ARLINGTON, Va. — The United States needs a larger merchant fleet, including ships available for sealift and tankers to meet the challenges of the new era of “great power competition,” particularly a conflict in the Pacific, said a senior Navy League of the United States official.

Jonathan Kaskin, who spoke July 14 during a webinar, NatSec 2020: Coronavirus and Beyond, co-sponsored by the Navy League, the Association of the United States Army and Government Matters, said the “fleet itself just needs to grow.”

Kaskin, a former Navy logistics official, said “we in the Navy League would like to … advocate for a much larger Merchant Marine in order to support the tenets of the Merchant Marine Act of 1936, which says that we should have a [merchant] fleet large enough to support not only our domestic trade but a portion of our international trade to be able to maintain our commerce at all time in peace and war. I don’t think we have adequate capability in both areas right now.”

Maritime Administrator Mark Buzby, a retired Navy admiral and former commander of Military Sealift Command (MSC), also spoke during the webinar.

“We need more ships,” Buzby said, noting that about 50 more vessels are needed for sealift; 87 U.S.-flag international-trading cargo ships (of which 60 are enrolled in MARAD’s Maritime Security Program, a stipend paid to keep ships available for sealift), available for mobilization for military use; and 99 large Jones Act ships.

Buzby said that the nation’s Merchant Mariner workforce is short about 1,800 personnel for a sustained sealift mission.

He said he prefers to have more commercial ships operating rather than Reserve ships tied up at the pier, because they would be more ready and would have trained mariners already on board and qualified.

Kaskin said that there are two ways to grow the merchant fleet, one being an expansion of the Maritime Security Program. The other is a MARAD proposal to create a Tanker Security Program “to help mitigate a shortfall of tankers required to support a war in the Pacific.”

He said only six U.S-flag international trade tankers are available for use by the military — and three of those are already leased by the Navy to support current operations.

“The requirement that U.S. Transportation Command has shown — and earlier studies have shown — that we need more than 78 tankers. Adding 10 is not going to be sufficient,” he said. “So, what we really need to do is find ways of utilizing the tankers that we have in the domestic fleet — the Jones Act [ships] — to be able to support wartime operations.”

ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Navy and supporting firefighting teams continued to battle blazes on the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard for the fourth straight day, a Navy spokesperson said.

“As of 06:00 a.m. Pacific time July 15, firefighting teams continue operations on board USS Bonhomme Richard — 63 personnel, 40 Sailors and 23 civilians have been treated for minor injuries, including heat exhaustion and smoke inhalation,” the public affairs office for commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet said in a July 15 release.

“Currently, there are no personnel hospitalized. Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 3 [HSC-3] has conducted more than 1,500 helicopter water bucket drops, which is cooling the super structure and flight deck enabling fire crews to get onboard internally to fight the fire,” the release said.

The Navy has not said what caused the fire, though numerous reports attribute it to an explosion aboard.

In a July 14 release the Navy listed the units that have assisted in the firefighting efforts in addition to HSC-3:

• USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6)
• USS Cowpens (CG 63)
• USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62)
• USS Decatur (DDG 73)
• USS Tulsa (LCS 16)
• USS Shoup (DDG 86)
• USS Rushmore (LSD 47)
• USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49)
• USS San Diego (LPD 22)
• USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72)
• USS Stethem (DDG 63)
• USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26)

Federal Fire entities:

• Marine Corps Air Station Miramar
• San Diego
• Ventura County
• Naval Air Facility El Centro

Additional Defense Department firefighting agencies:

• Camp Pendleton Fire Department
• Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Fire Department

ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Coast Guard’s Atlantic and Pacific area commanders have praised the service’s fleet of Legend-class national security cutters (NSCs) in their role as platforms for drug interdiction. 

Speaking July 14 at a webinar co-sponsored by the organization, NatSec 2020: Coronavirus and Beyond, sponsored by the Navy League of the United States, the Association of the United States Army and Government Matters, were Vice Adm. Linda L. Fagan, commander, Coast Guard Pacific Area, and Vice Adm. Steven D. Poulin, commander, Coast Guard Atlantic Area.  

The NSC “is game-changing for us in countering the narcotics flow in the eastern Pacific,” Fagan said. 

She said the interdiction of drugs at sea is especially advantageous because they are seized in large quantities before the drug supply chain can break the loads into smaller quantities. 

Speaking of the “incredible capability” of the NSCs, Poulin said, “I’ve seen that time and time again. The capacity, the technological edge that those Coast Guard cutters bring to the fight … that is an incredible platform.” 

Poulin said the Coast Guard also is looking forward to accepting delivery of the future offshore patrol cutter, 25 of which will replace the service’s medium-endurance cutters, some of which are more than 60 years old.  

NSCs are built by Huntington Ingalls in Pascagoula, Mississippi. The Coast Guard has accepted delivery of nine, with two more under construction. 

ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Navy and civilian firefighters combatting the blaze on the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard in San Diego have isolated the fires to two separate locations, the Navy said. 

In an 11 a.m. Pacific time July 14 news conference streamed on Facebook, Rear Adm. Philip Sobeck, commander of Expeditionary Strike Group 3, said that two fires remained on the ship, one forward and the other aft. 

“We have investigated the four main engineering spaces and found no major damage,” Sobeck said. “There is no threat to the fuel tanks, which [are] well-below any active fires or heat sources. The ship is stable and the structure is safe.” 

He said the firefighters are “combatting from both within and outside the ship from multiple access points.”  

He said that so far 61 personnel — 38 Sailors and 23 civilian firefighters — had been treated for minor injuries and smoke inhalation. None remained hospitalized. 

The admiral praised the MH-60S helicopter crews of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 3, who have dropped more than 1,000 large buckets full of water on the fires in the ship’s superstructure, “cooling the superstructure and flight deck, enabling fire crews to get onboard internally to fight the fire.”  

Tugs also continue to provide water streams to assist the firefighters. 

Sobeck thanked “the people of San Diego, National City, Coronado, and all the other communities in San Diego County for their continued support. For more than 48 hours brave Sailors from commands all across San Diego have been working tirelessly alongside Federal Fire San Diego to get this fire under control.” 

“I’d like to also thank our partners from state and county as well as the Coast Guard for monitoring the potential impacts to the environment,” he added. “As we continue to fight the fire, we remain cognizant of environmental concerns regarding the water and air quality.”  

“Going forward, the Navy will do a thorough investigation of the incident to include assessing the cause of the fire and damage to the ship, but right now our focus remains on putting out the fire and keeping people safe,” the admiral said.  

The fire broke out at about 8:30 a.m. Pacific time on July 12 while the Bonhomme Richard was pierside at Naval Base San Diego for a maintenance availability. About 160 Sailors of the crew of about 1,000 were on board at the time, according to the Navy, which has not officially linked the fire to a cause, though several media outlets have reported there was an explosion aboard Bonhomme Richard.

ARLINGTON, Va. — An official of the Navy League of the United States has delineated what the organization considers five key policy points for the sea services going forward in fiscal 2021. 

Sinclair Harris, a retired U.S. Navy rear admiral and current national vice president of military affairs for the Navy League, spoke in a July 13 webinar co-sponsored by the organization, NatSec 2020: Coronavirus and Beyond. It also was sponsored by the Association of the United States Army and Government Matters. 

“The Navy must — I repeat, must — maintain a position of dominance in the undersea domain,” Harris said, underscoring the need for the second Virginia-class attack submarine in fiscal 2021 (the budget only calls for one), the Columbia-class ballistic-missile sub, and other undersea platforms, manned and unmanned. “We can’t drop away from undersea dominance.” 

He said that sealift is critical for the nation’s ability to project power and influence in times of war or peace. “The [Marine Corps] commandant’s guidance is bold, innovative and creative and has to be supported going forward in order to meet the ever-evolving challenges that we see our global strategic environment.”  

Harris also stressed the need for allies and partners as an important part of the National Defense Strategy. 

He also emphasized the need for transparency in future force structure planning.  

“Transparency between the Pentagon and Congress builds trust,” he said. “And between government and industry, that allows industry to make proper plans so the industrial base can respond with what is needed. The industrial base is very fragile right now. 

Harris commented on the issue of the legislated goal of a battle force size of 355 ships.  

“We can see that when you don’t have a sufficient-sized fleet, you run the risk of over-burdening the fleet and the personnel that are operating it,” he added. “I served in the Navy 34 years. I’ve been there.”

ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Navy has selected L3 Technologies to design and build its first medium unmanned surface vehicle (MUSV). 

According to a July 13 Defense Department contract announcement, Naval Sea Systems Command has awarded to L3 Technologies Inc. of Camden, New Jersey, a $35 million fixed-price-incentive-firm-target contract for the detail design and fabrication of a prototype MUSV. 

The MUSV is envisioned as a warship in the Navy’s future family of USVs to augment the fleet with sensor capabilities. It is intended to be an autonomous vessel that will be able to operate with a strike group and be capable of being refueled at sea. 

The prototype will be used to develop technology and concepts of operation for USVs and to refine the design for production. 

This contract includes options for up to eight additional MUSVs, logistics packages, engineering support, technical data, and other direct costs, which, if exercised, will bring the cumulative value of this contract to $281 [million],” the announcement said.    

L3 is one of five companies that bid on the contract. Most of its MUSV work will be performed at Morgan City, Louisiana, and the prototype MUSV is expected to be completed by December 2022.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The chairman of the House Armed Service Committee reiterated his support for increasing construction of submarines for the U.S. Navy, as reported in the committee’s mark-up of the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act. 

“There were some concerns about some shortages in the shipbuilding budget that came out of the president; we restored that,” Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), the chairman of the committee, said in a July 13 webinar, NatSec 2020: Coronavirus and Beyond, sponsored by the Navy League of the United States, the Association of the United States Army and Government Matters. 

Smith was referring to the addition of a second Virginia-class attack submarine for fiscal 2021.  

Also speaking was Rep. Rob Wittman (R-Va.), also a member of the House committee, who said that it is important to make sure “that we are building and enhancing our undersea strike capabilities, adding the additional Virginia-class submarine, making sure we provide stability and the assurances that we are building the next two Columbia-class [ballistic-missile] submarines. Long lead-time purchase there helps maintain the industrial base, creates certainty there.” 

Wittman also emphasized sealift, “getting the Army and Marines where they need to go,” including recapitalizing the Ready Reserve Force. 

He also said the nation’s tanker fleet needs to be secured.  

Wittman also stressed the need for Congress to exercise strict oversight of the Navy’s plans to build large unmanned surface vessels. 

“Let’s make sure we get it right, how to integrate those into the fleet,” Wittman said. “As we’ve seen in other ship classes, if you build too many too quick, and they’re not quite doing what you expect them to do, you’re going to have a lot of ships that may not be useful. That has to happen at the right pace. We are going to make sure that happens the right way.” 

ARLINGTON, Va. — In what may be a first, the U.S. Navy is using water carried by helicopters to combat a shipboard fire. 

At least two MH-60S helicopters assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 3 have hoisted water in large buckets on their external hoists to assist the firefighters who are working to extinguish the blaze on the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard at Naval Base San Diego. The helicopters began their runs at 10:30 p.m. Pacific time on July 12. 

Firefighting efforts on the ship were ongoing as of 6:30 a.m. Pacific time on July 13, according to a release from commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet.  

According to a photo taken about 7 p.m Pacific Time by Civilian Mariner Denis Bondarenko and posted by the blogger CMDR Salamander, the fire had spread to the island superstructure and the ship’s mast had tilted.

At latest report, “57 personnel, both U.S. Navy Sailors and civilians, have been treated for minor injuries, including heat exhaustion and smoke inhalation,” the release said. “Of those, five remain hospitalized for observation and are currently in stable condition.” 

The civilians treated included fighters from Federal Fire San Diego Division at Naval Base San Diego.

As reported on National Public Radio, Rear Adm. Philip Sobeck, commander of Expeditionary Strike Group 3, said during a local press conference on the morning of July 13 that the ship had no ammunition on board but that he was concerned about the large amount of fuel on the ship.

“The superstructure and the upper decks continue to burn and have sustained damage,” Sobeck said. “The forward mast has collapsed, and the ship is listing. However, dewatering is in process and we’re keeping a good balance.” 

“Currently there are two firefighting teams fighting the fire aboard the ship,” Federal Fire San Diego Division Chief Rob Bondurant said in a Navy release. “Federal Fire is rotating their crews aboard the ship with U.S. Navy firefighting crews from the waterfront to fight the fire in order to find the seat of the fire and extinguish it. Also, Navy Region Southwest tugs are continuously combatting the fire from the bay.” 

The fire broke out at about 8:30 a.m. Pacific time on July 12 while the Bonhomme Richard was pierside at Naval Base San Diego for a maintenance availability. CNN and other media outlets were reporting that the blaze resulted from an explosion, but the Navy has not confirmed that information. About 160 Sailors of the crew of approximately 1,000 were on board at the time, according to the Navy. 

Two destroyers berthed nearby, the USS Fitzgerald and the USS Russell, were moved to other piers after the fire broke out. All Navy ships in port were directed to provide fire parties to assist the firefighting efforts aboard the Bonhomme Richard. 

“Today, we suffered a terrible tragedy aboard USS Bonhomme Richard when a fire broke out aboard the ship while in port San Diego,” Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday said in a release. 

“At this point, 17 Sailors and four civilians are being treated for non-life-threatening injuries at a local hospital. The remainder of the crew is accounted for. We are grateful for the quick and immediate response of local, base, and shipboard firefighters aboard USS Bonhomme Richard. Our thoughts and prayers are with our BHR Sailors, their families, and our emergency responders who continue to fight the fire. Godspeed.” 
 
Navy helicopters based at Naval Air Station North Island, California, have been used before to combat wildfires in Southern California. 

ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. State Department has approved the possible sale of 105 F-35 Lightning II strike fighters, including 42 F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing versions that Japan could deploy onboard ships to significantly expand its naval aviation capabilities.  

Under a potential $23.11 billion deal, Japan would procure 63 F-35A conventional takeoff and landing versions and 42 F-35Bs, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a July 9 release. 

The F-35B is operated off of aircraft carriers or amphibious assault ships by the U.S. Marine Corps, U.K. Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, and the Italian Navy. The F-35 is built by Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. of Fort Worth, Texas. The aircraft’s F135 engine is built by Pratt and Whitney Military Engines of East Hartford, Connecticut. 

The F-35As would replace the legacy F-4 Phantom II fighters in the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.   

In addition to the 105 aircraft, the planned procurement also would include 110 F135 engines (including five spares) as well as mission systems, logistics support, spare parts, engineering and technical support, and other services

ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. State Department has approved the possible sale of Mk54 lightweight antisubmarine torpedoes to Germany and Belgium, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in two July 9 releases. The procurement of the torpedoes, built by Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems, would be conducted as foreign military sales. 

Under a deal with an estimated value of $130 million, Germany plans to procure 64 Mk54 All-Up-Round lightweight torpedoes and 10 Mk54 conversion kits to be used with fleet exercise sections as Mk54 exercise torpedoes. Also included in the proposed sale “are torpedo containers; Recoverable Exercise Torpedoes (REXTORP) with containers; Fleet Exercise Section and fuel tanks to be used with Mk54 conversion kits; air launch accessories for fixed wing; torpedo spare parts; training, publications, support and test equipment; U.S. government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support,” the DSCA said in a release.   

The DSCA also said that Belgium requests to buy 29 All-Up-Round Mk54 Mod 0 torpedoes. Also included in the potential $33.3 deal are two Fleet Exercise Section conversion kits; torpedo support equipment, training and publications; U.S. government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support.   

Germany would arm its P-3C maritime patrol aircraft with the torpedoes. The Belgian Navy, which is phasing out its inventory of Mk46 lightweight torpedoes, would deploy the Mk54s on its fleet of NH-90 helicopters and a new generation of multi-mission frigates.