LOCKPORT, La.
— Bollinger Shipyards has delivered the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) Angela
McShan, the 35th fast-response cutter (FRC) to the U.S. Coast Guard, the
company said in an Aug 2 release. The Coast Guard took delivery on Aug. 1 in
Key West, Florida.

“We are very
pleased to announce the latest FRC delivery, the USCGC Angela McShan,” said Ben
Bordelon, Bollinger president and CEO. “Previous cutters have been stationed
around the nation including Alaska and Hawaii. The Angela McShan, the third of
three fast-response cutters to be home-ported in Cape May, New Jersey, will
join the cutters Rollin Fitch and Lawrence Lawson. The vessel’s commissioning
is scheduled for October 2019 in Cape May.

“FRCs already
in commission have protected our country by seizing multiple tons of narcotics,
interdicted thousands of illegal aliens and saved hundreds of lives,” Bordelon
said. “The FRC program is a model program for government acquisition and has
surpassed all historical quality benchmarks for vessels of this type and
complexity. The results are the delivery of truly extraordinary Coast Guard
cutters that will serve our nation for decades to come. We are extremely proud
that the delivery of the FRC-35 marks the 175th patrol boat built by Bollinger
Shipyards. This includes the USCG Island class, USCG Marine Protector class,
USN Cyclone class and USCG Sentinel Class fast-response cutters.”

The 154-foot
Sentinel-class fast-response cutter has a flank speed of 28 knots; state-of-the-art
command, control, communications and computer technology; and a stern launch
system for the vessel’s 26-foot cutter boat. The FRC has been described as an
operational “game-changer” by senior Coast Guard officials. Recently, the Coast
Guard deployed the FRC 1124 Oliver Berry from Hawaii across the Pacific to the
Republic of the Marshall Islands. The 4,400 nautical mile trip marked the
furthest deployment of an FRC to date. This trip showcases the hugely expanded
operational reach and capability that the FRC provides.

Each FRC is named for an enlisted Coast Guard hero who distinguished him or herself in the line of duty. This vessel is named after Coast Guard hero Master Chief Petty Officer Angela McShan. MCPO McShan was a pioneer for women and African Americans. She was the first African American woman to be promoted to Master Chief Petty Officer. She served over two decades with great devotion and is remembered as an exemplary leader and professional. She inspired the many she trained, and has been described as a positive, kind and motivational person. MCPO McShan was a stellar performer, mentor teacher and inspirational leader. The Master Chief Angela M. McShan Inspirational Leadership Award was established in her memory.

The U.S. military training engagements with less-developed
militaries, such as the ongoing African Partnership Station mission in the Gulf
of Guinea, are also a learning experience for the American personnel because it
can expose them to the level of military technology they could encounter in
counter-insurgency missions, a senior Navy officer said.

“We are blessed with the resources we have. But we do
understand that a lot of these nations … are still developing those
capabilities,” Capt. Frank Okata, commander Task Force 63 in the U.S. Navy
Europe-Africa Command, said Aug. 7. “We do feel it is important that we
demonstrate and train at their level.”

“It also helps us, too. It helps our [civilian] mariners,
our Sailors, Coast Guardsmen, and Marines with greater mental agility and
flexibility when we deploy to an unanticipated place, because we’ve been
exposed, over the length of our careers, been exposed to the very high-end
machinery of warfare to the very low end,” Okata said in a telephone briefing
from Naples.

“As we see in the continuing instability in the world that gravitates
to the lower end of warfare, …

it is important that we also know how to operate at the
level of our partners,” he said.

Okata was briefing a few reporters in the Pentagon on the
current partnership engagement mission of the USNS Carson City to half a dozen
nations along the Gulf of Guinea. The expeditionary fast transport ship with a
civilian master and crew was reinforced by a military detachment of U.S. Sailors,
a Coast Guard law enforcement team, medical and religious personnel, plus
Portuguese, Spanish and Italian sailors.

“This kind of engagement is instrumental in improving
maritime security along the African coast line, territorial seas and exclusive
economic zones, so that our African partners can be successful and prosperous,
securing their waterways and maintaining surveillance,” Okata said.

Cmdr. Tyrone Bruce, commander of the military detachment on
Carson City, said the Sailors have repaired small boats, conducted routine
maintenance and “worked side by side with our partners, sharing best practices,
tactics, techniques and procedures.” And, Bruce said, “we’ve learned
ourselves.” They also had a medical detachment that provided a variety of medical
care and training, several chaplains who interacted with local religious
leaders and an eight-piece band that performed at every stop.

Asked if the partnership mission was an effort to counter the extensive activities in Africa by China, Okata said, “We are keenly aware that the People’s Republic of China is also trying to make in-roads in West Africa,” including “some significant investments in infrastructure construction that could be used for different purposes than what we are trying to do. With Carson City, we are trying to share skill sets, to help these countries so they can surveil their economic zones.”

“We’re not there to build infrastructure, not there to build an enduring presence,” he added.

FORT
BLISS, Texas — Lockheed Martin, the Army Integrated Air and Missile Defense
(AIAMD) Project Office and the U.S. Air Force successfully integrated F-35
track data with the IAMD Battle Command System (IBCS) during Orange Flag
Evaluation (OFE) 19-2 here and at Palmdale, California.

This was
the first-time live F-35 track data has been sent to IBCS via the F-35 ground
station and F-35-IBCS adaptation kit, both developed by Lockheed Martin. This
allowed IBCS to receive and develop fire control quality composite tracks during
the exercise, leveraging the F-35 as an elevated sensor. This capability
enables multidomain operations and the detection of threats that could
challenge ground-based sensors. 

“This
demonstration represents a significant growth in capability for the Army IAMD
program and Army for multidomain operations. The capability creates additional
battlespace awareness, and the ability to track incoming targets and take
action, if necessary,” said Scott Arnold, vice president and deputy of
Integrated Air and Missile Defense at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire
Control.

“The F-35, with its advanced sensors and connectivity, is able to gather and seamlessly share critical information, enabling greater joint force protection and a higher level of lethality of Army IAMD forces.”

This capability further demonstrates the Army IAMD program’s ability to gather sensor data from multiple platforms and is another building block for the future Army IAMD force.

In 2016, the F-35 and Aegis Combat System successfully demonstrated the integration of the F-35 in support Naval Integrated Fire Control-Counter Air (NIFC-CA). The F-35 ground station has been relocated to White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, to support follow on F-35 integration testing during AIAMD developmental testing.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Raytheon Co. delivered the first Next-Generation Jammer Mid-Band (NGJ-MB) Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) pod to the U.S. Navy to begin ground and aircraft integration testing, the company said in an Aug. 5 release. Raytheon will deliver 15 EMD pods for mission systems testing and qualification as well as 14 aeromechanical pods for airworthiness certification.

Because of
the NGJ-MB’s increased jamming capabilities, the EA-18G Growler electronic
attack aircraft can operate in more optimum locations to support both strike
aircraft and weapons.

NGJ-MB is
a high-capacity and power airborne electronic attack weapon system for the
EA-18G. It will protect air forces by denying, degrading and disrupting threat
radars and communication devices.

“The
first NGJ-MB pod is out the door,” said Stefan Baur, vice president of
Raytheon Electronic Warfare Systems. “We are one step closer to extending
the Navy’s jamming range and capability. Delivery of this pod will allow for
the initial verification of ground procedures, mass properties, aircraft
installation and built-in-test checks in preparation for future chamber and
flight test.”

Additionally,
in the third quarter of 2019, Raytheon will utilize a Prime Power Generation
Capability pod installed on a commercial Gulfstream aircraft to conduct power
generation flight testing and risk reduction efforts in support of the initial
flight clearance process.

Raytheon’s NGJ-MB
architecture and design include the ability to operate at a significantly
enhanced range, attack multiple targets simultaneously and advanced jamming
techniques. The technology can also be scaled to other missions and platforms.

OSLO — Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS has signed a contract with Marvin Engineering worth 113 kroner to supply air-to-air pylons for the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter program. The agreement covers production lot 12 for air-to-air pylons for all variants of the fighter.

“This contract reflects the position Kongsberg has achieved by delivering high-quality components time after time to our customers on the F-35 Program. The contract also extends our relationship with Marvin Engineering and ensures continued production of these parts throughout 2020,” said Eirik Lie, president of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace.

SAN JUAN,
Puerto Rico — The U.S. Coast Guard and Customs and Border Protection Air and
Marine Operations Branch (CBP AMIO) interdicted about 220 pounds of cocaine 41
miles southwest of Cabo Rojo, according to the Coast Guard 7th District.

A CBP AMIO
aircraft crew located a 20-foot go-fast vessel with three people and suspicious
duffle bags aboard. Coast Guard Sector San Juan watchstanders diverted the
Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Tezanos (WPC-1118) crew to the scene to interdict.
While en route to the vessel, the Tezanos crew spotted the go-fast crew
throwing nine duffle bags overboard.

The Tezanos
crew recovered six of the bags, embarked the three suspected smugglers,
destroyed the go-fast vessel as a danger to navigation and transferred the
smugglers and interdicted cocaine to Coast Guard Investigative Services agents
in Puerto Rico.

“This case highlighted
the strong partnership between Customs and Border Protection and the Coast
Guard,” said Capt. Gregory Magee, Sector San Juan deputy commander.
“This interdiction would not have been possible without our established
relationship and great work by their aircrews.”

MIAMI — The U.S.
Coast Guard and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) interdicted seven
migrants, a suspected smuggler and 67 packages of marijuana on Aug. 1 about 7
miles east of Government Cut, according to the Coast Guard 7th District.

The CBP
intercepted an improperly lit 27-foot cabin cruiser about 7 miles east of
Government Cut and discovered five Jamaican adult male migrants, one Bahamian
male migrant, one Italian male migrant and one suspected Bahamian smuggler,
plus they seized 67 packages full of marijuana.

The Coast
Guard Cutter Robert Yered (WPC-1104) crew arrived on scene, embarked the
migrants and transferred them ashore to CBP.

“We commend
our CBP partners who prevented this illegal voyage from making landfall as well
as their close collaboration with the Robert Yered crew in safely removing all
the migrants from a dangerous situation,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Emily
Wilhite, watchstander at Coast Guard Sector Miami.

Whether
migrants attempt to illegally enter the United States via dangerously
overloaded, unseaworthy or otherwise unsafe vessels or through human smuggling
ventures, taking to the sea illegally is a hazardous risk to one’s life. The
Coast Guard will continue to work with our service’s partner law enforcement
agencies to ensure U.S. immigration laws are upheld, while also maintaining its
humanitarian responsibility to prevent the loss of life at sea.

Once aboard a Coast Guard
cutter, all migrants receive food, water, shelter and basic medical attention.

SAN DIEGO —
Agencies from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, including the Coast
Guard, detected and interdicted a suspected smuggling vessel carrying about
1,400 pounds of marijuana 40 miles southwest of San Diego on July 25, the Coast
Guard 11th District said in a release.

Customs and
Border Protection Air and Marine Operations (CBP AMO) crews notified
watchstanders at San Diego’s Joint Harbor Operations Center (JHOC) of suspected
smuggling activity aboard a 35-foot boat at about 7 p.m. The watchstanders
diverted the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Dorado (WPB 87306) that was
conducting a routine counter-smuggling patrol in the area.

Dorado
arrived on scene at about 10:30 p.m. after being vectored in by CBP AMO crews.
The Dorado crew launched their interceptor boat with a boarding team that
discovered the marijuana aboard the suspicious vessel. Two suspected smugglers
were detained.

Dorado’s crew
transported the marijuana and suspected smugglers to San Diego, where CBP’s AMO
crew seized the suspected smuggling vessel and Homeland Security Investigation’s
Marine Task Force took custody of the suspected smugglers and contraband.

“The
crew of Dorado had a very successful mission while patrolling the waters off
the coast of San Diego, and we at the district headquarters could not be
prouder of them,” said Capt. Arthur Snyder, Coast Guard 11th District’s
chief of response.

The Regional
Coordinating Mechanism (ReCoM) is another example of the evolution of joint
operations among interagency partners. Located in San Diego, Los Angeles and
San Francisco, the ReCoM partnerships include the U.S. Coast Guard, CBP’s
Office of Air and Marine, Office of Field Operations, U.S. Border Patrol and
ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations in cooperation with state and local law
enforcement partners operating along the California coast.

Dorado is an
87-foot patrol boat homeported in Crescent City. 

KEY WEST,
Fla. — The U.S. Navy commissioned USS Billings (LCS 15), the eighth
Freedom-variant littoral combat ship, here Aug. 3. This milestone places the
ship, built by the Lockheed Martin-led team, into active service.

“Billings
was designed to operate and adapt to a rapidly changing environment,” Joe
DePietro, vice president of small combatants and ship systems at Lockheed
Martin, said in a company release. “She is equipped and ready for today’s
threats and easily modifiable to meet the threats we may not even be aware of
yet. Our team is confident Billings will be what the Navy needs when the fleet
needs it.”

The LCS is
designed to complete close-to-shore missions. The ship is capable of speeds in
excess of 40 knots. It is also standard-equipped with Rolling Airframe Missiles
(RAM) and a Mark 110 gun, capable of firing 220 rounds per minute, and 40
percent of the hull of an LCS is reconfigurable, integrating capabilities like Longbow
Hellfire Missiles, 30 mm guns and manned and unmanned vehicles.

“Having
now commanded two freedom-class LCS variants, I would like to report that these
ships are truly impressive and will fit well in the niche they have been
designed for,” said LCS 15’s commanding officer, Cmdr. Nathan Rowan. “They are
fast, maneuverable, and their weapon systems are some of the most accurate I’ve
witnessed on any platform of which I’ve previously served.”

There are
seven ships in various stages of production and test at Fincantieri Marinette
Marine in Wisconsin, where the Freedom-variant LCS is built. The next
Freedom-variant in the class is LCS 17, the future USS Indianapolis, which was
delivered in late July.

“On behalf of the proud
2,000 men and women who transform flat steel into a fast, agile surface
combatant,” said Jan Allman, chief executive officer of Fincantieri Marinette
Marine, “we are honored to support the U.S. Navy, and we congratulate the
outstanding crew of the USS Billings.”

PAGO PAGO,
American Samoa — The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Gerczak (WPC 1126) arrived
in the Port of Pago Pago on Aug. 3, completing a nine-day transit from Hawaii
that demonstrated the long-range capabilities of the fast-response cutter.

The crew
is participating in Operation Aiga to conduct fisheries law enforcement and
strengthen partnerships in American Samoa and Samoa throughout August.

“It was a good transit, the longest we’ve conducted yet, nine days at sea, and we’re proving the capabilities of these new cutters to operate over the horizon throughout the remote Pacific,” said Lt. James Provost, commanding officer of Joseph Gerczak. “This is the first time a fast-response cutter has come to Pago Pago. We’re looking forward to hosting our partners and the public during tours [Aug. 5] from 1 to 3 p.m. here at the port.”

The Coast
Guard is positioned to enforce U.S. federal laws and regulations in the
territorial waters of American Samoa. Worldwide, tuna is a $7 billion-dollar
annual industry, and roughly 70 percent of that tuna comes from the western and
central Pacific Ocean. These pelagic fish migrate and it is essential the U.S.
and its partners protect the resource from illegal, unregulated and unreported
fishing. Estimates place the value of IUU fishing around $616 million annually.

“After
this port call, we will be working with NOAA fisheries and the American Samoa
Marine Police to enforce fisheries regulations in the region while on patrol.
Oceania countries adhering to the rule of law deserve and even playing field.
Presence, partnerships, and regular enforcement can deter IUU fishing and
safeguard these critical fish stocks,” Provost said.

The Coast
Guard Cutter Walnut (WLB 205) crew will also be conducting a fisheries mission
with shipriders from Samoa aboard to enforce sovereign laws in their EEZ and
deter IUU fishing. This effort is being undertaken in coordination with
Australia and New Zealand as Samoa transitions their organic patrol assets,
upgrading their fleet. Both cutter crews will also respond to any emergent
search-and-rescue needs in the area and seek out opportunities to work with
partner nation assets.

The Coast
Guard exercises 11 bilateral shiprider agreements with Pacific Island Forum
nations to help ensure regional security and maritime sovereignty.

“The U.S.
is committed to supporting our allies and neighbors in the Pacific, which is
essential to a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

The Joseph
Gerczak is a 154-foot Sentinel-Class fast-response cutter homeported in
Honolulu. It is one of the newest patrol boats in the fleet. Three fast-response
cutters will be homeported in Honolulu, the third arriving in August. Three
will also be stationed in Guam and are to begin arriving there next year.