Joint Command News

“Freedom” – the absence of subjection to foreign domination or despotic governmentIt has been decades since international relations in the world order dictated true competition for sea control, sea lines of communication, access to world markets, and diplomatic partnerships. However, it is becoming increasingly alarming that nations such as Iran, China and Russia seek to accumulate/consolidate power and re-define international maritime norms, potentially at the peril of diplomatic…

The U.S. 6th Fleet command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) departed Batumi, Georgia, Oct. 18 after completing a successful port visit. While in Batumi, Sailors had the opportunity to participate in community relation projects, provide tours of Mount Whitney, participate in multiple sporting events and engage with Georgian coast guard members during military-to-military engagements. “Our port visit in Batumi, Georgia was absolutely fantastic. The opportunity to engage and interact professionally, socially and athletically with our Georgian counterparts was invaluable towards advancing an enduring bilateral partnership; a partnership committed to security and stability in the region.” – Capt. Mark Colombo, USS Mount Whitney, commanding officer, Oct.

Today in U.S. Naval History - April 3 1797 - Capt. Thomas Truxtun issued first known American signal book using numerary system 1942 - Adm. Nimitz named Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Ocean Areas, a joint command, and retained his other title, Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Fleet 1992 - First five coed recruit companies graduate from Orlando, Fla. Naval Training Center. For more information about naval history, visit the Naval History and Heritage Command website at history.navy.mil.

Pole Star Space Applications Ltd.has been recognized as one of Britain’s best performing companies, according to the Sunday Times International Track 100. The league table ranks 100 UK-based private companies with the fastest-growing international sales in the last three years. Pole Star was the sole maritime industry representative included from a database of 2 million privately-held businesses. The company provides satellite monitoring systems to the global maritime industry, delivering fleet management, security and asset management services to over 24,000 vessels world-wide. Colin Hook, Chairman of Pole Star Space Applications said, “Pole Star has secured an international reputation for providing leading-edge satellite-enabled safety and security services to the maritime industry.

1909-  Stations Holly Beach, and Hereford Inlet, New Jersey: the schooner C.B. parted its chain while weighing anchor. She set a distress signal which was discovered by the lookouts at both stations. The surfboats proceeded to the scene and surfmen swept for the chain and assisted in securing it on board. 1943- USS Ingham, CG, rescued all hands from the torpedoed SS Matthew Luckenbach. 1967-The 378-foot high endurance cutter Hamilton, first in her class, was commissioned. This was the first class of major vessels in the U.S. government's inventory that were powered by jet turbines. 1991- CGC Cape Hatteras (WPB 95305) was decommissioned on 18 March 1991. She was the last 95-foot patrol boat in the Coast Guard. She was then transferred to Mexico.

1909-  Stations Holly Beach, and Hereford Inlet, New Jersey: the schooner C.B. parted its chain while weighing anchor. She set a distress signal which was discovered by the lookouts at both stations. The surfboats proceeded to the scene and surfmen swept for the chain and assisted in securing it on board. 1943- USS Ingham, CG, rescued all hands from the torpedoed SS Matthew Luckenbach. 1967-The 378-foot high endurance cutter Hamilton, first in her class, was commissioned. This was the first class of major vessels in the U.S. government's inventory that were powered by jet turbines. 1991- CGC Cape Hatteras (WPB 95305) was decommissioned on 18 March 1991. She was the last 95-foot patrol boat in the Coast Guard. She was then transferred to Mexico.

NATO’s contribution to international efforts to combat piracy off the Horn of Africa and in the Gulf of Aden entered a new phase on 17 August after the North Atlantic Council (NAC) approved Operation Ocean Shield. This new mission builds on the experience gained during Operation Allied Protector, NATO’s previous counter-piracy mission, and develops a distinctive NATO role based on the broad strength of the Alliance by adopting a more comprehensive approach to counter-piracy efforts.

1797 - CAPT Thomas Truxtun issued first known American signal book using numerary system 1942 - ADM Nimitz named Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Ocean Areas, a joint command, and retained his other title, Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Fleet 1992 - First five coed recruit companies from Orlando, FL Naval Training Center granduate. (Source: Navy News Service)

From the Navy News Service 1797 - Capt. Thomas Truxtun issues the first known American signal book using numerary system. 1942 - Adm. Chester Nimitz is named commander-in-chief, Pacific Ocean Areas, a joint command, and retained his other title, commander-in-chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet. 1992 - The first five coed recruit companies from Naval Training Center Orlando, Fla., graduate.

"There is a powerful agent, responsive, quick, and easy to use, pliable enough to meet all our needs on board. It does everything. It supplies light and heat for the ship and is the very soul of our mechanical equipment. Jules Verne's classic novel first appeared in 1869. Today, the Navy is standing at the threshold of remarkable capabilities that Jules Verne could barely imagine-a "revolution at sea" akin to the change from sail to steam and from oil-fired plants to nuclear power. But the process for the Navy has not been easy. As a Navy integrated electric drive (IED) insider told me privately: "Innovation is one thing; if you're asking us to change the way we do business…

With deep regret, by late Friday night, IMC had formally accepted that the six seafarers who remain missing following the crash of a United States Coast Guard’s rescue helicopter must now be presumed dead. Peter Chew, Group Managing Director of IMC made a statement through the Joint Command Information Centre following the Coast Guard’s announcement that the Search and Rescue operation was halted by nightfall on Friday. IMC continues to mourn its missing men and is doing all it can for their families and loved ones. Frederick Chavalit Tsao, the IMC Chairman, arrived in Alaska on Saturday morning to see the crew of the Selendang Ayu and meet all involved in the emergency operations. On Sunday he was in Juneau to meet Admiral James C.

Australia’s offshore maritime security is to be further strengthened through a series of linked initiatives that will be implemented progressively through 2005. These measures, recommended by the Government’s Taskforce on Offshore Maritime Security, build on previously announced border protection and maritime security initiatives. They focus, in particular, on the protection of Australia’s offshore oil and gas facilities, and on ensuring that any terrorist threat to Australia’s maritime assets and our coastline can be quickly detected and defeated. In implementing these initiatives the government is committing a further $10.6 million to the more than $187 million we have committed to upgrading off-shore maritime security since July 2004.

According to the AP, Singapore is building a joint command center that will house three maritime groups under one roof to increase coordination against threats at sea, the Defense Ministry announced Wednesday. A groundbreaking ceremony was held Tuesday for the Changi Command and Control Center, which is expected to be operational in 2009 to coordinate local, regional and international security efforts to deal with threats such as piracy and terrorist attacks on ships. The center, to be located beside the Changi naval base, will house the Singapore Maritime Security Center, the Information Fusion Center and the Multinational Operations and Exercises Center. Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia have in recent years coordinated maritime and air patrols in the Malacca Strait.

In an effort to utilize the now defunct U.S. Lines cruise ships, Congress has recommended that the U.S. Navy purchase the vessels, for possible use as replacement Joint Command Ships. The two 1,900-passenger vessels, which were to have been delivered in 2003, at a price of $440 million each, were on their way to becoming “an American dream.” With the first vessel approximately 55 percent complete, the second vessel was about to have its keel laid. And according to Northrop Grumman Litton Ingalls, the company who was to build these ships, more than 90 percent of material had already been committed. An added blow occurred a few days after AMCV had filed bankruptcy…

A multi-agency pollution response training event will be conducted in the Juneau area during this week from May 13-15. The exercise is being coordinated under the Preparedness for Response Exercise Program, which has established requirements for periodically exercising oil spill response contingency plans throughout the country. A joint exercise team, consisting of local oil spill response planners, has been meeting to plan this exercise since January. A specialized team of Coast Guard exercise planners from the National Strike Force Coordination Center in North Carolina facilitated the team throughout the planning process. The Juneau Delta Western facility volunteered to participate as the lead industry planner for the exercise.

Maritime Dominance in the 21st Century calls for naval forces that can project power forward, provide assured access in the littoral environment and support a wide variety of joint and combined operations. To meet this challenge, the U.S. Defeating and deterring future national threats requires a broad range of capabilities from long-range missile defense, precision strike and volume fires to assuring friendly access in the dangerous littoral regions of the world. Transformation of the future fleet will start with the DD(X) technology development effort, from hull and propulsion to sensors and weapons. DD(X) will provide sustained, offensive, distributed, and precise firepower at long ranges to support forces ashore and to conduct time-critical strikes on land targets.