US Navy and Royal Navy complete anti-submarine exercise in Mediterranean

Vessels involved in the multinational exercise included the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class destroyers USS Stout (DDG 55), USS Barry (DDG 52), USS Gravely (DDG 107), the Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer HMS Dragon (D35) and Traflalgar-class submarine HMS Talent (S92).

USS Stout Works with Royal Navy to Improve Anti-Submarine Warfare

Release Date: 10/18/2013 1700 Story 647
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Amanda R. Gray, USS Stout (DDG 55) Public Affairs

MEDITERRANEAN SEA- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Stout (DDG 55) completed a Coordinated Anti-Submarine Warfare exercise (CASEX) with the Royal Navy, Oct. 15-16.

MEDITERRANEAN SEA (Oct. 16, 2013) – Cmdr. Andrew Fitzpatrick, executive officer of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Stout (DDG 55), uses binoculars to keep watch during a coordinated anti-submarine warfare exercise with the USS Gravely (USS 107) and the British Royal Navy air-defense destroyer HMS Dragon (D35). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Amanda R. Gray/Released)

The exercise also included USS Barry (DDG 52), USS Gravely (DDG 107), the Trafalager Class Nuclear Submarine HMS Talent (592), the Royal Navy airdefense destroyer HMS Dragon (D35), and aircraft support from both countries.

“This particular exercise was called a blocking evolution,” said combat information center officer Lt. j.g. Luqman Haskett. “We did not know where the submarine was, but we knew where they wanted to go. So the goal was to try and track them and prevent them from reaching their desired location.”

The surface ships and aircraft utilized simulated weapons and tactics to locate and execute the target. The exercise took place over a span of 12 hours. Each ship and aircraft was responsible for monitoring a specific area to maintain contact with the submarine.

We were able to sharpen our skills so that we are prepared if a real scenario arises,” said Sonar Technician (Surface) 3rd Class Emily Sandomierski. “Some of us are just out of school, and this gave us a real life experience and helped show us the importance of what we do.”

The exercise, designed to assist ships in tracking and eliminating enemy submarine contacts and to assist the submarine in remaining undetected, increases knowledge and proficiency for anti-submarine warfare.

“The exercise went really well. It was a great opportunity to work with NATO forces and combine aircraft and surface ships to combine tracking on a live submarine, which we don’t get to do very often,” said operations officer, Lt. Jeffrey Applebaugh. “It was a good exercise and educational for our Sailers. Stout did well, and we had the most contact time out of everyone by a significant margin.”

Stout, Barry, and Gravely, all homeported in Norfolk, Va., are on a scheduled deployment supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operation.

MEDITERRANEAN SEA (Oct. 16, 2013) – The British Royal Navy Trafalager Class Nuclear Submarine HMS Talent (S92) participates in a coordinated anti-submarine warfare exercise. The exercise also involved U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class Guided-missile destroyers, USS Stout (DDG 55), USS Barry (DDG 52), USS Gravely (DDG 107) pulls along side the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Stout (DDG 55) for a photo exercise. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Amanda R. Gray/Released)

http://www.c6f.navy.mil/article647center.html

PHOTEX: USS Gravely (DDG 107) shoots MK-45 5-inch/54-caliber gun

131011-N-NU634-185 MEDITERRANEAN SEA (Oct. 11, 2013) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107) shoots the MK-45 5-inch/54-caliber lightweight gun during a pre-aim calibration fire. Gravely, homeported in Norfolk, Va., is on a scheduled deployment supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Darien G. Kenney/Released)

USS San Antonio rescues 128 refugees from raft in Mediterranean

BZ to the men & women aboard the San Antonio.

USS San Antonio Responds to Persons in Distress Near Malta

NAPLES, Italy (NNS) — At the request of the Maltese government, the amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17) rendered assistance Oct. 16 to persons in distress at sea in the central Mediterranean.

131016-N-ZZ999-001 MEDITERRANEAN SEA (Oct. 16, 2013) Sailors and Marines aboard the amphibious transport dock USS San Antonio (LPD 17) rescued 128 to persons in distress at sea in the central Mediterranean Oct. 16. San Antonio was more than 60 nautical miles away when she was directed to assist, arriving on scene at approximately 6 p.m. local time. The men, between the ages of 20 and 30, were provided food, water, medical attention, and temporary shelter aboard the Norfolk, Va.-based ship. (RELEASED/U.S. Navy photo)

Winds and seas were rocking the raft when it was spotted by a Maltese patrol aircraft. Shortly thereafter, the Maltese government contacted several ships in the area, as well as U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, and requested assistance in rescuing the distressed persons.

San Antonio was a little more than 60 nautical miles away when she was directed to assist, and arrived on scene at approximately 6 p.m. local time. Soon after, her crew began transferring the individuals using two 11-man rigid hull inflatable boats.

In all, 128 men between the ages of 20 and 30 were rescued from the raft. San Antonio provided food, water, medical attention, and temporary shelter to all.

Assistance efforts were ongoing as this story was updated at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=77104

PHOTEX: USS Gravely & USS Barry conduct UNREP with USNS Leroy Grumman in Sixth Fleet OPAREA

 

130920-N-AW206-002 MEDITERRANEAN SEA (Sept. 20, 2013) The guided-missile destroyers USS Gravely (DDG 107), left, and USS Barry (DDG 52), right, receive fuel from the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Leroy Grumman (T-AO 195) during a replenishment-at-sea. Gravely and Barry, homeported in Norfolk, Va., are on a scheduled deployment supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jacob D. Moore/Released)

PHOTEX: Close enough to Syrian waters? RHIB from USS Ramage heads toward USS Barry

130905-N-XZ912-004 MEDITERRANEAN SEA (Sept. 5, 2013) A rigid-hull inflatable boat from the guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61) heads toward the guided-missile destroyer USS Barry (DDG 52). Barry, homeported in Norfolk, Va., is on deployment conducting theater and maritime security operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Christopher B. Stoltz/Released)

PHOTEX: USS Mahan (DDG 72) on “scheduled deployment” in the Mediterranean

130903-N-IY142-329 MEDITERRANEAN SEA (Sept. 3, 2013) Ensign Andrea McClellan, officer of the deck, monitors nearby shipping traffic from the starboard bridge wing aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mahan (DDG 72). Mahan is on a scheduled deployment supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class John Herman/Released)

VIDEO: USS Stout (DDG-55) launching Tomahawk cruise missile (2011)

US Navy medics conduct WMD decontamination exercise

130829-N-RN782-090 SIGONELLA, Sicily (Aug. 29, 2013) Hospital Corpsman stationed at U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella process a training mannequin through a decontamination station during a decontamination training exercise at Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella. NAS Sigonella provides logistical support for Commander, U.S. 5th and 6th Fleets and NATO forces in the Mediterranean area. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brian T. Glunt/Released)

US Navy moves fifth guided missile destroyer toward Syria

The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Stout (DDG 55), which sailed from Naval Station Norfolk on Aug 18, will join the USS Barry (DDG-52), USS Ramage (DDG-61), USS Mahan (DDG-72) and USS Gravely (DDG-107) in the Sixth Fleet OPAREA, poised for cruise missile strikes against Syria.

Fifth U.S. Destroyer Moves Closer to Syria

The guided-missile destroyer USS Stout (DDG 55) departs Naval Station Norfolk for deployment to the U.S. 6th Fleet on Aug. 18, 2013. US Navy Photo

The U.S. Navy is moving a fifth Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer closer to Syria, according to information from the U.S. Navy to USNI News.

USS Stout (DDG-55) departed from Naval Station Norfolk, Va. on Aug. 18 on a regular deployment and will join four other destroyers in the region.

USS Mahan (DDG-72) was slated to leave the region and be replaced by USS Ramage (DDG-61) for a ballistic missile defense (BMD) patrol in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. Now both ships, along with USS Barry (DDG-52) and USS Gravely (DDG-107) will remain in the region.

All five destroyers are capable of intercepting ballistic missiles as well as launching land attack missiles.

In addition to the DDGs there are likely a unknown submarines capable of firing Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAM). Press reports have indicated at least one U.K. Royal Navy submarine in the region. U.S. Navy Los Angeles-class (SSN-688) and Virginia-class (SSN-744) are capable of firing TLAMS.

It is also unknown is any of the service’s guided missile submarines (SSGN) are in the region. The SSGNs are capable of fielding 154 TLAMs.

The U.S. preliminary assessment of an Aug. 21 chemical weapons attack holds the regime of Bashar al-Assad responsible for the deaths of 1,429 people.

“The United States says it has ‘intelligence that leads us to assess that Syrian chemical weapons personnel … were preparing chemical weapons munitions prior to’ what Washington believes was a chemical weapons attack in the Damascus suburbs on August 21,” according to a Friday repot from CNN.

“ ‘In the three days prior to the attack, we collected streams of human, signals and geospatial intelligence that reveal regime activities that we assess were associated with preparations for a chemical weapons attack,’ the U.S. government said in its assessment released Friday.”

http://news.usni.org/2013/08/30/fifth-u-s-destroyer-moves-closer-syria

History of Naval Station Rota (NAVSTA Rota)

Naval Station Rota (NAVSTA Rota) is a Spanish naval base opened in 1955, commanded by a Spanish Admiral, called Base Naval de Rota in Spanish, and yet fully-funded by the United States of America. Often described by the US Navy as the “Gateway to the Mediterranean,” Rota is headquarters for Commander US Naval Activities Spain (COMNAVACTSPAIN). Under the mutual defense agreement signed by the US and Spain during the Franco regime (Convenio de Defensa y Ayuda Económica Mutua), the US is responsible for maintaining the station’s infrastructure, including a 670-acre (2.7 km²) airfield, three active piers, 426 facilities and 806 family housing units.

Base Naval de Rota.

Rota is home to the Spanish Navy’s Grupo de Acción Naval 2, comprising the aircraft carrier Príncipe de Asturias (R-11), the LPDs Galicia (L-51) and Castilla (L-52), and the LST Pizarro (L-42). On its transfer to a state of “restrictive standby” (or what the rest of the world calls “decommissioning”), the Príncipe de Asturias will be replaced by the LHD Juan Carlos I (L61).

SPS Príncipe de Asturias (R-11), originally named the ‘Almirante Carrero Blanco’ after one of Franco’s fascist cronies.

SPS Galicia (L-51), lead vessel in her class of LPDs.

SPS Castilla (L-52), a Galicia-class LPD.

SPS Pizarro (L-42), formerly the Newport-class USS Harlan County (LST-1196).

SPS Juan Carlos I (L-61), Spain’s newest LHD capable of operating Harrier AV-8B and F-35B STVOL aircraft.

Rota is also home to the 41ª Escuadrilla de Escoltas, comprising the Santa Maria-class frigates Santa Maria (F-81), Victoria (F-82), Numancia (F-83), Reina Sofía (F-84), Navarra (F-85) and Canarias (F-86). The Spanish vessels are based on the US Navy’s Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates.

SPS Santa Maria (F-81), lead vessel in her class of Spanish frigates, based on the US Oliver Hazard Perry-class.

SPS Victoria (F-82), Santa Maria-class frigate.

SPS Numanica (F-83), Santa Maria-class frigate.

SPS Reina Sofia (F-84), Santa Maria class frigate.

SPS Navarra (F-85), Santa Maria class frigate.

SPS Canarias (F-86), Santa Maria-class frigate.

US tenant units based at Rota include Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team Company Europe (FAST Co. Europe), US Naval Hospital Rota, Naval Special Warfare Unit 10 and 725th Air Mobility Squadron.

The strategic location of the base allows it to provide excellent support to US Sixth Fleet units in the Mediterranean and to US Air Force Air Mobility Command units. It is the only base in the Mediterranean which supports amphibious readiness group (ARG) post-deployment wash-downs. The naval station also offers pier-side maintenance and backload facilities. The base complements the ARG unit transfers, and accommodates the sailors and marines of visiting ships.

090702-N-3289E-100 ROTA, Spain (July 2, 2009) Marine Corporal Dustin Shanle Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team (FAST), Company Europe stands in front of the Naval Station Rota Spain, flagpole with company mascot Monster during the annual flag raising ceremony. While raising the flag is a daily occurrence on U.S. military bases around the world, because of the Agreement for Defense Cooperation, Naval Station Rota is only permitted to fly the U.S. flag with special permission from the Spanish Admiral-in-Chief. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joseph Ebalo/Released)

During the Cold War, Rota was home port to Submarine Squadron 16 (SUBRON 16) and the depot ship USS Proteus (AS-19), later USS Holland (AS-32). Submarines assigned to the squadron included the USS Lafayette (SSBN-616) and USS Francis Scott Key (SSBN-657).

USS Proteus (AS-19), submarine tender for SUBRON 16.

USS Holland (AS-32), submarine tender for SUBRON 16.

Poseidon C-3 (UGM-73A) missile is launched from the nuclear-powered strategic missile submarine USS Lafayette (SSBN-616).

USS Francis Scott Key (SSBN-657) during sea trials off the Atlantic coast.