NATO Military Chairman Opens Defense Chiefs’ Meeting

By Jim Garamone

American Forces Press Service

BRUSSELS, May 21, 2014 – Russia’s actions in Ukraine, Afghanistan, and NATO transformation are important topics for discussion as the alliance’s Chiefs of Defense conference gets underway here today.

Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is in Brussels to attend the conference.

First up is a discussion on the implications of Russia’s actions in annexing Crimea and threatening Ukraine, Danish Gen. Knud Bartels, the chairman of the Military Committee, said at the opening of the conference this morning.

“Russia’s annexation of territory, in a sovereign nation, on NATO’s borders has to cast a shadow of insecurity across the alliance’s Eastern flank and has potentially serious implications for the region and beyond,” Bartels said.

NATO nations, he said, will continue to urge Russia to de-escalate and move troops from its borders with Ukraine, and the alliance will continue to be resolute in its deterrence and commitment to collective defense.

On Afghanistan, he added, the NATO chiefs will join with the chiefs of defense from partner nations to review the security situation in the light of the recent successful first round of Afghan elections.

“In this the final year of the ISAF operation, we will complete the process of transition to NATO’s planned future role of training, advice and assistance, which underlines alliance’s commitment to Afghanistan beyond 2014,” Bartels said.

Afghanistan’s national security forces can be justly proud of their accomplishments and are committed to build on those successes, the general said.

“NATO and its partners therefore remain committed to supporting the continued development of the Afghan National Security Forces beyond 2014, through a new NATO-led mission called Resolute Support,” Bartels said. “Planning for this mission continues. However, it will only be implemented once the necessary legal framework has been put in place.”

The end of the ISAF mission gives the alliance a chance to refocus its military capability towards a broader range of potential future threats, the general said.

“As we have seen in recent months, the global security situation remains fragile and unpredictable and the alliance is increasingly surrounded by an arc of instability from Ukraine, to Syria to the Sahel,” he said. “NATO must therefore ensure that it retains the capability, commitment and credibility to deliver against its three core tasks of collective defense, crisis management and cooperative security.”

Twelve years of combat in Afghanistan has made the alliance more interoperable and Bartels wants the member nations to build on that foundation.

“Both collectively and individually, NATO nations will also need to invest in the capabilities and training necessary to develop alliance readiness and maintain its qualitative advantage, which are its greatest deterrence to potential adversaries,” he said.

PACFLT Commander Visits PACNORWEST Submarine Force

From Submarine Group 9 Public Affairs

BANGOR, Wash. (NNS) -- Commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet, Adm. Harry Harris, visited the Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor Submarine Force, May 20, to congratulate them on a job well done and to stress the importance of the work they do as a part of the Navy's rebalance to the Pacific.

During his time on base, Harris visited Submarine Group (SUBGRU) 9, Strategic Weapons Facility, Pacific Fleet (SWFPAC), the Trident ballistic missile submarine USS Louisiana (SSBN 743) Gold Crew, Submarine Development Squadron (SUBDEVRON) 5, the Trident Training Facility and held an all-hands call at the base theater. During each visit he made, he shared his gratitude for what the ballistic and guided missile submarines and support commands accomplish daily.

"The Pacific Northwest is playing a huge part in the Navy's overall rebalance to the Pacific. Each time you deploy, you are supporting our national interests in the region," Harris said.

Harris spoke with the commanders from each command he visited, and during the all-hands call he spoke to the Pacific Northwest submarine force. He discussed topics such as the upcoming Ohio-replacement program and threats throughout the region.

"The all-hands call was very interesting and informative," said Fire Controlman 1st Class Eric Zacharda, assigned to the Trident ballistic missile submarine USS Pennsylvania (SSBN 735) Blue Crew. "I don't always see the big picture in the world, so it was great to get his perspective on the world and what's on the horizon. It's also good to know he appreciates what we're doing out here and values it."

Harris spoke about how critical the Pacific Northwest is to the Pacific Fleet force rebalance, and taking the initiative to get ahead of it. The Pacific Northwest is home to eight of the Navy's 14 ballistic missile submarines. The other six are homeported in Kings Bay, Ga.

"Our goal is to have 60 percent of the Navy's assets in the Pacific by the end of the decade," said Harris. "The submarine force in the region, with our guided missile, ballistic missile, and fast-attack submarines, is already there so you're ahead of the game."

One of the key points Harris made to the submarine force was the vital mission ballistic and guided missile submarines play in the strategic deterrence triad.

"Replacing our current fleet of SSBNs with the next generation ballistic missile submarine is a national priority," he said.

Harris' main focus, though, was ensuring the Pacific Northwest submarine force received big recognition for what they've been able to accomplish. He noted the USS Nebraska and their recent recognition by U.S. Strategic Command as the 2013 Omaha Trophy winner for the submarine force.

"You are accomplishing some great things and I want to take this opportunity to publicly thank you for what you do," Harris said. "The role Sailors from this area play every day in our nation's defense cannot be overstated."

Oscar Austin Departs Norfolk for U.S. 6th Fleet

By By USS Oscar Austin Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79) departed Naval Station Norfolk, May 20, for a two-month deployment to the North Atlantic and the Baltic Sea.

"It is an honor to command USS Oscar Austin as we set sail to the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations to enhance maritime security and conduct exercises with our allies in the spirit of Partnership for Peace," said Cmdr. Brian J. Diebold, the ship's commanding officer. "My crew is trained, motivated, and ready to execute all missions to enhance regional interoperability with our partner nations."

Oscar Austin is scheduled to participate in a bilateral exercise with the Royal Norwegian Navy before joining the U.S. 6th Fleet flagship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) for exercise Baltic Operations 2014 (BALTOPS 14).

BALTOPS 14 is a joint and combined maritime exercise conducted in the spirit of Partnership for Peace (PFP) in order to promote mutual understanding, confidence, cooperation and interoperability among participating nations in the Baltic region.

"This is an outstanding opportunity that our ship would not normally get to take part in, but we are all excited," said Fire Controlman 2nd Class Caitlin Bastein. "I think it will be a great learning experience and give Sailors perspective on other navies and countries, and it is truly an honor to have been selected to represent the U.S. overseas."

Oscar Austin returned from her last deployment in February 2013. In 2013, the crew completed an intensive maintenance availability and pre-deployment work-ups, flexing all warfare areas. Assessments were conducted both in port and underway to ensure all systems were operationally ready and that the crew was properly trained for each mission area.

"I am very proud of the Sailors and their accomplishments leading to this short notice deployment. They are the best in the fleet and I am extremely confident they will execute superbly in a multinational environment," said Diebold.

The ship was commissioned Sept. 18, 1993, named after Medal of Honor recipient, Pfc. Oscar P. Austin, United States Marine Corps. Austin earned the Medal of Honor in Vietnam in a fierce fire fight with North Vietnamese forces. After coming under heavy fire he fearlessly ran from his fighting hole to drag a fellow Marine to safety. On the way, he observed an enemy grenade lying close to the wounded soldier and dove between the two, taking the full force of the blast. Ignoring his injuries, Austin saw a North Vietnamese soldier aiming a weapon at his fellow Marine. Without hesitation, Austin threw himself between the Northern Vietnamese soldier and injured Marine and, in doing so, was mortally wounded.

U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts a full range of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation missions in concert with coalition, joint, interagency, and other partners in order to advance security and stability in Europe and Africa.

 

New Sailors Experience Life at Sea Aboard USS George Washington

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Matthew Riggs

PACIFIC OCEAN (NNS) -- The U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) departed its forward-operating location of Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, May 19, to conduct preparatory exercises for the ship and its crew in advance of the upcoming 2014 patrol.

Prior to returning to sea, George Washington welcomed numerous Sailors who were either new to the Navy or had never before served aboard a ship.

"This is going to be a great experience for them," said Command Master Chief Shaun Brahmsteadt. "Some of these Sailors have never even left their hometowns, let alone the United States. They'll get an opportunity to experience and see numerous things other people only dream of."

Many Sailors were eager to get underway and experience life at sea while stationed aboard the ship.

"I'm very excited," said Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Oscar Moreno Jr., from Washington D.C., a Sailor new to George Washington. "I've always heard experienced Sailors say that I should go to sea. Finally I'm out here and see it for myself."

These new Sailors will have to learn to cope with new stresses of regular shipboard life in addition to an increased workload once they deploy.

"I know that living on the ship with 5,000 Sailors will be an adjustment, but I got into the mindset of 'this whole thing is just one big job'," said Moreno. "I feel that after five months of training in port I'm ready for anything."

The addition of new crew members gives the rest of the crew a fresh perspective on how to change normal routines for the better.

"The crew eventually stagnates if we don't get new Sailors," said Brahmsteadt, "These Sailors help bring in fresh ideas and personalities to their respective shops."

Even though these Sailors can expect to be gone from their homeport for several months, many are still looking forward to getting the most out of their experience aboard the ship.

"Even though I'm going to be further from my family than ever before, I'll be fine," said Moreno. "I get to 'live the Navy life' for a while, then I'll get back home eventually and I'll have a bunch of cool stories to tell them about."

George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interest of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

Pacific Fleet Commander Visits Stennis

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Christian B. Martinez

BREMERTON, Wash. (NNS) -- Adm. Harry Harris, Jr., commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, visited the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (PSNS), May 19.

During his visit the admiral met with Stennis leadership, toured the ship and conducted an all-hands call where he stressed the importance of carrier operations at sea.

"The reason we have aircraft carriers is to ensure stability in the maritime environment," said Harris. "When something bad happens, our national leadership wants to know where the carriers are."

He also discussed the importance of the Navy's rebalance to the Pacific.

"Approximately 52 percent of our Navy is in the Pacific," said Harris. "By 2020, that number will become 60 percent. That will include over half of our aircraft carriers."

The event, which allowed Harris to observe Stennis' progress during its Docking Planned Incremental Availability (DPIA) period, marks the first time he has visited the ship since assuming command of Pacific Fleet Oct. 16.

"The teamwork here between Sailors and shipyard workers serves as a model to the rest of the fleet," said Harris.

Many Sailors voiced their appreciation that the admiral took the time out of his schedule to visit with the crew.

"It means a lot to [Stennis Sailors] to not only meet but also be able to speak with people at his level of leadership," said Aviation Boatswain's Mate 1st Class Jason McClosky, from Cape May, N.J.

Stennis is currently undergoing a DPIA maintenance period at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility.