US Navy Strategy in Europe: Admiral Foggo and SecNav Braithwaite

Two senior US Navy officials, ADM James G. Foggo III and new Secretary of the Navy Kenneth J. Braithwaite II recently spoke about the US Navy's goals in Europe on the "On the Horizon" podcast.Admiral Foggo (rhymes with "logo") is Commander,US Navy Forces Europe and Africa and Commander, Joint Forces Command Naples.Mr.Braithwaite had a long career in the US Navy and US Navy Reserves, and was most recently US Ambassador to Norway.Both men are graduates of the US Naval Academy.Indeed,they knew each other while they were midshipmen there.*
Admiral Foggo spoke about Exercise BALTOPS in the Baltic Sea:
We demonstrated that the US Navy is able to operate anywhere,at any time, and under any conditions.It was a terrific opportunity to improve interoperability and warfighting skills while learning from each other.*
Admiral Foggo also explained the
Navy role in the Black Sea and our relationship with Ukraine:
Security in the Black Sea remains one of our mutual areas of interest.This is why we continue to operate in the Black Sea.We operate there to send the message that we will uphold international law and norms.Our collective efforts will lead to a safer and better Ukraine, which means a better and safer Black Sea for all of us.
We recently had the guided-missile​ destroyers USS Porter (DDG 78) and the dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group in the Black Sea.That both of them were operating in the Black Sea at the same time is a demostration to our NATO Allies and Partners of our continuing commitment...So it's the third time that NATO ships have operated in the Black Sea in 2020, and the second time the US Navy has operated in the Black Sea in 2020.This is nothing new...Other examples include replenishment operations with Turkish oilers... and a PASSEX (passing exercise) with our Georgian Partners.*
Secretary Braithwaite said:
I'd like to re-emphasize the importance of the Alliance that we have...I'm a big NATOist...You know how strong of an opinion I have about this trans-atlantic partnership... We stood with you in the dark days of World War II, and we continue to stand with you, for whatever challenges emerge-not just in Europe, but around the globe... Exercise Trident Juncture (with some 50,000 NATO and Partner troops) was an entire success under your leadership (Admiral Foggo) - it demonstrated our fortitude as well as reminding those who would challenge our interests on the seas as well as well as shoreside, of what our interest and intent is: to ensure that freedom rings true for those who​ embrace democracy.
Looking to the future, I want to make sure we build the right fleet to meet the challenges and threats of the future.
Why is the Baltic Sea so important and why is naval presence so important up there?It is a constricted waterway by the Danish Straits, but, you know,it is a critical artery of commerce with up to 15% of the world's cargo traffic transiting through that region, and a lot of nations bordering on that sea-many of them friends.So this dynamic security environment demands cooperation to ensure freedom of movement, and consequently economic prosperity.And that requires a commitment from regional Partners and Allies, and certainly from NATO.So every Baltic country has something powerful to contribute.*
Secretary Braithwaite served as a maritime patrol aviator and public affairs officer,retiring as a Rear Admiral,lower level and Vice Chief of Information.His decorations include the Legion of Merit; Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat "V"; and Iraqi Campaign Medal.*

Europe's Lifeline:Return of the Convoy

The U.S. 2nd Fleet,on behalf of US Naval Forces Europe (NAVEUR),and Military Sealift Command (MSC) have been conducting convoy operations in the Atlantic Ocean.It's a skill set that was perhaps best exemplified during the two World Wars of the twentieth cenury,but has lately regained relevance in an era of renewed great power competition,in which sealift remains an essential component of logistics for the warfighter.
Recently a number of US Navy assets have been involved in a simulated convoy across the Atlantic.First,the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69),Patrol Squadron-4 (PV-4),as well as a submarine cleared the maritime battlespace prior to the convoy transit,the Navy said.Then,escorted by the guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72),the convoy,consisting of cargo vessels USNS Benevidez (T-AKR 306),MV Resolve and MV Patriot,executed an Atlantic crossing in a scenario representing an opposed transit of cargo and/or troops.
According to ADM James G. Foggo III,commander,US Naval Forces Europe (NAVEUR) and US Naval Forces Africa (NAVAF):
This exercise allows us to sharpen our ability to move critical resources across the Atlantic,from the United States to Europe.As I have said before,logistics is the sixth domain of warfare,and a crititcal part of any successful operation or exercise.*
Added CAPT Andrew Fitzpatrick,commander,USS Vella Gulf:
Practicing convoy operations flexes a blue-water,high-end skill for the first time in many years,enabling us all to operate on,above,and below the sea in a contested environment.*
PV-4 flies P8-A Poseidon aircraft,undertaking maritime patrol;anti-submarine warfare;and Intelligence,Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions.Established in 1943,it is based at NAS Whidbey Island,Oak Harbor,Washington,and most recently saw action in the Gulf War,Iraq War and Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan).

What's Up:Carrier Strike Group Deploys to Atlantic Doubletime

A powerful flotilla of US Navy and Royal Danish Navy assets,the USS Eisenhower (CVN 69) and  Carrier Strike Group 10 (CSG 10),were deployed in the U.S. 2nd Fleet AOR (the Atlantic Ocean and the Arctic) on 20 February 2020.The deployment occurred immediately the Eisenhower,"the Mighty Ike",completed its COMPTUEX (Composite Unit Training Exercise) with NATO Allies France,Canada and Denmark,who each contributed a frigate to the COMPTUEX.
The COMPTUEX certifies that a CSG is ready to deploy and conduct the full range of maritime operations,including warfighting,following a maintenance period (the Eisenhower had an extended maintenance period of 18 months,versus the normal six months).Normally,the CSG will visit its home port-in this case Norfolk,Virginia-after the COMPTUEX to say goodbye before deployment.The abrupt departure this time is being seen as an example of the US Navy's new Dynamic Force Employment (DFE) strategy,which is basically an unpredictability intended to demonstrate the Navy's flexibility to our adversaries.The strategy was first executed in 2018,when the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) and its CSG conducted back-to-back deployments.At that time,ADM James G. Foggo III,commander US Naval Forces Europe and Africa and Allied Joint Forces Command Naples,noted that:
The National Defense Strategy makes clear that we must be operationally unpredictable to our long-term strategic adversaries,while upholding our commitments to our allies and partners.*
According to RDL Paul Schlise,commander,CSG 10:
Carrier Strike Groups are visible and powerful symbols of US resolve to our allies and partners,and possess the flexibility and sustainability to fight major wars and ensure the freedom of the seas.*
RDL Schlise is a veteran of Operation Desert Storm (Iraq) and Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan).Commissioned through Marquette University's ROTC program,RDL Schlise earned a Matser's degree in National Security Strategy from the National War College.His decorations include the Legion of Merit;Defense Meritorious Service Medal;Navy Commendation Medal;and Navy Achievement Medal.*
CSG 10 includes Carrier Air Wing 3 and its nine fixed wing and helicopter squadrons and detachments;
two guided-missile cruisers;
Destroyer Squadron 26 (three guided-missile destroyers plus the Royal Danish Navy frigate Iver Huitfeldt (F361);
and possibly an undisclosed submarine.*
Commanding officer of the USS Eisenhower is CAPT Kyle Higgins.*

Aircraft Carrier Rushed to Europe on Snap Deployment - big NATO exercise scenario revealed

The US Navy's aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) and its Carrier Strike Group of a Guided Missile Cruiser,Guided Missile Destroyers and likely an Attack Submarine has been on a breakneck pace as of late.After a summer deployment that was abruptly halted in July after only three months,as opposed to the customary seven months,and a return to its Norfolk,Virginia homeport,the Truman was ordered right back to Europe and arrived in mid-September.The ship and its 6,000 crewmembers are to be a focal point of the massive NATO Exercise Trident Juncture 2018,which runs from 25 October to 7 November.Some 45,000 personnel from 29 NATO Allies,plus partner nations Finland and Sweden,will participate.*
The Truman's demanding schedule is part of the US Navy's new Dynamic Force Employment strategy.It means the warships and their crews must be on a more agile and unpredictable footing for crisis response in an era of renewed great power competition.As ADL Christopher Grady,commander,Fleet Forces Command,put it:
Let me be clear:all returning units are one hundred percent mission-capable and will remain in the sustainment phase of the Optimized Fleet Response Plan,which means they will sustain warfighting readiness and be ready to surge forward or redeploy when called upon.*
As Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told the US House of Representatives:
The way you do this is ensure that preparation for great power competition drives not simply a rotational schedule that allows me to tell you,three years from now,which aircraft carrier will be where in the world.*
According to US Navy ADL James G. Foggo III,commander,US Naval Forces Europe and Africa and all NATO naval forces:
Trident Juncture 18 is going to test our ability to plan and conduct a major collective defence operation .*
The drills will be held in Central and Eastern Norway;the contiguous Baltic Sea and North Atlantic Ocean;Iceland and the airspace of Finland and Sweden.The exercise scenario is that a NATO Ally has requested help under the Alliance's Article V collective defence clause.*
About 2,000 US Marines and Sailors with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit and the roughly 700 Marines of the 3rd Battalion,8th Marines already on rotation in Norway will also play a major role in the scenario with the new anti-tank version of the Light Armored Vehicle (LAV-AT).These are armed with the TOW anti-tank missile.

NATO's Trident Juncture 18:Testing the Alliance in the Northern Reaches

Norway has issued a news release on the upcoming NATO Exercise Trident Juncture 18.It describes TJ 18 as one of the largest drills ever held in Norway,with more than 40,000 NATO and partner personnel taking part.They will be supported by about 130 aircraft;70 vessels;and 10,000 vehicles.*
TJ 18's tactical drills will run from 25 October to 7 November 2018;while the command post exercise (CPX) will run from 14-23 November 2018.The exercise will test the full spectrum of warfighting through its air,land,maritime,Special Operations Forces and amphibious scenarios,challenging both the NATO Response Force and other Allied and partner units with a view to seamless integration.*
Leading the drills will be Admiral James G. Foggo III,US Navy,Commander,NATO Joint Force Command,Naples.*
The exercise will be staged in Central and Eastern Norway and the adjacent waters of the North Atlantic Ocean and the Baltic Sea,and extending into Finnish and Swedish airspace in the bargain.The potential for adverse Nordic weather conditions may lend realism through additional hazards that need to be overcome by the Allied and partner forces.

Groundwork for War:NATO Partner Sweden Prints Leaflets as Alliance Readies Massive Exercise

Sweden,appalled by Russia's illegal and unprincipled acts of recent years,such as the invasion and annexation of Crimea in 2014,has recently printed and mailed 4.7 million leaflets to all its households entitled "If Crisis or War Comes." The leaflet advises:
Think about how you and people around you will be able to cope with a major strain.*
The publication recommends steps such as the following:
Stock up on non-perishable food such as canned sardines and energy bars.
To combat the cold,darkness and communications blackout during a power failure,obtain woolen clothing,sleeping bags,as well as candles and lanterns,battery-powered radios and a mobile phone charger adaptable to automobiles.*
It also covers where to find clean water and bomb shelters in Sweden.Besides conventional war,the leaflet covers cyber and terrorist attacks,natural disasters and major accidents.*
According to a 4 April 2018 article in NATO Review magazine by Dr.Bjorn van Sydow,Swedish Defence Commissioner and Head of Sweden's delegation to NATO's Parliamentary Assembly:
There is now a growing realisation among NATO members and partners that challenges to European security and the rules-based international order must be met by rapidly transforming our defence postures and preparing our societies for the harshness of armed conflict.Deterrence and reassurance built on increased cooperation and joint action are necessary steps,but,on the national level,every country must also improve their societal preparedness to meet this new security environment.Consequently,the key printing of the present Swedish Defence Bill,passed in 2015,is to enhance the warfighting capability of the Armed Forces.This includes the development of a Total Defence concept encompassing both military and civilian defence in a whole-of-society approach to security.*
For its part,NATO Joint Forces Command Naples is already preparing Exercise Trident Juncture 2018,the largest NATO drill,which is held every three years.The live portion of the drills is sited in Northern and Central Norway in October 2018,while JFC Naples and designated subordinate commands will be seeking certification as NRF 2019 during the command post exercise in November.More than 30 countries will take part in TJ 18.The scenarios will train the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force,or VJTF,and its parent,the NATO Response Force 2019.
Admiral James Foggo,US Navy,Commander US Naval Forces Europe,US Naval Forces Africa and JFC Naples,explained:
We are not an offensive Alliance;we don't go looking for a fight;but we will defend our territory and we will deter any adversary who takes action against us.So we're going to prove that here in October when we do Trident Juncture 18.*
Consequently,JFC Naples has deployed its Operational Liaison and Reconnaissance Team to Bodo,Norway.This small unit will liaise with Norwegian authorities along with military and civilian counterparts as the environment surrounding the exercise scenario develops.*
TJ 18 will involve nearly 40,000 troops;70 ships;and 130 aircraft.