Gen. Breedlove visits "boots on the ground" in Turkey

by Senior Airman Nicole Sikorski
39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

8/1/2014 - GAZIANTEP, TURKEY -- U.S. Air Force Gen. Philip M. Breedlove, NATOs supreme allied commander for Europe and the commander of U.S. European Command, visited U.S. Army Soldiers deployed to Gaziantep, Turkey in support of the NATO-led Patriot missile augmentation of Turkish air defenses against Syrian aggression, July 31.

The general toured the Patriot missile site and spoke to Soldiers and the media about the importance of the local NATO mission and their role in defending Turkey from nearby Syrian violence which threatens families and produces a strain on the Turkish government. He also discussed future involvement of NATO forces in current world conflicts.

"While it's unfortunate that the threat remains, we are clearly demonstrating NATO's resolve and commitment to its core principles right here," he said.

Within the NATO alliance, when one ally is threatened, the whole alliance will come together to protect the ally. In his speech, Breedlove talked about the importance of that commitment with the unpredictable conflicts in the surrounding region.

"These are very important times here in Europe, perhaps the most critical since the end of the Cold War," the general said. "As Turkey continues to respond to the challenges from the south, there are significant changes happening in the overall security environment around us."

According to Breedlove, as the NATO summit approaches in September, it will be determined how NATO will remain more responsive to threats abroad and near home.

"Turkey will play a critical role in those discussions," he said.

In addition to his press conference, Breedlove toured the installation and got an inside look at Soldiers on the job. He also awarded outstanding service members with coins for their contribution to the mission.

"It's nice to have our leadership come and see operations that happen at Gaziantep at a personal level," said U.S. Army Spec. Kayla Echman, 5th Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery Regiment Patriot fire control enhancement operator maintainer.

US, Indian Navy, JMSDF Embark On George Washington, Enhance Maritime Interoperability

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Everett Allen, USS George Washington Public Affairs

USS GEORGE WASHINGTON, At Sea (NNS) -- Guests from Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), the Indian navy, Japanese Ministry of Defense and staff embarked on the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington, July 30.

Itsunori Onodera, Japanese minister of defense, Rear Adm. Atul Kumar Jain, Eastern Fleet flag officer, and Rear Adm. Terry Kraft, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Japan, were among the 30 embarked distinguished visitors as part of Malabar 2014, a U.S. Navy, Indian navy, and JMSDF trilateral naval field training exercise, aimed at improving collective maritime relationships and increasing understanding in multinational operations.

"It's fantastic to be out here on USS George Washington escorting the Minister of Defense to take a look at this trilateral exercise," said Rear Adm. Terry Kraft. "These exercises are so important because we all share responsibility for freedom of navigation and freedom of the seas."

The visit also highlighted the need for more interoperability to enhance the security in the Indo-Asia-Pacific Region.

"To maintain security in Eastern Asia, it is important for us to have close cooperation between our three countries," said Adm. Katsutoshi Kawano, chief of maritime staff, JMSDF.

During the visit, guests met with Battle Force 7th Fleet Commander Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery, George Washington Commanding Officer Capt. Greg Fenton and George Washington Executive Officer Capt. Carlos Sardiello, who welcomed guests in the ship's in-port cabin.

"Visits like this strengthen our maritime interoperability and also give distinguished visitors a firsthand experience of the daily operations aboard an aircraft carrier," said Fenton.

The visit also included a tour of the carrier's flight deck, where guests observed aircraft launches and recoveries.

"I want to thank the crew of the USS George Washington for hosting us today," said Kraft. "They've rolled out the red carpet and they're very proud of what they do, as they should be."

George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interests of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Asia-Pacific region.

U.S., Indian Navy and JMSDF Leaders Discuss Malabar Success During Conference Aboard John S. McCain

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Alonzo Archer, John S. McCain Public Affairs

WATERS EAST OF OKINAWA (NNS) -- Senior leaders from the U.S. and Indian navies, and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), met aboard Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) July 29 during Malabar 2014.

Malabar 2014 is a U.S. Navy, Indian navy, and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force trilateral naval field training exercise aimed to improve our collective maritime relationship and increase understanding in multinational operations.

Indian navy Rear Adm. Atul Kumar Jain, flag officer commanding Eastern Fleet, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Rear Adm. Hidetoshi Iwasaki, commander, Escort Flotilla 2, Capt. Shan M. Byrne, commander, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15 and Cmdr. Chase Sargeant, commanding officer of John S. McCain came together to discuss the exercise.

"Today was the third in a series of senior commander meetings during Malabar, where we have had the opportunity to visit each other's ships, see their capabilities, and coordinate for the exercise," said Byrne. "We've built some close friendships between JMSDF and the Indian navy. Malabar is a long-standing exercise that has, and will continue to be a crucial contributor to the interoperability of the 7th fleet and its allies."

In its 12th year, Malabar continues its mission to build relations and maritime strategy between the U.S. Navy and its partners in the Indo-Asia Pacific region, while contributing to the freedom of navigation, over-flight, and lawful commerce of the sea.

According to Sargeant, this year's Malabar has been considered a great success with exercises such as helicopter cross-deck landings, visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) drills, replenishments at sea, submarine familiarization and a large scale photo operation all having been completed with nearly flawless precision.

"This ship's participation in Malabar has been extremely rewarding, not only as a training exercise, but also as a cultural experience," said Sargeant. "I've found that Sailors of the U.S. Navy, Indian navy, and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force share the quality of perseverance. Malabar 2014 has been an overwhelming success, and we look forward to the opportunity to again work side by side with these two great naval nations."

John S. McCain is on patrol with the George Washington Carrier Strike Group in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific regio

Secretary of the Navy Visits Singapore during CARAT 2014

By Mass Communications Specialist Second Class Christian Eskelund, Commander, Task Force 73 Public Affairs

SINGAPORE (NNS) -- Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Ray Mabus visited Sailors participating in the 20th annual exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) with the Republic of Singapore Navy at Changi Naval Base, July 30.

Mabus addressed the crews of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108) and USS Halsey (DDG 97), as well as staff from Commander Task Force 73 (CTF 73) and Destroyer Squadron 7 (DESRON 7). Halsey and Wayne E. Meyer are moored at Changi Naval Base to participate in 11 days of shore-based and at sea training events.

Mabus highlighted the importance of bilateral exercises series like CARAT to sharpen skills and strengthen maritime partnerships.

"Singapore has been a partner since CARAT began 20 years ago and it's exciting to see how advanced our military relationship has become," Mabus said. "Exercises like CARAT help our naval forces respond to contingencies and crises at a moment's notice and as one team."

During his remarks, Mabus spoke to the depth and versatility of the fleet, emphasizing the success of the littoral combat ship USS Freedom's (LCS 1) inaugural rotational deployment to Singapore last year. He noted that USS Fort Worth's (LCS 3) deployment to the region later this year would commence an uninterrupted presence of LCSs in Southeast Asia, a clear sign of the Navy's commitment to the Asia-Pacific rebalance.

Mabus also answered questions from Sailors on the defense budget and impacts to future manning.

"People are the cornerstone of our Navy-Marine Corps Team," said Mabus. "We're working hard to ensure Sailors, Marines and their families are supported 100%, while also balancing our commitment to the American people to be where it matters, when it matters."

In its 20th year, CARAT is a bilateral exercise series between the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and the armed forces of nine partner nations in South and Southeast Asia, including Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Timor-Leste. The CARAT 2014 exercise series commenced in May and will continue through November.

GW Hosts Japanese Guests for Distinguished Visitor Embark

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Beverly J. Lesonik, 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 distinguished visitors from Japan and the Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, July 31.

Among the visitors were Yoshihiko Fukuda, mayor of Iwakuni City; Takumi Shiiki, mayor of Suo-Oshima Town; and Masaaki Yonemoto, mayor of Waki town.

"This visit is a great opportunity for our Japanese allies to understand why we are stationed in Atsugi and Yokosuka, Japan," said Capt. William Koyama, commander, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5. "I hope that the mayors, as senior leaders, can explain the importance of the mission that is accomplished by the ship and its air wing in this region."

Visitors witnessed flight operations from the Flag Bridge and toured the ship's navigation bridge, air operations center, combat direction center and the flight deck for a first-hand experience of aircraft launches and recoveries.

"I hope they had an enjoyable time on-board the ship," said Capt. Greg Fenton, George Washington's commanding officer. "It is a great opportunity for myself and the crew to host distinguished visitors. It is important that we maintain contact with the influential government leaders from lead cities around our bases."

Government leaders and the other distinguished visitors were encouraged to ask as many questions as they wanted to help them understand George Washington and CVW 5's mission.

"We really encourage their questions because we want to explain the complexities of carrier operations," said Marine Col. Robert Boucher, commanding officer, MCAS Iwakuni.

According to Boucher, a tour for leaders of this caliber emphasizes how strong the relationship is between the U.S. and Japan, and how it solidifies their friendship.

"It was such a precious and exciting experience to be aboard George Washington," said Fukuda. "I sincerely appreciate everyone and want to thank the admiral and the crew for hosting us."

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.

GWCSG Arrives in Sasebo for Goodwill Port Visit

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

SASEBO, Japan (NNS) -- The George Washington Carrier Strike Group (GWCSG) arrived in Sasebo, Japan, for a scheduled port visit, August 1.

More than 5,500 GWCSG Sailors will have the opportunity to volunteer their time and efforts to help make a difference in various Japanese communities by participating in community relations (COMREL) projects and attending a broad spectrum of tours, hiking trips, sporting events and shopping excursions offered by Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR).

"Our visit to Sasebo offers great recreational and goodwill-generating activities," said Capt. Greg Fenton, commanding officer of the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). "This port visit gives us an opportunity to show our partners in Japan that they have no better friend than the United States Navy."

While in Sasebo, approximately 65 crew members from GWCSG will take part in three COMREL projects organized by George Washington's Command Religious Ministry Division, including volunteer opportunities at two homes for the elderly and a visit to Tenshin-ryo Children's Home.

"COMREL's offer an opportunity for Sailors to gain experience and exposure to various cultures and customs of our host nations," said Religious Programs Specialist 3rd Class Kassandra Castaneda, from San Antonio. "Everyone who participates has the chance to leave a lasting impression upon those whom may have little firsthand experience understanding the United States and its people."

MWR also organized four friendship-building sporting events with Japanese nationals as well as multiple tours for Sailors to enjoy, including a trip to Kashima Shrine, which is largely considered one of the three great shrines in Japan; a Sasebo city tour to give Sailors a small sampling of what the Sasebo area has to offer; and a day trip to the historical city of Nagasaki, nicknamed the "city of peace.'"

"It's rare that we get an opportunity to visit a city with such historical significance as Nagasaki," said Momoyo Harris, George Washington's MWR director. "About 150 Sailors signed up for the tour and I'm certain it will be one to remember."

Many GWCSG Sailors are looking forward to going ashore to enjoy some much-needed time off and travel opportunities.

"I'm excited to be able to visit Sasebo and get a break from the routine of life underway," said Logistics Specialist Seaman Vincent Snyder, from Fayetteville, N.C. "I'm looking forward to spending time with my friends, talking with my family back in the U.S., and checking out the Mitsui Green Land Amusement Park to ride the roller coasters."

The GWCSG includes the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers USS Antietam (CG 54) and USS Shiloh (CG 67), and the Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyers USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) and USS Stetham (DDG 63).

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