In March, USS Annapolis (SSN 760) and USS Helena (SSN 725) took part in ICEX 2009, helping to establish a scientific research camp about 200 miles north of Alaska. The exercise gave the submarine force the opportunity to test combat systems, sonar systems, communication systems, and navigation systems in the challenging Arctic environment, where the Navy has operated since USS Nautilus (SSN 571) made the first submerged transit in 1958.
The demand for ballistic missile defense (BMD) capabilities from the sea to defend U.S. territory, assets, and allies against ballistic missile attack continues to grow. With the proliferation of ballistic missile threats around the globe, Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) has become a core mission of the U.S. Navy, a role the sea service is uniquely suited for. Interoperability of Navy BMD capability with other elements of the Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) and international partners provides for defense in depth using the inherent mobility of deployed maritime forces.
The Navy Air and Missile Defense Command (NAMDC) at Dahlgren, Va., was established in April to serve as a center of excellence focused on IAMD, one of the key enabling capabilities that the Navy provides the joint force.
Seabees have deployed around the world to support combat operations and help victims of earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes. Seabees built base camps and forward operating bases, roads, airfields, and bridges in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as community centers, schools, clinics, and wells in such remote places as Kenya, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Uganda and Comoros, Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore, Timor, Micronesia, Nicaragua, Colombia, Trinidad and Tobago, the Dominican Republic, Guyana, and many others.
The Navy received a $1.6 billion “stimulus package” for critical infrastructure and energy projects as a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to help build hospital, housing, and child development projects, as well as invest in energy efficiency technology, conservation, and alternate fuel sources.
Sailors aboard USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62), USS Chafee (DDG 90), and USS Sea Wolf (SSN 21) participated in Malabar 2009, the annual Indian-led exercise designed to increase interoperability between the Indian and U.S. armed forces, a relationship that has been growing in importance to both countries.
Bilateral exercises were conducted with six Asia-Pacific partner navies as part of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercises. CARAT partner nations included the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Brunei. Additionally, the United States participated in a separate bilateral exercise with Indonesia, called Naval Engagement Activity.
Guided missile submarine (SSGN) deployments are now routine. The converted Ohio-class submarines can covertly support special operations forces with a sophisticated mobile offshore platform, while also packing a punch with Tomahawk land-attack missiles.
At the beginning of the year, Navy leadership announced that it would return to the Amphibious Ready Group (ARG)/Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) deployment construct as the standard amphibious force deployment package. The ARG/MEU includes an amphibious squadron of 5,000 sailors and Marines.