USS Nitze returns to homeport after an eight-month deployment in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the 2nd, 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Kris R. Lindstrom)
Welcome Home USS Nitze
The USS Nitze (DDG 94) returned to its homeport of Naval Station Norfolk on April 5th, 2023, after an eight-month deployment in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation.
The ship conducted a variety of missions, including maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts, and counter-narcotics and counter-weapons smuggling operations as part of Operation Unified Takedown. The crew had the opportunity to visit several regions and strengthen important allied and partner relationships.
The successful completion of their mission is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the crew, and the Americans for Stronger Navy organization is proud to welcome them home.
The ship supported maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts and worked with the Yemen Coast Guard to rescue three civilians from a burning boat in the Gulf of Aden.
In addition, Nitze participated in Exercise Juniper Oak 23-2, the largest bi-lateral U.S.-Israeli exercise in history, and the NATO-led vigilance activity Neptune Strike 23.1. Key takeaways from the deployment include:
Nitze recovered two U.S. Saildrone Explorer unmanned surface vehicles captured by an Iranian ship in the Red Sea.
Cmdr. Katie Jacobson-missile destroyer USS Nitze (DDG 94), U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Kris R. Lindstrom
Cmdr. Katie Jacobson relieved Cmdr. Sam Sareini as commanding officer during a change of command ceremony in the Gulf of Aden.
The ship completed numerous visit, board, search, and seizure operations, resulting in the seizure of 2,200 kilograms of hash and 320 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine worth an estimated $43 million.
The crew had the opportunity to experience the regions of Rota, Spain; Eilat, Israel; Aqaba, Jordan; Salalah, Oman; Duqm, Oman; Djibouti; Rome, Italy; Gölcük, Türkiye; and Valletta, Malta during scheduled port visits.
The deployment highlighted the Nitze’s commitment to advancing maritime security and strengthening relationships with allies and partners across the theaters.
Cmdr. Katie Jacobson expressed pride in her crew’s achievements and reflected on the ship’s role as ambassadors ashore.
This deployment serves as a reminder of the importance of a stronger navy to maintain peace through strength.
BUSAN, SOUTH KOREA 03.30.2023 Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Kevin Tang
Americans for a Stronger Navy is an organization dedicated to supporting the US Navy and promoting a stronger Navy and peace through strength. Our mission is to educate the public on the importance of a strong Navy in maintaining regional stability and national security, and advocate for policies that support a well-funded and well-equipped Navy. By strengthening our military capabilities, we aim to promote peace through strength and deter potential threats.
Historic Visit: US Navy Sailors Visit Busan, A Reminder of the Rich History and Importance of US-Korea Alliance
Today, we want to highlight the recent visit of the US Navy Sailors to Busan, Republic of Korea, and the exercises they participated in alongside Japan and South Korea.
These exercises not only enhance the interoperability and communication between the allied navies but also demonstrate the continued commitment of the US Navy to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific.
The US Navy’s long-standing relationship with Busan serves as a reminder of the importance of our alliances and partnerships in promoting regional stability.
The United States Navy has a rich history of conducting exercises in Korea, and this tradition continues to this day. Recently, U.S. Navy Sailors assigned to the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (NIMCSG) visited Busan, Republic of Korea to participate in routine operations and exercises. In this blog post, we will summarize the recent exercises that are in the news, highlight the history of the US Navy’s visits to Busan, and express our gratitude to the men and women of the US Navy assigned to the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group.
Recent Exercises:
The recent exercises involving US Navy Sailors, Japan, and South Korea were aimed at enhancing interoperability and communication between the allied navies. These exercises are crucial in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific and maintaining regional stability. The exercises involved multiple ships and aircraft, and included anti-submarine and anti-air warfare drills.
During the exercises, the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group conducted a guided tour of Busan, Republic of Korea provided by Morale, Welfare and Recreation. This tour provided an opportunity for the Sailors to experience the local culture and build relationships with the local community.
History of US Navy visits to Busan:
The US Navy has a long history of visiting Busan, Republic of Korea. Busan has a deep-water port that is strategically located at the southern end of the Korean peninsula, making it an important location for US Navy operations. During the Korean War, Busan served as the main port of entry for US troops and supplies. Since then, the US Navy has continued to conduct exercises and operations in Busan, strengthening the relationship between the US and South Korea.
Gratitude to the US Navy:
We would like to express our gratitude to the men and women of the US Navy assigned to the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group. These Sailors work tirelessly to protect our nation and promote regional stability. Their dedication to duty and professionalism are a testament to the values of the US Navy.
Conclusion:
The recent exercises involving US Navy Sailors, Japan, and South Korea are a reminder of the importance of our alliances and partnerships in maintaining regional stability. The US Navy has a long history of visiting Busan, Republic of Korea, and this tradition continues to this day. We are grateful for the men and women of the US Navy who serve with honor and distinction, and we look forward to the continued partnership between the US and South Korea.
Honoring the Service of US Navy Sailors: A Look at the Pictures from their Historic Visit to Busan
BUSAN, Republic of Korea (March 29, 2023) U.S. Navy Machinist’s Mate 3rd Class Keirra Jackson, right, from Nashville, Tenn., and Fireman Autumn Behee, from San Antonio, assigned to the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (NIMCSG) explore Busan during a Morale, Welfare and Recreation tour. NIMCSG is in the U.S. 7th Fleet conducting routine operations. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with Allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kevin Tang)U.S. Navy Sailors assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and members of the Busan Blue Wings display a gesture of sportsmanship following a hockey match. Nimitz is in U.S. 7th Fleet conducting routine operations. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with Allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Justin McTaggart)Lt. John Mulligan guides Sailors assigned to the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (NIMCSG) during a tour of the demilitarized zone dividing the Korean peninsula. NIMCSG is in U.S. 7th Fleet conducting routine operations. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with Allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class John Breen)
On behalf of the Americans for a Stronger Navy, we would like to extend our sincerest apologies for the belated birthday wishes to our United States Navy Chief Petty Officers.
We understand the importance of this occasion and the invaluable contribution of the Chief Petty Officers to the U.S. Navy and the nation.
We honor their legacy and celebrate their commitment to duty, honor, and country. Although our birthday wishes are belated, we want to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank all Chief Petty Officers for their unwavering dedication and leadership in shaping the Navy’s core values and traditions.
As the United States Navy Chief Petty Officers celebrate their birthday on April 1st, it is a time to reflect on the 130-year history and the invaluable contribution of these officers to the Navy and the nation. The role of Chief Petty Officers (CPOs) in the U.S. Navy is an important one, and their legacy dates back to the very inception of the Navy.
The origins of the Chief Petty Officer rank can be traced back to the early days of the U.S. Navy, when sailors were divided into two distinct classes: officers and enlisted personnel.
It was not until 1893 that the Navy formally recognized the need for a senior enlisted rank to serve as a bridge between the officers and enlisted sailors.
The rank of Chief Petty Officer was created, and the first class of CPOs was appointed on April 1, 1893.
Since then, the Chief Petty Officer rank has become an integral part of the U.S. Navy, with CPOs serving as leaders, mentors, and role models for the enlisted sailors under their command.
They are responsible for ensuring that their sailors are well-trained, disciplined, and ready to perform their duties at all times. CPOs also serve as the primary link between the enlisted sailors and the officers, ensuring that the needs and concerns of the sailors are heard and addressed.
The role of Chief Petty Officers has evolved over time, but their commitment to excellence and the Navy’s core values has remained unchanged. Today’s CPOs are expected to be experts in their respective fields, as well as leaders and mentors to the sailors under their command. They are responsible for training and preparing their sailors for a wide range of tasks, from routine maintenance and repair to combat operations in hostile environments.
The Americans for a Stronger Navy recognize the invaluable contribution of the Chief Petty Officers to the U.S. Navy and the nation.
We join in the celebration of their birthday and thank them for their unwavering commitment to duty, honor, and country.
Without the dedication and leadership of our CPOs, the Navy would not be the formidable force it is today. We salute all Chief Petty Officers and wish them a happy birthday!
The Navy has awarded contracts to two defense giants, Lockheed-Martin and Raytheon, to separately develop prototype ship-sinking hypersonic missiles for the program
As an organization dedicated to promoting a strong and capable U.S. Navy, Americans for a Stronger Navy welcomes the recent investment by the Navy in the development of a new hypersonic ship-killing missile known as HALO.
A contractor-derived rendering of the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile, or . Raytheon Missiles & Defense and Northrop Grumman are developing the next-generation Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile, also known as HACM
HALO is a carrier-based offensive anti-ship strike weapon that supports the U.S. Navy’s long range fires strategy.
Press reports reflect that this new weapon is expected to have both anti-ship and hypersonic capabilities, making it a powerful tool for targeting and destroying enemy ships from a safe distance.
In this blog post, we will explore the importance of this investment, as well as the potential impact that HALO could have in a potential conflict with China in the western Pacific.
As the world becomes more interconnected and tensions rise between nations, it is crucial for countries to invest in their defense capabilities.
For the United States, this means ensuring that the Navy remains a strong and capable force, capable of deterring potential adversaries and protecting American interests around the world.
Recently, the U.S. Navy has taken a major step towards maintaining its strength by investing in the development of a new hypersonic ship-killing missile known as HALO (Hypersonic Air-launched Offensive).
What makes HALO unique is that it combines both anti-ship and hypersonic capabilities, allowing it to effectively target and destroy enemy ships from hundreds of miles away.
This new weapon is expected to be carried by carrier-based jets such as the FA-18E/F Super Hornet and F-35 Lightning, and possibly future successors. It is also expected to fly farther and faster than the current LRASM stealth cruise missile.
The focus on anti-ship capabilities in the development of HALO reflects the Navy’s recognition of the potential conflict with China in the western Pacific, particularly in the event of a battle over Taiwan.
Simulations have shown that the effectiveness of long-range anti-ship missiles will be critical in such a scenario, highlighting the importance of the Navy’s investment in the HALO program.
Key Takeaways:
The U.S. Navy is investing in the development of a new hypersonic ship-killing missile known as HALO.
HALO combines anti-ship and hypersonic capabilities and is expected to fly farther and faster than the current LRASM stealth cruise missile.
The Navy’s focus on anti-ship capabilities in the development of HALO reflects the potential conflict with China in the western Pacific, particularly in the event of a battle over Taiwan.
The effectiveness of long-range anti-ship missiles will be critical in a potential conflict with China, highlighting the importance of the Navy’s investment in the HALO program.
A strong and capable Navy is crucial for the United States to deter potential adversaries and protect American interests around the world.
The U.S. Missile Defense Agency, in cooperation with the U.S. Navy, successfully conducted Flight Test Aegis Weapon System 31 Event 1a (FTM-31 E1a).
USS Daniel Inouye (DDG 118), (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Greg Hall)
The test aimed to demonstrate the capability of a ballistic missile defense ship to detect, track, engage, and intercept a medium-range ballistic missile target.
The USS Daniel Inouye fired two SM-6 Dual II missiles to successfully intercept the target launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kauai, Hawaii. Missile Defense Agency Director Vice Adm. Jon Hill congratulated the entire test team, including sailors and industry partners, for achieving this milestone in an operationally realistic scenario.
The US Navy successfully intercepted a medium-range ballistic missile in a test on March 30, 2023.
The test was conducted in cooperation with the US Missile Defense Agency and aimed to demonstrate the capability of a ballistic missile defense ship to detect, track, engage, and intercept a medium-range ballistic missile target.
The USS Daniel Inouye fired two SM-6 Dual II missiles to successfully intercept the target launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kauai, Hawaii.
The successful interception was described as “an incredible accomplishment” and “a key milestone” by the Missile Defense Agency Director Vice Adm. Jon Hill.
The test team, including sailors and industry partners, were congratulated for achieving this milestone in an operationally realistic scenario.
About USS Daniel Inouye
The USS Daniel Inouye (DDG 118) is named in honor of Daniel Inouye, who served as a United States Senator for Hawaii from 1963 until his death in 2012.
USS Daniel Inouye is a Arleigh Burke-class destroyer. Arleigh Burke-class destroyers are multi-mission ships able to hold targets on land, at sea, in the air, and under water at risk with a suite of sophisticated weapons and sensors.
Senator Inouye received the Medal of Honor on June 21, 2000 for his extraordinary heroism in action while serving with the 442nd Infantry Regimental Combat Team in Italy during World War II.
“Following delivery to the Navy in March 2021, the entire team has continued to prepare DDG 118 for this important readiness milestone,” said Capt. Seth Miller, DDG 51 program manager, Arleigh Burke-class program office, Program Executive Office, Ships. “The fleet will soon be receiving an advanced warship capable of performing the core roles of sea control and power projection.”
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.
The US Navy is deploying more chaplains aboard ships to address the growing mental health concerns among its sailors, including an increase in suicides.
Chaplains are being deployed to connect with sailors, regardless of their religious affiliation, and provide them with confidential counseling.
Navy officials hope to have 47 chaplains on ships based in Norfolk, Virginia, up from 37 today, and to enhance access to mental health care without stigma or retaliation.
Suicide and mental health concerns among enlisted men under 29 are rising, with more than 500 service members taking their own lives in 2021.
US Navy Chaplain Responsibilities
According to the official website of the Navy Chaplain Corps, the daily responsibilities of a US Navy Chaplain include:
Providing religious ministry: The chaplain conducts religious services and sacraments, such as Mass, Communion, and Baptism, to meet the religious needs of sailors and their families.
Counseling and pastoral care: Chaplains provide confidential counseling to sailors and their families on a variety of issues, including marital problems, financial difficulties, and personal stress.
Advising the command: The chaplain advises the command on the religious and spiritual needs of the crew and provides guidance on ethical and moral issues.
Crisis response: Chaplains are trained to provide crisis response and emotional support during natural disasters, accidents, and combat situations.
Training and development: The chaplain also provides training and development programs to sailors and their families on religious and spiritual topics.
Source: United States Navy Chaplain Corps, “Roles and Responsibilities,” accessed March 30, 2023, https://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/support/chaplain/Pages/Roles-and-Responsibilities.aspx.
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.
The commander of a US Navy aircraft carrier in Northeast Asia, Rear Adm. Christopher Sweeney, has said that American forces will not be deterred by China’s warnings of conflict.
On Board the USS Nimitz courtesy of Sky News
“We’re resolute in that we’re not going to be bullied, we’re not going to be coerced, and we are going to stay here and fly and operate in international norms,” said Rear Adm. Christopher Sweeney, who heads up Carrier Strike Group 11, a flotilla of warships led by the “supercarrier” USS Nimitz.The USS Nimitz and its escorts have arrived in South Korea after back-to-back war games with Japan and South Korea.
China is challenging America’s right to operate in the region, but Sweeney stated that the Navy will sail, operate and fly wherever international law allows, and they do not seek conflict with China.
About Rear Admiral Christopher Sweeney
Rear Admiral Christopher Sweeney Commander, Carrier Strike Group ELEVEN
Rear Adm. Christopher Sweeney is a native of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, a 1991 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and also a graduate of the Elliott School of International Affairs, George Washington University, with a master’s degree in International Policy and Practice.
Sweeney has served in a diverse range of sea and shore assignments. As a surface warfare officer, he commanded Destroyer Squadron 15 (CDS 15) from 2015 to 2016 in the Western Pacific and the Destroyer USS Decatur (DDG 73) from 2009 to 2010, deploying twice to the Arabian Gulf in support of U.S. and Coalition Forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.
His service at sea since 1992 includes assignments aboard USS Russell (DDG 59), USS Port Royal (CG 73), USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60), USS Cyclone (PC 1) and USS San Jacinto (CG 56) deployed to the Middle East, Western Pacific, Mediterranean and South America.
His shore tours included deputy for Combat Systems and Warfighting Integration, responsible for future surface combatant force requirements and integration of warfighting investments for the Director of Surface Warfare (N-96). He has also served as the branch head for Integrated Air & Missile Defense for the Director of Surface Warfare (N-96) and as a strategic and political-military planner on the staffs of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (J-5) and the Chief of Naval Operations.
His first flag tour was as the deputy director for Policy, Plans, Strategy, Capabilities and Resources (J-5/8), U.S. European Command in Stuttgart, Germany. He is currently serving as commander, Carrier Strike Group Eleven.
His awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Joint Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Meritorious Service Medal and various personal, unit, service and campaign awards.
Task Force 39, commanded by Rear Adm. John W. Wilcox, Jr., sails from Portland, Maine, for Scapa Flow, Orkeny Islands, Scotland, to reinforce the British Home Fleet due the British Fleets involvement in Operation Ironclad, the British invasion of the Vichy French controlled Madagascar. The following day, Rear Adm. Wilcox, while taking an unaccompanied walk on his flagship, USS Washington (BB 56), is washed overboard and disappears in the heavy seas.
Rear Adm. John W. Wilcox, Jr.
John Walter Wilcox Jr. (22 March 1882 – 27 March 1942) was a rear admiral of the United States Navy. He saw service in World War I and in the opening weeks of United States involvement in World War II before being lost overboard from his flagship in the North Atlantic Ocean in 1942.
March 27, 2007 The last known female veteran of World War I, Charlotte Louise Berry Winters, dies at the age of 109. She enlisted in the Navy in 1917.
March 28, 1953 USS Philippine Sea (CV 47), USS Princeton (CV 37), and USS Oriskany (CV 34) launch 216 sorties against a North Korean supply depot during the Korean War.
March 29, 1960 The first fully integrated Fleet Ballistic Missile system test, an A1X test vehicle, is launched from USS Observation Island (EAG 154).
March 30, 1991 USS Princeton (CG-59) and crew are awarded the Combat Action Ribbon in recognition of the superior and arduous work the crew put in to keep the ship in war-fighting status following the Feb. 18 mining of the ship where three crew members were injured and the ships propeller was damaged during Operation Desert Storm.
March 31, 1917 Rear Adm. James H. Oliver takes possession of the Danish West Indies for the United States, and they are renamed the U.S. Virgin Islands. He also becomes the first governor of the islands under American control.
April 1, 1899 A landing party of 60 men from USS Philadelphia (C 4) and a force of 100 friendly natives join 62 men from HMS Porpoise and Royal Isle in Samoa to establish order over Samoan throne.
*Source: Naval History and Heritage Command. https://www.history.navy.mil
