ARLINGTON, Va. — The Reserve Tactical Support Wing of the Navy Air Reserve provides the fleet with adversary services to train crews in aerial combat between dissimilar aircraft and does so using a fleet of F-5 Tiger II and F/A-18 Hornet fighters. The Navy is taking steps to recapitalize the adversary fleet with refurbished fighters.   

“The Reserve Tactical Support Wing (TSW) maintains 31 F-5N/F aircraft to provide low-to-mid level threat replication,” wrote Vice Adm. John Mustin, chief of Navy Reserve, in a statement submitted to the defense subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee for its May 4 hearing.  

The F-5Ns are refurbished F-5Es procured from the Swiss Air Force, and the F-5Fs are two-seat versions procured from the manufacturer and later refurbished. These aircraft are flown by two squadrons, VFC-13 at Naval Air Station (NAS) Fallon, Nevada, and VFC-111 at Naval NAS Key West, Florida. In order to increase the number of adversary aircraft, the Navy purchased a further 11 F-5E/F aircraft from Switzerland in fiscal 2020.  

“Prior to delivery, these aircraft will receive modern avionics and an airframe reconfiguration to match the current active Navy airframe configuration,” Mustin said. “These 11 aircraft will deliver to TSW squadrons from 2022-2025 as F-5N+/F+, increasing both capacity and capability.”  

TSW also provides critical high-end adversary support to the Fleet with 27 F/A-18A-D Hornets. These aircraft are assigned to VFA-204 at NAS Joint Reserve Base New Orleans, Louisiana, and VFC-12 at NAS Oceana, Virginia.  

“Due to the extremely high projected cost per flight hour (+$44,000) of these ‘Legacy Hornets,’ the Navy is accelerating divestment from the F/A-18A-D aircraft,” the admiral said. “VFC-12’s transition from the F/A-18A-D Hornet to the Block I FA-18E/F Super Hornet in [fiscal 2021] is the first step towards accelerating Legacy Hornet divestment.” 

Mustin said there are not enough Block I Super Hornets to replace the legacy Hornet adversary fleet, so the Navy is proposing the aircraft be replaced by used Air Force and Air National Guard F-16 fighters. 

He also said the adversary aircraft need upgrades with threat-representative capabilities “such as Infrared Search and Track Systems and the evolution of the Adversary data link known as RedNet.” 

Mustin also pointed out the sustainment issues with the adversary fleet. 

“Within the next decade, 62% of the Navy Reserve’s current adversary aircraft will be retired due to the high cost of each service hour, or because they have reached the end of their service life,” he said. “Recapitalization and expansion of adversary capacity in the Navy Reserve presents a cost-effective, sustainable solution to develop warfighting readiness.” 

The admiral also tallied the value of the adversary fleet. 

[In fiscal 2020], active component strike fighter squadrons flew 13,129 hours of adversary support, generating more than half of the total Navy adversary hours while adding costly flight hours on inventory-limited fleet aircraft,” he said. “Flying more adversary hours in the Reserve increases service life of those active fleet strike fighter aircraft and at the same time reduces overhead operational costs. As such, increasing Navy Reserve support to Navy adversary requirements will improve active component strike fighter service life, while enabling the dedication of fleet flight hours to train for warfighting readiness.” 

TUNIS, Tunisia — The Sentinel-class fast response cutters USCGC Charles Moulthrope (WPC 1141) and USCGC Robert Goldman (WPC 1142) departed Tunis after a routine logistics visit and key leader engagements, April 25, the Coast Guard Atlantic Area said in a May 5 release. 
 
This port visit marks the cutters’ second stop while conducting operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility en route to their new homeport of Manama, Bahrain. 
 
The Moulthrope and Goldman work in Tunis builds on previous military operations with Tunisian forces, such as the USCGC Bear (WMEC 901) deployment conducting military-to-military operations with the Tunisian navy and royal Moroccan navy in 1999, USCGC Dallas’ (WHEC 716) work with Tunisian navy counterparts to share best practices for responding to maritime issues and at-sea emergencies in 1995, as well as ongoing international training efforts. 
 
This visit is a continuation of commitment to Tunisian partners, further enhancing cooperation between U.S. and Tunisian forces in support of shared security goals. In January 2021, Military Sealift Command Spearhead-class Expeditionary Fast Transport USNS Trenton (T EPF 5) and Tunisian navy partners conducted joint maritime operations to enhance maritime security, critical lifesaving capabilities, and Tunisia’s ability to protect its maritime borders. 
 
“The exercises showcased both the Tunisian naval forces and U.S. Coast Guard’s ability to operate as multi-mission partners through a variety of exercises ranging from defense operations to search and rescue and illegal fisheries enforcement — all of which highlighted our services’ similarities in both missions and responsibilities,” said Lt. Cmdr. Samuel Blase, commanding officer, Robert Goldman. 
 
During their stop in Tunis, Moulthrope and Goldman engaged with navy leadership, local dignitaries and conducted military-to-military exercises with the Tunisian navy for interoperability and familiarization. 
 
“It was an honor to help lead the first U.S. Coast Guard visit to Tunisia in over 25 years and strengthen our partnership with the Tunisian naval force. The engagements and maritime exercises highlighted service capabilities, promoted interoperability between both nations, and enhanced stability throughout the Mediterranean Sea,” said Lt. Cmdr. Steven Hulse, commanding officer of Charles Moulthrope. 
 
Charles Moulthrope and Robert Goldman are the first two of six Sentinel-class ships headed to U.S. Patrol Forces Southwest Asia. Established in 2002 to support Operation Iraqi Freedom, PATFORSWA played a critical role in maritime security and maritime infrastructure protection operations. It is the U.S. Coast Guard’s largest unit outside of the United States. 
 

A major U.S.-led multi-national exercise in Europe is testing America’s ability to move troops, cargo and vehicles overseas to support NATO and partner nations.

Defender-Europe is an annual, large-scale U.S. Army Europe and Africa-led, multinational, joint exercise designed to build strategic and operational readiness and interoperability between U.S., NATO allies and partners. Defender-Europe 21 activities began in March in the U.S. and across Europe and will continue into June.

Movement of vehicles from the Military Sealift Command large medium speed roll-on/roll-off (LMSR) USNS Bob Hope (T-AKR-300) are taking place this week in Albania.

“Defender-Europe 21 is a critical exercise that will provide V Corps with another great opportunity to build readiness in our march towards full operational capability, and promote interoperability as we work alongside allies and partners,” said Lt. Gen. John Kolasheski, V Corps commanding general. “We are looking forward to this chance to work closely with U.S. Army Europe and Africa and demonstrate U.S. resolve and commitment to Europe.”

Exercise Defender-Europe 21 will include “nearly simultaneous operations across more than 30 training areas” in a dozen countries.

While the exercise is a U.S.-led training event, it involves more than 30,000 multinational military personnel from 27 nations, along with 10,000 U.S. personnel including rotational forces from the continental U.S. About 10 percent are members of the National Guard or Army Reserve.

Last year’s exercise, Defender-Europe 20, was scaled back due to COVID restrictions, and while the pandemic does have an impact on this year’s events, with all activities being conducted in accordance with COVID 19 protocols, there are more NATO ally and partner nations conducting activities over a wider area than what was planned for last year.

A strict COVID prevention and mitigation strategy has been implemented by U.S. and participating nations. U.S.-based personnel will conduct pre-deployment COVID testing, quarantine in Europe upon arrival and conduct another COVID test before travelling in theater.

“While we are closely monitoring the COVID situation, we’ve proven we have the capability to train safely despite the pandemic. No matter what, our nations count on our forces being ready to defend the peace,” said Gen. Christopher Cavoli, U.S. Army Europe and Africa commanding general.

Cavoli said exercises like Defender-Europe 21 are essential to building readiness and or interoperability. “Defender-Europe 21 provides us the best opportunity to hone our abilities alongside our allies and partners in the strategically important Balkans and Black Sea region so that collectively, we are ready to respond to any crisis that may arise,” he said.

Ships and aircraft began movement of people and equipment from the continental U.S. in March, and Army prepositioned stock sites in Germany, Italy and the Netherlands began to moving supplies and equipment into position to support the training activities.

Seaports in five European countries — Albania, Croatia, Germany, Greece and Slovenia — were used to send or receive more than 1,200 pieces of equipment to or from the continental United States as part of the exercise.

Besides USNS Bob Hope, the expeditionary fast transport USNS Yuma (T-EPF 8) is also participating in the exercise, transporting cargo from USNS Bob Hope to other locations. 

Journey from Jacksonville

For the U.S. Army’s 7th Transportation Brigade–Expeditionary, and the Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command’s (SDDC) 841st Transportation Battalion, the loadout began at the Port of Jacksonville’s Blount Island Marine Terminal March 25-26, with the loading about 750 pieces of tactical vehicles and other equipment of the 53d Infantry Combat Team onto the Bob Hope.

Bob Hope is the first ship in a class of seven 62,000-ton, 951-foot vehicle cargo ships. It was built at Avondale Shipyard in Louisiana and entered service in 1998. The ships supports the U.S. Army storing and transporting supplies, tanks, trucks and other vehicles to equip an Army brigade. It is one of 11 T-AKRs operated by the Military Sealift Command with civil service mariner or contract crews. The ship is one of the 15 ships assigned to the Surge Sealift program, which are ships held in a reduced operational status until activated for missions.

“The support of Jaxport and its skilled labor force ensures that we have the right tools to carry out our mission seamlessly from start to finish,” said Lt. Col. Altwan Whitfield, Commander, 841st Transportation Battalion. “The most challenging part of a deployment operation is ensuring the synchronization of all of the elements, it is not a one-person show — it’s a team effort.”

With its key highway and rail connections, Jacksonville is designated as one of the nation’s 17 strategic seaports to move U.S. military cargo for national defense, foreign humanitarian aid and disaster relief.

“One of Jaxport’s most important roles is serving the community as one of the military’s strategic seaports,” Jaxport Chairman Jamie Shelton said. “By investing in our facilities and maintaining a world-class port, we ensure that we can continue to support our service members and the important work they do to protect our national security.”

“Supporting Defender-Europe 21 is a great opportunity,” said Maj. Mark Huey, 841st Transportation Battalion terminal management team officer in charge at Jacksonville. “The mission integrates units from the Reserve, National Guard and active duty, then also units on the naval side. We really get to exercise our full functionality.”

From Jacksonville, Bob Hope sailed to Portsmouth, Virginia, and loaded more equipment for the exercise before sailing for Durres, Albania, including an Army causeway section, warping tugs and other lighterage needed to move equipment from ships at anchor to shore.   

The deployment of Bob Hope and the embarked equipment provided an opportunity to demonstrate the Joint Logistics Over the Shore (JLOTS) concept. 

According to “JLOTS Vision 2010,” JLOTS is a unified commander’s joint employment of joint employment of Army and Navy LOTS assets to Army and Navy LOTS assets to deploy and deploy and sustain a force sustain a force. JLOTS operations allow U.S. strategic sealift strategic sealift ships to discharge over a bare, inadequate or damaged port, or over a bare beach. JLOTS watercraft can also be used to beach.

While Navy amphibious ships routinely deploy with Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCACs), the Army gave up its air-cushioned watercraft about 35 years ago, and the Navy’s LCAC inventory cannot self-deploy or be lifted onboard existing sealift ships. 

According to a news release from the 7th Transportation Brigade, “JLOTS operations are part of U.S. Transportation Command’s strategic sealift mission. The process allows combined Army and Navy forces to move equipment to and from a ship on air-cushioned watercraft to overcome anti-access and area-denial challenges while improving the ability to move forces closer to tactical assembly areas. JLOTS missions are unique in that they allow for an entire brigade-sized element to be moved on and off a ship with an improvised port infrastructure, providing flexibility to choose load locations such as a bare beach, austere port, or a damaged or fixed port.”

“It doesn’t require ramps, it doesn’t require anything other than the causeway, which can be assembled organically from the vessel. The ramp is able to lower onto the causeway and then equipment can begin to [roll-on/roll-off] expeditiously and be pushed ashore,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jordan Milo, 841st Transportation Battalion mobility warrant officer and Defender-Europe 21 operations officer in charge at the Port of Portsmouth.

“Any limiting factors that would have existed from not having an improved infrastructure port, or if the depth of the water wouldn’t allow for the vessel to come in, that’s where these JLOTS operations allow us to project power ashore where we need it,” said Milo.

JLOTS Albania

The JLOTS capability was showcased at Durres, Albania, this week when USNS Bob Hope discharged its cargo of heavy equipment onto smaller vessels that was transferred to shore for onward movement, including USNS Yuma and the British roll on/roll off vessel Hurst Point, which delivered equipment from the U.K.’s 104th Logistic Support Brigade to Gazenica in Zadar, Croatia.

“As part of Defender-Europe 2021, we are transferring up to 1,000 vehicles for the 53^rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team who, will arrive in Albania in the coming days, said Capt. James Hilton, the U.S. senior defense official/defense attache/security cooperation officer to Albania. He told attendees at a VIP event to witness the exercise port operations that JLOTS is a multi-step process.

“First, the vehicles are loaded onto a large, medium speed roll on/roll off vessel [LMSR] in the United States. That ship sails across the ocean in advance of the troops. Upon arrival, the vehicles must be transferred from the ship to the shore. In some ports, the LMSR pulls up to the pier and discharges the vehicles directly. However, a secure port is never guaranteed, so crews must practice an alternative method of offloading.

“Because the USNS Bob Hope is too large to enter the port of Durres, U.S. Army and Navy Soldiers and Sailors work together to construct a roll on/roll off to discharge facility that is connected to the LMSR a few miles away from here. Vehicles are then loaded onto smaller ships called logistic support vessels which transport the vehicles the final miles to the pier here. Additional ships from the United States and the United Kingdom will transfer vehicles to other Adriatic ports in support of Defender-Europe 2021.”

According to exercise officials, this was the first time this capability had been demonstrated since World War II. U.S. Ambassador to Albania Yuri Kim said Defender-Europe 21 was the largest ever multi-national military exercise in southeast Europe, and is taking place on the 30^th anniversary of the reestablishment of U.S. Albanian relations.

Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby said the exercise is building operational readiness and interoperability between NATO allies and partners. “It’s defensive in nature, focused on deterring aggression, while preparing our forces to respond to crisis and conduct large-scale combat operations if necessary.”

“When a crisis begins is not the time to wish America had the expeditionary capability and capacity to support power projection requirements of the Army and Marine Corps,” said retired Rear Adm. Sinclair Harris, Navy League national vice president of military affairs and chair of the Maritime Policy Committee.

“Not everything that is needed can be flown and America’s military has the unique and asymmetric advantage of being able to put what we need, where we need it, and when we need it. Be it for humanitarian operations or combat ops, ships like the USNS Bob Hope and systems such as JLOTS provide game changing options for our combatant commanders.” 

The exercise will conclude in June with the redeployment of U.S.-based forces and equipment back home.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The admiral in charge of the Navy Reserve said his top acquisition priority is the KC-130J Super Hercules transport/tanker aircraft, needed to replace the service’s C/KC-130T Hercules transports. 

“Procurement of the KC-130J to replace the legacy C/KC-130T is the Navy Reserve’s top equipment priority,” wrote Vice Adm. John Mustin, chief of Navy Reserve, in a statement submitted to the defense subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee for its May 4 hearing. “Transitioning from legacy airframes to the modern KC-130J aircraft is necessary to fill critical capability and capacity gaps and ensure interoperability with our active and reserve component Marine Corps and Air Force partners, who have already transitioned to the KC-130J.” 

The Navy’s Unique Fleet Essential Airlift forces are operated entirely by the Navy Reserve. The fleet consists of 30 C/KC-130T and 17 C-40A aircraft that provide the organic intra-theater air logistics, including transporting oversized cargo (F-35 engines, AMRAAM and Harpoon missiles, submarine masts, etc.) to forward-deployed and expeditionary naval Forces, “a critical link in the warfighting supply chain,” Mustin wrote. 

The admiral submitted a summary of the legacy Hercules fleet’s performance in fiscal 2020:  

“Last year, fleet logistics [VR] squadrons flew 22,707 flight hours and transported 111,625 passengers and 22.2 million pounds of cargo for the Navy and the Department of Defense,” he wrote. “Executing these missions generated a cost avoidance of nearly $1.0 billion per year relative to alternative means of transportation. At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Navy Reserve VR squadrons ensured the continuity of Navy training pipelines, safely flying Sailors between training sites when commercial options were reduced or unavailable. Supporting global operations, VR squadrons also transported personnel between U.S. overseas bases around the world. Specifically, C-130 missions increased 7.5% [from 817 missions to 878], while flight hours increased 16.6% [from 7,922 to 9,235 hours]. Even with the increased execution of flight hours and missions, demand continues to increase for C-130 lift, with unmet lift requests reflecting a gap between demand and capacity. To date, [fiscal] ‘21 indicates an even greater demand for cargo this year than in [fiscal] ‘19 and [fiscal] ‘20. 

Mustin cited the low readiness of the C/KC-130T fleet and the need to recapitalize it. 

“Every mission capable aircraft generates an average of $48.6 million in cost avoidance for the transport of equipment,” he wrote. “The current Mission Capable rates of the C/KC-130T average 25% of Total Aircraft Inventory and required modifications of that legacy airframe will limit aircraft availability to a maximum of 33% until 2030. Comparatively, we expect to realize a 70% mission capable rate for the KC-130J which will provide an additional $200 million per year in transportation and cost savings to the Navy. The current C/KC-130T fleet struggles to meet current fleet demand and lacks the required capability and capacity to meet wartime intra-theater logistics requirements, a situation best remedied through recapitalization.” 

The Surface Navy Association’s (SNA) “Old Salt” designation, honoring the active duty U. S. Navy officer with the earliest date of qualification as a Surface Warfare Officer, has passed to Adm. Christopher Grady. Grady is currently assigned as the Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command.

Grady relieved Adm. Philip Davidson, who has retired, and is now the 21st individual to receive this honor.

Initiated in 1988, the Old Salt award is accompanied by a bronze statue depicting a naval officer on the pitching deck of a ship. The statue is cast from metal salvaged from historic U.S. naval ships, most notably the battleship USS Maine, which exploded and sank in Havana Harbor in 1898, precipitating the Spanish-American War.

Old Salts have their names engraved on brass plates attached to the base of the Old Salt statue. The statue is then held in the custody of the current Old Salt during the recipient’s active-duty tenure. The Old Salt trophy may be kept in possession of the recipient or displayed by the command to which the Old Salt is assigned.

The issuance of the Old Salt Award is a tribute to the Navy’s customs and traditions which call the respected, experienced, knowledgeable, and senior surface warfare officer with the designation as Old Salt.

 SNA also recognizes the “Old Tar” award to honor the Surface Warfare Enlisted Specialist with the earliest date of receiving the coveted warfare qualification. That designation recently went to Fleet Master Chief Bill Smalts.

LONDON — U.K. F-35B fighter jets operating from HMS Queen Elizabeth will join Operation Shader in the fight against Daesh, the U.K Ministry of Defense said in a May 4 release. 

F-35B Lightning II jets will be the cutting edge of the Carrier Strike Group’s (CSG21) formidable power in the air. These are next-generation, multi-role combat aircraft equipped with advanced sensors, mission systems and stealth technology, enabling them to carry out intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance tasks. 

This will be the first time U.K. fighter aircraft are embarked on an operational aircraft carrier deployment since 2010 and will be the largest number of F-35Bs ever to sail the seas. The embarked aircraft also include 10 F-35Bs of a U.S. Marine Corps squadron, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211.  

The renowned 617 Squadron RAF (The Dambusters) will operate the jets to provide tangible and impactful support to counter-Daesh operations in Iraq and Syria. Daesh is another name for the Islamic State, or ISIS.

“The F-35B Lightning jets will pack a potent punch against Daesh and help prevent them from regaining a foothold in Iraq,” said James Heappey MP, minister for the Armed Forces. “This is a prime example of the U.K. armed forces stepping forward with our allies to confront persistent threats around the world. It is global Britain in action.” 

CSG21, led by HMS Queen Elizabeth, is the largest concentration of maritime and air power to leave the U.K. in a generation and will set sail next month on its first operational deployment. This is a joint Royal Air Force and Royal Navy deployment which is committed to confronting persistent threats around the world and make a meaningful contribution to global security. 

The F-35B Lightning jets, which will operate from HMS Queen Elizabeth throughout the deployment, will make a significant contribution in degrading Daesh. 

“This deployment represents the embodiment of the UK’s Joint Expeditionary Capability and utilizing the F-35Bs in the fight against Daesh will further demonstrate our commitment to securing their global defeat,” said Chief of Joint Operations Vice Adm. Sir Ben Key. 
 
March 2021 saw the second anniversary of Daesh’s final and total loss of territory in Syria. However, there remain significant numbers of Daesh terrorists in Iraq and Syria. The United Kingdom remains committed to defeating Daesh and enhancing security in the region, alongside the Iraqi Security Forces and our NATO allies. Operation Shader is the United Kingdom’s contribution to the Global Coalition against Daesh. 

SAN DIEGO — General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) has opened an office in Patuxent River, Maryland, to serve as a customer engagement center supporting maritime and naval aviation programs and business growth initiatives in the region, the company announced May 3.  

James Donnelly, GA-EMS’ director of Maritime Program Operations, will be responsible for leading office operations and providing program support for GA-EMS’ Aircraft Launch and Recovery Systems delivered to the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) for Ford-class aircraft carriers. Donnelly will also serve as a point of interface for other maritime programs in GA-EMS’ growing portfolio of business activities on the Eastern Seaboard, including nuclear submarine construction support and unmanned undersea vehicle programs.  

“We are excited to join the Pax River community, and have the convenience of proximity to our NAVAIR customer and an industry base that provides world-class technologies in support of the Navy,” said Scott Forney, president of GA-EMS. “For nearly two decades, we’ve worked from our San Diego headquarters, Tupelo, Mississippi, center of excellence for manufacturing, and our Lakehurst, New Jersey, operations site to support NAVAIR’s procurement and delivery of our Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System and Advanced Arresting Gear system for all Ford–class carriers. Now, our Pax River office literally opens the door to our customers to help improve communication and collaboration at the local level. We look forward to strengthening existing partnerships and forging new relationships within the community to continue delivering technology innovations supporting the warfighter.” 

Naval Air Station Patuxent River is the home of several tenant commands, including the Fleet Readiness Center Mid-Atlantic, the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, Naval Test Wing Atlantic, Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division and NAVAIR headquarters. NAVAIR is the primary acquisition command for naval aviation.   

RESTON, Va. — Noblis has acquired McKean Defense and its affiliates, Mikros Systems and Cabrillo Technologies, for an undisclosed amount, Noblis announced in a May 3 release. Recognized as a market leader in U.S. Navy surface ship readiness, modernization, sustainment and integration, McKean Defense is an employee-owned life-cycle management, engineering, enterprise transformation and program management business that supports Warfighters and helps clients reach new levels of mission support and transformation. 

With this step, McKean Defense is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Noblis. The name of the new subsidiary will be the subject of a future announcement. Glenn Hickok, U.S. Navy veteran, seasoned industry executive and current vice president of Noblis’ Defense Mission Area, has been named president of the subsidiary and will also retain his current role. Joseph Carlini, McKean’s CEO, has stepped down from his role and will serve as a strategic advisor through the integration process. The subsidiary will be governed by Amr ElSawy, Noblis president and CEO, and the company’s board of trustees. 

“As mission-driven companies, Noblis and McKean Defense have a common purpose to enrich lives and make our nation safer with a shared passion for excellence and innovation,” said ElSawy. “We are excited to welcome McKean employees to the Noblis family and look forward to combining forces to bring new and complementary solutions to address our clients’ growing needs.” 

“McKean is an employee-owned company,” said Carlini. “As such, it was important for us to join an organization with a strong, ethical foundation, similar values and a singular focus on helping to advance national security priorities. We found that in Noblis, and I’m confident that together, our teams and service to our clients will thrive.” 

“I’m already impressed by the McKean team. They have deep client relationships and extensive mission knowledge — particularly in the naval operations arena,” said Hickok. “Together, our team can remain agile while adding scale, capabilities and contract vehicles to expand our impacts in the Defense Mission Area and lean further forward in addressing our clients’ changing needs.” 

Wolf Den Associates and Baird served as exclusive financial advisors for Noblis and McKean respectively on this transaction. 

BLACK SEA — The Legend-class national security cutter USCGC Hamilton (WMSL 753) crew conducted a series of operational exercises with the Georgian coast guard, May 2 to 3, 2021, in the Black Sea, the Coast Guard Atlantic Area said in a release. 

The Hamilton crew conducted search and rescue patterns, simulated survivor rescue training, helicopter hoisting evolutions, approaches for towing, and ship communications with the crews of Georgian coast guard vessels Dioskuria (P 25) and Ochamchire (P 23). These maneuvers and operations enhanced the proficiency in specific mission areas familiar to both coast guards. 
 
“The U.S. Coast Guard, along with the U.S. Navy, work closely with the Georgian coast guard on the maritime component of our robust security and defense partnership,” said Kelly Degnan, U.S. ambassador to Georgia. “We welcome Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton to train with their counterparts in the Georgian coast guard, engage with community leaders, and above all, reaffirm the United States’ commitment to Georgia’s territorial integrity.” 
 
The U.S. Coast Guard has been a consistent partner with European nations, strengthening and enforcing robust maritime governance. These exercises are designed to strengthen partnerships through interoperable capabilities and combined operations. 
 
We continue our substantial military training cooperation, ship visits, and joint military exercises that aim to help Georgia improve its self-defense capabilities and interoperability with allied and partner forces. 
 
“Hamilton was honored to conduct combined at-sea operations with the Georgian coast guard,” said Capt. Timothy Cronin, commanding officer of the Hamilton. “The U.S. Coast Guard values this partnership as we look to protect our shared interests by ensuring safe and lawful activity in the Black Sea.” 
 
The U.S. Coast Guard has a deep partnership with Georgia and the Georgian coast guard, dating back to its initial establishment in the late 1990s. Through the interagency partnership with the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of State, the U.S. Coast Guard guided and developed the Georgian coast guard into a fully operational and successful maritime force. 
 
A resilient network of alliances and partnerships is the fabric of the free and open order. We build trust and interoperability with our allies and partners through combined exercises, operations, theater security cooperation, global health engagement, foreign internal defense, and capacity-building efforts. 
 
Hamilton is the first U.S. Coast Guard cutter to visit the Black Sea since 2008. The last U.S. Coast Guard cutter to visit the Black Sea, USCGC Dallas (WHEC 716), sailed to the Black Sea twice, in 2008 and 1995. 
 
Hamilton is the fourth national security cutter and is the fifth cutter named for the father of the U.S. Coast Guard — Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury and advocate for the creation of the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service. 
 
The U.S. Coast Guard remains operational during COVID-19, following all COVID-19 safety precautions and regulations. 
 
The U.S. Coast Guard is conducting a routine deployment in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations, working alongside allies, building maritime domain awareness, and sharing best practices with partner nation navies and coast guards. 

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — BAE Systems has been awarded a $76 million contract modification to produce additional Vertical Launch System (VLS) canisters for the U.S. Navy, the company said in a May 4 release. The canisters play a critical role for storing, transporting, and firing a range of offensive and defensive missiles from the deck of the Navy’s guided-missile cruisers and destroyers.  

“The VLS is a highly survivable and versatile system and our canisters play a key role in equipping the Navy with this world-class capability,” said Brent Butcher, vice president of the Weapon Systems product line at BAE Systems. “BAE Systems has partnered with the Navy and its allies for more than 30 years to provide them with the most flexible and reliable weapon systems to execute a variety of missions effectively, and we look forward to continuing that commitment with this VLS technology.”  

Under the contract now totaling $306 million, BAE Systems will produce canisters for the Mk 13, Mk 14, Mk 25, Mk 29 and other hardware for the Navy. The contract will also support purchases from the governments of Australia, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, South Korea, Spain, and Turkey under a Foreign Military Sales program.  

VLS canisters serve in a multifaceted role as containers for missile shipping and storage, as well as launch tubes when loaded into the VLS. They also provide identification and firing support to multiple missile types, including the Tomahawk Land Attack Missile, Standard Missile-2, Standard Missile-3, Standard Missile-6, the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile and the vertical launch anti-submarine rocket known as ASROC.    

Work on the contract modification will be performed at the BAE Systems production facility in Aberdeen, South Dakota, through 2023, with engineering and program support in Minneapolis. The new modification will allow BAE Systems to add 25 jobs to its Aberdeen facility.