Release from By Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet | Seapower 

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18 May 2023 

SAN DIEGO – The future USS Canberra (LCS 30) will join the U.S. Navy active fleet on July 22 with the U.S. Navy’s first international commissioning ceremony at the Royal Australian Navy Fleet Base East in Sydney, Australia. 
 
Canberra is the first U.S. Navy warship to be commissioned in an allied country. It is the second U.S. Navy ship to bear the namesake of Canberra. 
 
“I can think of no better way to signify our enduring partnership with Australia than celebrating the newest U.S. Navy warship named for Australia’s capital city, and commissioning her in Royal Australian Navy Fleet Base East surrounded by many of the Australian ships we have worked alongside for years,” said Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro. “I look forward to this momentous day for the ship, crew, sponsor, and all our partners in government and industry who worked tirelessly to give the future USS Canberra the celebration it deserves.”  
 
Australian Chief of Navy, Vice Adm. Mark Hammond said this historic event encapsulates both the depth of the historical ties, and modern day partnership between the Royal Australian Navy and the U.S. Navy.   
 
“This is a unique demonstration of respect by the U.S. for the Officers and Sailors of the Royal Australian Navy,” said Hammond. “It is an opportunity to reflect on our shared history, and on a friendship forged while fighting side-by-side. On August 9, 1942 the RAN heavy cruiser HMAS Canberra was severely damaged off Guadalcanal (Solomon Islands) while protecting the U.S. Marines fighting ashore. In a surprise attack by a powerful Japanese naval force, Canberra was hit 24 times in less than two minutes and 84 of her crew were killed including Captain Frank Getting” 
 
“I look forward to welcoming the U.S. Navy, and the crew of USS Canberra to Australia and we are honored to host the U.S. Navy’s first international commissioning. It will be a historical event to see the USS Canberra and HMAS Canberra alongside each other in Sydney. As we look to the future, the strength of our partnership remains a cornerstone of a secure, stable, free and open Indo-Pacific Region.” 
 
The first USS Canberra (CA-70/CAG-2) was named at the direction of President Franklin D. Roosevelt in honor of the Australian heavy cruiser HMAS Canberra for the ship’s courageous actions during the Battle of Savo Island that took place Aug. 7-9, 1942. The new Baltimore-class heavy cruiser was renamed Canberra from Pittsburgh on Oct. 16, 1942, and was commissioned on Oct. 14, 1943. 
 
 
Canberra will soon begin the transit for the Navy’s first international ship commissioning making stops along the transit in Indo-Pacific nations prior to its arrival in Sydney for commissioning.  
 
A visit to the Australian capital city of Canberra is planned the day after commissioning, continuing the U.S. Navy tradition of building a strong relationship with namesake communities.  
 
The ship’s sponsor is Australian Senator, the Honourable Marise Payne, the former Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs who attended the ship’s keel laying ceremony in Mobile, Ala. in 2020. The ship was christened June 5, 2021, by Alison Petchell, the Australian Government’s Defence Assistant Secretary for Industrial Capability Planning in the Nuclear Submarines Taskforce and former Minister Counsellor for Defense Materiel, on behalf of Senator Payne. The ship arrived for the first time at its homeport of San Diego last year. 
 
The first U.S. Navy ship named after a foreign capital, Canberra (CA-70) was sponsored by Lady Alice C. Dixon, the wife of Sir Owen Dixon, then Australian Minister to the United States. Following World War II, Canberra was placed out of commission and in reserve on March 7, 1947. Five years later, the ship was selected to be the U.S. Navy’s second guided missile cruiser. The ship was re-commissioned on June 15, 1956, as guided missile heavy cruiser CAG-2.  
With its new designation, Canberra transported President Dwight D. Eisenhower and later was the ceremonial flagship for the selection of the Unknown Serviceman of both World War II and Korea interned at Arlington National Cemetery, was the Commander of the Atlantic Fleet Cruiser Force flagship, conducted an around the globe goodwill cruise, provided medical assistance to the crew of the Turkish merchantman Mehmet Ipar, was the Commander Task Group 136.1 flagship that was charged with maintaining a blockade during the Cuban Missile Crisis, and served in Korea and Vietnam. To highlight the ship’s role in naval gunfire support following operations in Vietnam, Canberra was re-designated to original classification and identification number CA-70 on May 1, 1968. 
 
Canberra received seven battle stars for her service in World War II. The ship was decommissioned on Feb. 2, 1970, and was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on July 31, 1978. 
 
The present day USS Canberra is the 16th Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship commissioned by the U.S. Navy. LCS are designed to be fast, optimally-manned, mission-tailored, surface combatants that operate in both littoral and open-ocean environments. LCS integrate with joint, combined, crewed, and unmanned systems to support forward-presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence missions around the globe. The future USS Canberra was built by Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama. 

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

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U.S.-Led Multinational Partnership Launches New Task Force for Maritime Security Training in Middle East 

By U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Public Affairs | May 22, 2023 

MANAMA, Bahrain — The U.S.-led multinational partnership, Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), established a new task force May 22 that will train partner navies and improve operational capabilities to enhance maritime security in the Middle East. 

During a ceremony at U.S. 5th Fleet headquarters in Bahrain, leaders commissioned Combined Task Force (CTF) 154. The new staff is CMF’s fifth task force after standing up CTF 153 in April 2022 for maritime security in the Red Sea. 

CTF 154 will lead multinational maritime training at locations across the Middle East, enabling more CMF partner-nations to participate in training opportunities without ships or aircraft, particularly during courses that are facilitated ashore.   

“Our navies are at their very best when we train, operate and work together,” said Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet and CMF. “Establishing CTF 154 demonstrates our deep commitment to strengthening and expanding partnerships through new training opportunities that will enhance regional maritime security.” 

The new task force is commanded by a U.S. Navy captain who will build and lead a multinational staff. Another nation will assume command as early as this fall. 

CTF 154’s core staff will be augmented by CMF partners during key training opportunities such as the task force’s inaugural event, Compass Rose. This week, CTF 154 is hosting Compass Rose in the Kingdom of Bahrain. More than 50 participants from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom and United States began arriving Sunday to attend courses on first aid and vessel boarding procedures. 

“I am excited to lead an international team in this important work,” said Capt. Oliver Herion, CTF 154’s first commander. “Collectively, CMF has tremendous experience and expertise with critical skills, tools and relationships.” 

CTF 154 will frequently organize training events around five core areas: maritime awareness, maritime law, maritime interdiction, maritime rescue and assistance, and leadership development. Each training opportunity will be tailored to meet partner requests ranging from basic to advanced levels. 

“Focusing our efforts to facilitate training for the multinational partnership will refine our skillsets and reinforce our ability to operate together,” said Herion. “We are ‘Stronger Together’ and ‘Ready Together.’ That is what CMF is all about.” 

CMF is the largest multinational naval partnership in the world, with 38 nations committed to upholding the international rules-based order at sea.  

CMF’s other task forces include CTF 150 that focuses on maritime security in the Gulf of Oman and Indian Ocean; CTF 151, which leads regional counter-piracy efforts; CTF 152, dedicated to maritime security in the Arabian Gulf; and CTF 153 in the Red Sea. 

Release from Coast Guard Atlantic Area 

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USCGC Confidence returns home following 40-day Windward Passage and South Florida Straits patrol 

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — The crew of the USCGC Confidence (WMEC 619) returned to their home port in Cape Canaveral, Monday, following a 40-day patrol in the Windward Passage and South Florida Straits. 

Confidence’s crew contributed to the interdiction, care and repatriation of 138 migrants while patrolling in support of Operation Vigilant Sentry and Homeland Security Task Force – Southeast in the Seventh Coast Guard District’s area of responsibility. Confidence’s crew conducted maritime safety and security missions working with other Coast Guard cutters and air assets to detect, deter and intercept unsafe and illegal migrant ventures bound for the United States. 

During the patrol, Confidence’s crew hosted members from the Haitian Coast Guard to further enhance key U.S. strategic partnerships and provide critical mission insight into operations within the Windward Passage. 

“It was a pleasure to work with our Coast Guard, international and agency partners in the important mission to deter and respond to dangerous migration attempts,” said Cmdr. Thomas Martin, commanding officer of Confidence. “The crew professionally executed numerous transits, boat patrols and transfers to safeguard lives at sea.” 

Confidence is a 210-foot, Reliance-class medium endurance cutter. The cutter’s primary missions are counter drug operations, migrant interdiction, enforcement of federal fishery laws and search and rescue in support of U.S. Coast Guard operations throughout the Western Hemisphere. 

For more information on the United States’ recent immigration measures, follow these links:  

DHS and DOJ Finalize Rule to Incentivize Use of Lawful Immigration Pathways | Homeland Security  

Fact Sheet: Additional Sweeping Measures to Humanely Manage Border | Homeland Security (dhs.gov)  

Fact Sheet: U.S. Government Announces Sweeping New Actions to Manage Regional Migration | Homeland Security (dhs.gov)  

Federal Register :: Implementation of a Change to the Parole Process for Cubans  

Federal Register :: Implementation of a Change to the Parole Process for Haitians   

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

Release from Rite-Solutions, May 22, 20023 

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Middletown, RI (May 22, 2023) — Rite-Solutions today announced it joined the ServiceNow Partner Program to develop applications and integrations that leverage the power of the Now Platform®. Rite-Solutions is accelerating digital transformation with Information Technology Service Management (ITSM) engagements. 

As a ServiceNow Build partner, Rite-Solutions will develop solutions that help Navy Warfare Centers design, build, deliver, operate, and manage information technology (IT) services. The overall goal is to improve Navy readiness by increasing efficiencies, accelerating time-to-market, and reducing costs to automate ITSM workflows. 

Building configurable applications that will be available to Federal customers through the ServiceNow Store will allow other Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security organizations realize similar benefits. 

“Rite-Solutions is excited to add ServiceNow Build Partner credentials to our portfolio,” says Laurie Carter, Senior Vice President of Business Development at Rite-Solutions. “This enables us to expand our capabilities to efficiently and effectively bring forth innovative, cost-effective solutions to our customers.” 

Rite-Solutions, Inc. 

Rite-Solutions, Inc. is an award-winning small business specializing in system engineering, software development, information technology (IT), and cyber security for government and commercial segments. Rite-Solutions has offices in Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Washington D.C. For more information, please visit http://www.rite-solutions.com. 

ServiceNow, the ServiceNow logo, Now, Now Platform, and other ServiceNow marks are 

trademarks and/or registered trademarks of ServiceNow, Inc. in the United States and/or other 

Count. 

Release from Austal USA 

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Mobile, Ala. – Austal USA was awarded a contract with a potential value of $3.195 billion for the detail design and construction of up to seven TAGOS-25 class ocean surveillance ships. Austal, as the prime contractor, has teamed with L3Harris Technologies (L3Harris), Noise Control Engineering (NCE), TAI Engineering (TAI), and Thoma-Sea Marine Constructors (TMC) for execution of the TAGOS program. 

TAGOS ships provide a platform capable of theater anti-submarine acoustic passive and active surveillance. They support the mission of the Integrated Undersea Surveillance System (IUSS) by gathering underwater acoustical data.   

“The Austal USA team is excited to support the U.S. Navy with this critical program. We have enjoyed our long partnership with the Navy in delivering aluminum ships and we are honored to continue that relationship in delivering high-quality steel ships on schedule and on budget,” Austal USA President Rusty Murdaugh said. “This contract award was enabled by our continual focus on our people and our facilities. The Austal USA workforce is proud of our role in providing for the Nation’s defense by delivering these ships to the Navy.” 

“As the electronic and propulsion systems integrator, we’re excited to be a partner on the Austal USA team to develop the next class of TAGOS ocean surveillance ships,” said Anthony Nigara, President, Maritime, L3Harris. “Our strong partnership with Austal reinforces our commitment to delivering advanced, surveillance-capable platforms to meet the U.S. Navy’s mission requirements.” 

Through continual capital investments, Austal USA has expanded its capability and capacity to enable concurrent production of aluminum and steel-hulled ships. The award of the TAGOS program follows the recent award of other steel programs to Austal USA including the U.S. Navy Towing and Salvage ship (T-ATS) and Auxiliary Floating Drydock Medium (AFDM) and the U.S. Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC). The company will construct TAGOS using its proven ship manufacturing processes and innovative production methods that incorporate lean manufacturing principles, modular construction, and moving assembly lines in the company’s state-of-the-art enclosed steel production facility.  The TAGOS contract award is the result of Austal’s proven shipbuilding and multi-hull ship systems management expertise and proven engineering team. 

In addition to the steel ships mentioned previously, Austal USA is currently constructing the U.S. Navy’s Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship and Expeditionary Fast Transport. This unique production capability to manufacture both steel and aluminum ships positions Austal USA to meet the growing demands of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard.  

Release from L3Harris

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ROCHESTER, N.Y., May 17, 2023 — L3Harris Technologies (NYSE:LHX) announced orders totaling $160 million from the Marine Corps for multi-channel handheld and vehicular radio systems, bringing total program orders to $336 million.  

The two new orders from the Marine Corps are under a 10-year, competitively awarded $750 million indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract for L3Harris Falcon IV® manpack and handheld radios. The technology in these radios enables greater interoperability among U.S. and allied forces. 

“The resilient communications our battle-proven radios and secure waveforms offer allow Marines to talk to each other with confidence and exchange information at faster rates,” said Chris Aebli, President, Tactical Communications, L3Harris. “These radios are the most advanced systems industry can put into the hands of our warfighters, delivering enhanced capabilities to address evolving threats.” 

By integrating voice and data communications, network routing and gateway functions, L3Harris’ software-defined multi-channel AN/PRC-163 handheld radios provide real-time battlespace situational awareness to help warfighters make informed decisions.  

All U.S. military services, including Special Operations Command, and a growing number of key allies have broadly adopted the Falcon IV family of radios’ software-defined architecture. It provides flexibility for continuous upgrades with seamless integration of emerging technologies to meet future needs. 

The latest Marine Corps commitments follow two Falcon IV orders from the U.S. Army last year totaling $235 million. 

Release from Fairbanks Morse Defense

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BELOIT, Wis. – May 18, 2023 – Fairbanks Morse Defense (FMD), an Arcline Investment Management portfolio company, celebrated the grand opening of its newest Training and Service Center Campus in Chesapeake, Va. located at 733 Curtis Saunders Court on May 17th. The state-of-the-art, 45,000-square-foot facility is positioned to offer fully integrated service and technology solutions to the largest concentration of Navy, Military Sealift Command, and Coast Guard fleets in the US.  

Local dignitaries joined FMD CEO George Whittier and other company executives for a ribbon-cutting ceremony, facility tour, and other activities to commemorate the occasion. Dignitaries included Brenda Roberts of Congresswoman Jen Kiggins’s office (Virginia Second District); US Navy Vice Admiral Bill Houston, Commander of the Submarine Forces; Eric Matthies, incoming OPC Program Manager for the US Coast Guard; Jordan Watkins of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership; Ben White with the Chesapeake Economic Development Department; and multiple City of Chesapeake Councilmembers.  

“Fairbanks Morse Defense has made it clear that they are going ‘all-in’ by making a significant investment in this training and service center in Chesapeake,” said Steven Wright, Director of Chesapeake Economic Development. “We’re ready to welcome and support the FMD service team and the numerous technicians who will benefit from advanced training on critical equipment and look forward to supporting FMD’s future growth in our community.”  

The Training and Service Center campus will bring approximately 50 new jobs to Chesapeake. It will also serve as a hub for training current and future engineers that will contribute to the mission success of American maritime defense operations. 

FMD’s Chesapeake Training and Service Center includes the following: 

• 13,000 square feet of training center shop space, including four fully dressed workstations featuring four different FMD engines for students to pull apart and reassemble, in addition to dedicated training available on all FMD products 

• 20,000 square feet of service center space, providing local and responsive full-service capabilities that include equipment overhauls and repairs as well as unit exchange solutions for rapid turnaround.   
• 6,000 square feet for training center offices, classrooms, break rooms, and conference space. 
• 6,000 square feet for service center offices, a tech library, a service center classroom, and break rooms. 

The site can also be significantly expanded, allowing FMD and its family of brands to utilize additional space over time.  

“Fairbanks Morse Defense continues to lean into the US Defense market by locating this training and service facility where Navy, Military Sealift Command, and Coast Guard forces can effectively access its capabilities and participate in hands-on development activities working shoulder to shoulder with their FMD industry partners,” said George Whittier, FMD CEO. “We hope this facility will help fill the pipeline for the defense industrial base with a diverse and enthusiastic group of service technicians who possess the skills to perform jobs that are in demand today, as well as jobs that we’ll need in the future.” 

Release from Naval Sea Systems Command

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May 18, 2023 

By Program Executive Office Unmanned and Small Combatants (PEO USC) Public Affairs 

WASHINGTON — The Navy today exercised a contract option for a fourth Constellation class guided-missile Frigate. FFG 65 will be built by prime contractor Fincantieri Marinette Marine (FMM). The contract option award was $526,293,001.    

First-in-class Constellation (FFG 62) is in production in Marinette, Wisconsin, and sister ships Congress (FFG 63) and Chesapeake (FFG 64) are under contract. 

The Constellation class will have multi-mission capability to conduct air warfare, anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare, electronic warfare, and information operations. Specifically, the FFG 62 class includes an enterprise air surveillance radar, Baseline Ten AEGIS combat system, a Mk 41 vertical launch system, communications systems, MK 57 gun weapon system countermeasures, and added capability in electronic warfare and information operations with design flexibility for future growth.  

FMM on April 30, 2020, was awarded the contract for the design, construction and delivery of the first ten Constellation Class Frigates. 

PEO USC designs, develops, builds, maintains, and modernizes the Navy’s expanding family of unmanned maritime systems, mine warfare systems and small surface combatants.

Release from HII

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PASCAGOULA, Miss., May 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HII’s (NYSE: HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division announced today the successful completion of acceptance trials for Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer the future USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125). 

“Collaboration has been the single largest enabler to delivering this new capability to the fleet,” Ingalls Shipbuilding President Kari Wilkinson said. “Our extended network of Navy, Ingalls and supplier partners got this done through open communication, hard work and tenacity.” 

Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125) is the first Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyer being built for the U.S. Navy by Ingalls and incorporates a number of design modifications that collectively provide significantly enhanced capability. DDG 125 contains a myriad of offensive and defensive weapons designed to support maritime defense needs well into the 21st century. Flight III configured destroyers include the AN/SPY-6(V)1 Air and Missile Defense Radar (AMDR) and the Aegis Baseline 10 Combat System that is required to keep pace with the threats of the future. 

Ingalls has delivered 34 destroyers to the U.S. Navy, with five Flight IIIs currently under construction including DDG 125, Ted Stevens (DDG 128), Jeremiah Denton (DDG 129), George M. Neal (DDG 131) and Sam Nunn (DDG 133). The final Ingalls-built Flight IIA ship, Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG 123), sailed away from Ingalls in April and was commissioned this month in Key West, Florida. 

Photo accompanying this release are available at: https://hii.com/news/hii-completes-acceptance-trials-jack-h-lucas-ddg-125/. 

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, all in support of the United States military strategy and the joint force. 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 Crowley

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(JACKSONVILLE, Fla.; May 17, 2023) – Three Crowley-managed tankers have been selected by the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) to serve in its Tanker Security Program. The program ensures a commercial fleet can readily transport liquid fuel supplies in times of need for the U.S. Department of Defense. 

The selected medium-range tankers are part of a joint venture between Crowley and Stena Bulk USA awarded TSP participation. The vessels — Stena Immaculate, Stena Imperative and Stena Impeccable – will be reflagged as U.S. registered vessels with U.S. crews. The tankers will continue international commercial operations but can be chartered on a short-term basis to serve the U.S. government’s operations. 

“Crowley appreciates the U.S. government and military’s continued trust in our capabilities to serve the nation’s needs. Crowley’s team with Stena Bulk offers government customers a deep, full suite of capabilities to maintain an efficient, dependable supply chain with management that adds value by being able to meet needs quickly and innovatively,” said Gavin Hughes, vice president, Crowley Government Solutions, the company’s business unit for government services. 

A federal law requires the U.S. Department of Transportation, which includes MARAD, work with the Defense Department to establish a fleet of active, commercially viable, militarily useful, and privately-owned product tank vessels to meet national defense and other security requirements. The initial fleet size is 10, and companies receive a stipend for each ship enrolled in support of the nation’s defense forces. 

Crowley and Stena Bulk partnered before to serve the energy needs of the government and military. For example, Crowley won the Military Sealift Command charter contract in 2022 to run the Stena Polaris, an Ice Class tanker serving bulk fuel needs of the U.S. Department of Defense in the Arctic and Antarctic regions as well as transporting fuel in the Mediterranean Sea region. 

About Crowley 
Crowley is a privately held, U.S.-owned and -operated maritime, energy and logistics solutions company serving commercial and government sectors with $3.4 billion in annual revenues, over 170 vessels mostly in the Jones Act fleet and approximately 7,000 employees around the world – employing more U.S. mariners than any other company. The Crowley enterprise has invested more than $3.2 billion in maritime transport, which is the backbone of global trade and the global economy. As a global ship owner-operator and services provider with more than 130 years of innovation and a commitment to sustainability, the company serves customers in 36 nations and island territories through five business units: Crowley Logistics, Crowley Shipping, Crowley Government Solutions, Crowley Wind Services and Crowley Fuels. Additional information about Crowley, its business units and subsidiaries can be found at www.crowley.com.