USS Comstock Departs Bahrain

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Lenny LaCrosse, USS Comstock Public Affairs

BAHRAIN (NNS) -- The Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Comstock (LSD 45), now operating in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility, and the embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) departed from Mina Salman Pier, Bahrain, Oct. 5 following a four-day port visit.

The port visit marked the first stop for Comstock since departing Hong Kong Aug. 23, where the ship and her crew participated in a weeklong interoperability exercise with the Malaysian military before transitioning to the Arabian Gulf.

"Our Sailors and Marines have been working around the clock to support the mission from the sea," said Cmdr. Scott T. Tasin, commanding officer of Comstock. "This port visit gave us the opportunity to continue our commitment to the region in person while exploring a great part of the world. This was some well deserved personal time for the crew."

Sailors and Marines had many opportunities to experience the sites Bahrain has to offer through a variety of tours made available through the ship's Morale, Welfare and Recreation committee.

"It was great to get off of the ship to explore and to see all the different cultures in Bahrain," said Cryptologic Technician (Technical) 2nd Class Robert L. Byshenk, a native of Bishop, California. "I really enjoyed the markets, the local cuisine and to see how other cultures live."

Bahrain marks the second port visit of Comstock's 2014 deployment, but the first while supporting U.S. 5th Fleet.

Comstock is part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and, with the 11th MEU, maintains its readiness to promote long-term regional security by conducting regularly scheduled, recurring exercises in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

USS Cole to Enter Black Sea

By U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs

USS COLE, At Sea (NNS) -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67) will enter the Black Sea, Oct. 10, to promote peace and stability in the region.

The Cole's presence in the Black Sea will serve to reaffirm the United States' dedication and commitment toward strengthening the partnerships and joint operational capabilities among U.S., NATO, and regional Black Sea partners.

The ship is scheduled to conduct routine operations which include, combined training, maritime security operations, and theatre security cooperation events. These interactions among allies and partner nations reaffirm the maritime relationships and commitment to the security and stability within the Black Sea region.

The U.S. Navy routinely operates ships in the Black Sea consistent with the Montreux Convention and under the domain of International Law.

The U.S. is demonstrating its continued commitment to collective security through a series of actions designed to reassure NATO allies and partners of America's dedication to enduring peace and stability in the region, in light of the Russian intervention in Ukraine.

"Our presence in the Black Sea is meant to reassure and at the same time demonstrate our commitment to work closely with NATO allies in order to enhance maritime security, readiness, and naval capability," said Cmdr. Dennis Farrell, USS Cole commanding officer. "The relationships built during the coming weeks will strengthen and improve interoperability between allies as we all work together toward shared mutual goals."

Cole, homeported in Norfolk, Virginia, is on a routine deployment in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations and is a multi-mission ship able to provide offensive and defensive capabilities.

U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint, and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

Navy Divers Return Home from Southern Partnership Station 2014

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jared Aldape

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (NNS) -- Spirits were high as family and fellow service members gathered at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story in Virginia Beach, Va. to welcome home returning Sailors and Marines from a four-month deployment in support of Southern Partnership Station 2014, October 8.

The joint high-speed vessel USNS Choctaw County (JHSV-2) bustled with activity as dozens of Sailors and Military Sealift Command (MSC) civilian mariners worked together to bring the ship into port. The brow could barely hold back service members as they scrambled aft waiting to reunite with their loved ones and co-workers.

Here, Navy Divers assigned to Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 2 stood alongside an assortment of specialized dive gear ready to offload after a successful training period.

Navy Diver 1st Class Jose Arbaleaz, assigned to MDSU 2's Company 2-1 was busy safely directing a vehicle against the flow of departing service members.

"We stayed productive during our deployment, and it's not over until we get our gear back to the unit." said Arbaleaz.

More than 10 personnel assigned to Company 2-1 traveled through various countries during Southern Partnership Station 2014. The effort was a U.S. Navy deployment focused on subject matter expert exchanges with partner nation militaries and security forces in Central and South America and the Caribbean.

Company 2-1 had the opportunity to work with divers at each location.

Navy Diver 1st Class Shawn Gerasimchik, also assigned to MDSU 2, took time while transporting gear to reflect on what he considers to be the biggest impact the divers had made in Belize where they took advantage of the coastal clear water while working with the local Coast Guard.

"I had the chance to create a lasting impression on a foreign country through diving," said Gerasimchik.

Company 2-1 showcased a gamut of diving principles and operations and facilitated a remote operated vehicle (ROV) scenario before dive students in Colombia.

"The time that I spend teaching and helping out others was very rewarding," said Arbaleaz. "I look forward to returning to these places again."

MDSU 2 is an expeditionary mobile unit homeported at Joint Expeditionary Base, Little Creek-Ft. Story in Virginia Beach, Va. They previously conducted successful salvage operations supporting TWA Flight 800, Swiss Air Flight 111, the space shuttles Challenger and Columbia, the I-35W Mississippi River bridge collapse in Minnesota, the Civil War ironclads USS Monitor, CSS Georgia, and recovery of downed F-16Cs off the coasts of Italy and Virginia.

Southern Partnership Station 2014 U.S. military teams work with partner nation forces during naval-focused training exercises, military-to-military engagements and community relations projects in an effort to enhance partnerships with regional maritime activities and improve the operational readiness of participants.