CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — A Coast Guard cutter in mid-May seized about 1,090 pounds of suspected cocaine with an estimated value of $18.7 million from a go-fast vessel in international waters of the Pacific Ocean off Central America, the Coast Guard 7th District said in a June 2 release. 

A maritime patrol aircraft spotted a suspected smuggling vessel and diverted the crew aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Confidence to the go-fast vessel’s position.  

Once on scene, Confidence’s crew initiated a pursuit of the suspected smugglers who began throwing contraband overboard. Once the suspected smugglers complied with orders to stop their boat, the Coast Guard crew boarded the vessel and discovered the cocaine. Three suspected smugglers were detained.  

On April 1, U.S. Southern Command began enhanced counter-narcotics operations in the Western Hemisphere to disrupt the flow of drugs in support of Presidential National Security Objectives. Numerous U.S. agencies from the Departments of Defense, Justice, and Homeland Security cooperated in the effort to combat transnational organized crime. The Coast Guard, Navy, Customs and Border Protection, FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, along with allied and international partner agencies, play a role in counter-drug operations.  

The law enforcement phase of counter-smuggling operations in the eastern Pacific is conducted under the authority of the 11th Coast Guard District, headquartered in Alameda. The interdictions, including the actual boardings, are led and conducted by members of the U.S. Coast Guard.  

The Confidence is homeported out of Cape Canaveral and was commissioned in 1966.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Navy secretary and chief of naval operations on June 2 announced these assignments: 

Rear Adm. James S. Bynum is serving as director, warfare development, N72, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C. Bynum was director, Assessment Division, N81, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C.  

Rear Adm. Charles B. Cooper II will be assigned as commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia. Copper served as chief of legislative affairs, Washington, D.C. 

Rear Adm. Marc H. Dalton is serving as director, Assessment Division, N81, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C. Dalton was director, maritime operations (DMOC/N04), U.S. Pacific Fleet, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. 

Rear Adm. Roy I. Kitchener will be assigned as commander, Naval Surface Forces, and as commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, San Diego. Kitchener is serving as commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia. 

Rear Adm. John F. Meier is serving as commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia. Meier served as commander, Navy Warfare Development Command, Norfolk, Virginia. 

Rear Adm. Lorin C. Selby is serving as chief of naval research, Arlington, Virginia. Selby served as deputy commander for ship design, integration, and naval engineering, SEA-05, Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C. 

Rear Adm. John B. Skillman will be assigned as director, Programming Division, N80, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C. Skillman is serving as director, enterprise support, N1, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Arlington, Virginia. 

Rear Adm. (lower half) Daniel W. Dwyer, selected for promotion to rear admiral, will be assigned as director, plans and policy, J5, U.S. Cyber Command, Fort Meade, Maryland. Dwyer is serving as chief of naval air training, Corpus Christi, Texas. 

Rear Adm. (lower half) Peter A. Garvin, selected for promotion to rear admiral, will be assigned as commander, Naval Education and Training Command, Pensacola, Florida. Garvin is assigned as commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Group, Norfolk, Virginia.  

Rear Adm. (lower half) Fred I. Pyle, selected for promotion to rear admiral, is serving as commander, Navy Warfare Development Command, Norfolk, Virginia. Pyle previously served as commander, Carrier Strike Group 3, Bremerton, Washington. 

Rear Adm. (lower half) James A. Aiken is serving as commander, Carrier Strike Group 3, Bremerton, Washington. Aiken served as deputy director for resources and acquisition, J8, Joint Staff, Washington, D.C. 

Rear Adm. (lower half) Thomas J. Anderson will be assigned as program executive officer for ships, Washington, D.C. Anderson served as commander, Regional Maintenance Center, Washington, D.C.  

Rear Adm. (lower half) Michael E. Boyle will be assigned as director, maritime operations (DMOC/N04), U.S. Pacific Fleet, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Boyle served as commander, Carrier Strike Group 12, Norfolk, Virginia. 

Rear Adm. (lower half) Richard J. Cheeseman Jr., is serving as commander, Carrier Strike Group 2, Norfolk, Virginia. Cheeseman served as assistant commander for career management, PERS-4, Navy Personnel Command, Millington, Tennessee. 

Rear Adm. (lower half) Craig A. Clapperton is serving as commander, Carrier Strike Group 12, Norfolk, Virginia. Clapperton served as deputy director, operations, J3, U.S. Cyber Command, Fort Meade, Maryland. 

Rear Adm. (lower half) Kristen B. Fabry will be assigned as commander, Defense Logistics Agency-Land and Maritime, Columbus, Ohio. Fabry is serving as director, logistics, fleet supply and ordnance, N4, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. 

Rear Adm. (lower half) Sara A. Joyner is serving as chief of legislative affairs, Washington, D.C. Joyner previously served as commander, Carrier Strike Group 2, Norfolk, Virginia. 

Rear Adm. (lower half) Robert D. Katz is serving as commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 2, Virginia Beach, Virginia. Katz served as director, joint/fleet operations, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Norfolk, Virginia. 

Rear Adm. (lower half) James A. Kirk is serving as commander, Carrier Strike Group 11, Everett, Washington. Kirk served as deputy commander/chief of staff, Joint Warfare Center, Allied Command Transformation, Stavanger, Norway. 

Rear Adm. (lower half) Timothy J. Kott will be assigned as commander, Carrier Strike Group 1, San Diego. Kott is serving as assistant chief of staff, operations, Allied Joint Forces Command, Naples, Italy.  

Rear Adm. (lower half) Frederick R. Luchtman is serving as commander, Naval Safety Center, and lead for the Physiological Episodes (PE) Effort, Norfolk, Virginia. Luchtman served as lead for the PE Effort, Arlington, Virginia.  

Rear Adm. (lower half) Lance G. Scott will be assigned as commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Group, Norfolk, Virginia. Scott is serving as chief, Global Operations Center, U.S. Transportation Command, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. 

Rear Adm. (lower half) John D. Spencer will be assigned as commander, Submarine Group Ten, Kings Bay, Georgia. Spencer is serving as director, Nuclear Support Directorate, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Fort Belvoir, Virginia.  

Rear Adm. (lower half) Eric H. Ver Hage is serving as commander, Regional Maintenance Center, Washington, D.C. Ver Hage served as commander, Naval Surface Warfare Center, and as commander, Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Washington, D.C. 

ANDOVER, Mass. — Raytheon’s Missiles & Defense unit has finished near-field range testing of the first AN/SPY-6(V)1 radar array, signaling its readiness to be packed and shipped for installation on a future U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, the USS Jack H. Lucas, the company said in a release. 

The 14-foot by 14-foot modular array will deliver integrated air and missile defense and air-defense capabilities to Flight III guided missile destroyers and a total of seven types of Navy ships. 

“The goal of near-field range testing is to increase integration speed, drive out risk and ensure SPY-6 is primed for installation,” said Scott Spence, senior director of Naval Radar Systems. “When SPY-6 radar arrays leave our radar development facility, they are ready to defend the surface fleet.” 

Before leaving the development facility, all SPY-6 arrays undergo extensive testing that includes: 

• Operational health evaluation of more than 5,000 transmit and receive radiating elements. 
• Alignment and calibration of nearly 150 subarray channels and 5,000 radar elements. 
• Collection and validation of over 42,000 “golden database” parameters that allows automatic recalibration of the array during at-sea maintenance. 
• Collection, analysis and verification of over 300 transmit and receive array beam patterns. 

Raytheon Missiles & Defense has invested more than $500 million in infrastructure and capacity enhancements, including advanced automation technology, for SPY-6 since the program’s inception. Additional construction on expanded production areas dedicated to transmit/receive integrated microwave modules and radio frequency heads — key radar components — will be completed this year.

BAE Systems announced June 2 that it had completed test shots of its APKWS laser-guided rockets from a tactical configuration ground-based weapon system for the first time. The proof-of-concept testing demonstrated the APKWS rockets’ ability to deliver standoff precision-strike capabilities for ground forces, providing a solution for warfighters engaging targets with greater range than small arms fire and without the need for air support.

BAE Systems tested the APKWS rockets at the U.S. Army’s Yuma Proving Ground, in collaboration with the U.S. Navy and Arnold Defense, a manufacturer of rocket launchers. The team used Arnold’s Fletcher 2.75-inch/70 mm Weapon System concept – a purpose-built laser-guided rocket launcher for ground vehicles – to fire several shots.

“Our customers see the value in low-cost, precision-strike capabilities that reduce the risk of collateral damage, and they want the flexibility to deliver them from the platform of their choice,” said Greg Procopio, director of Precision Guidance and Sensing Solutions at BAE Systems. “Demand is growing for ground-to-ground precision munitions that provide a safe standoff distance for small ground units. We’re working closely with our customer and partners to deliver that capability.”

Ground-launched APKWS rockets could provide mounted and dismounted units with a unique way to engage soft and lightly armored targets from a variety of platforms, according to the company. The low size, weight and power requirements of ground-launched APKWS rockets make them useful for tactical lightweight vehicles, remote weapon stations, non-standard tactical vehicles and stationary platforms.

“We designed Fletcher specifically as a ground launcher for precision-guided 70 mm rockets,” said Jim Hager, president and CEO at Arnold Defense. “Fletcher-launched APKWS rockets enable our military customers to engage targets from more than just airborne platforms. We envision Fletcher being used on everything from trucks and tracked vehicles to marine platforms in the future.”

APKWS laser-guided rockets are the only U.S. government program of record for precision-guided 70 mm rockets. All four U.S. armed forces use APKWS rockets, and it is available to U.S. allies via foreign military sales.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The carrier air wing assigned to the USS Gerald R. Ford is working up on its flight deck and conducting air operations with inert ordnance, the wing commander said. 

Speaking June 1 to reporters by teleconference while operating off the Virginia Capes, Capt. Joshua Sager said his seven squadrons assigned to Carrier Air Wing 8 (CVW-8) are on board the carrier for the first time, beginning a lengthy training cycle of catapult launches and arrested landings and working up to ordnance loads and dropping inert ordnance on targets. 

The Ford’s commanding officer, Capt. J.J. Cummings, also speaking in the teleconference, said the ship has unloaded 40,000 pounds of inert ordnance for CVW-8 to expend during its training. He said the newly operational aft lower Advanced Weapons Elevator (AWE) is getting a workout servicing the air wing. 

Sager said the AWE “gives us a lot of flexibility to access what is normally deeper in the magazine” — especially to make changes to ordnance loads in real time, as the mission set might change before aircraft are launched. 

“We’re actually testing that out while we’re out here,” he said. “We’re actually taking the carrier qualification mission to a mission that focuses on combat operations and executing that capability. It’s been an absolute an honor to be a part of that trajectory that we’re on.”      

The Ford has achieved 167 arrested landings in one day so far with the Advanced Arresting Gear, and Sager plans to show that the ship/air wing team can beat that number. 

Cummings said the reliability of the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System is climbing.  

James F. Geurts, assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition, also in the teleconference, said the Ford’s current at-sea period is serving to “exercise the equipment hard.”  

Sager said the air wing would not need recovery tanking during this at-sea period because of the availability of divert airfields within easy range. Mission tanking would be conducted for practice strikes into North Carolina. 

With more than 1,000 air wing personnel embarked, the ship’s galleys all are fully operating, Cummings said. The ship and air wing are free of any cases of COVID-19 among the personnel embarked, he said. 

CVW-8 includes four strike fighter squadrons flying F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, one carrier airborne early warning squadron flying E-2 Hawkeyes, one helicopter maritime strike squadron operating MH-60R Seahawks and one helicopter sea combat squadron flying MH-60S Seahawks. 

Sager declined to comment on plans for an electronic attack (VAQ) squadron flying EA-18G Growlers to join the air wing in the future. The VAQ squadron formerly assigned to the wing is assigned an expeditionary role.

MARIETTA, Ga. — Lockheed Martin recently delivered the first KC-130J Super Hercules tanker assigned to VMGR-452, the Marine Forces Reserve squadron at Stewart Air National Guard Base, New York, the company announced. 

A U.S. Marine Corps crew ferried the aircraft from Lockheed’s facility in Marietta on May 28 to the aircraft’s new home. 

VMGR-452 is the second Marine Reserve squadron to operate KC-130Js and this delivery signifies the recapitalization of the squadron’s existing KC-130T fleet. VMGR-452 — the “Yankees” — has operated Hercules tankers for more than 30 years, flying KC-130s in support of Operations Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom. 

“The KC-130 Hercules tanker has been a pivotal part of Marine Corps aviation operations since 1960, a relationship that began with the KC-130F and R-models, transitioned to the KC-130T, and continues now with the KC-130J Super Hercules,” said Rod McLean, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin’s Air Mobility and Maritime Missions line of business. 

“Our C-130 team knows this delivery is significant and represents increased capability for VMGR-452. We are proud to support our Marine aviation partners as they continue to be ‘first to fight.’” 

KC-130s are operated in support of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force commander by providing tactical in-flight refueling for fixed-wing, rotary-wing, and tilt-rotor aircraft; aviation-delivered ground refueling of aircraft or tactical vehicles; assault air transport or air-landed or aerial-delivered (parachute) personnel and equipment; pathfinder support, battlefield illumination; tactical aeromedical evacuation; and tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel support. 

The KC-130J delivers increased speed and fuel efficiency, improved payload/range capabilities, an integrated defensive suite, automated maintenance fault reporting, high-altitude ramp and door hydraulics, and unmatched situational awareness with its digital avionics and dual head-up displays. 

The KC-130J is one of nine production variants of the C-130J Super Hercules, the current production model of the legendary C-130 Hercules. With 460-plus aircraft delivered, the C-130J is the airlifter of choice for 20 nations. 

The U.S. Marine Corps operates the largest KC-130J Super Hercules fleet in the world. This delivery continues the U.S. government’s transition to the C-130J as the common platform across the Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Coast Guard. 

TULSA, Okla. — L3Harris Technologies has been awarded a contract to manufacture and deliver DC switchboards for Republic of Korea (ROK) navy submarines, the company said in a June 1 release. 

L3Harris will supply direct current (DC) switchboards that provide 900-volt DC power from the ship’s generators and batteries to the propulsion motor and other vital ships service loads. This award is a fully funded contract with the final delivery scheduled for June 2022.  

“This award comes as a follow-on to similar products previously delivered to our ROK navy customer,” said Rosemary Chapdelaine, vice president and general manager, Maritime Power Systems. “L3Harris is excited to build upon our long-standing relationship with the ROK’s navy submarine team and we look forward to continuing our partnership for many years to come.” 

ALAMEDA, Calif. — The Coast Guard seized approximately 3,350 pounds of marijuana in mid-May with an estimated value of approximately $6 million from a go-fast vessel in international waters of the Pacific Ocean off Central America, the Coast Guard Pacific Area said in a May 29 release. 

A maritime patrol aircraft spotted a suspected smuggling vessel and diverted the crew aboard the Coast Guard Cutter James (WMSL-754) to the go-fast vessel’s position. 

Once on scene, James’ crew initiated a pursuit of the suspected smugglers, who attempted to evade while throwing contraband overboard. 

The James’ Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew disabled the boat’s engines and a Coast Guard crew boarded the vessel, discovering four suspected smugglers and approximately 3,350 pounds of marijuana aboard. 

ARLINGTON, Va. — Kenneth J. Braithwaite was sworn in as the 77th secretary of the Navy on May 29, the Navy said in a release.

At the May 29 ceremony at the Pentagon, officiated by Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper, Braithwaite was joined by his family, the chief of naval operations and the commandant of the Marine Corps. 

The secretary is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and the University of Pennsylvania. He began his military service as a naval aviator, later transitioning to public affairs officer. His military career culminated in service as the U.S. Navy’s vice chief of information. As a civilian, Braithwaite worked in both public- and private-sector leadership roles. Prior to his current position he served as the 31st U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Norway. 

Below is a message released on that date to the men and women of the Department of the Navy. It has been edited for grammar: 

“To Sailors, Marines, and all men and women of the Department of the Navy serving across this great world: Today marks the honor of my life, taking the oath of office to become the 77th but, more importantly, your Secretary of the Navy. 

I am incredibly humbled to stand before you, the greatest Navy and Marine Corps in the world to accept this responsibility. For nearly 35 years, I, like you, have served our country, first as a U.S. naval officer deploying around the world to include sailing into harm’s way, and most recently as our U.S. ambassador to Norway, a nation important to our national security. Never have I ever doubted why we serve — to protect and defend the greatest nation on earth, the United States of America.

For more than two centuries, the department has exemplified the strength and resilience of the nation we represent. Through tragedy and triumph, in both peace and in war, the source of our strength has been three simple but extremely powerful words: honor, courage and commitment. 

As each of you know, they must be our guide stars as we navigate challenges around the globe. We can never forget that they are written in the blood of those who sailed before us: from John Paul Jones to Doris Miller, from Grace Hopper to Jason Dunham, all part of a formidable anchor chain of service through which each of you is an important part. 

Make no mistake, we face significant challenges today. Our nation is up against perhaps the greatest test of our commitment to the ideals we hold dear than at any time in our history, surely since the end of World War II. We must recognize this challenge for all it is and all it presents, lurking in the shadows of deceit or the depths of dishonesty. However, our Navy and Marine Corps have faced tough times before. Each time we have prevailed, and we will persevere again. It is our sacred duty, and we shall do so by relying on our core values, the bedrock of our service and the key to our success: honor, courage and commitment. 

The object of success for our service is simple: American sea power. America always has been and always will be a maritime nation. America and our principles of freedom rely on sea power delivered by a strong and capable Navy and Marine Corps. Each of you provides that power through your actions each day — actions that demonstrate our resolve to place service above self. 

I look forward to the days ahead to do all I can on your behalf, ensuring that you have the opportunity to thrive and succeed in your service to our nation. American sea power will continue to defend our nation, and American sea power will continue to preserve peace while deterring any and all that would challenge our way of life. And when or if we find it necessary, American sea power will decisively win in battle, which is our solemn duty because there can be no alternative. 

Please accept my personal appreciation, which I sincerely send to every one of you for your selfless service; your devotion to duty; and for your honor, courage and commitment. I am privileged to stand with you, the greatest Navy and Marine Corps the world has ever known in your service to the people of America. Godspeed to you and us all in this great endeavor!” 

ALAMEDA, Calif. — The U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy and Royal Canadian Navy signed a five-year strategic plan Tuesday, laying the foundation for future coordination and joint operations, the Coast Guard Pacific Area said in a May 28 release. 

Vice Adm. Linda Fagan, commander Coast Guard Pacific Area; Vice Adm. Scott D. Conn, commander Navy 3rd Fleet; Royal Canadian Navy Rear Adm. Bob Auchterlonie, commander Maritime Forces Pacific; and a small delegation of their staffs participated in a Three-Party Staff Talks (TPST) meeting via videoconference, which culminated in the signing of the strategic plan. 

“Whether it’s combating criminal activity by international drug cartels in the Eastern Pacific or strengthening maritime governance and the rule of law to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific, we rely on our Navy and Canadian partners to maximize success,” Fagan said. “This strategic plan improves interoperability and coordination across our sea services, allowing us to more effectively secure our countries’ shared maritime safety, security and economic interests.” 

Staff from the three services collaborated in February ahead of Tuesday’s TPST during a multi-day working group, where the teams focused on joint operations, exercise planning and communications. 

The TPST meetings and working groups provide a face-to-face forum for discussions and planning opportunities for improving defense readiness, homeland security, fisheries enforcement, counter-drug law enforcement and search-and-rescue operations between the services. 

“We routinely operate together across many different mission sets,” said Conn. “However, we are always looking at ways to improve our interoperability and strengthen our partnership. Our staff talks provide a valuable forum to discuss and plan how we will continue working together to defend the homeland while ensuring a secure and stable maritime environment.”