MSC, ROK Host Busan Officials on USNS Red Cloud

By Grady T. Fontana. MSC Far East

BUSAN, Republic of Korea (NNS) -- Senior government officials from the Republic of Korea (ROK) visited one of Military Sealift Command's (MSC) largest Maritime Prepositioning Force ships, Large, Medium-Speed, Roll-on/Roll-off Ship (LMSR) USNS Red Cloud, Aug. 19-20.

Busan Mayor Byung-soo Suh received a guided tour of the vessel, which can carry an entire U.S. Army task force, including 58 tanks, 48 other tracked vehicles, plus more than 900 trucks and other wheeled vehicles.

The event was hosted by the Military Sealift Command Office (MSCO) Korea, members of the ROK armed forces, and the crew of Red Cloud, which operationally are part of Maritime Prepositioning Ships Squadron Three (MPSRON 3).

"Our partnership with the ROK military is of vital importance to maintaining regional stability. Proximity of our strategic assets plays a large role in our ability to respond quickly," said U.S. Navy Capt. Robert A. Rochford, commodore of MPSRON 3. "The value of our partnership with the city and port of Busan, by allowing us to utilize pier space, is the key to our mission. Extending invitations to the local leadership is a small way to show our appreciation."

Brig. Gen. Kook Yoon, commanding general, ROK Transportation Command, and U.S. Navy Cmdr. Eric J. St. Peter, commanding officer, MSCO Korea, received the mayor and provided the tour along with civilian mariner Capt. Donald D. Agold, master of the Red Cloud.

Red Cloud is one of MSC's 19 LMSRs and is part of 36 ships in the U.S. military's prepositioning program. The ship is 950 feet in length, displaces more than 62,640 tons, and is operated by a crew of 30 merchant mariners under contract to MSC.

According to Agold, Red Cloud plays a crucial role in supporting efforts in the Pacific.

"The Red Cloud can carry vehicles and equipment to support humanitarian missions, as well as combat missions," he said.

Suh expressed, through his interpreter, that the tour was a very meaningful event to combine the ROK military, government officials, and U.S. personnel to foster better cooperation between the agencies. He added that during times of emergencies and contingencies, it is important the various agencies are communicating, which hasn't always happen in the past.

Ye-Jong Woo, chief executive officer (CEO) of the Busan Port Authority, toured the Red Cloud on a separate occasion. He stated the purpose of the tour of the Red Cloud was to develop a meaningful dialogue between regional government officials, and ROK and U.S. forces.

"I think it's important to incorporate Busan Port Authority with communications so we are better prepared during emergencies," he said through an interpreter. Woo overseas all port operation for the Busan region.

The ship visits were the initiative of Yoon, who thought local and regional government officials should be included in the dialogues between U.S. and ROK forces when it involves enhancing readiness and disaster response. It's all part of developing the alliance between the two nations, according to Yoon.

"When serving in a foreign country, it's always important to be mindful of local government agencies," said St. Peter. "Anytime we can bring in the mayor of Busan and the CEO of the Busan Port Authority, and show them the teamwork and cooperation that we have fostered with the ROK military, it assures them that we have a strong alliance. It motivates them to be part of our team."

MPSRON 3, operating in the Western Pacific, maintains tactical control of the 12 ships carrying afloat prepositioned U.S. military cargo for the U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Army, and U.S. Air Force. The squadron's mission is to enable force from the sea by providing swift and effective transportation of vital equipment and supplies for designated operations.

MSC operates approximately 115 non-combatant, civilian-crewed ships that replenish U.S. Navy ships, conduct specialized missions, strategically preposition combat cargo at-sea around the world and move military cargo and supplies used by deployed U.S. forces and coalition partners.

CARAT Malaysia 2015 Comes to a Close in Sandakan

By Lt. Kevin Chambers, Destroyer Squadron 7 Public Affairs

SANDAKAN, Malaysia (NNS) -- The 21st annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise between the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and Malaysian armed forces drew to a close during a ceremony held in Sandakan, Aug 21.

During CARAT Malaysia 2015, U.S and Malaysian forces conducted a series of shore-based and at sea training events designed to address shared maritime security concerns, develop relationships and enhance interoperability.

Some of those shore-based events included marksmanship and jungle training between U.S. Marines and soldiers from the Malaysian army, small boat riverine operations, and building a gazebo at a local school thanks to the joint efforts of Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5 and the Malaysia Royal Engineer Regiment.

At sea, the amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42) and the littoral combat ship USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) spent three days conducting combined maneuvers, live gun shoots, visit, board, search and seizure evolutions, small craft attack drills and other events with the Royal Malaysian Navy vessels KD Jebat and KD Kedah.

While USS Freedom (LCS 1) participated in CARAT Malaysia 2013, this year was the first opportunity for Fort Worth to participate. Fort Worth's presence added to the complexity of CARAT 2015 and afforded the opportunity for the Royal Malaysian Navy's Super Lynx helicopter to complete four deck landings, marking the first time a Malaysian helicopter has landed on Fort Worth.

"The complex and realistic training events conducted during CARAT 2015 will go a long way toward further increasing interoperability," said Capt. H.B. Le, commodore Destroyer Squadron 7. "That continued development is critical and will prove to be very beneficial when working together during any future regional contingencies."

After more than two decades of annual CARAT training engagements between the U.S. and Malaysian Armed Forces, the exercise remains a model for cooperation that has evolved in complexity and enables both nations to refine maritime operations and tactics.

The capstone exercise of CARAT Malaysia combined sea and shore-based forces in a pair of simulated amphibious landings on Tanduo Beach over a two-day period. U.S. units involved more than 300 Marines from the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade (III MEB), nine amphibious assault vehicles and three aircraft, the Germantown and Fort Worth.

During his closing remarks, Capt. Le noted how the strong bond between U.S. and Malaysian forces extends beyond CARAT exercises.

"CARAT 2015 was a great stepping stone in our relationship with the Malaysian Armed Forces," he said. "We look forward to participating with their armed forces again during the Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT) exercise, the premier multilateral exercise in Southeast Asia focusing on regional cooperation to address shared maritime security challenges."

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.

USS Albuquerque Returns from Final Deployment

By Commander, Submarine Squadron 11 Public Affairs

NAVAL BASE POINT LOMA, Calif. (NNS) -- The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Albuquerque (SSN 706) returned to its homeport Aug. 21 following its final regularly-scheduled deployment.

Albuquerque, under the command of Cmdr. Trent Hesslink, returned from the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility where the crew executed the Chief of Naval Operations' Maritime Strategy in supporting national security interests and maritime security operations.

"This crew did an absolutely amazing job," said Hesslink. "We trained well, left at the top of our game, and to close out Albuquerque's service life with such a successful deployment, I couldn't ask for more."

Albuquerque left its homeport of San Diego on Feb. 6 and steamed more than 50,000 nautical miles during the deployment. Port visits were conducted in Stirling, Australia; Duqm, Oman; and Diego Garcia.

For one Albuquerque Sailor, this final deployment was bittersweet.

"I've been aboard for four years and to know this is it, it's tough to imagine this boat no longer being at sea," said Electronics Technician Petty Officer 1st Class Derek Warren. "I have a lot of memories on this boat, and I will certainly miss it."

In its more than 32-year career, Albuquerque deployed more than 15 times, steamed more than 500,000 miles, and visited nearly 20 countries. Albuquerque was also one of the first nuclear submarines to experience combat, gaining the moniker of "Sure Shooter of the Submarine Force."

Albuquerque is scheduled to transit to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, in Bremerton, Washington, later this year for its inactivation and decommissioning.

Albuquerque was commissioned May 21, 1983. Measuring more than 360 feet long and displacing more than 6,900 tons, Albuquerque has a crew of approximately 140 Sailors. Albuquerque is capable of supporting various missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike warfare, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.