USS Chafee Completes OMSI in Support of Maritime Security

From USS Chafee Public Affairs

WESTERN PACIFIC OCEAN (NNS) -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Chafee (DDG 90) conducted an Oceania Maritime Security Initiative (OMSI) with U.S. Coast Guard's 14th District, Aug. 5 - 21, in the Western Pacific Ocean.

OMSI is a maritime security operation designed to enhance maritime domain awareness, increase law enforcement presence, and expand at-sea law enforcement capabilities throughout Oceania.

"We were there to provide key presence in the region and build partner nation capacity for a critical oceanic partner," said Cmdr. Shea Thompson, Chafee's commanding officer. "Our presence with the Coast Guard and our partner nation set a new tone of deterrence in the region and will prevent future violations."

The Navy-Coast Guard team, including the two embarked MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopters from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 37, conducted a total of 19 external visual inspections and nine boardings to internally inspect fishing vessels across three separate jurisdictional areas - high seas, Marshall Islands and Nauru exclusive economic zones (EEZ). The boarding inspection resulted in some documented violations and, more importantly, demonstrated U.S. commitment to regulating these fishing areas in partnership with our friends in the region.

"Working side by side with Coast Guard in support of District 14's initiative was a unique and beneficial mission for Chafee Sailors," said Lt. Robert Eidson, Chafee's weapons officer. "Not only were we able to experience, first hand, the great efforts required for law enforcement at sea, we also had the privilege of working side by side with an elite Coast Guard Law Enforcement team. The team provided invaluable training to Chafee's Visual Board Search and Seizure team to include tactical team movements, tactical combat casualty care, and safe boarding techniques. Cognizant of the level of expertise that comes with a Coast Guard Law Enforcement team, we welcomed this training with enthusiasm."

OMSI is a Secretary of Defense program which leverages Department of Defense assets transiting the region to increase the U.S. Coast Guard's maritime domain awareness (MDA), ultimately supporting its maritime law enforcement operations in Oceania.

The U.S. Coast Guard is responsible for patrolling the waters around the numerous islands associated with the United States throughout the region. Each of these islands have territorial waters stretching out to 12 miles from shore. Beyond that, stretching out to 200 nautical miles is an exclusive economic zone (EEZ), an area defined by international law that allows each nation exclusive rights to the exploration and use of marine resources. Oceania contains 43 percent, or approximately 1.3 million square miles, of United States' EEZs.

Chafee was deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operation supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

Africa Alumni Return to NWC for Regional Symposium

By Daniel L. Kuester, U.S. Naval War College Public Affairs

NEWPORT, R.I. (NNS) -- Eighty-two representatives, many graduates of U.S. Naval War College (NWC), from 25 nations and the African Union attended the 12th Regional Alumni Symposium - Africa at NWC, Aug. 25-27, as part of the school's continuing education program.

Over three days, the group discussed defense, maritime domain, migration, humanitarian assistance and other topics important to the African continent.

The event, titled "Enhancing Regional Maritime Security," was co-hosted by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa and the U.S. 6th Fleet, and sponsored by U.S. Africa Command.

Thomas Mangold, dean of international programs at the school and organizer of the event, says the symposium was both a continuing education effort for graduates and a way to build relationships for the nations involved.

"This is an effort to continue the professional military education long after they leave here," said Mangold. "This was a way to reach out to make sure our international alumni are getting current information. The second thing the symposium does is help network and build relationships. And not just with the U.S., although that is very important, but also with each other so they can work together and start building relationships, friendships and eventually trust between their countries."

Keynote speaker for the symposium, Amanda Dory, deputy assistant secretary of defense for African affairs, gave an address titled "Africa's Strategic Importance; a U.S. Department of Defense Perspective."

"In terms of African security," Dory said after her presentation, "the maritime domain is fundamental to economic prosperity for Africa. Whether it is getting products or innovation out and in [Africa], it is important to have all these leaders here in Newport renewing their acquaintance with one another and with the U.S."

The subjects addressed at the symposium are relevant to this vital area, according to Mangold.

"Topics are chosen because they are important in the region and also to the world," he said. "Migration, for instance, is one of the most important topics in the world. We have top experts here to help understand the issue. We also had a session focusing on humanitarian assistance and disaster response with the doctor who arranged the American relief effort during the Ebola crisis.

Vice Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet, Rear Adm. Thomas Reck noted that in the long term, the NWC affiliation also benefits international relations.

"You can see the importance that these individual nations place on the education they receive here," said Reck. "And then to actually gain those friendships and incubate those partnerships over the years until it gets to the point that these graduates are now heads of navy for their countries."

Reck, a NWC graduate himself, pointed out that these relationships are vital to what he called "the global network of navies."

"It is always important to anchor back on those relationships, and keep that trust built so it will be strong when the next generation of leadership comes along," he added.

Mangold said the global network of high-ranking navy officers is something NWC takes seriously.

"It's important for the Naval War College because we have over 40 heads of navies from around the world who have graduated from here," said Mangold. "We are a leading educator. We have this event here because we are one of the few institutions who could do it."

One of the attendees, Cmdr. Abdellah Benhamou, director of the Royal Moroccan Naval Academy, said that NWC is the best place and the right environment for this symposium.

"It is the kind of environment [at NWC] that you know beforehand that it is going to be productive," said Benhamou. "[The conversation] is going be free from political constraints that keep you from discussing matters frankly and asking the right questions."

"What this symposium does is offer attendees a chance to meet, talk about issues that are important, offer shared experience and perspective. That all makes them more trustful of each other," Mangold added. "All navies need to work together. One of the best outcomes from this event is that our graduates call their other alumni when they have issues."

As host of the event, Rear Adm. P. Gardner Howe III, president, NWC, stressed that building and maintaining relationships is vitally important in an increasingly unstable world.

"The operational environment is more volatile, more uncertain, more ambiguous and more dynamic than ever before," said Howe. "How are we, as military professionals, to deal with such an environment? I would offer that the answer lies in a commitment to continuing professional education and by nurturing meaningful relationships with friends and allies."

NWC is a one-year resident program that graduates about 600 students and about 1,000 distance learning students a year carrying out four missions: educate and develop leaders, help define the future of the Navy, support combat readiness, and strengthen maritime partnerships. Students earn Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) credit and either a diploma or a master's degree in National Security and Strategic Studies. Established in 1884, U.S. Naval War College is the oldest institution of its kind in the world. More than 50,000 students have graduated since its first class of nine students in 1885 and about 300 of today's active duty admirals, generals and senior executive service leaders are alumni.

USS America hosts Japanese Sailors in San Diego for Dawn Blitz

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jacob Holloway, USS America (LHA 6) Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) began hosting Japanese Sailors Aug. 17 as they prepare for the annual amphibious assault training exercise Dawn Blitz 2015 (DB 15) in early September.

DB 15 is an annual multinational, scenario-driven amphibious training exercise in which forces plan and execute an expeditionary strike group and Marine expeditionary brigade-sized amphibious assault from the sea in a maritime and land environment .

The training exercise includes four participating nations and four other nations as observers. There are more than 25 commands participating in the exercise in all.

While the Japanese ships participate in DB 15, America will sponsor one of the ships from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, helicopter destroyer JS Hyuga (DDH 181). America will work to facilitate all the needs of the ship and its personnel during their stay on Naval Base San Diego (NBSD). Additionally, the crews will participate in goodwill events.

"Our mission is to have our crew interact with their crew on a personal level to facilitate understanding amongst our navies and cultures," said Lt. Cmdr. Kyle Franklin, a liaison assigned to America. "Through social events and sporting activities we hope to gain their friendship and create a bond with them as our counterpart."

Sailors from each country have had the opportunity to experience the similarities and differences in cultures by touring each other's ships.

"Both commanding officers have welcomed the crew of the other ships to tour their vessels," said Franklin. "This is a good opportunity to compare and contrast our capabilities of our ship and have our crew see that."

Port visits and training exercises are vital in maintaining a professional military bond between the two country's navies. These interactions help Sailors connect on a professional and personal level and allow both navies to interact on and off duty.

"Working with America Sailors during Hyuga's time in port San Diego has truly strengthened the alliance between Japan and the United States," said Capt. Taskeshi Okada, commanding officer of the Hyuga. "The America has been a great host and we have learned a lot about daily operations of America."

America's initial interaction as Japan's host was to help them moor. America's Deck department awaited the arrival of the Hyuga and assisted them in mooring to the pier at NBSD on Monday, Aug. 17.

"Even though there was a language barrier, we were able to get the job done," said Boatswain's Mate 1st Class (SW) Tiago Campos, Deck department's leading petty officer. "The understanding we have between Sailors is incredible."

The United States of America is regarded as a 'melting pot' of cultures, better enabling fluid exchange and understanding of nations around the world. The crew of USS America strives to exemplify that same standard in connecting with other countries.

"Being a host ship is a responsibility to represent America, both the ship and the country, with the best Sailors our country has to offer," said Franklin. "We want to leave the best impression of our country through our interactions with them."