US 3rd Fleet Participates in Talisman Sabre 2015

From Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet concluded participation in Talisman Sabre 2015, a two-week biennial joint-training exercise let by U.S. Pacific Command and the Australian Defence Force (ADF), July 18.

More than 33,000 U.S. and Australian personnel, 21 ships, three submarines and 200 aircraft participated in the evolution, making it the world's second largest maritime exercise. Military assets from both nations conducted various types of training at sea, ashore and in the air off the Australian coast and in the United States 7th and 3rd Fleet areas of responsibility.

"Talisman Sabre 2015 provided a great opportunity for our 3rd Fleet team to work together with the Royal Australian Navy to train in a high-end, mid-intensity warfighting scenario to improve joint combat training, readiness and interoperability," said Vice Adm. Kenny Floyd, commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet. "This exercise improves both nations' ability to work together, preparing U.S. and Australian service members to work together to provide security in the region and around the world."

U.S. 3rd Fleet served as Combined Force Maritime Component Commander (CFMCC) for the exercise. In the joint task force construct, CFMCC is one of four functional components which include Combined Forces Maritime Component Commander, Combined Forces Air Component Commander, Combined Forces Land Component Commander and Combined Forces Special Operations Component Commander.

U.S. 3rd Fleet staff managed a combined force of geographically dispersed Australian and U.S. ships, demonstrating the fleet's ability to manage multinational assets from 3rd Fleet headquarters in San Diego, which added to the realistic, relevant training that is necessary for an effective global Navy.

Joint interagency and international relationships strengthen U.S. 3rd Fleet's ability to respond to crises and protect the collective maritime interest of the U.S. and its allies and partners.

PACFLT Commander Reaffirms US and ROK Navy Alliance

From Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea, Public Affairs

SEOUL, Republic of Korea (NNS) -- Adm. Scott Swift, commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet, visited South Korea July 19-20, to meet with senior military and government leaders and reaffirm the U.S. Navy and Republic of Korea's enduring alliance as a cornerstone of Indo-Asia-Pacific regional stability.

During the two-day visit, Swift met with leaders from both the U.S. and the Republic of Korea, to include U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Mark Lippert, Adm. Jung, Ho-sub, ROK chief of naval operations, Adm. Choi, Yoon hee, ROK chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Gen. Park, Seon-woo, deputy commander of the Combined Forces Command, to discuss the strength of the alliance between the U.S. and ROK.

"The United States and Republic of Korea navies have a long and storied history of working together," said Swift. "The stability throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific region is directly related to the strength of our alliance and I am committed to ensuring our strong partnership continues."

Swift also emphasized the strength of the U.S. Pacific Fleet and assured ROK leaders the stability of the region is one of his top priorities.

"The only navy that is more powerful than the Pacific Fleet is the U.S. Navy ... So I am very confident that despite the uncertainly on the peninsula within the maritime domain we are fully prepared to support Gen. Scaparrotti and Chairman Choi and do whatever may be necessary as of the present and future."

Swift also thanked the people of the ROK for their support of U.S. Navy forces who are forward-deployed on the Korean peninsula.

"It was no accident that one of my first stops during this trip was to the Republic of Korea," said Swift. "The support we (U.S. Pacific Fleet) receive from the people here helps ensure we are able to remain forward-deployed where it matters, when it matters."

Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea is the regional commander for the U.S. Navy in the Republic of Korea and provides expertise on naval matters to area military commanders, including the Commander for the United Nations Command, the Combined Forces Command, and Commander, U.S. Forces Korea.

Walter S Diehl, MSC Far East Provide Aid, Build Friendships in Thailand

By Grady Fontana, MSC-Far East Public Affairs

RAYONG PROVINCE, Thailand (NNS) -- During a scheduled stop here to conduct routine voyage repair (VR) July 7-16, civilian mariners (CIVMARs) from the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Walter S. Diehl (T-AO 193) took the opportunity to visit the local communities in the surrounding area to build relationships.

Over the course of about a week, volunteers from the USNS Walter S. Diehl, the chaplain from MSC Far East and local supporters participated in four community relations (COMREL) events that benefited three communities, four primary schools and a hospital.

"By taking the time to meet with the local people and distribute much needed supplies, we are helping strengthen the bond between the United States and the Kingdom of Thailand," said Navy Lt. Glen D. Kitzman, chaplain, MSCFE. "These COMREL events enhance the image of MSC and USNS vessels while benefiting the local agencies in the Pattaya, Sriracha and Chantabury region."

During the first COMREL event, Kitzman, eight CIVMARs, five Thai Rotary Club members and the president of U.S. Navy League volunteered delivering and distributing one pallet of hygiene and medical materials from USNS Walter S. Diehl to the Pluakdang Hospital and School, which was located in the vicinity of Pattaya. This school was chosen because it was remotely located and it doesn't typically receive donations, according to Kitzman.

The volunteers interacted with more than 400 children and school faculty members at Pluakdang.

"I've been coming to Thailand and interacting with the local people for a while now, since 1982 when I was on active duty," said Allen Sallier, CIVMAR communications officer, USNS Walter S. Diehl. "I enjoy giving back and supporting the schools."

During the second COMREL event, the crew traveled to Nikom 3 School here and shared a different method of English lessons to about 210 children. The MSC volunteers used innovative music strategies and creative methods to teach English. This was an opportunity to exchange effective and rich dialogue between U.S. volunteers and Thai teachers and students.

Sallier, a retired Navy chief petty officer and former aviation electronics technician said he takes every opportunity to meet and greet with the people of Thailand. "In my 24-year-career I've participated in more than 30 COMREL events."

The third COMREL event, Kitzman and the CIVMARs partnered with a local hotel in Pattaya and travelled to Sriracha to volunteer their time at the Bantunglaham School in order paint the school's common areas with patterns and symbols that provided a colorful teaching tool for school children to learn colors and numbers.