Category: Defence Intelligence

Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

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Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

DVIDS Hub works best with JavaScript enabled

Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

DVIDS Hub works best with JavaScript enabled

Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

DVIDS Hub works best with JavaScript enabled

Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

DVIDS Hub works best with JavaScript enabled

Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

Mobile Diving and Salvage Company 1-8, U.S. 7th Fleet’s deployed salvage force, completed the at-sea disposal of a derelict cargo vessel in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia, as part of Pacific Partnership 24-1 Dec. 15th, 2023.

At the request of the Micronesian government, U.S. Navy divers from Task Group 73.6 (CTG 73.6), in cooperation with the Transportation, Communications, and Infrastructure Department (TC&I), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Pohnpei Port Authority (PPA), towed MV Micro Glory out of Dekehtik Harbor to a designated disposal site and sank her to a depth of more than 2000m.

The vessel, launched in 1978, had been moored pier-side and exposed to the elements for years. Prior to the start of pre-disposal preparations, the 185-foot long, 790-tonne Micro Glory was sitting on her keel with an 11-degree starboard list and had active leaks in her shaft seals.

Micro Glory’s disposal reduces the risks of future environment and economic impacts in Pohnpei that could have resulted from the vessel capsizing in a storm, said Lt. Cmdr. Max Cutchen, salvage officer for U.S. 7th Fleet.

Task Group divers and personnel from TC&I cleaned Micro Glory of any potential environmentally hazardous waste and removed bulk petroleum, oil and lubricants from the engines and fuel tanks prior to the disposal operation.

“The vessel was covered in the detritus of decay, necessitating a concerted effort by the disposal team to remove thousands of pounds of garbage and debris, in addition to immense quantities of fuel, oil and lubricants,” said Ens. Christopher Greene, Task Group 73.6 Commander. “U.S. Navy divers have been working side-by-side with Pohnpeian locals for over a month to ensure Micro Glory was well prepared for an at-sea disposal while prioritizing the protection of the marine environment.”

Micro Glory was ultimately sunk at a pre-designated site, approved by the Pohnpei Governor’s office, located approximately 5 nautical miles northwest of Pohnpei.

The disposal of Micro Glory provided the opportunity to enhance strong relationships and enduring trust between the United States and the Federated States of Micronesia.

“This operation is one of many ways our countries continue to develop strong diplomatic ties, and cooperatively endeavor to protect our oceans and marine life for future generations,” said Greene. “The disposal of Micro Glory was a successful operation for CTG 73.6, but more importantly, it represents a big step toward the ultimate protection and preservation of the stunning Micronesian waters.”

MV Micro Glory was one of six Japanese-built cargo vessels procured by the government of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) under a Japanese grant aid scheme between 1976 and 1978. The vessels were used by FSM to ferry passengers and cargo between the outer islands of the country.

CTG 73.6 is currently deployed to Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia in coordination with Pacific Partnership 24-1. Renowned as the U.S. Seventh Fleet’s premier maritime emergency response and salvage force, CTG 73.6 exemplifies the U.S. Navy’s commitment to aiding communities in need and providing swift assistance during times of crisis.

Pacific Partnership, now in its 19th iteration, is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Each year the mission team works collectively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific.

Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

SAN DIEGO – Harpers Ferry-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) returned to its homeport in Naval Base San Diego, Dec. 14, following the completion of its participation in the 18th annual Pacific Partnership mission.

Pacific Partnership is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted throughout the Indo-Pacific region. Pearl Harbor departed San Diego in July, and conducted mission stops in the Philippines, Malaysia, Fiji and Tonga, where it was joined by partners from Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea and the United Kingdom.

“USS Pearl Harbor was an irreplaceable piece of the Pacific Partnership 2023 mission,” said Capt. Claudine Caluori, mission commander. “I would like to thank Pearl Harbor and her crew for the many months of dedication they have poured into executing one of the most challenging and rewarding missions in the fleet. Your efforts have directly supported U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s priority of bolstering security and stability in the region.”

The team aboard Pearl Harbor supported individual projects tailored to the specific requirements based on requests of each host nation to include engineering, medical, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and host-nation outreach engagements with Allies and partners.

A set of Sailors embarked the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s JS Shimokita from Brisbane, Australia, to Tailevu Province, Fiji, to conduct a mangrove revitalization project that will serve as natural protection along the country’s southeast coastline. Another set of Pearl Harbor Sailors swapped ships with Sailors from the Republic of Korea’s ROKS Cheon Ja Bong for a cultural exchange on the transit from the Philippines to Malaysia.

“Missions like these are the very reason why people join the Navy, and the steadfast dedication and commitment the crew poured into this deployment is worthy of the highest praise,” said Cmdr. Sameer Khanna, Pearl Harbor commanding officer. “But for right now, I am eager to give my Sailors and Marines well deserved time to celebrate the holidays at home with their loved ones.”

Pearl Harbor was joined by Independence class littoral combat ship USS Jackson (LCS 6), who made mission stops to Samoa and Fiji. The USS Mercy is currently supporting Pacific Partnership 2024-1, who will conduct mission stops throughout the South Pacific until early next year.

Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

Pacific Partnership 24-1 has kicked off its third mission stop in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia, Dec. 12.

This mission stop will host a fly-in only team of 76 Pacific Partnership 24-1 (PP 24-1) personnel. Due to the size of USNS Mercy (T-AH 19), the ship was unable to anchor off the coast of Pohnpei.

The fly-in team will have PP24-1 medical, U.S. Pacific Fleet band, and Humanitarian and Disaster Relief members serving in Pohnpei. The arrival of the team marks the next phase of the PP 24-1 mission that will enable participants, including U.S. and Pohnpei, to work together to enhance disaster response capabilities and foster new and enduring friendships.

Pacific Partnership was last in Pohnpei in 2015 aboard Military Sealift Command’s Joint High Speed Vessel, USNS Millinocket (JHSV 3).

“I would like to thank the government of Micronesia for inviting Pacific Partnership to your country,” said U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Mark A. Melson, Commander, Task Force 73 and executive agent for this year’s mission. “It is a true testament of our enduring bonds of friendship and shared vision of a stronger Indo-Pacific. We at the Pacific Partnership team are honored to work alongside you in making that vision a reality.”

At the invitation of host nations, the Pacific Partnership’s mission partners conduct tailored humanitarian civic action preparedness activities in areas such as disaster response, public health, and host nation outreach events.

Pacific Partnership’s medical team, working with the Pohnpei Department of Health, will provide tailored medical care focusing on surgical care, training for first responders, clinical care, subject-matter exchanges, and community education.

The U.S. Pacific Fleet Band will be holding community outreach concerts at local schools throughout Pohnpei, as well as a public concert at Pohnpei State Gym on Friday, Dec. 15 at 6 p.m.

“We greatly appreciate the service of the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces participating in Pacific Partnership 2024,” said U.S. Ambassador Jennifer Johnson, ambassador to the Federated States of Micronesia. “Pacific Partnership 2024 builds on our people-to-people ties with the citizens of the FSM and expands our deep and enduring partnership in the islands.”

Pacific Partnership focuses on multiple lines of effort to help build resilience and host nation capacity to support essential humanitarian services.

This year’s mission will also feature nearly 1,500 personnel from allies and partner nations including Australia, Chile, the United Kingdom, Japan, Germany, and New Zealand.

Born out of the devastation brought by the December 2004 tsunami that swept through parts of South and Southeast Asia, Pacific Partnership began as a military-led humanitarian response to one of the world’s most catastrophic natural disasters. Building on the success and goodwill of this operation, the U.S. helped spearhead the inaugural Pacific Partnership mission in 2006.

Pacific Partnership, now in its 19th iteration, is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Each year the mission team works collectively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific.

For more information about Pacific Partnership visit www.facebook.com/pacificpartnership, www.instagram.com/pacific_partnership/ or https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/PacificPartnership. Pacific Partnership public affairs can be reached via email at cherylcollins.pp24@gmail.com.

Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

PEARL HARBOR – As Pacific Partnership 2023 draws to a close, the relationships and advances established through the mission’s lines of effort are very deep and tangible, and a testament of what nations are capable of achieving when aligned as a united force.

Behind the scenes of the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific are various working hands, from our host and partner nation planning teams, civilian and military contracting officers and contractors, and their logistical chains.

Lt. j.g. Jacob Deordio, assigned to the USS Essex (LHD 2) in San Diego, Calif., stepped up to the plate to serve as the Mission Supply Officer, who coordinated with the above working groups to execute the pieces of a very convoluted four month deployment.

“When I heard about the availability to participate on this mission, I jumped at the opportunity,” said Deordio. “This was my first big assignment in the Navy.”

Now in its 18th year, Pacific Partnership made mission stops to Vietnam, the Philippines, Samoa, Malaysia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Tonga, and was joined by Harpers-Ferry class amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) as the main platform. Pearl Harbor supported mission stops to Malaysia, Fiji and Tonga, and was supplemented by various naval logistics chains for military air transportation.

“The first thing I needed to figure out was who to talk to and how to get pieces moving,” said Deordio.

Deordio’s team of logistics specialists would arrive in each mission stop ahead of the main body to prepare for personnel and equipment arrival. The team experienced their biggest challenge in Papua New Guinea, when a broken plane and local worker’s strike impeded the outbound exit from the country. In order to meet mission requirements, the team had to figure out how to move personnel and equipment within a narrowing time window.

“This job requires keeping a wide network of moving people,” Deordio noted. “This was not a solo mission. Hands from various naval logistical chains, defense contractors and local Papua New Guinea travel coordinators mobilized to move a whole crew of personnel and their equipment. Problems will present themselves all the time, but our job is to present solutions and execute them as efficiently as possible.”

Employing the full force of the naval logistics community to include Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific, Navy Air Logistics Office and Command, Fleet Air Western Pacific, Deordio and his team got staff out of the country via military air transportation and onto their next destination ahead of schedule.

When asked about his success on mission, Deordio is quick to compliment his team.

“I am grateful for the patience and guidance people have shown me throughout deployment. I had a team of hard hitters around me. Their efforts contributed to the overall success of the mission,” said Deordio. “I would like to thank Lt. Calvin Do, Chief Petty Officer Anthony Wilson and Petty Officer 2nd Class Maricela Jones for their unwavering SUPPOrt and dedication to this mission. I’d also like to thank the team of deployable contracting officers from Fleet Logistics Command for their expert, on the ground technical support.”

“My biggest takeaway from this mission is that malfunctions can arise at any time, and the Navy has a wide range of specialized assets and people to overcome these challenges,” said Deordio.

Pacific Partnership completed its final mission stop in Tonga on Nov. 20 before returning to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam to conclude the mission on Dec. 1. USS Pearl Harbor is scheduled to return to its homeport in San Diego later this month with Lt. j.g. Deordio aboard, who says he looks forward to celebrating the holidays with his wife once he gets home.