U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command,/U.S. 4th Fleet holds Operational Naval Committee Conference with Colombian Navy

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Adam Henderson,U.S. 4th Fleet Public Affairs

MAYPORT, Fla. (NNS) -- Delegates from the U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet met with members of the Colombian Navy, May 20-21, during an Operational Naval Committee (ONC) conference.

Hosted by U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (USNAVSO) in Mayport, the ONC brings together representatives from the U.S. and Colombian Navy so they may meet in person and share insights on their countries mutual goals of maritime security in Latin America.

Rear Adm. George Ballance, commander, USNAVSO and U.S. 4th Fleet, welcomed the Colombian delegates.

"The focus of these conferences has much to do with working toward mutual security goals between our two navies," said Ballance. "But, I hope you do not only concentrate on work; as these are opportunities for us to get together as friends, develop relationships, and learn about the culture of our two nations."

Ballance also mentioned the importance of continuing to find unique ways to increase information sharing amongst the two navies, especially in today's resource challenged environment. He discussed the critical role of secure information exchange systems in advancing our navies ability to collaborate during exercises and day-to-day real world operations.

"It is a great opportunity to be a part of this ONC," said Capt. Juan Hogan, deputy, Maritime Operations Center director, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet, U.S. Delegation ONC chairman.

The U.S. and Colombian's have a strong maritime partnership and have conducted several multinational exercises and operations together. The Colombian Navy participated in PANAMAX 2013 as the Combined Force Maritime Component Commander (CFMCC) and hosted UNITAS 2013 in Cartagena. We look forward to receiving the Colombian navy here in Mayport once again as the CMFCC for PANAMAX 2014.

"I know this conference will go a long way in preparing for future engagements with Colombia," said Hogan, a Federal Way, Wash., native.

Though ONCs have been held for years, the agreements they produce and engagements they lead to directly support the nation's maritime strategy, which emphasizes cooperative relationships with international partners.

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet supports U.S. Southern Command's joint and combined military operations by employing maritime forces in cooperative maritime security operations in order to maintain access, enhance interoperability, and build enduring partnerships in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions.

USAFE-AFAFRICA commander takes part in Luxembourg Memorial Day event

by Staff Sgt. Christopher Ruano

52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

5/25/2014 - SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- A Memorial Day ceremony took place May 24, 2014 at Luxembourg-American Cemetery and Memorial to honor the service members buried here who died while serving their country in World War II.

More than 5,000 men and women from the U.S. armed forces are buried here including U.S. Army Gen. George S. Patton.

"We gather to honor those who have worn our nation's uniform, and more importantly, we join to remember their service and sacrifice," said U.S. Air Force Gen. Frank Gorenc, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa commander. "Whether serving in time of war or peace, America's military forces have been sustained by one common driving belief and that belief is in freedom."

Memorial Day is not only a day to honor those who died in World War II but in all conflicts the U.S. has fought.

The Prime Minister of Luxembourg, His Excellency Mr. Xavier Bettel, thanked the U.S. for the sacrifices they made to liberate Luxembourg in World War II.

"70 years ago, young Americans came to Luxembourg to fight...to fight for us. They didn't know who you were, how we lived, but they fought for our liberties," Bettel said. "We should never forget what they did for us."

The U.S. Ambassador to NATO, Douglas E. Lute, thanked those who served and reflected on the achievements that were made by the men and women in World War II.

"While we remember this Memorial Day, the thousands resting peacefully here and the many tens of thousands of their brothers and sisters also resting on European soil," said Lute, "let's remember that they fought and died to end a great war. They fought and died also to lay the foundation of the peace that we have enjoyed ever since."

USAFE-AFAFRICA maintains a forward presence, allowing the building of new and deeper partnerships across Europe and Africa.

"Places such as this cemetery say all that needs to be said about the ties that bind America and Europe," Lute said.

U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa maintains its readiness to execute NATO commitments and preserve allied and partner interoperability.

"As in World War II, this generation of military service members is not alone but is also joined by our friends, our allies and our partners who share a commitment to freedom," Gorenc said. "This commitment is reflected by our combined partnership as we work together to ensure the security of our nations."

The ceremony ended with cannon fire and the playing of the U.S. and Luxembourg national anthems.

"We mark this day as a celebration of selfless sacrifice, the legacy of our armed forces is a proud and honorable one," Gorenc said. "No matter where they have been called to serve, they have responded exceptionally."

7th Fleet, Royal Malaysian Navy Leaders Discuss CARAT, HA/DR During Staff Talks Onboard USS Blue Ridge

From U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs

WEST PORT, Malaysia (NNS) -- Senior leaders from the U.S. 7th Fleet and Malaysia Royal Navy met for a professional exchange of ideas in a variety of technical and tactical topics on board the 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), May 19.

The meetings, or "staff talks," included professional dialogue between the two allied staffs that were designed to share knowledge and develop methodologies for joint responses to any contingency within Indo-Asia-Pacific region. The exchange included discussion of maritime patrol and reconnaissance, maritime domain awareness, mine warfare, navigation, engineering and medical training.

Staff leaders also discussed upcoming Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) with Malaysia. Seventh Fleet will also join elements of the Malaysian Armed Forces in a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HA/DR) exercise held under the auspices of ASEAN in June.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the CARAT exercise series, and the Malaysian Armed Forces have partnered with the United States since the exercise began in 1995

"This is a great opportunity to meet with our United States Allies," said First Adm. Dato' Pahlawan Sulaiman Bin, admiral, Royal Malaysian Navy. "Staff Talks demonstrate a way to bring strength to our alliance."

The U.S. 7th Fleet intent for the staff talks is to increase Theater Security Cooperation through the facilitation of bilateral and multilateral military exchanges and dialogue. It provides a meeting place for partnered navies' subject matter experts to meet and discuss different aspects of their mission objectives and their responsibilities.

"The mission of staff talks is to engage with our partners in the Asia-Pacific and strengthen our ties to allied nations," said Lt. Reuben Attah, 7th Fleet's Malaysian desk officer. "The most important part of this staff talk was to interact with our Malaysian counterparts, and have a face to face discussion to bring us closer as allies."

Blue Ridge and embarked staff are in Malaysia for a scheduled port visit during a spring patrol operating forward, building maritime partnerships and conducting security and stability operations.

Among the trees: USAFE-AFAFRICA Airmen pay tribute to fallen comrades

by Staff Sgt. Jarad A. Denton
501st Communication Support Wing Public Affairs

5/26/2014 - BROOKWOOD, United Kingdom -- It was quiet; the sort of peaceful quiet broken only by the occasional wisp of wind that floated on the air like a sigh from Heaven.

"It couldn't have been a more beautiful day," remarked U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Christopher Bence, 3rd Air Force vice commander, as he looked skyward at the banks of fleecy clouds and bright sun that shone over the American Military Cemetery at Brookwood, United Kingdom, May 25.

He walked past rows of glistening white crosses - the final resting places of 468 United States service members who gave their last full measure of devotion during the First World War. Now, 100 years from the onset of that war, Bence, along with Airmen from the 422nd Air Base Group and Soldiers from the British Army Training Centre Pirbright, stood in meditation as those sacrifices were immortalized.

"Memorial Day is a solemn time of remembrance for all Americans," Bence said. "It's a day of reflection on those who died in conflicts past and present."

As the centennial anniversary of what was to be the war to end all wars fast approaches, Bence said he found himself calling to mind the struggle, loss of life and complete devastation caused by the global conflict.

"Families were forever changed," he remarked. "History records how the bravery of our two countries was united in that common struggle. Our two countries have endured much together during the past 100 years - side by side during two great World Wars, supporting and reassuring one another during the Cold War, and defending each other again and again in the fight against terrorism."

Bence said this common bond continues to grow through the defense of democratic principles between two great nations. Two nations that paused for the briefest of moments at a quiet cemetery in Brookwood, to honor those who gave their lives for their country and reflect upon the nobility of their sacrifice.

"In some respect, World War I marked the origins of what we would come to know as the 'special relationship,'" said Elizabeth Dibble, Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in London. "It was the first time that American and British forces had fought together on such a scale. Regrettably, of course, it was not to be the last."

The anniversary of World War I is not the only somber milestone remembered this year. June 6, 2014 will mark 70 years since thousands of Allied troops stormed the beaches of Normandy, France - beginning a major offensive against the Nazi war machine.

As a measure of unwavering respect, two veterans of D-Day stood, smoothed their uniforms and slowly made their way toward the Chapel overlooking the cemetery.

"Today we remember and honor all those sons and daughters of America," Dibble continued. "The selfless, patriotic men and women who gave up their hopes and dreams that we could live ours."

The men paused as age and memory seemed to weigh their footsteps. Together, they reached the Chapel steps and placed a small poppy wreath before rendering a salute to the brothers they left behind on the blood stained beaches of Normandy.

"The Chapel serves as hope and provides the opportunity for us to reflect on those lost at sea, in the air and on land," said Bence. "We also reflect on the 563 Soldiers and Sailors missing in action, either on land or at sea, who are memorialized here in the Chapel."

Among the names inscribed on the walls inside the Chapel is U.S. Navy Gunner's Mate 1st Class Osmond Ingram, the only Medal of Honor recipient immortalized at Brookwood. While serving aboard the USS Cassin, Oct. 15, 1917, Ingram sighted an enemy torpedo speeding toward the ship. Realizing the torpedo might strike the area of the ship containing the depth charges, Ingram ran to release the payload. Sadly, he was too late. The torpedo struck the ship, exploded the depth charges and killed Ingram. He was the first enlisted Sailor to be killed during World War I.

"He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, our highest honor in the United States," said Bence. "His selfless actions and bravery live on forever within these walls."

Laying his own wreath on behalf of a grateful nation, Bence paused; the wind picked up again as he rendered a ceremonial salute to his fallen comrades. As he turned from the Chapel steps the gentle breeze followed and seemed to carry with it the words of the Kohima Epitaph.

"When you go home tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow, we gave our today."

U.S. Fleet Forces Command and Submarine Forces Altantic Give Support to Jason Dunham Sailors

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW/AW) Derek Paumen

ATLANTIC OCEAN (NNS) -- Adm. Bill Gortney, commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command, and Vice Adm. Michael Connor, commander of Submarine Forces Atlantic visited Sailors aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109), May 21.

During their stay, Gortney and Connor took a tour of the ship, including the combat information center (CIC), bridge, central control station, chief's mess and mess decks, greeting Sailors in each space. While in CIC, Gortney and Connor observed operations and took to the 1MC to thank the Sailor's for their hard work during Submarine Commander's Course-40 (SCC-40), a three-day exercise that simulates anti-submarine warfare for Jason Dunham.

"They greatly appreciate all of the Sailors, not only here but also on all of the other vessels involved," said Cmdr. Michael W. Meredith, commanding officer of Jason Dunham. "It's tough. This is a great extra event because of the training we receive, but again it's more time away from home. I know they appreciate that because they have served a long time themselves."

"This is the most realistic submarine versus surface training in the world," said Connor. "The training absolutely makes a difference in succeeding or failing. If we were to go to war next week, the torpedoes we'd shoot would look and feel just like the ones we use in this exercise. We are training like we fight."

Gortney and Connor finished their visit by reenlisting Quartermaster 3rd Class Kayla Franklin, handing out their coins and taking group pictures before embarking onto a small boat to go to their next visit.

"Any day I can come see the American Sailor at work is a great day, that's why I am out here," said Gortney.

Jason Dunham is currently operating in the U.S. 2nd Fleet area of responsibility participating in SCC-40.

George Washington Completes Sea Trials, Ready for Patrol

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Oscar Albert Moreno Jr., USS George Washington Public Affairs

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- The U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) returned to its forward-operating location of Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, May 23, after completing sea trials.

Sea trials occur over a period of four days, allowing ships to evaluate and assess their equipment status and personnel readiness for follow-on at-sea training.

"Sea trials are without a doubt essential to prepare for a patrol," said Quartermaster 1st Class Pon Mingkhouan, from Raleigh, North Carolina "Sea trials not only allow us to test our equipment, but also give new Sailors a taste of what the work days will be like during patrol."

George Washington completed numerous evolutions during Sea Trials, including a replenishment-at-sea, refueling-at-sea, man overboard drills, anchor drop test, high-powered turns, aqueous film forming foam counter-measure wash down, and other events.

"We must ensure that the ship and its crew are mission ready," said Boatswain's Mate Seaman Joshua Hart, from Calhoun, Georgia. "In case of an emergency, we must be ready to respond to whatever happens and whenever it happens."

With a successful sea trials complete, George Washington makes its final preparations to return to sea for its upcoming 2014 patrol.

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.