Choke Points are Flash Points
The world is closely watching several contentious flash points that have potential to ignite. The behavior and rhetoric of China and Russia regarding vital shipping lanes in international waters have been alarming. Disputed sovereignty claims and efforts to enforce them have the maritime world on edge. China’s nine-dash line claims about owning the entire East and South China Sea have created a dilemma for themselves and the other nations in the region. The Philippines v. China case with the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague commenced on Jan.
‘Aggressive’ Russian Aircraft Buzz by US Warship
A U.S. destroyer vessel operating in international waters in the Baltic Sea experienced several close interactions by Russian aircraft on April 11 and 12, the U.S. Navy announced, calling the encounter “unsafe”, “aggressive” and “unprofessional”. “April 11-12, USS Donald Cook was operating in a professional manner in international waters conducting operations and exercises with our allies in the Baltic Sea,” said Adm. Mark Ferguson, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa.
Europe-Africa Sailors of the Year
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.
Russia Builds 'Arc Of Steel'
Russia is building an “arc of steel” from the Arctic to the Mediterranean Sea said a NATO commander, in the same vein as Winston Churchill’s Iron Curtain metaphor. Navy Adm. Mark Ferguson, who commands NATO’s Allied Joint Force Command in Naples, Italy, and U.S. Navy forces in Europe and Africa, spoke at the Atlantic Council here. The alliance also faces threats from the south, and both threats argue for more attention from the United States, NATO members and allied states, Ferguson said. From the North Atlantic to the Black Sea, Russia is fielding an increasingly capable navy, he added, unveiling a new maritime strategy and demonstrating new equipment and capabilities at sea.
CSG8 Holds Change of Command Ceremony
Rear Adm. Robert Burke turned over command of Submarine Group EIGHT (CSG8) to Rear Adm. Daryl Caudle, during a change of command ceremony at Naval Support Activity Naples, July 29, 2015. Presiding at the change of command ceremony were Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, Adm. Mark Ferguson, and Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet, Vice Adm. James Foggo III. In his remarks, Ferguson praised Burke’s leadership within CSG8. Burke served as CSG8′s Commander from June 21, 2013 to July 2015. He also served as deputy commander for U.S. 6th Fleet Director of Operations (N3). He will report to the Chief of Naval Personnel as Director, Military Personnel Plans and Policy Division.
Ferguson Receives Ellis Island Medal of Honor
Adm. Mark Ferguson, commander, Allied Joint Force Command Naples and commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF), received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor during a ceremony May 9, 2015 on Ellis Island. The National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations (NECO) presented the award to Ferguson during the 29th Annual Ellis Island Medal of Honor Ceremony. This annual award ceremony honors American citizens who exemplify outstanding qualities in both their personal and professional lives, while continuing to preserve the richness of their particular heritage. “We owe so much to this great country," stated Adm. Mark Ferguson, commander, Allied Joint Force Command Naples and commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF).
European VIPs Visit USS George H.W. Bush
U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa hosted 23 distinguished visitors from multiple European countries aboard aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) as a part of the Navy's Distinguished Visitor (DV) Embark program, Oct. 30. The DV program is a unique experience that allows civilian and military guests board the ship while underway and experience the Navy's mission and witness carrier operations firsthand. The DVs included Lithuanian Minister of National Defense, Juozas Olekas; Latvian Minister of Defense, Raimonds Vejonis; Polish Undersecretary of State, Maciej Jankowski; Estonian Defense Forces Commander, Commander, Estonian Defense Forces, Maj. Gen. Riho Terras; and Spanish Fleet Commander in Chief, Adm. Santiago Bolibar.
Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Visits Souda Bay
Adm. Mark Ferguson, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, visited U.S. Naval Support Activity (NSA) Souda Bay, his first visit since taking command in July. Ferguson visited Souda Bay to thank Sailors stationed there for supporting forward deployed naval forces and to strengthen the enduring partnership with Hellenic Navy counterparts. “You represent the United States Navy and the United States to the people of Crete and to Greece. I want to thank you for how you conduct yourselves and how you represent our country,” said Ferguson during an all hands call. During the all hands call, Ferguson imparted on Sailors the importance of their mission in Souda.
GE Gas Turbines Power LCS USS Coronado
Littoral Combat Ship USS Coronado (LCS 4) was commissioned by the United States Navy on April 5 at its home port of San Diego, California. GE Marine reported that this Independence-variant LCS is powered by two GE LM2500 marine gas turbines. Named for the California city of Coronado, LCS 4 is the third Navy ship to bear the name of the "Crown City." The first USS Coronado (PF 38), a patrol frigate, served as a convoy escort during World War II. The second USS Coronado (AGF 11)…
Vice Chief of Naval Operations Visits Japanese Government
The vice chief of naval operations (VCNO) met with several key leaders within the government of Japan and its Ministry of Defense Aug. 26. Adm. Mark Ferguson is at the beginning of a series of engagements in Tokyo, at several U.S. Navy installations in Region Japan, and with neighboring local government officials this week. During this first day of the trip, Ferguson met with the Japan Minister of Defense, Itsunori Onodera, and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Vice Chief of Staff, Vice Adm. Eiichi Funada.
Leaner US Navy Predicted by Admiral
Adm. Mark Ferguson, Vice Chief of Naval Operations, offered a revealing look at the future of the Navy if budget cuts are approved. The admiral gave the keynote address at the recent opening of the ONR (Office of Naval Research) Naval S&T (science and technology) Partnership Conference and ASNE Expo. Speaking to a capacity crowd as keynote speaker, Ferguson said the Navy is already working hard to do more across the globe-with less resources. "The implications of trying to absorb a 9.4 percent cut on top of the significant reductions we've already done in fiscal year 2013 budgets…
Navy to Commission LPD 22 – 'USS San Diego'
The Navy will commission the newest San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship San Diego during a 10 a.m. PDT ceremony Saturday, May 19, 2012, in San Diego, Calif. The ship is named for the city of San Diego, principal homeport of the Pacific fleet, and honors the people of "America's Finest City" and its leaders for their continuous support of the military. Three previous ships have carried the name San Diego -- the armored cruiser named in 1914, the World War II-era cruiser commissioned in 1942 and the combat stores ship commissioned in 1969. Adm.
