Surface Warfare Magazine - Winter 2018

Surface Warfare WINTER 2018 Issue 57

This issue:

Surface Force Commander Directing the Future of the Surface Fleet

2017 Surface Navy Key Events — A Year in Review

American Flag Warships Bring Aid to Citizens in Need

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Authorization

Surface Warfare is published quarterly from appropriated funds by authority of the Chief of Naval Operations in accordance with NPPR P-35.

The Secretary of the Navy has determined that this publication is necessary in the transaction of business required by law of the Department of the Navy.

Use of funds for printing this publication has been approved by the Navy Publications and Printing Policy Committee.

Reproductions are encouraged with proper citation. Controlled circulation.

Postmaster: Send address changes to Surface Warfare, SURFPAC Public Affairs Office, 2841 Rendova Road, San Diego, CA 92155.

Surface Warfare (USPS 104-170) (ISSN 0145-1073) is published by the Department of the Navy, Commander, Naval Surface Forces, 2841 Rendova Road, San Diego, CA 92155. Periodicals postage paid at San Diego, CA, and additional mailing offices.

Charter

Surface Warfare Magazine is the professional magazine of the surface warfare community. Its purpose is to educate its readers on surface warfare missions and programs, with a particular focus on U.S. surface ships and commands. This journal will also draw upon the Surface Force’s rich historical legacy to instill a sense of pride and professionalism among community members and to enhance reader awareness of the increasing relevance of surface warfare for our nation’s defense.

The opinions and assertions herein are the personal views of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense or the Department of the Navy.

Surface Warfare Winter 2018 Issue 57

Contact:

Surface Warfare Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs Office, N01P 2841 Rendova Road San Diego, CA 92155 Phone: (619) 437-2735

Contributions and Feedback Welcome Send articles, photographs (min. 300 dpi electronic) and feedback to: surface_warfare_maga@navy.mil

Commander, Naval Surface Forces Vice Adm. Tom Rowden Deputy Commander, Naval Surface Forces Rear Adm. John Mustin Public Affairs Officer Cmdr. John Perkins Executive Editor MCCM Michael Mitchell Managing Editor Ted Townsend Layout and Design Ted Townsend

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Contents IF IT FLOATS

IT FIGHTS 2 • Commander's Corner Surface Force News:

Cover Stories:

4 • USS Coronado Returns

to San Diego from first deployment

22 • Surface Force Commander

Directing the Future of the

Surface Fleet

6 • Dawn Blitz 2017 Brings Realistic,

Relevant Training to Navy-Marine

Corps Team

26 • 2017 Surface Navy

Key Events—A Year in Review

8 • Bold Alligator 2017

Exercises Amphibious Forces

30 • 2017 Commissionings

and Christenings

9 • USS Shoup Builds Multinational Partnerships

32 • Recognizing the Best of the Fleet

8 • Anchorage Conducts HIMARS Shoot

During Dawn Blitz 2017

36 • Deputy Dispatches

Feature Stories: 12 • USS Mobile Bay Tests New AEGIS

Weapon System 14 • American Flag Warships

Bring Aid to Citizens in Need

34 • Enhancing Safety and Warfighting

38 • Leadership Literature:

C.S. Forester’s classic 11 book series

about the adventures and naval

career of Horatio Hornblower 40 • Voices From the Fleet

18 • New Course Builds Bridge Proficiency

In Junior Officers

Cover: USS Oscar Austin during its transit of the Artic Circle Photo by MC2 Ryan U. Kledzik

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Commander's Corner

Photo by Mass

Communication Specialist 2nd Class Amy M. Ressler

As I write this, the holiday season is upon us and a new year is just over the horizon. This is my favorite time of year; things slow down just a bit and we take time to reflect on all of our blessings. My hope is that you were able to enjoy time with family, friends, and loved ones. For those who were deployed, and still may be, please know the sacrifices you and your families make are deeply appreciated by our great Nation.

Another reason I love this time of year is that the annual Surface Warfare gathering – the Surface Navy Association Symposium (SNA) – rapidly approaches. Every January, over the course of a few days, friendships are renewed, professional relationships are reinforced, and an informative baselining of the current state and future direction of the community is shared. If you have not had a chance to attend, I highly recommend you mark it as a “must do” item at some point in your career.

I have attended SNA many times throughout my career, with this year being my seventh in a communitywide leadership role. It also marks my last as SWO BOSS and my final in uniform. In early February, I will be relieved as Commander, U.S. Naval Surface Forces in a change of command ceremony and will officially retire soon after in the spring. This assignment was a dream of mine for a long time, and I’m here to tell you that the reality of the position far surpasses the dream.

Yet, as every fleet Sailor knows, there were terrible days in 2017.

We tragically lost 17 shipmates in separate collisions involving USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) and USS John S. McCain (DDG 56). We hold those fallen Sailors and their loved ones close in our hearts – they serve as the impetus for us to be better.

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Editorial by Vice Adm. Tom Rowden Commander, Naval Surface Forces

The Comprehensive Review (CR) of recent Surface Force Incidents put forward an honest and objective assessment of where our community stands, and where improvements can be made in fundamentals, teamwork, operational safety, assessments, and culture.

We’ve already implemented a good number of the recommendations from the CR and we will continue to pursue all of the remaining recommendations. In all efforts, we ensure these initiatives put sharp focus on: building better mariners, enhancing our ability to safely operate at sea, and ultimately, strengthening our warfighting capability.

Our warfighting capability is based on being more offensive, establishing sea control at our choosing, and affecting the calculus of our potential adversaries. This is critical to our national security. Potential adversaries will have to dedicate their resources to account for every one of our ships – be it a cruiser, amphib or LCS. We need to maintain certified, effective, and lethal ships. To this end, our 2017 advancements – platforms, sensors, weapons, and networks design – were significant in making our ships harder to find, harder to kill, and more lethal. The advances include missiles that allow enemy ships to be killed at greater range (e.g. USS John P. Jones SM-6 testing), offensive enhancements to existing ships (e.g. USS Coronado firing a Harpoon Over-the-Horizon Missile), networking approaches to integrating the USMC F-35B with our AEGIS fleet, and attacking land-based targets from amphibious ships at sea (e.g. USS Anchorage utilizing High Mobility Artillery Rocket System). I would be remiss if I didn’t include the great work happening at the Surface Mine and Warfighting Development Center. These professionals continue to graduate Warfare Tactics Instructors, who sharpen the tactical proficiency of every surface combatant set to deploy. We’re matching

our growing talent with the right tools and training to develop, refine, and teach the tactics required to win at sea.

I’ve spent the past three and a half years waking up each morning with one main thought, “How can the SURFOR team make things better for the ‘center of the universe’ – the crews of the ships who go in harm’s way?” It has been one of the greatest honors of my life to serve and lead this amazing community. I’ve traveled the world to talk with our Sailors and one theme comes through time and time again – Surface Warriors are extremely proud of what they do.

As I reflect back over my long career, I remember meeting Vice Adm. Hank Mustin aboard USS Miller during my 1st Class cruise as a Naval Academy Midshipman. His sentiment in the moment would have a profound effect on me throughout my career.

“The United States Navy exists to control the sea,” were his simple words to the wardroom that day. Almost 30 years later, as I took command of Naval Surface Forces in August 2014, his words could not have resonated more. I’ve used this statement of fact to help shape my leadership and guidance to the world’s preeminent Surface Fleet. Like those who have sailed our warships before us and will after me, we must remain offensiveminded and focused on our core mission of controlling the sea.

I am and will always be extremely proud to be a Surface Warfare Officer. I offer a sincere Thank You to all of you for making this tour so special - thank you for your hard work and dedication each and every day. I proudly salute the past, present and future Sailors taking in all lines, heading to sea, and standing ready to answer the call of our Nation. It has been an honor…Godspeed! *

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Surface Force News

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Kaleb Staples, Littoral Combat Ship Squadron 1 Public Affairs

USS Coronado Returns to San Diego from first deployment SAN DIEGO – Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) USS Coronado (LCS 4) and the "Wildcards" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 23 (HSC-23) returned home from an 18-month deployment, Dec. 5.

A few hours after HSC-23 disembarked the ship and flew back to Naval Air Station North Island, the Sailors of LCS Crew 203 were met by friends and family at Naval Base San Diego, officially completing their eight month segment of the deployment. Crew 203 relieved Crew 204 in April; the previous crew had begun USS Coronado's maiden deployment in June 2016.

“Each member of the core crew and the embarked detachments contributed to Coronado’s successful maiden deployment,” said Cmdr. Douglas Meagher, Coronado’s commanding officer. “I am extremely proud of their sustained efforts at sea and our accomplishments as a team.”

Coronado contributed to LCS program milestones

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Deven Leigh Ellis

and to national interests on her maiden deployment by participating in and conducting various operations in the Western Pacific, Over the course of the deployment, the ship strengthened relationships with many U.S. allies including the navy and country of the Republic of Singapore, which became a temporary homeport for the ship during the deployment.

“We were honored to work with our partners in Singapore. They helped [the port] become a home-awayfrom-home while the ship was there,” said Meagher.

During the deployment. "USS Coronado operated with the navies of 16 nations, participated in 11 multilateral and bilateral exercises, and made 10 strategic port visits throughout the region. One major milestone of the deployment was the firing of a 'Harpoon' surface-tosurface missile that successfully struck a target beyond visual range while operating with the Singapore Navy during Exercise Pacific Griffin near Guam.

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“This deployment showed me the true power of 'the Sailor,' said Coronado Command Master Chief Joshua J. Jackson.

“With a minimally manned crew we accomplished a great deal and successfully met the challenges of completing many 'first' milestones in the community. Our crew was extremely honored to accept the challenges and we are now excited to return home to our families.”

The Sailors were not the only ones happy for the homecoming. Family and friends were excited to show their love and support for the returning Sailors.

“The home fire is burning bright and the families are

“Each member of the core Crew and the Detachments contributed to [USS] Coronado’s successful maiden deployment"

excited to welcome home their Sailors,” said Lorraine Richards, Coronado’s command ombudsman. “In addition to the great job our Sailors have done while deployed, during these past eight months we’ve had three babies born and several graduations and promotions. Now we are looking forward to having some time to enjoy these milestones together and enjoy our time with our Sailors.”

Capt. Jordy M. Harrison, commander of LCS Squadron 1, was also on hand to welcome home the crew of Coronado. He said he was proud of and amazed by the crew’s performance during their long deployment.

“What our ships offer our combatant commanders cannot be understated,” said Harrison. “LCS provides force flexibility, offering the commanders options to pair capability with mission. Coronado's return to homeport following the maiden deployment is a testament to the successes of the ship and program, demonstrating once again the capability and value of LCS in the Fleet.”

USS Coronado was the fourth LCS to be commissioned, the second of the Independence-variant, and is the third U.S. Navy ship named after the city of Coronado. LCS is a high-speed, agile, shallow draft, mission-focused surface combatant designed for operations in the littoral environment, yet is fully capable of open ocean operations.

As part of the Surface Fleet, LCS has the ability to counter and outpace evolving threats, independently or within a network of surface combatants. Paired with advanced sonar and mine hunting capabilities, LCS provides a major contribution and a more diverse set of options to commanders across a broad spectrum of operations. *

Photo by LT Miranda Williams

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Anthony N. Hilkowski

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Anthony N. Hilkowski

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Surface Force News

Dawn Blitz 2017 Brings Realistic, Relevant Training to Navy-Marine Corps Team

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sean Gallagher, Expeditionary Strike Group 3 Public Affairs

Dawn Blitz 2017 was a scenario-driven amphibious exercise designed to train and integrate the staffs of Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 3 and 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade (1st MEB). It provided realistic, relevant training necessary for the effective global crisis response expected of the Navy/Marine Corps team.

The exercise took place off the coast of Southern California, and involved participation from various ships homeported at Naval Base San Diego: amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), amphibious transport dock USS Anchorage (LPD 23), amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47) and guidedmissile destroyer USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108). The ships integrated with 1st MEB and Coastal Riverine Group 1 (CRG 1) to demonstrate how U.S. forces are capable, interoperable and deployable on short notice, all while being fully combat-ready.

"Dawn Blitz 2017 is an excellent opportunity to operationalize concepts the Navy and Marine Corps services have been discussing for some time," noted Cmdr. Matthew Hoekstra, Director of Maritime Operations for ESG 3 and lead exercise planner for Dawn Blitz. "While others continue to talk wargame

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Sabyn Marrs

or tabletop future concepts, we are executing with live forces afloat and ashore."

The exercise consisted of various wartime events leading to the deployment of U.S. and allied forces against a hypothetical enemy. Forces planned and executed an amphibious assault, engaged in live-fire events, and established expeditionary-advanced bases in a land and maritime threat environment in order to improve naval amphibious core competencies.

"Dawn Blitz provides crucial training for our Nav y-Ma r ine Corps team.

The capability to conduct prompt and sustained amphibious operations anywhere in the world is essential to our Navy and our nation," said Rear Adm. Cathal O'Connor, commander of ESG 3, during the exercise.

"The amphibious force's capabilities range from highend warfighting to the disaster response capabilities our East Coast Sailors and Marines are demonstrating today. Since this is a multinational exercise, working with our international partners helps foster and sustain cooperative relationships that enhance regional security, stability and prosperity around the globe."

"While others continue to talk, wargame or tabletop future concepts, we are executing with live forces afloat and ashore."

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Dawn Blitz 2017 was built upon previous iterations of the exercise and afforded the Navy/Marine Corps team the opportunity to capture lessons learned, to develop Navy-Marine Corps amphibious staff expertise, and to test new capabilities and equipment for the future fight.

Unique to 2017's exercise was the integration of the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter and the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) conducting a sea-based strike. This allowed commanders to validate a capability with platforms not traditionally used at the Marine Expeditionary Unit/ Amphibious Ready Group (MEU/ARG) level.

Additionally, demonstration of the composite warfare construct and other command and control arrangements helped to promote unity of effort in littoral warfare.

"Our experiment in command and control structure is designed to provide the commander with greater flexibility and speed to employ assigned forces," said Hoekstra. "The amphibious force has always been the vanguard of naval power in these qualities."

The Navy and the Marine Corps enjoy a close working relationship based on past tradition, present requirements and future necessity to project power ashore. Leadership of both services share a common goal to refine and strengthen core amphibious competencies critical to maritime power projection.

"Dawn Blitz 17 is an invaluable opportunity for I Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF) and the 1st MEB to experiment with advanced maritime and naval

warfighting concepts, as well as refine existing tactics, techniques and procedures," said Lt. Col. Thomas Savage, Operations Officer, 1st MEB leading into the exercise. "The exercise also reinforces the strong and enduring relationships between U.S. Third Fleet, ESG 3, I MEF and 1st MEB." An infantry company from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force also participated along with observers from Chile, Peru, Colombia and Mexico. The coordination with our international partners helped foster and maintain critical relationships to preserve peace and promote stability.

The exercise was an opportunity to meet the challenges of future conflicts, overseas contingency operations, humanitarian assistance/disaster response and homeland defense. The lessons learned are expected to improve the lethality and mission effectiveness of U.S. maritime forces.

"The experimentation results from Dawn Blitz 17 directly affect both the Navy and Marine Corps' future lethality and ability to fight and win in the future operating environment," said Savage. "Although the path ahead may be a challenging one as we seek to operationalize concepts, shape force capabilities, and integrate future systems, the lessons learned leading up to and during exercise execution promise the naval force sound security as one of our nation's principal means to project power from the sea to all domains of the battlefield." *

"Our experiment in command and control structure is designed to provide the commander with greater flexibility and speed to employ assigned forces"

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Chandler Harrell

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Surface Force News

Bold Alligator 2017 Exercises Amphibious Forces From U.S. Fleet Forces Command Public Affairs

Bold Alligator 17 (BA17) was a live, events-driven exercise featuring the Navy-Marine Corps team and partner nation forces. The exercise provided participants tactical level training for amphibious operations, the core requirement to maritime power projection.

While the scope of the exercise was modified due to U.S. and partner nation relief efforts in the wake of hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, BA17 incorporated amphibious, carrier strike group, air wing, and expeditionary mine countermeasures operations

Photo by Lance Cpl. Antonia Mercado

virtual and constructive environment. The previous year's exercise prepared U.S. service members and partner nation planners for a progressive exercise construct, putting amphibious forces both at sea and ashore in a joint, forcible entry operation training environment. The capabilities required to conduct a forcible entry against an opposing military force are the same capabilities that make the amphibious force the first and best choice for crisis response, humanitarian assistance and building partnerships.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Timothy J. Lutz

to provide a rigorous training environment for the combined forces.

"The Bold Alligator exercise series advances how integrated naval forces operate with our allies and partners," said Adm. Phil Davidson, commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command. "Improving Navy-Marine Corps amphibious core competencies with coalition, allied and partner nations is a necessary investment in the current and future readiness of our forces."

BA17 built upon the work done during BA16, which integrated the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade (2nd MEB) and Expeditionary Strike Group 2 (ESG 2) command elements as they embarked pierside in a live,

"Bold Alligator allows the Navy-Marine Corps team to prepare for naval expeditionary amphibious combat operations to enhance current naval readiness and inform sea control and power projection force development capabilities," said Lt. Gen. Mark Brilakis, commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command.

"Although Bold Alligator 17 has been modified due to real world events, it still allows the Navy-Marine Corps team to gain capabilities and to work with our partner nations to set the stage for future exercises in the amphibious training continuum such as Exercise Trident Juncture 18, BA19 and Large Scale Exercise (LSE) 2020." *

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USS Shoup Builds Multinational Partnerships The U.S. Navy's guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG 86), the U.K. Royal Navy's Duke-class frigate HMS Monmouth (F 235), and the French Marine Nationale's anti-air destroyer FS Jean Bart (D 615) participated in the exercise.

Intrepid Sentinel was designed to increase interoperability between the three participating nations and reduce response time by establishing a coordinated international maritime coalition to counter the complex challenges presented in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations (AOO).

"This was a great exercise," said Cmdr. Ted Wiederholt, commanding officer of USS Shoup (DDG 86). "This exercise brought together the United Kingdom, French, and U.S. navies in an operational environment where we successfully built proficiency across multiple warfare areas, strengthened already strong naval relationships, and built new personal relationships that allowed all of us improved warfighting integration."

During the exercise, the ships conducted operations that branched into multiple warfare areas. The multinational trio was involved in an air defense exercise, a combined anti-submarine exercise, as well as a visit, board, search and seizure event.

"This exercise provided an opportunity to demonstrate our professionalism while warfighting together in this area," said Lt. Denis Giraudion, French destroyer FS

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Maria Alvarez

Jean Bart's (D615) air defense officer and air intercept officer. "It was a pleasure to visit USS Shoup after a onemonth deployment with Carrier Strike Group 11."

Intrepid Sentinel helped the allies to optimize combat effectiveness and efficiency against conventional and irregular threats through warfighting integration.

"Intrepid Sentinel has provided a great opportunity to practice working together as friends and allies," said U.K. Royal Navy Sub-Lt. Alfred Pace, HMS Monmouth's (F235) 2nd officer of the watch. "It helped us understand how each country's navy operates to better our chances of winning at sea."

Monmouth's leadership agreed that this collaboration at sea was beneficial to everyone involved.

"Interoperability with key partner nations is critical to conducting operations," said U.K. Royal Navy Cmdr. Ian Feasey, commanding officer of Monmouth. "Exercise Intrepid Sentinel has allowed us to hone and refine our collective fighting capability, ensuring we remain at high readiness to provide a multinational response to emerging situations or crises."

USS Shoup was deployed with the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, conducting maritime security operations to reassure allies and partners, preserving freedom of navigation, and maintaining the free flow of commerce.

The U.S. 5th Fleet AOO encompasses about 2.5 million square miles of water area and includes the Arabian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, the Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. The expanse comprises 20 countries and includes three critical choke points: the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Strait of Bab-el-Mandeb at the southern tip of Yemen. *

"Interoperability with key partner nations is critical to conducting operations"

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Maria I. Alvarez

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Surface Force News Anchorage Conducts HIMARS Shoot During Dawn Blitz 2017 PACIFIC OCEAN -- The High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) was fired from the flight deck of the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Anchorage (LPD 23) during Dawn Blitz 2017 Oct. 22.

The HIMARS is a weapons system made up of the M142, five-ton chassis vehicle and can carry either a launcher pod of six rockets or one MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS).

It enables Marines to engage targets within minutes after firing and features an advanced targeting system that strikes with an extremely high accuracy rate. The system also features a greater range than traditional artillery, allowing smaller units to cover a larger area.

The demonstration on Anchorage consisted of HIMARS engaging a land-based target with a Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System Unitary (GMLRS-U).

"We had two training objectives for today's shoot," said Army Maj. Adam Ropelewski, I Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF), lead planner for sea-based expeditionary fires. "The first training objective was demonstrating this capability and, second, we wanted to have good effects on the target. We achieved both objectives. We destroyed the target at 70 kilometers while at sea."

Developing sea-based fires alternatives such as the

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Abigail Rader, Expeditionary Strike Group 3

HIMARS afloat and proving them to be effective provides an opportunity for our Navy and Marine Corps team to evaluate, refine and improve processes to be ready for the future fight.

"In an environment where we are operating in contested waters, we are finding a way to be able to support the land force with deeper strike capabilities," said Capt. AJ Kowaleuski, an artillery officer with I MEF. This ability provides flexibility while the Navy and Marine Corps are supporting each other in combined operations.

This portion of Dawn Blitz validated the commander's ability to integrate HIMARS with ships to conduct a seabased strike.

"What we demonstrated not only was its capability, but we further demonstrated capabilities from the blue-green team and Amphibious Force 3," said Ropelewski. "They performed very well and were able to come together and work hard to make the mission successful."

The shoot was a success from the operator's perspective as well. "We shot a rocket off Anchorage to validate that we, as HIMARS operators, can shoot off an LPD and successfully hit the target," said Lance Cpl. Ryan Irving, a HIMARS operator assigned to 5th Battalion, 11th Marines.

Exercises like Dawn Blitz are another way to strengthen and continue the interdependent relationship between the Navy and Marine Corps.

Irving concluded, "It's nice to have a force integration, where we can work with the Navy and learn from each other in these situations."

Dawn Blitz is a scenario-driven exercise designed to train and integrate Navy and Marine Corps units by providing a robust training environment where forces plan and execute an amphibious assault, engage in livefire events and establish expeditionary advanced bases in a land and maritime threat environment to improve naval amphibious core competencies. *

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"We shot a rocket off Anchorage to validate that we, as HIMARS operators, can shoot off an LPD and successfully hit the target,"

Photos by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Matthew Dickinson

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By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Chad M. Butler, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Chad M. Butler

PACIFIC OCEAN -- The guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53) conducted a historic missile exercise Oct. 24, to test updated combat systems installed last year.

USS Mobile Bay (CG 53) is the first cruiser to upgrade from the AEGIS Baseline 8 Combat System to the AEGIS Baseline 9 Combat System (9 on 8), which increases the accuracy, range and weapons capabilities of the ship. The ship tested the new combat systems update during a live-fire missile exercise off the coast of Southern California.

“We are testing a system that brings advanced warfighting capabilities to the ship and to the Fleet,” said Capt. James L. Storm, Commanding Officer, USS Mobile Bay. “We are validating these capabilities before bringing them to other ships.”

The cruiser fired two Standard Missile-2 (SM-2) and one Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) from the forward launcher on the ship’s forecastle. The primary objectives of testing the fire control loop with the 9 on 8 computer program, as well as testing some newly introduced advanced features of the combat systems, were successful.

One SM-2 engagement was accomplished using only the SPQ-9 radar system – a first in U.S. Naval history – and demonstrative of the enhanced capabilities the new updated AEGIS weapons system brings to the fleet.

“It’s exciting to lead the effort for the surface community,” said Storm.

“It feels good that our 30-year-old ship is one of the most advanced in the fleet.”

USS Mobile Bay previously upgraded to the AEGIS Baseline 8 Combat System in 2010 as part of a cruiser modernization initiative. In addition to the extensive modernization of structural, mechanical, and electrical components of the ship, the legacy AEGIS Weapons System computing suite was removed and replaced with commercial off-the-shelf hardware

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(known as Technical Insertion-08) which brought the weapons system into an open architecture environment.

This open architecture foundation allowed for further combat system improvements using the AEGIS Baseline 9 Common Source Library and some minor hardware changes to the ship's computing suite in order to support improved graphics and data processing.

“In a matter of weeks, we were able to significantly upgrade the combat system capabilities of this ship and we will continue providing software updates, as needed, to increase capability in response to emerging threats and requirements,” said Capt. Andrew Biehn, the AEGIS Fleet Readiness Officer for Naval Sea Systems Command's Program Executive Office for Integrated Warfare Systems.

“Specifically, bringing Baseline 9 on 8 to Mobile Bay

continue to extend the service life of these ships while increasing their capability to take on the most advanced threats in the world.

"Our guided missile cruisers are one of the most diverse and lethal warships in the Surface Force,” said Rowden.

“They provide our civilian and uniformed military leaders with a persistent, maneuverable warfighting capability, where and when needed around the world.”

He emphasized, "The complexity of integrated air and missile warfare is growing more challenging by the day – we need these cruisers, and the follow on to the cruiser, to be as flexible and capable as possible in order to provide command and control of naval forces in the most demanding environments, against the most stressing and dangerous threats.”

USS Mobile Bay's AEGIS Baseline 9 Combat System

"Our guided missile cruisers are one of the most diverse and lethal warships in the Surface Force,” enables her to employ the SM-6 missile, conduct Naval Integrated Fire Control-Counter Air (NIFC-CA), and employ the latest AEGIS Weapons Systems capabilities against air and missile threats.”

Biehn went on to say, “Mobile Bay now has the most advanced integrated combat system in the world.

This is proof of the soundness of our combat system modernization plan, using open architecture principles and software upgrades to rapidly provide capability to the warfighter and further increase the lethality of our Surface Navy.”

This is demonstrative of the tenets set forth by Vice Adm. Tom Rowden, Commander, Naval Surface Force in the Surface Force Strategy.

"These ships are able to support carrier strike groups and amphibious forces, act as the flagship of surface action groups, or operate independently, providing great flexibility to our fleet and joint commanders around the globe,” Rowden stated. “The air warfare commander role provided by cruisers to carrier strike groups is particularly critical to mission accomplishment.”

Continuing to update these warships is a priority for the Surface Force because of the vast capabilities and combat power cruisers provide to the maritime domain.

The Navy’s cruiser modernization program will

update was a one-year long, joint effort that started October 2016. A year later, the Department of the Navy civilians and defense contractors involved were brought aboard the ship on Oct. 20, 2017 to assist the crew with training, testing and troubleshooting leading up to the first live-fire event using the updated system.

“It’s awesome, being recently retired, to come back to a cruiser to train the crew and help them understand the system,” said retired Senior Chief Petty Officer Christopher Moore, who now works at Naval Surface Warfare Center, Pt. Hueneme Division. “Being able to interact with the Sailors while achieving mission accomplishment is the icing on the cake.”

Moore noted that the AEGIS is the primary shipboard air defense system and the update allows the crew to track and execute enemy missiles and aircraft with more precision using radars aboard the ship.

“It was a team effort to get us here; everyone from the engineers keeping the ship up to combat systems and the weapons team,” said Storm in appreciation of everything needed to get the ship ready for the successful system events. *

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American Warships Bring Aid to U.S. Citizens

By Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

When we think of the U.S. Navy’s amphibious fleet, many of us probably form a mental image of the quintessential global tool for projecting power ashore during combat operations. In times of conflict this is absolutely true. As a sea-based force, the amphibious fleet provides our Marine Corps brethren the means to complete their mission even when ports and landbased airfields are not accessible. Through this capability, our “Amphibs” have proven their worth a hundred times over since World War II as being a no non-sense solution to overcoming diplomatic, military, and geographic

challenges that would otherwise thwart access and power projection ashore in objective areas.

This history of combat effectiveness may also explain why it is easy to overlook that the agile teamwork and skill sets the Surface Force brings to warfighting also lend themselves perfectly to another of the naval forces’ core capabilities – Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Response. Case in point are the efforts amphibious assault ships USS Wasp (LHD 1), USS

Kearsarge (LHD 3), and dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51), along with the staff of Expeditionary Strike Group 2 (ESG 2) and Marines from the 24th and 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, performed in the areas of the Caribbean following hurricanes Irma and Maria in the latter half of 2017.

“Besides delivering combat power from the sea, amphibious assault ships are ideally suited to deliver assistance and aid,” said Capt. David K. Guluzian, Commanding Officer, USS Kearsarge. “We can transport large amounts of manpower and supplies to areas in need using our small boats, landing craft and helicopters.”

This effort was not an isolated incident; every day the United States Navy is asked to serve as ambassadors of good around the world, and being the largest contingent of the Fleet means the surface forces get called to action more days than not. With afloat assets distributed around the globe, the Surface Force often provides the most readily available source for assistance, and it’s not always the amphibious ships being tasked. A great example is when guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70) participated in disaster relief efforts following heavy monsoon rainfalls triggered major flooding and landslides throughout Sri Lanka earlier in year.

But, the relief efforts that started in late August hit a lot closer to home for the Surface Warriors who deployed to the Caribbean. This time our Navy was called upon to provide for our own – American citizens

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AID IN ACTION

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nathan Wilkes

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Sean Galbreath

in the territory of the United States located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. When the Department of Defense became part of the joint team supporting the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the lead federal agency coordinating help for those affected by the two hurricanes, the U.S. Navy rapidly became one component of the overall whole-of-government response effort.

The priority of the response team was to save lives and minimize the suffering of those impacted throughout the region. Starting with USS Wasp, the first Navy platform to arrive in the vicinity of the U.S. Virgin Islands after Hurricane Irma, and soon thereafter by USS Kearsarge and USS Oak Hill, the ships provided medium and heavy lift helicopters to transport people and supplies throughout both hurricane response efforts. The rotorwing contingent for the ships included Marine Corps UH-1Y Venom medium utility helicopters, CH-53E Super Stallion heavy lift helicopters and MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft; and Navy MH-60S Seahawk medium lift helicopters. In critical times, the aviation assets were also used for medical evacuation of intensive care patients from St. Thomas, St. Croix, and Puerto Rico. In addition, the aircrews’ initial aerial damage assessments were extremely helpful to key decision-makers on the ground when prioritizing resources required to assist the broad spectrum of areas in need.

Fueling the lifeline of the forward-operating helicopters and landing craft and Story utility continuedvessels, on next page

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Sean Galbreath

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Levingston Lewis

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Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Taylor King

driving overall mission success, was the persistent presence of the powerful gray-hulled ships sitting just off the coast. Unparalleled by any civilian equivalent, the ships contributed to relief efforts through medical support, maritime civil affairs operations, maritime security efforts, expeditionary logistic support, and most pertinent to this critical circumstance, meteorological and oceanographic forecasting support.

Unlike some of the previous unforeseen and quick developing disasters in forward-operating theaters which required a reactive response, the ability to track and assess the oncoming hurricanes

presented opportunity for Kearsarge and accompanying assets to proactively take on large amounts of supplies specific to post-hurricane recovery efforts prior to departing Naval Station Norfolk. Kearsarge, alone, loaded more than 200 pallets of materials containing bedding, water bottles, towels, batteries, coolers, diapers, baby food and formula, and canned and dry food items, as well as food service supplies.

Kearsarge's Command Master Chief Jason Knupp made note of the response effort during the deployment, "The crew has been extremely adaptable. You would think somewhere between less than

Photo by U.S. Navy

two days in port, dodging and then following hurricanes, there would be a hiccup along the way. Between the crew and all the embarked units – Marines, Seabees, squadrons, and others – their work has been flawless. These guys took charge of the mission and got it done."

Following the initial delivery of life-sustaining materials to the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, the mission then added a focus on road and route clearance. While still maintaining regular deliveries of supplies to points of distribution and hard-to-reach locations in Puerto Rico, Marines and Seabees were on the ground removing debris, enabling federal and Puerto

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Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Michael Eduardo Jorge

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Taylor King

Rican government employees and volunteers to begin service and infrastructure restoration. The ship’s team also took on the mission of repairing more than 50 electrical generators at hospitals throughout Puerto Rico.

"I'm extremely proud of the Sailors and Marines who were prominent among the initial responders responsible for providing tangible lifesaving and relief support for fellow Americans in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico during Hurricanes Irma and Maria," said Rear Adm. Jeffrey Hughes, Commander, ESG 2. "This team of Sailors and Marines from numerous commands

in various stages of readiness came together to brilliantly support the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and partner with other federal, territory and local responders in an unprecedented response effort. These Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) operations demonstrated the effectiveness of our amphibious force and made a lasting impression on those affected by these devastating storms."

As history has shown, the same Surface Force capabilities that allow the U.S. to project power ashore around the world in times of conflict are just as effective in responding to the world’s natural disasters. In the

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ryre Arciaga

mitigation of human suffering – this time of U.S. citizens – during times of need, the Navy has once again proven itself as the vanguard of interagency efforts. *

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New Course Builds Bridge Proficiency In Junior Officers

By Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

NEWPORT, R.I. – Twelve ensigns completed the first pilot Junior Officer of the Deck (JOOD) Course at Surface Warfare Officer Schools (SWOS) Command, Dec. 15. The course will be refined and informed by feedback received from the students and the fleet in the months ahead.

This initial pilot course was designed to build upon the foundational shiphandling skills students learned at the Basic Division Officer Course.

The JOOD course taught them to effectively apply those skills as part of a watch team in the SWOS shiphandling simulators, before reporting to their first ship.

“Working with SWOS, we are developing a JOOD course to provide officers with the confidence to stand watches as well-trained conning officers, JOODs, and shipping officers on the bridges of our warships,” said Vice Adm. Tom Rowden, commander, Naval Surface Forces.

The three-week class placed the

junior officers in realistic navigation environments they could expect to find themselves in at sea. During the second and third weeks of the course, the ensigns spent two hours in the classroom immediately followed by six hours in simulators each day. The classroom portion incorporated deep dives into case studies from the junior officer perspective, including the two most recent ship collisions and grounding.

“I really appreciated the difficult scenarios,” said Ensign Liesl Sylvester, who is reporting to USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108). “Having the opportunity to practice getting out of difficult situations in the simulators after the classroom discussion was one of the best parts of the course.”

The course progressively moved students from simple ship evolutions to more complex and stressful maritime scenarios through an extended series of "reps and sets" in the simulators.

The ensigns started with instructor-

led special evolutions focused on individual conning skills, then transitioned to contact management scenarios in benign conditions with student-led bridge teams. As the officers developed proficiency and confidence, more complex scenarios were introduced – including restricted waters transits, heavy traffic density in reduced visibility, and close quarters collision avoidance.

“The most important aspects of the course were learning how the bridge is supposed to work and understanding the error chain and how to break it,” said Ensign Tyrell Burke, who has orders to USS Stockdale (DDG 106).

“We know how to get out of a bad situation because we practiced it in the JOOD course.”

When providing feedback to the instructors, most of the students said the high volume of “reps and sets” during the scenario-based training was extremely beneficial to their individual professional development

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"We are developing a JOOD course to provide officers with the confidence to stand watches as well-trained conning officers, JOODs, and shipping officers on the bridges of our warships,”

Photo by U.S. Navy

and definitely helped them refine teamwork skills.

“I am very pleased with the outcome of the JOOD Pilot Course,” said Capt.

Scott Robertson, commanding officer, SWOS. “Over the last three weeks, we immersed these twelve ensigns in our shiphandling simulators – gradually taking them from basic to more complex contact management scenarios. We saw an increase in not only ship driving proficiency, but also in the officers’ confidence as they developed the individual and team skills to deal with more challenging scenarios.”

Course instruction was centered on mitigating the risks and dangers of being at sea by teaching and practicing the six sound shipboard operating principals through the plan, brief, execute and debrief (PBED), and risk management processes.

“While our work here at SWOS is far from done, I’m very optimistic with the results of the JOOD Pilot,”

said Robertson. “There are certainly things we need to work on to make the final version of this course even more effective. We will follow these 12 ensigns in the Fleet and look for feedback from their commanding officers about their performance on the bridge compared to their contemporaries who did not have the benefit of this new training.”

SWOS envisions evolving this into a four-week JOOD pilot course by mid-2018 and JOOD courses being taught in Norfolk and San Diego in the second half of 2018.

The long-range goal is to transition to a six-week course that includes the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW), as well as Automatic Radar Plotting Aids (ARPA) and Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) courses of instruction.

The JOOD course is just one of the initiatives the Surface Warfare

community is taking to build more capable mariners following the release of the Comprehensive Review of Surface Force Incidents (CR) last month.

“The JOOD pilot course is a great first step of many to come,” said Rowden. “Putting officers in dynamic, simulated environments is a great tool for them to learn from their successes, but more importantly, learn from their mistakes in a training environment.”

Taking a holistic approach, the Navy and its Surface Warfare community continue to take decisive actions, as well as moving mid- and long-term initiatives into planning phases for the entire Surface Force. The efforts made today will set the surface warfare community on the right course to address issues identified in the CR and improve the surface fleet for decades to come. *

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USS OSCAR AUSTIN meets the Northern Lights

Photo by MC2 Ryan U. Kledzik

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Surface Force Commander Directing the Future of the Surface Fleet

By Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ryan Harper

SAN DIEGO – Commander, Naval Surface Forces (CNSF), Vice Adm. Tom Rowden is taking a holistic approach to implementing recommendations from the Comprehensive Review of Surface Force Incidents (CR) to ensure safe and effective ship operations at sea, the safety of our Sailors, and the readiness of our surface forces.

In the wake of three collisions and one grounding involving U.S. Navy ships this year, Vice Chief of Naval (VCNO) Operations Adm. Bill Moran assigned Adm. Phil Davidson, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command to lead a thorough review of surface ship mishaps over the last decade in order to inform improvements Navy-wide.

“The comprehensive review found that over a sustained period of time, rising pressure to meet operational demands led those in command to rationalize declining standards – standards in fundamental seamanship and watchstanding skills, teamwork, operational safety,

assessment and a professional culture. This resulted in a reduction of operational safety margins,” said Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), Adm. John Richardson during a November press conference when he announced the release of the CR. Davidson’s report states, “Going forward, the Navy must develop and formalize ‘firebreaks’ into our force generation and employment systems to guard against a slide in standards.”

Based on the recommendations, Rowden and his staff continue to take decisive action to make the Surface Force safer, more proficient, and more effective.

Many of the CR recommendations fall within the scope of CNSF and

are connected with the surface warfare community. However, the CR Oversight Board (OSB) is not only focused on implementing the recommended changes from the CR, but also broader initiatives to refine Navy policies, procedures, culture, and training. This process will enhance the readiness of surface combatants.

Rowden serves as one of the members of the OSB, which the CNO tasked the VCNO to lead.

“The oversight board is going to make sure that we properly prioritize the recommendations in a framework that gets after the great needs of the fleet, and looking at it from the commanding officers’

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“I owe it to our Sailors to provide them the tools they need to be the most capable mariners and warfighters possible,”

Photo by U.S. Navy

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Photo by U.S. Navy

“The one thing that remains constant as we implement these initiatives is the dedication of the young Sailors that serve aboard our warships. They take great pride in their profession, as they should.�

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perspective,” Moran said. The panel, which includes senior leaders like Davidson and Rowden, meets monthly to evaluate the progress toward implementing the CR recommendations.

Taking this holistic approach, the Navy and its Surface Warfare community are moving quickly to implement immediate actions, as well as moving mid- and long-term initiatives into planning phases for the entire Surface Force. The efforts made today will set the surface warfare community on the right course to address issues identified in the CR and improve the surface fleet for decades to come.

“I owe it to our Sailors to provide them the tools they need to be the most capable mariners and warfighters possible,” said Rowden.

A combined effort between Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific (CNSP) and Atlantic (CNSL) fleets are leading implementation of recommended changes and tracking those changes throughout the surface fleet. Their teams consist of representatives from Naval Sea Systems, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, Naval Personnel Command, Naval Education and Training Command, and other commands who have a role in making changes for current Sailors and developing future officers and Sailors to drive their ships, fight, and win at sea. CNSP and CNSL serve as the central node for both realizing recommendations on the deckplates and relaying progress to senior leadership.

At the time this article was submitted for publication, 11 CR recommendations had been accomplished by the Navy. The Surface Force continues to focus on completing all CR initiatives.

Examples of other initiatives being tested now are a bridge resource management workshop afloat, a junior officer of the deck course, officer of the deck assessments, and prospective commanding officer competency checkpoints. These initiatives were framed using the CR recommendations as well as Sailor feedback from the fleet.

“We need to revisit basics. These initiatives look at how to train to the fundamentals correctly,” said Rowden. “If we can’t master the basics, it will be challenging to be a proficient warfighter.”

While the CR was gathering its information, Rowden, in concert with U.S. Pacific Fleet, commander, Adm. Scott Swift, took immediate action to address needed changes and improvements to the surface fleet.

Following an operational pause directed by the CNO, Rowden recognized a need to improve confidence and competence in the surface Navy.

To that end, the CNSF commander issued guidance directing a concerted focus on the basics upon which safe navigation rests: contact management; bridge resource management; subject to the cognizant policies of fleet commanders, the transmission of Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) while operating in restricted waters and high-traffic areas; the circadian rhythm watchbill and shipboard routine implementation; and ready for sea assessments. Additionally, subordinate commanders were directed to have more personal involvement with manning, watchbills, training, and certification pillars in order to ensure increased safety and readiness of their units and ships.

“We’ve already implemented a number of the recommendations from the CR, and we will continue to address the remaining recommendations, ensuring all our initiatives put sharp focus on building better mariners, enhancing our ability to safely operate at sea, and ultimately strengthening our warfighting capability,” said Rowden. “The one thing that remains constant as we implement these initiatives is the dedication of the young Sailors that serve aboard our warships. They take great pride in their profession, as they should.” *

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Justin Stumberg

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2017 Surface Navy KEY EV WINTER 1/23/17 USS Makin Island Provides Medical Assistance to Pakistani Sailor 3/1/17 USS Dewey Fires SM-2 Missile during MISSILEX 3/7/17 LCS Conducts Successful Missile Hellfire Missile Test using Surface to Surface Missile Module 3/7/17 USS Donald Cook and USS Ross intercept anti-ship cruise missile target drones in SeaRAM test 3/23/17 USS Lake Erie Assists Distressed Mariners in SoCal OPAREA 3/29/17 USS Princeton Participates in Show of Force Strait Transit Exercise 3/31/17 Ross, Porter Conduct TLAM Strikes into Syria

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VENTS — A Year in Review SPRING 4/3/17 USS Detroit Completes Combat System Ship Qualification Trials 4/10/17 USS America Takes Out Drone During Missile Exercise 4/27/17 USS Jackson Successfully Completes Missile Test 6/10/17 USS Gabrielle Giffords Commissioned in Galveston 6/11/17 ‘Up-Gunned Expeditionary Strike Group’ Concept Moves Forward in Talisman Saber 6/19/17 USS Lake Erie Sailors, Personnel Complete Relief Mission in Sri Lanka 6/30/17 US and Philippine Navies Complete Coordinated Patrol in Southern Sulu Sea

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2017 Surface Navy KEY EV SUMMER 7/13/17 US Destroyer and Cruiser Depart Ukraine for Sea Breeze 2017 7/15/17 USS John Finn Commissioned in Hawaii 7/18/17 USS Somerset Shines on Maiden Deployment 7/31/17 USS Rafael Peralta Commissioned in San Diego 8/22/17 USS Coronado Hits Target with Lethal, Harpoon Missile 8/30/17 USS John Paul Jones Aegis BMD System Intercepts Target Missile 8/30/17 Wasp departs to be Forward Deployed to Japan 9/07/17 Navy Successfully Conducts AN/SPY-6(V) Radar Missile Defense Test

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VENTS — A Year in Review FALL 9/8/17 Largest Regional Amphibious Exercise Kicks Off in Djibouti Africa 10/23/17 Dawn Blitz 2017 Realistic and Relevant Training 10/24/17 USS Mobile Bay Tests New AEGIS Weapon System 10/22/17 Anchorage Conducts HIMARS Shoot During Dawn Blitz 2017 10/24/17 USS Howard Renders Aid to Iranian Fishing Vessel 10/25/17 USS Ashland Assists Distressed Mariners in Pacific Ocean 12/16/17 USS Little Rock Commissioned Buffalo, New York

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2017 COMMISSIONINGS and CHRISTENINGS COMMISSIONINGs

Commissioning ceremonies are public events during which the ship, having been crewed and taken through sea trials, is commissioned into active service. This ceremony completes the cycle from the ship's christening and launching to its recognition as a United States Navy ship. The ceremony concludes with the formal transfer of the ship to the prospective commanding officer who then orders the national ensign hoisted, the commissioning pennant broken and sets the first watch set to complete the ships pre-commissioning unit to an active duty United States Ship (USS).

Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10)

Rafael Peralta (DDG 115) 29JUL17 San Diego USS Rafael Peralta is the third of 11 ships awarded as part of the DDG 51 program restart. The DDG 51 class provides outstanding combat capability and survivability characteristics while minimizing procurement and lifetime support costs, due to the program's maturity.

John Finn (DDG 113)

Little Rock (LCS 9)

12JUN17 Galveston, TX USS Gabrielle Giffords is a fast, agile, focused-mission platform designed for operation in near-shore environments yet capable of open-ocean operation. It is designed to defeat asymmetric “anti-access” threats such as mines, quiet diesel submarines and fast surface craft. Gabrielle Giffords is the ninth littoral combat ship delivered to the Navy and the fifth LCS of the Independence variant.

5JUL17 Pearl Harbor, HI USS John Finn is the 63rd Arleigh Burke-class destroyer and the first of her class commissioned since USS Michael Murphy joined the fleet Oct. 6, 2012. John Finn will be able to conduct a variety of operations, from peacetime presence and crisis management to sea control and power projection.

John Finn will be capable of engaging in air, surface and subsurface battles simultaneously and will contain a myriad of offensive and defensive weapons designed to support maritime warfare, including Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) capabilities.

16DEC17 Buffalo, NY The keel of USS Little Rock laid down June 27, 2013. LCS 9 was christened and launched July 18 during a ceremony in Marinette, Wisconsin. Janée L. Bonner, spouse of the Honorable Josiah “Jo” Bonner, former U.S. representative of Alabama, is the ship’s sponsor. At 3400-tons, LCS 9 is 388 feet in length, has a beam of 57 feet, and can operate at more than 40 knots.

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CHRISTENINGS

The tradition of christening a ship is believed to bring good luck and safe travel to the vessel. During the christening ceremony, the ship's sponsor breaks a bottle of champagne against the bow while naming the ship out loud just before the ship enters the water for the first time. Christened ships still have many sea trials, equipment outfitting and testing to go through before commissioning.

Tulsa (LCS 16)

11FEB17 Mobile, AL The future USS Tulsa is a fast, agile, focused-mission platform designed for operation in near-shore environments yet capable of open-ocean operation. It is designed to defeat asymmetric "anti-access" threats such as mines, quiet diesel submarines and fast surface craft. An Independence-class variant of the LCS, Tulsa is noted for its unique hull, ability to operate at high speeds, and large flight deck size.

Thomas Hudner (DDG 116)

Charleston (LCS 18)

26AUG17 Mobile, AL The future USS Charleston is a fast, agile, focusedmission platform designed for operation in near-shore environments yet capable of open-ocean operation. It is designed to defeat asymmetric "anti-access" threats such as mines, quiet diesel submarines and fast surface craft.

Charleston is an Independence-class variant LCS.

Tripoli (LHA 7)

01APR17 Bath, ME The future USS Thomas Hudner will be the 66th Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, the fourth of 14 ships currently under contract for the DDG 51 program. The DDG 51 class provides advanced combat capability and survivability characteristics while minimizing procurement and lifetime support costs due to the program's maturity.

16SEP17 Pascagoula, MS Along with its pioneering aviation element, LHA 7 will incorporate a gas turbine propulsion plant, zonal electrical distribution, and fuel efficient electric auxiliary propulsion systems first installed on USS Makin Island (LHD 8).

LHA 7 will be 844 feet in length, have a displacement of approximately 45,000 long tons and be capable of operating at speeds of over 20 knots.

Billings (LCS 15)

Delbert D. Black (DDG 119)

01JUL17 Marinette, WI The future USS Billings honors the largest city in Montana.

It will be the first ship of its name in naval service. Each LCS is outfitted with a single mission package made up of mission modules containing warfighting systems and support equipment. A dedicated ship crew will combine with aviation assets to deploy manned and unmanned vehicles and sensors in support of mine countermeasures, anti-submarine warfare or surface warfare missions.

04NOV17 Pascagoula, MS The future Delbert D. Black will be equipped with the Navy's Aegis Combat System, the world's foremost integrated naval weapon system. The ship will also incorporate Cooperative Engagement Capability that when combined with the Aegis Combat System, will permit groups of ships and aircraft to link radars to provide a composite picture of the battle space-effectively increasing the theater space.

Photos by U.S. Navy

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Recognizing the Best of the Fleet

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Lenny LaCrosse, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

he Navy is big on tradition, and a large part of that tradition includes friendly competition between ships in the fleet. In an effort to build comradery through the competition, each ship and crew is rated in proficiency and operational readiness. Those ships rising above the rest by virtue of their achievements are recognized through prestigious award programs.

In the United States Navy’s Atlantic Fleet, the best all-around ship or submarine is awarded the Battenberg Cup. Each year, this award is presented to only one of the nearly 100 eligible surface ships, aircraft carriers, and submarines.

After visiting the United States in 1905 and making port visits in New York City, Annapolis and Washington, D.C., Prince Louis of Battenberg, Commander of the Royal Navy’s 2nd Cruiser Squadron, returned to England and sent the cup to Rear Admiral Robley Evans, who commanded the U.S. North Atlantic Fleet. Battenberg requested the trophy become a challenge cup between the enlisted men of the two country's navies. Only once in 34 years

Photos by Petty Officer 3rd Class Janweb B. Lagazo

and through 52 challenges did the Americans lose the cup to the British.

During the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, the cup was aboard the most-recent winning ship, USS West Virginia (BB 47) when she was sunk. The cup survived the sinking and was recovered when the ship was raised, refitted and returned to the war.

The Battenberg Cup remained with West Virginia until the ship's decommissioning in 1947. After that, the cup was displayed at several Navy commands, and eventually placed in the Navy Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. until the competition for the cup formally re-emerged in 1978.

The three-foot-high, silver-plated cup features the crossed ensigns of the U.S. Navy and Royal Navy and the engraving, “To the enlisted men of the North Atlantic Fleet from their British cousins of the 2nd Cruiser Squadron, In grateful remembrance of the many kindnesses, tokens of good fellowship and wonderful entertainments that were given to them in cordial friendship by their comrades across the sea.”

The most recent recipient of the Battenberg Cup is the guided-missile destroyer USS Mason (DDG 87),

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“Throughout the year, the crew of Chancellorsville demonstrated superb performance and excellence across the wide spectrum of combat systems warfare areas”

receiving the 2016 Battenberg Cup honors on May 23, 2017.

“I could not be more proud of the destroyermen of Mason,” said Cmdr. Stephen Aldridge, Commanding Officer USS Mason. “It was truly a team effort from our INSURV (inspection and survey) in January 2016, all the way through a tremendously successf u l deployment which concluded in December 2016.”

Mason, the fifth destroyer in the last 111 years to receive the award, also received the Golden Anchor award for personnel program excellence, and won the 2016 Battle Efficiency and Unit Tactics Awards from Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26; Mason continued the streak of excellence with 99 percent of the ship's petty officers qualifying as Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist.

In the Pacific Fleet, the most proficient surface combatant ship in overall combat systems readiness and warfare operations is awarded the Spokane Trophy.

Established in 1908 by President Theodore Roosevelt to recognize naval warfighting proficiency, the Spokane Trophy was donated by the Spokane, Wash., Navy League, and is designed to embody the spirit of Spokane and its pride in the Navy.

Unlike the Battenberg Cup for the Atlantic Fleet, this award honors surface ships only.

Crafted by Leo M. Dornberg & Co., a local Spokane jeweler, for $1,500 in 1907, the trophy stands approximately 28-inches high and is 16-inches wide at the handles. It is made with 400-ounces of sterling silver, lined with gold, and mounted on a rosewood base. Today the trophy is valued at more than $4 million dollars.

The trophy was originally awarded annually to ships in the Pacific and Atlantic Fleet until it was retired in 1941 and placed on display at the Naval Museum in Washington D.C. It was later moved to the Naval Historical Center in the Washington Naval Yard in 1977. In 1984, the Spokane Trophy was reactivated and sent to the Naval Surface Force, U . S . Pacific Fleet headquarters building in San Diego, where it remains on permanent display.

Awarded the 2016 Spokane Trophy early 2017, the most recent recipient is the guided missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62), marking the ship's second time earning this prestigious award.

“Throughout the year, the crew of Chancellorsville demonstrated superb performance and excellence across the wide spectrum of combat systems warfare areas,” said Adm. Scott Swift, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet. “USS Chancellorsville’s selection as the best in the Fleet highlights a steadfast commitment to our Navy and the nation.” *

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Enhancing Safety and Warfighting

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ford Williams

SAN DIEGO – Commander, Naval Surface Forces (CNSF) issued a new policy aimed toward ensuring Sailors assigned to warships and supporting afloat staffs are getting the necessary rest to operate safely, and ultimately increase their warfighting capabilities.

The Comprehensive Fatigue and Endurance Management Policy, released Nov. 30, fulfilled one of the recommendations provided by the Comprehensive Review of Recent Surface Force Incidents, an By Naval Surface assessment completed by Adm. Phil Force, U.S. Pacific Davidson, commander, U.S. Fleet Fleet Public Affairs Forces Command.

“The Surface Force and our Navy are off to a strong start implementing the Comprehensive Review initiatives. We are making Surface Forces safer, more proficient and more effective by addressing fundamentals, operational safety, teamwork, assessments, and culture as outlined in the comprehensive review,” said Vice Adm. Tom Rowden, commander, Naval Surface Forces.

The Comprehensive Fatigue and Endurance Management policy mandates each commanding officer (CO) incorporate circadian rhythm principles into their watchbills and shipboard routines. It also provides

guidelines for Sailor rest and workdays. Contrasting traditional Surface Navy watch rotations like “Fiveand-Dimes,” in which watchstanders continually rotate through different shifts each day, circadian watch routines place emphasis on Sailors standing the same watches each 24-hour period. This helps Sailors natural physiological rhythms adapt to a more consistent daily routine. The goal is to produce better rested, more alert Sailors.

Given the uncertainties of day-to-day operations at sea, COs are provided latitude in determining how to best implement this policy in their commands.

However, the general guidance is Sailors should get a minimum seven hours of sleep in a 24-hour day (seven uninterrupted hours, or five uninterrupted hours with a follow-on two-hour uninterrupted nap). The guidance also notes a Sailor’s workday should not exceed 12 hours in a 24-hour period, or eight hours of continuous work, except when required by operational tasks. As important, leaders are charged with training Sailors to take advantage of protected sleep periods.

“The intent of the policy is to provide specific direction to achieve optimal crew endurance, performance, and safety,” said Rowden.

The policy codifies and consolidates several years of

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CNSF guidance regarding individual readiness, confidence and competency principles, waterfront briefings to ships in fleet concentration areas, and training sessions at Surface Warfare Officers School Command. The guidance is founded upon exhaustive research conducted by the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) on more than 1,300 Sailors at sea through a 16-year period, and expands upon CNSF’s guidance promulgated in September via the Circadian Rhythm implementation message.

“It’s a culmination of efforts that started years ago to better manage Sailor fatigue and increase our Sailors' individual readiness, toughness and resiliency,” Rowden said. “It meets one of the recommendations from the Comprehensive Review, but it’s also part of our long-term effort to study and implement circadian rhythm watchbills and shipboard routines.”

Seizing upon the effort that has been ongoing in the Surface Warfare community for more than a decade, Rowden directed cruisers, destroyers, and amphibious warships to implement circadian rhythm watchbills and shipboard routines by Dec. 20. Smaller platforms, such as Littoral Combat Ships, Mine Countermeasure Ships, and Patrol Coastal Ships have until Mar. 31 to implement the policy.

"Warfighting and professional, safe operations at sea continue to be my top priorities," Rowden wrote in his guidance to the Surface Force in the September message.

"Circadian rhythm watchbills and shipboard routines will help produce well rested Sailors who are better warfighters, shipboard operators, and engineers... I expect all of you to continue to maintain our high standard of warfighting, training, and readiness throughout this transition."

Following the release of the circadian rhythm implementation message, and leading up to the formal instruction release, CNSF and NPS representatives visited fleet concentration areas in the United States and overseas to discuss implementation of circadian rhythm watchbills and routines. Waterfront leaders and Sailors were able to ask questions and gain better insights on how to transition their ships and staffs.

One of the main benefits of this policy, as shown by NPS research, is better-rested Sailors are more productive and more resilient to mental and physical stresses. COs operating with Sailors who are not rested are ultimately conducting high risk evolutions with impaired Sailors. This policy gives the CO a tool to manage Sailor fatigue.

Efforts to enhance crew endurance, performance, and safety will continue to be a focus of CNSF and NPS leadership. These partnering organizations will develop additional training materials and tools, collect data to fill knowledge gaps and evaluate new watchbill routine proposals, and enhance channels for sharing best practices and lessons learned.

“Every day, we owe it to our Sailors and their families to explore opportunities to mitigate risk where we can – from immediate daily fundamentals to instituting complex organizational change,” said Rowden. “This policy goes directly toward protecting our most vital asset, the men and women serving aboard our surface warships.” * Photos by U.S. Navy

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SURFACE WARFARE WINTER 2018

Deputy Dispatches

Greetings from our Surface Forces’ headquarters in San Diego, our community’s center of gravity for innovation, revolutionary warfighting thinking, talent, and our Surface “man, train and equip” efforts.

My hope is that you’re steaming rapidly and safely towards end of year holiday celebrations. And -- by the time you read this – I hope you’ve enjoyed quality time with family, and ushered in the new year with optimism and reflection. For those of you reading this while in harm’s way, or far from home, please know we value your contribution to our Navy and our country, and look forward to your safe return to us soon. I remain steadfastly appreciative for everything you’re doing to keep our Navy the strongest, most capable and effective force the world has ever known.

As I’ve said in these columns since assuming my role as your Deputy Commander, it’s a great time to be a Surface Warrior. We’re the best in the world today, and we’re taking action to ensure we remain the world’s finest Navy well into the future. We are the proud owners of the legacy of the world’s greatest Navy; a Navy the nation needs and deserves to preserve our way of life. As a learning organization, we’re examining how we operate, the missions we fulfill, how we assess our effectiveness and how we train and select our teams. “Forged by the Sea” is our new Navy brand line, reflecting our surface Sailors’ proud ownership of over 242 years of exceptional maritime service and strength.

Some of you will be reading this during our annual community gathering, the National Surface Navy Association Symposium, in Arlington, Virginia. The annual event not only offers a chance to catch up with old shipmates, and to make and rekindle professional relationships, it also offers an opportunity to immerse yourself in the current state and future direction of the community from Navy and Marine Corps leaders.

I always walk away feeling better informed, better equipped and inspired after attending.

At this point you’ve likely heard By Rear Adm. of the November release, by Adm. John B. Mustin Phil Davidson, Commander U.S. Deputy Fleet Forces Command, of the Commander, Naval Comprehensive Review of Recent Surface Force, U.S. Surface Force Incidents (referred Pacific Fleet to as “the CR”). I encourage you to read and reflect upon the report in its entirety, particularly given the impact our actions today will have on our community far into the future. Among other things, the CR identified 58 specific recommendations to make our Navy a stronger, more resilient and better prepared force, and we’re moving out to make those changes a reality. The implementation is truly an allhands effort, with representation spanning not only the Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific and Atlantic fleets, but also Navy Sea Systems, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, Naval Personnel Command, Naval Education and Training Command, and many other commands that play a part in making relevant changes for our current Sailors, but also systemically develop future commanding officers and Sailors who drive their ships with proficiency, and are prepared to fight and win at sea.

In many cases, the activities that we will implement are neither quick nor easy – but our leaders, from the most senior flag officer to the most junior Sailor, recognize their importance to the health, future potential and confidence of our Navy. To that end, we’ll continue to

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take decisive action to make the Surface Force safer, more proficient and more effective. We’re all in.

The over-arching focus and filter to our efforts remains support to you, our warfighters. We recognize that what makes us the best Navy in the world is not our ship, missiles, jets or latest technology, though all of those things are important and indeed impressive. We know that what makes us so great is our people --- our Total Force team of reserve and active duty Sailors, and our civilians. Each of these groups will contribute to our efforts to improve our future Navy.

We recognize our Navy is at an inflection point in the global strategic landscape, particularly in the manner in which we support our nation’s maritime interests. The operational environment is highly dynamic, requiring maximum levels of redundancy to support mission demands around the world. Navy-wide OPTEMPO has been difficult for many years as the basic supply-demand curve relative to combatant commander desires and asset inventory conspires against us. We also live in an era of funding uncertainty, which requires us to think through current and future demands and often make unpleasant tradeoffs. There’s no question that the maritime security environment of the next 25 years will be far different than the last 25 years. For these reasons, our work is both challenging and inspiring, because our business never closes and we don’t have the luxury of putting pencils down.

So to address these challenges, we’re looking at the things we can control, and the things that we can do better. We’re seeking a cultural change. A focus on the basics. Reinvigorating systemic efforts to build capable mariners and enhance our ability to safely operate at sea. Both of these will ultimately strengthen our warfighting capability. And you bear a contributing role – not as consumers of our culture, but as those who will shape and forge that culture on the waterfront every day. We’re counting on you.

We as Surface Warriors are more than a community.

We’re a team. To that end, please continue taking care of yourselves and those you mentor. Lean forward by participating in professional development/mentoring sessions, and review and manage your record well in advance of upcoming selection and promotion boards. If you don’t have a mentor, get one. If you’re not a mentor, be one. Those two very simple actions will guarantee our community thrives in the future. Keep up the great work leading the world’s finest Navy. I look forward to seeing you on the waterfront. *

“Every day, we owe it to our Sailors and their families to explore opportunities to mitigate risk where we can”

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class James R. Turner

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SURFACE WARFARE WINTER 2018

Leadership Literature

Illustration by Ted Townsend

Following a demanding shore duty assignment on the White House National Security Council staff, I eagerly looked forward to carving out time during my prospective Executive Officer/ Commanding Officer (XO/CO) pipeline to refocus on personal and professional development in preparation for Command. I read, and in some cases re-read, several books during my 11-month pipeline and into my tour as USS Mason’s (DDG 87) Executive Officer. My literary journey included “classics” of command like Adm. Stavridis’ Destroyer Captain and Command at Sea and Professor Hughes’ Fleet Tactics and Coastal Combat. I also selected a few books from then-Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Greenert’s professional reading list such as Longitude and Six Frigates. Additionally, I re-read Machiavelli’s The Prince and, as a former Naval Academy rower, thoroughly enjoyed Daniel Brown’s Boys in the Boat. All were noteworthy reads, professionally developing, and well worth the time. However, the most enjoyable read for me was C.S. Forester’s classic 11 book series about the adventures and naval career of the “Indomitable” Horatio Hornblower during the Napoleonic Wars of the early 19th century.

Although considered a classic of naval fiction, I find many surface warriors have yet to make the time to immerse themselves in the terrific adventures, trials, and development of this hero from Midshipman to Captain and beyond. Professional selections on our personal reading lists tend to be overwhelmingly non-fiction, but we should not overlook the value of fiction in our development as warfighters.

Throughout the series, Hornblower commands many missions and ships, from coastal raiding parties in small boats to magnificent ships of the line, and eventually a Royal Navy Fleet.

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Over the course of his adventures around the globe, we see many timeless naval challenges overcome by the same attributes we value in today’s naval warriors – strong professional knowledge, personal accountability, the initiative required for mission accomplishment, and balancing risk and reward. That being said, regardless of adventure, one trait was consistently demonstrated by Hornblower, from his early days as a Midshipman until his days as an Admiral in the West Indies– toughness.

When I talk about toughness to the Destroyermen of Mason, I define it as “fighting through adversity and winning.” Throughout his career, Hornblower constantly faces adversity, but presses on with an unyielding commitment to duty, and more often than not, wins.

From his earliest days as a Midshipman, he struggles with miserable seasickness and maniacal leaders; yet he presses on to prove himself.

During an early deck watch, he comes to realize that “life in the navy, although it seemed to move from one crisis to another, was really one continuous crisis, that even while dealing with one emergency, it was necessary to be making plans to deal with the next.” I think we’ve all faced this reality at some point in our careers, but through perseverance and professional growth we’ve fought back to a place where we’re managing our problems and not letting our problems manage us.

Our hero in the series spends time captive in Spain and as a prisoner in France. Both times he manages through his boldness and cunningness to escape and

return to the fight. As well, when the odds are against him at sea, he constantly rallies the troops to action and takes the fight to the enemy. Just as we seize opportunity in today’s fleet, Hornblower built crew toughness through skills-based training during the many boring months at sea, which proved decisive the moment combat began. “This was the moment when a thousand drills bore fruit, when men carried out in darkness and turmoil the duties that had been ingrained in them in easier conditions,” Hornblower reflected when commanding of the sloop HMS Hotspur.

I personally saw this first hand during the Red Sea missile attacks last year when serving as Mason’s XO. Our crew had learned that combat success comes from putting the work in every day to learn and hone our craft.

Confidence was built through a solid level of knowledge and sk il ls-based training. And with confidence c o m e s toughness.

B e y o n d Hor nblower ’s constant example of toughness, part of the value in reading the books is understanding through reflection of how trials faced earlier in a Naval career may provide greater insight into the challenges presented to us as seniors.

Without doubt, Forester’s classic series is an easy and enjoyable read, and provides a model of toughness for today’s Sailors. So, if you’re looking to add some fiction to your professional reading list, I highly recommend starting with Mr. Midshipman Hornblower, where C.S. Forester’s series launches. *

Commander Stephen Aldridge is the Commanding Officer of USS Mason (DDG 87). In October 2016, Mason defeated multiple anti-ship cruise missile attacks in the Red Sea and subsequently earned the Battenberg Cup as the best all-around ship in the Atlantic Fleet.

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SURFACE WARFARE WINTER 2018

Voices From the Fleet

By Lt. Mor Rosenberg, Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center Sea Combat

Division

Following a recent trip to Guam, Japan and New Zealand, I ran into a co-worker in the hallway of our San Diego office at the Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC) where I work as a Warfare Tactics Instructor (WTI).

As he welcomed me back with a smile he said, “We should just scrapbook your last few months of Facebook posts for our WTI roadshow presentations!”

Later that day, as I looked at the pictures from my trip I realized he was right. My WTI production tour at SMWDCs Sea Combat Division has allowed me to travel to some pretty amazing places - Singapore, Japan, New Zealand, Guam, Washington, D.C. and Hawaii. A production tour is a WTI’s chance to bring what we learn in the training pipeline to the warfighter in a substantive way.

During that trip, I provided advanced tactical training and capability assessments, experimentation and future requirements around the world. In New Zealand, I supported the Maritime Warfare Centers Forum (MWCF) at Devonport Naval Base, which brought together five allied nations - the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand - to improve our maritime interoperability and combat effectiveness. In Guam and Japan, I provided training and helped plan exercises for the Ship Anti-Submarine Warfare Readiness/Effectiveness Measuring (SHAREM) program.

Being the day-to-day manager of SHAREM is one of my favorite duties at SMWDC. SHAREM identifies and develops solutions to tactical problems, informs future SONAR requirements for the Fleet, collects and analyzes high quality data to improve the effective employment of weapons and sensors and, ultimately, improves overall surface ship ASW readiness and effectiveness. It’s an interesting program which has run for 48 years, operates out of several Numbered Fleet commands, and recently started incorporating WTIs for support. I help the cadre of civilians who plan the exercises, observe events, and provide feedback to both the ships and SMWDC. The opportunity to influence a major program that has been occurring for nearly half a century is one of the things that make being a WTI fun and rewarding for me.

While my fellow WTIs and I are busy when we’re on travel,

we usually have enough downtime to explore and reconnect with old friends and shipmates. For me, the WTI program has mirrored the well-known Navy marketing campaign, “Join the Navy- See the World!”

The rest of the Navy has started to learn about what we do at SMWDC, and the demand for WTI support around the world has increased. And while travel and global experiences has been an amazing perk of the WTI program for me, it can also make it a tough sell for potential WTI applicants.

While WTIs do spend a fair amount time traveling or deployed at sea, we don’t have to deal with the standard underway routines of staff meetings and watch schedules that ship’s company does.

We do provide wardroom and onstation trainings in their combat information Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Benjamin Dobbs centers, keep underway training events on track, provide reachback support to school houses and our HQ to provide up-to-date guidance to the fleet, and lead watch team debriefs to increase watch team effectiveness.

Even when I’m back at the office in San Diego, I keep a pretty busy schedule. I often help plan conferences, finalize travel plans, attend internal briefings to stay up to speed with ongoing changes from fleet events, visit wardrooms on the waterfront, and participate in working groups.

Yes, being a WTI is a demanding job. But, without question, my decision to apply to be a WTI has been completely worth it. I have the ability to make an impact as a lieutenant that I wouldn’t get in any other position in the Navy. Underway, I am asked to review battle orders for accuracy and give tactically relevant training to warfighters. I lead debriefs which spark discussion about tactics and improve watchstanding. In-port, I help guide working groups among U.S. Navy stakeholders and foreign allies on advanced tactics. Experiences like these will only benefit both me and the Navy when I take on positions of greater responsibility in the future.

Sure, I’ve checked off a few bucket-list destinations while performing my WTI duties, but the most rewarding aspect of the job is getting to work with some of the best officers I’ve met during my time in the Navy and together we are directly increasing the lethality of the fleet - a pairing you’ll only find at SMWDC. *

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Command Changes September 2017

October 2017

November 2017

Cmdr. Gilbert E. Clark..................................................................ATG WESTERN PACIFIC Capt. Jen Ellinger .............................................................................USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN Cmdr. Jeff W. Benso .................................................................... ......................USS STETHEM Cmdr. Elaine Brunelle ................................................................. ......................USS MOMSEN Cmdr. Victor Garza..............................................................................................USS HIGGINS Capt. Marvin Thompson ...................................................................COMEXSTRKGRU SEVEN Cmdr. Jeffrey S. Tamulevich..................................................................................USS HOPPER Capt. Jon C. Duffy...............................................................................COMDESRON FIFTEEN Cmdr. Robert A. Smith.........................................................................USS WHIDBEY ISLAND Lt. Cmdr. Roger L. Young...................................................................................USS FIREBOLT Cmdr. Christopher E. Marvin..............................................................................USS DETROIT Cmdr. Casey B. Baker.......................................................................................USS FARRAGUT Capt. Joseph R. O'Brien.......................................................................................USS IWO JIMA Capt. Jack Killman..................................................................................COMPHIBRON FOUR

Capt. Thomas P Moninger.......................................................................................USS MAHAN Cmdr. Matthew J. Powel..........................................................................USS DONALD COOK Lt. Cmdr. Stephen D. Szachta, Jr.......................................................................USS MONSOON Cmdr. Ethan M. Rule.............. ...........................................................................USS TORTUGA Cmdr. Shawn M. Cowan...............................................................USS GABRIELLE GIFFORDS Cmdr. David W. Walton ......................................................................................USS JACKSON Capt. Warren E. Cupps ...............................................................................COMDESRON ONE Cmdr. Joseph C. Burgon.....................................................................................USS COWPENS Cmdr. Allison Christy ..............................................................................USS MCCAMPBELL Cmdr. Jesse Mink..................................................................................USS JOHN PAUL JONES Capt. Justin A. Kubu........................................................................................USS PRINCETON Capt. Robert S. Thompson..............................................................................USS VELLA GULF Cmdr. Samantha A Dutily..........................................................................USS OSCAR AUSTIN Cmdr. James J. Vaughn.................................................................................................USS COLE

Capt. David Oden.....................................................................................USS MAKIN ISLAND Capt. William R. Sherrod................................................................................USS SOMERSET Capt. Gerard R. Olon...............................................................................COMPHIBRON ONE Capt. Christopher H. Inskeep.............................................................COMDESRON TWENTY Cmdr. Jose A. Roman..........................................................................................USS FREEDOM Cmdr. Janet H. Days...............................................................................................USS MCFAUL Capt. Todd Marzano.......................................................................................USS ARLINGTON Capt. Erik Nilsson.....................................................................................................ACU FOUR Cmdr. Javier Medina...................................................................................................BMU TWO Lcdr. Damon McCullan.....................................................................................USS TYPHOON Cmdr. J. K. Wilson..................................................................................................USS MAHAN

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