Jim's Military News: United States Fifth Fleet

Showing posts with label United States Fifth Fleet. Show all posts

Sunday, July 22, 2012

R.I.P. - Sean P. Sullivan, Joseph P. Fitzmorris

7/22/2012 01:07:00 PM SgtJim 1 comment, your thoughts are welcome too

DOD Identifies Navy Casualties

            The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of two sailors who died in a helicopter crash July 19 in Oman.

            Senior Chief Aviation Warfare Systems Operator Sean P. Sullivan, 40, of St. Louis, Mo., and Naval Aircrewman (Helicopter) Second Class Joseph P. Fitzmorris, 31, of West Monroe, La., were declared deceased following an extensive search of the wreckage and the surrounding areas of the crash.

            For further information related to this release, contact Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. Fifth Fleet Public Affairs at 011-973-1785-4027.

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sorry, currently, i cant found any more/decent informations about the fallen heroes

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Sean P. Sullivan

Joseph P. Fitzmorris

The Defense Department confirmed the death of a U.S. Navy Air Crewman from St Louis in the crash of a helicopter during heavy-lift operations in the Middle East.

Senior Chief Aviation Warfare Systems Operator Sean P. Sullivan, 40, of St. Louis, Mo., and Naval Aircrewman (Helicopter) Second Class Joseph P. Fitzmorris, 31, of West Monroe, La., were declared deceased following an extensive search of the wreckage and the surrounding areas of the crash.
The MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter crashed Thursday about 60 miles southwest of Muscat, Oman. Three other crew members were injured.
Sullivan and Fitzmorris were previously reported missing. According to an announcement, the pair were “declared deceased following an extensive search of the wreckage and the surrounding areas of the crash.”
There was no hostile action in the area at the time of the crash, which is under investigation.

R.I.P. - Master Chief Petty Officer Richard J. Kessler Jr.

6/10/2012 02:11:00 PM SgtJim No Comments yet, your thoughts are welcome

DOD Identifies Navy Casualty

            The Department of Defense announced today the death of a sailor who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

            Master Chief Petty Officer Richard J. Kessler Jr., 47, of Gulfport, Fla., was found deceased in his berthing compartment June 8 on board USS Enterprise (CVN 65). He was assigned to Enterprise as a logistics specialist. Enterprise is currently deployed to the Fifth Fleet area of responsibility conducting operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

            For further information related to this release, contact Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. Fifth Fleet Public Affairs at 011-973-1785-4027.

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from TBO:
By HOWARD ALTMAN | The Tampa Tribune
Published: June 09, 2012
Updated: June 09, 2012 - 8:58 PM

A sailor from Gulfport was found dead in his berthing compartment aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise in the Middle East on Friday morning, according to a ship spokeswoman.

Master Chief Petty Officer Richard J. Kessler, 47, was found dead in his compartment at 7 a.m. local time, according to Lt. Com. Sarah Self-Kyler.

The cause of death is under investigation, said Navy Lt. Greg Raelson.

"The Navy is deeply saddened by the loss of one of our shipmates," Raelson said. "Our deepest thoughts and condolences go out to his family during this difficult time."

Kessler was the leading chief petty officer for the supply department and oversaw about 500 sailors, according to Self-Kyler.

He was in charge of making sure the Enterprise was fully stocked with food and supplies, said Self-Kyler.

"He was well known on the ship and very well liked by the sailors who reported to him and everyone else," she said.

Despite the death, morale on the ship is strong, said Self-Kyler.

"We are carrying on the way he would have wanted us to," she said.

Kessler joined the Navy in 1984 and has been on the Enterprise since April 2011.

The Enterprise is supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. About 4,800 sailors and Marines are aboard the Enterprise.

Kessler received several awards during his time in the service:

Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (2), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy Achieve Medal (4), Army Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy "E" Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal w/Bronze Star, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, NATO Medal, Rifle Marksmanship, Pistol Marksmanship

R.I.P. - Petty Officer 1st Class Ryan J. Wilson

5/26/2012 01:21:00 PM SgtJim No Comments yet, your thoughts are welcome

DOD Identifies Navy Casualty

            The Department of Defense announced today the death of a sailor who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

            Petty Officer 1st Class Ryan J. Wilson, 26, of Shasta, Calif., died of complications associated with a medical condition May 20 in Manama, Bahrain. Wilson was assigned to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command headquarters in Bahrain.

            For further information related to this release, contact U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. Fifth Fleet Public Affairs at 011-973-1785-4027.

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from Redding Searchlight:

A Navy sailor from Shasta has died, officials with the Department of Defense announced Friday.
Petty Officer 1st Class Ryan J. Wilson, 26, of Shasta, died Sunday in Manama, Bahrain, because of complications associated with a medical condition, DOD officials said.

Wilson, who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom, was assigned to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command headquarters in Bahrain, the DOD said.

Wilson, the son of Tracie and James Wilson, of Redding, was a 2004 graduate of Shasta High School in Redding, according to a 2005 Record Searchlight article.

A Navy website said Wilson was named in March as the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Sailor of the Quarter for the first quarter of the 2012 fiscal year.

Wilson, who was identified as an intelligence specialist, was "recognized for the exemplary performance of his duties as indications and warnings leading petty officer on the maritime operations center watch floor, from October to December 2011."

Wilson joined the Navy in 2004 and reported to the Naval Forces Central Command in August 2011.
A letter of commendation, which accompanied Wilson's Sailor of the Quarter award, reads in part: "Your enthusiastic leadership emphasized the responsibility of Sailors to mentor junior personnel, eliminate communication problems, enhance career development, and inspire senior petty officers to assume leadership roles."

Wilson's supervisor, Chief Intelligence Specialist Jeremy Embree, said Wilson was selected based on his merits and professionalism.

Wilson's participation in two community relations projects also contributed to his selection, the Navy website said.

He was part of a group of sailors who met and spoke with American studies students from the University of Bahrain in an effort to increase cultural understanding. He also volunteered to tutor elementary schoolchildren at the Department of Defense Dependents School in Bahrain.

CNN reported that Wilson's death was the 3,000th death among coalition forces in the Afghanistan war, according to its count based on information provided by the U.S. Defense Department and the International Security Assistance Force.

He was the 1,974th U.S. death in the war that started Oct. 7, 2001, and the 3,000th overall death from the U.S.-led international coalition engaged in Operation Enduring Freedom.
The coalition includes 50 countries. Britain has the second-largest number of dead from the mission at 414, according to the CNN figures.

But iCasualties.org, which tracks military casualties in Afghanistan, reports there have been 3,011 coalition military fatalities there since 2001.

Funeral services for Wilson are pending at Allen & Dahl Funeral Chapel in Redding.

U.S Coast Guard ship renders aid to Iranian mariners

1/11/2012 01:55:00 AM SgtJim No Comments yet, your thoughts are welcome

By U.S. Fifth Fleet Public Affairs, US Naval Forces Central Command

ARABIAN GULF (January 10, 2012) — A U.S. Coast Guard ship, assigned to Commander, Task Force (CTF) 55, rendered aid to six Iranian mariners from a distressed vessel in the North Arabian Gulf.

At approximately 3:00 a.m. local time, Island-Class Patrol Boat USCGC Monomoy (WPB-1326) operating in the area; when it was hailed by flares and flashlights from the Iranian cargo dhow, Ya-Hussayn. The dhow’s master requested assistance from Monomoy indicating the engine room was flooding and deemed not seaworthy.

Monomoy immediately launched their small boat and approached the Ya-Hussayn. Two persons were rescued from the vessel, and four from a life raft tied off to the dhow’s stern.
The six Iranian mariners were transferred from the dhow to Monomoy. They were provided water, blankets, and halal meals. Halal meals are in accordance with Islamic law and are stored aboard U.S. Coast Guard ships to provide to Muslim mariners in distress.

An Iranian mariner greets a U.S. Coast Guardsmen, assigned to U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Monomoy (WPB-1326). (from centcom.mil)

An emergency medical technician from Monomoy treated an injured crew member. Fortunately, his injuries were not serious and there was no requirement for him to be medically evacuated.
Boatswain Mate 2nd Class Emily Poole, Monomoy’s medic, expressed her sentiments about assisting mariners at sea. “Saving lives is the last thing you expect to do at 0300 while patrolling in the Northern Arabian Gulf, but being in the Coast Guard, that’s what we are trained to do.”

A civilian interpreter aboard Monomoy provided the initial contact with the Iranian Rescue Coordination Center to report the status of the Ya-Hussayn and coordinate the transfer of the Iranian mariners from Monomoy to shore. Civilian interpreters are routinely embarked on USCG vessels operating within the Arabian Gulf.

The master of the Iranian vessel, who also spoke with the Rescue Coordination Center, was appreciative for the assistance to his crew and grateful for the efforts to get them home.
Hakim Hamid-Awi, the owner of the Ya-Hassan stated, “Without your help, we were dead. Thank you for all that you did for us.” The Iranian mariners wished the best for the Captain and crew.
At approximately 4:30 p.m., the six mariners were transferred by rigid hull inflatable boats from Monomoy to the Iranian Coast Guard vessel Naji 7.

The Captain of the Naji 7, via translator, said, “Sends his regards and thanks to our Captain and all crewmembers for assisting, and taking care of the Iranian sailors. Wishes us the best, and thanks us for our cooperation.”
Monomoy departed the area to continue its mission.

U.S. Navy Capt. Edward Cashman, Commander of Task Force 55, commended Monomoy’s actions. “Monomoy displayed exceptional skill and professionalism during the night time rescue at sea. Monomoy’s presence in the Northern Gulf and the effective coordination of the rescue proves again the value of Coalition Maritime Security Operations."

Monomoy is supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.