Navy News Service

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. You are subscribed to Navy News for U.S. Navy. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Navy News Service NNS130624-01. CARAT Malaysia Wraps Up After Nine Days of Exercises -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=75001 NNS130623-04. Allied Navies Perform ASW Exercise During Pacific Bond 13 -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=74999 NNS130622-11. Navy Receives First F-35C Lightning II -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=74982 DNU -- Navy's Non-Resident Training Course Website Online After Maintenence Outage; Some Overseas Commissaries to Remain Open During Furloughs -- http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.asp?id=18569 NNS130622-16. Navy 'Air Warrior' Patrick Driscoll Retires -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=74993 NNS130623-01. USS Freedom supports Marine amphibious assault force in CARAT Malaysia -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=74995 NNS130622-15. At-Sea Phase of CARAT Malaysia 2013 Concludes -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=74994 NNS130623-03. Pacific Partnership 2013 Mission in Tonga Comes To a Close -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=74997 NNS130622-12. Joint Navies Kick Off Pacific Bond Exercise -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=74989 DNU -- Baltic Operations Exercise 2013 Kicks Off -- http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.asp?id=18571 NNS130623-05. CTF 72 To Participate Inaugural Indonesia SEASURVEX -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=74998 DNU -- Rota Sailors Compete in Multi-National Triathalon -- http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.asp?id=18570 NNS130622-13. PRT Farah Conducts Transfer of Authority Ceremony -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=74991 NNS130623-02. George Washington, SRF, PSNS Team Completes SRA -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=74996 DNU -- Week in Review June 15th - 21st -- http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.asp?id=18572 DNU -- Retired Master Chief Discusses Lessons Navy Taught Him -- http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.asp?id=18568 NNS020418-32. This Day in Naval History - June 24 -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=1396 Eye on the Fleet - U.S. Navy Photo of The Day -- http://www.navy.mil/list_single.asp?id=153818 -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130624-01. CARAT Malaysia Wraps Up After Nine Days of Exercises By Chief Mass Communication Specialist Matthew Olay KUANTAN, Malaysia (NNS) -- The 19th annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise between the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and Malaysian Armed Forces drew to a close during a ceremony on Kuantan Naval Base June 23. During CARAT Malaysia 2013, U.S and Malaysian forces conducted a series of shore-based and at sea training events designed to address shared maritime security concerns, develop relationships and enhance interoperability. Some of those shore-based events included marksmanship and jungle training between U.S. Marines and soldiers from the Malaysian Army, combat casualty care training, and building a community center for local fishermen thanks to the joint efforts of Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Five and the Malaysia Royal Engineer Regiment. At sea, the guided-missile Destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) and the first-of-class littoral combat ship USS Freedom (LCS 1) spent three days conducting combined maneuvers, submarine familiarization events, visit, board, search and seizure evolutions, small craft attack drills and other events with the Royal Malaysian Navy vessels KD Jebat and KD Kelantan. As Freedom is on its first overseas deployment to Southeast Asia, the Malaysian leg of CARAT marked the ship's first time participating in this series of bilateral naval exercises, and the vessel's performance at sea drew praise from both participating navies. "The multiple capabilities of (Freedom) are just starting to scratch the surface," said Capt. Paul Schlise, commanding officer of Task Group 73.1, which Freedom currently falls under. "We could get a lot of work done with more of these ships, and as this is just the first of many rotational deployments, we're pretty excited about having more of them." "The ship itself is fantastic," Capt. Abdul Halim Bin Hj Shaari, KD Jebat's commanding officer, said of Freedom. "My boarding team went aboard and they learned a lot. The opportunity to command that type of ship would be great." The capstone exercise of CARAT Malaysia combined sea and shore-based forces in a pair of simulated amphibious landings on Batu Beach over a two-day period. It involved 300 Marines from the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Unit and Malaysian Army paratroopers, nine amphibious assault vehicles and five aircraft, the dock landing ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46) and the USS Freedom (LCS 1). During his closing remarks, Commander, Amphibious Force 7th Fleet Rear Adm. Jeff Harley noted how the strong bond between U.S. and Malaysian forces contributed to making CARAT Malaysia 2013 a success. "Once again, our Sailors and Marines made this year successful by leveraging existing relationships and by building new ones," Harley said. "Sustaining these relationships is crucial to our future success in CARAT, and during events that might call upon our forces to act together." Harley's counterpart, Maj. Gen. Dato' Abu Bakar Bin Abu Said Tudm, acting Joint Forces Commander for the Malaysian Armed Forces, offered similar remarks. "Over the years, CARAT has always been the highlight of our bilateral activity with the United States forces, and it marks an important event in our yearly calendar. Needless to say, the Malaysian armed forces have benefited tremendously from this endeavor," the general said. "I am looking forward to having another opportunity to meet each other again in CARAT 2014. I wish you all the best and have a safe journey home." For more news from Pacific Fleet, visit www.cpf.navy.mil. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130623-04. Allied Navies Perform ASW Exercise During Pacific Bond 13 By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Shannon Heavin, Commander, Task Force 70 Public Affairs USS GEORGE WASHINGTON, At Sea (NNS) -- Australia, Japan and U.S. Naval forces flexed the Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) aspects of exercise Pacific Bond 2013 near the Marianas Island chain, June 23. "This ASW exercise is a building block toward acquiring the ability to seamlessly integrate on common initiatives to promote security and prosperity in the Western Pacific," said Lt. j.g. Joshua Foote, Destroyer Squadron 15's assistant plans officer. "We will not only have improved our individual tactical proficiency, but we will also gain an increased understanding of how our each of us achieves success in difficult tactical situations through the particular skills each ally brings to the table." The three navies integrated their skills to detect, track and defeat an adversary submarine in a variety of scenarios over the course of two days. They also conducted events to develop proficiency in other warfare areas such as air defense and surface warfare. "My challenge was to generate an anti-submarine warfare team on board a ship that was predominantly an air defence frigate," said Lt. Cmdr. Jonathan Bannister, HMAS Sydney's torpedo and anti-submarine officer. "We are proud of the way [our] Sailors rose to the challenge and pulled out all stops to get involved, to learn and to do whatever it took to achieve ASW competency for the patrol." Tri-lateral exercises like Pacific Bond are outlined to improve interoperability and readiness among navies. "Another important aspect of this ASW exercise is working with our allies to strengthen our bonds, enhance maritime interoperability, and demonstrate our cooperative commitment to security, stability, and freedom of the seas in the Western Pacific," said Foote. Pacific Bond is a multi-national naval exercise designed to advance participating nations' military-to-military coordination and capacity to plan and execute tactical operations in a multi-warfare environment. Participating units from U.S. Navy are the guided missile destroyers USS Preble (DDG 88) and USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93); members of the forward deployed Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15; one P-3C aircraft; one submarine; Royal Australian Navy guided-missile frigate HMAS Sydney's (FFG 03) and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ship, JS Murasame (DD 101). For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy. For more news from Commander Task Force 70, visit www.navy.mil/local/ctf70/. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130622-11. Navy Receives First F-35C Lightning II From Commander, Naval Air Forces Public Affairs SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The U.S. Navy's Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 101 received the Navy's first F-35C Lightning II carrier variant aircraft from Lockheed Martin today at the squadron's home at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The F-35C is a fifth generation fighter, combining advanced stealth with fighter speed and agility, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations and advanced sustainment. The F-35C will enhance the flexibility, power projection, and strike capabilities of carrier air wings and joint task forces and will complement the capabilities of the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, which currently serves as the Navy's premier strike fighter. By 2025, the Navy's aircraft carrier-based air wings will consist of a mix of F-35C, F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, EA-18G Growlers electronic attack aircraft, E-2D Hawkeye battle management and control aircraft, Unmanned Carrier Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) air vehicles, MH-60R/S helicopters and Carrier Onboard Delivery logistics aircraft. VFA 101, based at Eglin Air Force Base, will serve as the F-35C Fleet Replacement Squadron, training both aircrew and maintenance personnel to fly and repair the F-35C. For more news from Commander, Naval Air Forces, visit www.news.navy.mil/local/airpac/ or the command's official Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/FlyNavy. For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130622-16. Navy 'Air Warrior' Patrick Driscoll Retires From U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) -- During an emotional tribute on the decks of the USS Arizona Memorial, family, friends and colleagues gathered to honor Rear Adm. Patrick Driscoll's 34 years of honorable Navy service during his retirement ceremony June 20. "He is a combat vet, flying ace, a passionate leader, dedicated husband and caring father," said Commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet, Adm. Cecil Haney. "As a highly decorated naval aviator, his flying career is the stuff of legends. Whenever our nation was in need of air warriors, Pat Driscoll answered the call to fly and lead in combat." Driscoll completed his final Navy tour as U.S. Pacific Fleet's deputy commander and chief of staff. The Homewood, Ill., native entered the Navy through the aviation officer candidate program following graduation from the University of Illinois and received his commission in January 1979. Logging more than 5,000 flight hours in three different aircraft - the S-3 Viking, the A-7E Corsair, and the F/A-18 Hornet - Driscoll completed more than 1,200 aircraft carrier landings during a career that included air combat missions in Iraq during the first Gulf War and again in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Bosnia, and Afghanistan. Driscoll was also the commanding officer and flight leader of The Blue Angels for the 1999 and 2000 air show seasons. "For two years, Pat's team awed countless spectators and inspired the next generation of naval aviators," said Haney. Awarding Driscoll with the Distinguished Service Medal, Haney personally praised his deputy commander for helping to guide the Navy's largest Fleet during the current U.S. rebalance strategy to the Indo-Asia-Pacific. "You provided important insights that continue to influence how we engage and how we advocate for improved capability in the U.S. Pacific Fleet," Haney said. "Your leadership has made our Navy better and will have a lasting impact on the people you have led over your career." In his remarks, Driscoll talked about how all he ever wanted to do was fly for the Navy. "As a Naval officer and aviator it's been exhilarating, awe inspiring, frightening, educating and heartbreaking," Driscoll said. Driscoll also talked about how his wife Carol - a Nurse Corps officer who retired as a Navy Commander after 20 years of service - and how she not only supported him but also how she selflessly advocated for Navy families throughout his long career. He explained how she was essentially a "single mom" to their three children because of how much he was gone from home due to deployments. She ran scholarship fund raisers for aviation families, hosted important dignitaries, and held the hands of grieving widows as they were told their loved ones had died defending the nation. Driscoll finished his remarks by honoring the memories of the Sailors that lost their lives onboard the USS Arizona and those that he flew with that did not make it home to their families. "There is not a day that goes by that I don't think about my friends and my shipmates that I flew with that were not nearly as lucky as me; those that did not make it back to the carrier, that did not make it back to their families. They did not have the opportunity to help raise their children and take care of their parents. So as I get ready to go ashore for the last time I want to take this final opportunity on this great Navy memorial to recognize those I flew with, those I was responsible for, and those that paid the ultimate price for our nation," Driscoll concluded. Driscoll will be relieved as the U.S. Pacific Fleet deputy commander and chief of staff by Rear Adm. Robert Girrier, who is currently serving as the director for operations at U.S. Pacific Command. For more news from Pacific Fleet, visit www.cpf.navy.mil. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130623-01. USS Freedom supports Marine amphibious assault force in CARAT Malaysia By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Cassandra Thompson SOUTH CHINA SEA (NNS) -- Sailors aboard USS Freedom (LCS 1) had a unique opportunity to support amphibious assault exercise when Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard USS Tortuga (LSD 46) conducted an amphibious raid with Malaysian Army paratroopers, June 22. The littoral combat ship Freedom and the forward deployed amphibious dock landing ship Tortuga are in Malaysia participating in Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2013. Sailors assigned to Freedom's surface warfare mission package acted as safety observers from the ship's 11-meter rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB), while the embarked crew of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 73 provided aerial support with Freedom's MH-60R helicopter. With its shallow draft, Freedom was able to anchor closer to the beach than other units and monitor the landing events. "It was a good proof of concept for LCS and the squadron of the capabilities we could provide to the mission," said Lt. Mike Roselli, attached to HSM 73. "The Romeo was able to provide maritime support to the amphibious force. We could if needed provide Hellfire [missiles], torpedos or a Search and Rescue swimmer." With just 91 Sailors on board, the Freedom crew routinely supports more than one evolution a day. CARAT Malaysia was another opportunity for these Sailors to show their dedication and drive. "I was on the picket boat that provided security for the ship," Engineman 3rd Class Jennifer Ordenana. "Since CARAT started, I've been part of multiple exercises with both the engineering department and VBSS - from refueling the helo in the pump room to being a small boat engineer on an 11-meter RHIB. It's been cool." CARAT is a series of bilateral naval exercises between the U.S. Navy and the armed forces of Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Timor-Leste. Continuing through June 23, CARAT Malaysia 2013 consists of ten days of shore-based and at-sea training events designed to address shared maritime security concerns, develop relationships, and enhance interoperability among participating forces. Participation in the CARAT exercise series is among the key milestones during Freedom's maiden rotational deployment to Southeast Asia. Fast, agile and mission-focused, LCS platforms are designed to operate in near-shore environments and employ modular mission packages that can be configured for three separate purposes: surfaces warfare, mine countermeasures or anti-submarine warfare. Homeported in San Diego, Freedom is currently on its maiden deployment and is manned by her "Gold" crew. Midway through the deployment, a crew-swap will be conducted with her "Blue" crew. More than 1,200 U.S. Sailors and Marines are participating in CARAT Malaysia 2013. Additional ships in CARAT Task Group 73.1 are the guided missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) with embarked Destroyer Squadron 7 staff, the dock landing ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46) with embarked USMC Landing Force, and the diving and salvage ship USNS Safeguard (T-ARS 50) with embarked Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 1 (MUDSU). For more news from Pacific Fleet, visit www.cpf.navy.mil. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130622-15. At-Sea Phase of CARAT Malaysia 2013 Concludes By Chief Mass Communication Specialist Matthew Olay KUANTAN, Malaysia (NNS) -- The littoral combat ship USS Freedom (LCS 1) and other Task Group 73.1 assets successfully completed four full days of combined, at-sea training events with the Royal Malaysian Navy, June 22, as part of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Malaysia 2013. The Malaysian leg of CARAT marks Freedom's first time participating in this series of bilateral naval exercises, which (in addition to Malaysia) take place annually between the U.S. Navy and the armed forces of Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Timor-Leste. During the first three days off the coast of Kuantan, Freedom operated closely with USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) and its embarked Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7 staff to complete a series of maneuvers and exercises with the Royal Malaysian Navy's guided missile frigate KD Jebat, as well as the offshore patrol vessel KD Kelantan. Both RMN ships are comparable in size and capability with Freedom, and many regional navies operate similar ships. The time at sea gave Freedom, which is designed to swap out various mission modules depending on what the operational environment calls for, an opportunity to test its surface warfare mission package while also playing a significant role in an anti-submarine warfare exercise with its embarked MH-60R helicopter. Freedom remained at sea a fourth day to support the amphibious dock landing ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46) and its embarked Marines during an amphibious beach landing exercise. "With respect to Freedom, we're just starting to scratch the surface on everything the ship can do," said Capt. Paul Schlise, the task group's commander and commodore of DESRON 7. "It's built to be a focused mission ship, and with its open architecture and its reconfigurable mission bay, it's going to bring capability to the Southeast Asia region that's really going to be a force multiplier out here. And as the operational commander, I couldn't be more excited about that." Schlise added that the underway period helped to build on the strong bond that has been forged over the years between the U.S. and Malaysian navies. "This is the 19th year that we've done CARAT with Malaysia, and they're eager to continue to push the envelope with our operations and make them more complex. They're a great friend and partner here in the region, and it's really a treat to work with them." Though some of the planned, at-sea exercises were hampered by poor visibility, Schlise said that the at-sea phase of CARAT Malaysia was an overall success that benefitted all participants, especially the Sailors of LCS-1. "There's a learning curve for their crew (because) they haven't done a lot of multi-ship operations, but it's an eager crew and a good hard-working crew, and Freedom has contributed, as have all the other ships in the group, to a successful exercise." Continuing through June 23, CARAT Malaysia 2013 consists of ten days of shore-based and at-sea training events designed to address shared maritime security concerns, develop relationships, and enhance interoperability among participating forces. Participation in the CARAT exercise series is among the key milestones during Freedom's maiden rotational deployment to Southeast Asia. More than 1,200 U.S. Sailors and Marines are participating in CARAT Malaysia 2013. Additional ships in Commander, Task Group 73.1 are the dock landing ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46) with embarked USMC Landing Force, and the diving and salvage ship USNS Safeguard (T-ARS 50) with embarked Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 1 (MUDSU). The USMC Landing Force Company is comprised of Marines with India Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment with an attachment from 2nd Amphibian Assault Battalion, 2nd Marine Division from Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Also participating in CARAT Malaysia are medical professionals and visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) evaluators from Maritime Civil Affairs and Security Training Command (MCAST), Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 5 (NMCB), P-3C Orion aircraft, and the U.S. Seventh Fleet Band, Orient Express. For more news from Pacific Fleet, visit www.cpf.navy.mil. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130623-03. Pacific Partnership 2013 Mission in Tonga Comes To a Close By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Carlos M. Vazquez II NUKU'ALOFA, Tonga (NNS) -- Pacific Partnership 2013 concluded its 10-day mission in the Kingdom of Tonga, June 22. Royal New Zealand Air Force Group Capt. Darryn Webb, Pacific Partnership 2013 deputy mission commander, said the missions preformed at the port were exceptionally successful "It went tremendously well. I think there was an enormous level of enthusiasm and desire from everybody involved to make sure we got the job done," said Webb."I've visited many primary schools and the children don't have much," said Webb. "But that shows you that you don't need much in life and they have a strong sense of community, spirit and family." While there, the mission treated 5,455 patients, evaluated 3,000 animals, conducted 25 donation events and completed eight engineering construction projects, including renovating schools, restrooms and water catchment systems all in the name of improving the collective ability to provide disaster relief assistance. Additionally, medical, nursing and dental subject matter experts held conferences to exchange information with Tongan healthcare providers about various aspects of patient care. "We reached out to a variety of Tongan organizations to share our expertise." Jennifer Villalta, team leader for the University of California, San Diego Pre-Dentistry Society. "We had almost 20 dentists, dental therapists and technicians lecturing about things from basic extractions to forensic dentistry." One of unique aspects of the Tongan mission was the installation of two water catchment systems designed to mitigate any interruptions in the country's supply of fresh water. "Purpose of the water systems is to ensure the ability of Tongans to retain water in case the city water goes out, gets interrupted by a natural disaster or is contaminated," said Kaela Mattson, an engineer with the University of California, San Diego. "If you have separate catchment systems that are able to contain a certain amount of water, it increases the likelihood that the community will be able to recover after a natural disaster." Now in its eighth year, Pacific Partnership originated from the international response to the 2004 tsunami that swept through parts of Southeast Asia. Working at the invitation of each host nation, Pacific Partnership is joined by partner nations that include Australia, Canada, Colombia, France, Japan, Malaysia Singapore, South Korea and New Zealand to strengthen disaster response preparedness around the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy. For more news from Navy Public Affairs Support Element West, visit www.navy.mil/local/pacensandiego/. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130622-12. Joint Navies Kick Off Pacific Bond Exercise From Commander, Task Force 70 Public Affairs USS GEORGE WASHINGTON, At Sea (NNS) -- U.S. Navy joined forces with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) to participate in a tri-lateral exercise Pacific Bond 2013, June 22-26. Pacific Bond is a multi-national naval exercise designed to advance participating nations' military-to-military coordination and capacity to plan and execute tactical operations in a multi-warfare environment. "We are honored to have the opportunity to work with our Royal Australian Navy and Japan Maritime Self Defense Force counterparts," said Capt. Paul Lyons, commander, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15. "As we continue to execute our strategic pivot to Asia as a nation, strong relationships and proven interoperability between our navies at the tactical level of execution will be even more vital in underwriting peace, security and stability in the region, as well as preserving the national interests of the U.S. and our allies and partners." Pacific Bond events include anti-submarine warfare exercises, anti-air warfare exercises, a helicopter visits, board, search and seizure exercise, and liaison officer exchanges. "Pacific Bond is about conducting quality multi-national maritime warfare maneuvers, with this year's exercise having a heavy focus on anti-submarine warfare," said Cmdr. Karl Brinckmann, HMAS Sydney's commanding officer. "One of the consistent highlights of the Pacific Bond series of exercises is the exchange of personnel between navies, and this year it is no exception with personnel exchanges between Sydney, JS Murasame and USS Preble. It doesn't get much better than operating with modern warships from two extremely professional navies." Exercises like this are routine and demonstrate the continuum of training necessary to achieve greater levels of proficiency in complex mission areas. They enhance participating nations' ability to conduct multinational operations in-stride with little prior coordination. This is imperative to meeting and flexing to the demands of the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. "The purpose of our participation in this exercise is to improve our skills and to deepen our interoperability by conducting training together with the U.S. and Australian navies," said Capt. Hiroyuki Izumi, commander, Escort Division 1 of Murasame. "Conducting this tri-lateral exercise with the naval forces of Japan, the U.S. and Australia, all of whom have high operational skills and sophisticated equipment, is an excellent opportunity for improving JMSDF tactical skills. Through this exercise, we can make the relationship among our three nations even stronger. We would like to take every opportunity to continue these tri-lateral exercises." Participants in Pacific Bond 2013 include the guided-missile destroyers USS Preble (DDG 88) and USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93); members of the forward deployed Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15; P-3C aircraft from Commander, Task Force 72; one submarine from Commander, Task Force 74; helicopters and personnel from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25 and personnel from Naval Special Warfare Unit (NSWU) 1 joined forces with Royal Australian Navy guided-missile frigate HMAS Sydney's (FFG 03) and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ship, JS Murasame (DD 101). For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy. For more news from Commander Task Force 70, visit www.navy.mil/local/ctf70/. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130623-05. CTF 72 To Participate Inaugural Indonesia SEASURVEX By By Lieutenant Andrew Orchard From Commander, Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Force Seventh Fleet MISAWA, Japan (NNS) -- Aircrews assigned to Commander Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Force 7th Fleet from Patrol Squadron (VP) 26 will participate in the U.S. Navy and Indonesia Military (TNI) inaugural Sea Surveillance Exercise (SEASURVEX). This bilateral exercise will take place June 24-28 at Juanda Naval Air Station and will focus on improving airborne maritime reconnaissance interoperability between the two allied nations. Commander Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Force 7th Fleet, the Tridents, conducts 2 to 3 interoperability exercises each year with the TNI to further U.S.-TNI operations and relations. Based in Jacksonville, Fla., the Tridents are currently on a six-month deployment to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility as part of Commander Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Force 7th Fleet. For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy. For more news from Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/c7f/. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130622-13. PRT Farah Conducts Transfer of Authority Ceremony From Provincial Reconstruction Team Farah Public Affairs FORWARD OPERATING BASE FARAH, Afghanistan (NNS) -- U.S. Navy Cmdr. Louis McCray turned over authority of Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) Farah to U.S. Navy Cmdr. Jeremy Fogt during a transfer of authority ceremony at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Farah, June 22. The ceremony was presided over by Commander, Regional Command West, Italian Brigadier General Ignazio Gamba and was attended by U.S. Consul General Jillian Burns and local provincial leadership. McCray and his team have spent the past year training and executing their mission in western Afghanistan to train, advise, and assist Afghan government leaders at the municipal, district, and provincial levels. The team's leadership made a significant impact in the province, working directly with provincial level officials as line liaisons to work through budgetary issues and support capacity building and development within the province. "The road ahead will be a tough one, but there is reason for hope because Farah remains a resilient and capable community," said McCray. "It is with deep gratitude and humility that we leave Farah. I could not be more proud of the hard work and sacrifice of these men and women. They jumped over every high-bar that we set for them." During the team's nine months in Farah, team members worked closely with local Afghan leaders in order to help build local capacity, facilitate the development of local relationships with enduring regional and national level partners, and closed out legacy development projects. Despite an increase of insurgent attacks in Farah during the 2013 fighting season, McCray is confident that the team's efforts helped to form a solid foundation for future local development and security in the province. "Our team worked shoulder-to-shoulder with local leaders to help build their capacity so that they are able to provide relevant and tangible resources to the people of Farah. It's up to the provincial and local leaders of Farah now to take the new skills and relationships they've developed with our assistance and to turn them into resources for their people." Gamba was impressed with the work of the outgoing PRT. "PRT Farah has worked tirelessly with coalition and security forces and has been a pillar in helping to neutralize Taliban and helping the growth of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan," said Gamba. "Be proud of all you have accomplished; you have set a great example of teamwork for all of us." Fogt, a surface warfare officer, looks forward to the opportunity to facilitating local leadership's connectivity to enduring resources in Afghanistan, and the challenging job of closing out the PRT's nearly decade-long mission in Farah. "This is a monumental time for both our PRT and the governance in Farah," said Fogt. "We are excited to finish the PRT nine-year mission in Farah by facilitating the process from transition into the transformation decade, as well as turning over the base to our Afghan partners." Gamba also looks forward to working with the incoming PRT. "I wish you all the best in your mission and I look forward to the same close working relationship we had with your predecessors," said Gamba. PRT Farah's mission is to train, advise, and assist Afghan government leaders at the municipal, district, and provincial levels in Farah Province, Afghanistan. Their team is comprised of members of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Army. For more information about the PRT follow their page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PRTFRH For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy. For more news from Provincial Reconstruction Team-Farah, visit www.navy.mil/local/prtf/. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130623-02. George Washington, SRF, PSNS Team Completes SRA By Mass Communication Specialist is 3rd Class Erin Devenberg YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- The U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) completed its Fiscal Year 2013 Selected Restricted Availability (SRA), June 23. SRA is scheduled for the accomplishment of ship-board repairs and alterations by industrial activities. These short, labor-intensive availabilities are assigned to complete work that is required to sustain the material condition of the ship for mission-readiness while at sea. "The ship's force accomplished approximately 316,790 man hours of work," said Lt. Cmdr. David Hoffman, George Washington's SRA coordinator. "The biggest jobs were tackled by the deck team, who had an extremely large package this year. It was the most challenging we've ever attempted and [deck team] went above and beyond." George Washington's air department completed more than 1,700 jobs equating to almost 66, 240 man hours. "It was an all hands effort," said Lt. Jitindra Sirjoo, George Washington's flight deck officer. "Air department did a fantastic job ensuring that all nonskid was correctly applied, the catapults and arresting gears were repaired, the fuel system is ready to receive millions of gallons of fuel, and the hangar bay was maintained and is ready to receive aircraft." Ship teams were established and comprised of crew members from different departments to divide work into specific jobs. The door team maintained and replaced 257 water-tight and air-tight doors. "The door team did an outstanding job," said Hull Technician 1st Class Donald Preston, from Brooklyn, N.Y. "It's all about watertight integrity. The entire ship is at risk if door seals don't work properly." George Washington coordinated with Ship's Repair Facility (SRF) and Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (PSNS), who provided knowledgeable contract workers and land support machinery. "We worked pretty well as a project team with both Puget Sound and SRF," said Hoffman. "In collaboration with these companies, the command did outstanding this year. They finished every key event and milestone ahead of schedule." George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects the collective maritime interest of the U.S. and its partners and allies in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy. For more news from USS George Washington (CVN 73), visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn73/. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS020418-32. This Day in Naval History - June 24 From the Navy News Service 1833 - USS Constitution enters drydock at Charlestown Navy Yard, Boston for overhaul. The ship was saved from scrapping after public support rallied to save the ship following publication of Olive Wendell Holmes' poem, "Old Ironsides." 1926 - Office of Assistant Secretary of the Navy set up to foster naval aeronautics; aircraft building increased. 1948 - Berlin airlift initiated to offset the Soviet Union's blockade access of United States, France, and Great Britain to their sectors of Berlin. -USN- -USN- -USN- Navy News Service is the official news wire service of the U.S. Navy, containing stories recently posted to the Navy Web site at www.navy.mil. It is a product of the Defense Media Navy - 6700 Taylor Rd., Fort Meade, MD 20755. Reprints should be credited to the Navy News Service (NNS). For the latest in Navy news from around the fleet, visit www.navy.mil. For all Navy-related questions, review the FAQs posted at www.navy.mil or visit www.history.navy.mil. Media queries should be directed to the Navy News Desk at (703) 697-5342. -USN-   Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. You will need to use your email address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please contact support@govdelivery.com. This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Navy. Navy News Service is the official news wire service of the U.S. Navy containing stories recently posted to the Navy web site at www.navy.mil. It is a product of the Defense Media Activity - Navy, 6700 Taylor Ave, Fort Meade, MD 20755. Reprints should be credited to the Navy News Service (NNS).