www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 1 | Thursday, August 17, 2023
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IN THIS ISSUE
Capt. Franca Jones Assumes Command of Naval Medical Research Command NMRC held a change of command ceremony on 11 Aug. where Capt. William Deniston was relieved as commander, NMRC, by Capt. Franca Jones in an official ceremony in front of distinguished guests. Page A4 VOL. 31, NO. 28, Norfolk, VA | flagshipnews.com
August 17-August 23, 2023
NORFOLK, Va. (Aug. 10, 2022) – Military Sealift Command Combat Logistics Force vessel USNS Joshua Humphreys (T-AO 188) returns to Norfolk, Aug. 10, from four-month scheduled deployment in Sixth Fleet, where the ship served as the sole replenishment provider for both US and coalition ships, operating in the north and Baltic Sea. (PHOTO BY LASHAWN SYKES, USN MILITARY SEALIFT COMMAND)
Fleet replenishment oiler returns to Norfolk from 4-month deployment in Sixth Fleet By USN Military Sealift Command Norfolk (NNS) — Military Sealift Command’s fleet replenishment oiler USNS Joshua Humphreys (T-AO 188) returns to Naval Station Norfolk, Aug. 10, following a four-month deployment to U.S. Sixth Fleet’s area of responsibility (AOR). Supporting the Sixth Fleet’s full range of maritime operations and theater security missions, Joshua Humphreys had several noteworthy accomplishments, beginning with its participation in Gerald R. Ford (GRF) Carrier Strike Group’s (CSG-4) composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX) in April. During this four-week evolution, Joshua Humphreys provided five at-sea replenishments to three Navy ships. Likewise, Joshua Humphreys provided underway replenishment services to USS McFaul (DDG 74), located off the coast of Portugal, during McFaul’s participation in Exercise Formidable Shield 2023 — A biennial integrated air and missile defense (IAMD) exercise, in May, that allowed McFaul to remain on station, projecting power, throughout the entire exercise. During the exercise, Joshua Humphreys also conducted a “Proof-ofConcept” CONSOL (consolidated cargo replenishment at sea) with the American Flag Commercial Style Tanker Stena Polaris. This is a new water-space battle plan, within the MSC enterprise, which is to have a United States Naval Combat Logistics Force ship receive fuel offshore for transfer to customers at sea. In June, Joshua Humphreys, once again,
NORFOLK, Va. (Aug. 10, 2022) – USNS Joshua Humphreys Chief Mate Thomas C. Pane who is conducting a reactionary force training course while the vessel was underway. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY LARRY GONZALES OF USNS JOSHUA HUMPHREYS).
successfully executed the safe transfer of 538,334 gallons of jet fuel, 427,029 gallons of diesel fuel, and 16 pallets of general stores to GRFCSG. This evolution occurred within a 24-hour time span — during Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2023, which provided a unique training opportunity for the fleet to strengthen its combined response capability critical to preserving the freedom of navigation and security in the Baltic Sea. In addition to supporting GRFCSG, Joshua Humphreys was also instrumental in providing on-time replenishment services to the USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), RFA Mounts Bay (L3008), and USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117). While deployed, the Joshua Humphreys’
crew had the distinct pleasure of working with the crew of Frankfurt am Main (A1412), the second ship of the Berlin-class replenishment ships of the German Navy. Together, the two ship crews worked sideby-side to strengthen their interoperability. Joshua Humphreys’ Ship Master Capt. David K. Murrin said he could not be prouder of his crew’s accomplishments. “I am incredibly proud of my crew and the excellence they achieved while conducting high risk, high visibility mission sets during this deployment. Our officers and crew advanced maritime services at sea, served as ambassadors ashore, and seamlessly integrated with our NATO allies and partners. They embraced our mantra of
“Complete Service to the U.S. and Allied Navy” and reflected superbly on the United States and the Military Sealift Command. Murrin relieved Capt. Patrick T. Christian as the ship’s master during a mid-deployment change of command in Tallinn, Estonia, June 6. Although the Joshua Humphreys’ crew had a busy logistical schedule throughout the 120-day deployment, they did have the opportunity to experience and appreciate the countries of Scotland, Estonia, Poland, Sweden, and Denmark. While in Stockholm, Naval Attaché Officer Capt. J.P. “Skull” Greene invited Capt. Murrin, Chief Mate Thomas C. Pace, Cargo Mate John T. Fitzgerald, and Public Affairs Officer Larry J. Gonzales to the Royal Palace for a meet and greet. Fitzgerald said he felt honored when he received his invitation and was in awe of the size and grandeur of the Stockholm Palace, which is one of the oldest castles still serving as an official royal residence with more than 600 rooms spread across 11 floors. “Being a part of an international momentous day was an experience of a lifetime — one that I will never forget.” While at the palace, members of the Swedish Armed Forces and Stockholm’s city government presented the crew with a plaque to demonstrate their appreciation of USNS Joshua Humphreys. For more information about Joshua Humphreys, visit Military Sealift Command at https://www.msc.usff.navy.mil/ships/ ship-inventory/.
Navy and Marine Corps commence Large Scale Exercise 2023 By United States Fleet Forces Command Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command NORFOLK, Va. — More than 25,000 Sailors and Marines across 22 times zones are now participating in Large Scale Exercise (LSE) 2023 as the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps officially kick off one of the maritime service’s largest exercises, Aug. 9. LSE 2023, integrating six Navy and Marine Corps component commands and seven U.S. numbered Fleets around the globe, merges real-world operations with virtually constructed scenarios to create a realistic training environment that allows Sailors and Marines to train the way they fight, regardless of geographic boundaries. The exercise reflects hypothetical scenarios and is designed to refine how the Navy works as one team on a global scale. “Our maritime operations have never been more global,” said Adm. Daryl Caudle, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command. “We have to maintain the Nation’s ability to project power globally for our country and to command and control that effectively requires us to do exercises like LSE 2023.” LSE 2023 was designed to reinforce the Chief of Naval
Operations’ effort to set the stage for advancing naval doctrine and tactics by globally integrating fleet operations with emerging technologies to refine and validate Distributed Maritime Operations capabilities. “During LSE we are stressing our forces and learning to enhance our ability to sustain warfighting momentum in a naval campaign,” said Lt. Gen. Brian Cavanaugh, commander, Marine Forces Command. “There’s no greater power on this earth today than the Navy-Marine Corps team that you have.” Scheduled to run through August 18, LSE 2023 will include live units underway, ranging from aircraft carriers to submarines; shore logistics support units; more than 30 virtual units (i.e., participating pier side or from training facilities, and staff headquarters around the world); and an unlimited array of constructive (computer-generated) units. In preparation for the exercise, Caudle and Cavanaugh spoke with retired Adm. James Foggo, Dean of the Center for Maritime Strategy, during a Maritime Nation Podcast. To listen to the podcast visit: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=RLufQNDU4NQ. For more information, go to: https://www.dvidshub.net/ feature/LSE23
DOD mobilizes support in response to Hawaii wildfire www.flagshipnews.com
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The National Guard has activated 134 troops — including 99 Army National Guard personnel and 35 Air National Guard personnel — to assist in the in the ongoing local and federal wildfire response efforts. Two CH-47 Chinook helicopters have also been assigned to support wildfire response and search and recovery efforts. Page A6
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