Ships and aircraft from Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (NIMCSG) and Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (MKI ARG), with embarked 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), operate in formation in the South China Sea.
The U.S. Navy reports on the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s (MEU) operations in the South China Sea, which were conducted in coordination with the USS Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group.
Here are some key takeaways:
The 13th MEU participated in Expeditionary Strike Force operations in the South China Sea, which included conducting maritime security operations, amphibious assault rehearsals, and live-fire training exercises.
The operations were aimed at demonstrating the U.S. military’s commitment to regional security and stability, as well as enhancing interoperability with allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region.
The article highlights the importance of the South China Sea as a strategic waterway for global commerce and the need to maintain a rules-based international order to ensure free and open access to it.
The article also mentions that the 13th MEU is a highly capable, versatile, and expeditionary force that can rapidly deploy to respond to crises and contingencies around the world.
Here are a couple of quotes from the article that help to emphasize the key points:
“The South China Sea is a vital waterway for global commerce and maintaining a rules-based international order that allows for free and open access to the region is a top priority for the U.S. and its allies and partners.”
“The 13th MEU is highly capable and ready to respond to a range of crises and contingencies, and we remain committed to working with our partners and allies in the Indo-Pacific to ensure regional security and stability.”
U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Intrepid (CVS-11) underway in the South China Sea
March 12, 1956 The first missile firing aircraft squadron, Attack Squadron 83, is deployed overseas aboard USS Intrepid (CVA 11).
March 13, 1952 During the Korean War, counter-battery engagements by USS Manchester (CL 83), USS James E. Kyes (DD 787), USS McGinty (DE 365) and USS Douglas H. Fox (DD 779) are supported by aircraft from Task Force 77 silence enemy guns at Kalmagak during the Siege of Wonsan.
March 14, 1863 A squadron of ships led by Rear Adm. David G. Farragut passes the heavy batteries at Port Hudson, La., to establish blockade of Red River supply lines during the Civil War. USS Mississippi becomes grounded, catches fire and blows up, killing 64.
March 15, 1957 A ZPG-2 airship driven by Cmdr. Jack R. Hunt lands at Naval Air Station Key West, Fla., after a flight that began March 4 at South Weymouth, Mass., then circled over the Atlantic Ocean toward Portugal, the African coast and back for a new world record in distance and endurance, covering 9,448 statute miles and remaining airborne 264 hours 12 minutes without refueling.
March 16, 1966 Gemini 8 launches. Former naval aviator Neil Armstrong and Air Force Maj. David R. Scott are on this mission that completes seven orbits in 10 hours and 41 minutes at an altitude of 161.3 nautical miles.
March 17, 1958 The Naval Research Laboratory satellite Vanguard 1 is launched into orbit to test the capabilities of a three-stage launch vehicle and effects of the environment on a satellite and its systems in Earths orbit.
March 18, 2006 While conducting maritime security operations as part of Combined Task Force 150 in the Indian Ocean, USS Cape St. George (CG 71) and USS Gonzalez (DDG 66) return fire on a group of pirates, killing one and wounding five. The incident occurs about 25 nautical miles off the central eastern coast of Somalia in international waters
*Source: Naval History and Heritage Command. https://www.history.navy.mil
The article “How Fast Can We Build Warships Today?” discusses the challenges of rapidly building warships in times of crisis, specifically in response to China’s increasing naval power. The author notes that the US Navy’s shipbuilding process is currently slow and inefficient, with complex procurement procedures and limited shipyards.
Key takeaways from the article include:
The US Navy needs to be able to rapidly increase its shipbuilding capabilities to counter China’s growing naval power.
Current shipbuilding processes are slow and inefficient, and the Navy needs to streamline its procurement procedures and expand its shipyard capacity.
Private shipyards could play a larger role in building warships for the Navy.
Building a large number of smaller, simpler warships may be a more effective strategy than building a few large, complex ones.
Credit: The National Review, a conservative media outlet that covers politics, policy, and culture. The article was written by Jerry Hendrix, a retired Navy captain and former director of the Naval History and Heritage Command.
The Department of the Navy has released its FY 2024 President’s Budget, which aims to build a stronger and more capable Navy. The budget includes a total funding request of 8$211.7 billion, with a focus on modernization, readiness, and innovation.
One of the key takeaways from the budget is the emphasis on investing in new technologies and capabilities, such as unmanned systems, artificial intelligence, and cyber warfare. This reflects the Navy’s recognition that future conflicts will be fought in multiple domains, including the digital realm.
The Department of the Navy’s (DON) FY 2024 President’s Budget (PB24) request is $255.8B, an increase of $11.1B or 4.5% from the FY 2023 enacted budget.
The FY 2024 President’s Budget for the Department of the Navy has a total funding request of $211.7 billion.
The budget prioritizes modernization, readiness, and innovation.
The Navy aims to invest in new technologies and capabilities such as unmanned systems, artificial intelligence, and cyber warfare.
The budget emphasizes readiness by increasing the number of ships and aircraft in the fleet and investing in maintenance and training programs.
PmThe Navy plans to improve infrastructure and facilities, including shipyards, naval bases, and research facilities.
Overall, the budget demonstrates a commitment to building a stronger and more capable Navy, ready to face the challenges of the 21st century.
The outline of initiatives by Americans for a Stronger Navy is a crucial aspect of the organization’s mission to support the United States Navy’s strategic direction. By focusing on key areas such as strengthening the Navy’s capabilities, promoting international partnerships, supporting readiness efforts, advocating for modernization, and championing personnel and their families, Americans for a Stronger Navy aims to ensure that the Navy remains the most capable and effective naval force in the world. This blog post will highlight the significance of the outline and explain why it matters in supporting the Navy’s strategic direction outlined in the Navigation Plan 2022.
The Navigation Plan 2022, released by the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), outlines the US Navy’s strategic direction for the next decade. The plan focuses on five key areas: warfighting, operating forward, readiness, modernization, and people. It aims to address the challenges faced by the Navy in terms of maintaining its current capabilities while also preparing for future threats and opportunities.
Cheif of Naval Operations Navigation Plan 2022
The plan emphasizes the importance of investing in modern technologies to enhance the Navy’s warfighting capabilities, including hypersonic weapons, unmanned systems, and artificial intelligence. It also prioritizes operating forward, which involves maintaining a constant presence in critical regions around the world, building partnerships with other nations, and conducting joint operations with other branches of the military.
The Navigation Plan 2022 also places a significant emphasis on readiness, which involves ensuring that the Navy is equipped with the resources and personnel needed to respond to crises and conflicts quickly and effectively. It also focuses on modernizing the Navy’s equipment and infrastructure to maintain a competitive edge against emerging threats.
To support the Navy’s strategic direction outlined in the Navigation Plan 2022, initiatives by Americans for a Stronger Navy focus on the following:
Strengthening the Navy’s capabilities through increased funding: The organization advocates for robust funding to support the Navy’s modernization efforts, including the development and acquisition of advanced technologies.
2. Promoting international partnerships and alliances: Americans for a Stronger Navy supports the Navy’s operating forward strategy by advocating for partnerships and alliances with other nations to enhance interoperability and build regional security.
3. Supporting readiness efforts: The organization works to ensure that the Navy has the necessary resources and personnel to maintain readiness and respond to threats quickly and effectively.
4. Advocating for modernization: Americans for a Stronger Navy advocates for modernizing the Navy’s equipment and infrastructure to ensure that it remains competitive and effective against emerging threats.
5. Championing personnel and their families: The organization focuses on promoting policies and initiatives that support Navy personnel and their families, including efforts to enhance benefits, improve quality of life, and provide better healthcare.
7. Overall, the Navigation Plan 2022 and the initiatives by Americans for a Stronger Navy share a common goal of ensuring that the US Navy remains the most capable and effective naval force in the world, capable of responding to emerging threats and challenges in the coming decade.
Seaman Isaiah Harris and Seaman Devon Harris, both assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush, are the stars of the deck as the ship arrives in Souda Bay, Greece. As the vessel, along with the embarked staff of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10, gets ready for its scheduled port visit, these two sailors are hard at work heaving a line.
This may seem like a simple task, but it plays a crucial role on board a Navy ship. It’s a time-honored tradition that ensures safe mooring and docking, and for Seaman Harris and Seaman Harris, it’s an opportunity to showcase their teamwork and precision in a high-pressure environment.
Their dedication and hard work represent the kind of professionalism that makes the George H.W. Bush CSG a force to be reckoned with in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, where they defend U.S., allied, and partner interests.
The U.S. and India held a Joint Working Group on Aircraft Carrier Technology Cooperation meeting to discuss shared interests in developing aircraft carrier technology.
Key takeaways include:
The two countries reaffirmed their commitment to working together on the development of aircraft carrier technology.
The meeting focused on discussing potential areas of collaboration, including aircraft launch and recovery systems, advanced arresting gear, and propulsion systems.
The two countries also discussed ways to enhance cooperation on naval aviation safety and maintenance.
Both sides agreed to continue discussions and explore opportunities for future collaboration.
The United States Navy’s newest and most advanced aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, recently led a multi-week exercise to fully certify the carrier strike group’s combat readiness. The exercise, which took place in the Pacific Ocean, involved a fleet of warships that were tested in scenarios simulating real-world combat situations.
The USS Gerald R. Ford, which was commissioned in 2017, is the lead ship of the Gerald R. Ford class of aircraft carriers. It is the first new carrier design in over 40 years and incorporates advanced technologies that enhance its operational capabilities.
During the exercise, the carrier’s crew worked around the clock to ensure everything was functioning perfectly. Planes were launched and retrieved on the flight deck, weapons were loaded onto aircraft, and communications equipment was tested. The other ships in the strike group were engaged in their own exercises, focusing on anti-submarine warfare tactics, air defense scenarios, surface warfare, and anti-piracy exercises.
As the exercise progressed, the scenarios became more complex and intense, testing the strike group’s readiness to respond to any threat. Despite the intensity of the training, morale remained high among the crew. They knew that the skills they were honing could one day save lives and protect their country.
The strike group was tested in a variety of scenarios, from air attacks to submarine warfare. The sailors were constantly on high alert, ready to respond to any threat. The exercises were designed to fully certify the carrier strike group’s combat readiness, ensuring that they were prepared for any situation they may face in the future.
Finally, after weeks of intense training, the strike group returned to port. The sailors were exhausted but proud of what they had accomplished. They had proven their readiness to take on any challenge that came their way, and they knew that they were part of one of the most formidable fighting forces in the world.
The USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group’s multi-week exercise to fully certify their combat readiness demonstrates the United States Navy’s commitment to maintaining a strong and capable fighting force. The advanced technologies and skills honed during the exercise will ensure that the Navy is prepared to face any threat to national security.
Americans for a Stronger Navy, a non-profit organization committed to advocating and supporting the United States Navy, is proud to announce the launch of its “Who’s Who” initiative. This exciting program is designed to showcase the achievements of individual sailors, units, and departments within the US Navy, highlighting the dedication and hard work of those who serve our nation. Each week, Americans for a Stronger Navy will feature a new “Who’s Who” honoree, providing a glimpse into the outstanding contributions made by members of the Navy community. Through this initiative, Americans for a Stronger Navy hopes to demonstrate the importance of a strong, capable Navy and to promote greater appreciation for the individuals who make it all possible.
Admiral Michael M. Gilday
The current Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) for the United States Navy is Admiral Michael M. Gilday. Admiral Gilday has a distinguished career spanning over 30 years in the Navy, and he assumed the role of CNO on August 22, 2019.
Admiral Gilday was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, on February 20, 1962. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering. He later earned a Master of Science degree in national security affairs from the National Defense University’s Industrial College of the Armed Forces. Throughout his career, Admiral Gilday has held a variety of positions, including commanding officer of the destroyer USS Benfold, commander of Destroyer Squadron 7, and commander of Carrier Strike Group 11.
Admiral Gilday’s vision for the future of the Navy centers around maintaining global maritime superiority through a combination of technological advancement and strategic partnerships. He has emphasized the importance of developing and deploying new technologies, such as unmanned systems and artificial intelligence, to enhance the Navy’s capabilities. He has also stressed the need for the Navy to work closely with international partners to maintain stability and security in key regions around the world.
We have been told but have not confirmed that, “one of Admiral Gilday’s notable personal characteristics is his love of music. He is an accomplished guitarist and singer, and he has performed with a number of bands throughout his career” said the source.
Admiral Gilday is also known for his commitment to diversity and inclusion within the Navy. He has been a vocal advocate for ensuring that all sailors are treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their background or identity. In a speech to the crew of the USS Gerald R. Ford in 2020, Admiral Gilday emphasized that “diversity is a warfighting imperative” and called on all sailors to embrace the Navy’s core values of honor, courage, and commitment.
Overall, Admiral Michael M. Gilday is a highly respected and accomplished leader who is committed to maintaining the Navy’s global maritime superiority through innovation, collaboration, and inclusivity. His personal passion for music and his dedication to supporting charitable causes and promoting diversity and inclusion have earned him the respect and admiration of his fellow sailors and the broader military community.
The New York Times reports that, “He is a high-speed intellect with low-drag ego, which is a very rare quality at the upper echelons of any government,” said James G. Stavridis, a retired admiral and former NATO commander.
“He knows D.C. and how D.C. works, but he’s not part of the D.C. crowd,” said Adm. Scott H. Swift, a retired commander of the Navy’s Pacific Fleet. “He has an outsider’s understanding of the challenges facing the fleet.”
Indeed, colleagues and friends say he is a sailor’s admiral — a quiet, self-effacing, no-nonsense officer who is comfortable in his own skin making what might be politically unpopular decisions.
Admiral Mike Gilday is the son of a Navy Sailor. A surface warfare officer, he is a native of Lowell, Massachusetts and a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. He holds master’s degrees from the Harvard Kennedy School and the National War College.
At sea, he deployed with USS Chandler (DDG 996), USS Princeton (CG 59), and USS Gettysburg (CG 64). He commanded destroyers USS Higgins (DDG 76) and USS Benfold (DDG 65) and subsequently, commanded Destroyer Squadron 7, serving as sea combat commander for the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group.
As a flag officer, he served as commander Carrier Strike Group 8 embarked aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), and as commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command and U.S 10th Fleet.
His staff assignments include the Bureau of Naval Personnel; staff of the Chief of Naval Operations, and staff of the Vice Chief of Naval Operations. Joint assignments include executive assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and naval aide to the President.
As a flag officer, he served in joint positions as director of operations for NATO’s Joint Force Command Lisbon; as chief of staff for Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO; director of operations, J3, for U.S. Cyber Command; and as director of operations, J3, for the Joint Staff. He recently served as director, Joint Staff.
He has served on teams that have been recognized with numerous awards and is the recipient of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal (four awards), Legion of Merit (three awards), Bronze Star, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat “V,” and the Combat Action Ribbon.
Gilday began serving as the 32nd Chief of Naval Operations August 22, 2019.
Republican lawmakers have sounded the alarm on the growing threats to the US from China, Russia, and Iran according to news reports today. The lawmakers released a report highlighting the challenges faced by the US military, including increased cyber-attacks and other forms of aggression.
Some of the key takeaways from the report include the need to increase funding for the military to counter these threats, the need for a comprehensive strategy to address the challenges posed by China and Russia, and the need to prioritize cybersecurity to prevent future attacks.
This report is of interest to Americans for a Stronger Navy because it underscores the importance of a strong and well-funded military, particularly in the face of growing foreign threats. As one of the primary advocates for a stronger Navy, this report reinforces the need for continued investment in naval power to protect American interests both at home and abroad.
