America Departs Peru, Sets Sail for Homeport

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Scorza, USS America (LHA 6) Public Affairs

PACIFIC OCEAN (NNS) -- The future amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) departed Callao, Peru, Sept. 3 after a three-day port visit.

This was the crew's final port visit on the ship's maiden transit, "America Visits the Americas" as the ship continues to make its way from Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Miss. to its homeport of San Diego.

The crew visited Cartagena, Colombia; Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and Valparaiso, Chile before visiting Callao, Peru.

While in Peru, the ship hosted a reception in the ship's hangar bay for more than 300 guests. The distinguished guests included the Honorable Brian A. Nichols, U.S. Ambassador to Peru; Gen. John F. Kelly, commander, U.S. Southern Command; as well as senior Peruvian, U.S. government and military officials.

During the visit, the ship's military and civilian crew had the opportunity to experience their host nation and to serve as goodwill ambassadors.

While in port, 25 America Sailors participated in a community relations (COMREL) project with Peruvian Navy sailors at Immaculate Conception Municipal School. The volunteers teamed up with the Peruvian sailors to paint portions of the school and refurbish the lawn.

"It's impressive the impact that a group of Sailors and Marines can have in a community during a few short hours," said Rear Adm. Frank L. Ponds, Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 3, currently embarked on America. "They are great ambassadors for the U.S. because of their can-do spirit and desire to be of service to others during port visits."

America's soccer team also played a friendly match against the local Peruvian Navy team. After the game, members from both teams exchanged mementos and enjoyed a barbecue prepared by the Peruvian Navy. In addition, members of the America crew participated in rugby and basketball games with Peruvian Navy sailors.

"I am very proud of the Sailors and Marines serving on board America," said Capt. Robert A. Hall, Jr., America's commanding officer. "Throughout this maiden transit, the crew has far exceeded what the expectations typically are for a ship in this phase. From COMREL projects to meaningful exchanges with various countries, everyone on this journey has contributed to something much greater than the ship. They have contributed to the strong bond that exists between the U.S. Navy and navies throughout South America."

Following the ship's departure from anchorage, America conducted a series of formation drills with seven Peruvian naval ships. Hall described the experience as the prime example of partnership building and training.

"Safely performing complex evolutions with another Navy so soon after departing the shipyard is a testament to the quality of Sailors we have in America's bridge and combat information center watch teams," said Hall. "I was impressed with the flawless communication between the Peruvian Navy ships and our own watchstanders, as well as the professionalism of the Peruvian Navy shiphandlers."

America is now on the final leg of its journey to its homeport of San Diego and is expected to arrive mid-September. As the maiden transit comes to an end, the crew continues to strive toward refining its processes and preparing to join the fleet.

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

America is currently traveling through the U.S. Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet area of responsibility. America is the first ship of its class, replacing the Tarawa-class of amphibious assault ships. As the next generation "big-deck" amphibious assault ship, America is optimized for aviation, capable of supporting current and future aircraft such as the tilt-rotor MV-22 Osprey and F-35B Joint Strike Fighter. The ship is scheduled to be ceremoniously commissioned Oct. 11 in San Francisco

Forward Deployed Aircraft Carrier, Air Wing Team Continues 7th Fleet Patrol

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Alonzo Archer, Task Force 70 Public Affairs

USS GEORGE WASHINGTON, At Sea (NNS) -- The United States Navy's only forward deployed air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, flew aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) Sep. 5 to continue their 2014 patrol of U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations (AOR).

CVW-5 is composed of nine squadrons with approximately 1,900 Sailors and 67 aircraft, which complete the full capacity of operations and manning for George Washington.

"Carrier Air Wing 5 has been patrolling with the George Washington since 2008," said Cmdr. Brian Downey, CVW-5 Operations officer. "I look forward to the reintegration of our commands each time we're called upon. The respect we show each other during these patrols lends to the professionalism of both commands. They know their job, and we know ours, and we both trust each other to perform at the highest level."

During the first half of their 2014 patrol CVW-5 and George Washington completed exercise Malabar 2014, a multinational maritime event including the Indian Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), a bilateral operation with JMSDF, four goodwill port visits and two air power demonstrations for Independence Day and a Tiger Cruise respectively.

"This is my first deployment with Carrier Air Wing 5 and the George Washington," said Lt. Andrew Ginnetti, an EA-18G Growler pilot with the "Shadowhawks" of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 141. "It's great to finally be in the fleet, applying the skills I've learned in flight school. I personally feel I'm a part of the most mission ready air wing in the Navy."

The aircraft carrier and air wing relationship is symbiotic in more ways than one; both units need each other to complete vital carrier qualifications and maintain pilot currency.

"By instruction, all fixed wing carrier pilots have to maintain periodic currency," said Cmdr. William Berryman, George Washington air operations officer. "We as a ship must also maintain certain qualifications by operating with aircraft. We work together to accomplish these qualifications across the board in order to keep the air wing-ship team combat ready."

CVW-5's squadrons are a collection of aircraft designed to perform various functions and missions. The aircraft are attached to: the "Diamondbacks" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 102 flying the F/A-18F Super Hornet; the "Royal Maces" of VFA-27, the "Eagles" of VFA-115 and the "Dambusters" VFA-195 each flying the F/A-18E Super Hornet; VAQ-141 flying the EA-18G Growler; VAW-115 flying the E-2C Hawkeye; the "Providers" of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 30, Detachment 5, flying the C-2A Greyhound; the "Golden Flacons" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 12 flying the MH-60S Seahawk; and the "Saberhawks" of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 77 flying the MH-60R Seahawk.

CVW-5 is on patrol in the 7th Fleet AOR supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia- Pacific region.

GW Welcomes Japanese Distinguished Visitors

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Chris Cavagnaro, USS George Washington Public Affairs

USS George Washington, At Sea (NNS) -- The U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) hosted Japanese guests and command ombudsman for a daylight embark, Sept. 4.

Honorable Seijiro Kasama, mayor of Ayase, Japan; Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Rear Adm. Tatsuya Futakawa, commander, Fleet Air Wing Four; and Capt. John Bushey, commanding officer, U.S. Naval Air Facility Atsugi were among the 22 guests who spent the day aboard George Washington.

"I would like to thank everyone for joining us while on patrol to observe how we operate at sea," said Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery, commander, Battle Force 7th Fleet. "Because of the great support we receive in the Yokosuka, Atsugi and Zama areas, we're able to operate very freely in this region."

The distinguished visitors joined the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier during its patrol of the Indo-Asia-Pacific region to experience shipboard life and gain a general orientation of the ship's mission in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations.

"I would like to thank everyone for having me aboard," said Kasama. "Everyone has been very professional and I very much enjoyed my time on the ship."

The guests toured the ship's mess decks, navigation bridge, and even had the opportunity to observe flight operations during the visit.

"It was extremely impressive to witness aircraft launch and recovery operations," said Kasama.

George Washington recently departed its forward-operating location of Fleet Activities, Yokosuka, Sept. 2, and is currently participating in carrier qualifications with its embarked airwing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5.

"Today's visit is important because it exposes the people from Atsugi and surrounding areas to George Washington and CVW 5's operations at sea," said Bushey. "We're able to showcase how vital the squadron's training in Atsugi is to completing George Washington's mission."

According to Bushey, distinguished visitor embarks help guests understand operations between partner nations to enhance interoperability.

"It's important for the U.S. and Japan to continue to work together and build upon our alliance," said Bushey. "It shows our allies that we are ready to defend Japan if necessary and protect our combined interests in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations."

George Washington and CVW 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.

Charleston reserve wing transitions to single UTA

y Staff Sgt. Bobby Pilch
315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

9/7/2014 - JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Beginning Oct. 5, Airmen assigned to the 315th Airlift Wing here will conduct a three-month trial and evaluation period executing a single unit training assembly weekend.

With leaner financial times forecast in fiscal year 2015, which begins Oct. 1, a comprehensive study was conducted by wing leadership to identify potential cost savings and operational efficiencies by combining the current musters of two UTAs per month into one.

"A business case study was performed 18 months ago," said Maj. Kimberly Y. Champagne, 315 AW process manager. "All squadrons had an opportunity to add feedback and give their limitation factors. Then, over the next 18 months, unit-by-unit assessments were conducted with leadership and members from across the wing. We studied the gaps between the current state and proposed future state and then an action plan was created for each unit with countermeasures to execute. "

After an exhaustive study, the 315 AW identified substantial financial savings by converting to a single UTA construct. The wing is projected to save $1,349,700 in salary and per diem costs with personnel who will not have to support two UTAs per month. An additional cost savings of $300,375 will be achieved by streamlining processes and operational tasks that were identified during the study.

"Given the challenges of today's fiscally-constrained environment, we have to optimize all available resources and find ways to more efficiently train to maintain mission readiness," said Col. Scott A. Sauter, 315 AW commander. "We owe this to our airmen, as well as the taxpayers, and based on our analysis and unit feedback I believe we can do this."

At the conclusion of the trial period, wing leadership will assess the overall effectiveness and make the final determination on the way-ahead. Mission accomplishment of the new construct will be based on the wing's data-driven measurements of success before a final decision is made to continue the single UTA schedule for the remainder of FY 2015.