U.S. Fleet Forces Command

Our ombudsmen are incredible volunteers who ensure families have the information necessary to meet the challenges of a military lifestyle, which ultimately improves our mission readiness. Our ombudsmen are also there in times of crisis when Sailors are far away. Adm. Daryl Caudle, commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command, expressed his gratitude for what these UNSUNG HEROES do during the annual Navy League of the United States, Hampton Roads ombudsman appreciation dinner tonight in Virginia Beach. #usnavy #military

The U.S. Navy will commission the future USS Nantucket (LCS 27), a Freedom-variant littoral combat ship, November 16, 2024, at Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston, Massachusetts. Following its commissioning, Nantucket will depart Boston for its homeport assignment of Naval Station Mayport in Jacksonville, Florida. MORE ⬇️

This week we pause to remember the 2,977 lives lost on September 11, 2001 — a pivotal and tragic day in American history. 🇺🇸 Adm. Daryl Caudle, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, honors the memory of the men and women lost that day in this month's Minute with the Commander.

📍NORFOLK, Va. – Vice Adm. John Gumbleton, commander, Task Force 80 and deputy commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, spoke to Sailors about warfighting readiness and quality of service during a fleet unit visit to Airbourne Command & Control Squadron (VAW) 123, Sept. 12. USFFC is responsible for manning, training, equipping, and providing combat-ready forces forward to numbered fleets and combatant commanders around the globe. (U.S. Navy photos by Fire Controlman Aegis 2nd Class Tristan Jesus Ramos/Released)

The Ford-class aircraft carrier Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) John F. Kennedy’s (CVN 79) Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions (CSADD) chapter was nominated for the 12th annual Bob Feller Act of Valor Award, August 1. The John F. Kennedy’s CSADD chapter created numerous opportunities in 2024 for their junior Sailors to learn, develop, socialize, and volunteer throughout the year. “We were successful in organizing a variety of events and volunteer opportunities,” said Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Darien Kenney, a John F. Kennedy CSADD board member who organized and led the program. “Our most impactful event was a bold initiative: collaborating with the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) to organize a lively, competitive field day that brought together 2,300 Sailors.” The Bob Feller Act of Valor Foundation established the award in 2013 to honor the late Robert “Bob” Feller, a Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher, National Baseball Hall of Fame (NBHOF) inductee, and Navy veteran. This prestigious award is presented annually to one active MLB player, one NBHOF inductee, and one CPO. It also recognizes a group of Sailors, aged 18-25, who have effectively worked together as a team to promote peer-to-peer mentorship and reduce destructive decision-making and behavior among Sailors, both afloat and ashore. Cryptologic Technicians Technical Senior Chief Scott Searcy, John F. Kennedy’s Intelligence Department’s division leading chief petty officer and a mentor for the command’s CSADD chapter, recognized the impact the CSADD chapter was having not only on the Sailors at their command, but also on other Navy commands and across their local communities. He nominated the team for the Bob Feller peer-to-peer award for their efforts. “It’s a great honor [to be nominated for the award]. Bob Feller was a beast in baseball and an absolute icon in the Navy,” said Searcy. “You say ‘Bob Feller’ to any CPO, and we know immediately who you are talking about because he is that big of a deal. For our CSADD team to be out here crushing it, doing all these great things in the spirit of Bob Feller—it was an easy nomination for me.” The nomination for the Bob Feller Act of Valor Award was announced to the John F. Kennedy crew by Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy James Honea during a scheduled visit. During the visit, Honea emphasized the importance of being a good citizen to the local community, continuing to improve themselves as Sailors, and making a positive difference in their shipmates’ lives. “If you’re always trying to make yourself better, make your shipmates’ lives better for having known you, and always trying to make your command better, you can’t help but be successful,” said Honea.

📍NORFOLK —The crew of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) held a memorial dedication ceremony aboard the ship Sept. 2, to honor Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole Gee, who previously served aboard the ship and was killed in action while supporting evacuation operations in Afghanistan in 2021. Iwo Jima Commanding Officer, Capt. Brian Hamel, dedicated the ship’s gym to Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole Gee in honor of her ultimate sacrifice and unwavering commitment in the line of duty. “Today marks the third anniversary of Sergeant Gee’s passing,” said Hamel. “I am proud to be able to honor her memory and her service by commemorating our gym in her name.” A native of Roseville, Calif., Gee enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2017 and was later assigned to Combat Logistics Battalion (CLB) 24 where she provided maintenance on ground electronics transmission systems. CLB 24 is a subordinate unit of Combat Logistics Regiment (CLR) 27, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force. Gee deployed with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) aboard USS Iwo Jima to Afghanistan in support of Operation Allies Refuge. There, she served on a Female Engagement Team (FET), to facilitate evacuation support for Afghan women and children. Gee died Aug. 26, 2021, along with 12 other service members, as a result of wounds sustained during a suicide bombing attack while supporting evacuation operations in Kabul. Sergeant Major Glenn Ray served with Gee during their time in CLB 24. “We are here to talk about a young woman, a hero, who was by many accounts without equal,” said Ray. “This Marine was a task-driven, critical thinker. She led Marines at a level seldom seen of Marines higher in grade and longer in service.” Ray served as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader (CSEL) for CLB 24 from April 2020 to May of 2022, and deployed with the battalion on the 24th MEU from February to September 2021. “Gee always had a smile on her face and was extremely pleasant and comforting towards the people we were evacuating as we got used to the sound of gunfire, flashbangs, and the smell of fear,” said Ray. “My thank you goes to Gee, for showing me what is true love. Thank you for showing me selflessness is the way to peace.” Homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, amphibious assault ships like USS Iwo Jima project power and maintain presence by serving as the flagship of the Amphibious Readiness Group and Expeditionary Strike Group. Amphibious Readiness Groups provide the Marine Corps with a means of ship-to-shore movement through landing craft, V-22 Ospreys, and by helicopter. Gee was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal along with the 12 other service members that lost their lives in the line of duty.

#NavalOceanography #ItStartsWithUs Hurricane Specialist David Roberts talks WGNO News about Hurricane Francine and its development. Mr. Roberts serves as the Fleet Weather Center Norfolk Navy Hurricane Specialist/LNO and a forecaster for the NOAA NWS National Hurricane Center Hurricane Specialist Unit. US Fleet Forces Command US Navy #StayInformedStaySafe #HurricaneFrancine

USS St. Louis (LCS 19) is currently participating in UNITAS LXV in Valparaíso, Chile. Navy and Marine forces arrived in Valparaiso in support of UNITAS LXV (65), the world’s longest-running multinational maritime exercise, which officially commenced September 2, 2024. The Chilean navy is hosting this year's exercise, which features 17 warships/vessels, two submarines, 20 aircraft (fixed wing/helicopter), and more than 4,300 personnel from 24 partner nations. Forces will conduct operations off the coast of Valparaiso, Chile, and ashore in the vicinity of Puerto Aldea, Chile, through September 12. #UNITAS2024 #USN #NavyAllies #NavyPartneships #Readiness #Connectedness

We will never forget those who lost their lives on 9/11. USS New York (LPD 21) - which is operating in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa area of operations - was the first of three U.S. Navy ships built to honor the victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. In September 2003, 7.5 tons of steel recovered from Ground Zero were melted down and forged into the New York’s bow stem, embedding the DNA of the 2,977 victims into the heart of the vessel. The ship's interior is adorned with murals, posters and patches that serve as reminders of that tragic day, allowing the crew moments to pause and reflect on the ship's profound connection to 9/11. “Every ship in the Navy has an important namesake,” said Capt. Benjamin W. Oakes, commanding officer of USS New York. “However, the relationship this ship has with the state of New York, New Yorkers, first responders – past and present – survivors, victims' families, and the events of 9/11 make New York special. There is an increased sense of purpose here. This ship and its legacy continue to inspire each crew to rise to the highest level of performance. Every Sailor and Marine wants to be at their best here.” Lt. Jason Moore, chaplain representative of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Special Operations Capable (SOC), along with Lt. Camea Baksh, provides spiritual support to the Sailors and Marines aboard New York. When at sea, they carry on a daily tradition of reading a short epitaph of a 9/11 victim before the evening prayer broadcasted over the ship’s public address system. These spoken memorials share not only the victim's biographical details but also their interests, passions and personal stories. “I enjoy reading these stories because they remind me why we serve and what this ship represents,” said Moore. “The events of that day had a profound effect on our country and my generation in particular. When I joined the Marine Corps, 9/11 was front and center in our minds.” To honor the 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, the Damage Control “Flying Squad,” which is a team made up of the ship’s first responders to casualties, and the 2025 fiscal year Chief selectees will lead a ramp "climb" walk, representing the 110 flights of stairs that New York City firefighters ascended during rescue efforts at the World Trade Center. Additionally, a new mural commemorating 9/11 will be unveiled to the commanding officer and crew to honor the lives lost on that fateful day. “On 9/11, first responders ran full force towards the threat ,” said Oakes. “This same sense of purpose exists in our commitment to our duties. As the nation’s 9/11 ship, with the global 9-1-1 force embarked onboard, this crew is ready to answer any call and sail bow-first into danger. This ship and her crew embody the same resilience, grit, and determination as the first responders and those who have fought for our freedom and democracy for over 250 years.”

A specialized capability called Virtual Stand-in-Force (VSiF), designed by Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic, made its debut during a naval integration event that wrapped up on both coasts, Aug. 22. Sponsored by the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab, the innovation offers Marines local access to live, virtual and constructive (LVC) experimentation, which Department of the Navy leaders call a "game-changer." "LVC exercises can deliver tremendous value to the naval force," Peter C. Reddy, Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic executive director said. "By helping create rich, immersive and realistic environments, l believe VSiF is poised to build a bridge to experimentation and analysis that elevates the combat readiness of our warfighters." Read More ⬇️