Peace Through Strength – Community Driven – Membership Supported
Category: Fleet Forward News Watch
The Fleet Forward initiative is a comprehensive plan that aims to strengthen the US Navy by expanding its fleet to meet the evolving challenges of modern warfare. The Fleet Forward News Watch is committed to keeping the public informed about this important initiative and its progress.
The Navy will commission the USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32) on April 1, 2023, as the newest Independence-variant littoral combat ship in Port Hueneme, California.
The Independence-variant variant littoral combat ship USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32) is in port at Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) for its commissioning ceremony, March 31, 2023. (U.S. Navy photo by Ensign Drew Verbis)
The ship’s sponsor is Mrs. Lolita Zinke, and the ceremony will feature notable speakers such as Admiral Samuel Paparo and U.S. Representative Julia Brownley.
The #USSSantaBarbara is named after the city with a strong military history and connection with the Navy and Marine Corps.
The ship is part of the LCS class of ships, which consist of two variants, the Freedom and the Independence, designed and built by two industry teams with the Independence-variant team led by Austal USA for LCS 6 and the subsequent even-numbered hulls, including the USS Santa Barbara.
Littoral Combat Ships are fast, mission-tailored surface combatants designed to operate in near-shore and open-ocean environments. USS Santa Barbara is the third U.S. ship to bear the name Santa Barbara, with the previous two being a single-screw steel freighter and a Kilauea-class ammunition ship.
The commissioning ceremony will be live-streamed at www.dvidshub.net/webcast/31155.
Raytheon Technologies has been awarded a $619 million contract to produce AN/SPY-6(V) radars for the US Navy. This contract is the second option exercised from the March 2022 hardware, production, and sustainment contract, which is valued up to $3 billion over five years.
The SPY-6 radars can defend against ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, hostile aircraft, and surface ships simultaneously, and provide significantly greater detection range, increased sensitivity, and more accurate discrimination than legacy radars.
The radars are being integrated into the US fleet, and this contract will enable them to be added to more ships, including the first of existing Flight IIA destroyers that will be modernized.
About Raytheon Technologies Raytheon Technologies (NYSE: RTX) is the world’s largest aerospace and defense company. Our global team of 180,000 employees pushes the limits of known science and redefines how we connect and protect our world. We are advancing aviation, building smarter defense systems and creating innovations to take us deeper into space. The company, with 2022 sales of $67 billion, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III announced today that the president has made the following nominations.
Navy Rear Adm. James P. Downey for appointment to the grade of vice admiral, and assignment as commander, Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C. Downey is currently serving as program executive officer for Aircraft Carriers, Washington, D.C.
AboutRear Adm. James P. Downey
Rear Adm. James Downey is a native of New York. He is a 1986 graduate of the State University of New York, Albany, New York with a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Computer Science. He was commissioned in 1987 and is a 1997 graduate of the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California with a Master of Science in Computer Science followed by Engineering Duty Officer (EDO) School in Port Hueneme, California, where he graduated with distinction and received the Founder’s Award.
He qualified as a surface warfare officer aboard USS Hayler (DD 997) in 1989. Additional operational assignments include intelligence briefing officer to the Commander in Chief, Combined Forces Command, U.S. Forces Korea , Seoul, Korea; and multiple deployments afloat in the North Atlantic, Baltic, Arctic Circle, and Pacific.
Engineering duty officer assignments include assistant program manager for surface and subsurface integration for GPS and Navigation Sensor System Interface programs, leading Tomahawk integration; chief engineer for high assurance systems at the Defense Information Systems Agency and National Security Agency; officer in charge of Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command , Yokosuka, Japan; CVN 21 program chief engineer, principal assistant program manager , and warfare systems director; CG(X) major program manager; and major program manager for the DDG 1000 program including delivery of the first ship of the class.
His first flag assignment was commander, Navy Regional Maintenance Center during which time he also served as Naval Sea Systems Command’s deputy commander for surface warfare. He assumed duties as program executive officer, Aircraft Carriers in June 2019.
Downey’s awards include the Legion of Merit (two awards), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), the Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), and various other personal, unit, and service awards.
Naval Sea Systems Command
Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) is comprised of more than 86,643 (as of 1 Oct 2021) civilian and military personnel in 42 activities located across the United States and Asia. Together, we build, buy and maintain ships, submarines and combat systems for the U.S. Navy
Comptroller (SEA 01) provides financial policy, advice and quality services to ensure NAVSEA’s customers’ budgets are efficiently and effectively executed. SEA 01 manages appropriation areas as well as providing cost engineering, and industrial analysis.
Contracts (SEA 02) and its field contracting offices under the Contracts Competency award approximately $36 billion in contracts annually for new construction ships and submarines, ship repair, major weapon systems and services.
Cyber Engineering & Digital Transformation (SEA 03) has the responsibility for providing the infrastructure and support services for the programs and developers in the NAVSEA community. SEA 03 delivers combat power to the fleet through enterprise digital capabilities, infrastructure for cyber-secure digital work and innovation, and enhanced enterprise user’s experience.
Cyber Security: SEA 03 provides the NAVSEA Enterprise with guidance on cyber issues and ensures that all ships are able and ready to detect, defend and recover from cybersecurity attacks. IT Services: SEA 03 maintains and facilitates Network Operations and IT Service Delivery for Headquarters NAVSEA end users to enable maximum productivity for NAVSEA civilians and military personnel in the support of the warfighter. Digital Transformation: SEA 03 transforms NAVSEA digital capability adopting new digital technologies, capitalizing on data, increasing digital skills, and modernizing business processes. Industrial Operations (SEA 04) has the important mission of getting ships to sea and keeping them ready. SEA 04 is the preferred integrator of maintenance and industrial operations for its Enterprise customers. SEA04 manages the four Naval Shipyards and the four Supervisors of Shipbuilding (SUPSHIPS).
Navy Drydocking: To request Navy Drydocking Reference Materials and/or the Navy Drydocking Course & Exam, contact NAVSEA’s Drydocking Safety Certification Representatives at (843) 794-7339 or (843) 794-7340. The Naval Systems Engineering & Logistics Directorate (SEA 05) is responsible for providing the engineering and scientific expertise, knowledge, and technical authority necessary to design, build, maintain, repair, modernize, certify, and dispose of the Navy’s ships, submarines, and associated warfare systems. SEA 05 is organized into 16 groups:
Office of the Chief Engineer (SEA05B) Cost Engineering and Industrial Analysis (SEA 05C) Surface Ship Design and Systems Engineering (SEA 05D) Explosive Ordnance Engineering (SEA 05E) Integrated Warfare Systems Engineering (SEA 05H) L&MW Warfare Systems Engineering (SEA 05M) Undersea Warfare Systems Engineering (SEA 05N) Ship Integrity and Performance Engineering (SEA 05P) Readiness & Logistics (SEA 05R) Industrial Engineering, Technical Policy and Standards (SEA 05S) Technology Office (SEA 05T) Submarine/Submersible Design & Systems Engineering (SEA 05U) Aircraft Carrier Design & Systems Engineering (SEA 05V) Surface Warfare Systems Engineering (SEA 05W) Weapons Systems, Ordnance, and Explosive Safety and Security (SEA 05X) Marine Engineering (SEA 05Z)
Undersea Warfare (SEA 07) provides a full spectrum of research, development, test and evaluation, HM&E systems engineering and fleet support services to the in-service submarine and undersea forces. Submarine/Undersea Warfare Technology (SUBTECH) coordinates the development of technologies to fulfill undersea warfare capability requirements.
Surface Warfare (SEA 21) manages the complete lifecycle support for all non-nuclear surface ships and is the principal interface with the Surface Warfare Enterprise. The directorate is responsible for the maintenance and modernization of non-nuclear surface ships currently operating in the Fleet. Through planned modernization and upgrade programs, SEA 21 will equip today’s surface ships with the latest technologies and systems to keep them in the Fleet through their service lives. Additionally, SEA 21 oversees the ship inactivation process, including ship transfers or sales to friendly foreign navies, inactivation and/or disposal.
Corporate Operations (SEA 10) performs all operations support for NAVSEA directorates and field activities as well as PEOs. Support includes administrative products and services, career planning, employee development, facilities, foreign military sales coordination, human resources, security, and university research assistance.
The Seven teams chosen for $2.5bn of US naval defence work according to Global Construction Review. The article reports that seven teams have been selected by the US Navy to compete for a series of design and construction contracts worth up to $2.5 billion over the next five years.
Here are some key takeaways from the article:
The US Navy has selected seven teams to compete for a series of design and construction contracts worth up to $2.5 billion over the next five years. The contracts will focus on infrastructure and facility construction projects at US Navy and Marine Corps locations throughout the continental US and Hawaii. The seven teams selected include some of the largest construction companies in the US, including Fluor, Hensel Phelps, and Jacobs. The contracts will be awarded through a competitive selection process, with each team given the opportunity to bid on individual projects as they are announced. The goal of the contracts is to improve the infrastructure and facilities that support the US Navy and Marine Corps, allowing them to better carry out their missions and operate effectively.
The U.S. Navy’s readiness is being tested as China continues to build up its naval forces and threatens Taiwan. These concerns were highlighted in a recent 60 Minutes story featuring Admiral Samuel Paparo, onboard the USS Nimitz, deployed near the U.S. territory of Guam, southeast of Taiwan and the People’s Republic of China, or PRC.
Admiral Samuel Paparo commands the U.S. Pacific Fleet, whose 200 ships and 150,000 sailors and civilians make up 60% of the entire U.S. Navy.
“The Navy’s always on alert. One third of the Navy is always deployed and operating at all times. The Navy’s mustering right now about 300 ships, and there are about 100 ships at sea right now all around the globe.” – Admiral Samuel Paparo.
The story emphasized the challenge posed by China’s rapidly growing navy, which now boasts the world’s largest fleet of ships.
CBS 60 minutes with Admiral Samuel Paparo
“The Chinese have made a great effort over the last decade-plus to modernize their navy, and in many cases to achieve parity with us.” – Admiral Samuel Paparo.
The 60 Minutes story also emphasized the need for the U.S. to maintain a strong and capable navy in the face of China’s rise, while also working with its allies in the region to counter China’s ambitions. The story also discussed the situation in Taiwan, where tensions have been rising as China increases its military activities in the region.
“I’ll tell you this: we are here to stay, right, in the South China Sea, and in this part of the world. And I think that’s the message that we really want to convey to not only China, but the entire world. We will sail wherever international law allows.” – Lt. Cmdr. David Ash.
Key takeaways from the story include:
The need to increase the Navy’s readiness through more training and better equipment, as well as concerns about a shortage of ships and the impact of budget cuts on the Navy’s ability to maintain its readiness.
The saying, which is, “Si Pacem, Para Bellum,” which is, “If you want peace, prepare for war.” Admiral Samuel Paparo.
About Si vis pacem, para bellum
This ancient Latin adage means “If you want peace, prepare for war.” For additional information on this topic click here for earlier post from the Americans for a Stronger Navy blog.
Amidst these challenges, organizations such as the Americans for a Stronger Navy will advocate for a stronger and better-equipped Navy.
The mission of the Americans for a Stronger Navy is to educate the public and policymakers about the importance of a strong Navy to national security and economic prosperity.
On behalf of the members of the Americans for Stronger Navy, we would like to salute both Admiral Samuel Paparo, Lt. Cmdr. David Ash, the entire crew for their service and CBS 60 Minutes for covering this important story.
“It is crucial to raise awareness about the threats facing the U.S. Navy and the need to maintain a strong and capable naval presence in the Indo-Pacific region.” – Americans for a Stronger Navy.
Admiral Samuel Paparo
More about Adm. Samuel Paparo
Adm. Samuel Paparo, a native of Morton, Pennsylvania graduated from Villanova University and was commissioned in 1987. He is the son of a former enlisted Marine and the grandson of a World War II enlisted Sailor. He has earned a Master of Arts in International Studies from Old Dominion University and a Master of Science in Systems Analysis from the Naval Postgraduate School.
A U.S. Naval Aviator, he is a TOPGUN graduate and has flown over 6,000 hours in the F-14, F-15 and F/A-18 and 1,100 carrier landings.
Operational command tours at sea include Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 195 in the Forward Deployed Naval Forces, Yokosuka, Japan, deploying in Kitty Hawk Strike Group; VFA 106, NAS Oceana, Va; Commander, Carrier Air Wing 7, embarked in Dwight D. Eisenhower Strike Group and Commander, Carrier Strike Group 10.
Other operational assignments at sea include Fighter Squadron (VF) 14, flying the F-14 Tomcat with USS John F. Kennedy and USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Strike Groups and VFA-15, flying the F/A-18 Hornet with USS Theodore Roosevelt and USS Enterprise Strike Groups.
In joint operational service, he was Director of Operations (J3) at U.S. Central Command, Tampa, Florida; Battle Director at the Combined Air and Space Operations Center, Al Udeid, Qatar; and Commanding Officer of Provincial Reconstruction Team, Nuristan Province, Afghanistan with the 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division and the 173rd Airborne Brigade. He served also on exchange duty with the U.S. Air Force flying the F-15C Eagle with the 71st Fighter Squadron, deploying multiple times to Saudi Arabia and Keflavik, Iceland.
Shore assignments include the staff of Commander, Naval Air Forces, as F/A-18 training, readiness and requirements officer. He was Programming Division (OPNAV N80), Strategy and Resource and Requirements Review Board branch head.
Executive staff tours include service as executive assistant to Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, and executive assistant to the 31st Chief of Naval Operations.
His most recent assignment was commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces, Manama, Bahrain.
The title “Si vis pacem, para bellum – Peace Through Strength” accurately reflects the central message of Americans for a Stronger Navy and its philosophy that by preparing for war, nations can achieve a lasting peace. This message is deeply rooted in the history of the phrase “Si vis pacem, para bellum,” which has been adopted and adapted by many different groups over the centuries.
For Americans for a Stronger Navy, the idea of preparing for war in order to secure peace is central to their mission. We believe that a strong and capable Navy is essential to protecting the United States and its interests, both at home and abroad. By investing in military programs and promoting policies that support veterans and their families, Americans for a Stronger Navy seeks to ensure that the US Navy remains the most powerful and effective naval force in the world.
The philosophy of Americans for a Stronger Navy is embodied in the phrase “Si vis pacem, para bellum.” This ancient Latin adage means “If you want peace, prepare for war,” and it has become a guiding principle for the organization. We also believe that by deterring potential adversaries and projecting military power when necessary, the US Navy can help to maintain stability and prevent conflicts from escalating. Moreover, a strong Navy can enable the US to provide humanitarian assistance and support to its allies, further promoting peace and stability around the world.
In this way, the message of “Si vis pacem, para bellum” is at the core of the philosophy of Americans for a Stronger Navy. By preparing for war, we hope to achieve a lasting peace that is maintained through strength and deterrence, rather than through conflict and violence. The title “Si vis pacem, para bellum – Peace Through Strength.”
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 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.
The United States Navy has long been at the forefront of technological innovation and advancement. However, in recent years, it has become clear that the Navy needs to adapt to new technologies more quickly and efficiently in order to remain competitive in an increasingly complex and rapidly evolving global security environment. That is where the Navy Tech Bridge program comes in.
The Navy Tech Bridge program, which is part of the larger Navy Agility Office, is a collaborative effort that aims to connect the Navy with private sector companies and academic institutions to accelerate the adoption of new technologies. The program currently operates in six different regions across the United States: New England, the Mid-Atlantic, the South, the Midwest, the Southwest, and the West Coast.
The program’s focus is on developing partnerships between the Navy and private sector entities that have expertise in areas such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and cybersecurity. Through these partnerships, the Navy is able to leverage the knowledge and resources of these organizations to more quickly and effectively develop and implement new technologies that can enhance its operational capabilities.
One of the key reasons why the Navy Tech Bridge program matters is that it helps the Navy to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to technological innovation. As new technologies emerge and evolve at an increasingly rapid pace, it is crucial for the Navy to be able to identify and adopt those technologies quickly in order to maintain its edge over potential adversaries. The Navy Tech Bridge program helps to facilitate that process by connecting the Navy with private sector entities that are on the cutting edge of technological innovation.
In addition to its benefits for the Navy, the Navy Tech Bridge program also has positive implications for the broader economy. By facilitating partnerships between the Navy and private sector companies, the program creates opportunities for innovation and collaboration that can lead to new jobs and economic growth in the regions where it operates.
Americans for a Stronger Navy, a non-profit education and advocacy organization that supports a strong and technologically advanced United States Navy, has been a vocal supporter of the Navy Tech Bridge program. In a statement, the organization said that it “applauds the Navy’s efforts to build bridges with the private sector and academia to accelerate the adoption of new technologies that can enhance the Navy’s operational capabilities.” Americans for a Stronger Navy recognizes the importance of staying ahead of potential adversaries and believes that the Navy Tech Bridge program is an important step in that direction.
Overall, the Navy Tech Bridge program is an innovative and important initiative that has the potential to significantly enhance the Navy’s technological capabilities. By facilitating partnerships between the Navy and private sector entities, the program helps to ensure that the Navy remains at the forefront of technological innovation and is able to adapt quickly to new challenges and opportunities.
Most Common Focus Areas
Artificial Intelligence, Unmanned Systems, CyberMachine Learning, Modeling and Simulation, Autonomous Systems, Advanced manufacturing, Additive Manufacturing, Digitalis EngineeringpHigh Performance, Computing Command, and Control, Data Analytics.
NavalX Locations
As a naval organization, the United States Navy has an interest in a wide range of topics related to maritime operations, national security, and defense. Some of the key areas of interest for the Navy include:
Naval warfare and tactics Naval aviation and air defense Surface ship operations and maintenance Undersea operations, including submarines and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) Cybersecurity and information technology Space operations and satellite communications Maritime security and counterterrorism Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) Logistics and supply chain management Environmental sustainability and conservation Medical and health services for naval personnel Research and development of new technologies for naval operations International partnerships and cooperation with allied navies Education and training for naval personnel. These topics are all critical to the Navy’s mission of defending the United States and its allies, maintaining global security and stability, and ensuring freedom of navigation on the world’s oceans.
BUSAN, Republic of Korea (Feb. 23, 2023) Tugboats assist the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Springfield (SSN 761) as it pulls into port in Busan, Feb. 23. Springfield is one of four Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarines forward deployed to the island of Guam and assigned to Commander, Submarine Squadron (CSS) 15. CSS-15 is responsible for providing training, material and personnel readiness support to multiple Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarines and is located at Polaris Point, Naval Base Guam. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Adam Craft)
The USS Springfield, a United States Navy submarine, recently visited the Republic of Korea as part of its Indo-Pacific patrol. During the visit, the submarine’s commanding officer, Cmdr. Brett A. Sechrist, expressed gratitude for the warm welcome they received from their Republic of Korea hosts. He emphasized the importance of building and maintaining strong partnerships and alliances in the region, saying, “It’s important that we continue to strengthen our partnerships and alliances in the region, and visits like this one help us to do that.”
The USS Springfield’s visit to the Republic of Korea is part of a larger mission to promote stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region. As tensions continue to rise in the region, the United States and its allies have increased their naval presence in the area to deter potential threats and maintain peace. Capt. Michael D. Luckett, commodore of Submarine Squadron 11, noted the critical role that submarines play in maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific, saying, “Our submarines play a critical role in maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific, and we are committed to working with our allies and partners in the region to achieve this goal.”
The United States has long-standing partnerships and alliances with countries in the Indo-Pacific region, including the Republic of Korea, which is an important ally in the region. The visit of the USS Springfield to the Republic of Korea reinforces the strong partnership between the two countries and their commitment to working together to maintain stability and security in the region.
Overall, the USS Springfield’s visit to the Republic of Korea highlights the importance of maintaining strong partnerships and alliances in the Indo-Pacific region. It also emphasizes the role that the United States Navy plays in promoting stability and security in the area. As tensions continue to rise, the need for these partnerships and alliances becomes even more crucial.
