Surface Line Week 2011 Concludes

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

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Surface Line Week 2011 (SLW) concluded with an awards ceremony and picnic on board Naval Base San Diego, Aug. 19.

SLW is a 10-day contest sponsored by, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (SURFPAC) that features a series of activities dedicated to friendly competition in a variety of seamanship and sporting events.

"We had nearly 2,500 participants in 33 different events and the Sailors did a great job," said Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Vice Adm. Richard Hunt. "We have been celebrating SLW for 30 years. SLW gives us the opportunity to come together as a community, enjoy camaraderie, and participate in friendly competition."

Commands were categorized according to size, and trophies were awarded for first, second, and third place in each category. In the large command category, USS Peleliu (LHA 5) took home the top prize and USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) took second place. In the medium command category, USS Lake Champlain (CG 57) came in first place, USS Stockdale (DDG 106) second, and USS Benfold (DDG 65) third. For the small command category, USS Warrior (MCM 10) placed first, Littoral Combat Ship Squadron was second, and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Expeditionary Support Unit placed third. Individual winners in their respective categories were also announced and awarded.

"Peleliu's Sailors have been very enthusiastic about participating in all the events for Surface Line Week," said Peleliu Commanding Officer Capt. James Cox. "I'm very proud of them and they've done a great job. They dove into the competition full of enthusiasm, did very well, and we were able to take home the first place trophy. This is just a continuation of what the Sailors have done and will continue to do."

This year, participants competed in events, including perennial favorites such as basketball, softball and golf, along with damage control, ship handling and marksmanship.

"SLW overall was a great success this year. There was a lot of participation and the Sailors brought their best game to each event," said Lt. Jasmine Gough, coordinator for SLW. "The Sailors were competitive, but they never lost sight of being a good shipmate, and they supported one another even if they were not on the same team."

"This is the first time I've participated in Surface Line Week," said Yeoman Seaman Nick Jones. "It was cool to see everyone competing against each other. Next year I'm going to sign up for more events."

USS Stockdale Returns from Maiden Deployment

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

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Stockdale (DDG 106) return to its San Diego homeport July 22, after a six-month maiden deployment to the Western Pacific and U.S. Central Command area of Responsibility (AOR).

Throughout the deployment, Stockdale operated within three carrier strike groups to include USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) (to which Stockdale is assigned), USS George Washington (CVN 73) and USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Stockdale also integrated into the USS Essex (LHD 2) expeditionary strike group during Cobra Gold 11, completed an Indonesian Freedom of Navigation mission, and a Spratly Island transit.

Commissioned April 18, 2009, Stockdale's mission includes maritime ballistic missile defense, a core capability of the Navy, which enhances deterrence by providing an umbrella of protection to forward-deployed forces while contributing to the larger architecture planned for defense of the United States.

Stockdale's port calls included Guam; Sepangar, Malaysia; Sihanoukville, Cambodia; Laem Chabang, Thailand; Singapore, and Chinhae, Korea.

Stockdale helps provide deterrence, promote peace and security, preserve freedom of the sea and humanitarian/disaster response within 3rd Fleet's 50-million square mile area of responsibility in the Eastern Pacific, as well as supporting the Navy's Maritime Strategy when forward deployed.

Gridley Returns to San Diego After Successful Deployment

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

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gridley (DDG 101) return to its San Diego homeport July 22, after completing a seven-month deployment to the Western Pacific with the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) carrier strike group.

While deployed, Gridley's mission focused on theater security cooperation, increasing stability and cooperation among regional allies. Gridley conducted exercises with ships from other navies, including the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force, Republic of Korea Navy, and Republic of Singapore Navy. In conjunction with Joint Special Operations Task Force – Philippines (JSOTF), Gridley combated violent extremism through training events and professional exchanges.

"We have a remarkable relationship and growing partnership with many countries throughout the Western Pacific, and I'm pleased that our Sailors had the opportunity to experience rich cultures while acting as ambassadors for the United States," said Cmdr. Benjamin Allbritton, Gridley commanding officer. "Gridley was able to demonstrate goodwill and cooperation through community service projects, selected group tours, and other interactions during scheduled port visits."

Gridley Sailors participated in community relations projects in Korea, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong and the Philippines.

Gridley deployed with Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1, led by Rear Adm. Samuel Perez, and Destroyer Squadron 1, led by Capt. John Steinberger. Helicopter Squadron Light (HSL) 49 Detachment Five was embarked. Other ships in the CSG included USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), USS Bunker Hill (CG 52), and USS Stockdale (DDG 106).

Gridley helps provide deterrence, promote peace and security, preserve freedom of the sea and humanitarian/disaster response within 3rd Fleet's 50-million square mile area of responsibility in the Eastern Pacific, as well as supporting the Navy's Maritime Strategy when forward deployed.

Pearl Harbor Maintains High Operations Tempo, Recognizes Strategic Importance

By Bill Doughty, Commander Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- As Hawaii bid farewell to USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), June 10 following a brief port visit, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH) Port Operations continues to be busy with the largest group of visitors since last summer's Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise.

Among the visitors are two Australian navy ships – HMAS Perth and HMAS Sydney – that routinely operate with U.S. Pacific Fleet. Perth is the newest ship of the Australian navy, Sydney is the oldest.

International partners and allies train routinely with the U.S. Navy in Hawaiian waters, including at the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai.

"The busy [operations] tempo both here at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and at the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai, highlights how vital Hawaii is, not only for our own national security but also for our friends and allies who help us maintain stability throughout the region," said Commander, Navy Region Hawaii and Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific Rear Adm. Dixon R. Smith.

"We train, equip, refuel and support the fleet, as well as visiting ships and partners, in order to help them meet their responsibilities," Smith added. "They know they are welcomed, with Aloha, here in Hawaii."

Among vistors to JBPHH is Military Sealift Command's USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO 187), lead ship in the T-AO class of underway replenishment oilers. The ship is named after Henry J. Kaiser, a pioneer in the shipbuilding industry with strong ties to Hawaii who built the Hilton Hawaiian Village and the Hawaii Kai area of Honolulu.

A second Military Sealift Command ship, the Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Charles Drew (T-AKE-10), is also visiting JBPHH. Named after an African-American pioneer in blood storage and management, the ship will mark the end of its first year of service in July.

Other visitors this week included USS Gridley (DDG 101), USS Stockdale (DDG 106) and USS Bunker Hill (CG 52).

Many of the 11 homeported ships and 18 submarines of Commander, U.S. Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific and Commander, Submarine Force U.S. Pacific Fleet are also in port.

According to JBPHH's operations officer, Cmdr. Colin Caswell, "We are busy, yes, but we always keep safety and security as top priorities. It's a privilege to take care of these ships and their crews."

Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, Hawaii's largest industrial employer, takes care of the maintenance of the fleet and keeps ships and submarines "fit to fight." Afloat Training Group Middle Pacific conducts training routinely and Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit One divers and other authorized divers operate in and around Pearl Harbor.

Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam also supports U.S. Coast Guard vessels, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and various research ships. Each year, approximately 1.4 million visitors take Navy-operated, renewable energy-fueled boats from the National Park Service's Pearl Harbor Visitor Center to visit the USS Arizona Memorial.

The busy tempo in Pearl Harbor, coupled with the nine maritime patrol aircraft and 10 helicopters operating out of Marine Corps Base Hawaii at Kaneohe, provides a boost to the local economy. Sailors, DoD civilians, families and visiting family members and friends are eager to see the islands, sample the hospitality and learn about the culture of Hawaii.

In a published press release June 1, a Rand study reported, "DoD expenditures in Hawaii during FY 2007-2009 averaged $6.5 billion per year in 2009 dollars - $4.1 billion for personnel and $2.4 billion for procurement. These expenditures were associated with $12.2 billion worth of Hawaii's output - 18 percent of Hawaii's 2009 GDP - and 101,000 jobs."

Carrier Strike Group One Arrives in 7th Fleet

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Byron C. Linder, USS Carl Vinson Public Affairs

PACIFIC OCEAN (NNS) -- Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1 returned to the 7th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) May 6 after spending 95 days supporting maritime theater security operations for Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation New Dawn (OND) in the 5th Fleet AOR.

The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) is deployed with USS Bunker Hill (CG 52), Destroyer Squadron 1 and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17. CSG-1 will reunite with USS Stockdale (DDG 106) and USS Gridley (DDG 101) which remained in Seventh Fleet during the deployment.

For OEF and OND, Carl Vinson and CVW 17 flew 1,656 combat sorties, logging a total of 9,140 hours of flight time. For OEF, the ordnance expenditure added up to 33 bombs and 2,970 rounds of 20mm ammunition.

Carrier Strike Group 1 (CSG-1) is led by Rear Adm. Samuel Perez.

"Every member of the strike group played an important role in our 5th Fleet Deployment. Our Sailors thwarted piracy, advanced partnerships in the region and supported our ground troops in the fight against insurgents," said Rear Adm. Samuel Perez, Commander, CSG-1. "From the most junior airman to the most senior pilot, Carrier Strike Group 1 Sailors played a vital role in achieving 5th Fleet Theater objectives."

"We have completed, in fine fashion, our operational tasking in protecting our men and women on the ground," said Vinson Commanding Officer Captain Bruce Lindsey. "The Sailors have worked hard every day, and have done a fantastic job."

On the last day in the 5th Fleet AOR, CSG-1, in coordination with international forces, prevented a pirate attack against the Chinese owned and crewed M/V Full City.

With the major operational tasking complete for Carl Vinson's Western Pacific deployment, there remain several tasks for Vinson and CVW 17 Sailors to complete. While in the 7th Fleet AOR, the Strike Group will conduct routine exercises with their allies and partners and visit ports around the region.

"We have a little more to finish for this deployment, and there's not a doubt in my mind we'll finish with style, grace and professionalism," said Perez.

USS Higgins Makes Port Call to Maldives

By Ensign Samantha J. Carnahan, Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs

MALDIVES (NNS) -- USS Higgins (DDG 76) arrived in the Maldives, Feb. 25, in support of the U.S. Navy's agreement to provide maritime domain awareness (MDA) to the Maldives Coast Guard.

The port visit will also give crew members the chance for cultural and professional exchanges with the people of the Maldives.

"Our port visit is just one small action that reflects our nation's continued commitment to the Western Pacific," said Cmdr. Rome Ruiz, USS Higgins commanding officer. "We view this port visit as another excellent opportunity to increase our friendship with the people of the Maldives."

While in the Maldives, Higgins Sailors will participate in a variety of activities including maritime security training, a joint physical training (PT) program with the Maldivian navy, a women's outreach seminar and a reception with tours for more than 100 distinguished guests.

Higgins Sailors will conduct a PT exercise with Maldives Naval Defense Force (MNDF) to familiarize MNDF with the U.S. Navy's fitness model. The exercise will include a warm-up and workout that incorporates the Navy operational fuel and fitness system which is the latest fitness exercise initiative implemented by the Navy. There will also be a discussion that includes aspects of the physical fitness assessment (PFA), how the Navy prepares for the PFA, and an open question and answer session.

Female Sailors will partake in a women's outreach program led by Lt. Megan Granger, USS Higgins weapons officer. There will be a tour, lunch, and then an open discussion about women in leadership roles.

For recreation, Higgins Sailors will have the opportunity to discover the Maldives by Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) renting an island exclusively for the crew. The crew will be able to experience the local culture through the beach, food, and renting outdoor gear for snorkeling and diving.

This port visit represents an opportunity to promote peace and stability in the Indian Ocean region and is an outward demonstration of U.S commitment to the Maldives and fostering relationships throughout South Asia.

USS Higgins is assigned to the Carl Vinson Strike Group homeported in San Diego, and has been operating in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility since departing in January 2011.

Prior to the Maldives, the ship made a port visit to Phuket, Thailand, and participated in a passing exercise with the Royal Thai Navy.

The Carl Vinson Strike Group consists of the flagship USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17, guided-missile cruisers USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) and USS Lake Champlain (CG 57) and the embarked Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 1. Ships assigned to DESRON 1 include USS Stockdale (DDG 106), USS Gridley (DDG 101), USS Higgins (DDG 76), USS Rentz (FFG 46) and USS McClusky (FFG 41).

Essex Amphibious Ready Group Arrives in Thailand

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Eva-Marie Ramsaran

PATTAYA, Thailand (NNS) -- Ships of the forward-deployed Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit arrived in Pattaya, Kingdom of Thailand, for a scheduled port visit Feb. 21 after completing the multinational exercise Cobra Gold 2011.

Cobra Gold is a United States-Thai co-sponsored exercise that was designed to advance military-to-military relationships between pacific partner nations and build relationships between militaries and local communities. It demonstrated the ability of the involved militaries to rapidly deploy a joint task force to conduct combined operations at sea and ashore.

"Whether full participants, augmentation planners, or observer nations – all contributed to the overall success of the exercise; their involvement highlights the very best in regional cooperation," said Capt. Bradley Lee, commander, Amphibious Squadron 11.

During the visit, Sailors and Marines will participate in multiple community service projects and experience Thai customs through tours offered by the ship's morale, welfare and recreation (MWR) department.

"I think the Sailors will get great interaction with the local people in Thailand," said Lt. Jason Dart, an Essex chaplain who helped coordinate the community service projects. "People will see the goodwill toward Thailand and experience first hand the unity between two nations in a personal, meaningful way."

On Feb. 22, volunteers from USS Essex (LHD 2) will deliver games, school supplies and interact with 300 Nohong Charg Ngaw Elementary School children.

"The kids will teach us some of their activities or songs and we will trade our games with them," said Dart. "The kids there will have new supplies, games and a lasting memory of Essex Sailors."

Sailors and Marines will also get to experience Thailand through a variety of MWR tours, including a trip to Bangkok to see the Grand Palace, the floating market, the Golden Buddha Temple and Hellfire Pass. Many Sailors on the ship expressed their excitement to visit Thailand and are ready to experience everything the country has to offer.

"I plan on going on an elephant-riding tour," said Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Apprentice Vanessa Roberts, who will be visiting Pattaya for the first time. "I'm looking forward to checking out the culture and sightseeing."

The elephant-riding tour is just one of many tours MWR offers that should make it easier for Essex Sailors and Marines to experience the local culture, said Matthew Olszyk, Essex afloat recreation specialist.

"These tours give Sailors the opportunity to engage in historical opportunities in Thailand," said Olszyk. "It's a place with huge tourism in their economy and famous for their nightlife."

Others, such as Ship's Serviceman 1st Class (SW) Herman Dickens, who has visited Pattaya on five other occasions, said he would take the opportunity to unwind after the hectic schedule of exercise Cobra Gold 2011. "I plan on getting a hotel to relax and going shopping for the family," said Dickens.

The Essex Amphibious Ready Group is comprised of the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), amphibious transport dock ship USS Denver (LPD 9),amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42) and guided missile destroyer USS Stockdale (DDG 106).

The Essex ARG reports to Commander, Amphibious Force Seventh Fleet, Rear Adm. Richard Landolt, who is headquartered in Okinawa, Japan.

This article was sponsored by Military Books.