Executing the Maritime Strategy.

Executing the Maritime Strategy

The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) and the Republic of Singapore Navy frigates RSS Formidable (68) and RSS Stalwart (72) are underway

“Together with our allies and partners, we will continue our commitment to maritime security and freedom of the seas in the Asia-Pacific region. We tangibly demonstrate this commitment through credible, purposeful forward presence. Our presence must prioritize the current war-fighting readiness necessary to operate as an effective force across the full range of our maritime strategy.”
– Adm. Cecil D Haney, Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet

Around the world, the Navy is executing the core capabilities of the Maritime Strategy; examples from January include:

Forward Presence

• The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group flew 760 sorties totaling more than 1,090 hours of support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.
• Ninety-eight U.S. Navy Reserve Sailors assigned to Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group FORWARD provided air cargo, fuels support, and expeditionary support services in Kuwait and Afghanistan.

Maritime Security

• USS Kidd’s (DDG 100) visit, board, search and seizure team boarded Iranian-flagged fishing dhow Al Molai and detained 15 suspected pirates who had reportedly held the 13-member Iranian crew hostage for two months.
• Detachments and boats from Riverine Squadrons 1, 2, and 3 deployed alongside U.S. Coast Guard personnel and Royal Netherlands Marines to patrol waterways and beaches at Camp Lejeune, N.C., during Bold Alligator 2012.

Deterrence

• Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron 4 teams protected Military Sealift Command vessels and other high value units in Kuwait, the Horn of Africa, and Rota, Spain.
• USS McClusky (FFG 41) departed San Diego for an independent deployment to the Eastern Pacific Ocean in support of Combating Transnational Organized Crime operations.

Power Projection

• Commander, Task Force 57 flew 198 sorties totaling 1,490 hours in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, counter-piracy and Partnership Strength Presence.
• USS New Orleans (LPD 19) conducted joint training with the U.S. Army, qualifying AH-64 Apache helicopters for landing on the ship’s flight deck, demonstrating the U.S. military’s flexibility and interoperability.

Building Maritime Partnerships

• MV Strong Mariner unloaded 602 pieces of U.S. Marine Corps cargo in support of exercise Cobra Gold, held annually in Thailand.
• High Speed Vessel (HSV 2) Swift participated in Southern Partnership Station 2012 conducted more than 20 subject matter expert exchanges with more than 300 civilian and military partners in Panama, Guatemala, and Peru.

Humanitarian Assistance / Disaster Response

• Maritime Civil Affairs Team 205 trained local medical personnel on proper medical incineration procedures and certified a medical incinerator used to prevent the spread of HIV in eastern Kenya.
• An aircrew assigned to Patrol Squadron 47, operating from Naval Air Station Sigonella, Sicily, helped rescue 68 people adrift on a powerless raft in the Mediterranean Sea.

Status of the Navy (as of Feb. 8, 2012):