Northern Lights Puts on Show for Cold Response Exercise Participants

The Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) passes under the Northern Lights while participating in Exercise Cold Response 2016 (CDR 16). CDR 16 involves maritime, land and air operation training and focuses on naval and amphibious operations transitions to ground maneuver. The location in central Norway provides an extreme cold-weather environment for the 12 participating countries to collectively develop tactics, techniques and procedures and increase interoperability. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Daniel C. Coxwest/Released)

1st of 3 Norfolk-Based Navy Ships Heading to Florida

The first of three Virginia-based Navy ships is heading to a new homeport in Florida this week.

The amphibious transport dock USS New York will leave Norfolk Naval Station on Wednesday and move to Mayport Naval Station in Jacksonville, Fla.

The Virginian-Pilot reports  that the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima and the dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry will move to Mayport in 2014.

The Iwo Jima is undergoing work at a Norfolk shipyard. The Fort McHenry currently is based at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek.

The New York has a crew of about 350 sailors. The Fort McHenry has about 400 sailors and the Iwo Jima has about 1,100 sailors.

Secretary of the Navy Announces Early Move for Amphibious Ready Group

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced June 15 that the first amphibious ready group (ARG) ship scheduled to shift homeport to Naval Station Mayport, Fla., will arrive in the last quarter of calendar year 2013.

USS New York (LPD 21), USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) and USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), will shift from their current homeport of Norfolk, Va., to Mayport. The New York will be the first to change homeport, followed by the Iwo Jima and Fort McHenry in 2014.

Mabus originally announced Feb. 28 that the ARG would arrive no later than 2015.

The accelerated timeline ensures continued viability of the Mayport ship repair industrial base and maintains the capabilities of the Jacksonville fleet concentration area, thereby preserving surge capability and reducing risk to fleet resources in the event of natural or manmade contingencies.

"I am very pleased that the Navy is able to condense the time horizon for the arrival of the Mayport ARG," stated Mabus. "The move underscores just how important Jacksonville and Naval Station Mayport are to our national defense, and how committed we are to strategic dispersal on the East Coast."

Amphibious Ready Group Early Move Announced

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced today that the first amphibious ready group (ARG) ship scheduled to shift homeport to Naval Station Mayport, Fla., will arrive in the last quarter of 2013.

The USS New York, the USS Iwo Jima and the USS Fort McHenry, will shift from their current homeport of Norfolk, Va., to Mayport. The USS New York will be the first to change homeport, followed by the USS Iwo Jima and the USS Fort McHenry in 2014.

Mabus originally announced Feb. 28 that the ARG would arrive no later than 2015.

The accelerated timeline ensures continued viability of the Mayport ship repair industrial base and maintains the capabilities of the Jacksonville fleet concentration area, thereby preserving surge capability and reducing risk to fleet resources in the event of natural or man-made contingencies.

"I am very pleased that the Navy is able condense the time horizon for the arrival of the Mayport ARG," stated Mabus. "The move underscores just how important Jacksonville and Naval Station Mayport are to our national defense, and how committed we are to strategic dispersal on the east coast."

BMU 2, ACB 2 Team Up for Operation Unified Response

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Edward S. Kessler, Navy Public Affairs Support Element East

USS FORT MCHENRY, At Sea (NNS) -- Beach Master Unit (BMU) 2 and Amphibious Construction Battalion (ACB) 2 teamed up on board the amphibious dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), currently in transit to Haiti to provide humanitarian assistance in support of Operation Unified Response, Jan. 18.

As a part of their mission package of landing craft and assault vehicles, a vital component to the success of the beach masters is the bulldozer that is attached to BMU 2.

"We use them on cruise for anti-broaching lines for our craft and pushing the craft off the beach when they have heavy loads on them such as tanks," said Chief Warrant Officer Timmy Baker, officer-in-charge of BMU 2. "Once we hit the beach, it is going to be more of the same thing, but we will use that dozer to help clear and level."

This is not the first time the beach masters have been called upon for a disaster relief mission. BMU 2 has been on the forefront of both Hurricane Katrina relief efforts and the aftermath of 2008's Hurricane Gustav, which also hit Haiti.

"This is something that we also do," said Baker. "My team is anxious to get out there and do what they can and help with the process of moving aide."

With the bulldozer playing such an integral part in getting supplies ashore, keeping the vehicle running is the job of Construction Mechanic 2nd Class Carol Young of ACB 2, who was sent on temporary active duty to BMU 2 to maintain the team's bulldozer.

"I make sure my dozer is ready to go for what ever we need it for," said Young. "Normally we do elevated causeways, which is basically a portable pier wherever we set it up."

For many Sailors such as Young, this disaster relief mission is a first, and it demonstrates the diversity of missions that many find themselves in as a part of today's Navy.

Sea-based amphibious ready forces bring added capabilities to aid the relief efforts without taxing the already strained infrastructure ashore. The Fort McHenry team includes the ship's crew, members of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, ACU 2, BMU 2 and Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadrons 6 and 4. The group's equipment is comprised of heavy-lift and utility helicopters, trucks and humvees, assault amphibian vehicles and logistics capabilities, to include water purification and limited medical support to further enhance the humanitarian relief efforts ashore.

USS Fort McHenry Returns From Africa Partnership Station Maiden Deployment

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class(AW/SW) RJ Stratchko, Africa Partnership Station Public Affairs
Official US Navy File Photo.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va (NNS) -- USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) returned to its homeport, Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, May 4 after a seven-month deployment as the first platform for Africa Partnership Station (APS), an initiative working with countries from West and Central Africa promoting maritime safety and security.

APS is a concept designed to increase maritime safety and security through regional partnerships using an at-sea platform like Fort McHenry, which produces maximum results while leaving a minimal footprint ashore.

"I think the amphibious platform ships are great because they bring a shallow draft, berthing for housing students and portable classrooms," said Lt. Cmdr. Thomas C. Kait, executive officer aboard Fort McHenry. "These ships have a lot of flexibility to be able to help in many ways, in an area of the world that has not had much attention in awhile. I think we are heading in the right direction because a safe maritime environment is good for everyone."

Over the course of seven months, Fort McHenry visited 18 ports of call in 10 countries and trained more than 1,700 maritime professionals in skills ranging from small boat handling, port security, and martial arts to non-commissioned officer leadership, damage control, and maritime law.

"Fort McHenry worked with non-governmental organizations such as Project Hope, USAID (Agency for International Development) and the U.S. Navy program, Project Handclasp, to bring relief and aid to many people in need," said Cmdr. Daniel P. Shaw, commanding officer aboard Fort McHenry. "With the help of Fort McHenry, Project Handclasp was able to donate more than 1 million high nutritional meals, 25 pallets of medical, hygiene and educational supplies along with hospital beds and medical equipment valued at over $100,000."

While in port, numerous Sailors from Fort McHenry, HSV-2 Swift and APS staff gave of their liberty time to participate in 23 community relations projects. More than $65,000 was spent on various projects ranging from building picnic tables for the Gamboa School in Sao Tome and Principe to completely replacing the roof of the Matanda School in Port Gentil, Gabon.

"Any commanding officer of any ship would be proud of this crew and what they did as far as their primary mission to help build the foundation for maritime safety and security in the Gulf of Guinea. That sounds so small, but in the end, you look at what they accomplished and it is phenomenal," said Shaw.

Fort McHenry had more than 250 members from the ship participate in community relations projects (COMRELs)throughout the deployment. The crew restored the material condition of dozens of school classrooms and hallways, maternity clinics, orphanages, and wildlife preservation parks. The crew also sent out special teams to address specific needs requested by the host nation. By actively engaging the local community in each port, the Fort McHenry Sailors built strong partnerships that made a positive impact which helped form the foundation for future engagements.

"I went to more than 20 COMRELs, but the most memorable one that I did was at a rescue shelter called Empire, which was for children who lost contact from their families and stay there until their families are found," said Operations Specialist Seaman, Cody Thompson. "It made me feel good being able to do so many COMRELs. When I found out that we were doing COMRELs, I could not wait to go to as many as I could."

Being a concept, it is not necessary for APS to be led by the U.S. from a large ship such as Fort McHenry. APS can continue with small mobile training teams, aircraft detachments, or a ship from one of the partner nations. APS will continue to deliver the right training based on the needs of the host nations in the region.

"One of the things that we have promised and put our prestige on the line with the African countries is that we will be persistent in our presence here off of West and Central Africa," said Rear Adm. Anthony M. Kurta, U.S. Naval Forces Europe. "So while we've had ships deployed here over the last couple of months, we need to keep that presence going for the next many years."

Fort McHenry was part of the premiere overseas trial of a new technology. Working with the HSV-2 Swift, USNS 2nd Lt. John P. Bobo (T-AK 3008) and USNS Lance Cpl. Roy M. Wheat (T-AK 3016), the Fort McHenry crew helped exercise a new capability where a floating platform was built eight miles off the coast of Liberia. The Roll On-Roll Off Rapid Discharge Facility and the Improved Navy Lighterage System had previously only been tested under limited conditions. The open ocean test and evaluation of the concept was key to building new capabilities for Navy Sea Basing efforts.

"A ship does not go to sea alone. The real burden of a deployment rests with families who watch their loved ones leave on a mission, that there is not much knowledge about, is an extended surge deployment for us. Our friends and family who support us carry an enormous burden. Without the support from them, I don't think that anybody could do without that kind of support, so I say thank you all for your support," said Shaw.

Part of the U.S. Navy's Global Fleet Station, APS provides a platform with the capacity and persistent presence to support sustained, focused training and collaboration on a regional scale to maritime partners in West and Central Africa.

Commander Task Force 365 and training teams from various U.S. and European military commands, as well as governmental and non-governmental organizations were embarked aboard Fort McHenry to enhance cooperative partnerships.

USS Fort McHenry Heading Home

A tug boat comes along side the amphibious dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) as it prepares to leave Naval Station Rota for its homeport of Norfolk, Va., after a six-month deployment to the coast of west and central Africa as part of Africa Partnership Station (APS). APS is a U.S. Naval Forces Europe-led initiative, executed by a multi-national staff aboard the high-speed vessel (HSV) 2 Swift and Fort McHenry designed to contribute to maritime security and safety in the region. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Robert Clowney (Released)

USS Fort McHenry Mission to Set Tone for U.S. Africa Command

By Donna Miles, American Forces Press Service
The USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) left Little Creek, Va., Oct. 16 for a seven-month deployment to the Gulf of Guinea that the chief of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) said will exemplify how his new command will operate.

The amphibious dock landing ship will serve as a platform for the Africa Partnership Station Initiative, which aims to work cooperatively with U.S. and international partners in promoting maritime security in Western Africa, said Army Gen. William E. "Kip" Ward.

Fort McHenry will sail to Spain to take on passengers from several European partners -- Spain, the United Kingdom, Portugal and Germany, among them -- before heading to the Gulf of Guinea, said Adm. Henry G. "Harry" Ulrich III, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe.

Its full complement will include representatives of U.S. and partner nations' government agencies and non-governmental organizations, all working together to help African nations increase their ability to provide maritime security.

In addition to the U.S. military, U.S. agencies to participate will be the State Department, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Agency for International Development, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and U.S. Coast Guard, Ulrich said.

High Speed Vessel 2 Swift will join Fort McHenry in the Gulf of Guinea, where it will transport students as well as trainers during visits to Senegal, Liberia, Ghana, Cameroon, Gabon, and Sao Tome and Principe.

Training teams will focus on a broad range of areas, including maritime domain awareness, leadership, seamanship and navigation, maritime law enforcement, search and rescue, civil engineering and logistics.

Support provided will vary between visits, Ward said. He emphasized that the Africa Partnership Station Initiative and AFRICOM as a whole will strive to help African countries build capacity.

"Those things that are within our means to do, we look forward in working with the African nations in providing that kind of assistance," he said.

The new initiative "provides a good example of what the newly established U.S. Africa Command is all about as it relates to helping our partner nations on the continent of Africa build their capacity to better govern their spaces (and) to have more effect in providing for the security of their people," he said.

In addition, Ward said, the Africa Partnership Station Initiative will help globalize African economies and develop societies for the betterment of their people.

AFRICOM declared itself to have initial operating capability Oct. 1 and began bringing the military's activities on the continent under its umbrella.

Ward said the command will give a "consolidated focus" to work currently being conducted by three combatant commands: U.S. Central Command, U.S. Pacific Command and U.S. European Command.

"As we work over the course of the coming weeks and months to stand up the command, we are focused on building the team that will cause value added to be brought to the various programs we do on the continent," he said.

Ward said AFRICOM will reinforce efforts under way "by creating a greater synergy of the entirety of the work being done."