Antietam, McCampbell Complete IFR 2016 in India

By Ensign Soon Kwon, Commander Task Force 70

Bay of Bengal (NNS) -- The forward-deployed Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam (CG 54) and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS McCampbell (DDG 85) concluded the International Fleet Review (IFR) 2016 in India with a passing exercise (PASSEX) that involved multiple international navies in formation.

Both ships arrived in India on Feb. 4 to participate in IFR 2016, which was an international military exercise hosted by the Indian Navy to help enhance mutual trust and confidence with navies from around the world. During the five-day exercise, more than 50 countries participated in the event.

"IFR 2016 was a great opportunity to strengthen our partnership with Indian Navy and other navies from around the world on professional and personal levels," said Cmdr. Ed Sundberg, McCampbell's commanding officer. "An event where more than 50 navies gather together is a rare sight, and through IFR 2016, our sailors made new friends and learned about how other navies operate."

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson was also present at IFR 2016 to help deepen maritime partnerships between India and the United States. During IFR 2016, the officers and sailors of McCampbell had a unique chance to meet and talk to the CNO, who made a brief visit to the ship.
IFR 2016 provided an opportunity for the crews of both Antietam and McCampbell to enjoy a port visit to India, where they met sailors from all around the world.

Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Chancer Warner, from Norman, Oklahoma, said, "IFR 2016 was a unique experience. I will never forget my time spent in India because I not only learned about Indian culture, but variety of cultures from sailors around the world."

Antietam and McCampbell are forward-deployed to Yokosuka, Japan, and are on patrol in the 7th Fleet area of operation in support of security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific.

USS Fitzgerald, USS McCampbell Participate in Pacific Eagle 2011

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- Guided-missile destroyers USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) and USS McCampbell (DDG 85) will join Russian Federation Navy (RFN) forces to conduct Exercise Pacific Eagle 2011 (PE-11) Oct. 13-15.

The exercise is conducted to improve the U.S. Navy and RFN maritime relationship. This exercise consists of a series of maritime activities during two phases: an in-port phase in Guam and an at-sea phase in the Philippine Sea. Events will likely include naval ship maneuvering and communications drills at-sea and various seminars and subject matter exchange discussions. Additionally, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief may be a component of the exercise while in Guam.

Along with the participation of Fitzgerald and McCampbell, U.S. Navy forces include a contingent from Destroyer Squadron 15. In total, approximately 500 U.S. Navy personnel will participate.

The Russian Pacific Fleet and U.S. 7th Fleet have a common understanding and knowledge of a shared working environment at sea. This exercise helps to advance the level of understanding between our Sailors and we hope to be able to continue this process over time.

The United States and Russia share common interests in the Pacific, including weapons of mass destruction counter-proliferation, counter-terrorism, and regional stability. These areas of strategic alignment are the focus of military-to-military cooperation in the future. Events like this are part of building the friendship and respect between the navies of the United States and Russia.

George Washington Strike Group Arrives in Singapore

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Devon Dow, USS George Washington Public Affairs

SINGAPORE (NNS) -- USS George Washington (CVN 73), with her combined crew of more than 5,000 Sailors, along with USS McCampbell (DDG 85) and USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93) arrived in Singapore Aug. 11.

GW's crew will have the opportunity to enjoy visiting one of the world's most vibrant city-states, while fostering friendship and cultural relations.

Capt. David A. Lausman, GW's commanding officer, said he expects his crew's visit to Singapore to be a memorable and unique experience.

"This is a beautiful city; a great city to visit as a Sailor. I've been here several times during my naval career and Singapore keeps getting better and better. Coming to places like this is why many of our Sailors joined the Navy, to see the world," said Lausman.

While in Singapore, more than 260 GW Sailors have signed up to volunteer their time to support activities that generate goodwill between U.S. Sailors and their Singaporean hosts. A total of 13 different community service (COMSERV) projects are scheduled from Aug. 12-13, according to Lt. Benjamin Howard, a GW chaplain and one of the ship's COMSERV coordinators.

"Volunteering helps the GW form good partnerships and relations with other countries beyond just the military partnership. The host country gets to see the U.S. in action as their friend, trying to improve their communities and in small ways and better the lives of people in their communities," he said.

In addition to interacting with the locals, Sailors have signed up to participate in landscaping, cleaning and maintenance projects for a variety of Singapore-based organizations such as the Singapore Children's Society Sunbeam Place, the Genesis School for Special Education and the Asian Women's Welfare Association.

Other GW Sailors plan to make the most of their time in Singapore with one of eight different tours organized by the ship's Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) division. These tours include a "night safari" at the Singapore Zoo and rides on the Singapore Flyer, which at 165 meters high is said to be the world's tallest Ferris wheel.

GW is commanded by Capt. David A. Lausman, the flagship of the George Washington Carrier Strike Group (CSG), which is commanded by Rear Adm. Dan Cloyd. The GW CSG includes Carrier Air Wing 5, Destroyer Squadron 15, and the guided missile cruisers USS Shiloh (CG 67) and USS Cowpens (CG 63).