Throughout train Juniper Oak 23-2, the George H.W. Bush Service Strike Group operated within the Mediterranean Sea in assist of U.S. fifth Fleet whereas nonetheless underneath the operational management of U.S. sixth Fleet. The command-and-control setup demonstrated the inherent flexibility of U.S. naval forces to concurrently assist operations in two areas – Europe and the Center East.
“I am pleased with the trouble from our workforce to assist Juniper Oak, which showcased a excessive stage of dedication, professionalism and readiness from our Sailors alongside our Israeli companions,” mentioned Rear Adm. Dennis Velez, the strike group commander. “The command-and-control association in Juniper Oak additionally highlighted the pliability U.S. Navy provider strike teams must function throughout a number of theaters of operation, and displays the worth the Navy offers to nationwide safety and regional stability anyplace on the earth.”
The strike group coordinated complicated, mixed navy operations with Israel on land, within the air and at sea, involving all parts of the workforce. Guided-missile destroyer USS Truxtun (DDG 103) participated in a live-fire drill along with a large-scale strike with air property from Service Air Wing (CVW) 7.
Plane from CVW-7 concerned within the strike train included 16 F/A-18 Tremendous Hornets, 4 E/A-18G Growlers and two E-2D Hawkeyes. 4 GBU-16 laser-guided bombs had been expended on coaching targets.
Moreover, strike group ships additionally sailed in formation with Israeli vessels within the Japanese Mediterranean. Taking part ships included George H.W. Bush, Truxtun, guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), guided-missile destroyer USS Nitze (DDG 94), and Israeli Navy Sa’ar corvettes INS Hanit, INS Eliat, INS Oz, and INS Tarshis. The Israeli Navy submarine INS Dolphin additionally joined.
Throughout Juniper Oak’s closing day, high U.S. and Israeli navy leaders flew out to George H.W. Bush to satisfy and focus on the outcomes of the train in addition to observe provider flight operations.
“Juniper Oak has raised our stage of planning and our stage of implementation of mixed operations,” mentioned Israeli Lt. Gen. Hertzi Halevi, chief of the overall employees for Israel Protection Forces. “It’s all the time good to have our greatest accomplice right here with us to be taught from one another. This interoperability strengthens our means to deal with a spread of safety challenges over the realm.”
The U.S. fifth Fleet working space consists of 21 nations, the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Crimson Sea, elements of the Indian Ocean and three crucial choke factors on the Strait of Hormuz, Bab al-Mandeb and Suez Canal.
