USS Sampson to Assist in Air Asia Search

From U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- At the request of the Government of Indonesia and as directed by U.S. Pacific Command, U.S. Pacific Fleet has authorized U.S. 7th Fleet to position USS Sampson (DDG 102) in the general search area for missing Air Asia Flight QZ8501 to support search operations.

Authorities in the region continue to lead the search and rescue effort. The U.S. Navy is working closely with the government of Indonesia to identify additional surface or airborne capabilities that best assist their search efforts.

USS Sampson is scheduled to be on the scene later today.

USS Sampson is homeported in San Diego and is in the midst of an independent deployment to the Western Pacific.

USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) Arrives in Singapore

From USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) Public Affairs

CHANGI NAVAL BASE, Singapore (NNS) -- USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) arrived in Singapore Dec. 29 as part of a 16-month rotational deployment to 7th Fleet in support of the Indo-Asia-Pacific rebalance.

As part of an initiative to deploy up to four LCS to the region on a rotational basis, Fort Worth will operate out of Singapore as a maintenance and logistics hub from which the ship will conduct patrols and train with regional navies during exercises like Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training.

"The much-anticipated arrival of Fort Worth speaks to our important partnership with the Republic of Singapore Navy and to our shared commitment to regional security and stability," said Rear Adm. Charlie Williams, commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific and commander, U.S. 7th Fleet's Task Force 73. "As multiple LCS deployments become routine, ships like Fort Worth will become workhorses in 7th Fleet."

Fort Worth is the first LCS to deploy under the "3-2-1" manning concept, swapping fully trained crews roughly every four months. This concept allows Fort Worth to deploy six months longer than the 2013 USS Freedom (LCS 1) deployment and twice as long as typical U.S. Navy ship deployments, extending LCS forward presence and reducing crew fatigue for the entire 16-month deployment. It is named 3-2-1 because three rotational crews will support two LCS ships and maintain one deployed ship.

"Fort Worth's arrival marks the dawn of a continuous LCS presence in the Asia-Pacific, bringing more flexibility and capability to U.S. 7th Fleet," said Capt. Fred Kacher, commodore, Destroyer Squadron 7. "The next 15-months will be busy for Fort Worth and she will operate extensively throughout Southeast Asia in support of CARAT 2015, as well as expanding her operational footprint to Northeast Asia."

In addition to presence in nearly every phase of CARAT 2015 in South and Southeast Asia, Fort Worth will train with the Republic of Korea Navy in exercise Foal Eagle and is scheduled to join multinational ships at Singapore's Changi Naval Base for the International Maritime Defence Exhibition (IMDEX). Fort Worth will also expand LCS regional presence by using additional expeditionary maintenance locations in Northeast Asia.

Fort Worth is embarked with an aviation detachment from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 35, the Navy's first composite expeditionary helicopter squadron. The detachment consists of one MH-60R Seahawk helicopter and one MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned aircraft system. The Fire Scout will complement the MH-60R by extending the HSM-35's range and endurance thereby enhancing maritime domain awareness.

"Arriving in Singapore is a significant milestone for Fort Worth and her crew," said Cmdr. Kendall Bridgewater, LCS Crew 104 commanding officer. "We're excited to be in Singapore and are ready to get back out to sea and work with regional navies."

Since departing San Diego Nov. 17, Fort Worth transited the Pacific Ocean, visited Hawaii to conduct joint operations, stopped in Guam to refuel and stopped in Jakarta, Indonesia for a 5-day port visit. Fort Worth will spend the remaining 15 months of her deployment operating from Singapore and will return to her homeport in San Diego in 2016.

Fast, agile and mission-focused, littoral combat ships are 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. Fort Worth will employ the surface warfare mission package for her entire deployment, augmenting her 57mm gun and rolling airframe missile launcher with two 30mm guns, two 11-meter rigid-hull inflatable boats and two eight-member maritime security boarding teams. With more fuel capacity than Freedom, Fort Worth can refuel less often and stay on patrol longer.

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 maritime partnerships that foster maritime security, promote stability and prevent conflict.

Face of Defense: Food Inspector Keeps Troops Safe in Liberia

By Army Staff Sgt. V. Michelle Woods

27th Public Affairs Detachment

MONROVIA, Liberia, Dec. 30, 2014 – Army Spc. Rysper Sirma is used to having to report to work on short notice. As a food inspection specialist here, she’s on call around the clock to keep her fellow Operation United Assistance service members safe, because food inspection requires strict time and safety parameters.

But when Sirma got a call Dec. 26 to report to the joint operations center at Barclay Training center here, the 463rd Medical Detachment soldier was recognized by Army Maj. Gen. Gary Volesky, commander of Joint Forces Command United Assistance, for her exemplary performance.

Division Coin, Helicopter Ride

Each week, Volesky recognizes a service member supporting Operation United Assistance, presenting a division coin at a ceremony and taking the service member on a helicopter ride around the joint operations area.

Sirma said she was surprised and a little nervous to be receiving a coin from Volesky, noting that he is the first general officer she has met.

Army Capt. Kristopher Appler, commander of the 463rd Medical Detachment, based out of Fort Benning, Georgia, said Sirma works far beyond the level expected of her rank.

“She has inspected more than $400,000 of operational rations and over 10,000 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables,” he said. “She’s the first line of defense for all food and water.”

Day or night, Sirma is on call. All incoming food must be inspected as soon as it arrives via ship or plane.

First Deployment, But Familiar With Africa

Though this is Sirma’s first deployment, she said Liberia’s scenery is very familiar to her.

“It may be a culture shock to soldiers who have never been to Africa, but for me, it’s very similar to where I’m from,” said Sirma, a native of Eldoret, Kenya.

Sirma said she speaks nine African languages and holds a bachelor’s degree from Harding University in Arkansas. Prior to deploying to Liberia, she participated as a member of the Army 10-Miler team in Washington.

After receiving a scholarship to attend Harding University and completing her degree, Sirma said, she wanted to join the military to give back to the community for paying for her to attend school in the United States. She also wanted to become an American citizen, she added, and serving in the military gave her that opportunity.

“She is educated, motivated and dedicated to her mission, her brothers and sisters in uniform, and her country,” Appler said.

Sirma said she intends to make the military a career and hopes eventually to earn a commission.

Spangdahlem Wing commander relieved of command

from U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa
Public Affairs

12/30/2014 - RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- The commander of the 52nd Fighter Wing at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, was relieved of command Dec. 30 due to a loss of faith and confidence in his leadership.

Col. Peter M. Bilodeau was removed by Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson, the commander of 3rd Air Force. Bilodeau assumed command in July 2014.

Bilodeau was not relieved for alleged misconduct or wrongdoing. Roberson announced that Col. Lars R. Hubert, 52nd Fighter Wing vice commander, has been appointed as interim wing commander until a replacement can assume the full-time duties of commander. Hubert has been vice commander since July 2013.

"This was not an easy decision to make, but I believe it is in the best interest of the men and women of the 52nd Fighter Wing," Roberson said. "My primary focus remains on motivational mission accomplishment, compassionate care of Airmen and their families, and the drive to constantly improve and innovate."

As the 3rd Air Force and 17th Expeditionary Air Force commander, Roberson oversees 10 wings in Europe and one air expeditionary wing within U.S. Air Forces in Europe Command, to include the 52 FW.

The 52 FW is comprised of more than 5,500 military and civilian personnel who maintain, deploy, and employ the F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft, TPS-75 radar systems and $2.5 billion of United States Protection Level 1 assets in support of North Atlantic Treaty Organizations and United States missions as directed by the President and Secretary of Defense. The wing supports the Supreme Allied Commander, Europe with mission-ready personnel and systems providing expeditionary air power for suppression and destruction of enemy air defenses, air interdiction, close air support, counter-air, strategic attack, combat search and rescue, non-traditional intelligence, and theater space control.