USS San Francisco Returns from Deployment

From Commander, Submarine Squadron 11 Public Affairs

NAVAL BASE POINT LOMA, Calif. (NNS) -- The Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS San Francisco (SSN 711) returned to its homeport Feb. 9 following an extended seven-month deployment to the Western Pacific.

Steaming more than 45,000 miles, San Francisco executed the Chief of Naval Operations' Maritime Strategy in supporting national security interests and maritime security operations.

San Francisco's commanding officer, Cmdr. Jeffrey Juergens, was quick to recognize the crew of San Francisco as being instrumental to the successful deployment.

"I couldn't be more proud of the crew", said Juergens. "They trained exceptionally hard in the months leading up to this deployment and it has shown. The crew executed their missions and tasking and now we're back home ready to spend some well-deserved time with our loved ones."

Port visits were conducted in Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territories; Agana, Guam; and Yokosuka, Japan.

For some Sailors, this was their first time away from home.

"I learned a lot about what submarines are really like," said Electronics Technician 3rd Class Julian Bravo. "I also enjoyed seeing other countries; Japan was definitely my favorite."

While deployed, San Francisco was awarded the 2014 Battle Efficiency 'Battle E' for Submarine Squadron 11 in an announcement made by Rear Adm. Phillip Sawyer, commander, Submarine Forces Pacific.

San Francisco was commissioned April 24, 1981. Measuring more than 360 feet long and displacing more than 6,900 tons, San Francisco has a crew of approximately 140 Sailors. San Francisco is capable of supporting various missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike warfare, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.

USS Fort Worth Arrives at Navy Region Singapore for Crew Swap

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jay C. Pugh, USS Fort Worth Public Affairs

SEMBAWANG, Singapore (NNS) -- The littoral combat ship USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) arrived at Navy Region Singapore Feb. 10 to conduct a crew swap over the next week.

Crew 104 will turn over with Crew 103 after operating Fort Worth for the first four months of her 16-month rotational deployment to U.S. 7th Fleet in support of America's strategic rebalance to the Asia-Pacific.

After leaving her homeport of San Diego Nov. 17, Fort Worth transited across the Pacific, making port visits in Hawaii, Guam and Jakarta. Days after arrival in Singapore - her primary logistics hub in Southeast Asia - Fort Worth got underway Jan. 2 to support multinational search efforts for AirAsia flight QZ8501 at the request of the Indonesian government.

"The first four months of our deployment presented early opportunities to showcase Fort Worth as a value added asset to the U.S. 7th Fleet commander. Our response during AirAsia flight QZ8501 search efforts showed that Fort Worth's high speed and open architecture design allowed her to quickly reposition in the Java Sea and plug in additional capabilities that were used extensively during this specific mission, such as the Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit team and side-scan-sonar gear," said Cmdr. Kendall Bridgewater, commanding officer, USS Fort Worth crew 104.

Fort Worth transited from Changi Naval Base to Sembawang for the crew swap in order to take advantage of installation facilities provided by NRS, including self-service laundry, a post office, the all hands Terror Club and Navy Exchange (NEX).

"LCS Crew 104 Juggernauts are excited to be in Sembawang to take full advantage of the Navy facilities here. The next several days will be challenging as we turn over Fort Worth to the LCS Crew 103 Rough Riders, but I'm confident that they will continue Fort Worth's success during her inaugural deployment to 7th Fleet," said Bridgewater.

Like Crew 104, Crew 103 will also have an opportunity to explore Singapore on liberty. Bridgewater encouraged the incoming crew to enjoy sightseeing in the local area and to conduct themselves as Navy ambassadors. The daily interactions with U.S. Sailors and host nations throughout the region will further enhance cooperation and goodwill.

Fort Worth is the first LCS to deploy under the "3-2-1" manning concept. This concept allows LCS to continue a more sustained forward presence and reduces crew fatigue for the duration of the deployment. It is named 3-2-1 because three rotational crews will support two LCS ships and maintain one deployed ship. Two additional crew swaps will occur for the remainder of this deployment, roughly every four months.

Following crew swap, Fort Worth will conduct port visits, patrols, and starting with Foal Eagle in March, exercises with regional navies throughout U.S. 7th Feet. Held annually with the Republic of Korea navy, Foal Eagle also marks the first exercise in Northeast Asia that incorporates LCS participation.

Fort Worth is the second LCS as part of an initiative to deploy up to four of these ships to U.S. 7th Fleet in the coming years. Fast, agile and mission-focused, LCS is designed to operate in near-shore environments and employ modular mission packages that can be configured for surface warfare, mine countermeasures, or anti-submarine warfare.

The U.S. 7th Fleet conducts forward-deployed naval operations in support of U.S. national interests in the Indo-Asia-Pacific area of operations. As the U.S. Navy's largest numbered fleet, 7th Fleet interacts with 35 other maritime nations to build partnerships that foster maritime security, promote stability and prevent conflict.

While no U.S. base exists in Singapore, the U.S. Navy has leased facilities from the Singaporean government for several decades, and many U.S. ships, aircraft and personnel visit Singapore each year to rest, relax and reset. Today, the U.S. military community in Singapore includes active duty personnel, government civilians, family members, and local national employees distributed among 22 commands.

Established in 2007, NRS provides administrative support to U.S. commands in Singapore and to visiting U.S., allied and partner navies. It also manages 209 family and bachelor housing units and dozens of command, administrative and warehouse facilities to support the operational readiness of active duty military personnel and their families.

Aircraft Deploy to Europe to Boost Interoperability With Allies

Compiled from U.S. European Command and U.S. Air Forces in Europe News Releases

STUTTGART, Germany, Feb. 11, 2015 – The Air Force has deployed 12 A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft to Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, as part of a theater security package in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve, U.S. European Command officials announced yesterday.

About 300 airmen and support equipment are deploying with the A-10s from the 355th Fighter Wing, based at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona.

“While in Germany, these aircraft will forward-deploy to locations in Eastern European NATO nations,” said Navy Capt. Greg Hicks, Eucom spokesman. “Units will conduct training alongside our NATO allies to strengthen interoperability and to demonstrate U.S. commitment to the security and stability of Europe."

Demonstration of Continued Commitment

Operation Atlantic Resolve is a demonstration of U.S. European Command’s and U.S. Air Forces in Europe's continued commitment to NATO’s collective security and dedication to the enduring peace and stability in the region, officials said.

"The Air Force has been rotating forces as a part of OAR for the past year," said Air Force Lt. Gen. Tom Jones, vice commander of USAFE and Air Forces Africa. "The [theater security package] is another way the Air Force is increasing rotational presence in Europe to reassure our allies and partner nations that our commitment to European security is a priority."

The Air Force's forward presence in Europe provides the support infrastructure needed to increase the current force and build new and deeper partnerships across the continent, Jones added.

The A-10s are the first of several theater security package deployments to Europe, officials said, adding that rotations generally will last six months, depending on mission and Eucom requirements.

Although this deployment is a first in Europe, officials said, the Air Force has been conducting similar theater support rotations in the Pacific region since 2004.

Beale graduates first class of pipeline Global Hawk crew chiefs

by George Woodward
82nd Training Wing Public Affairs

2/10/2015 - BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Six Airmen became the first Air Force recruits to graduate initial skills technical training as RQ-4 Global Hawk crew chiefs after completing Mission-Ready Airmen training here Feb. 10.

The RQ-4 Global Hawk is a high-altitude, long-endurance, remotely piloted aircraft that provides global all-weather, day or night intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability.

"It means a lot to be one of the first class, and to be part of making history," said Airman Murray Hemstreet. "It's an honor and a privilege."

Graduation is the culmination of months of training within the 82nd Training Wing at two bases. After completing basic military training, students head to Sheppard AFB, Texas, for aircraft fundamentals with the 362nd Training Squadron.

"I first found out that I was going to be assigned to the Global Hawk when I landed at Sheppard AFB and joined the mighty 362 Crew Dawgs (362nd Training Squadron)," said Airman Zavaien McBride.  "At first I wasn't even sure what a crew chief was, but now I'm proud to embrace the crew chief way."

After completing fundamentals training, the Airmen headed to Beale AFB for Mission-Ready Airmen training with Detachment 21, 372nd Training Squadron.  During this last stage of training, students receive RQ-4-specific training and are tested on their ability to apply what they've learned in an operational environment and earn their 3-level upon completion of the course.

According to instructor Tech. Sgt. Maureen Madamba, who was an F-15 crew chief before moving to the Global Hawk, these new RQ-4 graduates received a broader knowledge of airframe systems and components compared to traditional crew chiefs.

"These Airmen are expected to understand more than just landing gear and hydraulics theory of operation and components," she said. "They are also the electricians, fuels specialists, and engine technicians on the Global Hawk. They learn satellite communications, navigation systems, and basic fundamentals of imagery and signals intelligence."

It's a job the new graduates take seriously.

"The Global Hawk plays a vital role in communication and surveillance," said Airman Tomas Arredondo. "If I don't do my job, we lose our eyes and ears in the sky for the troops on the ground."

The additional skill sets the RQ-4 requires made developing the training program challenging, according to Tech. Sgt. William Murray - not just for crew chiefs, but for all five RQ-4 specialties trained at the detachment.

"Building and maintaining training courses that reflect the different variants and payloads of the RQ-4 requires foresight and planning," Murray said. "Providing quality, up-to-date and relevant training to initial skills students as well as intermediate and advanced theory training to experienced students across five AFSCs is a constant challenge."

It's a challenge, however, that comes with significant rewards, said fellow instructor Tech. Sgt. Randy Thornsberry, Jr.

"I won't deny that I sometimes reminisce about my days as an F-16 crew chief," Thornsberry said, "but the RQ-4 Global Hawk is leading the way towards the airpower of the future. Knowing that I'm part of something that has been in the works for many years and will directly benefit Global Hawk operations around the world is amazing."

Graduating the first 'pipeline' crew chief class is an important milestone for the RQ-4 program as a whole, according to Detachment Chief Senior Master Sgt. Greg Schumacher, because completing the pathway from basic military training graduate to mission-ready RQ-4 technician enhances the 9th Reconnaissance Wing's ability to perform its mission.

"This course means we can deliver mission-ready RQ-4 crew chiefs to our customer while significantly reducing their on-the-job training workload, ultimately strengthening the 9th Reconnaissance Wing's ability to effectively deliver globally integrated intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance for our nation. That's what training is all about - improving the effectiveness of our operational forces."

The graduates, meanwhile, look forward to being part of the future of the Air Force as well as an important part of its heritage.

"The Global Hawk is not only a beautiful aircraft, but it's the future of the Air Force," said Airman Bryan Mastrangelo. "It's an incredible feeling knowing that my fellow Airmen and I are going down in Air Force history."

The graduates will now move to operational assignments at Beale AFB, Calif., and Grand Forks AFB, N.D., but can expect to return to Detachment 21 in the future for upgrade, advanced and specialty training.