PHOTEX: Weapons quals aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75)

131103-N-CC806-080 GULF OF OMAN (Nov. 3, 2013) Sailors participate in a weapons qualification exercise on a flight deck elevator aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). Harry S. Truman, flagship for the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, supporting theater security cooperation efforts and supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Blagoj B. Petkovski/Released)

US Navy maintains carrier strike group within range of Syria

The Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Princeton (CG-59) and the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110), USS Stockdale (DDG 106) and USS Shoup (DDG 86) are all on their way home. Escorts for USS Nimitz (CVN-68) comprising Carrier Strike Group 11 now include the cruiser USS San Jacinto (CG-56) and the destroyer USS Mason (DDG 87). CSG-11 is currently assigned to the Fifth Fleet NAVCENT area of responsibility.

As Syria crisis fades, U.S. ships remain within striking distance

Sailors from the aircraft carrier Nimitz participate in a search-and-rescue drill in the Red Sea last month. The ship is in its seventh month of deployment. (MC3 Raul Moreno Jr. / Navy)

The simmering Syrian crisis is driving fleet operations higher as a strike force of two flattops and 11 ships stand by in case the disarming of the Assad regime’s chemical weapons breaks down.

The Navy has amassed and maintained a considerable flotilla in the five weeks since the crisis first broke. The threat of imminent strikes brought Syria and its international partner, Russia, to the negotiating table and led to the present agreement, where United Nations weapons experts oversee the destruction of chemical weapons caches.

With the strikes no longer imminent, the Navy has sent home ships that had been close to the end of their deployment, while still leaving a sizable force nearby. Indeed, the crisis has ticked the fleet’s operations pace temporarily higher, with two carriers patrolling in or near 5th Fleet — a pace that has strained the fleet in recent years.

The aircraft carrier Nimitz is patrolling the Red Sea in its seventh month of deployment, while four of its escorts are headed home: the cruiser Princeton and destroyers William P. Lawrence, Stockdale and Shoup. Nimitz is now escorted by the cruiser San Jacinto and destroyer Mason, said a defense official, adding that the aircraft carrier’s deployment was extended “for the foreseeable future.”

Five ships — the destroyers Barry, Gravely, Ramage and Stout, and the amphibious transport dock San Antonio — remain in the Mediterranean.

The aircraft carrier Truman is patrolling the North Arabian Sea along with the cruiser Gettysburg and destroyer Bulkeley.

Big-deck amphibs are also in the region and ready. The amphibious assault ship Kearsarge — which has elements of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, as does the San Antonio — is in the Red Sea, and Boxer is expected to enter 5th Fleet this weekend.

http://www.navytimes.com/article/20131011/NEWS/310210003/As-Syria-crisis-fades-U-S-ships-remain-within-striking-distance

PHOTEX: USS Preble fires Mk 45 5-inch gun in Philippine Sea

130811-N-TX154-027 PHILIPPINE SEA (Aug. 11, 2013) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Preble (DDG 88) fires it’s Mk 45 5 in. lightweight gun during a live-fire exercise. Preble is on patrol with the George Washington Carrier Strike Group in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Paul Kelly/Released)

USS San Jacinto provides medical assistance to Turkish vessel

“Helping another mariner at sea is fundamental to our profession…”

Amen!

USS San Jacinto Aids Turkish Mariner

By USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) Public Affairs

MEDITERRANEAN SEA (NNS) – Guided-missile cruiser USS San Jacinto (CG 56) transported a Turkish mariner to U.S. Navy Hospital Sigonella early in the morning of Aug. 4 following a request for assistance from Turkish Navy warship TCG Cezayirli Gazi Hasan Pasa (A579).

San Jacinto was transiting the Mediterranean Sea conducting routine communications shortly before 11 p.m. local time Aug. 3, when it was hailed by the Turkish warship who requested transportation assistance for a mariner who required immediate medical attention.

San Jacinto responded immediately, heading to the ship’s location.

“Helping another mariner at sea is fundamental to our profession,” said Capt. Bill McKinley, San Jacinto’s commanding officer. “My watch team received the call at more than 130 nautical miles away which is at extreme range for bridge to bridge communications. The watch team immediately made best speed to the position of the Turkish ship while making all the complex arrangements for the medical evaluation.”

Aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), also in the Mediterranean Sea, Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HST CSG) staff coordinated efforts to transport the mariner for medical treatment. Harry S. Truman’s senior medical officer coordinated assistance efforts by providing acute care options to help slow the spread of the illness.

“We provided guidance on how to stabilize the patient until San Jacinto could safely transport the sailor to the nearest military medical facility,” said Cmdr. William Mann, senior medical officer, Harry S. Truman.

Early in the morning Aug. 4, a rigid hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) from San Jacinto transported the mariner from Cezayiril Gazi Hasan Pasa to San Jacinto where a helicopter was standing by to transport him to U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella, Italy, for medical attention.

The patient is in stable condition at the facility.

McKinley praised his crew for their efforts along with those of the staff aboard Harry S. Truman.

“They performed flawlessly as did the Harry S. Truman Strike Group staff,” he said. This operation once again proves the outstanding flexibility of Sailors and the United States Navy.”

Rear Adm. Kevin Sweeney, commander, Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, also praised the actions of San Jacinto’s crew.

“The crew of San Jacinto did a fantastic job,” said Rear Adm. Kevin Sweeney, commander, Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HST CSG). “They did everything right, from getting their RHIB in the water and over to the Turkish ship to getting the patient back on board, onto a helicopter and to the hospital for medical attention. San Jacinto was in the right place at the right time and it made a real difference for that individual. Additionally, I was very impressed with the professionalism of the crew of TCG Cezayirli Gazi Hasan Pasa.”

San Jacinto is deployed as part of HST CSG, supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility.

http://www.naveur-navaf.navy.mil/article611center.html

PHOTEX: USS Mason and USS Bulkeley conduct UNREP with USNS Arctic

130726-N-LN619-217 ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 26, 2013) The guided-missile destroyers USS Mason (DDG 87) and USS Bulkeley (DDG 84) receive fuel from the Military Sealift Command fast combat support ship USNS Artic (T-AOE8) during a replenishment at sea. Mason and Bulkeley are deployed as part of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group and is supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th and 5th Fleet areas of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Preston Paglinawan/Released)

US 6th Fleet Month in Review, July 2013

PHOTEX: F/A-18E Super Hornet launches from deck of USS Nimitz (CVN-68)

130725-N-LP801-033 NORTH ARABIAN SEA (July 25, 2013) Lt. Richard Dorsey signals to launch an F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to the Argonauts of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147 from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support missions for Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Raul Moreno Jr./Released)

Joint US-Australian combat logistics force supporting Talisman Saber 2013

This is a great story… except it would difficult to conduct a RAS with “light crusiers” HMAS Perth (D29) and HMAS Sydney (D48) because Perth was lost to Japanese torpedoes during the Battle of Sunda Strait in 1942 and Sydney was lost to a German raider in 1941.

Do you think it’s possible that the whoever compiled this MSC press release simply copied the wrong Perth & Sydney data from Wikipedia? No… that could never happen… could it? {groan}

The current HMAS Perth and HMAS Sydney are frigates.

Combat Logistics Force Ships underway for Talisman Saber exercise

Story Number: NNS130720-06Release Date: 7/20/2013 7:11:00 PM

CORAL SEA (NNS) — Navy Combat Logistics Force ships USNS Charles Drew (T-AKE 10), USNS Wally Schirra (T-AKE 8) and USNS Yukon (T-AO 202) are steaming off the coast of northeastern Australia this week, providing vital logistics support to U.S. and Australian ships participating in Talisman Saber 2013.

Thousands of U.S. and Australian military forces took to the air, land, and sea in and around northeastern Australia for the two-week exercise. Operating as a Combined Joint Task Force, Talisman Saber 2013 focuses on combined operations, as well as responding to humanitarian emergencies or natural disasters. The exercise includes both live and computer-simulated scenarios.

CLF ships are shadowing vessels from the USS George Washington Carrier Strike Group and USS Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group, which will conduct bilateral training with ships from the Royal Australian Navy.

USNS Charles Drew conducted its first underway replenishment operation with Australian fleet replenishment oiler HMAS Sirius (O-266) July 18. CLF ships are also scheduled to resupply Royal Australian Navy light cruisers HMAS Perth (D-29) and HMAS Sydney (D-48).

CLF ships’ role in the exercise will conclude July 29.

Personnel from Singapore based Military Sealift Command Far East’s logistics directorate work closely with counterparts from Australia’s navy throughout the exercise. MSCFE’s Combat Logistics Force officers – who operate a centralized, one-stop shop for Navy combat logistics force ships – manage the delivery of commodities to both U.S. Navy and Australian ships at sea.

Jointly sponsored by the U.S. Pacific Command and ADF headquarters Joint Operational Command, Talisman Saber 20l3 will incorporate U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force, the ADF, as well as other government agencies from each country.

MSC operates approximately 110 noncombatant, U.S. Navy civilian-crewed ships that replenish U.S. Navy ships, conduct specialized missions, strategically preposition combat cargo at sea around the world, and move military cargo and supplies used by deployed U.S. forces and coalition partners.

http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=75489

US and Australian forces collaborate in Talisman Sabre 13

TS 13 continues with an air defence exercise.

HMAS Sydney (FFG 03) is an Adelaide class frigate (based on the US Navy Oliver Hazard Perry class) and is nearing the end of her operational life. She will be replaced with a new HMAS Sydney (the fifth so-named ship) a Hobart class destroyer in 2017, providing the RAN with an enhanced air-warfare capability.

U.S., Australian Forces Collaborate on Air Defense

CORAL SEA (NNS) — The U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) Carrier Strike Group, Destroyer Squadron 15 (DESRON 15) and the Australian Defence Force (ADF) collaborate in an air defense exercise (ADEX) in support of exercise Talisman Saber 2013 (TS 13).

ADEXs provide combined training and validation for maritime and air operations and flex combined staffs in crisis action planning for contingency operations and humanitarian missions.

“We’re integrating the Australian forces into our air defense system to build a combined force for our nation and our allies,” said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Rene “Sleepy” Cornejo, air warfare commander of the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam (CG 54) and air missile test commander for Commander, Task Force 70 (CTF 70). “We use the air defense to protect the carrier strike group to include the air wing, which also provides defense for our surface assets.”

TS 13 is a biennial training exercise aimed at improving ADF and U.S. combat readiness and interoperability as a Combined Joint Task Force.

“The exercise allows U.S. and Australia air defense assets to execute a pre-planned response to a hostile threat,” said Lt. Bill Webb, George Washington’s tactical actions officer. “One scenario we conduct is to have our aircraft act as enemy combatants. We then intercept them using our other aircraft, ships, and Australian forces. Integrating our forces definitely makes us stronger.”

The alliance between the two nations provides ADF with access to technology and defenses that increases the capacity and strength of its forces.

“We integrated HMAS Sydney (FFG 03) this year into the strike group and for today’s exercise, we had the Royal Australian Air Force solely providing assets,” said Cornejo. “Prior to integrating Sydney, we conducted classroom training. Once we got underway, we activated Sydney as the alternate air missile defense commander. Now we’re finally conducting TS 13 and testing each other’s air and weapons capability.”

George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interest of the U.S. and its partners and allies in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=75472

Truman Carrier Strike Group finally set to deploy to Persian Gulf

The USS Harry S. Truman was due to deploy in February, but the deployment was delayed due to “budget uncertainty” resulting from the US government’s self-imposed financial woes. Now the Truman is ready to depart – along with the other elements of Carrier Strike Group 10 – a carrier air wing comprising more ship-based aircraft than many nations have in their entire inventory, and (likewise) more guided missile cruisers and destroyers than many navies can boast in their entirety.

And bear in mind, the US Navy has eleven of these flat tops with eleven air wings and eleven destroyer squadrons. Eleven. That’s with the “budget uncertainty.” That we should all have such uncertain navies!

Aircraft carrier Truman set to deploy next week

The aircraft carrier Harry S. Truman is set to deploy with its strike group to the Persian Gulf next week for an eight- to nine-month cruise, the Navy said Wednesday.

The carrier strike group and its more than 6,000-man crew will depart Monday from Norfolk Naval Station, the Navy said.

The carrier was supposed to deploy in February, but severe budget cuts upended the fleet deployment schedule and the carrier’s departure was canceled just two days before it was to leave.

At the time, the Truman crew had spent months doing the workups and earning the certifications needed to deploy. They spent the past five months staying prepared, the strike group’s commander said.

“We’ve worked very hard over the last several months to maintain our combat readiness following the delay of our deployment in February due to sequestration,” Rear Adm. Kevin Sweeney said in a statement.

Since February, the Dwight D. Eisenhower has deployed and returned from the Gulf to Norfolk, while the Nimitz deployed from the west coast as the John C. Stennis came home. Because of the budget cuts, the Navy has scaled down its required presence in the Gulf from two carriers to one.

The Truman will be deploying with the destroyers Bulkeley and Mason, the guided missile cruisers Gettysburg and San Jacinto and 1st Combined Destroyer Squadron, a combined U.K. and U.S. staff.

Carrier Air Wing 3 – comprised of three Navy and one Marine strike fighter squadrons, an early warning squadron, electronic attack squadron and Navy and Marine helicopter squadrons – will also deploy as part of the strike group.

http://hamptonroads.com/2013/07/aircraft-carrier-truman-set-deploy-next-week