YOKOSUKA, Japan — The U.S. Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), and its strike group departed Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka Sept. 12 to continue promoting peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, according to the ship’s public affairs. 
 
Ronald Reagan’s departure marks the end of a scheduled maintenance availability period. 
 
“We’re excited to be back at sea, and are grateful for the excellent support from our maintenance teams ashore,” said Capt. Fred Goldhammer, Ronald Reagan’s commanding officer. “Not only was our completion of scheduled maintenance and in port training beneficial in ensuring the combat readiness of ‘Warship 76,’ but this brief period allowed our crew an opportunity to recharge and reconnect with our families and friends.” 
 
While departing, hundreds of Reagan Sailors manned the rails in service dress white uniforms as the ship made its way to sea for the second time this year. 
 
During this routine deployment, Ronald Reagan, its strike group ships, the embarked Carrier Air Wing 5, Carrier Strike Group 5 and Destroyer Squadron 15 staffs, will continue working with allies and partners, promote adherence to a rules-based international order, as well as maintain presence and flexibility. 
 
Prior to Reagan’s return to Yokosuka, the ship conducted operations in the Philippine Sea. 
 
The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group includes the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62), as well as Arleigh Burke-class destroyers USS Barry (DDG 52) and USS Benfold (DDG 65), assigned to DESRON 15. 
 
The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group is forward-deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Under Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with 35 maritime nations. 

KEY WEST, Fla. — The crew of the USCGC Mohawk (WMEC 913) returned to their homeport Monday, following a 92-day deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe – Africa area of operations, employed by U.S. 6th Fleet, to defend U.S., allied and partner interests, the Coast Guard Atlantic Area said in a release. 

Mohawk began its deployment as surface action group commander, leading the transatlantic escort of two newly commissioned 154-foot, Sentinel-class cutters, USCGC Clarence Sutphin Jr. (WPC 1147) and USCGC John Scheuerman (WPC 1146) from Key West, Florida, to the 6th Fleet area of operations. 

While on deployment, Mohawk made significant advances in combating illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing conducting multinational law enforcement operations at sea in the Atlantic basin. Their efforts served to strengthen existing relationships with African nations, and prioritized opportunities for new partnerships with allies who share common interests in the region.  

Mohawk’s crew also worked closely with eight partner nation navies, sailing nearly 19,000 nautical miles in support of American interests abroad. Leading training exercises at-sea and in port, Mohawk hosted diplomatic engagements and participated in community relations events during port visits to Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, Portugal, Senegal, Sierra Leone and The Gambia. Mohawk was the first United States warship to moor in The Gambia since 1994. 

“I am extremely proud of this crew and all they have accomplished over the last three months,” said Cmdr. Andrew Pate, commanding officer of Mohawk. “We are operating in a global Coast Guard and Mohawk’s ability to deploy across the Atlantic Ocean and work alongside our European and Atlantic African partners to combat piracy and illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing drives home the United States’ commitment to security, stability, and prosperity in the region.” 

Mohawk’s deployment also demonstrated the United States’ longstanding commitment of supporting African partners by addressing their security challenges in the maritime domain. The U.S. maritime services routinely work with allied and partner nations to foster a united, global effort to safeguard free and open access to international waterways. 

Commissioned in March 1991, Mohawk is the 13th and last of the Famous-class Coast Guard cutters. It is named for the Algonquin tribe of Iroquoian Indians who lived in the Mohawk Valley of New York, and is the third cutter to bear the name.

MESA, Ariz. — Boeing’s Defense, Space & Security business unit unveiled on Sept. 12 its new Advanced Composite Fabrication Center, which has been purpose-built to produce advanced composite components for future combat aircraft, the company said in a release.     

The new facility in Mesa, Arizona, will be a secure production facility operated by Phantom Works, BDS’ proprietary research, development and prototyping division. The construction phase of the 155,000 square-foot facility is now complete, and the center is expected to be fully operational this fall.  

“Boeing pioneered a new era of digital aerospace engineering on programs like the T-7, MQ-25 and MQ-28, and now we’re leading the way again by digitally transforming our entire production system to build the next generation of advanced combat aircraft,” said Ted Colbert, Defense, Space & Security president and CEO. “The new Advanced Composite Fabrication Center and the factories that will follow it position Boeing to deliver the most digitally advanced, simply and efficiently produced and intelligently supported aircraft to military customers.” 

Leveraging best practices from recent new-start programs like the MQ-28 Ghost Bat, MQ-25 Stingray, T-7A Red Hawk and proprietary efforts, the ACFC will enable Boeing to scale a platform-agnostic, modular and flexible digital production system across future BDS programs, providing unprecedented speed, agility and cost efficiency. Additional new factories supporting subsequent phases of production are under construction in the St. Louis region and slated to come online over the next few years. 

“The ACFC capitalizes on the latest in digital engineering — from initial concept and design to the production floor and sustainment — and its capabilities are aligned directly with our customers’ need to design, build and field advanced combat aircraft on dramatically accelerated timelines,” said Steve Nordlund, Boeing Phantom Works vice president and general manager. “We are committed to a future where our platforms are more modular and adaptable, our software is more modifiable and scalable, and where our customers have a common experience across all of our products – providing disruptive advantages from seabed to space.” 

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Russell Smith passed the ceremonial cutlass, via the Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael Gilday, to James Honea during a change of office and retirement ceremony Sept. 8, the Office of the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy said Sept. 10. 

The ceremony held at the U.S. Naval Academy’s Mahan Hall marked the end of more than three decades of Naval service for MCPON Smith. 
 
Smith has served as the 15th MCPON since Aug. 29, 2018. During his term, he instituted Laying the Keel, an updated leadership development career path, revised the command master chief instruction, and the Sailor of the Year program. More importantly, he tirelessly advocated policy and program improvements for the Navy’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program as well as increased Sailor access for mental health care to congressional members during his annual testimonies before the House Armed Services Committee. 
 
Gilday presided over the ceremony and highlighted Smith’s accomplishments during his naval career while thanking him for his leadership. 
 
“Your tireless efforts to provide Sailors with mental, morale, and spiritual support has helped make our fleet more resilient and much more effective,” said Gilday. “Your leadership ensured that our most important resource, our people, are ready to serve and defend the nation we love. Having conducted more than 200 fleet visits all over the world, your outreach and willingness to be there for Sailors and their families is what truly made your service so remarkable. Thank you for everything you have done over these past four years. Our Navy and our Navy family are much stronger than it was four years ago.” 
 
After the ceremonial passing of the MCPON cutlass, Honea took the helm of the enlisted force as the Navy’s 16th MCPON. During the ceremony, he spoke about his top priorities: warfighting competency, professional and character development, and quality of life. 
 
“When I was selected for MCPON, I thought heavily on what my tenure means and what I could bring to you all,” said Honea. “I’m glad I chose to be challenged by this adventure and I’m proud of what it has brought me. I thank you all for accepting the same challenge and being on this journey with me. I have always been proud to be your Shipmate, and I’m privileged to be your MCPON.” 
 
The MCPON serves as an adviser to the CNO and to the chief of naval personnel in matters dealing with enlisted personnel and their families. The MCPON is also an adviser to boards dealing with enlisted personnel issues; is the enlisted representative of the Department of the Navy at special events; may be called upon to testify on enlisted personnel issues before Congress; and maintains a liaison with enlisted spouse organizations. 

PASCAGOULA, Miss. — HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division started fabrication of the U.S. Navy’s newest San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock Pittsburgh (LPD 31) on Sept. 7, the company said in a release. The start of fabrication signifies that the first 100 tons of steel have been cut for the ship. 

“The start of fabrication on LPD 31 demonstrates our ability to continue manufacturing quality ships for our Navy and Marine Corps partners,” said Mike Pruitt, Ingalls Shipbuilding LPD program manager. “Our shipbuilders are excited to be reaching this milestone in construction and are committed to seeing Pittsburgh serve our nation well into the future.” 

Ingalls has delivered 12 San Antonio-class ships to the Navy and has three more under construction, including Richard M. McCool (LPD 29), Harrisburg (LPD 30) and Pittsburgh (LPD 31), which will be the second Flight II LPD. 

LPD Flight II is the next generation amphibious ship to replace Whidbey Island (LSD 41) and Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) classes of dock landing ships. Amphibious transport docks are a major part of the Navy’s 21st century expeditionary force, deployed with a U.S. Marine Corps Air-Ground Task Force for amphibious and expeditionary crisis response operations that range from deterrence and joint-force enablement to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. 

LPD 31 is the fifth Navy vessel to be named after the historic city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The first ship was an ironclad gunboat and served during the American Civil War. Since then, the name Pittsburgh has been assigned to four vessels that have served the U.S. during conflict. 

PORTSMOUTH, Va.  — The crew of the USCGC Tampa (WMEC 902) returned to their homeport in Portsmouth, Virginia, on Aug. 24 after a 56-day Caribbean Sea patrol, the Coast Guard Atlantic Area said Sept. 9.  

During the patrol, Tampa’s crew collaborated with 12 other Coast Guard cutters, numerous Coast Guard aircraft and other Department of Homeland Security boats and aircraft to detect, deter, and intercept unsafe and illegal ventures to the United States.  

Tampa’s crew primarily patrolled the South Florida Straits, south of the Florida Keys and the Windward Pass, off the northwest coast of Haiti, contributing to the interdiction, care, and repatriation of 612 migrants from Haiti, Cuba and the Dominican Republic. 

“Showcasing professionalism, teamwork, and empathy, our crew once again selflessly performed our assigned missions,” said Cmdr. Sky Holm, Tampa’s commanding officer. “I am continually impressed by their dedication and devotion to duty and I am humbled to be serving alongside them. We acknowledge the tremendous collaboration from team Coast Guard and our international and interagency partners, who seamlessly integrate to meet collective objectives. Of course, our crew sincerely appreciates the extraordinary assistance from our mission support units shore side, who keep our cutter operational, as well as the compassionate support from our loved ones ashore, who provide us strength while we are away.” 

Tampa is a 270-foot medium-endurance cutter homeported in Portsmouth with 100 crewmembers. The cutter’s primary missions are counter drug operations, migrant interdiction, enforcing federal fishery laws, as well as search and rescue in support of Coast Guard operations throughout the Western Hemisphere. 

ARLINGTON, Va. — Seven cadets at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy who refused to comply with the military’s COVID-19 vaccination mandate were disenrolled and ordered off the school’s New London, Connecticut, campus in late August.

“While the seven cadets have been disenrolled, they have not been separated from the Coast Guard Academy and are continuing to receive cadet pay and entitlements until their separation is processed,” the Coast Guard said in a statement sent to Seapower Sept. 8.

Two days after Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s Aug. 24, 2021, mandate requiring COVID-19 vaccine for all service members to protect the force and maintain readiness, the Coast Guard announced a vaccination requirement.

Fifteen cadets filed medical exemption or religious accommodation requests in September 2021. They were evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the Coast Guard’s Office of Military Personnel Policy and denied. The 15 cadets were notified March 14, 2022, and given 10 business days to file an appeal. The appeals were denied by Coast Guard Headquarters and all 15 were directed to report to the Academy clinic for their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Four chose vaccination, four others resigned from the Academy, the Coast Guard said.  

On June 13, the remaining seven cadets were told they were “in violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice Article 90, Willfully disobeying a superior commissioned officer, and Article 92, Failure to obey [an] order or regulation,” according to the statement. They were given an additional five days to comply. On June 22, they were notified of their disenrollment and give a chance to appeal to Coast Guard Headquarters. The cadets were notified Aug. 15 their disenrollment appeals were denied and were directed “to proceed to an alternate worksite status beginning on August 19th, 2022.”

All seven “departed the Academy at their own convenience on August 19” based on their individual travel arrangements assisted by Academy staff. “All seven cadets are currently residing at a safe location, having either returned to their families or are being hosted by the families of fellow cadets,” according to the Coast Guard statement.

Several federal lawsuits are challenging the military’s process for granting religious exemptions from the vaccination mandate, including two in South Carolina and Texas involving some of the dismissed Coast Guard cadets.

Almost 5,000 Sailors and Marines have been separated from the sea services since late 2021 for vaccination refusal. The Navy has received 4,251 for religious accommodation, the Marines 3,733. Only a handful have been approved. However, a federal judge in Texas certified a class action by Sailors, including several Navy SEALS, seeking a religious exemption and issued a preliminary injunction March 30, halting separation for members of the class. A similar injunction was issued against the Marine Corps Aug. 18 by a federal judge in Florida.

A coalition of more than 20 state attorneys general has filed an amicus brief before the 5^th U.S. Court of Appeals, supporting the religious liberty claims of Navy SEALs seeking exemptions from the mandatory vaccination requirement in the Texas case. While lower courts have blocked separation of vaccine refusers, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled the Navy could consider a Sailor’s vaccination status in making deployment and other operational decisions while court challenges move through the system.

As of Aug. 31, the latest Defense Department COVID-19 statistics, 1.99 million service members have been fully vaccinated, including 387,477 in the Navy and 200,435 in the Marine Corps.

Nevertheless, as of Aug. 24, 3,000 active duty Sailors and 3,376 in the Ready Reserve remain unvaccinated. The Marine Corps’ latest COVID update doesn’t give specific figures, only stating that as of Aug. 4, just 5% of both the active duty and the reserve force were not vaccinated.

Novavax Arrives

In a related development, the Defense Department announced Aug. 29 a new COVID-19 vaccine, Novavax, will be available as an option at military clinics. Officials hope Novavax, which is approved by the Food and Drug Administration under an emergency use authorization for individuals 12 years of age and older, may be more acceptable to the thousands of troops who have refused the Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines for religious or moral reasons.

Novavax uses technology that has been used in other vaccines required by the military, like hepatitis B vaccine. Novavax is not made with, or tested on, cells from fetal tissue. It does not use mRNA or DNA technology and does not enter the nucleus of cells, Pentagon officials said.

“We now have a range of COVID-19 vaccines available at our military medical treatment facilities and they all provide strong protection against hospitalization, severe illness and death,” Dr. Michael Malanoski, deputy director of the Defense Health Agency, said in a statement. However, as in the early days of the three other vaccines, the FDA’s emergency use authorization approval means service members cannot be compelled to take Novavax.

WASHINGTON — Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday hosted Chief of Italian Navy Adm. Enrico Credendino at the Pentagon for an office call on Sept. 7, the CNO’s public affairs office said in a release. 

Gilday and Credendino discussed their visions to grow the already successful maritime partnership between Italy and the United States, emphasizing the need to strengthen the warfighting advantage in the region, maximize cooperative training opportunities, and improve capabilities sharing.  

“An ally and partner like Italy is crucial to our success in the European theater,” said Gilday. “Our navies have a long and storied history together — Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group’s recent tri-carrier operations with ITS Cavour and FS Charles de Gaulle is a testament to the strength of our maritime partnership.” 

“I’m incredibly thankful to Adm. Credendino and the Marina Militare for their leadership in the security and stability of the wider Mediterranean region,” Gilday added. 

The two leaders also talked about the security environment in Europe, stressing the importance of continued interoperability among NATO forces. U.S. and Italian aircraft carriers have operated together this year in support of real-world contingency operations, and both chiefs expressed interest in expanding similar operations in the future. 

“The U.S. Navy is the exemplary partner for Italian Navy — in bilateral cooperation, within the alliance and in coalitions — for the sake of maritime security and the prosperity of our nations. Our relationship reflects the long-standing and strong bonds of friendship between our people and our countries,” said Credendino. 

“That’s why I am deeply grateful to Adm. Gilday — the continuous effort in fostering cooperation is, indeed, the key to face present challenges to peace and stability, posed by the international scenario, in order to preserve our common reference values.”  

The U.S. and Italian Navy regularly operate together around the globe. In addition to regional tasking earlier this year, the two navies have also participated in exercises and activities such as Neptune Strike 2022, Obangame Express and bilateral drills. These exercises highlight NATO’s ability to integrate high-end maritime warfare capabilities to defend the alliance. 

Italy hosts American Sailors at Naval Support Activity Naples, Naval Air Station Sigonella and NSA Naples Detachment Gaeta. 

This was the first meeting between the two heads of navy. Gilday has previously met with Credendino’s predecessor, current Italian Chief of Defense Staff Adm. Giuseppe Cavo Dragone. 

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii — The Department of Defense submitted on Sept. 7 its updated plan to defuel the Red Hill Bulk Underground Storage Facility to the Hawaii Department of Health, Commander Navy Region Hawaii public affairs said in a release.

Under the analysis completed as of the submission of Supplement 1.A, DoD projects completion of defueling by July 2024.  

The new timeline reflects the DoD’s commitment to defuel Red Hill safely while consolidating and accelerating work at every opportunity. A team of experts from DoD, Navy and Defense Logistics Agency worked together over two months to refine and improve the defueling plan. The team condensed the repair timeline, determined certain activities could be conducted in parallel, and reduced the duration of the final phase of defueling from 8 months to approximately 5 months.   

The DoD Red Hill Defueling Plan Supplement 1.A includes information on the DoD unpacking plan, infrastructure repairs and enhancements, training updates, schedule updates, and general comments addressing DOH feedback. Moving forward, DoD will continue to identify opportunities to accelerate timelines without sacrificing safety.   

“This plan represents considerable work by our DoD and Navy team along with the regulators, and we remain completely focused on the safe and expeditious defueling of the facility,” said Rear Adm. Steve Barnett, commander, Navy Region Hawaii. “As we move forward, we will continually refine and improve this plan, and keep stakeholders and the community informed throughout the process. Every action we take must protect the environment and the community.” 

The DoD plans to provide the Department of Health with an additional defueling plan supplement later this month. The next supplement will incorporate analysis from recent and expected studies that DoD did not receive in time to address in Supplemental 1.A, and which may identify additional infrastructure modifications to support defueling. If the incorporation of the above reports and their findings affect the defueling plan and its timelines, the next supplement will provide supporting details. 

Throughout execution of this plan, DoD will coordinate with DOH and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to meet the requirements of and timelines established in the State’s Emergency Order, ensure compliance with environmental safeguards and defuel Red Hill in accordance with applicable federal, state and local regulations. 

More information on the defueling work, including the updated plan, can be found here: www.navy.mil/jointbasewater. 

PACIFIC OCEAN — Independence-variant littoral combat ships USS Jackson (LCS 6) and USS Oakland (LCS 24) deployed to the Oceania region with embarked U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Tactical Law Enforcement Team detachments to conduct maritime law enforcement operations in support of U.S. and Pacific Island nations fisheries laws, August 2022, Commander, Littoral Combat Ship Squadron One Public Affairs Office said Sept. 7. 

The Oceania Maritime Support Initiative (OMSI) is a secretary of defense program that leverages Department of Defense assets transiting the region to improve maritime security and maritime domain awareness, ultimately supporting regional stability and partnerships in Oceania. 

“The joint Navy and Coast Guard OMSI mission capitalizes on the agility and mission adaptability LCS was designed for,” said Cmdr. Derek Jaskowiak, commanding officer of Oakland. “It is our privilege to support our partner nations through presence in Oceania and to ensure continued security, stability, and prosperity throughout the region.” 

Finishing up their OMSI patrol in late August, Oakland operated alongside the U.S. Coast Guard, a detachment from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 35, and partners throughout the region to suppress illicit maritime activities like illegal, unregulated, unreported fishing and transnational crime. 

“Partnering with the U.S. Navy in support of the OMSI mission enables the Coast Guard to extend our reach into and throughout Oceania as the tyranny of distance when operating in the Pacific is exceptionally vast,” said Lt. C.K. Williams, chief intelligence officer of USCG Sector Honolulu. 

Jackson will continue the OMSI mission through September 2022.