Commander Us Fleet Forces Command News

The demand for warships is strong, and the Navy continues to receive support from the Congress to build more ships. The Navy is working to achieve a fleet of about 355 ships, plus a fleet of about 150 unmanned vesselsBut to achieve something close to that goal requires more than demand, and even more than money. For one thing, it requires an industrial base that can build, repair and sustain that fleet.While Navy leadership acknowledges the challenges of a stressed supply chain…

The Surface Navy Association’s (SNA) "Old Salt" designation, honoring the active duty U. S. Navy Officer with the earliest date of qualification as a Surface Warfare Officer, has passed to Admiral Christopher Grady. Grady is currently assigned as the Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command.Grady relieved Admiral Philip Davidson, who has retired, and is now the 21st individual to receive this honor.Initiated in 1988, the Old Salt award is accompanied by a bronze statue depicting a naval officer on the pitching deck of a ship. The statue is cast from metal salvaged from historic U.S.

The U.S. Navy hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) arrived in New York Monday to support COVID-19 response efforts in the epicenter of America's coronavirus outbreak.The ship will serve as a referral hospital for non-coronavirus patients currently admitted to shore-based hospitals, and will provide a full spectrum of medical care to include general surgeries, critical care and ward care for adults. This will allow local health professionals to focus on treating COVID-19 patients…

The Surface Navy Association will hold its 31st National Symposium January 15-17, 2019 at the Crystal City Hyatt Regency Crystal City Hotel in Arlington, Va.The symposium will feature senior Navy leaders delivering keynote remarks, focused on the theme of “Ready, Agile, Focused: Own the Fight!”Featured speakers include Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Bill Moran; Commander, Naval Surface Forces/Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Vice Adm. Richard A. Brown, USN; Director, Surface Warfare (N96) Rear Adm. Ronald A. Boxall; and Director, Expeditionary Warfare (N95) Maj. Gen.

USS Detroit (LCS 7) was commissioned in its namesake city of Detroit on October 22. Adm. Phil Davidson, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, officially placed the vessel in commission. "Today is about service. Cmdr. Michael P. Desmond, who command LCS Crew 108 “Ghost Riders,” assumed command of Detroit. "USS Detroit is truly blessed to have the opportunity to commission in its namesake city. Speakers included Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and U.S. Sens. Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters. "Cmdr.

Nearly 6,500 people gathered in front of the General Motors building at the Port of Detroit for the commissioning ceremony for the U.S. Navy’s new Freedom-variant littoral combat ship (LCS), USS Detroit (LCS 7), on October 22, when the ship was officially placed in commission by Adm. Phil Davidson, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command. “When a ship is commissioned she is placed in service of the American people and is given the charge to do one thing: to execute the Navy's mission – to be prepared to conduct prompt, sustained combat incident to operations at sea,” Davidson said.

The Navy will commission its newest Freedom-variant littoral combat ship, Detroit (LCS 7), during an 11 a.m. EDT ceremony Saturday, Oct. 22 on Detroit's waterfront. Detroit is the sixth U.S. ship in our nation's history to be named in honor of city of Detroit. Adm. Phil Davidson, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, will deliver the ceremony's principal address. Barbara Levin, wife of former U.S. Senator Carl Levin, serves as the ship's sponsor. "This ship represents so much. It represents the city of Detroit, the motor city. It represents the highly-skilled American workers of our nation's industrial base, the men and women who built this great warship and it represents the American spirit of hard work, patriotism and perseverance," said the Honorable Ray Mabus, secretary of the Navy.

Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command Adm. Phil Davidson announced the 2015 USFFC Fleet Sea and Shore Sailors of the Year during a ceremony hosted by the Hampton Roads Navy League at the Sheraton Waterside in Norfolk, March 24. Aviation Boatswain's Mate 1st Class (AW/SW) Tinisha Franklin, a native of Brooklyn, New York, stationed aboard aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) was announced as the 2015 Sea Sailor of the Year and Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 1st Class (AW/SW) Brian McGarrigle, a native of Clearwater, Florida, stationed at Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 40 (HSM-40) as the Shore Sailor of the Year. "For the Shore Sailors of the Year standing behind me…

Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, Adm. Mark Ferguson announced the 2015 CNE-CNA Shore Sailor, Sea Sailor and Junior Sailor of the Year in a ceremony held at Naval Support Activity, Naples, Capodichino, Jan 29, 2016. Operations Specialist 1st Class Amparo Balderas, from Commander, Task Force 68 in Rota, Spain was named Sea Sailor of the Year. Legalman 1st Class Stephani Pavoni, from CNE-CNA in Naples, Italy was named Shore Sailor of the Year. Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Dawn Weston, from Commander, Task Force 69 in Naples, Italy was named Junior Sailor of the Year. Balderas will advance to compete next month at the Navy Sea Sailor of the Year competition at Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command.

Vice Adm. Nora Tyson relieved Vice Adm. Kenny Floyd as commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet during a change of command and retirement ceremony held on Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) while pierside at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego July 24. During the ceremony, Floyd retired from active duty after 35 years of honorable naval service. He assumed command of U.S. 3rd Fleet in May 2013. Under Floyd's strategic vision, 3rd Fleet expanded its influence and contributions across all maritime lines of operations, theater security cooperation, experimentation, disaster relief, and joint operations. At sea, Floyd served in several F-14 Tomcat fighter aircraft squadrons…

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.

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus has directed a rapid review of Navy and Marine Corps' security procedures at military bases in the United States. "Our Sailors, Marines, and civilians are familiar with the dangers of service, but our security is something we can never take for granted," said Mabus. Adm. William E. Gortney, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, will lead the review for the Navy. Lt. Gen. Rick Tryon, commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command, will lead the review for the Marine Corps. The review is to be submitted to Mabus by Oct.

America's Navy League to honor prominent industry, navy, city and financial leaders at their 111th New York City annual dinner. The following individuals are to be honored by the Navy League  formed 111 years ago in New York City with the encouragement of President Theodore Roosevelt). Daniel F. Admiral William E. Gortney , U.S. Navy, Commander, U.S. Honorable Raymond W. Joan E. "We are extremely pleased to recognize these individuals," stated Rear Admiral J. Robert Lunney , NYNM (Ret.) president of the New York Council. "They represent the finest qualities of leadership, and have significantly contributed to the nation and the nation's sea services," he added. The black-tie dinner is on Thursday, April 18th, 2013, at the Waldorf Astoria New York.

The Navy set to commission the newest San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship, 'Arlington'. The ship is named for the county of Arlington and honors the first responders and the 184 victims who died when American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon Sept. 11, 2001. "This ship and her proud name symbolize what is exceptional about the United States," said Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. "For the next several decades, Arlington will take Marines and their equipment wherever they are needed, whether to provide humanitarian assistance or lethal combat capability. Gen. James F.

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.

Helen Delich Bentley will be an honoree at the National Maritime Historical Society's Washington Annual Award Dinner beginning at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 13, at the National Press Club, 529 14th St., NW, Washington, DC, 20045. A former chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission and five-term U.S. Congresswoman representing Maryland's 2nd Congressional District, Bentley's history of advocacy for the Port of Baltimore was highlighted in 2006 when the Port was officially renamed The Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore by Maryland Governor Robert Ehrlich.

Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour cheers as ship sponsors Heidi Cooke Halsey, Alice Spruance Talbot and Anne Halsey-Smith simultaneously smash ceremonial bottles of champagne across the bow of the Aegis guided missile destroyer DDG 97, officially christening the ship "Halsey." Halsey honors the sponsors' grandfather, Fleet Adm. William Frederick "Bull" Halsey Jr., a World War I and World War II Naval hero. More than 1,000 guests attended the Saturday, January 17, 2004 christening of the Aegis guided missile destroyer Halsey (DDG 97) at Northrop Grumman Corporation's Ship Systems sector.

Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour will join Navy Adm. William J. Fallon, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces command as principal speakers for the christening of the Aegis-guided missile destroyer Halsey (DDG 97). Ship Systems on Saturday, January 17. Other ceremony participants will include Navy Rear Adm. Charles S. Hamilton, program executive officer for ships; Navy Capt. Bella, supervisor of shipbuilding, conversion and repair, Gulf Coast; Dr. Philip A. Operations. with the name "Halsey," to honor Fleet Adm. William Frederick "Bull" Halsey Jr. (1882-1959), a World War I and World War II Naval hero who was present when Japan formally surrendered on the deck of his ship, the USS Missouri (BB 63) on September 2, 1945. Three of Adm. ship: Mrs.

Adm. Jonathan Greenert, Commander U.S. Fleet Forces Command recorded a podcast to discuss accountability and fleet readiness, May 20. The Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) is designed to be an objective look and detailed list of all known problems with a ship's physical condition and overall shipboard readiness with rigid standards. But there is an expectation, according to Greenert, that all ships will be ready based on the results of this inspection. "What we need when a ship doesn't do that well is an accounting of what took place, what happened and why," Greenert said. "What's the root cause? Assessments by INSURV are still ongoing as to the underlying causes of two ships' recent failures.

Three ships, USS Nassau (LHA 4), USS Ponce (LPD 15), and USS Bataan (LHD 5), were ordered Sept. 12 to increase readiness for possible disaster response support. Nassau, which was already at sea conducting routine operations, has been directed south to operate off the Florida coast. Since Hurricane Ike made landfall along the Gulf Coast of the United States, Nassau is positioned to provide assistance to civilian authorities if needed. Bataan and Ponce have been ordered to be ready to go to sea as early as Sunday afternoon.

Point Marriott Resort Village Golf and Yacht Club Oct. 22-25. issues relative to this year's theme, "Fighting Today... Keynote speaker Dr. Donald C. how the new maritime strategy, unveiled Oct. maintain maritime dominance and homeland security. not only win wars but deter them. cornerstone of U.S. indispensable to America's security interests," said Winter. naval powers - that of humanitarian assistance and disaster response. Adm. Jonathan Greenert, Commander, U.S. statement Oct. opening session, which mentioned strengthening communications with U.S. citizens and allied coalitions. cooperation with the world," Greenert said. higher level of cooperation with our citizens. Commenting on the challenge of putting Marines on foreign shores, Gen. James T.