Navy's Top Officer Visits Naval Station Rota
Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. John Richardson and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Steven Giordano visited Naval Station Rota, March 27 and 28. During their time in Rota, Richardson and Giordono visited the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, USS Ross (DDG 71), ate lunch with the 2016 Sailors of the Year, viewed a display of Commander, Task Force 68 expeditionary equipment and held an "all-hands call" with installation Sailors, civilians and family members. While meeting Sailors around the installation, Richardson said it was clear Naval Station Rota Sailors are mission-focused and very well led. "I am incredibly proud and humbled to be your chief of naval operations," said Richardson.
Navy Sets Up Base in Romania
Commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia (CNREURAFSWA) established Naval Support Facility (NSF) Deveselu Friday, Oct. 10, during an establishment and assumption of command ceremony on base. NSF Deveselu, formerly a disused Romanian airfield, is the first Navy base to be established since Naval Station (NS) Everett in Washington, whose official groundbreaking ceremony was held Nov. 9, 1987. The installation, scheduled to be operational in 2015, will be part of a NATO's overall ballistic missile defense (BMD) system. Rear Adm. John Scorby, commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia, hosted the ceremony. "This is a historic occasion because ballistic missile threats to the U.S. and our allies are real and growing," Scorby said.
Captain Brendan Gray Appointed President of HMDS
Paul C. Jensen, CEO of HALO Maritime Defense Systems (HMDS), announced the appointment of Captain Brendan Gray USN (ret) as President. Gray, a graduate of the US Naval Academy, served with distinction for thirty years as a Naval Aviator, spending his last five years as the Deputy Commander and Chief Operating Officer for Navy Region Europe. Captain Gray was responsible for the day-to-day operations, security, and force protection of nine Navy bases across five countries in Europe, including the operation of seven ports and six airfields.
U.S. Participates In NATO Exercise Noble Manta
Sailors from USS Augusta (SSN 710), USS The Sullivans (DDG 68) and aviators from Patrol Squadron (VP) 5 are participating in a National Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)-led exercise Noble Manta from April 12-22. The largest joint anti-submarine warfare exercise held annually in the Mediterranean Sea, Noble Manta 2007 involves 10 NATO countries which provide maritime patrol aircraft, surface and subsurface assets. The exercise is in direct support of a Naval Forces Europe/6th Fleet strategic priority of improving maritime security. “This exercise is important because it allows the U.S. and allied partner nations to improve regional maritime security and safety,” said Rear Adm. Jeff Fowler, Commander Submarines, Allied Naval Forces South.
