7th Fleet, Royal Malaysian Navy Leaders Discuss CARAT, HA/DR During Staff Talks Onboard USS Blue Ridge

From U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs

WEST PORT, Malaysia (NNS) -- Senior leaders from the U.S. 7th Fleet and Malaysia Royal Navy met for a professional exchange of ideas in a variety of technical and tactical topics on board the 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), May 19.

The meetings, or "staff talks," included professional dialogue between the two allied staffs that were designed to share knowledge and develop methodologies for joint responses to any contingency within Indo-Asia-Pacific region. The exchange included discussion of maritime patrol and reconnaissance, maritime domain awareness, mine warfare, navigation, engineering and medical training.

Staff leaders also discussed upcoming Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) with Malaysia. Seventh Fleet will also join elements of the Malaysian Armed Forces in a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HA/DR) exercise held under the auspices of ASEAN in June.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the CARAT exercise series, and the Malaysian Armed Forces have partnered with the United States since the exercise began in 1995

"This is a great opportunity to meet with our United States Allies," said First Adm. Dato' Pahlawan Sulaiman Bin, admiral, Royal Malaysian Navy. "Staff Talks demonstrate a way to bring strength to our alliance."

The U.S. 7th Fleet intent for the staff talks is to increase Theater Security Cooperation through the facilitation of bilateral and multilateral military exchanges and dialogue. It provides a meeting place for partnered navies' subject matter experts to meet and discuss different aspects of their mission objectives and their responsibilities.

"The mission of staff talks is to engage with our partners in the Asia-Pacific and strengthen our ties to allied nations," said Lt. Reuben Attah, 7th Fleet's Malaysian desk officer. "The most important part of this staff talk was to interact with our Malaysian counterparts, and have a face to face discussion to bring us closer as allies."

Blue Ridge and embarked staff are in Malaysia for a scheduled port visit during a spring patrol operating forward, building maritime partnerships and conducting security and stability operations.

Among the trees: USAFE-AFAFRICA Airmen pay tribute to fallen comrades

by Staff Sgt. Jarad A. Denton
501st Communication Support Wing Public Affairs

5/26/2014 - BROOKWOOD, United Kingdom -- It was quiet; the sort of peaceful quiet broken only by the occasional wisp of wind that floated on the air like a sigh from Heaven.

"It couldn't have been a more beautiful day," remarked U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Christopher Bence, 3rd Air Force vice commander, as he looked skyward at the banks of fleecy clouds and bright sun that shone over the American Military Cemetery at Brookwood, United Kingdom, May 25.

He walked past rows of glistening white crosses - the final resting places of 468 United States service members who gave their last full measure of devotion during the First World War. Now, 100 years from the onset of that war, Bence, along with Airmen from the 422nd Air Base Group and Soldiers from the British Army Training Centre Pirbright, stood in meditation as those sacrifices were immortalized.

"Memorial Day is a solemn time of remembrance for all Americans," Bence said. "It's a day of reflection on those who died in conflicts past and present."

As the centennial anniversary of what was to be the war to end all wars fast approaches, Bence said he found himself calling to mind the struggle, loss of life and complete devastation caused by the global conflict.

"Families were forever changed," he remarked. "History records how the bravery of our two countries was united in that common struggle. Our two countries have endured much together during the past 100 years - side by side during two great World Wars, supporting and reassuring one another during the Cold War, and defending each other again and again in the fight against terrorism."

Bence said this common bond continues to grow through the defense of democratic principles between two great nations. Two nations that paused for the briefest of moments at a quiet cemetery in Brookwood, to honor those who gave their lives for their country and reflect upon the nobility of their sacrifice.

"In some respect, World War I marked the origins of what we would come to know as the 'special relationship,'" said Elizabeth Dibble, Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in London. "It was the first time that American and British forces had fought together on such a scale. Regrettably, of course, it was not to be the last."

The anniversary of World War I is not the only somber milestone remembered this year. June 6, 2014 will mark 70 years since thousands of Allied troops stormed the beaches of Normandy, France - beginning a major offensive against the Nazi war machine.

As a measure of unwavering respect, two veterans of D-Day stood, smoothed their uniforms and slowly made their way toward the Chapel overlooking the cemetery.

"Today we remember and honor all those sons and daughters of America," Dibble continued. "The selfless, patriotic men and women who gave up their hopes and dreams that we could live ours."

The men paused as age and memory seemed to weigh their footsteps. Together, they reached the Chapel steps and placed a small poppy wreath before rendering a salute to the brothers they left behind on the blood stained beaches of Normandy.

"The Chapel serves as hope and provides the opportunity for us to reflect on those lost at sea, in the air and on land," said Bence. "We also reflect on the 563 Soldiers and Sailors missing in action, either on land or at sea, who are memorialized here in the Chapel."

Among the names inscribed on the walls inside the Chapel is U.S. Navy Gunner's Mate 1st Class Osmond Ingram, the only Medal of Honor recipient immortalized at Brookwood. While serving aboard the USS Cassin, Oct. 15, 1917, Ingram sighted an enemy torpedo speeding toward the ship. Realizing the torpedo might strike the area of the ship containing the depth charges, Ingram ran to release the payload. Sadly, he was too late. The torpedo struck the ship, exploded the depth charges and killed Ingram. He was the first enlisted Sailor to be killed during World War I.

"He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, our highest honor in the United States," said Bence. "His selfless actions and bravery live on forever within these walls."

Laying his own wreath on behalf of a grateful nation, Bence paused; the wind picked up again as he rendered a ceremonial salute to his fallen comrades. As he turned from the Chapel steps the gentle breeze followed and seemed to carry with it the words of the Kohima Epitaph.

"When you go home tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow, we gave our today."

U.S. Fleet Forces Command and Submarine Forces Altantic Give Support to Jason Dunham Sailors

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW/AW) Derek Paumen

ATLANTIC OCEAN (NNS) -- Adm. Bill Gortney, commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command, and Vice Adm. Michael Connor, commander of Submarine Forces Atlantic visited Sailors aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109), May 21.

During their stay, Gortney and Connor took a tour of the ship, including the combat information center (CIC), bridge, central control station, chief's mess and mess decks, greeting Sailors in each space. While in CIC, Gortney and Connor observed operations and took to the 1MC to thank the Sailor's for their hard work during Submarine Commander's Course-40 (SCC-40), a three-day exercise that simulates anti-submarine warfare for Jason Dunham.

"They greatly appreciate all of the Sailors, not only here but also on all of the other vessels involved," said Cmdr. Michael W. Meredith, commanding officer of Jason Dunham. "It's tough. This is a great extra event because of the training we receive, but again it's more time away from home. I know they appreciate that because they have served a long time themselves."

"This is the most realistic submarine versus surface training in the world," said Connor. "The training absolutely makes a difference in succeeding or failing. If we were to go to war next week, the torpedoes we'd shoot would look and feel just like the ones we use in this exercise. We are training like we fight."

Gortney and Connor finished their visit by reenlisting Quartermaster 3rd Class Kayla Franklin, handing out their coins and taking group pictures before embarking onto a small boat to go to their next visit.

"Any day I can come see the American Sailor at work is a great day, that's why I am out here," said Gortney.

Jason Dunham is currently operating in the U.S. 2nd Fleet area of responsibility participating in SCC-40.

George Washington Completes Sea Trials, Ready for Patrol

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Oscar Albert Moreno Jr., USS George Washington Public Affairs

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- The U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) returned to its forward-operating location of Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, May 23, after completing sea trials.

Sea trials occur over a period of four days, allowing ships to evaluate and assess their equipment status and personnel readiness for follow-on at-sea training.

"Sea trials are without a doubt essential to prepare for a patrol," said Quartermaster 1st Class Pon Mingkhouan, from Raleigh, North Carolina "Sea trials not only allow us to test our equipment, but also give new Sailors a taste of what the work days will be like during patrol."

George Washington completed numerous evolutions during Sea Trials, including a replenishment-at-sea, refueling-at-sea, man overboard drills, anchor drop test, high-powered turns, aqueous film forming foam counter-measure wash down, and other events.

"We must ensure that the ship and its crew are mission ready," said Boatswain's Mate Seaman Joshua Hart, from Calhoun, Georgia. "In case of an emergency, we must be ready to respond to whatever happens and whenever it happens."

With a successful sea trials complete, George Washington makes its final preparations to return to sea for its upcoming 2014 patrol.

George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing 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.

U.S. Fleet Forces Command and Submarine Forces Altantic Give Support to Jason Dunham Sailors

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW/AW) Derek Paumen

ATLANTIC OCEAN (NNS) -- Adm. Bill Gortney, commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command, and Vice Adm. Michael Connor, commander of Submarine Forces Atlantic visited Sailors aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109), May 21.

During their stay, Gortney and Connor took a tour of the ship, including the combat information center (CIC), bridge, central control station, chief's mess and mess decks, greeting Sailors in each space. While in CIC, Gortney and Connor observed operations and took to the 1MC to thank the Sailor's for their hard work during Submarine Commander's Course-40 (SCC-40), a three-day exercise that simulates anti-submarine warfare for Jason Dunham.

"They greatly appreciate all of the Sailors, not only here but also on all of the other vessels involved," said Cmdr. Michael W. Meredith, commanding officer of Jason Dunham. "It's tough. This is a great extra event because of the training we receive, but again it's more time away from home. I know they appreciate that because they have served a long time themselves."

"This is the most realistic submarine versus surface training in the world," said Connor. "The training absolutely makes a difference in succeeding or failing. If we were to go to war next week, the torpedoes we'd shoot would look and feel just like the ones we use in this exercise. We are training like we fight."

Gortney and Connor finished their visit by reenlisting Quartermaster 3rd Class Kayla Franklin, handing out their coins and taking group pictures before embarking onto a small boat to go to their next visit.

"Any day I can come see the American Sailor at work is a great day, that's why I am out here," said Gortney.

Obama Visits U.S. Troops, Leaders in Afghanistan

By Jim Garamone

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 25, 2014 – President Barack Obama marked Memorial Day with a visit to U.S. leaders and service members at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan.

Obama arrived for the unannounced visit last night and is already on his way back to Washington. It was his fourth trip to Afghanistan since taking office, White House officials said. He last visited the country in 2012.

The president met with U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan James Cunningham and Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., the commander of NATO’s International Security Assistance Force. Dunford gave the president a battlefield update. Officials on the trip said the president also discussed U.S. troop levels for the NATO follow-on operation Resolute Support and other post-2014 plans.

The president met with service members and visited wounded troops in the military hospital at Bagram. Brad Paisley, a country singer who accompanied the president, warmed up the crowd for Obama, officials said.

Ben Rhodes, deputy national security adviser for strategic communications, spoke to reporters on the flight over, according to a pool report from Air Force One.

Rhodes said that the administration saw the trip as “an opportunity for the president to thank American troops and civilians for their service.”

There were no meetings scheduled with either Afghan President Hamid Karzai or the two candidates in the run-off elections in Afghanistan, Abdullah Abdullah or Ashraf Ghani. Rhodes said that the White House wanted to make sure the trip focused solely on the troops and not internal Afghan politics.

“We have been looking for some period of time to come to Afghanistan,” Rhodes said. “After the first round of the election, we thought it would be a good time to come for a troop-focused visit.”

Rhodes said the president will provide some additional clarity on his thinking about Afghanistan in the next few days.