Bill Gortney News

Rear Adm. Timothy C. Gallaudet relieved Rear Adm. Brian B. Brown  as commander of the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (NAVMETOCCOM) in a traditional change of command ceremony held June 18 at Stennis Space Center. Gallaudet was promoted to the rank of rear admiral (lower half) just prior to the ceremony. Brown said he felt “blessed and lucky” to have worked with the Navy’s military and civilian oceanography workforce to perform a mission so critical to the warfighting effectiveness and readiness of the fleet and joint force despite personal hardships…

the U.S. Navy's amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) returned to Naval Station Norfolk Friday morning following a brief underway as part of the ship's Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV). Sailors aboard Mesa Verde have spent months preparing for the upcoming deployment and those preparations have included extensive and exhaustive checks, equipment testing and, of course, cleaning. The ship's inspection falls after completing both Amphibious Ready Group Marine Expeditionary Unit Exercises (ARGMEUEX) and Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) earlier in 2013…

The U.S. Navy's new Optimized Fleet Response Plan (O-FRP) was unveiled in a keynote address delivered at the 26th Annual Surface Navy Association National Symposium in Crystal City, Va., Jan. 15. Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command Adm. Bill Gortney explained the changes to the new O-FRP, addressing Quality of Service and blending both Quality of Work and Quality of Life efforts by providing stability and predictability to deployment schedules over a 36 month O-FRP cycle. One of the highlights from his address was the Navy's efforts to lock in eight month deployment schedules for Sailors.

U.S. Fleet Forces (USFF) commander, Admiral Bill Gortney, directed that the Fleet will continue to provide ready forces to safeguard national security during the government shutdown, but limit activities to only those that are absolutely necessary to safely accomplish currently assigned excepted missions. His guidance referenced instructions provided in a memo from the Deputy Secretary of Defense that stated "The Department will, of course, continue to prosecute the war in Afghanistan, including preparation of forces for deployment into that conflict.

Following a series of attacks off the eastern coast of Somalia, Combined Maritime Forces issued an updated special maritime advisory message. The message highlights several recent attacks that occurred hundreds of miles off the Somali coast and states that merchant mariners should be increasingly vigilant when operating in those waters. "We continue to highlight the importance of preparation by the merchant mariners and the maritime industry in this message," said Vice Adm. Bill Gortney, commander, Combined Maritime Forces.

Contrary to the romanticized portrayal of pirates that have populated folk tales and captured youngsters' imaginations, modern-day pirates pose a clear and present threat to lives, commerce and the environment as they lurk over shipping lanes attacking ships and crew without regard for nationality or cargo. Piracy in the Gulf of Aden not only poses a threat to global commerce, but also threatens aid delivery by the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) to victims of the ongoing civil war in Somalia.

The Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) established Combined Task Force 151 (CTF-151) Jan. 8 specifically for counter-piracy operations. Naval ships and assets from more than 20 nations comprise the Combined Maritime Forces. U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Terence "Terry" McKnight has been named the commander of the new task force which will be fully operational by the middle of January. The CMF created the Maritime Security Patrol Area (MSPA) in the Gulf of Aden in August of 2008 to support international efforts to combat piracy.

A Liberian-flagged very large crude tanker, Sirius Star, was attacked more than 450 nautical miles southeast of Mombasa, Kenya, Nov. 15. The ship is owned by the Saudi Arabian-based Saudi Aramco and is operated by Vela International. The crew of 25 includes citizens of: Croatia, Great Britain, Republic of the Philippines, Poland and Saudi Arabia. This attack comes amid a decrease in the rate of successful pirate attacks on merchant vessels off the coast of Somalia. Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) data analysis has shown that the combination of both military and civilian involvement in the area has reduced the percentage of successful piracy attacks from 53 percent in August to 31 percent in October.

Since the inception of the Maritime Security Patrol Area (MSPA), Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 has helped deter more than a dozen attacks in the . However, criminals have still successfully targeted several vessels in the region. The Maritime Security Patrol Area was established Aug. 22 in support of the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) call for international assistance to discourage attacks on commercial vessels transiting the . The MSPA is a geographic area in the utilized by Combined Maritime Forces to focus their efforts against destabilizing activities. These activities include, but are not limited to: criminal activities, drug smuggling operations that support terrorist and violent extremist organizations and human smuggling.

USS Benfold (DDG 65) conducted a tour for the Surface Navy Association (SNA) Bahrain Chapter, July 24 highlighting the Navy's ability to search, track, hand-off and intercept ballistic missiles—a core element of our Navy's Ballistic Missile Defense program (BMD). "BMD presents a great opportunity for the surface community to contribute to National Security," said Benfold's Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Tom Disy. Benfold's Fire Control Officer, Lt.j.g. Maggie White gave a presentation and guided tour to numerous SNA members, along with U.S. Army Patriot Battalion personnel. "We're at the forefront of BMD technology and capability," she said. Following the tour, SNA members, as well as members of the Benfold wardroom, attended a BMD briefing given to Vice Adm. Bill Gortney, commander, U.S.

During his change of command ceremony, the outgoing Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, Vice Adm. Kevin Cosgriff, emphasized the need for fostering relationships with coalition partners. "The more Coalition and partner nations collaborate to provide security for the region the more they are able to achieve," he said. During the ceremony, Vice Adm. William "Bill" Gortney relieved Cosgriff as commander of NAVCENT/U.S. 5th Fleet/Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). "The continued presence of coalition forces guarantees maritime security of those who depend on free use of the seas," said Cosgriff. While in command for 17 months, Cosgriff led more than 25…

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Heather Weaver, USS Harry S. Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Gary Roughead visited the crew of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) April 15 to address Sailors deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations (AOO). Roughead is visiting the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) AOO to strengthen international maritime partnerships as part of the Navy's Cooperative Strategy for 21st Century Seapower and meet with regional leaders in an effort to increase dialogue and cooperation. During his visit to Harry S. Truman, Roughead took time to award three commendation medals as well as reenlist 38 Sailors. He also held an all-hands call for the crew.

More than 7,300 Sailors from 17 commands and three staffs left their homeports Nov. 5 as Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG) deployed to the Central Command Area of Operations as part of the ongoing rotation to support Maritime Security Operations in the region. According to Rear Adm. Bill Gortney, commander, Carrier Strike Group (CCSG) 10, the mission of the HSTCSG is to be ready, when called upon, to support theater commanders. He emphasized that throughout all operations, safety will remain a primary focus. "We are a robust strike group able to support the needs of our president," Gortney said. The strike group returned from participating in Bold Step in early August, wrapping up a month-long Composite Training Unit Exercise and Joint Task Force Exercise.