WASHINGTON — Amidst a backdrop of uncertainty regarding the final fleet size of the U.S. Navy’s amphibious warfare ships that carry Marine Corps expeditionary units, the Amphibious Warfare Industrial Base Coalition (AWIBC) during a March 9 Congressional Breakfast event made their case for providing a bare minimum of 31 amphibious warfare ships for future Marine Corps operations 

This goal was echoed by the keynote speaker, Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. David H. Berger, who has argued in favor of this amphibious fleet size despite pushback from notable Department of Defense detractors, both active and retired. 

The event also featured several members of Congress eager to support the commandant’s vision for 31 such amphibious vessels. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Mississippi, made clear that he would fight for this objective, with fellow Mississippian Rep. Trent Kelly, also voicing his support. As ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and chair of the House Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces, respectively, these two members have a lot of leverage to make this goal a reality. 

Additional speakers included Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisconsin; Rep. Rob Wittman, R-Virginia, and Rep. Gallagher, R-Wisconsin, with AWIBC Chairman and retired Navy Capt. David Forster moderating. 

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ARLINGTON, Va. — The Navy has begun integrating information warfare teams in submarines to increase the boats’ tactical information warfare combat capabilities, a senior admiral said.   

“We partnered with [Vice Adm. William J. Houston, commander, Naval Submarine Forces] and the submarine force last year to put Information Warfare officers and Sailors as permanent party, as part of submarine crews,” said Vice Adm. Kelly Aeschbach, commander, Navy Information Forces, speaking March at the online Defense One State of the Navy seminar. 

“We piloted the effort on two submarines, where we have an officer and three Sailors who have integrated with the crew and are allowing the crew to focus on the execution of their submarine duties,” Aeschbach said. 

The Information Warfare teams on board use their expertise to help the submarine crew with “electronic warfare, intelligence preparation of the environment, and the other requirements they have in terms of cyber security and assured communications,” she said. 

“The feedback so far has been really positive and I’m optimistic that we’re probably going to move out with permanent integration of information warfare personnel on submarines, which I think is really powerful addition to the great work that our submarine force already does for us.” the admiral said. 

Aeschbach said that in the past information warfare personnel teams were deployed on board submarines for certain missions or operations but were not integrated full-time. 

“The submarine force recognized how challenging and competitive the undersea environment is now, that it would really be force multiplier … permanently embedded to bring that expertise to bear in support of their operations,” she said.  

The admiral did not specify the class(es) of the two submarines with the integrated teams. 

Aeschbach also said the Navy has established the Fleet Information Warfare Command Pacific, led by Rear Adm. Michael J. Vernazza, “focused at the flag level on the delivery and integration of our information capabilities [in the Pacific Fleet] and I think it is really helping us move at the operational level of war in the completed integration of what we can deliver in space, cyber, intelligence, weather, etc., all of the capabilities that are in the information portfolio. 

Release from Boeing 

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– Teams will explore integrating artificial intelligence technology on current and future programs for military customers 

AURORA, Colo., March 8, 2023 — Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Shield AI have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore strategic collaboration in the areas of autonomous capabilities and artificial intelligence on current and future defense programs. The agreement, signed at the Air Force Association Warfare Symposium, will be managed by Boeing Phantom Works. 

“Boeing continues to leverage talent from across the enterprise to make great strides in autonomous capabilities and programs in recent years,” said Steve Nordlund, vice president and general manager for Boeing’s Air Dominance organization. “Collaborating with Shield AI, the leader in AI pilots, will accelerate our ability to deliver these capabilities to the warfighter.” 

Shield AI created Hivemind, an artificial intelligence pilot that has flown a variety of aircraft. According to Shield AI, the AI pilot can also enable swarms of drones and aircraft to operate autonomously without GPS, communications or a human pilot in the cockpit.  

“AI pilots are the most strategic deterrent technology since the introduction of stealth aircraft and have proven successful in flying air-combat scenarios” said Brandon Tseng, president and co-founder of Shield AI and a former Navy SEAL. “Integrating Boeing aircraft with our AI pilot would redefine what large aircraft, crewed or uncrewed, could do. As the world leader in aerospace technology, Boeing has been exceptionally easy to engage with, so we are excited to expand our scope of work to co-develop, productize and bring to market the world’s best AI pilot for large aircraft.” 

Release from U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command 

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March 8, 2023 

Continuing Promise 2022 Team Continues its Promise to Haiti 

By 1st Lt Gregory Dreibelbis 

JEREMIE, Haiti – Medical providers will continue their efforts providing high-quality adult, pediatric, optometry and dental care to those in need in Haiti. 

“We had to take a short pause in our operations to ensure the safety of our personnel, but it’s important that we get back out there and continue our promise to the people of Haiti,” said Capt. Bryan Carmichael, commander of Amphibious Squadron Four and mission commander for Continuing Promise 2022. “We’ve developed a plan that gets our medical providers to and from the ship safely, and provides the people of Haiti with the care they need.” 

The USNS Comfort is underway in the vicinity of Jeremie, Haiti, for its fifth and final mission stop of CP 22. 

Medical services will be provided at Wharf de Jeremie from Dec. 14 to Dec. 16. A large donation of medical supplies will also be made before Comfort departs Haiti on the 17th of Dec. 

Since its inaugural mission in 2007, Continuing Promise missions have treated more than 582,000 patients and conducted over 7,000 surgeries in the region. Comfort’s current mission is the 12th Continuing Promise mission conducted in the Caribbean, Central and South America. 

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet supports U.S. Southern Command’s joint and combined military operations by employing maritime forces in cooperative maritime security operations to maintain access, enhance interoperability, and build enduring partnerships in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American region. 

Release from BAE Systems 

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NORFOLK, Va. – March 9, 2023 – BAE Systems recognized the best suppliers and subcontractors to its Ship Repair business during a ‘Partner2Win’ Supplier ceremony. More than fifty companies that successfully supported the maintenance of U.S. Navy ships and commercial vessels in three ports during 2022 were honored. 

BAE Systems’ Partner2Win program is a collaborative partnership between the company’s three shipyards in Jacksonville, Florida; Norfolk, Virginia; San Diego, California, and a vast network of naval and commercial ship repair suppliers across the country. 

“Our ship repair operations are enhanced by the support of great suppliers. In 2022, we delivered more than 60 repair and modernization projects, providing U.S. Navy sailors and commercial mariners with quality work performed safely in our shipyards,” said Paul Smith, vice president and general manager of BAE Systems Ship Repair. “The combined effort with our supplier base formed a true partnership for performance. I extend my sincere thanks to all of our supply chain partners and applaud those who have earned our ‘Partner2Win’ Supplier Awards.” 

This year’s top ship repair supplier awards went to American Scaffold, Inc., of San Diego, California; and Vallen Distribution Inc., of Belmont, North Carolina. 

 
American Scaffold, a full service scaffold company, is the subcontractor of the year for the entire BAE Systems Ship Repair enterprise. American Scaffold provided scaffold and containment systems to all three shipyards, ensuring safe working conditions and controls to protect employees and the environment.  

Vallen Distribution, an indirect materials distributor, is the business’ material supplier of the year. In 2022, Vallen installed and managed consumable parts vending machines throughout the Norfolk shipyard to reduce parts retrieval time. For the three shipyards, Vallen was a trusted partner in helping to oversee indirect inventory.  

The following companies were recognized in addition to American Scaffolding and Vallen Distribution as stand-out award winners: 

• BAE Systems Jacksonville Ship Repair’s Small Business of the Year – Atlantic Marine Cleaning of Jacksonville, Florida;   
• BAE Systems Jacksonville Ship Repair’s Subcontractor of the Year – East Coast Repair & Fabrication, LLC of Chesapeake, Virginia; 
• BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair Small Business of the Year – EMS Industrial, Inc. of Madison, Wisconsin;  
• BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair Subcontractor of the Year – Marcom Services, LLC, of Portsmouth, Virginia;  

• BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair Small Business of the Year – AMP United LLC of Dover, New Hampshire; and  
• BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair Subcontractor of the Year – International Marine & Industrial Applicators, LLC, of Spanish Fort, Alabama. 

BAE Systems is a leading provider of ship repair, maintenance, and modernization services to the U.S. Navy’s fleet of combatant ships in their homeports, as well as refit and hauling services for commercial and privately-held vessels. The company operates three full-service shipyards in California, Florida, and Virginia, and offers a highly skilled, experienced workforce, seven dry docks and railways, and significant pier space and ship support services.

Release from Coast Guard Atlantic Area 

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March 7, 2023 

Brazil and the United States partner to combat illegal fishing as USCGC Stone arrives in Rio de Janeiro 

RIO DE JANEIRO — USCGC Stone (WMSL 758) arrived in the port of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for a scheduled visit, Tuesday. 

The visit is Stone’s second stop in Brazil as the cutter continues its multi-mission deployment in the South Atlantic Ocean, exhibiting the U.S. Coast Guard’s partnership with Brazil and strengthening the interoperability of the two nations’ maritime forces to counter illicit maritime activity and promote maritime sovereignty throughout the region.  

“This deployment has already proven the effectiveness of our interagency and international partnerships,” said U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Clinton Carlson, Stone’s commanding officer. “On our first stop in Brazil in Recife in February 2023, we embarked representatives from the Brazilian Navy who have consistently provided invaluable insight and enhanced our capabilities, allowing us to more readily conduct maritime law enforcement to safeguard and protect international waters.” 

Brazil and the United States’ naval services both use unmanned aerial systems to provide increased maritime domain awareness across a variety of mission sets.  The embarked Brazilian officers are part of Brazil’s first ship-based unmanned aerial systems squadron, and the embarkation of these officers aboard Stone highlights the robust partnership between the two nations and their shared commitment to upholding the rules-based international order at sea. 

“While deployed with the Stone we have been working to counter illegal fishing,” said Brazil Navy Lt. Caio Cardinot. “It’s been a real pleasure to build this partnership, sharing knowledge and expertise with each other. With common UAS capabilities, a very robust communication center, and a hardworking crew, we have been very impressed during our time here.” 

In recent years, the United States and Brazil have partnered to share and exchange maritime tactics, techniques, and procedures. Since 2009, the U.S. Coast Guard provided 34 mobile training team deployments and three resident training courses to Brazil in the areas of crisis management, mobile command systems, port security, maritime law enforcement, search and rescue, and disaster response. Additionally, Stone previously visited Rio de Janeiro in 2021 while conducting a South Atlantic Ocean deployment. 

Both countries are dedicated to the responsible management of marine resources, demonstrating their shared commitment through the continued integration of their naval forces. 

“This deployment is about partnerships,” Carlson said. “Not only have we embarked officers from the Brazilian Navy, but we’ve also embarked U.S. Navy and Marine Corps personnel augments as well. As we work with Brazil’s maritime forces, we’re strengthening our domestic partnerships as well, bringing both joint and combined capabilities to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing around the world. These partnerships create new opportunities for us to maintain free and sustainable access to maritime resources for all.” 

Stone is the ninth Legend-class national security cutter in the Coast Guard fleet, homeported in Charleston, South Carolina. The national security cutters can execute the most challenging national security missions, including support to U.S. combatant commanders. 

Stone is under the command of U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area. Based in Portsmouth, Virginia, U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area oversees all Coast Guard operations east of the Rocky Mountains to the Arabian Gulf. In addition to surge operations, they also allocate ships to work with partner commands and deploy to the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific to combat transnational organized crime and illicit maritime activity. 

For information on how to join the U.S. Coast Guard, visit GoCoastGuard.com to learn 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 Coast Guard 17th District 

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ALAMEDA, Calif. — The Coast Guard Cutter Munro (WMSL 755) and crew returned home to Alameda, Monday, following a 105-day, 10,000-nautical mile Alaska patrol. 
 
Munro partnered with NOAA Office of Law Enforcement personnel to conduct 24 boardings of commercial fishing vessels with the goal of enforcing sustainable fishing practices and ensuring compliance with federal regulations. 
 
During the patrol, the Munro and crew served as the primary search and rescue (SAR) asset in the Bering Sea. 
 
“The continued existence of these fisheries depends on a healthy and productive ecosystem,” said Capt. Rula Deisher, Munro’s commanding officer. “As a federal law enforcement agency, it is the Coast Guard’s responsibility to ensure the longevity of these resources and safety of the fishing fleet. We’re happy to do our part combating unsustainable fishing and promoting maritime commerce that is essential to a strong U.S. economy.” 
 
The crew performed 452 flight evolutions with five separate aircraft from Air Station Kodiak, Alaska, qualifying seven pilots and ensuring SAR readiness in the region. 
 
“A winter patrol in the Bering Sea is the ultimate test of the cutter and crew,” said Deisher. “I am so proud of the women and men of the Munro who braved the elements, operating in the Arctic region to protect our nations resources and fishers.” 
 
Commissioned in 2017, Munro is named for Signalman First Class Douglas A. Munro, the only Coast Guardsman awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1942 for his actions and sacrifice in the defense, rescue, and evacuation of a U.S. Marine battalion from Point Cruz at Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. 
 
Munro is one of four Legend-class national security cutters homeported in Alameda. National security cutters are 418-feet long, 54-feet wide, and have a 4,600 long-ton displacement. They have a top speed of more than 28 knots, a range of 12,000 nautical miles, endurance of up to 90 days, and can hold a crew of up to 170. These cutters are the centerpiece of the U.S. Coast Guard’s fleet, capable of executing the most challenging operations, including supporting maritime homeland security and defense missions at home and abroad. 

Release from the Navy Chief of Information 

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SECNAV Renames Pathfinder-class Oceanographic Survey Ship USNS Maury after Marie Tharp 

08 March 2023 

Today, on International Women’s Day, Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Carlos Del Toro announced that the Pathfinder-class oceanographic survey ship formerly named USNS Maury (T-AGS 66) has been renamed USNS Marie Tharp (T-AGS 66). 

This renaming honors Marie Tharp, a pioneering geologist and oceanographic cartographer who created the first scientific maps of the Atlantic Ocean floor and shaped our understanding of plate tectonics and continental drift.   

The decision arrived after a congressionally mandated Naming Commission outlined several military assets across all branches of service that required renaming due to confederate ties. In September 2022, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin accepted all recommendations from the naming commission and gave each service until the end of 2023 to rename their assets.  

“I’m pleased to announce the former USNS Maury will be renamed in honor of pioneering geologist and oceanographic cartographer, Marie Tharp. Her dedication to research brought life to the unknown ocean world and proved important information about the earth, all while being a woman in a male-dominated industry,” said Del Toro. “As the history of our great Nation evolves, we must put forth the effort to recognize figures who positively influenced our society. This renaming honors just one of the many historic women who have made a significant impact on not only our Navy, but our Nation.” 

Tharp was born in 1920 and graduated from the Ohio University in 1943. Due to WWII, more women were recruited into a variety of professions, prompting the University of Michigan to open their geology program to women, resulting in Tharp completing her master’s degree in 1944. After working in her field for a few years, Tharp became one of the first women to work at the Lamont Geological Observatory. During this time she met Bruce C. Heezen (namesake of T-AGS 64) and worked together using photographic data to locate downed military aircraft from WWII. Between 1946 and 1952, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute’s research vessel, Atlantis, used sonar to obtain depth measurements of the North Atlantic Ocean, which Tharp, in collaboration with her colleague, Heezen, used to create highly detailed seafloor profiles and maps.  While examining these profiles, Tharp noticed a cleft in the ocean floor that she deduced to be a rift valley that ran along the ridge crest and continued along the length of its axis, evidence of continental drift.  At the time, the consensus of the U.S. scientific community held continental drift to be impossible, but later examination bore out Tharp’s hypothesis.  Her work thus proved instrumental to the development of Plate Tectonic Theory, a revolutionary idea in the field of geology at the time.  Owing to this and other innovative mapping efforts (some which the Navy funded), the National Geographic Society awarded Tharp its highest honor, the Hubbard Medal, placing her among the ranks of other pioneering researchers and explorers such as Sir Ernest Shackleton, Charles Lindbergh, and Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd.  

The logistical aspects associated with renaming the ship will begin henceforth and will continue until completion with minimal impact on operations and the crew. 

T-AGS 66 was accepted in 2016 and named USNS Maury (T-AGS 66) after Commander Matthew Fontaine Maury, the “Father of Modern Oceanography” who resigned from his Navy career to accept a command in the Confederate States Navy. The former USNS Maury was the only US Navy Vessel named after a Confederate military officer. T-AGS 66 is currently assigned to Military Sealift Command and is in the Persian Gulf.  

Release from Naval surface Warfare Center Panama City Division 

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ONE TEAM, NSWC PCD brings flexibility to the future of diving 

By Jeremy Roman, NSWC PCD Public Affairs 

PANAMA CITY, Fla.  –   

After months of planning, the mission to rapidly deliver solutions to ensure warfighting dominance moved one step closer during the Deep Sea Expeditionary with No Decompression (DSEND) Suit In-Water Concept Demonstration held at the U.S. Navy Experimental Diving Unit (NEDU), Feb. 7 – 8. 

The DSEND demo tested the capabilities of a new concept suit aimed to help divers navigate their environment more efficiently. Allie Williams, Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSW PCD) Fleet Diving In-Service Engineering Agent, explained some of the highlights from this successful demonstration.  

“This test was conducted as a proof of concept demonstrating the DSEND suit’s flexibility and maneuverability under the diver’s own power,” said Williams. “The operator was [also] wearing a Divers Augmented Vision Display (DAVD) system inside the suit to demonstrate the future permanent integration of DAVD, as well.” 

While performance-capable, the current Atmospheric Diving Suit (ADS) is also heavy, lacks maneuverability and requires relatively large sea craft for deployment. This project aims to innovate the previous ADS on several fronts including improvements to its current rotary joint design. For example, the current ADS does not allow movement in the same direction as natural human joints, which can contribute to diver fatigue. This new suit concept would enhance a diver’s range of motion, without considerable strain or force, while providing the added benefit of allowing the user to swim independent of propulsion systems. 

An additional program objective is to develop a swimmable dive suit that maintains atmospheric pressure internal to the suit and can withstand pressures up to 300 feet of seawater (fsw). Further development could enable it to greater depths. 

“The demo went well and served as a good proof of concept for the project. We received good feedback and it was valuable to have the chance for follow-on testing,” said Williams. “This program will provide new capabilities to the warfighter by creating a more flexible and lightweight ADS, compared to the previous more costly and burdensome capabilities.” 

Not only does this demonstration move the project closer to interoperability capability, it also strengthens partnerships through the organizational collaboration of Naval Sea Systems Command 00C3, Office of Naval Research 342, NSWC PCD, Naval Undersea Warfare Center Keyport, Nuytco Research, Mide Technology, Coda Octopus and NEDU. They will continue their respective work to complete their primary objective, which is to develop a suit that will replace the 300 fsw Mixed Gas Diving Systems and eventually go to greater depths. 

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Flag Officer Announcement 

08 March 2023 

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III announced today that the president has made the following nomination: 

Navy Vice Adm. Karl O. Thomas for reappointment to the grade of vice admiral, and assignment as deputy chief of naval operations for information warfare, N2/N6, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations; and director of naval intelligence, Washington, D.C.  Thomas is currently serving as commander, Seventh Fleet, Yokosuka, Japan.