WALVIS BAY, Namibia — Lewis B. Puller-class expeditionary sea base ship USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4) and Forward Deployed Regional Maintenance Center (FDRMC) ship repair experts hosted a ship check event attended by commercial maintenance providers during a recent port visit to Walvis Bay, Namibia, Sept. 5, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa Public Affairs said Sept. 27.

Ship checks provide opportunities to meet regional maintenance providers in person and allow representatives to visit the ship ahead of potentially bidding on a maintenance contract. During the first-ever ship check for Hershel “Woody” Williams in Namibia, FDRMC representatives led the attendees around the vessel to identify areas and equipment in need of maintenance ahead of an upcoming voyage repair availability.

Following the ship check event, Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Sigonella (NAVSUP FLCSI) contracting officers and FDRMC ship repair experts and U.S. Transportation Command’s Military Sealift Command hosted a virtual industry engagement. This event educated maintenance provider representatives about the U.S. government contract solicitation process, contracting regulations and how to submit competitive solicitations to the government to perform any of the ship’s needed maintenance.

“The U.S. Navy cannot operate effectively and execute its mission overseas without the labor and expertise of commercial ship repair vendors,” said Capt. Paul Haslam, NAVSUP FLCSI chief of contracts. “Ship checks and virtual industry engagement events like those we conducted aboard HWW serve to strengthen relations with key partners like Namibia and, in general, help pave the way for future maintenance and logistics capability overseas. These events also broaden mutual understanding and improve cooperation between NAVSUP and our mission partners.”

Having the maintenance provider tour the ship at the same time as the ship check exposed them to needed work aboard Hershel “Woody” Williams. Similarly, during the virtual industry engagement, they had the opportunity to learn about the U.S. government contract solicitation process, contracting regulations and how to submit competitive solicitations to the government to perform any of the ship’s needed maintenance.

“Building relationships with regional maintenance providers is critical to ensure U.S. Navy ships receive quality and on-time maintenance during future availabilities,” said Marie Hahn, NAVSUP FLCSI Ship Repair Division director. “We haven’t done work in Namibia yet; so it was expected that commercial vendors in attendance benefited from the virtual industry engagement.”

Hershel “Woody” Williams is the first U.S. Navy vessel to be assigned to the U.S. Africa Command area of responsibility whose presence is to promote maritime security through a persistent presence in African waters in close cooperation with African partners.

MANAMA, Bahrain — A U.S. Coast Guard fast response cutter seized an estimated $85 million worth of heroin from a fishing vessel while patrolling the Gulf of Oman, Sept. 27, representing the largest illegal drug interdiction in the Middle East by international naval forces this year, Naval Forces U.S. Central Command Public Affairs said in a release. 

While operating in support of Combined Task Force 150, USCGC Charles Moulthrope (WPC 1141) seized 2,410 kilograms of heroin as the fishing vessel transited international waters. CTF 150 is one of four task forces under the Combined Maritime Forces, the world’s largest multinational naval partnership. 

The Royal Saudi Navy assumed command of CTF 150 in July during a ceremony in Manama, Bahrain, where the task force is headquartered.     

“This sizable seizure demonstrates a profound commitment among our international partners to disrupting and deterring destabilizing activity in the region,” said Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet and CMF. “I am proud of the flawless efforts by CMF, the Saudi-led CTF 150 team and the Charles Moulthrope crew.” 

Charles Moulthrope began operating in the Middle East in May 2021. Its crew of nearly 30 Coast Guardsmen includes the ship’s 24 plank owners who were the original crewmembers when the ship commissioned in January 2021. 

CMF consists of 34 member-nations whose forces operate in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Northern Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, Arabian Gulf and Indian Ocean. 

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Crowley has been awarded a contract for the operation and maintenance of six government-owned Maritime Prepositioning Force (MPF) vessels of the U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command, the company said Sept. 26.  

Crowley Government Solutions will carry out the contract, providing crewing and sustained support to enable rapid deployment of equipment and supplies as needed to aid U.S. military operations in remote regions around the world. Between deployments, the company will ensure extensive maintenance to enhance the vessel’s mission readiness.  

“Crowley is proud to continue serving the U.S. military’s logistics needs through the successful operation and maintenance of Maritime Prepositioning Force vessels,” said Shiju Zacharia, senior vice president and general manager of Crowley Government Solutions. “We are honored that the U.S. government continues to see Crowley as a high performing, reliable source and strategic partner throughout its operations and supply chain and allowing us to demonstrate our commitment to our military across the globe.”  

The term of the contract is one year with four option years. The contract carries a maximum value of $343.3 million. 

MANAMA, Bahrain — The USCGC Baranof (WPB 1318) was decommissioned during a ceremony aboard Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Sept. 26., the Coast Guard Atlantic Area said in a release, 

Vice Adm. Kevin Lunday, commander of U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area, presided over the ceremony. 

“USCGC Baranof’s exemplary service to our nation is a testament to both the Island-class platform and the crews that have manned Baranof over the past 34 years,” said Lunday. “Whether it was conducting law enforcement and search and rescue in the Caribbean, or deploying to the present-day homeport of Bahrain to support U.S. Central Command, those that have manned Baranof have continually met the needs of America.” 

Baranof was commissioned into service on May 20, 1988 at Coast Guard Base Miami Beach in Miami. The 18th of 49 Island-class patrol boats, Baranof received orders to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2002. Shortly after their arrival in Bahrain, Baranof’s crew was underway conducting maritime interdiction operations in the North Arabian Gulf. 

Baranof was replaced by the USCGC Clarence Sutphin Jr. (WPC 1147), which arrived at NSA Bahrain on Aug. 23, 2022. As part of the Coast Guard’s fast response cutter program, the service is acquiring 65 Sentinel-class fast response cutters, with six of those assigned to U.S. Coast Guard Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA).  

PATFORSWA, the Coast Guard’s largest unit outside of the United States, oversees the cutters in Bahrain. The ships are forward deployed to U.S. 5th Fleet to help ensure maritime security and stability across the Middle East. The 154-foot-long vessels feature advanced communications systems, and improved surveillance and reconnaissance equipment. 

PATFORSWA, which is operationally attached to 5th Fleet’s Commander Task Force 55, is composed of six FRCs, shoreside mission support personnel and a maritime engagement team. The unit plays a crucial role in maritime security, maritime infrastructure protection, and regional theater security cooperation. The unit also supports other U.S. Coast Guard deployable specialized forces operating throughout the Middle Eastern region.  

THE WOODLANDS, Texas — MIND Technology Inc. has completed a successful demonstration of its Sea Serpent low-cost antisubmarine warfare system as a part of the U.S. Navy’s Coastal Trident 2022 exercise, the company said Sept. 27.

For the demonstration the system was deployed from an unmanned surface vehicle and successfully executed an autonomous mission to detect a realistic underwater target. 

Sea Serpent is based on MIND’s commercially developed SeaLink seismic streamer technology which is used worldwide for seismic surveys. Sea Serpent can be used for harbor security, maritime domain awareness or ASW and provides a cost-effective, highly capable, low-power, robust and scalable solution that can be easily customized to an individual end-user’s requirements. This system also provides a rapidly deployable sub-sea intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capability from fully autonomous platforms. 

“We are incredibly pleased with this successful demonstration from our Sea Serpent ASW system,” said Rob Capps, MIND’s president and CEO. “We believe this illustrates the versatility of our technologies and our ability to adapt our existing technology to new and unique applications. The primary aim of this experiment was to demonstrate that the Sea Serpent is a viable ASW product that can be rapidly, easily, and reliably deployed from a small USV. We intend to take what we learned from this exercise to continue improving the Sea Serpent system, and we’re confident that this will represent a significant utility to the U.S. and other allied navies in the future.” 

JUNEAU, Alaska — The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Kimball crew on a routine patrol in the Bering Sea encountered a People’s Republic of China Guided Missile Cruiser, Renhai CG 101, sailing approximately 75 nautical miles north of Kiska Island, Alaska, September 19, 2022, the Coast Guard 17th District said in a Sept. 26 release. 

The Kimball crew later identified two more Chinese naval vessels and four Russian naval vessels, including a Russian Federation Navy destroyer, all in a single formation with the Renhai as a combined surface action group operating in the U.S. exclusive economic zone.  

As a result, the Kimball crew is now operating under Operation Frontier Sentinel, a 17th Coast Guard District operation designed to meet presence with presence when strategic competitors operate in and around U.S. waters. The U.S Coast Guard’s presence strengthens the international rules-based order and promotes the conduct of operations in a manner that follows international norms. While the surface action group was temporary in nature, and Kimball observed it disperse, the Kimball will continue to monitor activities in the U.S. EEZ to ensure the safety of U.S. vessels and international commerce in the area. A Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak C-130 Hercules air crew provided support to the Kimball’s Operation Frontier Sentinel activities.     

In September 2021, Coast Guard cutters deployed to the Bering Sea and North Pacific Ocean also encountered Chinese naval vessels, including a surface action group transiting approximately 50 miles off the Aleutian Island chain.  

“While the formation has operated in accordance with international rules and norms,” said Rear Adm. Nathan Moore, 17th Coast Guard District commander, “we will meet presence-with-presence to ensure there are no disruptions to U.S. interests in the maritime environment around Alaska.” 

Kimball is a 418-foot Legend-class national security cutter homeported in Honolulu. 

WASHINGTON — The Navy accepted delivery of the future USS Cooperstown (LCS 23) at the Fincantieri Marinette Marine shipyard in Marinette, Wisconsin, Sept. 20, PEO Unmanned and Small Combatants Public Affairs said in a release. 

The ship is the 12th Freedom-variant Littoral Combat Ship designed and delivered by the Lockheed Martin-led industry team. Delivery marks the official transfer of the ship from the shipbuilder to the Navy.  Following delivery, the ship will sail away for a commissioning ceremony in New York City before transiting to its homeport in Mayport, Florida. 

“Today marks a significant shipbuilding milestone in the life of the future USS Cooperstown, ‘America’s Away Team,’ an exceptional ship and the latest inductee into the Navy’s arsenal conducting operations around the globe.” said Capt. Andy Gold, PMS 501 (Littoral Combat Ships) program manager. 

LCS 23 is the second Freedom-variant ship outfitted with the combining gear correction that will allow unrestricted operations. The correction addresses a class-wide flaw that was identified as the fleet deployed these ships in greater numbers.   

The future USS Cooperstown will be the first naval ship to honor the Village of Cooperstown in Otsego County, New York. The village is located at the southern end of the historic Otsego Lake in the central region of the state. Cooperstown, New York, is the home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, which is the source of the ship’s motto, “America’s Away Team.” 

Several more Freedom variant ships are under construction at the Fincantieri Marinette Marine shipyard in Marinette, Wisconsin. The future USS Marinette (LCS 25) is scheduled for delivery in early 2023. Additional ships in various stages of construction include the future ships USS Nantucket (LCS 27), USS Beloit (LCS 29) and USS Cleveland (LCS 31). LCS 31 will be the final Freedom-variant LCS. 

The LCS class is now the second-largest surface ship class in production. The future USS Cooperstown is the fourth LCS delivered in Fiscal Year 2022, following the deliveries of the Freedom-variant USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul (LCS 21), Independence-variant USS Canberra (LCS 30), and Independence-variant USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32). 

The LCS is a fast, agile, mission-focused platform designed to operate in near-shore and open ocean environments, capable of winning against 21st-century coastal threats such as mines and swarming small craft. The ships are capable of supporting forward presence, maritime security, sea control and deterrence. 

“I look forward to seeing Cooperstown step up to the plate with her sister ships in Mayport to bring her slugging capabilities to the fleet.” Gold said. 

NAVAL STATION NORFOLK — With plank owners, former crew members and veterans of the Battle of Hué in attendance, the crew of USS Hué City (CG 66) decommissioned their ship at a Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, ceremony on Sept. 23, the ship’s public affairs office said in a release. 
 
The event comes just nine days after the ship’s 31st commissioning anniversary. Hundreds gathered to celebrate the ship’s distinguished history and military service and to honor those who sacrificed in the battle for which the ship is named. 
 
The ceremony’s presiding officer and a native of Hue, Vietnam, Rear Adm. Huan Nguyen, Naval Sea Systems Command Deputy Commander for Cyber Engineering, shared his 1968 Tet Offensive experiences and the important place USS Hué City holds in the Navy. 
 
“To me, the Hue City represents the very simple democracy and freedom and fighting spirit of all the heroes who defend and protect her,” said Nguyen. “Those values are what continue to inspire me to serve our great nation, to live a life of fidelity, courage and honor. It is the crew, former and present, that I would like to honor and thank.” 
 
“BZ to the USS Hue City, to the former and present crew. Thank you for your service and may her fighting spirit live on forever.” 
 
Current Hué City Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Thad D. Tasso, spoke of the unbreakable connection between a ship and the Sailors who serve onboard and of the life-long connections made through shared experiences and challenges. His words resonated with the audience as they bade farewell to their ship. 
 
“While the decommissioning of a ship is traditionally a somber affair, it is also an opportunity for us to celebrate our warship’s heritage and the impact she has had on our Navy,” said Tasso. 
 
Hué City was built at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Miss., and commissioned there Sept. 14, 1991. The ship is named in commemoration of the Vietnam War battle which was fought in and around the city of Hué during the 1968 Tet Offensive from Jan. 31 to March 2, 1968. During the battle, three understrength U.S. Marine battalions, consisting of fewer than 2,500 men, attacked and soundly defeated more than 10,000 entrenched enemy troops, liberating the city of Hué and handing the enemy a costly defeat. 
 
The Ticonderoga-class, guided-missile cruiser is the only U.S. Navy warship to be named in commemoration of a Vietnam War battle. 
 
Over its 31 years of service, Hué City has played an important part in the Navy’s timeless role of protecting America at sea. The ship and its crew completed several deployments, supported numerous exercises and provided important humanitarian assistance, including off the coast of New York in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. 
 
From 2002 to 2017, the ship deployed seven times in support of the Global War on Terror and Operation Enduring Freedom. The ship deployed for the final time in 2017 to support Operation Inherent Resolve. 
 
“For 31 years USS Hué City defended our nation and kept the oceans of the world free,” added Tasso. 
 
“Her crew sailed with the full knowledge of the heritage that sailed with them and in striving to remain true to it, built a legacy of success of their own. As she now takes her rightful place in our Navy’s history, I can think of no more fitting epitaph for her service than ‘she was worthy of the name she bears’.” 
 
After decommissioning, the ship is slated to be towed Oct. 31, to the Navy’s Inactive Ship’s facility in Philadelphia, where it will be in a Logistical Support Asset status. 

WASHINGTON — Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday met with the Commander of the Belgian Navy Rear Adm. Jan de Beurme at the Pentagon for an office call on Sept. 23, the CNO’s Public Affairs office said in a release.

The leaders discussed building maritime capabilities and capacity, as well as deterrence, defense and the need to continue to protect the stability and prosperity of the seas.

“Collectively, our capacity expands when we sail in company with like-minded navies around the world, and we are grateful for the continued partnership and collaboration with Belgium,” said Gilday. “We will continue to strengthen the bonds we share through increased operations, interoperability, and continued cooperation.”

Both heads of navy emphasized the need to develop high-end warfare capabilities, such as advanced mine countermeasures and ballistic-missile defense, while also leveraging enhanced capabilities and technology. The Belgian navy is currently leading a Belgian-Dutch mine countermeasures replacement program, which will supply the Belgian and Royal Netherlands navies with six new minehunter vessels each.

The U.S. Navy and Belgian navy regularly operate together around the world. In July, the Navy participated in the Bulgarian exercise Breeze alongside Allies and partners Albania, Belgium, Georgia, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Romania, Turkey and the United Kingdom. This summer the U.S. and Belgium were two of the 16 NATO Allied and partner nations that participated in exercise Baltic Operations 22, the premier maritime-focused exercise in the Baltic Region.

Beurme attended the U.S.-led 2021 International Seapower Symposium in Newport, Rhode Island, and will see Gilday again in Venice, Italy, next month for the Trans-Regional Seapower Symposium. This was their first official meeting.

Newport, R.I. — The crew of the USCGC Tahoma (WMEC 908) returned to their new homeport Sept. 19 after a 66-day patrol in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, the Coast Guard Atlantic Area said in a release.   

During the patrol, Tahoma conducted living marine resource enforcement, search and rescue, and migrant interdiction operations. 

Tahoma departed its previous homeport at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine, for the final time in July, conducting a fisheries enforcement patrol to support the sustainability of economically important fisheries and ensure the safety of the U.S. commercial fishing fleet. Over a 32-day period, Tahoma’s crew conducted 55 commercial fishing vessel boardings, identifying 34 safety violations and four violations of fisheries law.  

In August, Tahoma shifted patrol efforts to the Caribbean Sea, in response to a rise in maritime migration from Cuba, to detect, deter and intercept unsafe and illegal ventures to the United States. Tahoma intercepted and cared for 350 migrants across 27 separate cases. 

“I am very proud of Tahoma’s crew for their efforts over the past two months. The crew’s ability to transition between two very different missions is a testament to their dedication, perseverance, and devotion to duty. I am proud of the significant impact this crew made on the safety and sustainability of the North Atlantic commercial fishing industry as well as their efforts in responding to the current increase in maritime migration from Cuba,” said Cmdr. Piero Pecora, commanding officer of Tahoma. 

Tahoma is a 270-foot medium-endurance cutter homeported in Newport with 100 crewmembers. The cutter’s primary missions are counter drug operations, migrant interdiction, enforcing federal fishery laws and search and rescue in support of Coast Guard operations throughout the Western Hemisphere.