readiness. Crewmembers donned firefighting gear for simulated engine room fires, arranged dewatering pumps for flooding drills, and manually navigated the cutter without GPS all of which enhanced proficiency in damage control and navigation. 

“As always, I am very proud of the crew’s accomplishments,” said Cmdr. Brian Whisler, Alex Haley’s commanding officer. “They worked incredibly hard during a short 30-day patrol, completing essential qualifications, trainings, and operations.  We’re thrilled to return to our families here in Kodiak and begin preparations for the next patrol.” 

Alex Haley is a 282-foot Medium Endurance Cutter that performs search and rescue, fisheries law enforcement and vessel safety inspections across Alaska and has been home-ported in Kodiak since 1999.