ARLINGTON, Va. — A major factor in the power of special operations forces (SOF) — stealth — is becoming increasingly threatened by advances in sensors and other capabilities of adversaries and needs to be protected by additional measures, SOF leaders said.   

Speaking May 13 in a component commanders roundtable at the Virtual Special Operations Forces Industrial Conference, Rear Adm. Collin Green, commander, Navy Special Warfare Command, and Maj. Gen. Daniel Yoo, commander, Marine Corps Special Operations Command — the Raiders, said that ways need to be found to reduce the signature of their SEALs and Raiders while they are operating in the field. 

The capabilities of adversaries, including terrorists and insurgents, is becoming increasingly sophisticated as they adopt the increasingly smaller but highly capable technologies once the province of major militaries. 

For example, some adversaries have been using small unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with optical and infrared sensors to make it increasingly difficult for SEALs and Raiders to remain covert during clandestine operations.  

Green said that his command has a resource strategy with lines of effort to strengthen the SEALs and special boat units as they focus on sustaining a competitive advantage in the maritime domain: “signature reduction, lethality and survivability of our maritime combatant craft” as well as “developing and expanding our undersea capability” now underway with the new Mk11 SEAL Delivery Vehicle and Dry Combat Submersible. 

Yoo noted the emerging technology on low observables, digital material and uniforms, but said that “true full-spectrum signature reduction” is needed “in the information environment that we’re going to fight in. 

“Being able to stay in the shadows and having freedom of movement for our people on the ground or platforms in the air … or using cyber tools to move around freely, to be able to have full-spectrum signature management, that’s an area that everybody is shooting around the target but haven’t developed where you have some kind of assurance that you are going to be able to do that.”

NORFOLK, Va. — The “Greyhawks” of Airborne Command & Control Squadron (VAW) 120 successfully conducted on May 11 the first fleet aerial refueling dry-plug certification between an E-2D Advanced Hawkeye and an F/A-18F Super Hornet, according to a release from commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic public affairs. 

“With contact between probe and basket, VAW-120 Greyhawks achieved the latest in a litany of significant milestones as Greyhawk 642 became the first Fleet E-2D Advanced Hawkeye to complete F/A-18 aerial refueling,” said Capt. Matthew Duffy, commander of the airborne command and control and logistics wing. 

Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 211 aircraft from Carrier Air Wing One (CVW-1) embarked aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) participated in this refueling evolution, three years in the making. 

“This ground-breaking achievement represented the culmination of more than three years of test and evaluation to include over 500 hours of evaluation flight time developing the Advanced Hawkeye airborne refueling capability,” Duffy said. 

VAW-120, part of Airborne Command & Control and Logistics Wing, has been tasked with initial qualification of aerial refueling for the E-2D fleet and is currently developing the techniques and procedures to train pilots in the new skill set. 

“This milestone was the result of detailed coordination between an embarked Carrier Strike Group and a shore-based training command that truly exemplifies the ethos of teamwork that permeates across Naval Aviation,” said Cmdr. Aaron Rybar, commanding officer of Airborne Command and Control Squadron 120. 

In September 2019, VAW-120 took delivery of the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye with an aerial refueling capability that allowed for the achievement of this initial operational capability. VAW-120 marked a second milestone in the E-2D legacy in April 2020, by achieving its 1,000th Aerial Refueling contact for the squadron. 

Lt. Michael Harrigan and Lt. David Carroll represent the first two fully qualified E-2D fleet replacement squadron (FRS) instructors qualified in aerial refueling. They completed 39 refueling evolutions with both VFA-211 and VFA-81. 

“This latest modification of the Advanced Hawkeye will allow for vastly improved on-station time and significantly increase the mission reach and influence of the world’s premier Command and Control platform,” said Duffy, who added that this month’s tested capability serves to increase the lethality for America’s Navy. 

The aerial refueling-modified E-2D Advanced Hawkeye is another key component to the carrier air wing of the future. Currently, the squadron’s E-2D AR instructor pilot cadre are increasing proficiency and experience in preparation for training and transitioning the first fleet squadron later this summer.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Navy recently completed a service life extension program (SLEP) on Yard Patrol 686 and returned the modernized craft to the U.S. Naval Academy on May 14, according to the Navy’s Program Executive Office-Ships (PEO-Ships). 
 
The SLEP for the vessel began in August 2019 and was executed in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard at its Curtis Bay shipyard in Baltimore. YP 686 is the fourth of 12 craft planned to receive an extensive overhaul and modernization package.  
 
Work items executed throughout the availability covered nearly every portion of the craft, including wooden hull and deck repair, habitability upgrades and overhaul and modernization of the propulsion and electric generating equipment. This SLEP effort will enable the craft to remain in service for another 10 years. 
 
The 108-foot wooden-hulled YP craft were originally delivered to the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, between 1986 and 1988 and have been continuously utilized to train midshipmen on piloting, seamanship, navigation and engineering. The training is designed to help midshipmen develop the essential skills required of an officer-of-the-deck, such as proficiency in navigation and a working knowledge of afloat operations with modern systems essential to seamanship and navigation. 
 
“Recapitalization of the YP craft is a direct investment in the proficiency and technical capability of our Navy’s future leaders,” said Mike Kosar, program manager of the Support Ships, Boats and Craft Program Office within PEO-Ships. “The SLEP will ensure our midshipmen will continue to have the platforms they need to gain the skills that will be required of them at sea.”  
 
Follow-on craft availabilities are scheduled to continue through March 2022 utilizing both the Coast Guard and commercial shipyards.

LOS ANGELES — The hospital ship USNS Mercy left Los Angeles on May 15 after supporting COVID-19 response operations in the greater Los Angeles area, the U.S. Northern Command said in a release. 

“We came to Los Angeles to be the relief valve for local hospitals in the fight against COVID-19,” said Capt. John Rotruck, commanding officer of medical treatment facility (MTF) aboard the ship.

See: Despite Isolation, Five Returning Roosevelt Sailors Test Positive for Virus

“I am very impressed with how well the team came together on this rapid-response mission, completing a wide-range of high-quality medical procedures from orthopedic surgeries to interventional radiology. Sailors from across the country answered the call, forming a unified team focused on our mission to treat patients from Los Angeles. I couldn’t be more proud.” 

Mercy is scheduled to return to Naval Station San Diego, where the ship and members of its embarked MTF will remain ready for future tasking. 

At the direction of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Northern Command, about 60 personnel assigned to Mercy’s MTF will continue supporting state and local health care providers at skilled nursing facilities. The U.S. Navy, with NORTHCOM-directed forces, remains engaged throughout the nation in support of the broader COVID-19 response. 

Mercy has been at the World Cruise Center Terminal in the Port of Los Angeles since March 27. The medical professionals aboard the Mercy performed various medical procedures, including general, orthopedic and plastic surgeries; interventional radiology; exploratory laparotomy; and skin grafting. 

“After arriving on station, the personnel aboard Mercy were able to safely execute our mission in support of FEMA and in coordination with state and local authorities,” said the mission’s commander, Capt. Dan Cobian, commodore of Destroyer Squadron 21. 

“In addition to supporting Los Angeles-area hospitals, we were able to expand our mission by providing support to a local skilled nursing facility and we also sent personnel to aid USNS Comfort for their effort in New York. Our Sailors answered the call and showed our country and the world the capability of our combined Navy Medicine and Military Sea Lift Command team in providing aid during this pandemic.”

ARLINGTON, Va.—The U.S. Navy’s Patrol Squadron 40 (VP-40) completed its safe-for-flight evaluation for operating the P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft on May 14, a milestone that completes the transition of the 12th and final active component VP squadron from the P-3C Orion to the P-8A, according to a release from commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Group public affairs. 

VP-40’s six-month transition to the P-8A completes a process that began in 2012, when VP-16 became the first fleet squadron to begin transition to the P-8A and took the aircraft on its first deployment in 2013. 

“The Fighting Marlins lived up to the incredibly high standard set by both Naval Air Station Whidbey Island and Naval Air Station Jacksonville squadrons,” Capt. Erin Osborne, commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 10, said in the release. “The ability of these units to learn a completely new aircraft and seamlessly integrate into the battlespace is a testament to the agility, dedication and professionalism of our force.” 

VP-40 is one of six P-8A squadrons based at Whidbey Island, Washington, under commander, Patrol Reconnaissance Wing 10. 

“The completion of all 12 active VP squadron transitions represents a landmark occasion in our storied branch of naval aviation,” said Rear Adm. Pete Garvin, commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Group. “I am confident that the men and women of the Fighting Marlins of VP-40 will continue to display the same level of pride and professionalism as each of their predecessors. I remain very proud of their effort to fight to the finish and the distinction they brought upon themselves and our community during the final active duty P-3C deployment.” 

The Navy’s Maritime Patrol Reconnaissance Force currently operates 94 P-8As. Another six serve in test and evaluation units. 

ARLINGTON, Va. — India will become the fourth nation to receive MH-60R Seahawk helicopters from Lockheed Martin. Under a May 14 U.S. Navy contract, India will receive 21 MH-60Rs for the ships in its navy. 

Naval Air Systems Command awarded a $905 million firm-fixed-price, cost-plus fixed-fee contract modification to Lockheed Martin for 21 MH-60Rs for India plus three more for the U.S. Navy, the Defense Department said in a release. 

The U.S. Navy operates 289 MH-60Rs on its aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers and littoral combat ships. The Royal Australian Navy operates 24 MH-60Rs from its warships, having received its first MH-60R in 2013. The Royal Danish Air Force flies nine MH-60Rs, having acquired its first in 2016. The Royal Saudi Navy has begun to receive a total of 10 MH-60Rs, which will be flown from its forthcoming multimission surface combatant ship, also built by Lockheed. 

“India’s selection of the MH-60R ‘Romeo’ multi-mission helicopter provides the Indian Navy with the most advanced anti-surface/antisubmarine warfare helicopter in operation today,” said Tom Kane, director, Sikorsky Naval Helicopter Programs, in a May 14 release. “The MH-60R offers the lowest risk and best value option because the aircraft is already in full production and globally supportable. The MH-60R provides a vital capability in the Indo-Pacific region and equips the Indian Navy with a tremendous capability that is ready for operations immediately upon delivery. We thank the government of India for its confidence in Sikorsky and look forward to supporting our partners in the Indian armed forces over the next 30 years.” 

The sale of the MH-60R represents another advance of U.S. defense equipment into the market for the government of India. The Indian Navy also operates the Boeing-built P-8I Neptune version of the P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft. 

ARLINGTON, Va. — A U.S. Navy nuclear-powered Ohio-class guided-missile submarine has returned from a deployment lasting more than 800 days, or 30 months, the Navy said.  

“USS Florida (SSGN 728) returned to its homeport of Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia, May 9, after operating forward-deployed for more than two years supporting the U.S. Africa, Central and European Combatant Commands,” said Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Ashley Berumen, Commander, Submarine Group 10 Public Affairs, in a May 13 release. 

The impressive length of the deployment took two crews, alternating in operating the submarine. The submarine sailed more than 98,000 nautical miles during the deployment. 

Like the Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarines, the Ohio-class guided-missile submarines have two crews, Blue and Gold, that alternate periodically in operating the submarine.  

“These crews of roughly 160 Sailors alternate manning the submarine and typically deploy with the ship for three months before swapping,” the release said. “Blue crew brought the submarine back to its homeport. The crew that isn’t deployed trains at Trident Training Facility Kings Bay, conducting a rigorous training program, including simulated missions and scenarios they could encounter while at sea. This constant training regimen helps ensure the crew is always tactically and operationally ready.” 

The Florida is one of four SSGNs in the fleet. Commissioned in June 1983, it completed more than 50 ballistic-missile patrols before its conversion to an SSGN in 2003-2006. The Ohio-class SSGNs can carry up to 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles and can be configured to deploy up to 66 special operations forces and their equipment. 

“For the past 30 months, USS Florida has been forward-deployed, providing our combatant commanders with not only one of the most versatile and clandestine platforms the United States Navy has to offer, but also one capable of delivering an absolutely devastating punch at our timing and tempo,” said Vice Adm. Daryl Caudle, Commander, Naval Submarine Forces, in the release. 

“Most submarines don’t operate forward-deployed like this for this amount of time, especially without a real home base,” said Capt. Brian Tothero, Florida (Blue) commanding officer, in the release. “So, after being sort of homeless for the past 30 months, it’s nice to be back in Kings Bay.” 

The Florida went through a 30-day continuous maintenance availability (CMAV) in Souda Bay, Crete, conducted by the Trident Refit Facility Kings Bay. The facility completed more than 16,000 hours of work and shipped more than 69,000 pounds of equipment, making it the largest CMAV in the history of any forward-deployed submarine, the Navy said.  

 “As a massive team effort among our international partners, submarine staffs, Trident Refit Facility, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Seal Delivery Vehicle Teams, Strategic Weapons Facility Atlantic, U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet staffs, Navy Undersea Warfare Center, Naval Sea Systems Programs, the DoD logistics enterprise and Strategic Systems Programs, we completed multiple maintenance availabilities, unprecedented in scope, in forward-deployed, isolated environments ranging from the Indian Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea,” said Capt. Seth Burton, commanding officer of USS Florida (Gold), in the release. 

ARLINGTON, Va. — Five more Sailors from the sidelined aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt have tested positive for COVID-19, despite 14 days in isolation on Guam, according to the U.S. Navy.

The five, who previously tested COVID positive and were taken off the carrier, retested positive after returning to the carrier, despite “rigorous recovery criteria, exceeding [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] guidelines,” Navy spokesperson Lt. Cmdr. Megan Isaac said on May 15.

See: Hospital Ship Mercy Bids Farewell to Los Angeles

Meanwhile, the Pentagon inspector general’s office announced on May 11 that it had launched an evaluation of the Navy’s policies to “prevent and mitigate” the spread of infectious diseases on ships and submarines and whether “mitigation measures that are effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19 were implemented across the fleet.”

Despite the latest setback, the Defense Department and the Navy “have learned much over the last few weeks on how to confront outbreaks on ships,” Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Rath Hoffman told a press briefing, noting that only two warships — the Roosevelt and the destroyer USS Kidd — out of 90 Navy vessels at sea have confronted the virus. He noted the Navy was able to respond more quickly and limit the outbreak on the Kidd because of lessons learned with the Roosevelt.

Hoffman also cited Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley’s frequent claim that “’the TR could be at sea tomorrow if called upon and would be able to fight through this outbreak.”

The new COVID-positive results aboard the Roosevelt come as the carrier, docked in Guam since March 27, prepares to return to sea after a bow-to-stern deep-cleaning process by about 700 crew members. The rest of the ship’s crew, more than 4,000 in total, are disembarked on Guam and either isolated or quarantined. More than 1,100 Sailors from the Roosevelt tested positive for COVID. To return to the carrier after 14 days observation, Sailors had to test negative in two successive tests. The infected five were among hundreds of crew members who have returned to the Roosevelt since late April.

“While onboard, these five TR Sailors self-monitored and adhered to the strict social distancing protocols established by the Navy,” Isaac said in a statement. However, they developed flu-like symptoms “and did the right thing reporting to medical for evaluation,” the statement added.

The five Sailors were immediately removed from the Roosevelt and placed back into isolation. Their close contacts were mapped, and they are receiving the required medical care. “A small number of other Sailors who came in close contact with these individuals were also removed from the ship and tested. They will remain in quarantine pending retest results,” the statement said.

“A process has been put in place to quickly address the issue,” Hoffman told the briefing. “We do want to get to a place where there is zero infections on the ship and the entire ship’s complement is back at sea, but that may take little bit more time,” he said.

After becoming the first Navy ship to suffer a COVID-19 outbreak at sea, the Roosevelt was caught in a controversy that led to Capt. Brett Crozier’s removal from command and the resignation a week later of then-acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly, who had ordered Crozier ousted.

Following a first preliminary inquiry, the Navy initiated a probe into Crozier’s actions that was widened by Modly’s successor, acting Navy Secretary James McPherson, to include the entire Pacific Fleet chain of command. Some, including reportedly Chief of Naval Operations Mike Gilday, recommended Crozier be reinstated after the preliminary probe ended.

SEATTLE — The U.S. Navy received its 100th P-8A aircraft from Boeing on May 14 as the global fleet, which also includes the Indian navy and the Australian and U.K. air forces, approaches 300,000 flight hours of hunting submarines and providing aerial reconnaissance capabilities around the world, the company said in a release. 

“We’re honored by the Navy’s faith and confidence in our employees and the P-8 system,” said Stu Voboril, vice president and program manager. “Our focus has been, and will be, on delivering the world’s best maritime patrol aircraft, bar none.” 

The P-8 is a long-range multimission maritime patrol aircraft capable of broad-area, maritime and coastal operations. A military derivative of the Boeing 737 next-generation airplane, the P-8 combines performance and reliability with an advanced mission system that ensures maximum interoperability in the battle space. 

This is the 94th mission-capable airplane to enter the Navy fleet, with six additional jets used as engineering manufacturing development test aircraft. The 100th fully operational delivery is scheduled for later this year. Boeing has also delivered 12 jets to the Royal Australian Air Force, two to the U.K.’s Royal Air Force and eight P-8Is to the Indian navy. Multiple U.S. Navy squadrons have deployed with the P-8A Poseidon, and the Indian navy and Royal Australian Air Force are conducting missions with the P-8 as well. 

ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Navy has awarded Boeing two contracts totaling $3.1 billion for Harpoon and Standoff Land-Attack Missile-Expanded Response (SLAM ER) cruise missile systems, weapon systems in support of foreign military sales (FMS) to seven U.S. allies and partners. 

Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) awarded a $1.97 billion firm-fixed-price contract to provide nonrecurring engineering for obsolescence redesign of the SLAM-ER plus the production and delivery of 650 SLAM-ER missiles for Saudi Arabia, the Defense Department said in a release. Work is expected to be complete by December 2028. 

Boeing last delivered the SLAM-ER weapon system in 2008, the company said in a release. 

NAVAIR also awarded to Boeing a $657 million firm-fixed-price contract modification for the procurement and delivery of 467 Harpoon full-rate production Lot 91 Block II missiles and support equipment. The order includes 402 Block II missiles and support equipment for Saudi Arabia; 53 Block II missiles and support equipment for Qatar; eight Block II missiles and support equipment for the government of Thailand; four Block II missiles and support equipment for the government of Brazil; and support equipment for Japan, the Netherlands, India and Korea, the Pentagon said. Work is expected to be complete by December 2026.   

“We are pleased to continue our long legacy of partnering with the Navy to build weapons that defend America and its international partners,” said Cindy Gruensfelder, vice president of Boeing Weapons said. “These awards will not only extend production of the Harpoon program through 2026, they will also restart the production line for SLAM-ER and ensure deliveries through 2028.” 

Boeing said it began in October to build a new 35,000-square-foot manufacturing facility “to support increased production for the Harpoon and SLAM ER programs.”  

Construction of the new facility is expected to be complete next year.