US 3rd Fleet Holds Change of Command Ceremony

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class K. Cecelia Engrums, U.S. 3rd Fleet Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Vice Adm. Nora Tyson relieved Vice Adm. Kenny Floyd as commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet during a change of command and retirement ceremony held on Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) while pierside at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego July 24.

During the ceremony, Floyd retired from active duty after 35 years of honorable naval service. He assumed command of U.S. 3rd Fleet in May 2013.

Under Floyd's strategic vision, 3rd Fleet expanded its influence and contributions across all maritime lines of operations, theater security cooperation, experimentation, disaster relief, and joint operations.

At sea, Floyd served in several F-14 Tomcat fighter aircraft squadrons, including tours with the Jolly Rogers of VF-84, the Grim Reapers of VF-101 as an instructor, and the Red Rippers of VF-11. He participated in Operation Desert Storm while serving as a department head with the Starfighters of VF-33. He served as the executive officer and subsequently the commanding officer of the VF-32 Swordsmen. Other sea tours include executive officer of USS Constellation (CV 64) and deputy commander of Carrier Air Wing 7 where he participated in Operation Enduring Freedom.

Ashore, Floyd served on the staff of Naval Space Command, as aide to the commander and subsequently as flag lieutenant, Commander, Carrier Group 8. He served as chief staff officer on the Fighter Wing, U.S. Atlantic Fleet staff and completed a tour on the staff of the U.S. military representative to the NATO Military Committee. He was the deputy operations officer on the staff of Joint Task Force Southwest Asia; chief of staff to Commander, Naval Air Forces; director, Aviation and Aircraft Carrier Plans and Requirements (OPNAV N880); deputy director, Air Warfare Division (OPNAV N88B); commander, Strike Force Training Pacific; director Air Warfare Division (OPNAV N88); director, Warfare Integration (OPNAV N88F); and as assistant deputy chief of naval operations, Warfare Systems (OPNAV N9B).

Floyd reflected on his career while thanking his peers and the men and women of the U.S. Navy.

"Without a doubt, it has been the greatest privilege of my life to lead the men and women who have volunteered to defend this country," said Floyd. "Debbie (Floyd's wife) and I continue to be humbled by the magnitude of the responsibility that you carry and strengthened by the willingness with which you carry it out."

Adm. Scott H. Swift, commander U.S. Pacific Fleet, served as the guest speaker.

"Floyd, in summary, you did it right," said Swift. "Sailors of both today's and tomorrow's Navy are better prepared by your contributions, example and leadership throughout your career than they have ever been. On their behalf, and on behalf of a grateful nation, thank you for your leadership and service."

Swift presented Floyd with his second Distinguished Service Medal as an end of career award, recognizing him for his exceptional meritorious service to the United States Navy.

"As Pink departs the pattern, there is no better officer to take the lead here at 3rd Fleet than Nora Tyson," said Swift. "When I travel around the theater, everywhere I go, I hear about the great work she has done leading operations and building partnerships in the Pacific Fleet AOR (area of responsibility)."

Tyson's most recent assignment was as deputy commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, where she reported in July 2013.

"I have to admit, it is a little intimidating relieving a legend and a rock star," said Tyson. "It is truly an honor to follow in your footsteps and I know those are big footsteps to fill."

Tyson's commands include commander, Task Force 73/commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific based in Singapore and, most recently, commander, Carrier Strike Group 2, where she led the USS George H.W. Bush Strike Group on its maiden deployment. She also commanded amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), leading the Navy's contributions to disaster relief efforts on the Gulf Coast in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. She also deployed twice to the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Her shore tours include director of staff for Commander, Naval Forces Europe/Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet, and as executive assistant for the chief of naval operations.

"We are challenged to apply our very best efforts to ensure that we maximize the value of the resources that the American people give us," said Tyson. "Third Fleet will continue to be leaders in the innovative application of naval power."

U.S. 3rd Fleet was formed during World War II on March 15, 1943 under the command of Fleet Adm. William F. "Bull" Halsey. It leads naval forces in the Eastern Pacific from the West Coast of North America to the International Date Line.

USS Lassen Completes Successful At-Sea Phase of CARAT Singapore 2015

By Mass Communications Specialist 1st Class Melissa K. Russell, Commander, Task Force 73 Public Affairs

SOUTH CHINA SEA (NNS) -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) successfully completed five days of combined, at-sea training events with the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), July 23, as part of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Singapore 2015.

CARAT is an annual, bilateral exercise series designed to increase the interoperability among participating forces, address shared maritime security concerns, and develop relationships between the U.S. Navy and the armed forces of partner nations.

This year marked the 21st time Singapore has participated.

This year's at-sea phase included complex scenarios with ships, submarines and aircraft, an exercise with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and a simulated casualty medevac flight with RSN ships. Events also included group maneuvers, a gunnery exercise that allowed the ships to track and fire their surface weapons on moving targets, and several submarine familiarization exercises using U.S. and RSN submarines.

"This year we focused a lot on exercising complex group maneuvers as well as finding and tracking one another's assets through sonar systems," said Cmdr. Robert Francis, Lassen's commanding officer. "That was important because the exercises increased our interoperability by allowing us to work together and gain better understanding of each other's capability while communicating and working from the same procedures. These are core skills vital to any real-world operation."

In addition to improving communication skills and getting to know one another's systems and procedures, both navies exchanged medical expertise in the event of a humanitarian aid-disaster relief (HA-DR) situation that could require a coordinated response from regional navies.

"Because of the U.S. Navy's presence in Southeast Asia and the close relationship we've developed with the Republic of Singapore Navy, there's a strong possibility we may one day need to operate together on a mission or in a casualty situation," Francis said. "That's why we see HA-DR response skills and operational skills as equally important."

To help foster skills in HA-DR situations, Lassen hosted two Singaporean sailors, one doctor and one emergency medical specialist. The Sailors observed several shipboard medical exercises, one of which included a medevac transport of a simulated casualty.

"We were happy to welcome them (RSN sailors) aboard and let them see just how our emergency responders would react during a casualty," Francis said. "This training could literally be a life saver because now we have an organic asset available in the group with the capability to treat a patient with life threatening injuries. It's just like having a small floating hospital within minutes of Lassen."

More than 700 U.S. Sailors were involved in the underway phase of CARAT Singapore. Lassen was joined by the littoral combat ship USS Fort Worth (LCS 3), Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Houston (SSN 713), Military Sealift Command replenishment oiler USNS Pecos (T-AO 197), a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, and ships and aircraft from the RSN.

Following CARAT Singapore, additional bilateral phases of CARAT will occur from July through November 2015 with Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Timor-Leste.

Commander, Task Force 73 and Destroyer Squadron 7 staff conduct advanced planning, organize resources and directly support the execution of maritime exercises such as the bilateral CARAT series, the Naval Engagement Activity (NEA) with Vietnam, and the multilateral Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT) with Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.

NAVSUP FLC Bahrain Tests Off-Ship Bill Pay for Husbanding Services

By Lt. Matthew Lorge, Navy Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Bahrain

MANAMA, Bahrain (NNS) -- Navy Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Bahrain conducted the first test of Off-Ship Bill Pay (OSBP) procedures for aircraft carrier and cruiser port visits during the week ending July 25 at Khalifa Bin Salman Port, Bahrain.

The new procedures take the responsibility for the ordering and payment of husbanding services, such as tug boats, trash removal, crane support, and fresh water, off of the ship's Supply Department and places it at shore activities. This frees up shipboard personnel for other tasks and provides Navy leaders with more oversight of the husbanding process.

In order to conduct the OSBP test, Code 200, the contracting department of NAVSUP FLC Bahrain, executed a stand-alone husbanding service provider (HSP) contract and issued task orders valued at $672,000 for the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) and $124,000 for the guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60). While tests have been done on smaller units in the past year, this is the first time an aircraft carrier or cruiser has been tested.

Capt. Sean M. Egge, commanding officer of NAVSUP FLC Bahrain, discussed the importance of the OSBP test and what it means to the fleet.

"The new off-ship bill pay procedures will be a major change from how port visits are conducted fleet wide," said Egge. "Not only will the procedures relieve busy shipboard personnel of the administrative tasks associated with port visit costs, they will provide centralized oversight over the process and ensure the taxpayers are getting the best value for their money."

The new procedures require the ship and vendor to submit their final invoices into inventory, receipt, acceptance and property transfer (iRAPT), a secure web based system for electronic invoicing, receipt, and acceptance. A contracting officer's representative (COR) validates that the two sets of invoices match and submits the accepted invoices for electronic payment by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS).

James Cutler, a COR for U.S. Naval Central Command (NAVCENT), explained how the test was being conducted.

"The test is going well so far," said Cutler. "The ships have been doing a great job validating the services they have received via the circle, sign, and date process. Once the port visits are completed, we will review the receipts and ensure they match the final invoices submitted by the vendor."

Upon completion of the tests in the NAVCENT area of responsibility (AOR), along with those in other regions around the world, the next step will be to modify the Navy's existing HSP contracts to allow for payment using this electronic process. This will standardize the way the Navy does business while at the same time making it easier for the vendor to receive payment for services they have provided.

"Executing the test contract for USS Theodore Roosevelt and USS Normandy was an important milestone in the off-ship bill payment process" said Salah Hani, a contracting officer at Code 200. "We will review the results of these tests and incorporate any lessons learned into our HSP business processes."

NAVSUP FLC Bahrain has more than 160 military and civilian personnel providing logistics support in the region. The command is one of eight FLCs worldwide in the NAVSUP GLS enterprise.

NAVSUP FLC Bahrain is part of NAVSUP Global Logistics Support (GLS), which provides global logistics for a global Navy. The organization is made up of more than 6,500 military and civilian logistics professionals operating from 105 locations worldwide providing an extensive array of integrated global logistics and contracting services to Navy, Marine Corps, joint operational units, and allied forces across all warfare enterprises.