Naval Surface Force Atlantic News

The U.S. Navy has long valued the potential of additive manufacturing (AM) and 3D Printing.AM refers to the depositing of material layer by layer to create an object. For the Navy, it’s not practical to carry every replacement part for every system on a ship, and it can be difficult to forecast if or when parts will fail. AM provides a flexible source of supply in being able to make parts instead of ordering them and waiting for them to arrive, especially for warships at the far end of the supply chain.

Capt. Anthony L. Simmons relieved Cmdr. Curtis B. Calloway as commanding officer of the guided-missile destroyer USS James E. Williams (DDG 95) at sea on Sept. 16. Simmons arrives from the staff of Commander, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 2 and will remain in command pending the completion of a DESRON 2 command-directed investigation into the command climate aboard James E. Williams. Calloway, former James E. Williams Executive Officer Cmdr. Ed Handley, and Command Master Chief Travis Biswell have been assigned to the staff at Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic pending the outcome of the investigation. The ship and her crew departed Naval Station Norfolk May 30, for an eight-month deployment to the 6th Fleet area of operations.

The stationing of four Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer at Rota represents a national contribution by the US and Spain to NATO missile defence, enhancing the security of the European region, the Mediterranean Basin and the Atlantic Ocean. The first of the four, USS Donald Cook (DDG 75), has arrived in Rota, Spain from Norfolk Navy Base. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus said: "Permanently forward deploying four ships in Rota will enable us to be in the right place, not just at the right time…

The Surface Navy Association (SNA) National Symposium will be held January 15-17, 2013, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Crystal City, VA. The association was incorporated in 1985 to promote greater coordination and communication among those in the military, business and academic communities who share a common interest in Naval Surface Warfare and to support the activities of Surface Naval Forces. SNA provides for its members support, programs and activities which enable professional growth, personal satisfaction and camaraderie.

Rear Adm. Mark H. Buzby, commander, Military Sealift Command, recognized 82 MSC military and civilian employees with commendations for their role in refitting USS Ponce (AFSB(I)-15) during a ceremony yesterday on Naval Station Norfolk, Va. Ponce, formerly an amphibious transport dock ship, was refitted by MSC in approximately five months as an interim Afloat Forward Staging Base and deployed June 1 to U.S. Central Command. Adm. John C. Harvey, Jr., commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, and Rear Adm. David M.

Naval Surface Force Atlantic announced that the ship, delivered prematurely and tormented by years of mechanical malfunctions and mishaps, has been awarded the Battle Efficiency award, or Battle “E” — a coveted honor given annually to units that demonstrate the highest standards of performance and efficiency. “Everyone who believes that San Antonio is still broken and on the sidelines will now realize that we are not,” said the ship’s commanding officer, Cmdr. Neil Koprowski, quoted in a SURFLANT press release. The award caps a remarkable turnaround for the ship.

Military Sealift Command Atlantic, the Norfolk, Va.,-based U.S. Navy command responsible for Military Sealift Command ships transporting equipment, fuel, supplies and ammunition in the Western Atlantic Ocean, changed command during a ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk today. Capt. Samuel R. Norton assumed command of MSCLANT from outgoing commander Capt. Michael G. Graham during a 10 a.m. ceremony at the Vista Point Conference Center. Norton last served as commander of amphibious assault ship USS Nassau, which he led on its final deployment prior to decommissioning earlier this year.

The Navy's first littoral combat ship (LCS), USS Freedom (LCS 1), has successfully completed another major milestone in preparation for her upcoming maiden deployment. Freedom conducted independent ship deployment training and certification at sea from Nov. 13-21, operating with ships from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) Carrier Strike Group during their Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) off the southeastern coast of the United States. Freedom conducted effective complex training as part of the Maritime Security Surge certification for the ship's Gold Crew…

Sealift Logistics Command Atlantic, the Norfolk, Va.,-based U.S. Navy command responsible for operational control over Military Sealift Command vessels providing ocean transportation of equipment, fuel, supplies and ammunition in the Atlantic, changed command during a ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk today. Capt. Michael G. Graham assumed command of SEALOGLANT from outgoing commander, Capt. George G. Galyo, on the flight deck of fast combat support ship USNS Arctic in a 10 a.m. ceremony. Arctic, one of MSC's four fast combat support ships, transports fuel and other vital supplies to Navy warships, which allow the combatants to remain deployed for long periods of time. Galyo's next assignment is with Naval Surface Force Atlantic as its training and readiness officer.

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman (SW) H. With a $3.5 million price tag, the Norfolk Navigation, Seamanship, and Shiphandling Trainer (NSST) opened June 9 after a ribbon cutting ceremony presided over by Rear Adm. Kevin Quinn, commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic (SURFLANT). From a plain, nondescript brick building at Naval Station Norfolk, Sailors can now travel to foreign ports around the globe, without ever even crossing a quarterdeck. In its first successful week of operation, a brand new, state-of-the-art shiphandling simulator is proving to be an invaluable asset for improving warfighting readiness and safety among Norfolk-based Sailors, explained Lt. Cmdr. Jim Quaresimo, a training officer with SURFLANT.

Rear Adm. Kevin M. Quinn relieved Rear Adm. D.C. Curtis as Commander, Naval Surface Force, Atlantic, (SURFLANT) Feb. 22, during a ceremony aboard the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) at Naval Station Norfolk. The ceremony marked the end of a successful tour for Curtis, a native of Chicago, who made priorities of warfighting readiness, the Navy of the future, and personnel readiness. During his tour, he oversaw the continued development of the Surface Warfare Enterprise. As the Enterprise's chief readiness officer, Curtis led the establishment of eight Surface Force Class Squadrons (CLASSRONs) responsible for manning, training, equipping, maintaining, and sustaining ships by class for the entire force.

The United States must engage with maritime partners around the world to create and build trust, according to senior Navy leaders speaking at the 2007 Surface Navy Association West Coast Symposium, held pier side at Naval Station San Diego, in August. Surrounded by ships and cooled summer breeze coming off the harbor, the many attendees heard about the Navy’s efforts to create and build upon meaningful partnerships. Rear Adm. Pete Daly discussed the Navy’s efforts to create a new maritime strategy. The previous maritime strategy addressed a Soviet threat that no longer exists. “We had one big enemy. We understood that enemy. We knew where they were coming from. In the past, military powers knew that military adventurism would be met with reciprocal force.

The U.S. Navy has created a new way to better manage surface ships by type or class. New "class squadrons" are being established, known as CLASSRONs to coordinate the support of ships by type, wherever they may be home ported. Eight CLASSRON Implementation Teams were established on Oct. 1, as an initiative of the Navy's new Surface Warfare Enterprise (SWE). The CLASSRONs will be located in Norfolk, Va.; San Diego, Calif.; Ingleside, Texas; and Mayport, Fla. (see chart). The Implementation Teams have begun staffing, defining roles and establishing procedures that will lead to CLASSRONs achieving full operational capability in the spring of 2007. According to Vice Adm.