Caroline Teames, Author at Second Line of Defense

USS America Commissioning

Posted on October 13, 2014 | by Caroline Teames

10/13/2014

10/12/2014: The Navy’s newest amphibious assault ship USS America is commissioned during San Francisco Fleet Week.

This portion of the Commissioning event contains the remarks of the ship’s skipper, Captain Bob Hall.

Credit: DoD News:10/11/14

For overview pieces on the USS America:

The USS America: Redefining Amphibious Assault

10/08/2014 – The USS America is part of the evolving amphibious strike task force, and will work synergistically with other new or legacy assets in providing capabilities necessary for 21st century operations.

http://sldinfo.wpstage.net/the-uss-america-redefining-amphibious-assault/

For an overview on the USS America and its capabilities which was published earlier in Front Line Defence see the following:

http://www.frontline-defence.com/index_archives.php?page=2199

http://sldinfo.wpstage.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/USS-America.pdf

Marines, Sailors Man Rails of USS America

Posted on October 13, 2014 | by Caroline Teames

10/12/2014: Marines and Sailors assigned to USS America (LHA 6) man the rails as the ship pulls into port for Fleet Week San Francisco, Oct. 6, 2014.

During Fleet Week, Marine units demonstrated assets available for the Bay Area in response to a sudden crisis.

The intent was to showcase amphibious nature, readiness and the ability to respond to disasters and highlight the role the Navy-Marine Corps team can play in assisting disaster victims.

Credit:1^st Marine Division:10/6/14

The End of an Era: Last CH-46 Squadron Redesignates

Posted on October 13, 2014 | by Caroline Teames

10/13/2014: Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364, Purple Foxes, redesignated to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 364 during a change of command and redesignation ceremony aboard Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 9.

The unit transformed platforms from the CH-46 Sea Knight to the MV-22 Osprey.

This was the last CH-46 squadron in the Marine Corps. Lt. Col. John Field relinquished command of the squadron to Lt. Col. Paul Kopacz.

Credit: Marine Corps Air Station Miramar / 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing:10/19/14

In a story by Cpl. Raquel Barraza published on October 9, 2014, the shift in eras was the focus of attention.

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 364 “Purple Foxes” held a change of command and redesignation ceremony aboard Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 9.

During the ceremony, Lt. Col. John Field, outgoing commanding officer of HMM-364, relinquished command to Lt. Col. Paul B. Kopacz, oncoming commanding officer.

“It has been my esteemed honor and privilege for the past 19 months to lead the finest assault squadron in the Marine Corps,” said Field.

Lt. Col. Paul B. Kopacz, left, oncoming commanding officer of now Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 364, unravels the new guidon VMM-364 during a change of command and redesignation ceremony aboard Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 9. This signified the activation of a new squadron. Credit: USMC

The outgoing commanding officer had some words of encouragement for the Marines of HMM-364 after he relinquished command.

“It is not one man or one Marine that is responsible; it is a team effort and it’s that team effort that is going to carry forward as we enter the next chapter of 364 and the MV-22,” said Field.

The ceremony also signified the squadron’s transition to a Marine medium tiltrotor squadron; the CH-46E Sea Knight, also known as the “Phrog,” will be replaced by the MV-22B Osprey. HMM-364 is the last Marine medium helicopter fleet squadron to make the transition to the Osprey.

It is not the end of the great legacy of this squadron although the Purple Foxes were saying goodbye to the CH-46.

“I have no doubt the Purple Foxes will continue to excel with [the Osprey],” said Field. “The reason there is no doubt is because it’s not about a machine. It doesn’t matter if it’s a CH-46 or an Osprey, what’s important is the Marines that maintain and fly those airplanes.”

As the oncoming commanding officer unraveled the new guidon of now Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 364, Marines finally bid farewell to their Phrog and began a new era.

The Commissioning of the USS America, October 11, 2014

Posted on October 13, 2014 | by Caroline Teames

10/13/2014: Second Line of Defense has followed the USS America in detail since it christening event.

Now the ship has been commissioned and will prepare for its active duty role.

It will do so in a troubled world, where the Marines and sailors are likely to see difficult duty in dangerous waters.

Lt. Cmdr. Bryan Cable, navigation officer on board amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), prepares to set the first watch at the ship’s commissioning ceremony.

America is the first ship of its class and the fourth to bear the name.

She replaces the Tarawa-class of amphibious assault ship as the next generation “big-deck” amphibious assault ship and is optimized for aviation and capable of supporting current and future aircraft such as the MV-22 Osprey and F-35B Joint Strike Fighter.

Credit: USS America:10/11/14

In the second and third photos, the ceremonial color guard detail assigned to amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) parades the colors during America’s commissioning ceremony.
In the fourth photo, U.S. Marines and Sailors march on the National Colors at the commissioning of USS America (LHA-6) during San Francisco Fleet Week on Oct. 11, 2014. The commissioning signifies the start of the new ship’s life as part of the Navy Fleet. San Francisco Fleet Week hosted Marines and Sailors that showcased the capabilities of humanitarian assistance disaster relief that the military offers in case of emergencies.
In the fifth photo, members of Navy Band Southwest play the national anthem during the commissioning ceremony of amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6).
In the sixth and seventh photos, more than 8,000 friends, family members and guests watch Sailors and Marines man the rails as they “bring the ship to life” during the commissioning ceremony of amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6).
In the eighth photo, Sailors assigned to Weapons Department fire a 40-mm saluting battery aboard amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) in honor of Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus’ arrival at America’s commissioning ceremony. America is the first ship of its class and the fourth to bear the name.
In the 9^th photo, Mr. Ray Mabus, Secretary of the Navy, addresses a crowd filled with U.S. Marines, Sailors and locals to the San Francisco area at the commissioning of USS America (LHA-6) during San Francisco Fleet Week on Oct. 11, 2014.
In the 10^th photo, U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. David H. Berger, commanding general, 1 Marine Expeditionary Force, addresses a crowd filled with U.S. Marines, Sailors and locals to the San Francisco area at the commissioning of USS America (LHA-6) during San Francisco Fleet Week on Oct. 11, 2014.
In the 11^th photo, Mrs. Lynne Pace, sponsor of the Navy’s newest amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), orders the crew to “bring the ship to life” at the commissioning ceremony of America. America is the first ship of its class and the fourth to bear the name.
In the 12^th and 13^th photos, Capt. Robert A. Hall Jr., commanding officer of amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), delivers remarks at the ship’s commissioning ceremony.
In the final photo, Lt. Bryan Cable, navigation officer on board amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), prepares to set the first watch at the ship’s commissioning ceremony.

For overview pieces on the USS America see the following:

The USS America: Redefining Amphibious Assault

http://sldinfo.wpstage.net/the-uss-america-redefining-amphibious-assault/

For an overview on the USS America and its capabilities which was published earlier in Front Line Defence see the following:

http://www.frontline-defence.com/index_archives.php?page=2199

http://sldinfo.wpstage.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/USS-America.pdf

US and Japanese Amphibious Assault Training in RIMPAC 2014

Posted on October 6, 2014 | by Caroline Teames

10/06/2014

10/06/2014: U.S. Marine Corps and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force service members conduct amphibious training during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercise 2014.

The video provides a fast forward view of the operation.

Credit : Commander U.S. THIRD Fleet, Public Affairs Office:7/29/14

Contingency Response Group Participates in PATRIOT 2014 Exercise

Posted on October 4, 2014 | by Caroline Teames

10/04/2014

10/04/2014: Members of the 108th Contingency Response Group unload multiple aircraft as participants arrive for the National Guard PATRIOT 2014 exercise at Volk Field, Wis.

The group’s mission of establishing airfield operations in austere locations is put to good use as the exercise tests the ability of units to function remotely and cooperatively with members of both the Air and Army National Guard and local, state and national organizations as they respond to multiple emergencies.

Credit:108th Wing:7/21/14

Marines Unmanned Vehicle-Ground Unmanned Support Surrogate (GUSS)

Posted on October 1, 2014 | by Caroline Teames

10/01/2014

10/01/2014: U.S. Marines and civilians with the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab conducted experiments using the Ground Unmanned Support Surrogate (GUSS) 10-13 July, 2014 at the Kahuku Training Area on the island of Oahu in Hawaii during the Marine Corps’ Advanced Warfighting Experiment.

The GUSS is a multi-use vehicle that can be used from resupply to casualty evacuations with or without a driver.

Multiple technologies were tested during RIMPAC, the largest maritime exercise in the Pacific region.

Credit:Marine Forces Pacific Combat Camera:7/15/14

According to one source involved in the creation of the project:

The Naval Surface Warfare Center(NSWC) Dahlgren Division, Virginia Tech, and TORC were tasked by the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory (MCWL) to design, develop, and test a fleet of four Ground Unmanned Support Surrogate (GUSS) vehicles.

GUSS systems are optionally unmanned and autonomous vehicles that reduce the dependence of dispersed ground combat elements on external resupply, reduce the loads carried by the dismounted Warfighter, and aid casualty evacuation.

Warfighters each carry up to 90lbs of equipment; this functionality lightens the load of the dismounted Warfighter and increases the durations units that units can operate independently.

GUSS can carry approximately 1800 lbs and is designed for autonomous speeds of 5mph, or about the speed of dismounted troops. It operates in three modes: tele-operated, semi-autonomous and autonomous. It can also travel on all types of terrain, in the day, night and even inclement weather.

TORC components (hardware and software) make up the key components of the autonomous vehicle systems that Virginia Tech installed on existing Polaris MVRS700 6×6 platforms to create the four GUSS robotic systems.

The Drive-by-Wire System and SafeStop, were used in the conversion of the base vehicle. Additionally, TORC provided the required computing modules and autonomous navigation software for unmanned and autonomous operation.

This included a localization module and the main processors for sensors data and autonomous decision making.

Finally, the WaySight, a multi-functional handheld operator control unit, was used as the primary operator interface for the GUSS vehicles. Using the 1lb WaySight, the dismounted Warfighter can easily command the vehicles in various modes depending on the missions being executed. The WaySight modes include: “Target Mode” for rapid path planning using its sight-and-click waypoint tagging, “Follow Me” mode in which GUSS follows autonomously at a predetermined distance, and “WE Mode” which allows for tele-operation of the vehicle. With a few button presses, the operator can quickly switch between modes and use the most appropriate method of robotic control as the situation changes.

The mission of GUSS – supporting a squad of Marines for extended multi-day patrols, sometimes off road in completely unmapped areas – guided its development with continual feedback by Marines testing the system. “Our immediate goal to showcase the GUSS technology through experimentation is a success,” said Brent Azzarelli, NSWC Dahlgren Division GUSS Project Manager, after the MCWL Enhanced Company Operations Limited Objective Experiment (LOE) 4. “GUSS is pushing the envelope on small tactical vehicle autonomy and obstacle avoidance, and we are optimistic that this technology will bring a capability to the warfighter in the very near future.”

http://www.torcrobotics.com/case-studies/guss’

B-1B Being Refueled for Syrian Operations

Posted on October 1, 2014 | by Caroline Teames

10/01/2014: Night vision footage of a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker refueling a U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer during strike operations in Syria Sept. 27, 2014.

Credit: U.S. Air Forces Central Command Public Affairs: 9/27/14