What’s INSIDE www.issuu.com/navyregionhawaii www.hookelenews.com
Paying tribute on Memorial Day See page A-2, A-3
Hurricane preparedness See page A-4, B-1
Hawaii participates in DoD Warrior Games See page B-4
June 1, 2018
MFSC hiring event See page B-5
Volume 9 Issue 21
USINDOPACOM renamed, changes leadership U.S. Navy photo by MC2 James Mullen
Adm. Phil Davidson, left, relieves Adm. Harry Harris, right, as commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. Public Affairs Communication & Outreach Adm. Phil Davidson relieved Adm. Harry Harris as commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), in a ceremony May 30 at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis presided over the ceremony. During his remarks Mattis praised Harris’ tenure and highlighted the importance for strong leadership in the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility. “PACOM is our primary combatant command, standing watch and inti-
mately engaged with over half of the earth’s surface and its diverse population,” Mattis said. “The United States is today and has been for two centuries a Pacific nation.” Harris, born in Japan and reared in Tennessee and Florida, is a 1978 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and began his tour as the 24th PACOM commander in 2015. “Men and women of the U.S. Pacific Command, and your families... what you do on a daily basis is of fundamental importance to our nation’s defense. I’m proud to serve alongside you,” said Harris.
At a time of increasing contention in the region, Harris conveyed his respect and confidence in his successor to the critical post in the Indo-Pacific. “Admiral Phil Davidson is well-suited to operate in the complex international milieu that is the Pacific Command in the 21st century,” said Harris. “He understands completely both his strategic and operational responsibilities. I’m pleased, indeed gratified, that I leave this post in his hands...a battle-tested leader whose experiences and expertise span the globe in a multitude of
important security and operational assignments.” Davidson, a native of St. Louis and 1982 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, reflected on U.S. Pacific Command’s pivotal role in regional peace and security, and reiterated American commitment to the region and our allies and partners. “For more than 70 years, the Indo-Pacific has been largely peaceful,” said Davidson. “In most ways, this was made possible by two things: the commitment of free nations to the free and open international order … and the credibility of the combat
The amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD 27) arrives at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam May 29 to conduct combat systems ship qualification trials. U.S. Navy photo by MC1 Corwin M. Colbert
power within U.S. Pacific Command ... To our allies here in the Indo-Pacific, you will have no better ally. To our partners, I look forward to advancing our partnership in a way that serves our mutual interests.” Davidson, the 25th PA C O M c o m m a n d e r, takes charge after a successful tour as Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command/Naval Forces U.S. Northern Command in Norfolk, Va. His previous command assignments include command of Carrier Strike Group 8/Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group, USS Gettysburg (CG 64) and
U.S. Navy announces 26th RIMPAC exercise Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet Public Affairs
USS Portland arrives in Pearl Harbor MC2 Britney Odom Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet The amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD 27) arrived in Pearl Harbor May 29 to conduct combat systems ship qualification trials. The ship departed San Diego May 21 and began its transit to Hawaii. The ship’s crew has engaged in various training exercises within the past couple of weeks to ensure the ship’s weapon systems are properly installed, function correctly, and can be operated safely. Portland performed its first underway replenishment (UNREP), employing the Standard Tensioned Replenishment Alongside Method May 22. Steaming ap-
proximately 200 feet alongside the lead ship of its class, Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO 187), Portland received more than 175,000 gallons of marine diesel fuel and JP-5 jet fuel from the oiler. “UNREP was well-executed by the crew,” said Lt. David Youker, Portland’s operations officer. “We were able to assess material condition and watchstander readiness, while increasing our operational capability.” In addition to the UNREP, Portland performed deck landing qualifications with three MV-22B Ospreys from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadrons 163, 165 and 363, as well as one CH-53E Super Stallion from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squad-
ron 465. These flight operations marked a few firsts for Portland — it was the ship’s first night landing operation with an Osprey and the ship’s first time conducting flight operations with a CH-53. This is the largest number of aircraft in the ship’s airspace to date. For the first time since RIMPAC 2002, U.S. 3rd Fleet’s Command Center will relocate from San Diego to Pearl Harbor to support command and control of all 3rd Fleet forces in 3rd Fleet’s area of responsibility to include forces operating in the western Pacific. The Fleet Command Center will be established at a Deployable Joint Command and Control on Hospital Point in Hawaii for the first part of the exercise and then transition to Portland for the
remainder of the exercise. “It will be a unique experience for the crew to be a part of the relocation of 3rd Fleet’s command center,” said Capt. J. R. Hill, Portland’s commanding officer. “This is something that has not happened in a while and USS Portland is proud to be able support the mission.” During Portland’s time in Hawaii, the ship will host Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, Vice Adm. John D. Alexander and his staff, participate in community service projects, experience Hawaiian culture and make preparations for the underway training events. For more information about Portland, visit www.public.navy.mil/ surfor/lpd27 or www. facebook.com/PORTLANDLPD27.
USS Taylor (FFG 50). Ashore, Davidson has served in fleet, interagency and joint tours as a flag officer. During the ceremony, Mattis announced that PACOM was changing its name as well as its commander. “In recognition of the increasing connectivity between the Indian and Pacific oceans, today we rename the U.S. Pacific Command to U.S. Indo-Pacific Command,” Mattis said. “Over many decades this command has repeatedly adapted to changing circumstances and today carries that legacy forward as America focuses west.”
Twenty-six nations, 47 surface ships, five submarines, 18 national land forces, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel will participate in the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise scheduled June 27 to Aug. 2, in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. As the world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity designed to foster and sustain cooperative relationships critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s interconnected oceans. RIMPAC 2018 is the 26th exercise in a series that began in 1971. The theme of RIMPAC 2018 is “Capable, Adaptive, Partners.” Participating nations and forces will exercise a wide range of capabilities and demonstrate the inherent flexibility of maritime forces. The relevant, realistic training program includes amphibious operations, gunnery, missile, anti-submarine and air defense exercises and more. This is the first time Brazil, Israel, Sri Lanka and Vietnam are participating in RIMPAC. Additional firsts include New Zealand serving as sea combat commander and Chile serving as combined
force maritime component commander. This is the first time a non-founding RIMPAC nation (Chile) will hold a component commander leadership position. This year will also feature live firing of a Long Range Anti-Ship Missile from a U.S. Air Force aircraft, surface to ship missiles by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, and a Naval Strike Missile from a launcher on the back of a palletized load system by the U.S. Army. Additionally, for the first time since 2002, U.S. 3rd Fleet’s Command Center will relocate from San Diego to Pearl Harbor to support command and control of all 3rd Fleet forces in 3rd Fleet’s area of responsibility to include forces operating forward in the Western Pacific. The Fleet Command Center will be established at a Deployable Joint Command and Control on Hospital Point, Pearl Harbor, for the first part of the exercise and then transition to amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD 27) for the remainder of the exercise. Hosted by Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, RIMPAC 2018 will be led by C o m m a n d e r, U . S . 3 r d Fleet, Vice Adm. John D. Alexander, who will serve as combined task force commander. For more, visit http:// www.cpf.navy.mil/rimpac.