NATO Maritime Forces:Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group Transits the Strait of Dover to the North Sea

14 OCT 2024 The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group transited through the Strait of Dover,UK,for the North Sea this day,according to the U.S. Navy.The HSTCSG will conduct operations in the North Sea with Allies and Partners from several countries in the region,demonstrating the warfighting interoperability and strategic relationships built over the past 80 years.The HSTCSG is homeported at Naval Base Norfolk,Virginia and a unit of U.S. 2nd Fleet (Atlantic Fleet).Said RADM Sean Bailey,commander of the HSTCSG:Storied in world history,our transit through the Strait of Dover to operate with our Allies and Partners underscores our commitment to maritime security and the NATO Alliance.We will operate with our NATO Allies and Partners to strengthen our collective readiness,defence and deterrence.No nation can confront today's challenges alone,and we look forward to showcasing our interoperability.The Strait of Dover,historically known as the Dover Narrows,is the narrowest point of the English Channel and separates Great Britain from mainland Europe.The channel also separates the Atlantic Ocean from the North Sea,a strategically important area where the HSTCSG will conduct various bilateral operations with Allies and Partners.The HSTCSG last operated in the North Sea during a deployment in 2018,including time spent operating above the Arctic Circle in the Norwegian Sea for NATO Exercise Trident Juncture.*Said CAPT Dave Snowden,commanding officer of the USS Harry S. Truman and former executive officer during the 2018 deployment:With its unique geographical and environmental characteristics,every time operating in this region we increase our proficiency and showcases our inherent flexibility to operate anywhere in the world.THE HSTCSG will support U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa's maritime operations and theatre security cooperation missions alongside Allies and Partners to maintain safety,security and stability.*Before entering the North Sea,the HSTCSG operated off the Azores and Northern Africa for a series of warfighting training scenarios between the strike group's ships and Air Wing before heading North for the English Channel.Said LT Adam Boithman,a reactor department officer aboard Harry S. Truman:I love the felxibility of our strike group,and it's great to know we'll be operating and learning from our Allies in the North Sea.*The HSTCSG consists of the flagship USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75);Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 with embarked aviation squadrons;staff from CSG-8,CVW 1 and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 28;the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG 64);two Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers,USS Stout (DDG 55) and USS Jason Dunham (DDG 104);and,customarily,an unannounced nuclear-powered attack submarine for force protection.This blog got to meet some of the USS Gettysburg crew and was struck by how young they are,right out of high school.*HSTCSG's mission is to conduct prompt and sustained combat operations at sea and remain the cornerstone of the Navy's forward presence through sea control and power projection capabilities,the Navy said.

Destroyer Completes Trials

The Arleigh Burke class destroyer USS Jason Dunham(DDG 109)has successfully completed her super trials.The super trials combine the builder and acceptance trials.Three more Arleigh Burke class destroyers are under construction,with an additional eight planned.The Jason Dunham is the fifty-eighth ship of her class and is scheduled to be commissioned in November.
Design improvements may still be made in the eight planned destroyers.The later ships of the Arleigh Burke class have two helicopter hangars,while the earlier ships only have landing platforms and handling facilities for helos.Several of the destroyers have been modified for ballistic missile defense,carrying the SM-3 missile for that purpose.The SM-3 intercepts and destroys some types of short and medium range ballistic missiles.
Northrop Grumman is building the new destroyers.

Marine Hero Honored

Corporal Jason Dunham,who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his heroism in Iraq,was honored by the U.S. Navy on Saturday,when the USS Jason Dunham(DDG109) was christened by his mother,Deb Dunham,at Bath Iron Works in Maine.Several of his comrades from Kilo Company,3rd Battalion,7th Marines were also there,including two whose lives he saved by smothering a grenade,sacrificing himself in the process.Corporal Dunham died on 22 April,2004,eight days after a militant attacked him as the Marines were searching vehicles.
President George W. Bush had presented the Medal of Honor at the White House,and Corporal Dunham was also remembered when the National Museum of the Marine Corps was dedicated in Virginia.The USS Jason Dunham is an Arleigh Burke class destroyer with a complement of 314,and is powered by four GE gas turbines.