Navy’s Second Ford CVN to Join the U.S. Pacific Fleet
MEDITERRANEAN SEA (Oct. 11, 2023) The world’s largest aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) refuels from the underway replenishment oiler USNS Laramie (T-AO 203) in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, Oct. 11, 2023. The second Ford-class CVN, the future USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79), will become a unit of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jacob Mattingly)
By Richard R. Burgess, Senior Editor
ARLINGTON, Va. — The Navy’s second Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier, the future USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79), will become a unit of the U.S. Pacific Fleet when it makes its first deployment.
Captain Brian Metcalf, the Navy’s program manager for the Ford-class aircraft carriers, speaking Nov. 28 in a panel of the American Society of Naval Engineers’ Technology Systems and Ships seminar, said the Kennedy would be delivered to the Navy in 2025. After commissioning and training work ups, the carrier would make a deployment to the Indo-Pacific region and arrive at its new homeport on the U.S. West Coast, he said.
Metcalf said the Kennedy is 90% complete at HII’s Newport News shipyard.
He said that his program office plans to complete much of the Kennedy’s Post-Shakedown Availability (PSA) work — that on the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) was completed during its own PSA and added a year of delay to delivery to the fleet — would be completed on the Kennedy during its construction before commissioning and would enable the Kennedy to enter its basic training phase on time.
The lead ship, Gerald R. Ford, is deployed to the eastern Mediterranean Sea and has had its deployment extended twice because of the Israel-Hamas War. Metcalf said the Ford’s systems, including the Electro-Magnetic Aircraft Launch System and the ship’s once-controversial weapon elevators were performing well.
He said that maintenance and modernization work on the Ford planned for early 2024 would have to wait, given the Ford’s deployment extensions.
The next two Ford-class CVNs—Enterprise (CVN 80) and Doris Miller (CVN 81)—did not start as a two-ship procurement but since have been combined as a program to achieve cost reductions. Metcalf said that his program office is working within the current Future Years Defense Plan to ensure that procurement of CVN 82 and CVN 83 is a two-ship procurement.
U.S., Partner Nation Task Force Respond to Commercial Vessel Distress Call
This weekend, the USS Mason and partner nation naval vessels responded to a distress call from the commercial shipping vessel M/V Central Park, which had been boarded by five armed individuals while in transit in the Gulf of Aden near Yemen, said the Pentagon press secretary.
“[The Central Park] was boarded by these five individuals. They attempted to access the crew cabin,” Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said this morning during a meeting with the Pentagon press corps. “The crew, essentially, [was] able to lock themselves into a safe haven. These individuals attempted to access and take control of the ship.”
The crew of the Central Park issued the distress call on the evening of Nov. 26. The distress call was responded to by the USS Mason, allied ships and associated aircraft which are part of Combined Task Force 151. That task force conducts counter-piracy missions.
After the arrival of the USS Mason and partners with CTF 151, task force personnel demanded the release of the Central Park, Ryder said. The five armed individuals then disembarked the vessel and fled in a small boat.
“After the five individuals fled, the Mason sent out a visit, board, search and seizure team on the water that stopped the small boat. They detained the individuals, and then … the VBSS team boarded the Central Park and cleared the vessel,” Ryder said, adding that the Central Park crew was found to be safe following the incident.
While the identity of the five armed attackers was not yet confirmed at the time of the morning news briefing, Ryder said initial indications are that the individuals are Somali. All five are currently being held aboard the USS Mason.
Hours later, early in the morning of Nov. 27, Yemen time, two ballistic missiles were fired toward the general location of the Mason and the Central Park.
“Initial indications were that two ballistic missiles were fired from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, toward the general location of the Mason and the Central Park,” Ryder said. “The missiles landed in the Gulf of Aden, approximately 10 nautical miles from the ships. It is not clear at this time what they were targeting.”
Ryder said that neither the USS Mason nor the Central Park were damaged by the missiles and that the Central Park is now back under power and on its way.
KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii —The Navy on Sunday completed a key first step in recovering its P-8A from the bay by removing much of the fuel from the jet aircraft, the on-scene commander told reporters today.
“Yesterday, the team executed a slow and methodical defueling process,” said Rear Adm. Kevin P. Lenox, who is also commander of Carrier Strike Group 3. “This was done to minimize the risk of environmental harm in the follow-on salvage process. We estimated that the aircraft had just over 2,000 gallons of fuel on board andthe team extracted all the fuel that would come out.The process was completed successfully without any fuel being released into the bay.”
To prepare for that process, Navy divers went to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam to familiarize themselves with the P-8A Poseidonand practice connecting and disconnecting the fuel lines.The divers also conducted a hydrographic survey to better assess the coral and marine environment around the aircraft.
“This team has been singularly focused on developing a salvage plan for this aircraft that prioritizes the safety of personnel and the environment here inKaneohe Bay,” said Lenox.“We tested the fuel today to make sure what came out didn’t have any water in it, and it was basically perfect fuel. We could actually put that in another plane and it would be good to go.”
Col. Jeremy Beaven, commanding officer, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, and Cmdr. Mark Anderson, commanding officer, Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 1, also addressed the media.
“Within minutes [of the mishap] our Waterfront Operations team was postured and responding to ensure there were no deleterious effects on the environment,” said Beaven. “As the subsequent days have gone, our posture from the initial stages has just improved daily and that’s been in coordination with some of our state agencies helping us to get to what right looks like.
”The on-scene commander also noted an Aviation Mishap Board is on site, and an administrative investigation led by a senior naval officer in the Maritime Patroland Reconnaissance Force from outside the chain of command of the aircraft crew in question, has been designated and began review of investigation materials.
“The Navy is committed to learning from this investigation, regardless of the cause,” said Lenox.“Theselessons be valuable in preventing such incidents going forward and making us better.”
The P-8A crew, assigned to Whidbey Island, Washington-based Patrol Squadron (VP) 4 “Skinny Dragons,” was on a detachment in support of maritime homeland defense. There were nine crewmembers on board –three pilots and six crewmembers (two officer and four enlisted). All crewmembers safely evacuated the aircraft and no injuries were reported. A P-8A and crew assigned to VP-40 “Fighting Marlins” arrived in Hawaii Nov. 22,to assume homeland defense coverage.
More information will be released as it becomes available.
The U.S. Navy fact file on the P-8A Poseidon can be found at the following link: https://www.navy.mil/Resources/Fact-Files/Display-FactFiles/Article/2166300/p-8a-poseidonmultimission-maritime-aircraft-mma/
ARABIAN GULF – The Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (IKECSG) completed a scheduled transit through the Strait of Hormuz into the Arabian Gulf, Nov. 26.
“Our passage through this important strait and continued presence in the area plays a critical role in maintaining the freedom of navigation that is key to regional security and stability,” said Rear Adm. Marc Miguez, commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 2, IKECSG. “I am incredibly proud of the sustained professionalism of each IKECSG Sailor, especially in evolutions like a strait transit, where detailed planning, precision navigation and the proficiency of our warfighting teams are on full display.”
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the busiest shipping lanes, with one-fifth of the world’s energy supply transiting through the strait annually. This waterway is critical to ensuring and safeguarding the stability of global commerce.
More than 500 ships sail through the Strait of Hormuz in a typical week, a steady flow of maritime traffic crucial to the vitality of the nations in the Middle East region.
The aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (IKE) passed through the strait with the guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58), guided missile destroyers USS Gravely (DDG 107) and USS Stethem (DDG 63), and French Navy destroyer FS Languedoc (D 653) along with air support from a French Navy E-2C Hawkeye and French Air Force Rafale strike aircrafts.
“The Mighty IKE brings unmatched capabilities wherever it goes,” said Capt. Christopher Hill, commanding officer of IKE, flagship of IKECSG. “We place ourselves where our nation’s leaders need us to be and on time, in order to meet the full range of maritime security requirements of the mission at hand.”
The IKECSG’s transit through the Strait of Hormuz marks the first aircraft carrier to operate in the Arabian Gulf since the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group in September 2020. IKECSG presence in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations, where it has operated since Nov. 4, demonstrates the U.S. and its partners’ commitment to the free flow of commerce, regional security and freedom of navigation.
The Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Middle East Region. Along with IKE, deployed strike group assets include staffs, ships and aircraft of CSG 2, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 22, USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3.
IKECSG units departed their homeports of Norfolk, Virginia, and Mayport, Florida, on Oct. 13 and 14 for a scheduled deployment.
U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet’s area of operations encompasses about 2.5 million square miles of water area and includes the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. This expanse, comprising 21 nations, includes three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Strait of Bab al Mandeb.
KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii – During the Thanksgiving holiday, Nov. 23, U.S. Navy Sailors from Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 1 were busy in and around the downed P-8A Poseidon in waters just off the runway at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, as part of the ongoing efforts to assess, investigate, and plan the safe, expeditious and environmentally protective recovery of the aircraft.
Divers from MDSU-1’s Company 1-3 were successfully able to recover the aircraft’s flight data recorder. While on shore, conducting an assessment, were members of the recently arrived Aircraft Mishap Board, assigned to investigate the incident to determine the cause and contributing factors of the mishap.
MDSU-1 divers also conducted a hydrographic survey around the aircraft to help further evaluate the aircraft’s structural integrity, as well as better assess the coral and marine environment around the aircraft. The survey will help the Navy plan a recovery operation that minimizes any impact to the critical ecosystem of Kaneohe Bay.
Personnel from Naval Sea Systems Command, Supervisor of Salvage and Diving, as well as contracted salvage masters from SMIT Salvage also arrived on Oahu Wednesday to assist with the recovery planning and execution.
In addition to the environmental protection measures previously implemented by the Navy and base personnel, members from the State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) are assisting the efforts to continuously monitor the marine environment around the aircraft.
With the utmost concern for mitigating any potential environmental impacts, some of the previously reported environmental protection measures employed or are at the ready include.
Primary and secondary containment booms have been deployed, encircling the entire aircraft, to protect the surrounding marine environment.
Hydrophobic absorbent material was also placed as a proactive preventative measure. This material not only helps absorb any potential pollutants but also serves as an effective indicator for the presence of petroleum products, allowing for swift identification and response.
A skimmer is on standby, ready to swiftly respond. This proactive measure enhances the ability to quickly remove any pollutants from the water surface, minimizing impact on the marine environment.
Specially trained base personnel continue to observe and monitor the area 24-hours-a-day to watch for any changes in the environment. In addition to looking for possible pollutants, personnel are also instructed to keep watch for wildlife and are trained to report any impacted wildlife or any species of interest that are observed in the vicinity
The P-8A crew, assigned to Whidbey Island, Washington-based Patrol Squadron (VP) 4 “Skinny Dragons,” was on a detachment in support of maritime homeland defense. There were nine crewmembers on board – three pilots and six crewmembers (two officer and four enlisted). All crewmembers safely evacuated the aircraft and no injuries were reported. A P-8A and crew assigned to VP-40 “Fighting Marlins” arrived in Hawaii today to assume homeland defense coverage.
More information will be released as it becomes available.
On November 25, USS Hopper (DDG 70) asserted navigational rights and freedoms in the South China Sea near the Paracel Islands, consistent with international law. At the conclusion of the operation, USS Hopper (DDG 70) exited the excessive claim area and continued operations in the South China Sea. This freedom of navigation operation (“FONOP”) upheld the rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of the sea recognized in international law by challenging restrictions on innocent passage imposed by the People’s Republic of China (PRC), Taiwan, and Vietnam.
The PRC, Vietnam, and Taiwan each claim sovereignty over the Paracel Islands. All three claimants require either permission or advance notification before a military vessel or warship engages in “innocent passage” through their territorial sea, in violation of international law. Under customary international law as reflected in the Law of the Sea Convention, the ships of all States – including their warships – enjoy the right of innocent passage through a territorial sea. The unilateral imposition of any authorization or advance-notification requirement for innocent passage is unlawful. By engaging in innocent passage without giving prior notification to or asking permission from any of the claimants, the United States challenged these unlawful restrictions imposed by the PRC, Taiwan, and Vietnam. The United States demonstrated that innocent passage is not subject to such restrictions.
Unlawful and sweeping maritime claims in the South China Sea pose a serious threat to the freedom of the seas, including the freedoms of navigation and overflight, free trade and unimpeded commerce, and freedom of economic opportunity for South China Sea littoral nations.
The United States challenges excessive maritime claims around the world regardless of the identity of the claimant. Customary international law reflected in the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention protects certain rights, freedoms and lawful uses of the sea enjoyed by all nations. The international community has an enduring role in preserving the freedom of the seas, which is critical to global security, stability, and prosperity.
The United States upholds freedom of navigation for all nations as a principle. As long as some countries continue to claim and assert limits on rights that exceed their authority under international law, the United States will continue to defend the rights and freedoms of the sea guaranteed to all. No member of the international community should be intimidated or coerced into giving up their rights and freedoms.
U.S. forces operate in the South China Sea on a daily basis, as they have for more than a century. They routinely operate in close coordination with like-minded allies and partners that share our commitment to uphold a free and open international order that promotes security and prosperity. All of our operations are conducted safely, professionally, and in accordance with customary international law. The operations demonstrate that the United States will fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows – regardless of the location of excessive maritime claims and regardless of current events.
CNO and MCPON Conduct Trip to Indo-Pacific to Underscore Commitment to Allies, Visit Sailors
WASHINGTON, DC – Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy James Honea traveled to Guam, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) to underscore the U.S. Navy’s unwavering focus on the Indo-Pacific and to engage with forward deployed Sailors, Nov. 20-25.
Franchetti and Honea began their trip in Guam with an all-hands call. The dialogue covered topics like quality of service initiatives and recruiting, it also centered on Franchetti’s focus on the important role of our forward-postured forces serving at Joint Region Marianas and on applying a warfighting lens to everything the Navy does.
“I am incredibly proud of the work you do, providing options, flexibility, and decision space to our Nation’s leaders. What you do matters every day to our Navy and to our Nation,” said Franchetti. “Each of you are forward-deployed supporting our allies and partners and reinforcing our strategic relationships in this very critical region of the world. As I begin my tenure as CNO I’m focused on ensuring you have what you need to preserve the peace, respond in crisis, and, if called, win decisively in war.”
MCPON echoed Franchetti’s sentiments on strengthening the Navy team.
“I’d ask that everyone in this room be very clear on what their priorities are, focus on what matters, then ask yourself, ‘how can I get better? How can I help my shipmates be better?’” Honea said. “I charge all of you to be a citizen and belong – make your teams better. Make our Navy better.”
The next stop on their Indo-Pacific tour was Japan, where they met officials and military leaders, to include Japan’s Defense Minister, Kihara Minoru; Yokosuka Mayor Kamiji Katsuaki; Chief of Staff, Joint Staff Gen. Yoshida Yoshihide, and Chief of Staff of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Adm. Sakai Ryo. During these engagements Franchetti discussed the strength of the U.S.- Japan alliance and the importance of the Navy-to-Navy relationship in facing the challenges to a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Throughout her discussions, CNO emphasized the value of planning, exercising and operating together to enhance interoperability between the two fleets. She further expressed how the strong network of allies and partners across the Indo-Pacific ensures the stability and security of the region and facilitates the preservation of the rules-based international order.
“Our Navy is the world’s premier all-domain warfighting force, made even more effective through our strong relationships with allies and partners in the Indo-pacific region,” said Franchetti.
Following the key leader engagements, CNO and MCPON spent Thanksgiving serving the holiday meal and dining with the crew aboard the Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Additionally, they visited crew members forward-deployed aboard the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS John Finn (DDG 113).
“MCPON and I chose to visit this region for my first trip as CNO to underscore the significance of our maritime operations and alliances in the Indo-Pacific; we chose to visit at this time to recognize our Sailors serving overseas and deployed during the holiday season,” said Franchetti.
Busan, ROK was the final leg of the trip, where CNO and MCPON met with the ROK Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Yang Yong-mo and ROK MCPON Eom Ha-il.
During her discussions with Yang, Franchetti noted that for seven decades the U.S. – ROK relationship has proven to be among the most capable, cooperative, and durable bilateral partnership in the world, bolstering peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and in the Indo-Pacific.
This stop also marked CNO and MCPON’s first return to ROK since serving there together from 2014 to 2015 as then Commander, Naval Forces Korea and Command Master Chief. MCPON remarked on their shared history and consistent focus on the Navy’s most strategic asset – Sailors.
“Our titles may have changed, but our vision remains the same – to support and develop Sailors that are strong leaders and experts. Sailors who will live, teach, and enforce standards to make each other and our Navy stronger every day,” said Honea.
Franchetti underscored that point when speaking to Sailors aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), who are conducting a port visit in Busan during their Western-Pacific deployment.
“Our Navy can have the best equipment, ships, submarines, and aircraft, but without Sailors they go nowhere and do nothing,” said Franchetti. “Our people – our Sailors and our Civilians – are our true secret weapons. They give us a decisive edge, and because of them, our Navy remains the preeminent fighting force on, under, and above the seas.”
This was CNO and MCPON’s first international trip together since her confirmation.
Leonardo DRS Hybrid Electric Drive Propulsion System Successful in Republic of Korea Navy Sea Trials of First Ulsan-Class Frigate
ARLINGTON, Va.– Leonardo DRS, Inc. (NASDAQ: DRS) announced today the successful completion of comprehensive sea trials of the first Ulsan-Class Future Frigate experimental Batch-3 (FFX-III) for the Republic of Korea Navy (ROK Navy). DRS provides the hybrid electric drive propulsion system for the ship, featuring quiet, compact, advanced permanent magnet propulsion motors, supporting the ship’s anti-submarine warfare (ASW) mission with less noise generation and superior fuel economy. This sea trial follows the delivery of eight shipsets for the Daegu-Class FFX-II.
“The successful and timely testing was an important phase of this program, which demonstrates our continued success and collaboration with Hyosung Corporation, Korean shipbuilding HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI), and the ROK Navy,” said Jon Miller, Leonardo DRS Naval Power Systems Senior Vice President and General Manager. “I’m proud of our engineering team, who demonstrated superb expertise, technical skill, and professionalism to prove the system, operation, and overall performance of the first Ulsan-Class FFX-III Frigate.”
The 10-day sea trial, which took place in August 2023, marked a significant milestone in the development and testing of the Ulsan-Class FFX-III. Conducted in the Sea of Japan, the trial showcased the vessel’s exceptional performance, economy, safety features, and its ability to meet and exceed all performance requirements. The ROK Navy plans to begin deployment of the ship immediately. DRS will proceed with production of five additional shipsets in FFX-III
DRS is a leading provider of hybrid electric drive systems and next-generation electrical power conversion and propulsion technology for the U.S. Navy and allies around the world, with major systems for next-generation submarines and surface ships. Investments in the company’s market-leading propulsion and power generation technology have created opportunities to use proven electric drive capabilities for future naval platforms. DRS solutions are leading the way in providing power flexibility to support the increased power requirements of current and future naval platforms.
U.S. 7th Fleet and Armed Forces of the Philippines Begin Maritime Cooperative Activity
SOUTH CHINA SEA – U.S.7th Fleet (C7F) and Armed Forces of the Philippine (AFP) units began a maritime cooperative activity (MCA) in the South China Sea, Nov. 23.
The MCA is designed to enhance interoperability between the two militaries and further advance combined capabilities in the maritime domain.
C7F units participating in the MCA are the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10), assigned to Destroyer Squadron 7, and a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, assigned to the “Fighting Tigers” of Patrol Squadron (VP) 8.
AFP units participating are two FA-50PH aircraft, an A-29B Super Tucano aircraft, and three Philippine Navy ships: BRP Conrado Yap, BRP Jose Rizal, and BRP Gregorio del Pilar.
U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
P-8 Mishap in Hawaii Is Possible First Loss in Aircraft’s Career
By Richard R. Burgess, Senior Editor
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ARLINGTON, Va. — A U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft ran off a runway at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii on Nov. 20, likely resulting in the first loss of one of the aircraft in the 10 years since it achieved initial operational capability.
“At approximately 2 p.m. local (Hawaii), a U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon overshot the runway on landing at Marine Corps Air Station, Kaneohe Bay, and ended up in nearby water,” the U.S. Third Fleet public affairs office said in a Nov. 20 release. “All personnel safely evacuated the aircraft. First responders and emergency crews acted immediately to conduct an initial assessment and employed a temporary floating barrier, which is used to protect the environment.”
The P-8A, shown in news photographs sitting partially submerged in the surf of Kaneohe Bay — is assigned to Patrol Squadron Four (VP-4), based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington. No P-8s are permanently based at Kaneohe Bay but frequently rotate in for exercises and for detachments in support of homeland defense.
The P-8 equips 12 U.S. fleet and two reserve patrol squadrons. The Poseidon made its first operational deployment nearly a decade ago, in December 2013, with VP-16. Until now, none have been destroyed in mishaps. The Navy has not yet made a determination if the P-8A in Kaneohe Bay suffered strike damage.
“An investigation will be initiated,” the 3rd Fleet release said. “More details will be released as they become available.”
