Release from U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area 

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PORTSMOUTH, Va. – The crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Forward (WMEC 911) returned to their homeport in Portsmouth, Tuesday, following a 78-day deployment in the North Atlantic Ocean. 

Throughout the deployment, Forward supported the U.S. Coast Guard’s Arctic Strategy and partnered with allied nations and agencies during Operation Nanook 2023, an annual Canadian-led military exercise to strengthen maritime objectives in the high northern latitudes. 

Alongside Canadian and French forces navigating the waters of the North Atlantic Ocean, Forward’s crew performed training evolutions including towing and formation steaming, replenishment at sea, visual communications tactical signaling, and cross-deck exercises. In addition, an attached team from Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement Team Pacific conducted a boarding exercise with French Navy vessel BSAM Garonne to demonstrate at-sea capabilities and assist in enhancing partner training curriculums. 

During the deployment, Forward also completed two living marine resources enforcement patrols. The first was carried out in support of the First Coast Guard District’s living marine resources mission. The second, conducted alongside international partners, was focused on commercial fishing vessels inspections as part of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization. The NAFO fisheries patrol ensured compliance with international fishing norms while safeguarding natural resources and preserving fish stocks, all reinforcing U.S. dedication to combatting illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing. 

Forward collaborated with embarked U.S. Navy personnel from the Unmanned Undersea Vehicle Flotilla-1 team to launch their Razorback UUV. The undersea vehicle, equipped with mapping and sonar capabilities, deployed deeper than any U.S. Navy submersible and traveled to a depth of nearly 2,000 feet (600 meters). 

Members from the U.S. Navy’s Afloat Training Group Atlantic were also embarked aboard Forward to help build their service’s Arctic Vision Initiative, which will serve to inform U.S. Navy training entities of seamanship, navigation, engineering, and medical considerations necessary for operating naval vessels in the polar regions. 

Forward sailed more than 10,500 nautical miles while the crew liaised with international partners through a series of port calls. Forward visited Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, during their Natal Day celebration to observe the province’s birthday. Crew members then traveled to Nuuk, Greenland, and completed a short visit to St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada, before transiting back to the United States. 

Forward ended the deployment by hosting several Indo-Pacific heads of state who were participating in the 2023 U.S.-Pacific Island Country Summit in Baltimore, Maryland. Approximately 40 international guests joined Forward for a tour and reception ahead of the transfer of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Harriet Lane (WMEC 903) to a Pacific Ocean homeport. 

“We had the opportunity to advance objectives of the Arctic Strategy and support the IUU Fishing Strategic Outlook,” said Cmdr. Staci Rutsch, commanding officer of Forward. “Acting as true ambassadors, we represented the nation in diplomatic engagements with NATO partners, reinforcing U.S. interests and solidifying the USCG as being the partner of choice. This crew’s ability to shift to perform highly in our non-standard missions leaves me impressed and motivated every day.” 

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

Release from HII 

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PASCAGOULA, Miss., Sept. 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The first Flight III Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125) departed HII’s (NYSE: HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division Tuesday. DDG 125 will be commissioned Oct. 7, 2023 at a ceremony in Tampa, Florida, before sailing to its homeport in San Diego. 

“Watching Jack H. Lucas sail away is a proud moment for our entire DDG shipbuilding team,” Ingalls Shipbuilding DDG Program Manager Ben Barnett said. “Our shipbuilders will follow this first Flight III destroyer with honor as it joins the fleet as one of the most highly capable destroyers we have delivered.” 

Ingalls has delivered 35 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers to the U.S. Navy including the Jack H.Lucas (DDG 125), in June of this year. Additionally, Ingalls has four other Flight III destroyers currently under construction including Ted Stevens (DDG 128), Jeremiah Denton (DDG 129), George M. Neal (DDG 131) and Sam Nunn (DDG 133). 

Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyers incorporate a number of design modifications that collectively provide significantly enhanced capability. DDG 125 includes the AN/SPY-6(V)1 Air and Missile Defense Radar (AMDR) and the Aegis Baseline 10 Combat System that are designed to keep pace with the threats well into the 21st century. 

Photos accompanying this release are available at: https://hii.com/news/hii-ingalls-shipbuilding-jack-h-lucas-ddg-125-sailaway-2023. 

Arleigh Burke-class destroyers are highly capable, multi-mission ships and can conduct a variety of operations, from peacetime presence and crisis management to sea control and power projection. Guided missile destroyers are the backbone of the U.S. surface fleet and are capable of fighting multiple air, surface and subsurface threats simultaneously. 

Release from Secretary of the Navy Public Affairs 

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Sept. 26, 2023 

Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro today called for a “new maritime statecraft” to prevail in an era of intense strategic competition, during remarks at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, Sept. 26.  
 
During his speech, Secretary Del Toro stated that maritime statecraft, in a broad sense, encompasses not only naval diplomacy, but a national, whole-of-government effort to build comprehensive U.S. and allied maritime power, both commercial and naval. 

Read the Full Release Here: 

https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/Speeches/display-speeches/Article/3538420/secnav-delivers-remarks-at-harvard-kennedy-school/

Release from Northrop Grumman 

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LOS ANGELES – Sept. 25, 2023 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) announced today the U.S. Air Force has awarded the company an approximately $705 million contract to deliver the Stand-in Attack Weapon (SiAW), an air-to-ground weapon that accelerates the pivot to a new generation of air power. 

• Northrop Grumman’s SiAW leverages the company’s weapons systems design, development and production expertise to deliver on the Air Force’s digital engineering priorities and accelerate capability for the warfighter. 
• During the next 36 months, Northrop Grumman will further develop the weapon, conduct platform integration and complete the flight test program for rapid prototyping in preparation for rapid fielding. Work will be performed at the company’s Northridge, California facility and its factory of the future for missile integration at Allegany Ballistics Laboratory in West Virginia. 

Expert: 

Susan Bruce, vice president, advanced weapons, Northrop Grumman: “Northrop Grumman’s SiAW delivers on the Air Force’s desire for its first digital weapons acquisition and development program. With our expert digital engineering capabilities, this next-generation missile represents an adaptable, affordable way for the Department of Defense to buy and modernize weapons.” 

Details on SiAW and Phase 2 Development: 

SiAW is an air-to-ground weapon that will provide strike capability to defeat rapidly relocatable targets as part of an enemy’s anti-access/area denial environment. To adapt to ever-changing threats, the missile design features open architecture interfaces that will allow for rapid subsystem upgrades to field enhanced capabilities to the warfighter. 

Phase 2 development is a continuation of the Air Force requirement for this first-of-its-kind Middle Tier Acquisition large weapon program focused on digital engineering, Weapon Open System Architecture and agility. The Air Force is targeting an initial operational capability by 2026. Phase 2 consists of two primary increments: 

• Phase 2.1 concludes with a guided vehicle flight test. 
• Phase 2.2 concludes with three additional flight tests and the delivery of SiAW leave-behind prototype missiles and test assets. 

The development of SiAW is part of Northrop Grumman’s broad offerings in advanced weapons, including armaments, components, missiles, electronics and interceptors to defeat and deter threats.     

Release from the U.S. Department of Defense 

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SEPT. 26, 2023 

Today, the Department of Defense Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation released its Fiscal Year 2022 Defense Spending by State report to help states and communities better understand how Defense procurement, personnel spending and grants impact their economies.  Fiscal Year 2022 is the first year to incorporate DoD grant awards, which were reported to USAspending.gov. 

The report’s graphs, maps, and tables present a range of findings, such as total spending figures, categories of contracted goods and services, major defense vendors, numbers, and types of defense personnel, and, for the first time, grants awarded by DoD.  This snapshot provides public and private leaders with a starting place to assess how defense investments across installations, communities, and the private sector can be optimized by supporting regional innovation, industrial capability and capacity, supply chain resilience, and cultivating a skilled workforce.   

“Our industrial base is one of our greatest competitive advantages, and this report enables our state, local, and industry partners to visualize the full scope of our investments as we focus on fostering a resilient and robust defense ecosystem,” said Dr. Radha Plumb, Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment. “As we work to deliver the technologies and services our warfighters need at speed and scale, the report highlights how the Department is expanding our relationships with industries not traditionally associated with defense and serves as a tool for state and local partners to identify new partnership opportunities.” 

Defense spending fell in Fiscal Year 2022 as the federal government ramped down its response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  DoD contract obligations and payroll spending in the 50 states and the District of Columbia decreased by $10.1 billion over the prior year.  This is the result of a 2.3 percent decrease in DoD contract obligations and a 0.06 percent decrease in payroll spending.   

DoD contract obligations, payroll spending, and grant awards in the 50 states and the District of Columbia totaled $558.7 billion, which is 2.2 percent of the country’s gross domestic product.  If the total spending were divided across every U.S. resident, it would amount to $1,679 per U.S. citizen.  Of those funds, $389.5 billion (70 percent) were spent on contracts for products and services, $159.4 billion (28 percent) paid the salaries of DoD personnel, and $9.7 billion (2 percent) were awarded as grants. 

Virginia, Texas, and California topped the list of recipients for overall defense spending.  However, Virginia, Hawaii, and Connecticut ranked highest when considering defense spending relative to their respective state GDPs.   

The top ten states for total Defense spending in Fiscal Year 2022 were: 

Texas, Connecticut, and North Carolina had the largest overall increases in DoD spending from Fiscal Year 2021 to 2022.  This was driven by a large contract to Lockheed Martin in Texas, increases in contracts to General Dynamics and Raytheon in Connecticut, and a large contract with GlaxoSmithKline in North Carolina.  Two large contracts – Pfizer, Inc. in New York ($16.7 billion) and Moderna, Inc. in Massachusetts ($1.8 billion) – also remain through COVID-19 vaccine and treatment purchases by DoD, in coordination with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  Arizona replaced Washington in the top ten states with an increase of $0.3 billion in Fiscal Year 2022.   

The top ten recipients of Defense contracts in Fiscal Year 2022 were: 

Nine of the ten companies were on this list in Fiscal Year 2021.  BAE Systems replaced Moderna, Inc., which was an anomaly in 2021 due to the federal government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

According to Patrick O’Brien, the OLDCC Director, “We know state and local leaders are eager to support the resiliency of military installations and the modernization of the defense industrial base.  The contract, grant, and personnel data in this report presents governors, local officials, and other leaders with topline information to help them target their efforts.” 

This analysis primarily entailed an examination of DoD funded prime- and sub-award contract data, grant awards, and defense personnel and payroll figures drawn from an array of sources, including DoD’s Defense Manpower Data Center and USAspending.gov, which is managed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.  Fiscal Year 2022 is the first year to incorporate DoD grant awards, which were reported to USAspending.gov.  This spending includes support for the National Guard as well as Research and Development activities. 

The Fiscal Year 2022 report, as well as previous years’ reports, can be found on the OLDCC website at: https://oldcc.gov/dsbs-fy2022 

A supplemental analysis report of DoD contract, personnel, and grant spending in American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands of the United States is forthcoming. 

Release from Booz Allen Hamilton 

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August 29, 2023 

MCLEAN, Va. – Booz Allen Hamilton has opened a new Pax River Mission Systems Integration Facility (MSIF) in California, Maryland, expanding upon the firm’s specialized engineering ecosystem of resources to tackle growing client challenges across the Department of Defense (DOD). The new 20,000-square-foot, multiconfigurable facility provides a first-of-its-kind space in the region to rapidly design, develop, prototype, integrate, test, and evaluate innovative solutions that address the warfighter’s evolving and dynamic needs. 

Strategically located minutes away from the Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, and 60 miles south of Washington, DC, the MSIF will act as a hub for next-generation technology and is an extension of Booz Allen’s Lexington Park office, established in 1979, and home to more than 400 employees serving a broad spectrum of clients. 

“Our new facility is an answer and solution to the Department of Defense’s call to create and field technical capabilities at speed and scale, rapidly accelerating readiness and the deployment of new technology into the field,” said Booz Allen Global Defense Sector President Judi Dotson. “Our goal is to enable our clients to be at the forefront of meeting mission demands, with the capability and capacity to support quick-turn integration needs across all services—and the MSIF will do just that.” 

With this expansion, Booz Allen is further delivering on its goal of expanding engineering capabilities and delivering best-in-class technologies, expanding on current limitations, boosting existing capabilities, and empowering government, industry, and local partnerships, providing support to the Naval Air Systems Command and the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division in Southern Maryland and the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Dahlgren, Virginia, as well as Navy and DOD engineering clients across the firm.  

“The MSIF is an integral expansion of Southern Maryland’s ongoing contribution to the defense of our nation,” said Rep. Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD-05). “This investment from Booz Allen will help enable St. Mary’s County to be a leader in developing new technologies and furthering current capabilities for the Navy and the Department of Defense as a whole. I am proud to welcome this facility to our community.” 

The space features a high bay garage, hardware and software integration labs, an anechoic chamber, and a specialized testing lab to support design, testing and evaluation, warehousing space, and more. The facility will provide integrated engineering capabilities that are innovative, open, and secure, removing costly barriers and enabling the U.S. government full flexibility to design, develop, upgrade, and sustain weapons systems organically. 

Booz Allen is proud of its long-standing community support efforts in the region, serving causes including Christmas in April, Special Olympics, Three Oaks Homeless Shelter, and St. Mary’s Hospice, as well as environmental initiatives such as Adopt a Road and International Coastal Clean-Up.   

“Our investment in the MSIF builds upon more than 40 years in Southern Maryland with a continued commitment to regional growth and positive community impact while enabling a continuation of services to design and deploy critical solutions to meet our clients’ complex mission needs,” said Dottie Simeona, senior vice president, leading Booz Allen’s Naval Air and Naval Sea Warfare Center businesses. “We are thrilled to officially open our latest facility, which will be a critical component of our expanding engineering ecosystem and will provide a space for Booz Allen’s robust bench of on-hand mission experts to rapidly engineer, integrate, and test solutions with the synergy of emerging technology and prototyping.” 

Release from Fairbanks Morse 

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BELOIT, Wis. – September 26, 2023 – Fairbanks Morse Defense (FMD), a portfolio company of Arcline Investment Management (Arcline), is expanding its product and service capabilities through agreements with Massa Products Corporation (Massa) and Industrias Ferri S.A. (Ferri).   

Through its exclusive North American maritime defense agreement with Massa, a longstanding leader in cutting-edge design and manufacturing of sonar and ultrasonic products, Fairbanks Morse Defense expands its service capabilities with sonar transducer systems, cables, and connectors.  

“Massa Products Corporation is excited to collaborate with FMD,” said Dawn F. Massa Stancavish, President/CEO & CINO, Massa Products Corporation. “We feel that competency is our bond at a time when our Navy needs to count on the industry to deliver high-quality reliable products and services in real-time.”  

Industrias Ferri S.A. has supported maritime industry clients as a leading manufacturer of deck equipment and auxiliary machinery for over five decades. This sales and service agreement will expand the breadth of product and service offerings of Fairbanks Morse Defense by bolstering the company’s ability to provide U.S. Navy, Military Sealift Command, and U.S. Coast Guard customers with OEM equipment, parts, overhauls, and other services for accommodation ladders, gangways, and other deck machinery.  

“Ferri is dedicated to providing high-quality manufacturing and support to the maritime industry. We have developed our technical expertise for over 50 years, and we look forward to bringing this knowledge and skill to our new collaboration with Fairbanks Morse Defense,” said Patricio Fernández, CEO, Industrias Ferri S.A. 

In addition to providing support for turnkey service solutions for Fairbanks Morse Defense customers, Massa and Ferri will have access to FMD’s global network of highly trained field service technicians and the defense contractor’s strategically located service centers.  

“Massa and Ferri are highly respected leaders in their fields, and our collaborations with them increase our ability to respond quickly to our customer’s needs with the right parts, services, and maintenance so they are always mission ready,” said Jay McFadyen, Chief Commercial Officer and President of FMD Services.  

Fairbanks Morse Defense currently powers more than 80% of the Navy’s ships with medium-speed applications. The defense contractor has rapidly expanded its array of best-in-class marine technologies, OEM parts, and turnkey services for marine defense customers through expansion and the acquisitions of companies such as Ward Leonard, Hunt Valve, Maxim Watermakers, Federal Equipment Company, Research Tool & Die, and Welin Lambie. Additional exclusive product and service capability agreements can be found on the Fairbanks Morse Defense website.  

Release from HENSOLDT 

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Follow-on contract to equip Legend-class National Security Cutters 

ULM, Germany – 25 September 2023 – Sensor solutions provider HENSOLDT is equipping the US Coast Guard’s Legend-class National Security Cutter (NSC) with its proven TRS-3D multi-mode naval radar. The US Coast Guard awarded HENSOLDT a follow-on contract worth approximately $10 million to deliver a further radar in its latest ‘Baseline D’ version to be installed at the Coast Guard training center (TRACEN), Petaluma, California. Up to now, HENSOLDT has delivered 12 radars to the US Coast Guard’s NSC program. 

“With more than 50 radars in service with Coast Guards and Navies worldwide, our TRS-3D naval radar has proven itself”, HENSOLDT CEO Thomas Müller says. “We are making sure that our customers capitalize on continuous technology enhancements.” 

The TRS-3D Baseline D, with the US designation AN/SPS-75, utilizes gallium nitride (GaN) and solid-state emitter technology to deliver traditional TRS-3D robust performance while improving reliability and options for future development. HENSOLDT’s TRS-3D radars have been aboard every NSC since the program’s inception. TRS-3D is a three-dimensional, multi-mode naval radar for air and surface surveillance, target acquisition, self-defense, gunfire support and aircraft control. It automatically detects and tracks all types of air and sea targets, alleviating crew workload requirements. 

HENSOLDT has decades of experience in radar and actively drives the further development of key technologies in this field. In addition to naval and ground-based air defence radars, the company’s portfolio also includes fighter radars as well as ground surveillance and space radars. 

Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet

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From Julie Ann Ripley  

22 September 2023 

SAN DIEGO — USS Bunker Hill (CG 52), the 11th ship of the Ticonderoga class guided-missile cruiser, recognized more than 37 years of naval service during a decommissioning ceremony at Naval Base San Diego, Sept. 22. 

During the ceremony guest speaker, Bunker Hill’s second commanding officer, Vice Adm. Rodney Rempt, USN, Ret., wished the current crew fair winds and following seas as they bid farewell to their ship. 
 
Bunker Hill’s final commanding officer, Capt. Jason Rogers reflected on the service of his crew and those who came before, addressing the decommissioning of this distinguished vessel. 
 
“With great pride, I acknowledge the dedication and valor of the sailors who served aboard this ship for the past 37 years,” said Rogers. “The USS Bunker Hill’s legacy is a testament to our commitment to national security. As we lower the flag one final time, we honor the past while embracing the Navy’s future. Our sailors’ unwavering dedication and the ship’s service will never be forgotten. Today’s decommissioning ceremony, September 22, 2023, marks the end of an era, but the spirit of Bunker Hill lives on in all of us.” 
 
Capt. Rogers also retired from active service during the ceremony. Marine 1st Lt. Mathieu Rogers, assigned to 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, reflected on his father’s lifelong guidance. “You demonstrated that finding your passion and sticking to it, not giving up,” said 1st Lt. Rogers turning to his father, “is not only a rewarding thing to do, it’s the right thing to do.” 
 
Bunker Hill maintained a crew of 40 officers, 31 chiefs, and 300 enlisted Sailors. The ship was built in Pascagoula, Mississippi, by Ingalls Shipyard Company and commissioned Sept. 20, 1986, at Charlestown in Boston. It was the first U.S. surface warship to be equipped with the below-deck, advanced MK 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS), a multi-warfare missile-launching system capable of striking targets in the air, on and under the ocean surface, and on land. 
 
Bunker Hill operated in the North Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman, supporting 10 Earnest Will convoys in 1987. The ship arrived in its new homeport of Naval Base Yokosuka, Japan the following year. At the end of January 1991 the ship launched its first Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAMs), a total of 28, against targets in Iraq from its station in the North Arabian Gulf, in support of Operation Desert Storm. It also supported Operations Desert Shield. In 2008, it was one of the Coalition ships from the British-led Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 maintaining a presence off the east coast of Africa in response to the recent events in Somalia. The following year it was the first guided-missile cruiser to receive a complete set of upgrades as part of the Navy’s Cruiser Modernization program including a new Aegis Weapons System, the Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC), and SPQ-9B Radar. The guided-missile cruiser made full speed from off the coast of Panama to reach Haiti, joining U.S. military efforts on the Caribbean island devastated by a massive earthquake in 2010. 
 
The first and second U.S. Navy ships named Bunker Hill honored the Revolutionary War battle fought primarily on adjacent Breed’s Hill at Charlestown, Massachusetts, on June 17, 1775. 
 
The battle occurred in the midst of the larger siege of the city of Boston, when the Americans learned that the British intended to deploy troops to some of the heights surrounding the city in order to command its vital harbor. Nearly 1,200 patriots marched stealthily onto the peninsula on the night of the 16th and 17th and dug defensive positions. Despite the colonists’ secrecy, the British detected the move and their ships and batteries opened fire on the positions while they landed troops to carry the newly established works. American reinforcements during the battle raised their strength to about 2,400 men, and the British to more than 3,000, though not all the men on either side took a direct part in the fighting. American snipers in Charlestown harassed the British until their ships fired incendiary shot that set much of the town ablaze. In the meanwhile, the British resolutely assaulted the colonist’s positions twice, and both times the patriots, with equal resolution, fired into the regulars and Royal Marines and scythed them down. The British regrouped and attacked a third time as the patriots began to run out of ammunition, and finally drove the Americans back at the point of the bayonet. The Americans inflicted twice the number of casualties on their assailants—an estimated 450 patriots fell as opposed to 1,054 regulars and Royal Marines. The colonist’s valiant defiance imbued them with confidence that they could stand up to the British, while the crown’s losses shook their officers and they often maneuvered prudently to avoid direct assaults against entrenched patriots in subsequent battles. 
 
The decommissioning of CG 52 supports department-wide business process reform initiatives to free up time, resources, and manpower in support of increased lethality. 
 
Modern U.S. Navy guided-missile cruisers perform primarily in a Battle Force role. These ships are multi-mission surface combatants capable of supporting carrier battle groups, amphibious forces or operating independently and as flagships of surface action groups. Cruisers are equipped with Tomahawk cruise missiles giving them additional long range strike warfare capability. Some Aegis Cruisers have been outfitted with a Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) capability. 
 
The mission of CNSP is to man, train, and equip the Surface Force to provide fleet commanders with credible naval power to control the sea and project power ashore. 

Release from Coast Guard 14^th District

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SANTA RITA, Guam — Marking the culmination of a 46-day patrol, the USCGC Myrtle Hazard (WPC 1139) crew completed a series of operations in partnership with Papua New Guinea and other regional allies, bolstering maritime security and resource management in exclusive economic zones (EEZs) and on the high seas, returning to Guam on Sept. 24, 2023. 
 
The recent patrol operation specifically supported the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency’s annual Operation Island Chief at the outset of the patrol and the broader U.S. Coast Guard’s Operation Blue Pacific, further solidifying the U.S. commitment to resource security and regional stability. 
 
Expanded Partnerships and Engagements 
Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing fundamentally erodes national security and exacerbates existing maritime governance gaps. This patrol significantly contributed to closing those gaps. By navigating the EEZs of the United States, the Federated States of Micronesia, and Papua New Guinea, Myrtle Hazard’s crew strengthened the rule of law at sea, which the U.S. Coast Guard is uniquely positioned to enforce. 
 
They also made port calls in Manus Island, Rabaul, Port Moresby, Lae in Papua New Guinea, and Cairns, Australia. This visit was the first by a U.S. Coast Guard vessel to Lae, laying the foundation for future visits. These stops also facilitated engagement with agency representatives throughout Papua New Guinea, including the government of Papua New Guinea, their National Fisheries Authority and Customs Service, and the U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby. In multiple locations, the crew worked with the PNG Defence Force, and in Manus, they also hosted the deployed U.S. Navy Seabees Naval Mobile Construction Battalion THREE. The team was fortunate to observe PNG Independence Day in Lae, deepening cultural bonds.  
 
The recent joint maritime patrol between the U.S. Coast Guard and multiple Papua New Guinea agencies was a historic step forward in U.S.-PNG relations. The collaborative operation led to advancements in maritime domain awareness and law enforcement expertise and successfully countered illegal activities like unregulated fishing. With the Western and Central Pacific Oceans being a significant source of the world’s tuna, the joint effort emphasized the mutual commitment to protect valuable marine resources. The patrol yielded six contact and observation reports, one of which led to immediate action by the PNG Fisheries Authority against a foreign fishing vessel crew for a Vessel Monitoring System violation. Additionally, four boardings of foreign fishing vessels took place to enforce regulations and deter illegal activity in PNG’s EEZ. These outcomes highlight the operation’s regional impact and set a strong foundation for future cooperation. 
 
In Cairns, Australia, the Myrtle Hazard team engaged in memorable interactions with the Australian Royal Navy and Border Force. Notably, an all-out, full-court, officiated basketball game took place, with members from both services participating—highlighting the ever-growing camaraderie. They also spent time at the Great Barrier Reef International Marine College.  
 
Milestone Achievements and Experiences 
“Our 46-day patrol has been an exceptional journey. The sheer dedication and grit exhibited by my crew have been nothing short of remarkable,” said Lt. Jalle Merritt, commanding officer of the USCGC Myrtle Hazard. “From once-in-a-lifetime experiences like observing PNG Independence Day to earning new qualifications, this patrol signifies the hard work, joy of human connection, and increased competence we’ve gained.” 
 
During the patrol, a line-crossing ceremony at the equator en route to Guam marked a significant rite of passage for the crew, symbolizing their transformation into more seasoned mariners. 
 
“I had the honor of serving aboard a 110-foot Island-class patrol boat based out of Guam early in my career. Due to the platform’s capabilities, we were limited in our operational reach to Palau and portions of the Federated States of Micronesia. Today, the FRCs based here are redefining the dynamic for our Service and our regional partners,” said Capt. Nick Simmons, commander of U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam. “From Guam, we’ve expanded our area of operations to areas that include our partners in the Republic of Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia, but also the Republic of Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, Australia, and Nauru. And we have plans to reach the Philippines soon. Most FRCs are engaged in near-coastal operations, but ours are venturing farther, more frequently, substantiating the U.S. Coast Guard’s role as a significant maritime security actor across the Indo-Pacific.” 
 
Strategic Impact 
Building upon last year’s visit by a Guam-based fast response cutter crew and the recently ratified bilateral agreement with PNG, the Myrtle Hazard’s team patrolled 7,484 nautical miles, significantly bolstering maritime security and resource protection in multiple EEZs. The patrol enhanced interoperability with regional allies like PNG and Australia and advanced U.S. national priorities through targeted operations and cultural diplomacy. The patrol also contributed to the broader objectives of the PIF Forum Fisheries Agency’s annual Operation Island Chief and the U.S. Coast Guard’s Operation Blue Pacific, strengthening both bilateral and multilateral relationships in the region. 
 
The Long View 
The U.S. Coast Guard 14th District, based out of Honolulu, Hawaii, and U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam, continue to foster enduring partnerships with regional allies. With humanitarian Service at its core, the U.S. Coast Guard remains committed to maritime safety, security, and stewardship, solidifying its longstanding reputation in the Pacific as a trusted partner. Plans and additional patrols are already underway for further engagement with regional partners.  
 
The Myrtle Hazard is the 39th 154-foot Sentinel-class FRC, named in honor of the first enlisted woman in the U.S. Coast Guard who served as an electrician and radio operator. The Guam-based cutters serve as a cornerstone for the U.S. Coast Guard’s ongoing commitment to the people of Oceania, focusing on maritime safety, security, and stewardship.