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Post-crisis force: A larger, smarter and more lethal Navy (Part 1)

HMAS Stalwart conducts a dual replenishment at sea with HMA Ships Brisbane and Toowoomba during a transit as part of a regional presence deployment. (Source: Defence)

As a maritime trading nation straddling two of the world’s major oceans, the Navy is critical to securing and promoting Australia’s national interests and security – in a hyper-competitive and multipolar post-crisis world, Navy will only become more pivotal for the nation.

As the largest island continent on the planet with a maritime jurisdiction of in excess of 8 million square kilometres, Australia, as a nation and a people, is defined by its relationship with the ocean.

Beyond the social and cultural aspects, our relationship with the ocean and our maritime approaches has ranged from angst to anxiety through to hostility and outright apathy as a result of our “tyranny of distance”.

This “tyranny of distance” is rapidly being replaced by a “predicament of proximity” given the nation’s geographic location at the crossroads of the Pacific and Indian Oceans and the economic, political, ideological, and strategic competition of the 21st century.

This has only become more front of mind since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the Red Sea, which is responsible for constraining waterways responsible for US$1 trillion (AU$1.5 trillion) worth of maritime trade every year, never mind China’s ongoing brinkmanship and antagonism in the South China Sea putting at risk more than US$5.3 trillion (AU$7.83 trillion) of maritime trade every year.

Yet for much of our history, we have enjoyed the free and unhindered access to the global maritime commons, secured initially by the British Empire and the might of the Royal Navy and now secured since the end of the Second World War in part by ourselves, but at a global level by the United States.

This benevolence and security provided Australia with the opportunity to trade with the world, opening up the vast and unrivalled mineral wealth of the nation and unlocking our agricultural promise to the benefit of millions at home and hundreds of millions abroad.

While Australia was far from alone in benefiting from the post-Second World War peace and security, as a nation, Australia has disproportionally benefited in many ways, buoyed by the voracious appetite of nations across the world, but in particular, right on our doorstep in the Indo-Pacific.

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Indeed, as Australian Strategic Policy Institute Senior Fellow David Uren explained in his recent report, The trade routes vital to Australia’s economic security, “A recurrent theme in Australia’s defence strategy has been our reliance on and need to defend Australia’s trade routes in a globalised world. The vulnerability of Australia’s limited stockpiles of critical goods and its concentrated sources of supply have driven military capability and planning for decades and remain a justification for strategic investments.”

This longstanding consideration has formed the basis of Australia’s strategic posture, defence policy and force structure planning as far back as the immediate years following the end of the Second World War and, more recently, has driven the government’s 2023 Defence Strategic Review and supporting Independent Analysis into Navy’s Surface Combatant Fleet which stressed the importance for an increased Australian capacity to control and secure the critical sea lines of communication and maritime that the nation depends upon.

Yet in the aftermath of a great power conflict and crisis closer to home, we are left wondering if the proposals outlined by the government, including the vaunted acquisition of the nation’s future conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines are enough to truly preserve and protect Australia’s interests in an era of unrestricted multipolar competition.

So in a similar manner to our discussion around a post-crisis Army, what does a post-crisis force look like for Navy as we confront said challenges?

Utilising our most precious resource

As has long been established, Australia needs to do a far better job of utilising its most precious and finite resource, namely its personnel, with Navy in particular facing major challenges to recruitment and retention rates that will only become more pronounced if not rectified rapidly.

Currently, the Royal Australian Navy, according to its own website, consists of “nearly 50 commissioned vessels” but actually operates a fleet of 41 “major warships” against “over 16,000 personnel”, bringing together a fleet of advanced combatants in the three Hobart Class (180 crew) air warfare destroyers; the venerable, but seven ageing Anzac Class (177 crew) guided missile frigates; the two Canberra Class landing helicopter docks; two Supply Class auxiliary oilers; and six Collins Class (48 crew) submarines.

For comparison, the Royal Canadian Navy operates a fleet of 68 commissioned vessels against a full-time, active personnel workforce of approximately 8,400 personnel, albeit with a far more, consolidated and “rationalised” fleet of 12 Halifax Class (225 crew) guided missile frigates; 12 Kingston Class (47 crew) maritime coastal defence vessels; four of eight Harry DeWolf Class (65 crew) arctic offshore patrol vessels; and four Victoria Class (53 crew) submarines.

Yes, some will say, but Canada doesn’t operate the “big amphibious ships” like Australia’s Canberra Class, our Supply Class auxiliary replenishment ships, and the single, HMAS Choules and that is a fair statement. For reference, a single Canberra Class has a crew of 358 while a single Supply Class has a crew of 122 and HMAS Choules with a crew of 158, respectively.

Even to a lay person with limited understanding of naval capabilities and personnel management, Australia seems to have over-capitalised in personnel for less combat capability at sea, something recent decisions around Australia’s contribution to RIMPAC and following a US request to contribute a warship to the Red Sea which were effectively declined by the government seem to reinforce.

It becomes a reasonable question then if we have all of these people but struggle to deploy a single frigate or destroyer to support our “great and powerful friend” and primary security benefactor, what the hell are we doing?

The ‘central pillar’ platforms

As it stands, Australia’s Canberra Class amphibious warfare ships, HMAS Choules and, to a lesser extent, the two Supply Class auxiliary serve as the lynchpin or central pillars of the Royal Australian Navy and its transition to delivering “impactful projection” and deterrence capabilities as part of an “integrated, focused” and “balanced force” in the post-crisis world.

Accordingly, these platforms, or more likely their replacements, will remain the “central pillar” of our national naval capability, despite the rhetoric around Australia’s future fleet of conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines being our new “capital ships”, the reality is far different.

Now, of course, we will have to consider the trends emerging among both our partners and adversaries, either revealed or potential, as well as learn the lessons of the crisis scenarios and any number of alternatives to inform the optimal capability mix in order to form the broader “integrated, focused” and “balanced force”.

While many analysts have advocated for the position that the advent of reliable and mass producible anti-ship ballistic and cruise missiles make large surface vessels like aircraft carriers and large amphibious warfare ships obsolete for contemporary peer or near-peer conflict.

Now that isn’t entirely true, as the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) scenario revealed, while there is a heavy toll on large surface combatants, this comes as a result largely on the lack of defensive measures, namely missile magazine depth or a lack thereof, particularly in the Australian context.

Equally, there is an assumption held by Australia’s strategic planners and decisionmakers that Australia will always be able to call upon an American or, at a stretch, British or maybe Japanese or South Korea aircraft carrier to provide reliable and credible fleet air cover and support at extended ranges beyond the Australian mainland.

So that presents two factors worth serious contemplation and raises an old question, does Australia need a fixed-wing naval aviation capability?

The answer is actually quite simple – yes. Particularly in a post-crisis world where our access to the cover provided by an allied carrier capability maybe limited at best or non-existent at worst. This only becomes more apparent as potential adversaries develop their own carrier capabilities or our neighbours may deny or restrict Australian access to airfields throughout the region to avoid being dragged into a further conflict.

This is also, by no means, advocacy for a supercarrier, that would be counterproductive, but rather an opportunity for Australia to further enhance our relationship with key allies via a common platform developed in conjunction with either or both Japan and South Korea in order to maximise the value proposition while also aggregating capability among like-minded nations in the Indo-Pacific.

The real question now becomes about the number of ships, the size of the platform and airwing capacity and if there are any structures already in service that we can modify and emulate to suit Australia’s operational structures, requirement and environment.

As a base concept, we would need to field an optimal number of three, allowing for coverage of the east, west and north coasts of the mainland, allowing for a vessel on deployment or exercise, a high readiness vessel and one in its maintenance cycle.

In order to maximise the strategic impact of the ships, the base design would need to sit in the weight class of the Italian Navy’s new large deck amphibious warfare ship Trieste at 38,000–40,000 tonnes, with a similar crew complement, while also allowing for reasonable growth margins and power generation capacity, supporting a fixed-wing airwing of 24 aircraft and 16 support helicopters and uncrewed systems.

Importantly, none of these ships would have an organic amphibious warfare capability, they will be purely focused on projecting Australian airpower and fleet aircover abroad but should – like the UK’s HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales – be capable of providing sizeable follow-on ground forces via air assault should it be required in support of amphibious operations.

Finally, in order to mitigate the inter-service rivalry and concern over “capability theft” over a return to fixed-wing naval aviation, borrowing the hybrid model utilised by the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force provides invaluable lessons for Australia to learn from and emulate with “Australian characteristics” while also ensuring that the surface Navy provides invaluable tactical and strategic options for decisionmakers.

Equally important is the nation’s at-sea replenishment capability or as it stands at the moment, seriously limited capacity despite the “brand new” nature of both HMA Ships Supply and Stalwart which face a range of serious and well-documented issues. These invaluable vessels provide the Australian Navy and our allies, for that matter, with the capacity to sustain operations at range for protracted periods of time and, as such, are vital components of our strategic capability.

So getting this right should be paramount. These ships further hinder Australian naval capability as a result of their large crewing requirements and limited self-defence capabilities, issues that need to be rectified or should never have been issues to begin with, for that matter. That is not to say that we scrap the two Supply Class vessels, it is now more a case of repurposing them (but more on that later).

In their place, we have the opportunity to consolidate and expand the nation’s auxiliary fleet while leveraging existing supply chains, working with allies in both the United Kingdom and South Korea to field updated variants of the AEGIR-18A initially proposed by a conglomerate during the original tendering phase for SEA 1654 Phase 3.

These ships provide enhanced range (10,000 nautical miles versus 6,000 nautical miles), a smaller crew complement (63 standard embarked crew versus 122 standard embarked crew, while the Norwegian variant of the AEGIR-18A has a smaller crew again at 43 standard complement), albeit with a significant increase in size of the vessel affording greater store capacity (19,000 m³ for diesel oil, aviation fuel versus a combined total of 10,505m³ for liquid fuel stocks).

The Royal Navy’s Fleet Auxiliary currently uses the larger AEGIR-26 as the basis for their four (although one is extended reserve readiness) Tide Class tanker fleet, built partially in South Korea and serves as the basis for the Fleet Auxiliary’s Fleet Solid Support Ship program of three ships to be built in Belfast, Northern Ireland, so Australia could theoretically work with both the UK or South Korea (including providing steel) to field a well-rounded, highly capable and manpower-appropriate level of capability.

Recognising that even with a smaller crew complement, Australia can only field a limited number of auxiliary vessels, so balancing the design to maximise both liquid fuel and solid store capacity will be paramount, so again collaborating with either or both the United Kingdom and South Korea will provide an optimal pathway to delivering a sizeable expansion of the capability (from two ships, to six) in a timely and cost-effective manner.

Post-crisis surface combatant fleet

Bringing us to the future of Australia’s surface combatant fleet, which as outlined by the government’s review into the future of the major surface combatants is slated to expand in size, being broken into two tiers of combatants, with the nation’s three Hobart Class destroyers and six Hunter Class destroyers (I am going to begin referring to them as destroyers because on size metrics, that is what they are) serving as our “Tier One” combatants with a fleet of optimally 11 “Tier Two” general purpose frigates.

These surface combatants will be supported by a fleet of six, Aegis combat system equipped “large optionally crewed surface vessels” (LOSVs) to be armed with 32 vertical launching system cells (the same “standard” vertical launch system loadout as the Hunter Class destroyers which have seen frequent criticism for being underarmed and use the Aegis Baseline 9 system.

In a post-crisis world, it remains to be seen if the surface combatant fleet outlined in the surface combatant review is sufficient to respond to the challenges, and many would argue it isn’t – I am one of them. I am also not sure the proposed major surface combatant fleet composition is optimal either.

Again, what am I proposing? First and foremost, increase the missile capacity of the Hunter Class from ship one, spending billions of dollars on a leading-edge warship with the billion-dollar Aegis combat system only to equip them with the naval equivalent of a cap gun-level of missile capacity is pure insanity.

Second, accelerate the build process to bring the fleet into service quicker as well as accelerate the design and development of the Hobart Class replacement program to begin construction at the launch of ship four of the Hunter Class, with an emphasis on deep missile magazine capacity, heavy automation to mitigate crew requirements, increased power generation, and next-generation self-defence capabilities.

As it comes to numbers of particular units, it is clear that the government’s preference for LOSVs (which are still unproven and in development) is an attempt at sleight of hand and begs questions around why we would spend billions on a suboptimal platform? Rather, we need to maximise the capability of the platforms we already have in the pipeline, not pursue science projects.

But to answer the numbers question, optimally, we would see the Hunter Class fleet returned to nine, with the follow-on Hobart Class replacements to be an equal number of hulls, again allowing equal coverage of our three major coastlines with high capability “Tier one” surface combatants capable of performing a range of duties, including, and perhaps most importantly, escort duties for our “central pillar” platforms.

Bringing us to the “Tier Two” general purpose frigates, proposed by the government as a mechanism for expanding the nation’s naval capability in a rapid, cost-effective manner by leveraging an “off-the-shelf” design with either the German MEKO A200/A210 or Japan’s Mogami Class frigate seemingly the frontrunners for the multi-billion program.

The seemingly “firming” number of 11 frigates is equally an odd choice, when a firm number of 12 would allow Australia to forward deploy a squadron of three in the region, operating out of a shared facility in Singapore or other “like minded” nation to help maintain regional peace and stability through projected presence and strength.

Now how do we make these surface combatants “smarter”? Well, we already have the keys to success here through innovative Australian platforms like the Ocius Bluebottle uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) which provide cost-effective persistent, long-range intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities to establish a wide-reaching web of sensors linked to effectors across the region and mainland Australia.

This surface combatant fleet would be further enhanced by the fielding of advanced large, uncrewed underwater systems, namely the Ghost Shark along with a scaled system-of-systems approach to autonomous aerial systems to effectively extend the eyes and ears and reach of the fleet. These sensor nodes would also feed effectively into the nation’s integrated battle management system being developed under AIR 6500, serving to enhance the protective shield provided by the sea-based leg of air and missile defence capabilities.

Final thoughts

Our post-crisis Navy has proven to be a bigger beast than I initially expected, so I will be covering the remaining components of our naval capability (including the Coast Guard) in a second part of this series before moving on to the Royal Australian Air Force, Special Operations Command along with the national economy and industrial base and, finally, our diplomatic pathways for ways to “harden” ourselves and prepare for a challenge we all pray never comes.

Importantly, to do this and deliver such outcomes, Australia will need to have an honest conversation about how we view ourselves and what our own ambitions are. Is it reasonable for Australia to position itself as a “middle” or “regional” power in this rapidly evolving geopolitical environment?

Equally, if we are going to brand ourselves as such, shouldn’t we aim for the top tier to ensure we get the best deal for ourselves and our future generations?

If we are going to emerge as a prosperous, secure, and free nation in the new era of great power competition, it is clear we will need break the shackles of short-termism and begin to think far more long term, to the benefit of current and future generations of Australians.

Get involved with the discussion and let us know your thoughts on Australia’s future role and position in the Indo-Pacific region and what you would like to see from Australia’s political leaders in terms of partisan and bipartisan agenda setting in the comments section below, or get in touch at [email protected] or at [email protected].

Carrier USS Abraham Lincoln Leaves on Deployment, USS Theodore Roosevelt Now in the Middle East

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) departing San Diego, Calif., on July 11, 2024. Photo via Warshipcam on X

Sam LaGrone – July 12, 2024 3:47 PM – Updated: July 12, 2024 5:40 PM

With no fanfare, aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) left San Diego Bay Thursday to begin a planned Pacific deployment, Navy officials confirmed to USNI News.
Ship spotters saw Lincoln depart its berth at Naval Air Station North Island, Calif., on Thursday

Now off the coast of California, Lincoln will embark aircraft from Carrier Air Wing 9 and serve as the flag ship for Carrier Strike Group 3. Guided missile destroyers from Destroyer Squadron 21 will join Lincoln. A Navy official confirmed USS Spruance (DDG-111) deployed with Lincoln but did not identify the guided-missile cruiser that would accompany the aircraft carrier.

The carrier completed its graduation exercise last month ahead of this week’s deployment.

Meanwhile, San Diego-based carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) is now operating in U.S. Central Command, as of Friday, after leaving U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and U.S. 7th Fleet.

“The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group (TRCSG) arrived in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations July 12 to deter aggression, promote regional stability, and protect the free flow of commerce in the region,” reads a Friday statement from the command.

The strike group was repositioned from its Western Pacific deployment to ensure a U.S. aircraft carrier presence in the Middle East following the departure of USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) after the strike group was extended twice.

TR will join Operation Prosperity Guardian, the U.S.-led effort to protect merchant shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Aircraft from Eisenhower made several strikes on Houthi weapons and radars that targeted ships in the region.

Aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) is now in San Diego after arriving in California this week, following the completion of a several-month journey around South America, according to ship spotters. GW is now moored at Naval Air Station North Island, Calif., in San Diego Bay. Later this year, the carrier will take over as the Navy’s forward-deployed carrier based in Yokosuka, Japan. USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) is expected to arrive in California in the next several days to complete the ceremonial transfer as the FDNF-J carrier before heading to a maintenance period in Bremerton, Wash., before being assigned to a U.S. homeport.

The following is the composition of Carrier Strike Group 3 as of Friday.

Carrier Strike Group 3

Carrier
USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), homeported at San Diego, Calif.

Carrier Air Wing 9

  • The “Tophatters” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 14 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
  • The “Black Aces” of VFA 41 – F/A-18F – from Naval Air Station Lemoore.
  • The “Black Knights” of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314 – F-35C – from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif.
  • The “Vigilantes” of VFA 151 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Lemoore.
  • The “Wizards” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 133 – EA-18G – from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.
  • The “Wall Bangers” of Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 117 – E-2D – from Naval Air Station Point Mugu, Calif.
  • The “Providers” of Fleet Logistics Squadron (VRC) 40 – C-2A – from Naval Station Norfolk, Va.
  • The “Raptors” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 71 – MH-60R – from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.
  • The “Chargers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 14 – MH-60S – from Naval Air Station North Island.

Destroyer Squadron 21
Destroyer Squadron 21 is based in San Diego and is embarked on Abraham Lincoln.

  • USS Spruance (DDG-111), homeported at Naval Station San Diego, Calif.

RIMPAC 2024: USNS Pecos, HMAS Sydney, USS Curtis Wilbur, HMNZS Aotearoa depart for Force Integration Phase

The Henry J. Kaiser-class fleet replenishment oiler USNS Pecos (T-AO 197), the Royal Australian Navy Hobart-class guided-missile destroyer HMAS Sydney (DDG 42), the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54), and the Royal New Zealand Navy Polar-class auxiliary ship HMNZS Aotearoa (A11) depart Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, to begin the Force Integration phase of Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024, July 8. Twenty-nine nations, 40 surface ships, three submarines, 14 national land forces, more than 150 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC in and around the Hawaiian Islands, June 27 to Aug. 1. The world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s oceans. RIMPAC 2024 is the 29th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Navy video by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Preston Cash)

‘Sailors never flinched’: Eisenhower strike group welcomed home after deployment spent battling Houthi attacks

By CAITLYN BURCHETT STARS AND STRIPES • July 15, 2024

Sailors aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower begin to man the rails on Sunday, July 14, 2024, as the aircraft carrier approaches Naval Station Norfolk, Va. A banner replica of the combat action ribbon was strung across the island of the ship. The Eisenhower returned to Norfolk from a twice-extended deployment to the Red Sea where it defended other ships against almost daily attacks from Houthi rebels in Yemen. (Caitlyn Burchett/Stars and Stripes)

NORFOLK, Va. — Sailors, donning white dress uniforms, crowded the bow of USS Dwight D. Eisenhower on Sunday, with chants of “USA! USA!” spread from shore to the aircraft carrier, rippling through the crew on the flight deck. Strung up across the island of the warship was a unique rectangular banner — a giant replica of the combat action ribbon that many sailors were already sporting on their chests. The Eisenhower and about 5,000 sailors returned from what senior U.S. officials are calling a “deployment of firsts” following nine months at sea, seven of which were in a combat zone. The aging warship and components of its strike group saw the first air-to-air engagement against drones and the first combat employment of the precision-guided Joint Direct Attack Munition bombs as the carrier defended merchant ships against almost daily attacks in the Red Sea from Houthi rebels in Yemen. The carrier’s deployment to the Middle East was scheduled for Oct. 14, though it followed an unexpected deadly attack on Israel one week before that set off a wave of tensions and hostilities throughout the region. “On Oct. 7, everything changed,” said Capt. Christopher Hill, commanding officer of the Eisenhower. “We didn’t know yet what they were going to ask us to do, but we knew it would likely have something to do with participating in that conflict.” Capt. Christopher Hill sits in the bridge of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower on Sunday, July 14, 2024. The Eisenhower returned to Naval Station Norfolk, Va., from a deployment to the Red Sea. (Caitlyn Burchett/Stars and Stripes) The deployment for the Eisenhower strike group became a series of clashes with the Iran-backed Houthis, a group designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. in January. The U.S.-led campaign against the Houthi rebels, overshadowed by the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip, has turned into the most intense running sea battle that the Navy has faced in nearly eight decades, service leaders and experts told The Associated Press. U.S. Central Command, which oversees military operations in the Middle East, reported almost daily instances of missiles being fired toward Navy ships for seven of the nine months that the Eisenhower was deployed to the region. The strike group defended merchant vessels and military ships traveling through the Suez Canal that were the target of attack drones and anti-ship missiles launched from Houthis. The intense combat pace meant scheduled port calls were canceled multiple times. Sailors aboard the Eisenhower spent six months at sea before they set foot on land, visiting Greece in late April. “But this gave us mission and purpose,” Hill said. “We were going to provide freedom of navigation, which is sort of the core mission of the United States Navy, going back to 1775.” Aboard the Eisenhower, dozens of references to the Red Sea mission can be found. Wall art in a hallway of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower shows a surveillance C-2 Hawkeye plane. In reference to the Houthi attacks, the art reads: “Meanwhile in the Red Sea… multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) tracking south.” (Caitlyn Burchett/Stars and Stripes) Wall art depicting a surveillance C-2 Hawkeye plane reads: “Meanwhile in the Red Sea… multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) tracking south.” Sailors’ water bottles and jackets were adorned with “Attack of the drones” patches and stickers. The maintenance desks of aircraft squadrons were lined with victory marks akin to those affixed to their aircraft. At the maintenance desk for the Strike Fighter Squadron 131, known as the “Wildcats,” red and blue stencils of bombs and missiles representing successful combat engagements covered the wall from the ceiling to the floor. The maintenance desks of aircraft squadrons aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower were lined with victory marks akin to those affixed to their aircraft. At the maintenance desk for Strike Fighter Squadron 131 “Wildcats,” red and blue stencils covered the wall. (Caitlyn Burchett/Stars and Stripes) The references were a creative way for sailors to make the best of a serious situation, according to Capt. Edward Pledger, commander of the strike group’s Destroyer Squadron 22. “As our commanders have said, we had to be right every single time. The Houthis only have to be right once,” he said. When the strike group’s advanced 3D radar system begins to track a potential weapon traveling at a Mach 3-5 speed, Pledger said, sailors can have only seconds to identify the threat. After seven months spent battling Houthi attacks, he said reacting has become instinctive for the crews of the Eisenhower carrier strike group. Pledger did not say how close Houthi missiles and drones were to U.S. ships at the time they were shot down, but he said crews on the destroyers could sometimes watch ships and F-18 fighter jets taking out the enemy weapons. “We have ships and sailors that have operated in the heart of the Houthi weapon engagement zone for days and weeks and months knowing they were going to get shot at – and did get shot at. Those sailors never flinched,” he said. Sailors take a photo while waiting to disembark the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. The aircraft carrier returned Sunday, July 14, 2024, to Naval Station Norfolk, Va., from a deployment to the Red Sea. (Caitlyn Burchett/Stars and Stripes) The group’s air wing expended 60 air-to-air missiles and released 420 air-to-surface weapons. All told, the strike group completed more than 13,800 flights totaling about 31,500 hours. The strike group included the Eisenhower, the guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea, guided-missile destroyers USS Mason and USS Gravely of Destroyer Squadron 22. Also part of the strike group was Air Wing 3, which was comprised of nine squadrons. The USS Theodore Roosevelt, a West Coast-based carrier, was diverted from the Pacific to relieve the Eisenhower. The USS Harry S. Truman will deploy from Naval Station Norfolk, Va., to the Mediterranean Sea later this year. On Sunday, sailors toting their green seabags crossed the brow of the ship and made their way to their loved ones. Down the pier, Callie Bell stood on her tiptoes in search of her husband. She clutched her toddler’s hand with her right hand and a sign in her left. The sign, reading “my faith did not fail,” was crumpled and frayed from hours spent carrying it around. Aviation boatswain’s mate Kei-Ard Bell greets his wife Callie Bell and their 1-year-old son Malachi at Naval Station Norfolk, Va., on Sunday, July 14, 2024. The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and about 5,000 sailors returned home from a deployment to the Red Sea. (Caitlyn Burchett/Stars and Stripes) “Before my husband left, he promised to come back to us and we promised to be here. But with everything happening, it felt like nothing was certain,” Bell said, tears streaming down her cheeks. Several minutes later, her husband, aviation boatswain’s mate Kei-Ard Bell, pushed his way through a sea of sailors and hugged and kissed his family for the first time in nine months. After a long hug, the sailor said to his family, “Let’s go home.”

CAITLYN BURCHETT Caitlyn Burchett covers defense news at the Pentagon. Before joining Stars and Stripes, she was the military reporter for The Virginian-Pilot in Norfolk, Va. She is based in Washington, D.C.

Read more at: https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2024-07-14/navy-eisenhower-carrier-homecoming-middle-east-houthis-14488052.html?utm_source=Stars+and+Stripes+Emails&utm_campaign=Daily+Headlines&utm_medium=email
Source – Stars and Stripes

Commando helis and marines conduct raids and rescue drills on Ex Emerald Razor

Alex Candlin – 12th July 2024 at 2:10pm

The Wildcat is a versatile helicopter, being able to take on multiple tasks including battlefield utility, search and rescue and troop transport duties (Picture: Royal Navy/POPhot Lee Blease)

Commando Helicopter Force’s 847 Naval Air Squadron has been working alongside other elite forces in an intense week of training on Exercise Emerald Razor.

The specialist helicopter force worked with personnel from the Royal Marines and 29 Commando across the south coast to complete a four-aircraft aviation raid before moving on to Joint Personnel Recovery serials.

Lieutenant Commander Gregory Edens of 847 NAS said: “To be able to provide a critical, general aviation asset to our Commando Forces is one of 847 NAS’s primary roles.”

“Working with Commando Forces on Exercise Emerald Razor highlights the range of expertise that 847 NAS holds.

“Within one week we operated by day and night as part of a mixed-type, four-aircraft formation to conduct an aviation raid, conducted Joint Personnel Recovery and completed heli-casting training for more than 30 troops.

“This exercise proves the squadron can not only fulfil these duties, but excel at them.”

Troops and helicopters took part in an four-aircraft aviation raid and Joint Personnel Recovery serials (Picture: Royal Navy/ POPhot Lee Blease)
Marines and helicopter crews took part in an four-aircraft aviation raid and Joint Personnel Recovery serials (Picture: Royal Navy/POPhot Lee Blease)
During the Exercise Emerald Razor, helicopter crews and ground forces were given the chance to practise coordination during raids and attacks (Picture: Royal Navy/ POPhot Lee Blease)
Exercise Emerald Razor involved Wildcat helicopters and ground forces (Picture: Royal Navy/POPhot Lee Blease)

During the exercise, helicopter crews and ground forces were given the chance to practise coordination to ensure safe and efficient extraction of the personnel in need of rescue – all while under “attack” from enemy forces.

Bad weather conditions were thrown in, but troops were able to push through regardless of the situation.

This important training exercise comes as the Yeovilton-based unit 847 NAS prepares for exercises in the United States later in the year.

One of 847 NAS's Wildcats carries out a Joint Personnel Recovery serial (Picture Royal Navy/POPhot Lee Blease)
One of 847 NAS’s Wildcats carries out a Joint Personnel Recovery serial (Picture Royal Navy/POPhot Lee Blease)

HMS Duncan shows off guns and guts as she survives testing time with US task forces

12th July 2024 at 1:14pm

Watch: HMS Duncan deploys to Eastern Mediterranean to join US task group

HMS Duncan has been busy with intensive training, gunnery, flying and carrying out replenishments at sea since being deployed last month.

The Portsmouth-based warship has even linked up with two US Navy task forces in the eastern Mediterranean as part of a regional security mission.

The Type 45 air defence destroyer deployed at the end of May, joining the USS Dwight D Eisenhower’s Carrier Strike Group and USS Wasp’s Amphibious Ready Group to ensure regional stability.

This latest work with the US Navy and Marine Corps follows an intensive period of training and trials that has ensured the sailors and ships are ready for frontline operations.

“I am proud of what my ship’s company have achieved in such an extremely short period,” said HMS Duncan’s Commanding Officer, Commander Dan Lee.

“As a team they rose to the challenge and with Fleet Operational Standards and Training (FOST) support achieved the extremely high standards required to ensure we are ready for anything asked of us.”

HMS Duncan left Portsmouth in May to relieve her sister ship HMS Diamond, who had been operating in the Red Sea since before Christmas.

Watch: HMS Duncan sets sail to protect shipping lanes from Houthi attacks

HMS Duncan was a like-for-like replacement for Diamond – armed with the same Sea Viper missile system and equipped with the same radar systems, which can accurately detect faraway threats.

The warship has carried out several exercises since joining the USS Wasp’s task group in early July, including a replenishment at sea with the oiler USNS Patuxent.

As well as operating US Navy Sea Hawk helicopters from her deck, Duncan has demonstrated her prowess during an air defence exercise, which saw the warship fight off attacks from AV-8B Harrier II jets from USS Wasp.

Royal Navy's destroyer HMS Duncan deployed at the end of May 12072024 CREDIT Royal Navy
The Portsmouth-based warship deployed at the end of May and, after intensive training and a short stop in Cyprus, linked up with two US Navy task forces (Picture: Royal Navy)

One training package saw Duncan conduct a “Thursday War” – a warfighting and damage control exercise, which put her previous training into practice.

This included adopting Defence Watches, where the crew is at a heightened level, ready to carry out damage control, operate control stations and deploy weapons systems.

The phase required 50% of the ship’s company to work around the clock, providing increased readiness of workforce and equipment.

During this period there were several gunnery shoots, firing all surface weapon systems multiple times – day and night – developing engineers’ skills and operators’ warfighting edge.

The six-day training period ended in a final exercise, with Duncan proving her ability to fight while also dealing with multiple incidents on board.

Crew of Portsmouth-based warship HMS Duncan gunnery shoots 02072024 CREDIT Royal navy
The ship’s company worked around the clock to increase readiness of the workforce and equipment (Picture: Royal Navy)

The ship then visited Souda Bay in Crete for store replenishment, a weapon and sensor trials period, a phase three training period and boarding accreditation – assessing the Royal Navy and Royal Marines boarding teams’ ability to cope with different boarding situations.

Since completing this intense training period, alongside normal maintenance and training routines, the ship’s company have enjoyed a hands-to-bathe ceremony in the Mediterranean Sea and a short port visit to Limassol in Cyprus.

Duncan has most recently been in Catania in Italy.

US Navy takes delivery of new guided missile destroyer

Photo by General Dynamics Bath Iron Works

On July 8, the U.S. Navy officially took delivery of the future USS John Basilone (DDG 122) from General Dynamics Bath Iron Works.

This marks the transfer of the ship from the shipbuilder to the Navy, following a series of rigorous at-sea and pier-side trials to ensure its readiness for service.

The ship is named after Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone of the United States Marine Corps, who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary heroism during the Battle of Guadalcanal.

“The future USS John Basilone will bring significant capability to the fleet and strengthen our advantage at sea,” said Capt. Seth Miller, DDG 51 Class program manager, Program Executive Office (PEO), Ships. “DDG 122 and all of its Sailors will be a living reminder of the perseverance and sacrifice exhibited by its remarkable namesake.”

As a Flight IIA Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, DDG 122 is a multi-mission surface combatant equipped to conduct Anti-Air Warfare, Anti-Submarine Warfare, and Anti-Surface Warfare. These capabilities ensure the ship can effectively engage a variety of threats, providing robust protection for the fleet and contributing to the Navy’s operational readiness.

Future Arleigh Burke-Class Destroyers

General Dynamics Bath Iron Works is currently constructing six additional Arleigh Burke-class destroyers Harvey C. Barnum Jr. (DDG 124), Louis H. Wilson Jr. (DDG 126) Patrick Gallagher (DDG 127), William Charette (DDG 130), Quentin Walsh (DDG 132) and John E. Kilmer (DDG 134).

Chuck Krugh, President of General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, highlighted the dedication and skill of the shipbuilders in delivering the USS John Basilone. “Delivery brings DDG 122 one step closer to joining the Navy fleet, where it can fulfill its role protecting our country and our families. Our shipbuilders have put their heart and soul into completing this ship and have set a new standard of quality. Bath Built is truly Best Built”

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Executive Editor

About author:

Colton Jones

Colton Jones is the deputy editor of Defence Blog. He is a US-based journalist, writer and publisher who specializes in the defense industry in North America and Europe. He has written about emerging technology in military magazines and elsewhere. He is a former Air Force airmen and served at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany.

Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) departs Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, to begin the Force Integration phase of Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024, July 8.

Twenty-nine nations, 40 surface ships, three submarines, 14 national land forces, more than 150 aircraft, and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC in and around the Hawaiian Islands, June 27 to Aug. 1. The world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s oceans. RIMPAC 2024 is the 29th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Matthew Benfield)

Morphing from PTs to PTFs (and a visit with PTF-26)

Posted on  by laststandonzombieisland Leave a comment

The Navy went big on Motor Torpedo Boat (PT) models in World War II, producing an amazing 690 PT boats between 7 December 1941, and 1 October 1945— and that’s not counting the early PT-1 through PT-9 prototype boats, the 10 Elco 70s (PT-10-19), 48 early Elco 77s (PT-20 through 68), two prototype 72-foot Huckins boats (PT-69 and 70), and 69 reverse Lend-Lease 70 foot Vospers.

PT 76, a 78-foot Higgins-made boat in Womens Bay, Kodiak Island, Alaska circa 1943. NARA

The thing is, while these mosquito boats covered themselves in glory during their very up-close and personal war in the Med, Pacific, and English Channel, they very rarely got in solid torpedo attacks on enemy vessels. Their best employment came as fast scouts, lifeguard boats for downed aviators, running agents and commandos in the bad guy’s littoral, and in (typically nighttime) surface gun actions against enemy barges and coastal craft.

With that, the Navy got (almost) entirely out of the PT boat biz after 1945, torching or otherwise disposing of hundreds of boats overseas in the PTO and ETO and only keeping a few around for auxiliary purposes.

Then in the 1960s, with the Navy involved in littoral operations in Vietnam and not having anything smaller than 164-foot Asheville-class gunboats and leftover WWII 180-foot PCE-842-class patrol craft that needed 10 feet of water under their hulls to operate, the call went out for Fast Patrol Craft (PTF) which were basically nothing but PT boats sans their torpedoes.

At first the last remaining 1940s PT-boats were simply converted: the 89-foot Bath-built aluminum hulled PT-810 was pulled out of mothballs on 21 December 1962 and reclassified as PTF-1 while the Trumpy-built aluminum hulled 94-foot PT-811 became PTF-2 on the same date.

These were soon augmented by 14 Norwegian-built 80-foot Nasty boats (PTF-3 through PTF-16) ordered between 1962 and 1965.

Bow shot of Norwegian built, (left) and a U.S.-built PTF boat running at high speed together during trials off Virginia Capes, Early May 1963. “First Action Photographs of U.S. Navy PTFs. The U.S. Navy recently placed into service four patrol torpedo boats. The four boats, PTF-1 through PTF-4, are the only PT Boats in active service with the Navy. Assigned to Commander, Amphibious Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, the four boats are based at Little Creek, Virginia, and are used in amphibious support and coastal operations, and with the Navy’s SEAL (Sea-Air-Land) teams. SEAL Teams are units specifically trained to conduct unconventional and paramilitary operations and to train personnel of allied nations in these techniques. PTF-1 and PTF-2 are reactivated U.S. Navy PT Boats with torpedo tubes removed, their armament consists of 20-millimeter and 40-millimeter guns for surface and anti-aircraft action. The top speed is more than 45 knots. PTF-3 and PTF-4 were purchased from Norway to fulfill an immediate requirement by the Navy.” Photograph released May 13, 1963. 330-PSA-101-63 (USN 711287)

Following the success of these new mosquito boats in the coastal waters of Southeast Asia, the Navy ordered six Trumpy-built Nasty boats (PTF-17 through PTF-22), which were delivered by 1970.

Then came an updated design, the four-strong (PTF-23 through PTF-26) 95-foot aluminum hulled Osprey class, built by Sewart Seacraft of Berwick, Louisiana.

PTF-23 class fast patrol boat Under construction at Stewart Seacraft, Inc., Berwick, Louisiana, 24 October 1967. Note engines on the floor at right and PCF in the right background. NH 95839

Entering service in 1968, PTF-26 spent three years in Vietnamese water with her sisters then was retrograded to the West Coast where she was assigned to Coastal River Squadron One at Coronado, then later used as a range control boat at the Pacific Missile Test Center. Finally retired from the Navy in 1990, she then spent most of the next 30 years as a school ship first for the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco and then for the non-profit as T/V Liberty.

More recently acquired by the Maritime Pastoral Training Foundation Ltd, PTF-26 has returned to its camouflage livery and is on her way to becoming an inland waterways training boat located in Golconda, Illinois where she will be offered to cadets from 164 different NJROTC and Sea Scout units across the Midwest.

The last of this line of more than 800 PT boats and follow-on PTFs, PTF-26, recently appeared in Mobile opposite Austal and I was able to grab a few snapshots of her.

The deck gun is fake, btw. Chris Eger photo

Chris Eger photo

Note her stern still has the T/V Liberty name. Also, that is the PCU USS Pierre (LCS-38) fitting out across the river at Austal, the last of the Independence-class littoral combat ships. Kind of a nice bookend with the last Indy LCS and last PTF in the same frame. Chris Eger photo

“Each weekend, 12-15 cadets or scouts will do more than take a tour of a U.S. Navy PT boat,” said Rev. Kempton Baldridge, MPTF’s managing director and a retired Navy chaplain, in a January interview. “They will eat, sleep, and train aboard as crew trainees. With a USCG licensed captain in command, PTF-26 will get underway with cadets or scouts as crew, guided by adult officers of their own unit. In port, cadets will learn everything there is to know about PTF-26. When ‘visit ship’ is held on Saturdays and Sundays for members of the public, qualified uniformed cadets and scouts of the crew will conduct tours, just as on board Navy and Coast Guard vessels.”

Fair winds and good luck, Two-Six Boat, there aren’t that many mosquitos left

USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: July 8, 2024

U.S. Naval Institute Staff – July 8, 2024 12:35 PM

USNI News Graphic

These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of July 8, 2024, based on Navy and public data. In cases where a CSG or ARG is conducting disaggregated operations, the chart reflects the location of the capital ship.

Ships Underway

Total Battle ForceDeployedUnderway
296
(USS 235, USNS 61)		106
(USS 73, USNS 33)		66
(53 Deployed, 13 Local)

In Japan

Sailors assigned to the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA-6) conduct a foreign object damage walkdown on the ship’s flight deck in preparation for flight operations, while moored in Sasebo, Japan July 2, 2024. US Navy Photo

USS America (LHA-6) left for an underway period on Monday, according to ship spotters. America will change homeports later this year, USNI News has learned.

In Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam

Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Renato Paredes from San Diego, mans the rails as U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) moors at Cam Ranh, Vietnam, July 8, 2024. US Navy Photo

U.S. 7th Fleet command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) and the Coast Guard cutter USCGC Waesche (WMSL-751) pulled into the Vietnamese port of Cam Ranh Bay on Monday, according to the Navy.

“During the port visit, Blue Ridge and Waesche leadership will meet with the Vietnam People’s Navy, Vietnam Coast Guard, and Khanh Hoa leadership. Events during the visit include subject matter expert exchanges and community relations activities,” reads the statement.

In the Indian Ocean

Sailors move aircraft across the flight deck aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), July 4, 2024. US Navy Photo

USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), conducted an ammunition transfer on Tuesday and transited the Strait of Malacca en route the Middle East on Sunday to continue the U.S. presence mission in the region.

Carrier Strike Group 9

Navy Fireman John Rafael, from Chicago, conducts maintenance on an aircraft elevator aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) during an ammunition transfer, July 2, 2024. US Navy Photo

Carrier
USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), homeported at San Diego, Calif.

Carrier Air Wing 11

  • The “Fist of the Fleet” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 25 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
  • The “Black Knights” of VFA 154 – F/A-18F – from Naval Air Station Lemoore.
  • The “Blue Blasters” of VFA 34 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.
  • The “Fighting Checkmates” of VFA 211 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Oceana.
  • The “Rooks” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 137 – EA-18G – from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.
  • The “Liberty Bells” of Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 115 – E-2D – from Naval Air Station Point Mugu, Calif.
  • The “Providers” of Fleet Logistics Squadron (VRC) 40 – C-2A – from Naval Station Norfolk, Va.
  • The “Wolf Pack” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 75 – MH-60R – from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.
  • The “Eightballers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 8 – MH-60S – from Naval Air Station North Island.

Cruiser
USS Lake Erie (CG-70), homeported at Naval Station San Diego, Calif.

Destroyer Squadron 23
Destroyer Squadron 23 is based in San Diego and is embarked on Theodore Roosevelt.

  • USS John S. McCain (DDG-56), homeported at Naval Station Everett, Wash.
  • USS Halsey (DDG-97), homeported at Naval Station San Diego, Calif.
  • USS Daniel Inouye (DDG-118), homeported at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

In the Eastern Pacific

Aviation Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class Yusuf Smith, from Las Vegas, performs maintenance on an MH-60S Knight Hawk helicopter, attached to the Golden Falcons of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 12, in the hangar bay of USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), in the Pacific Ocean, July 7, 2024. US Navy Photo

USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) is underway in U.S. 3rd Fleet, USNI News has learned.

The carrier will head to Washington state later this year for a planned repair availability.

Aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) is transiting the Pacific Ocean en route her new home port of Yokosuka, Japan after participating in Exercise Southern Seas 2024.

Amphibious assault ship, USS Boxer (LHD-4) departed San Diego, Calif. on Wednesday, according to ship spotters. Boxer had been in port San Diego conducting emergent repairs on a rudder casualty discovered shortly after departing on deployment on April 1st.

Carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) was underway off the Pacific Northwest, according to ship spotters.

In Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) hosts a tour for Open Ship Day during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024 while in port at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, July 6, 2024. US Navy Photo

Aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) arrived in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on Tuesday in preparation for Rim of the Pacific 2024 exercises.

In the Atlantic

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) sails in the Mediterranean Sea, June 30, 2024. US Navy Photo

Aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) is sailing the Atlantic Ocean en route to its homeport of Norfolk, Va.

Carrier Strike Group 2

Carrier
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), homeported at Norfolk, Va.

Carrier Air Wing 3

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) and the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD-1) steam in formation in the Mediterranean Sea, June 30, 2024. US Navy Photo
  • The “Gunslingers” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 105 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.
  • The “Fighting Swordsmen” of VFA 32 – F/A-18F – from Naval Air Station Oceana.
  • The “Rampagers” of VFA 83 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Oceana.
  • The “Wildcats” of VFA 131 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Oceana.
  • The “Zappers” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 130 – EA-18G – from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.
  • The “Screwtops” of Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 123 – E-2D – from Naval Air Station Norfolk, Va.
  • The “Rawhides” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40 – C-2A – from Naval Air Station Norfolk.
  • The “Swamp Foxes” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 74 – MH-60R – from Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla.
  • The “Dusty Dogs” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 7 – MH-60S – from Naval Station Norfolk.

Cruiser
USS Philippine Sea (CG-58), homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, Va.

Destroyer Squadron 22
Destroyer Squadron 22 is based in Norfolk, Va., and is embarked on Eisenhower.

  • USS Gravely (DDG-107), homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, Va.
  • USS Mason (DDG-87), homeported at Naval Station Mayport, Fla.

In the Mediterranean

USS WASP (LHD-1) steams in formation with the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (IKECSG), the Royal Navy Daring-class air-defense destroyer HMS Duncan (D 37) and the remaining components of the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group (WSP ARG) in the Mediterranean Sea, June 30, 2024. US Navy Photo

USS Wasp (LHD-1) pulled into Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, Greece, according to a statement from the service.

The Wasp Amphibious Ready Group with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked deployed from the East Coast on June 1. The ARG is made up of Wasp, USS New York (LPD-21) and USS Oak Hill (LSD-51).

The Wasp ARG conducted joint, combined operations with the Eisenhower CSG and the U.K. Navy in the Eastern Mediterranean on Tuesday.

The 24th MEU is composed of a command element, Battalion Landing Team 1/8, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 (Reinforced) and Combat Logistics Battalion 24 as the Logistics Combat Element.

The temporary U.S.-built pier aimed at boosting aid shipments to Gaza was removed once again due to weather to protect it, and the U.S. is considering not reinstalling it unless the aid begins flowing out into the population again, U.S. officials said Friday.

In the Red Sea

U.S. ships continue to patrol the Red Sea as part of Operation Prosperity Guardian, the U.S.-led multinational effort to protect merchant vessels moving through the region. Houthi forces in Yemen continue to attack merchant shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, while U.S. naval forces in the region have continued strikes against Houthi weapons that U.S. Central Command says are a threat to naval and merchant ships. Houthi forces say they are targeting ships with connections to the United Kingdom, the U.S. and Israel.

The U.N. Security Council on Jan. 10 approved a resolution calling on Yemen’s Houthi rebel group to “cease its brazen” attacks in the Red Sea.

On Sunday, U.S. Central Command forces destroyed two Iranian-backed Houthi uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) in Yemen.
On Thursday, CENTCOM forces destroyed two Houthi uncrewed surface vessels in the Red Sea and one Houthi radar site in Yemen.

On Wednesday, CENTCOM forces destroyed two Houthi radar sites in Yemen and two USVs in the Red Sea.

On Monday, CENTCOM forces destroyed one Houthi radar site in Yemen.

In the Gulf of Aden

On Sunday, CENTCOM partner forces successfully destroyed two Houthi UAVs over the Gulf of Aden.

In the Persian Gulf

U.S. Coast Guard Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutters are forward-deployed to the region under Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA). PATFORSWA deploys Coast Guard personnel and ships with U.S. and regional naval forces throughout the Middle East. Initially deployed in 2003 to support Operation Iraqi Freedom, PATFORSWA is now a permanent presence based out of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

In addition to these major formations, not shown are others serving in submarines, individual surface ships, aircraft squadrons, SEALs, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Forces, Seabees, EOD Mobile Units and more serving throughout the globe.