Release from Naval Sea Systems Command

***** 

16 August 2023 

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (Aug. 15, 2023) — Personnel from participating nations reported to Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PHNSY&IMF) in support of the Australia, United Kingdom, and United States (AUKUS) security partnership’s Pillar One initiative Aug. 14, 2023. 

The Pillar One initiative is delivering a conventionally armed nuclear powered attack submarine (SSN) capability to Australia. The uniformed and civilian submarine maintenance subject matter experts from Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States comprise the Advance Verification Team (AVT) that, over the coming weeks, will work directly with shipyard personnel to gain a full understanding of the maintenance and industrial skills required to establish Submarine Rotational Force-West (SRF-W) in Australia as early as 2027. 

At its height, SRF-W will host up to four Virginia class and one Royal Navy Astute class SSN. Initially, a combined Australian and U.S. team will execute maintenance on the U.S. flagged SSNs. Over time, as Australia grows its workforce and expertise, the U.S. will reduce its presence in Australia. The AVT is working to build a detailed understanding of the types of specialized skills and trades required to establish the SRF-W repair workforce.    

AUKUS Pillar One has three distinct phases. Phase One involves establishing SRF-W through increased Virginia class visits to Australian designed to expand Australia’s knowledge of SSNs and the development of an Intermediate Level Maintenance capability. Phase Two begins in the early 2030s, pending approval from the U.S. Congress, with the United States selling Australia between three and five Virginia class submarines. Phase Three sees the combination of United Kingdom submarine design and advanced United States technology in the delivery of SSN-AUKUS, the future attack submarine for both Australia and the United Kingdom. Australia plans to deliver the first sovereign-built SSN-AUKUS in the early 2040s. 

“Each phase builds on the previous one and SRF-W is the foundation upon which the Australian maintenance, sustainment and new construction workforce is built,” said Capt. Lincoln Reifsteck, the U.S. Navy’s AUKUS Integration and Acquisition Program Manager, who emphasizes the importance of the AVT’s role in the establishment of SRF-W . 

“Australians are superior submariners,” said Capt. Richard A. Jones, PHNSY & IMF’s commanding officer. “They operate one of the best diesel-electric boat classes in the world in a highly complex area of operations. That said, there is a big step between the Australian Collins Class SSK [diesel-electric attack submarine] and Virginia class SSN. We are honored to host the AVT over the next several weeks to share as much as we can, answer their questions, and set them on the right course to building out a holistic sustainment plan.” 

Once the AVT determines the skillsets and number of personnel required to execute intermediate-level maintenance, they will build an embedment plan to upskill and train Australian personnel within U.S. public naval shipyards. 

“With an informed and specific plan, we will control costs by ensuring we send the right people, to the right places, to get the right training, at the right time to meet our requirements,” said Rear Adm. Matthew Buckley, the Australian Submarine Agency’s Head of Submarine Capability. 

“Everything the AVT is doing works to grow Australia’s organic capabilities needed to keep our spear point, our attack submarines, sharp,” added Royal Australian Navy Capt. William McDougall, Director Submarine Rotational Force – West. “We are focused on ensuring the work taking place at [Australian base] HMAS Stirling fully supports SRF-West and we have been nothing but impressed by the dedication of our trilateral partners in setting us up for success.”  

The AVT will remain in Pearl Harbor for several weeks, return home, and then travel to the United Kingdom to tour British shipyards to refine its plans. “In the UK we have fewer SSNs than the US. We are going to show the AVT how we maintain and modernize a smaller number of submarines, while still operating at the highest possible standards. Given the projected size of the RAN SSN force, Australia will not require facilities akin to the United States Naval Shipyards, but instead infrastructure comparable to those present in the UK. This experience will be enormously beneficial for both the AVT and our personnel, as we look to strengthen our mutual knowledge, and ongoing partnership,” said Rear Adm. Chris Shepherd, the Royal Navy’s Defence Nuclear Organisation AUKUS Director and Senior Responsible Owner for the Replacement Nuclear Submarine Programme. 

The AUKUS partnership is a strategic endeavor that strengthens the three nations’ national security and promotes peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Australia will acquire conventionally armed SSNs for the Royal Australian Navy under AUKUS Pillar One via the Optimal Pathway announced by leaders of the three partner nations on March 13, 2023. The AUKUS Integration and Acquisition (I&A) Program Office is responsible for executing the trilateral partnership to deliver conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered attack submarines to the Royal Australian Navy at the earliest possible date while setting the highest nuclear stewardship standards. 

To read more about AUKUS click here. 

Release from HII 

***** 

PASCAGOULA, Miss., Aug. 15, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HII’s (NYSE: HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division announced the successful launch of the Navy’s third Flight III Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer Ted Stevens (DDG 128). 

“The translation and launch are always important milestones for our shipbuilders and the life of a ship,” Ingalls Shipbuilding DDG Program Manager Ben Barnett said. “Our team has put in a tremendous amount of work leading up to the launch, and I am proud to see them bring DDG 128 one step closer to completion.” 

Prior to launch, DDG 128 was translated from land to the dry dock using translation railcars to support the ship. Once in the dry dock, the ship is prepared to launch. 

Ted Stevens is the 76^th Arleigh Burke-class ship, and its name honors former U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens, who served as a pilot in World War II and later as a U.S. senator representing Alaska. At the time he left office in 2009, he was the longest serving Republican U.S. senator in history. 

Photos and a video accompanying the release are available at: https://hii.com/news/hii-ingalls-shipbuilding-launches-guided-missile-destroyer-ted-stevens-ddg-128/. 

Ingalls has delivered 35 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers to the U.S. Navy including the first Flight III, Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125), in June of this year. In addition, Ingalls Shipbuilding has four Flight IIIs currently under construction and was awarded an additional six destroyers earlier this month. Ted Stevens will be christened Saturday, Aug. 19, while Jeremiah Denton (DDG 129), George M. Neal (DDG 131) and Sam Nunn (DDG 133) are also under construction at Ingalls. 

Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyers built for the U.S. Navy 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 is required to keep pace with the threats well into the 21^st century. 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 U.S. Africa Command 

***** 

Aug. 15, 2023 

By MAJ. JESSICA TAIT, U.S. Africa Command 

ACCRA, Ghana  –  U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) Force Surgeon held an operational entomology event in support of the Africa Malaria Task Force (AMTF), July 17-21, in Accra, Ghana. 

“This was a fantastic week spent among specialists in the fight against Malaria across all disciplines: physicians, researchers, medical technologists,” said U.S. Navy Cmdr. Carla Pappalardo, Nurse Corps. “They were able to spend ample time together sharing best practices and lessons learned over the years of study of this particular species, the Anopheles stephensi. Its emerging threat is not to be taken lightly, requiring an all hands effort and active involvement from our partner nations in activities such as this.” 

Hosted by the Ghanaian Armed Forces (GAF), and co-hosted by NAVEUR-NAVAF and the U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) Office of the Command Surgeon, the five-day event brought together more than 70 representatives from 15 African partner nations to include Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, as well as non-governmental organizations (NGOs), non-profit organizations (NPOs), and the U.S. government. 

“What was gained from this week’s event was not only collaboration, study, and networking, but a reminder that we are truly in this fight together,” stated Pappalardo. “We must continue to leverage each other’s expertise, knowledge and the science in order to stay lock-step in eradicating Malaria.” 

The event included facilitated briefings, break-out sessions and field work, which focused on the emerging threat of the invasive malaria causing species, Anopheles stephensi, in Africa. Notable facilitators included members from GAF, the World Health Organization (WHO), Navy Entomology Center of Excellence, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

“Malaria prevention is one of AFRICOM’s top health priorities,” said Col. Tom Eccles, command surgeon, U.S. Africa Command. “As malaria parasites and their mosquito vectors develop new patterns of resistance, there’s a continual need for us to update our approach to malaria prevention. AMTF provides a unique forum for exchanging information with our African partners on tools and strategies for protecting our forces and improving population health.” 

Since its inception in 2011, the task force has brought together scientists and policy makers with demonstrated interest in malaria programs to share resources, strategies and expertise that would ultimately act as a catalyst for change. 

The African Malaria Task Force complements the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative, focused on malaria prevention in Africa; and the African Partner Outbreak Response Alliance supports global health security objectives for the U.S. and partner nations. 

AMTF was designed to strengthen and expand effective malaria programs by providing support for nations, military personnel, their families. NAVEUR-NAVAF and USAFRICOM will continue work with international partners to promote effective military-civilian, country specific and regional African partnerships in infectious disease outbreak detection, prevention and response programs. 

Release from Chief of Naval Operations Public Affairs 

***** 

From Chief of Naval Operations Public Affairs 

WASHINGTON – Adm. Mike Gilday relinquished the office of the Chief of Naval Operations after successfully concluding his four-year tenure as the Navy’s top military leader in a ceremony at the United States Naval Academy, Aug. 14. 

Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti, who has been nominated by President Biden to be the next CNO, will perform the duties of the CNO until someone is formally appointed to that role in accordance with law. 

Gilday became the 32nd CNO in August 2019. As a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the CNO acts as an advisor to the President of the United States, the National Security Council, the Homeland Security Council, and the Secretary of Defense. Under direction of the Secretary of the Navy, the CNO is responsible for the command, utilization of resources, and operating efficiency of naval forces and shore activities. 

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin spoke at the ceremony highlighting the importance of the Navy, and the increasingly critical role the service plays in strategic competition. 

“To tackle the national security challenges of the 21st century, we need our Navy more than ever,” said Austin. “We rely on our Navy to project American power, to protect American interests; we rely on our Navy to bolster our unmatched network of allies and partners, from the South China Sea to the Caribbean; and we rely on our Navy to deter conflict and keep the peace.” 

Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro acted as the presiding officer and keynote speaker of the ceremony. Similar to Austin, Del Toro emphasized Gilday’s “transformational leadership” and prioritization of readiness during an era of strategic competition. 

“Admiral Gilday boldly charged forward, leading and inspiring Sailors at every level, from the tactical, to the operational, to the strategic… he’s also championed our strategic relationships with allies and partners,” said Del Toro. “He served as our 32nd Chief of Naval Operations during a pivotal – and perhaps sometimes even a bit chaotic – time for our fleet, for our Nation, and for our friends around the world – many of whom are represented here today.”  

For his part, Gilday reflected on the adaptation and change the Navy has undergone in adjusting to a new and challenging security environment, while also calling for the Department to “act with urgency and purpose” in order to maintain maritime superiority.  He expressed confidence and optimism in the Navy’s direction, while praising Sailors and families around the Fleet for their resilience and service. 

“We have the best Navy in the world,” said Gilday. “Every day, our people are standing the watch, operating globally and at the tip of the spear, strengthening our alliances and partnerships.”   

As he departed, he left the Fleet with a message of service, to be leaders and serve with a purpose.  

“Embody humility; selflessness; complete transparency; acknowledge the value of every Sailor and civilian; and always do the right thing, especially when it is difficult,” said Gilday.  “Have total ownership of your job and duty… because when you are called upon to sail into harm’s way, your mission is to fight and win for our nation.”   

Gilday described Adm. Franchetti as exceptionally well-qualified to perform the duties of CNO during this uncertain and unprecedented leadership transition.   

“I am proud that she will be my CNO,” said Gilday.  “She is a Fleet Sailor, an operator, a warfighter. She has already made the Navy better as our Vice Chief of Naval Operations, the Navy is in good hands with her at the helm.” 

During the ceremony, Franchetti and Del Toro both thanked Gilday, his wife Linda Gilday, as well as their entire family for their service and leadership throughout the years.  

“Admiral Gilday and his wife Linda have dedicated so much of themselves and their time over the past four years focusing on quality of life and quality of service issues to ensure our Sailors and their families have the resources they need to be resilient during their time in service to our Navy and our nation,” said Del Toro.  “I especially want to highlight Linda’s significant accomplishments in supporting our Navy families and spouses.  You have been a shining example for our service members and families of a remarkable professional and an extraordinary public servant; we express our deepest gratitude to you for your devotion to our Navy family.” 

VCNO also stressed the importance of a seamless transition with Gilday’s departure.  

“As we look to the horizon and prepare for the challenges that lie ahead, I will act with a sense of urgency to ensure our Sailors have everything they need to maintain our warfighting edge,” said Franchetti. 

She added, “For the past 247 years, the U.S. Navy has stood the watch.  We, along with the Marine Corps are America’s Away Team, around the world and around the clock. As we look to the future, our mission continues, undisrupted and unabated.  We fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows so that others can too.” 

In the absence of a confirmed 33rd Chief of Naval Operations, and in accordance with 10 U.S.C. 8035, Franchetti assumes the responsibilities of the CNO as the current Vice Chief of Naval Operations.  

Adm. Franchetti was nominated by President Biden to be the 33rd Chief of Naval Operations this past July. If confirmed, she would be the first woman service chief and member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. 

Release from the U.S. Department of Defense 

***** 

Good morning, everyone. It’s great to be here with all of you this morning. 

I see a number of former chiefs in the audience this morning. And welcome to you all. Good to see you. 

Thanks to Secretary Del Toro. Carlos, we appreciate everything that you do for our Sailors and our Marines.  

Let me also welcome our outstanding Deputy Secretary, Kath Hicks. Kath, it’s an honor to serve alongside you. We’re absolutely lucky to have you. 

I want to thank the many distinguished guests and senior military leaders who are here today, including General Milley. General, thank you for your tremendous leadership of the Joint Chiefs. 

I’m also delighted that we’re joined by a great Navy leader who’s been a friend and mentor to me and to so many people here, Admiral Mike Mullen. Sir, it’s an honor to have you. 

And let me say a special welcome to Admiral Mike Gilday’s family—including his mother, Mrs. Frances Gilday. And we’re joined by two of Mike’s siblings, Mark and Mary Joy. And I know that his other siblings, Dave and Brian, are also cheering him on.  

It is an absolute honor to be here today in Memorial Hall. The Navy will always steer by the “immortal valor” of the Naval Academy graduates who lost their lives in defense of America. 

We’re gathered in this sacred space for a simple reason: and that reason is to pay tribute to the finest Navy that the world has ever seen. And we should remember that, right now, thousands of Sailors stand the watch on ships and stations around the world. And that’s a testament to the Navy’s patriotism and professionalism.  

And it’s a testament to your leadership as well. So Admiral Gilday, congratulations on your tremendous tenure as the 32nd Chief of Naval Operations. And I’m glad to be here with so many outstanding Sailors today as we celebrate your service and all that the Navy has achieved under your leadership.   

Ladies and gentlemen, to tackle the national-security challenges of the 21st century, we need our Navy more than ever. It is especially vital in today’s world. And as Mike Gilday likes to say, the global economy floats on seawater. 

So we rely on our Navy to secure the world’s sea lanes for the free flow of ships, commerce, and ideas.  

We rely on our Navy to sail, fly, and operate wherever international law allows.  

We rely on our Navy to project American power and to protect American interests.  

We rely on our Navy to bolster our unmatched network of allies and partners, from the South China Sea to the Caribbean.  

And we rely on our Navy to deter conflict and to keep the peace. 

Now, some of our competitors have a very different vision. They want to upend the rules-based international order that was built at such a high cost after World War II. That includes new challenges in the maritime domain.  

But we are determined to defend the freedom of the skies, the seas, and space. And we are determined to keep the world of the 21st century open, stable, and peaceful.  

And that’s exactly what Admiral Gilday has been focused on for the past four years as our CNO.  

First and foremost, he’s been relentless about readiness. The Navy has been using data-driven reforms to improve maintenance. And today, our Navy, our shipyards, and our industrial base have sped up the pace of repairs. We’ve also invested in our supply chains so that when our ships, subs, and aircraft need maintenance, their new parts are more reliable and get to the fleet even faster.  

And under Admiral Gilday’s leadership, the Navy has also made great strides to modernize our fleet, to strengthen its capabilities, and to project American power on a global scale. 

Last October, the Navy deployed its new, first-in-class aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford. She’s the largest warship in the world. The most technologically advanced. And the most powerful.  

In the recent Exercise Neptune Strike, the Ford steamed through the Mediterranean and the Adriatic, sailing together with our NATO allies and other partners to reinforce our common deterrence.    

And Navy airwings have deployed with the F-35C—which is a multi-role stealth fighter that is tailor-made for carrier-based operations.  

Now that’s the type of progress and drive that will keep our Navy on the cutting edge.  

And Admiral Gilday has also deepened the Navy’s integration with the Marine Corps and the Coast Guard. He and his team developed the first tri-service maritime strategy since 2015. And that strategy will shape the maritime balance of power for years and years to come. 

And he has dramatically improved our interoperability with our allies and partners.  

To take just one example: our Navy has a key role in our historic AUKUS partnership with Australia and the United Kingdom. AUKUS is helping our three great democracies work even more closely together to keep the Indo-Pacific free, and open, and secure. 

Last month, the first Australian officers graduated from the Navy’s nuclear-power school. And just days ago, a Virginia-class submarine visited Australia as a part of the AUKUS partnership. And these crucial port visits help pave the way for our Australian counterparts to operate their own sovereign, nuclear-powered, conventionally armed submarines.  

Now, it’s a huge task to forge a Navy that will meet today’s security requirements. But for our Sailors, it’s all in a day’s work. And it’s all in a life’s calling.  

Every day, the men and women of the United States Navy defend our democracy.  

You do it with courage, skill, and honor. And you’re not just advancing American seapower around the planet. You’re also advancing America’s commitment to an open world of rules and rights.  

For the past four years, Admiral Gilday has guided all those advances with vigor, and expertise, and foresight. 

Now, Mike was adamant that he did not want today’s ceremony to be about him. But Mike, you don’t always get to choose. And so I’d be remiss if I didn’t say a couple of things about your distinguished career. 

Now, his career started right here at the Naval Academy. And by the way, I’m impressed that I was in the building for at least 30 minutes, and nobody said, “Beat Army” to me when I walked in.   

You’re thinking it though, Admiral. 

Mike’s classmates knew that he would always put in the work, whether he was studying for an exam or playing ultimate Frisbee.  

And that commitment to excellence defined Mike’s 38 years in uniform. 

He took on some of the most challenging jobs out there. Service aboard five warships, two of which he commanded, the destroyers Higgins and Benfold. Commander of a Destroyer Squadron and Carrier Strike Group Eight. Commander of U.S. Fleet Cyber Command. Director of operations on the Joint Staff. And even carrying the so-called “nuclear football” on Air Force One.  

Now, the Admiral has always understood that the most precious asset in the Navy’s arsenal is our people, including our military families. And Mike’s own family has supported him every step of his journey. 

His wife, Linda Gilday, has had a distinguished career as an engineer and a program manager. And she has brought her own expertise to the Navy as well, including working to improve infrastructure at the Navy’s public shipyards.  

Linda also helped launch the “Women in the Navy” initiative to honor the inspiring women who have strengthened this service throughout its history. And Linda has been a staunch advocate for military spouses and military families, from working for accessible, high-quality child care to helping families transition from duty station to duty station.  

So Linda, on behalf of everyone, thank you for everything that you’ve done in support of Mike and in support of our United States Navy.  

Now, Linda and Mike are deeply proud of their two sons. Michael is a senior at Auburn University. You can say “War Eagle” if you like. Brian is an ensign in the Navy, now serving as an explosive ordnance disposal officer. And that makes Brian third-generation Navy.  

So this is an exemplary military family.  

Mike, you are a sailor’s sailor, through and through. And I’m reminded of something that you said here in May on Commissioning Day. You said that you’ve always found that “Sailors just want to be led well and treated with respect.” 

And that’s been your hallmark, Mike, from Ensign to Admiral. You’ve always led superbly, and you’ve always treated everyone with the respect that they deserve.  

Bravo Zulu, Sailor.  

We wish you fair winds and following seas. 

And I am extremely proud to call you my shipmate. 

Let’s give Mike and the entire Gilday family a round of applause. 

Now, this is indeed a proud day—but I want to take a moment to mark a painful milestone.  

As you know, more than 300 nominations for our outstanding general and flag officers are now being held up in the United States Senate. That includes our top uniformed leaders—and our next Chief of Naval Operations. 

Because of this blanket hold, starting today, for the first time in the history of the Department of Defense, three of our military services are operating without Senate-confirmed leaders.  

This is unprecedented. It is unnecessary. And it is unsafe. 

This sweeping hold is undermining America’s military readiness. It’s hindering our ability to retain our very best officers. And it’s upending the lives of far too many American military families.  

Our troops deserve better. Our military families deserve better. Our allies and partners deserve better. And our national security deserves better.  

So let me say again that smooth and swift transitions of confirmed leadership are central to the defense of the United States and to the full strength of the most lethal fighting force in history.  

And it is time for the Senate to confirm all of our superbly qualified military nominees—including the 33rd Chief of Naval Operations.  

Ladies and gentlemen, all around the planet, U.S. Navy ships help to build a world that is more free, more just, and more secure.  

Our Sailors never waver. And they never give up the ship. And their idealism reflects our country’s highest values of democracy and freedom. 

Our Sailors are the reason why the United States has the finest Navy in human history. 

And thanks to you, the sight of an American flag fluttering in a sea breeze from a gray Navy hull renews the faith of free people in a more hopeful world.   

So thank you to all of the men and women of the United States Navy.  

May God bless you.  

And may God continue to bless the United States of America. 

Thank you very much. 

Release from U.S. Navy Office of Information 

***** 

10 August 2023 

WASHINGTON (August 10, 2023) — The United States Department of the Navy (DON) and the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) announced today the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). 

The MOU, signed by Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Energy, Installations, and Environment) Meredith Berger, and EEI President and CEO Tom Kuhn, establishes a framework for the two organizations to identify opportunities to align the common energy goals of the DON, its servicing electric companies, and nearby communities. 

Relationships between America’s investor-owned electric companies and the Department of the Navy (DON) have been instrumental in increasing energy resilience, reliability, and efficiency, as well as reducing energy consumption at Navy and Marine Corps installations. The MOU will empower these relationships to identify best practices that support the energy grid, local communities, and national security interests. 

“EEI and our member companies are excited to continue our partnership with the DON and to pursue additional opportunities to strengthen energy grid resilience,” said Kuhn. “The signing of this MOU will allow the industry to play a vital role in maintaining and enhancing America’s energy security by laying the foundation to enhance joint energy resilience planning.” 

The Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations, and Environment ensures mission readiness through resilient installations, personnel, ranges, and capabilities. As the DON’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Secretary Berger is also responsible for establishing and overseeing execution of sustainability goals and implementing Climate Action 2030. 

“The ability of the DON’s installations to plan, prepare, adapt and recover from a range of natural or manmade threats is essential to mission readiness,” said Berger. “Energy security is critical to mission success, and working with organizations that share our goals is critical to our efforts.” 

About Edison Electric Institute: EEI is the association that represents all U.S. investor-owned electric companies. Our members provide electricity for nearly 250 million Americans, and operate in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. As a whole, the electric power industry supports more than 7 million jobs in communities across the United States. In addition to our U.S. members, EEI has more than 65 international electric companies, with operations in more than 90 countries, as International Members, and hundreds of industry suppliers and related organizations as Associate Members. 

  

Release from Naval Sea Systems Command 

***** 

Aug. 11, 2023 

By Team Ships Public Affairs 

SAN DIEGO – Construction started on the sixth Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB), the future USNS Hector A. Cafferata Jr. (ESB 8), at General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (GD NASSCO), Aug. 8. 

The ESB ship class is highly flexible and used across a broad range of military operations supporting multiple operational phases, similar to the Expeditionary Transfer Dock class. Acting as a mobile sea base, they are part of the critical access infrastructure that supports the deployment of forces and supplies to provide prepositioned equipment and sustainment with flexible distribution. 

“The ESB platform has demonstrated they have not only the flexibility, but the capability the fleet needs while protecting our warfighting advantage,” said Tim Roberts, Strategic and Theater Sealift program manager, Program Executive Office (PEO) Ships. “The ship will support a variety of mission sets while focusing on its core capabilities of aviation facilities, berthing, special operations, equipment staging support, and command and control operations.” 

In July 2023 the ship was named by Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro in honor of Medal of Honor recipient and Korean War veteran Hector A. Cafferata and is the first ship to carry his name. 

GD NASSCO is also currently under construction on the future USNS Robert E. Simanek (ESB 7) as well as John Lewis-class Fleet Replenishment Oilers, USNS Earl Warren (T-AO 207), Robert F. Kennedy (T-AO 208), Lucy Stone (T-209) and Sojourner Truth (T-AO 210) with Thurgood Marshall (T-AO 211), Ruth Bader Ginsburg (T-ASO 212) and T-AO 213 under contract. 

As one of the Defense Department’s largest acquisition organizations, PEO Ships is responsible for executing the development and procurement of all destroyers, amphibious ships, special mission and support ships, and boats and craft. 

Release from Commander, Naval Surface Forces Public Affairs 

***** 

From Commander, Naval Surface Forces Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO – USS Mobile Bay (CG 53) honored more than three decades of naval service during a decommissioning ceremony at Naval Base San Diego, Aug. 10.

Vice Adm. Roy Kitchener, commander, Naval Surface Forces served as the ceremony’s guest speaker and wished the current crew fair winds and following seas as they bid farewell to their ship.

“The Sailors of USS Mobile Bay demonstrated time and time again the resolve and readiness the Surface Force provides around the clock in support of our nation’s interests,” said Kitchener. “Everywhere this ship and crew deployed, Mobile Bay Sailors served their nation well, and lived up to the valor enshrined in the Battle of Mobile Bay.”

Commanded by Capt. Brandon J. Burkett, Mobile Bay maintained a crew of 30 officers and 300 enlisted members.

“It’s been an honor to be Mobile Bay’s last commanding officer,” said Burkett. “It has been a distinct privilege to work alongside some of the finest Sailors our Navy and our nation have to offer. Their persistence through adversity is commendable and truly represents the spirit of Mobile Bay’s motto, ‘Full speed ahead.’ They truly embody what it means to be a ‘MOBster.’ It is now my solemn responsibility as the ships final captain to order hauling down the colors and disembarking the crew. Though to many of us ‘MOBsters’ past and present, the feeling is deeper than that. Those who’ve gone to sea know that a ship is more than a machine that floats. When you are away from home for months on end your ship becomes your home and your protection. We take care of her and she takes care of us. Simply put, she becomes family. It has been an honor to serve with my crew on this exemplary warship.”

Mobile Bay was built by Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi and commissioned Feb. 21, 1987, Alabama State Docks in Mobile, Alabama.

The ship’s operational history includes the 1989 evacuation of U.S. Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon; launching 22 Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAMs) in support of Operation Desert Storm and evacuation of thousands of people displaced by the volcanic eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in the vicinity of Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines during Operation Fiery Vigil in 1991; U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (CGLED) seizure of 10.5 metric tons of cocaine approximately 800 miles southwest of Acapulco, Mexico, and launching Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAMs) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003.

The ship’s sponsor, Kathryn Jane Maury helped organize the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia in the 1960s after her Navy pilot husband was shot down and captured in 1965. She was married to U.S. Sen. Jeremiah Denton, a Vietnam War veteran who was awarded the Navy Cross for his heroism while a prisoner of war. USS Jeremiah Denton (DDG 129), a Flight III Arleigh-Burke class destroyer is named for him. Mrs. Denton passed away on Nov. 22, 2007, at the age of 81.

The ship was the first named after and in honor of the Battle of Mobile Bay in August 1864. During the famous American Civil War naval battle between Union forces under the command of Adm. David Farragut and Confederate forces under Adm. Franklin Buchanan.

The ship’s motto, “Full speed ahead,” is based on Adm. Farragut’s famous command issued during the battle and typifies the Admiral’s key to success in war, straight thinking and determined action. Mobile Bay proudly carried on the tradition of patriotism and courage displayed by the ships and Sailors in the historic battle which concluded when Farragut’s Union ships converged upon the Confederate ironclad CSS Tennessee firing broadsides and ramming it at full speed with their prows. After two hours, Tennessee was dead in the water, it’s steering gone and stack shot away, filling the gun deck with suffocating heat and flames. Only then did the wounded Buchanan give the order to surrender. Tennessee’s colors came down, concluding one of the most important battles in the Civil War.

Mobile Bay will be inactivated and towed to the Navy’s Inactive Ship’s facility in Bremerton, Washington where they will be in a Logistic Support Asset (LSA) status.

For more news from Naval Surface Forces, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnsp/, www.dvidshub.net/unit/COMNAVSURFPAC, and www.public.navy.mil/surfor/.

27 July 2023
For Immediate Release:

WASHINGTON, DC – The Naval Order of the United States (NOUS) National Capital Commandery welcomes the Escort Carrier Sailors and Airmen Association (ESCAA) to the nation’s capital for a planned final reunion convention which will feature a day-long symposium on Friday August 25, 2023.

Escort Carriers often dubbed “Jeep Carriers” came into existence during World War II, serving with both the U.S. and Royal Navies in the Battle of the Atlantic to deter German U-Boats attacks on cross-Atlantic convoys. They provided the backbone to what became known as Hunter-Killer groups. One such group, centered around the escort carrier Guadalcanal, would capture the German submarine U-505 on June 4, 1944. Escort carriers also served in the Pacific. During the Battle for Leyte Gulf, the Gambier Bay was sunk by enemy gunfire and a Kamikaze claimed St. Lo. On January 4, 1945, another Kamikaze claimed Ommaney Bay off the Philippines and this past July 10th, 2023, the Naval History and Heritage Command confirmed its discovery. A briefing on this discovery by Naval History and Heritage Command underwater archaeology staff is planned for the symposium.

Escort Carriers went on to serve with the U.S. Navy in the Korean and Vietnam conflicts and with other navies. Given their significant contribution to naval history as illustrated by Ommaney Bay, the NOUS National Capital Commandery invites those interested in this unique aspect of naval aviation history to attend a one-day history symposium to be held at the Crystal City Doubletree Hotel in Arlington, Virginia. ESCAA has convened an impressive program with NOUS Companion Dr. David F. Winkler, author of a forthcoming book on the Navy’s first aircraft carrier Langley, serving as moderator. Other experts who have accepted invitations to speak include Cdr. Stan Fisher of the U.S. Naval Academy History Department, Archaeologist Bradley A. Krueger, historians Robert Cressman and Guy Nasuti of the Naval Heritage and History Command, and Travis Bickford of the Library of Congress. The symposium has the strong support of the Director of the Naval History and Heritage Command, Rear Adm. Samuel Cox, USN (Ret.) who has invited convention attendees to tour the Navy Museum the following day and will be the featured speaker at the convention’s closing banquet that following evening.

For those interested in attending the one-day symposium which will include a lunch, the registration is found at www.ecsaa.org/symposium . For those interested in attending the entire reunion convention that includes the symposium, city tour, memorial service and banquet, further information can be found here at www.ecsaa.org/convention.

Though this is the last reunion event for the ESCAA, the NOUS National Capital Commandery commends this organization for its intent to forge on with a mission of preserving the legacy of this unique warship class. Promoting events such as this Escort Carrier History Symposium falls within the mission of the NOUS National Capital Commandery. For more on the Naval Order and eligibility to join, visit https://nouscap.org.

Media inquiries about the Escort Carrier History Symposium can be sent to ESCAA president Dave Ryan at [email protected].

Release from the Secretary of the Navy 

***** 

Department of the Navy Two-Year Review 

09 August 2023 

Statement from Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro: 

Today marks my second anniversary as your Secretary of the Navy, and it continues to be an honor to serve by your side.  In that time, our Navy and Marine Corps team has made much progress advancing our three enduring priorities:  Strengthening Maritime Dominance, Building a Culture of Warfighting Excellence, and Enhancing Strategic Partnerships.  Together, we are improving readiness and modernization in order to ensure we can always fulfill our mission to be combat-ready; our future depends on the work we do today to create a more ready, modern, and capable Navy and Marine Corps team. 

Visiting you at naval bases, shipyards, depots, training ranges, tarmacs, and runways world-wide, I have witnessed firsthand the progress you have made towards improving the training, readiness, and modernization of our fleet and force.  Along with your senior leaders throughout the Department, I strive to ensure you have the resources you need today and well into the future.  Thanks to your collective efforts, we have worked effectively with Congress via the President’s Budget Requests for Fiscal Years (FY) 2022-24 to increase the Department of the Navy’s top line budget by more than $47 billion, a 23% increase from FY 2021.  There is still much work to be done, and this increased investment in our fleet and force by the American people is a sacred trust that reflects the centrality of the Navy and Marine Corps to our national security strategy in this era of competition. 

Read the full memo HERE.