Release From SECNAV Public Affairs, Oct. 3, 2025 

Today, Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan announced a wide-ranging cross departmental portfolio for the Under Secretary of the Navy (UNSECNAV) that unifies the Department’s most consequential levers for rebuilding warrior ethos and quality of service.

Secretary Phelan also congratulated Under Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao on his swearing-in by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and warmly welcomed him back to the Department of the Navy. 

“It is my pleasure to welcome Hung Cao to my Navy team; I look forward to having this experienced patriot lead on the highest priorities of the Secretary of War.” Secretary Phelan added, “I want to recognize with sincere gratitude, Dr. Brett Seidle, who over the past year has served as Acting Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition and has performed the duties of the Under Secretary of the Navy. His steady leadership in these roles has been vital to our Navy and our nation. Dr. Seidle has informed me of his intention to retire after twenty-five years of federal service following a smooth transition to Under Secretary Cao. The Department thanks him for his distinguished service and extends its best wishes for his future endeavors.” 

As Secretary of War Hegseth told Flag and General Officers at Marine Corps Base Quantico earlier this week: “…at the War Department first and foremost we must restore a ruthless, dispassionate and common sense application of standards…Standards must be uniform, gender neutral and high. If not, they’re not standards. They’re just suggestions, suggestions that get our sons and daughters killed.” 

“That is why I am putting my Under Secretary on the field to tackle the issues that affect the daily lives of Sailors and Marines,” said Secretary Phelan. “From his years in uniform and his record of leadership, he will cut through bureaucracy, drive real solutions and keep our people first.” 

“Readiness starts at home and shows up on target,” Secretary Phelan said. “The Under Secretary’s new remit puts one quarterback and one playbook on the field to execute my gameplan for upgrading how we recruit, train, equip and take care of our people, so the Fleet stays the world’s premier, most lethal maritime force.” 

“This is about speed, standards and service,” Phelan added. “When Sailors and Marines know their families are supported, housing is right, chow is quality and systems work the first time, morale rises, performance sharpens and the force delivers.” 

Under the Secretary’s direction and consistent with governing statutes and the Department of the Navy priorities, the UNSECNAV will lead and synchronize the following lines of effort across the Department of the Navy: 

Quality of Service: The UNSECNAV will drive rapid inspections and upgrades of family housing, recreational, healthcare and educational facilities on Navy and Marine Corps installations; tighten oversight of public-private ventures and modernize nutrition both ashore and afloat to align fueling the force with warfighter readiness. 

Digital and Business Systems: As Chief Management Officer, the UNSECNAV will partner with the Department of the Navy Chief Information Officer to modernize unclassified Information Technology systems and critical Defense Business Systems. Cut downtime. Simplify processes. Get Sailors, Marines, civilians and families the tools they need fast. 

Audit: The UNSECNAV will supervise the Auditor General and accelerate the Navy and Marine Corps to clean audit opinions, strengthening trust, transparency, speed of resourcing and accountability across the enterprise. 

Recruiting: The UNSECNAV will visit, assess and raise Navy and Marine Corps recruiting standards, management and organization to meet and exceed end-strength. He will capitalize on the surge of Americans motivated to serve by President Trump’s call to revitalize strength and pride in our armed forces. In line with Secretary Hegseth’s charge, standards will be high, uniform and non-negotiable. They will not be suggestions. They will be the foundation of combat power. 

Reserve Reform: The UNSECNAV coordinating with Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Chief of Naval Reserve and Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, will implement my plan for reserve reform that is already underway and produce actionable changes that integrate Reserve components as ready, lethal teammates with the active force maximizing the skills of Sailors and Marines and ensuring that reform translates into real capability. 

Wellness & Suicide Prevention: The UNSECNAV will spearhead efforts across the Department to reduce mental health incidents and strengthen the performance of our force, serving as the primary representative to interagency and Department of War bodies on prevention, response and personnel readiness. 

PCS, Families and Education Options: The UNSECNAV will represent the Department on the Permanent Change of Station Joint Task Force to streamline PCS orders, review on-base education and support homeschooling options so families can choose what works best for them. 

Personnel Policy: The UNSECNAV will coordinate implementation of policies for service members impacted by the rescinded COVID-19 vaccine mandate and update 

physical fitness standards, with a particular focus on combat units, so standards are clear, fair and combat-credible. 

Guam as a Power-Projection Platform: As the Senior Defense Official for Guam, the UNSECNAV will review and assess island infrastructure and clear barriers, including energy and material challenges, so Guam delivers as a frontline power-projection platform for Indo-Pacific operations. 

Standards and Warfighter Ethos: The UNSECNAV will implement Departmental direction on the elimination of divisive concepts and eradication of DEI initiatives within the Department of the Navy to keep time, talent and dollars on warfighting outcomes. 

The UNSECNAV portfolio ties quality of service to combat power by design so we turn everyday friction points into force multipliers that show up on time and on target. We will fix faster, cut red tape and deliver better outcomes for families and commands. Minutes saved are minutes gained in the fight.” 

“Our mission to defend the American homeland and put America first, starts in the homes of Sailors and Marines who stand the watch every day,” he continued. “When the basics work the first time, ships sail more, aircraft fly further, crews rearm and recover faster, lethality rises, risk falls and American sea power wins.” 

“One Team, One Mission, One Vision is the way we operate, the way we win, the way we lead,” Secretary Phelan said. “With this move I am giving my Under Secretary the responsibility and the tools to fix what slows us down and to fuel what makes us unbeatable.” 

SAN DIEGO — Seeking to inspire service and personal excellence among all visitors, the Navy SEAL Museum San Diego is opening its doors, unlocking exclusive access and insight into the world and ethos of U.S. Navy SEALs and their predecessors.

Positioned near San Diego’s waterfront at 1001 Kettner Blvd., the museum’s collection of interactive exhibits, state-of-the-art galleries, and firsthand docent accounts brings the story of Naval Special Warfare to life.

“The Navy SEAL Museum San Diego is a world-class tribute to the courage, perseverance, and dedication of these unparalleled special operators,” said Brian Drechsler, executive director of the Navy SEAL Museum San Diego, a retired U.S. Navy Captain and former Navy SEAL. “It is our honor to share this legacy, and inspire future generations to lead with integrity, serve with purpose and rise to life’s challenges.”

Building on the legacy of the existing location that opened in Fort Pierce, Florida in 1985, the Navy SEAL Museum selected San Diego for its expansion west. Central to SEAL training and home to Naval Special Warfare Command, San Diego is a heritage city for SEALs as an indelible part of their storied history. The opening of the Navy SEAL Museum’s showcase location downtown will serve as a launchpad for a larger San Diego venue in the future, for which the search is actively underway.

With an innovative blend of technology, personal narrative and historical context, the museum provides exclusive insights into the evolution, missions and mindset of the Navy SEALs. Visitors can experience an up-close look at Operation Neptune Spear, the Navy SEAL mission to neutralize Osama bin Laden, through a 3D animation narrated by retired U.S. Navy Four-Star Admiral William McRaven that walks viewers through the operation’s major steps from planning to execution.

Other exhibits include a SEAL delivery vehicle suspended above a hands-on gameplay opportunity to operate the covert submersible; a 270-degree immersive theater bringing guests into the life and service of Navy SEALs through documentary style personal accounts; artifacts and rich storytelling that bring the 80-year evolution and adaptations of Naval Special Warfare to life; and a Memorial Wall, where the fallen are never forgotten and their stories continue to inspire.

Visitors can also immerse themselves in the Navy SEAL Xperience, a virtual reality mission, which uses advanced VR technology to take visitors on a pulse-pounding, first-person journey into a high-stakes hostage rescue mission.

Beyond the exhibits and attractions, the docents, mostly comprised of retired and veteran SEALs and Special Warfare Combat Crewman, make each visit a deeply personal and intimate experience. By revealing untold stories and lived values of the Navy SEALs through the voices of those who have lived the legacy — docents shine a light on the resilience, sacrifice and spirit that define the Naval Special Warfare operators.

Following in the footsteps of the flagship museum in Fort Pierce, the San Diego location will extend the museum’s inspirational mission far beyond its physical space through strategic community partnerships and proven programs that will instill hope, resilience and service-minded leadership by leveraging the Navy SEALs Ethos.

Visitors can experience these real stories, missions and heroes beginning Oct. 4, 2025. Advanced bookings are encouraged, as the museum operates on a time-entry basis. Advance ticket prices are $20 for adults, with free admission for reserve and active-duty military (with ID). Visit NavySEALMuseumSD.org for details.

From HII 

NEWPORT NEWS, Va., Oct. 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HII (NYSE: HII) announced today that Roger Kelly has been promoted to vice president of contracts and pricing at its Newport News Shipbuilding division. Kelly succeeds Matt Mulherin Jr., who has been appointed vice president of supply chain and strategic sourcing at NNS. 

Kelly will have overall responsibility for contracts, pricing, and export/import licensing and compliance for NNS. He will report to Don Godwin, NNS vice president of business management and chief financial officer. 

“I am confident Roger has the leadership, business and technical expertise required to lead impactful contract negotiations on behalf of our team,” Godwin said. “I know he will continue to build upon Matt’s strong leadership of the contracts organization.” 

Starting his career with the company in 1999 as a nuclear engineer, Kelly supported the Virginia-class submarine program. Since then, he has held positions of increasing responsibility across business management, most recently serving as director of contracts and pricing, overseeing all new construction contracts at the shipyard. 

Kelly holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and an MBA, both from Old Dominion University. 

From Lincoln Electric 

WASHINGTON & CLEVELAND, Sept. 30, 2025 — The U.S. Navy’s Maritime Industrial Base (MIB) Program, General Dynamics Electric Boat, and Lincoln Electric today announced an investment to accelerate the integration of additive manufacturing (AM), also known as 3D printing, into the construction of nuclear-powered submarines.  

America must deliver one Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine and two Virginia-class attack submarines each year by 2028, while sustaining the current fleet. Meeting this demand requires innovative methods to increase throughput, reduce bottlenecks, and strengthen supply chains. Additive manufacturing provides critical solutions to these challenges. 

Matt Sermon, executive director of the Maritime Industrial Base Program, noted, “The MIB Program is charged with strengthening and expanding the shipbuilding and repair capacity our nation needs for deterrence and warfighting. By investing in additive manufacturing at scale, we are helping ensure our industrial base has the tools, technologies, and resilience required to meet the Navy’s mission.”  

Through MIB Program funding, General Dynamics Electric Boat will source critical components from Lincoln Electric’s new large-scale metal additive manufacturing capability, anchored by four state-of-the-art SculptPrint™ machines. This represents Lincoln Electric’s largest government-funded AM capital investment to date, located at its advanced Additive Solutions facility in Cleveland. 

“Material availability continues to drive construction delays across the submarine enterprise,” said Ken Jeanos, vice president of supply chain, materials and logistics for General Dynamics Electric Boat. “3D-printed parts have the potential to accelerate construction and delivery of submarines to the U.S. Navy by cutting lead times for critical components.” 

“This Maritime Industrial Base investment is a pivotal step to further unlock AM capabilities, enabling the defense industry to address complex supply chain challenges with innovative, efficient solutions,” added Jeanos. “This partnership expands the use of AM and other innovative technologies that Electric Boat’s engineering and procurement teams have been working on for several years.” 

Steven B. Hedlund, chairman and CEO of Lincoln Electric, underscored the partnership’s impact: “This investment strengthens our partnership with Electric Boat and solidifies Lincoln Electric’s commitment to delivering transformative solutions for the defense industrial base.” 

From Headquarters, U.S. Coast Guard, Sept. 30, 2025 

WASHINGTON — The Coast Guard is moving forward with the acquisition of the new Waterways Commerce Cutter (WCC) class, designed to replace the legacy fleet of inland tenders and facilitate commerce vital to the nation’s economic security and strategic mobility. 

The service has ordered production of the first river buoy tender (WLR) and long lead time material (LLTM) for the second inland construction tender (WLIC), with construction to take place at Birdon America, Inc.’s shipyard in Bayou La Batre, Alabama. 

In addition, the Coast Guard has placed an order for three sets of LLTM to support future production. The total value of the production and LLTM orders is approximately $110 million. 

Funding includes $51 million provided by Public Law 119-21, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which covers production of the second WLIC and two sets of LLTM. The balance of the order is funded through regular appropriations. 

“Our nation’s marine transportation system facilitates over $5.4 trillion in economic activity every year and supports millions of jobs throughout the United States,” said Rear Adm. Mike Campbell, the Coast Guard’s Director of Systems Integration and Chief Acquisition Officer. “Putting new waterways commerce cutters on contract ensures we have the capabilities needed to support the safe and efficient flow of commerce in our inland waterways systems.” 

Inland construction tenders play a critical role in constructing, repairing, and maintaining fixed aids to navigation (ATON) along the Eastern Seaboard and Gulf Coast. These cutters are uniquely equipped to drive and remove piles, erect towers, and perform major structural modifications. Construction of the first WLIC, ordered in June 2025, is expected to be completed in 2027. 

River buoy tenders service short-range ATON on the Western Rivers, setting, relocating, and recovering buoys to mark navigable channels as water levels fluctuate. They also establish and maintain fixed aids, lights, and daybeacons. Construction of the first WLR is expected to be completed in 2027. Both WLICs and WLRs are being acquired under the same contract due to their substantial design similarities. 

The WCCs will replace the legacy inland tender fleet, which has an average vessel age of nearly 60 years, including ships still in service at 81 years old. The Coast Guard inland fleet maintains more than 28,200 marine aids across 12,000 miles of inland waterways, facilitating the movement of approximately 630 million tons of cargo annually. 

Modernizing this fleet will bolster the Coast Guard’s capacity to control, secure and defend U.S. ports and waterways, ensuring the safe and efficient flow of commerce vital to the nation’s economic and strategic interests. This modernization is aligned with Force Design 2028, a blueprint introduced by Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem to transform the Coast Guard into a more agile, capable and responsive fighting force.    

From U.S. Coast Guard Southeast District, Sept. 30, 2025 

MIAMI – Coast Guard Cutter Seneca’s crew offloaded more than 12,750 pounds of cocaine and marijuana with an approximate street value of $94.5 million in Port Everglades, Tuesday.    

Seneca was deployed in support of Operation Pacific Viper. Coast Guard crews worked alongside interagency partners to interdict illicit narcotics in the international waters in the Eastern Pacific Ocean.  

Through Operation Pacific Viper, the Coast Guard is accelerating counter-drug operations in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, where significant transport of illicit narcotics continues from Central and South America. In coordination with international and interagency partners, the Coast Guard is surging additional assets—cutters, aircraft and tactical teams—to interdict, seize and disrupt transshipments of cocaine and other bulk illicit drugs. Operation Pacific Viper continues the Coast Guard’s efforts to protect the Homeland, counter narco-terrorism, disrupt foreign terrorist organizations, transnational criminal organizations and cartels seeking to produce and traffic illicit drugs into the United States. Since launching this operation in early August, the Coast Guard interdicted over 80,000 pounds of cocaine.      

“I’m incredibly proud of the teamwork and adaptability displayed by my crew and our partners during this patrol to stop illicit drug flow from entering the United States,” said Capt. Lee Jones, commander, Coast Guard Cutter Seneca. “Our crews sacrifice time away from their families, and when necessary, put themselves in harm’s way to secure our borders and protect the American people.”  

The following assets and crews were involved in the interdictions:  

• Coast Guard Cutter Venturous   

• Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton   

• Coast Guard Cutter Midgett   

• Coast Guard Cutter Stone   

• Joint Interagency Task Force-South   

• Coast Guard Southwest District  

• Coast Guard Southeast District  

29 suspected smugglers were transferred to federal custody.  

Detecting and interdicting narco-terrorism on the high seas involves significant interagency and international coordination. Joint Interagency Task Force-South based in Key West conducts the detection and monitoring of aerial and maritime transit of illegal drugs. Once interdiction becomes imminent, the law enforcement phase of the operation begins, and control of the operation shifts to the U.S. Coast Guard throughout the interdiction and apprehension. Interdictions in the Eastern Pacific Ocean are performed by members of the U.S. Coast Guard under the authority and control of the Coast Guard’s Southwest District, headquartered in Alameda, California.    

The Coast Guard is the United States’ lead federal maritime law enforcement agency with authority to enforce national and international laws on the high seas and waters within U.S. jurisdiction. 80 percent of all U.S.-bound narcotics seizures occur at sea, underscoring the impact of Coast Guard maritime interdiction efforts.  

Coast Guard Cutter Seneca is a 270-foot Famous-class medium-endurance cutter with a crew of 100 homeported in Portsmouth, Virginia.  

Editor’s note: See related U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Seneca interdicts suspected drug smuggling vessel in the Pacific Ocean 

From Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, Sept. 30, 2025 

CHINA LAKE, Calif. — Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 31, the Dust Devils, concluded the AV-8B Harrier’s service with a sundown ceremony Sept. 23, when the squadron flew the jet for the final time and shut it down on the China Lake flight line.  

The final sortie, flown by Jim “Jimbo” Coppersmith, VX-31 technical director, brought veterans, Sailors, Marines, government civilians, industry partners and family members to the flight line to watch a traditional water salute and to say goodbye to a platform that served the fleet for more than four decades.  

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Timothy “Little Buddy” Burchett, VX-31 commanding officer, described the Harrier as one of the most challenging and rewarding aircraft to fly.  

“It’s the most fun airplane I’ve ever flown,” said Burchett. “There are no computers. It’s cables, pulleys and skill that keep that thing in the air.”   

He called the Harrier “a uniquely Marine Corps aircraft” and praised the China Lake test team for keeping the program safe and mission capable to the finish.   

“We did not coast into the finish line. It was a triumphant finish for the team partnership,” Burchett said.  

Coppersmith highlighted the squadron’s role in strengthening the aircraft’s combat effectiveness and safety record through decades of testing at China Lake.  

“It’s the most successful attack aircraft in Marine Corps history. No doubt about it,” he said. “We lost many great Marines along the way. Those treatments and those material fixes, the procedures we wrote, the engineering changes we made, saved lives and limbs.”  

Burchett pointed to VX-31’s testing culture as a model for the entire community.   

“You truly were the gold standard of testing,” he said.  

Coppersmith closed his remarks by reflecting on the Harrier’s history at China Lake and the teamwork that kept it flying until the end.  

“That jet right there flew its very first flight off the production line 33 years ago,” he said. “Today we completed AV-8B flight operations. We shut it down full mission capable, and it flew flawlessly. It’s a testament to what we’ve done to this aircraft as a team.”  

From RTX, Oct. 1, 2025 

Missile provides reliable ship self-defense against air and sea-surface threats 

TUCSON, Ariz., Oct. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ – Raytheon, an RTX (NYSE: RTX) business, has delivered its 500^th ESSM Block 2 missile to the U.S. Navy. The company is investing in infrastructure and material to continue deliveries, with plans to nearly double production rates by June 2026. 

ESSM Block 2 is an advanced surface-to-air missile that has proven effective against a variety of air and sea-surface threats. It features an upgraded guidance system with a dual-mode active and semi-active radar seeker, increased maneuverability, and improved performance over its Block 1 predecessor. 

“ESSM plays a crucial role in helping to ensure both ship self-defense and local area defense for U.S. and allied navies around the globe,” said Barbara Borgonovi, president of Naval Power at Raytheon. “The continued delivery of this capability is a testament to the strong partnerships and shared commitment among our team, our customers, and our allied nations to equip our servicemen and women with the best defense solutions.” 

ESSM is managed by the NATO SEASPARROW Consortium composed of 12 nations: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Türkiye, and the United States. The consortium is NATO’s largest and most successful cooperative weapons project and represents over 50 years of international military-industrial cooperation. 

From U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Sept. 24, 2025 

NORFOLK, Va — The cities of Philadelphia and Camden will host the Navy Marine Corps 250 celebration October 9-16, 2025, with four U.S. Navy ships, two Coast Guard cutters, and four U.S. Navy Academy Yard Patrol boats (YPs) and sailboats. These vessels will participate in the Parade of Ships on Thursday, Oct 9. 
 
USS Arlington (LPD 24) – https://www.surflant.usff.navy.mil/LPD24/, USS Lassen (DDG 82) – https://www.surflant.usff.navy.mil/ddg82/, USS Cooperstown (LCS 23) – https://www.surflant.usff.navy.mil/lcs23/, USS Billings (LCS 15) – https://www.surflant.usff.navy.mil/lcs15/, USCGC Lawrence Lawson (WPC 1120), and USCGC James Rankin (WLM 555) will be available for public ship tours Oct 10-15. 
 
Ship and pier locations include: 
 
Philadelphia, Penn’s Landing: (Ship public tours Oct 10-14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Oct 15 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.) 
• Freedom-class littoral combat ship, USS Cooperstown (LCS-23) from Mayport, Florida 
• USCGC Lawrence Lawson (WPC 1120) from Cape May, New Jersey and USCGC James Rankin (WLM 555) from Baltimore, Maryland 
• U.S. Naval Academy Yard Patrol boat and Sailboat from Annapolis, Maryland 
 
Philadelphia, Pier 4: (Ship public tours Oct 10 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Oct 11-14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Oct 15 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.) 
• San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Arlington (LPD-24) from Norfolk, Virginia 
• U.S. Naval Academy Yard Patrol boat and Sailboat from Annapolis, Maryland 
 
Gloucester City, NJ, Gloucester Marine Terminal: (Ship public tours Oct 10-14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Oct 15 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.) 
• Arleigh Burke-class Aegis guided missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG-82) from Mayport, Florida 
 
Camden ex-Battleship New Jersey: (Ship public tours Oct 10-14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Oct 15 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.) 
• Freedom-class littoral combat ship USS Billings (LCS-15) from Mayport, Florida 
 
Media interested in covering any NMC250 events can contact the Regional Public Affairs Office at (757) 322-2853 for more information. 
 
Vice Admiral John Gumbleton, Acting Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command – https://www.navy.mil/Leadership/Flag-Officer-Biographies/Search/Article/2236432/vice-admiral-john-gumbleton/ 
 
For up-to-date information on all NMC250 events, visit the official website: https://www.navy.mil/Navy-250/Events/ 
 
Join the conversation on social media by using the hashtags #NMC250, #NavyBirthday 

By Lt. Victor Murkowski, Destroyer Squadron 15 Public Affairs

YOKOSUKA, Japan   –  The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) departed Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, Sept. 29, following 10 years of forward-deployed service to U.S. 7th Fleet. 
 
Benfold’s decade of service was recognized by senior leadership at a farewell ceremony with Commander, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15. “Benfold successfully stood the watch in the Western Pacific for 10 years,” said Capt. Dave Huljack, commodore, DESRON 15. “This ship leaves with an amazing legacy as a workhorse for the fleet and a stalwart friend to our allies and partners. Over the last decade, Benfold and her crew have executed our nation’s tasking with strength and excellence. We will miss Benfold’s grit and determination but look forward to her crew’s continued success in DESRON 31.” 
 
Benfold is scheduled to relocate to Everett, Washington, to support U.S. 3rd Fleet operations. Benfold will also shift from DESRON 15 to the “Ke Koa O Ke Kai” (The Warriors of the Sea) of DESRON 31 after its transit across the international date line. 
 
Benfold arrived in Yokosuka and joined Forward-Deployed Naval Forces – Japan (FDNF-J) in October 2015. During the ship’s decade-long tenure, it participated in numerous multilateral maritime exercises, such as: Malabar, Maritime Counter Special Operations Forces Exercise, Pacific Griffin, Valiant Shield, Keen Sword, Annual Exercise, and Resolute Dragon, working alongside allies and partners to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific. 
 
“Through tenacity and teamwork, Benfold’s decade assigned to the Western Pacific has allowed our crew to build on the ship’s great accomplishments,” said Cmdr. Rich Mayer, commanding officer of Benfold. “Benfold is leaving the 7th Fleet family on a high note. Our families will miss Japan, and we will miss sailing alongside one of our nation’s strongest allies.” 
 
Throughout the tenure, Benfold maintained uncompromised combat readiness, conducting numerous patrols and demonstrating U.S. commitment to the region. 
 
While assigned to FDNF-J, Benfold earned three Battle Efficiency “Battle E” Awards, the Marjorie Sterrett Battleship Fund Award, the Arleigh Burke Fleet Trophy, the CNO Afloat Safety Award, multiple Retention Excellence Awards, and 10 consecutive Fleet Health Promotion and Wellness, or Green “H,” awards. While assigned to DESRON 15, Benfold sailed more than 4 million miles across the Indo-Pacific. 
 
“Operating alongside partners and allies in 7th Fleet has been a highlight for Benfold crewmembers over the past decade,” said Mayer. “Our Sailors have made lasting memories, and Benfold’s successes are a testament to the U.S. Navy’s long-term commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.” 
 
U.S. 7th Fleet, the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.