MANAMA, Bahrain — U.S. Coast Guard Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA) conducted a change of command ceremony on Thursday, June 16 at Manama, Bahrain, as Capt. Eric Helgen relieved Capt. Benjamin Berg.

Presiding over the ceremony was Adm. Linda Fagan, Commandant of the Coast Guard.

“PATFORSWA has a unique area of operations and mission,” Fagan said. “The cutters homeported here are attached to Commander, Task Force 55 to support U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and Combined Maritime Forces strategic objectives. They provide a constant and reliable presence to maintain maritime domain awareness, deter acts of maritime piracy and smuggling, protect critical maritime infrastructure, and ensure the safe flow of goods and materials. There is no other Coast Guard unit that has a stronger link to the joint force in support of the national defense mission.”

Fagan said the cutters have participated in many high-impact operations. “They were on scene for tense boardings of commercial vessels; they navigated interactions with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy; and they conducted extensive interdiction operations.”

Fagan recognized the 110-foot Patrol Boats that served in PATFORSWA. “Adak, Aquidneck, Maui, Monomoy and Wrangell stayed on mission to the very end with operations in the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.”

One remains, USCGC Baranof, which will be decommissioned soon. “The Baranof is out conducting critical missions as we speak,” Fagan said.

The 110-foot patrol boats are being replaced by the new Fast Response Cutters. “Taking the baton from the 110s, the Fast Response Cutters have proven to be an exceptional platform to project the Coast Guard’s regional expertise to national and coalition forces,” said Fagan.

The four FRCs now in PATFOR SWA are USCGC Charles Moulthrope (WPC 1141), USCGC Robert Goldman (WPC-1142), USCGC Glen Harris (WPC 1144) and USCGC Emlen Tunnell (WPC 1145). Two more FRCs, USCG John Scheuerman (WPC 1146) and USCGC Clarence Sutphin (WPC 1147) arrive in PATFORSWA soon.

While operating with CTF-150, a task force within the Combined Maritime Forces, newly reporting FRCs conducted boardings in the Gulf of Oman that resulted in seizures of  heroine, methamphetamine and hashish with a U.S. street value of 17 million dollars.

PATFORSWA provides shoreside teams to support the cutter crews with antiterrorism/force protection, naval engineering, supply and personnel administration along the way. Training teams also support the Navy and partner nations. The Advanced Interdiction Teams embark on the U.S. warships to conduct boardings and seizures of illicit cargos. Several months ago, AITs aboard USS Tempest and USS Typhoon seized 1,400 AK-47 rifles and 226 thousand rounds of ammunition from a stateless fishing vessel in the North Arabian Sea.

“That illegal arms shipment would have contributed to violence and instability in the region had it reached its destination,” Fagan said.

“Any illegal activity at sea — whether it is drug smuggling, weapons shipments, or illegal, unreported or unregulated fishing — erodes the rule of law and regional stability,” Fagan said. “The United States Coast Guard is the global model for maritime governance, the positive force that protects maritime safety, security and economic prosperity.”

Critical Partnerships

In today’s connected world, maritime governance is a collaborative effort. Fagan said partnerships are critically important.

“PATFORSWA leads the way with international engagement throughout the region. The Maritime Engagement Team supports CENTCOM’s theater campaign plan through participation in multi-lateral, interagency exercises and subject matter expert exchanges with foreign militaries. This year the team engaged with more than 350 people from 16 partner nations, sharing expertise on boarding tactics and small boat operations,” she said.

And the Shoreside team contributed in this area, too. “In addition to supporting the 110s and FRCs, they provided electronics and engineering assistance to the Yemeni Coast Guard, and the Lebanese Armed Forces – Navy, a critical 5th Fleet partner who will soon receive three 87-foot Coastal Patrol Boats.”

Additionally, the Shoreside team deployed 25 people for three weeks of support to Operation Allies Refuge, the DoD and DHS operation to safely vet, protec, and transport more than 7,000 evacuees from Afghanistan to Bahrain.

“They were the first people the non-combat evacuees encountered on the flight line after arriving direct from Kabul,” Fagan said.

Helgen is reporting from the 7^th Coast Guard District in Miami where he served as the deputy of the Office of Maritime Enforcement.

“I’m exceptionally honored and deeply humbled to have the opportunity to be part of a team whose members sacrifice a year away from their families to execute such a vital mission in support of the United States,” Helgen said.

“PATFORSWA excelled under Captain Berg’s leadership because this crew trusted him, they responded to his vision and leadership, and they rose to the challenge,” said Fagan.

“It has been my absolute pleasure to serve with the outstanding Coast Guard women and men of Patrol Forces Southwest Asia. The dedication and professionalism was evident in every patrol, repair and forward deployment,” Berg said. “I’m certainly pleased of the operational accomplishments of our cutters, crews and partner nation engagements, but I was more energized each day to observe the crews taking pride knowing their work was bringing stability and rule of law to the region.”

ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Navy has exercised a contract option to order the third Constellation-class guided-missile frigate (FFG) from Fincantieri Marinette Marine. 

The Naval Sea Systems Command awarded Marinette Marine Corp., Marinette, Wisconsin, was awarded a $536.9 million “fixed-price incentive (firm target) and firm-fixed-price modification to previously awarded contract” for the future USS Chesapeake (FFG 64), the Defense Department announced June 16. 

The order follows the $553.8 million contract option exercised on May 20, 2021, for the second ship of the class, the future USS Congress (FFG 63). 

The Marinette Marine shipyard is currently working on the detailed design for the first ship of the class, the future USS Constellation (FFG 62). Cutting of first steel is scheduled for later this year.  

The Navy has a requirement for 20 frigates. Marinette Marine is now under contract for the first three FFGs with options for seven more. 

The Constellation class FFG is based largely on the Italian FREMM frigate. 

Work on the latest contract option is expected to be completed by August 2028. 

NAVAL STATION ROTA, Spain – Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 79 established a new detachment stationed at Naval Station Rota, Spain, June 16, 2022, Petty Officer 3rd Class Devin Randol said in a release.

Rear Adm. John F. Meier, Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic, attended the ceremony along with Cmdr. Brett Elko, the commanding officer of HSM-79, and Cmdr. Nikolas Rongers, HSM-79’s executive officer.

“The establishment of HSM-79’s European presence exemplifies our commitment to our allies and partners and provides ready naval helicopter forces to support our collective defense in a vital region of the world,” Meier said. “My charge to all of you is to sustain and strengthen deterrence¸ while being prepared to prevail in conflict if necessary. I have the utmost confidence in this detachment’s success.”

This new detachment marks the first time an HSM squadron has been stationed at Naval Station Rota. The “Griffins” operate the MH-60R helicopter, capable of conducting various missions including antisubmarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, vertical replenishment, search and rescue, humanitarian relief and medical evacuation operations.

The HSM squadron will augment Forward Deployed Naval Forces-Europe, providing support to FDNF-E guided-missile destroyers stationed in Rota. The helicopter enhances the ships’ capabilities by increasing range and mobility for anti-submarine warfare and search and rescue, while providing increased logistics and medivac capability, enabling allied ships to maintain at-sea operations.

The FDNF-E destroyer force, commanded by Commander, Task Force 65 and Destroyer Squadron 60, includes USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51), USS Porter (DDG 78), USS Roosevelt (DDG 80), USS Ross (DDG 71) and USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117).

The squadron adopted its name from two decommissioned squadrons that focused on aircraft carrier-based anti-submarine warfare: Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 9 “Sea Griffins” and the Sea Control Squadron (VS) 38 “Red Griffins.”

The “Griffins” have continued their legacy since 2016.

NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY ROTA, Spain — The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117) arrived in its new homeport of Naval Station Rota, Spain, on June 17 as the U.S. Navy’s newest Forward Deployed Naval Forces–Europe (FDNF-E) destroyer, 6th Fleet Public Affairs said in a release. 

Prior to arriving in Rota, Paul Ignatius operated alongside British, Canadian, French, German and Norwegian allies as part of exercises Cable Car and Green Light. The ship also conducted port visits in Ponta Delgada, Portugal and Bergen, Norway. In the Baltic Sea, Paul Ignatius integrated with the 2nd Marine Division and the Kearsarge Amphibious Readiness Group with embarked Amphibious Squadron Six and 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit. The ship also conducted interoperability exercises with the USS Sioux City (LCS 11) during the inaugural deployment of a Freedom-class littoral combat ship to 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation. 

“We certainly met and exceeded our goals,” said Cmdr. Aaron Arky, commanding officer of Paul Ignatius. “I couldn’t be more proud of the team as they superbly conducted undersea, air-defense and expeditionary operations during this patrol.” 

Commissioned in 2019, Paul Ignatius is the second of eight Flight IIA technology insertion ships, bringing enhanced capability and technological advancements to U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Destroyer Squadron 60. The ship is the 67th Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, a class capable of conducting a variety of missions from sea control and power projection to peacetime presence and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. 

The ship’s arrival in Rota brings substantial capabilities to the FDNF-E force already in place. Arriving to their new homeport also allows Paul Ignatius Sailors the opportunity to get acquainted with their new duty station and to reunite with their families, many of whom have already arrived in Rota. 

“The uniqueness of this homecoming cannot be understated, as we are both returning to our families and arriving at our new homeport,” said Arky. “The tremendous support network established by Naval Station Rota and Destroyer Squadron 60 has immensely helped the families and Sailors alike. For that, we are grateful.” 

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Navy will christen the future USS John Basilone (DDG 122) during a 10:30 a.m. EDT ceremony on Saturday, June 18, at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine, the Defense Department announced June 17. 

Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps Troy Black will deliver the christening ceremony’s principal address. U.S. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, Vice Adm. Francis Morley, principal military deputy to the assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development, and acquisition, Vice Adm. Scott Conn, deputy chief of naval operations for warfighting requirements and capabilities, Don Basilone, brother of the ship’s namesake and Charles Krugh, president of General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, will also provide remarks. The ship’s sponsors are Ryan Manion and Amy Looney Heffernan, president and vice president of the Travis Manion Foundation. Heffernan is unable to attend the event. In a time-honored Navy tradition, Manion will christen the ship by breaking a bottle of sparkling wine across the bow. 

The ship’s namesake, Gunnery Sgt. John Basilone, received the Medal of Honor for heroism displayed in the Battle of Guadalcanal during World War II, where he led his heavy machine gun sections in defense of a critical position and inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy. Basilone later returned to action at the Battle of Iwo Jima in February of 1944, where he single-handedly destroyed an enemy blockhouse and led a Marine tank under fire safely through a minefield. He was killed in action later that day and was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his unwavering devotion and valiant spirit of self-sacrifice. 

“The future USS John Basilone will serve as a constant reminder of the immense impact that actions taken by any one Sailor or Marine can truly have,” said Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro. “Gunnery Sgt. Basilone is a national hero and this ship and crew will honor his legacy for decades to come.” 

This is the second ship to honor Basilone. The first, USS Basilone (DD 824), was a Gearing-class destroyer in service from 1945 to 1977.

PASCAGOULA, Miss. — HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division has received a $240 million, cost-plus-fixed-fee advance procurement contract from the U.S. Navy to provide long-lead-time material and advance construction activities for amphibious transport dock LPD 32, the company said June 16.

The ship will be the 16th in the San Antonio-class constructed at Ingalls Shipbuilding. 

“Our shipbuilders are proud to continue building these amphibious ships that are integral to the Navy fleet,” Ingalls Shipbuilding President Kari Wilkinson said. “The funds from this contract will be used to purchase long-lead time material and major equipment across a supplier network of nearly 400 companies in 30 states.” 

LPD 32 will be the third Flight II amphibious ship in the San Antonio class. 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. Ingalls has delivered 12 San Antonio-class ships to the U.S. Navy and has two more under construction, including Richard M. McCool Jr. (LPD 29) and Harrisburg (LPD 30). Fabrication of the 15th San Antonio-class ship, Pittsburgh (LPD 31), will begin later this year. 

TOKYO — Lt. Gen. Steven R. Rudder, commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, and General Yoshida Yoshihide, chief of staff, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, cohosted the eighth iteration of the Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium in Tokyo June 13-16, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific said June 16.  

The symposium brought together senior leaders from 18 participating delegations from across the Indo-Pacific, Central America, South America, and Europe to foster dialogue and strengthen relationships in support of a secure and stable Indo-Pacific.  It was the first symposium to be hosted by the JGSDF, and the first to be conducted in person since 2019. PALS in 2020 and 2021 were conducted virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

The event consisted of panels, discussions, bi-lateral and tri-lateral engagements and a capabilities demonstration. Participants shared ideas, best practices and recent experiences with amphibious operations. They collaborated on common interests and engaged in meaningful dialogue to advance amphibious interoperability and crisis response capabilities.    

“Our outcome was that we established deeper relationships with those partners and allies that were here,” Rudder said. “We were also able to talk about naval integration and joint interoperability, and how we can further regional cooperation.” 

PALS is the premier annual gathering of regional amphibious forces. Each of the participating delegations share something in common: they all have a coastline bordering the Indian or Pacific Ocean, or have populations that are affected by disasters arising from their proximity to the sea, such as typhoons and tsunamis, or their proximity to the “Ring of Fire,” which produces earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.   

PALS serves as a physical demonstration of the United States’ commitment to its regional allies and partners, and builds on the interactions, developments and dialogues from previous years. These relationships result in increased collective readiness, improved interoperability, and better training. These advances pave the way for enhanced security and stability throughout the Indo-Pacific region. 

“PALS 2022 disseminates a powerful message that we do not allow unilateral changes to the status quo by force,” Yoshida said in his closing remarks.  

The United States’ sustained commitment to the Indo-Pacific region aims to increase cooperation, enhance regional security, and maintain an environment of peace and prosperity. 

“There is no nation that can do it all by themselves,” Rudder said in the closing address. “Everyone has a piece to offer.”  

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Navy has awarded Northrop Grumman two contracts to upgrade MQ-4C Triton high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicles with a multi-intelligence collection capability. 

The Naval Air Systems Command awarded Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. of San Diego a $15.1 million contract modification to a previously awarded, fixed-price incentive contract to provide “additional labor and material to incorporate production engineering change proposals that modify MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft system production assets to an Integrated Functional Capability 4.0 [IFC-4] multiple intelligence configuration for the Navy and the government of Australia,” according to a June 14 Defense Department contract announcement. 

Another contract issued June 16 awarded the company $20.5 million to incorporate IFC-4 for MQ-4Cs construction numbers B13 through B15. 

The MQ-4C’s IFC-4 is designed to bring an enhanced multi-mission sensor capability as part of the Navy’s Maritime Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Targeting transition plan. The Triton in the IFC-4 configuration is designed to complement the Navy’s P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft and eventually will enable the Navy to retire its EP-3E Orion electronic reconnaissance aircraft. The initial operational capability for the Triton will be declared in 2023 when IFC-4-configured Tritons are deployed in enough quantity to field one complete orbit.  

The first production MQ-4C Triton unmanned aerial vehicle to be upgraded to the multi-intelligence configuration was delivered to the U.S. Navy at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, on Feb. 1. The Triton, designated B8 by the manufacturer, Northrop Grumman, went through a 30-month modification period to the new configuration.  

The two MQ-4Cs that were deployed to Guam for the U.S. 7th Fleet’s Task Force 72 by Unmanned Patrol Squadron 19 (VUP-19) as part of the early operational capability deployment were in the baseline IFC-3 configuration. One has returned to VUP-19’s facility at Naval Station Mayport, Florida, to support training. 

Work on the new contract is expected to be completed in April 2025. 

SAN DIEGO — General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) has completed a task order from Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division to develop and demonstrate secure, cost-efficient procedures to render obsolete Los Angeles-class submarine propellers and related hardware for disposal and recovery of essential metal elements for reuse, the company said June 16.

This task order is part of a broad indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity Propulsor Demonstration Hardware contract previously awarded to GA-EMS.   

“We provide secure manufacturing capabilities, state of the art processes, and strict conformance to industry quality standards combined with decades of experience developing and delivering critical systems and hardware components for a range of naval missions,” said Scott Forney, president of GA-EMS. “This task order presented a rather unique opportunity to apply our expertise in manufacturing classified hardware, and essentially work in reverse to facilitate the dismantling and disposal of highly sensitive, obsolete parts. Securely dismantling components such as this and providing a path to recover potentially tons of alloy for reutilization can help the government realize significant material cost savings to meet future submarine requirements.” 

GA-EMS has completed the demonstration of the procedures developed under the task order at GA-EMS’ manufacturing facility in Tupelo, Mississippi, using several government-furnished propellers and components.  

Propulsors

GA-EMS has been awarded a task order by NSWCCD to demonstrate machining capability to produce prototype hardware for submarine propulsors under the same contract.

“We look forward to demonstrating our secure specialized manufacturing processes for materials management, machining to tight tolerances, and non-destructive evaluation of complex hardware components with precise geometry,” said Scott Forney, president of GA-EMS. “Successful demonstration of our capabilities under this task order will further qualify GA-EMS to take on additional submarine propulsor development awards under the PDH program. We are proud to be working with NSWCCD as we continue to execute on a variety of task orders to develop new manufacturing techniques and technology innovations supporting submarine modernization efforts and to drive future submarine designs.” 

Upon completion of this task order, GA-EMS will deliver the prototype hardware for use in testing components aboard the U.S. Navy’s Large-Scale Vehicle-2 (LSV-2), a submarine demonstrator platform operated by NSWCCD, to test advanced technologies for insertion into current and future submarines. Engineering work will be performed at GA-EMS’ San Diego, California, and Tupelo, Mississippi, facilities. Classified machining and non-destructive evaluation will occur in the Tupelo manufacturing facilities.   

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Marine Corps warfighting concept of Expeditionary Advance Base Operations needs light, mobile logistics to operate inside an enemy’s weapon engagement zone, the Corps’ assistant commandant said. Among other types of support, those logistics include “expeditionary foraging.” 

Gen. Eric M. Smith, speaking on Force Design 2030 in a June 15 webinar of the Stimson Center, a Washington think tank, used the term “expeditionary foraging” to describe contracting with local merchants and vendors to supply disaggregated forces with goods and services that cannot be supplied by sealift or stockpiled because of the need to preserve mobility.   

The term “foraging” brings to the mind of an American military historian an image of a soldier in the 19th century “requisitioning” — often stealing — chickens or other food sources from a local farmer to feed a moving army. The term “forage” was even applied to the type of caps — forage caps — worn by soldiers of the era. 

Smith has no such thing in mind with the concept of expeditionary foraging. He cited the need to reorganize the 18 Marine combat logistics battalions to “deal with small, 80-to-100-Marine units who are strategically placed in order to facilitate fleet and joint maneuver. They have to be able to support those disaggregated units. 

“Those disaggregated units have to need less,” Smith said. “We have a little pushback on this. It’s called ‘expeditionary foraging.’  

“Expeditionary foraging is what we do today,” he said. “When we go to the Philippines, we have a contracting officer for a large exercise like Balikatan. That contracting officer pays a Filipino citizen for the use of a vehicle, for food, for water. We do that now. Why would we not do that in conflict? We will be in competition with an adversary for those same assets.  

“But first you contract it if you can,” he said. “And then you utilize those assets that exist within any nation before you bring it yourself. It’s standard infantry business. … Expeditionary foraging doesn’t mean you’re out there with a tin cup asking for a handout. We do it now with contracting officers. One of the things we’re working to do is to place those contracting officers forward with those units. They can contract for gravel, trucks, petroleum, all those things that, the more I procure locally, the less I have to bring.” 

Smith said the logistics commands of the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps are still needed to support forward-deployed forces, but “we have to blunt [the enemy] in the first few days, so, yes, we take risks to do that. … We can’t build ‘iron mountains’ [of munitions and supplies] anymore. Those days have ended.”