USS Leyte Gulf returns home from deployment

ByPettyOfficer2ndClass

ChristineMontgomery

Carrier Strike Group 10

NORFOLK America’sBattleCruiser,the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), returned to Naval Station Norfolk following an eight-month deploymentwithCarrierStrikeGroup(CSG)

10 George H.W. Bush CSG to the U.S. 6th Fleetareaofoperations,April23 LeyteGulftravelednearly65,000nautical milesoverthecourseofdeploymentastheair defensecommanderoftheGeorgeH.W.Bush CSG after departing Naval Station Norfolk, Aug.8,2022.

“Thetangibleaspectsofenhancedregional stability witnessed and reinforced through NATO Allies and partners’ credible deterrence and defense in depth exercises will certainly complement Leyte Gulf’s 36 years of service, but they pale in comparison to the intangible aspects our returning Sailors possessinpersonalandprofessionalgrowth, unmatched tactical acumen development, and well-deserved celebration of uninterrupted operations,” said Capt. Michael Weeldreyer, commanding officer of Leyte Gulf “OurSailors’enhancedknowledgeand professional pride will serve as our greatest achievementsandyieldconsiderablereturns overtime.”

The George H.W. Bush CSG transited the Strait of Gibraltar Aug. 25, 2022, beginning thestrikegroup’scontinuedoperationsinthe MediterraneanSea.LeyteGulfwasinstrumental in providing maritime stability and security in the region, while demonstrating equal commitment and power projection capabilityoftheU.S.Navy’sglobally-deployedforces

In October, Leyte Gulf participated in the eighthphaseoftheNATO-ledvigilanceactivity,NeptuneStrike22.2.Thetwo-weekexercisehighlightedtheGeorgeH.W.BushCSG’s ability to integrate with NATO Allies and partners in a series of dynamic evolutions

Neptune Strike is a joint-military exercise that included assets from Albania Croatia, AlliedMaritimeCommand’sStandingNATO MaritimeGroup2,andStandingNATOMine CountermeasuresGroup2.

Throughout deployment, Leyte demonstrated superior interoperability training by playing host to sailors from Italian navy Andrea Doria-class destroyers ITS Caio Duilio (D 554) and ITS Andrea Doria (D 553). Embarked Italian naval officers participated in valuable air defense training that greatly enhanced integration between U.S. andNATOAllies

“The Sailors of Leyte Gulf have been true ambassadorsoftheUnitedStatesaswehave operated in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations,” said Cmdr Adam Ochs, executive officer of Leyte Gulf “Whether conducting training on ship boarding exercises, coordinating multinational, multi-ship gunnery exercises, or controlling aircraft from multiple countries, they always get the job done Each event our Sailors receive accolades fromourAlliesandpartnersforhavingdone an exceptional job and how seamlessly they worktogether.”

Leyte Gulf also participated in the nineday NATO-led vigilance activity Neptune Strike 23.1 The ship participated in a series ofmulti-warfaretrainingexercisesalongside supporting units from Greece, Italy, Spain, and Türkiye. The exercise featured tri-carrierevolutionswiththeNimitz-classaircraft carrierUSSGeorgeH.W.Bush(CVN77),Italian aircraft carrier ITS Cavour (C 550), and Spanish amphibious assault ship ESPS Juan Carlos (LHD 61). Of significance, this marks the first time three NATO aircraft carriers performedcoordinatedsimulatedstrikes

While in U.S. 6th Fleet, Leyte Gulf completed port visits throughout the Mediterranean with stops in Souda Bay, Crete; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Rhodes, Greece; Koper, Slovenia;andPalmaDeMallorca,Spain LeyteGulf’screwparticipatedincommu- nityserviceprojectsandhostedmilitaryand political leaders from Slovenia, including U.S.AmbassadortotheRepublicofSlovenia, Jamie Harpootlian, highlighting U.S. bonds withanimportantNATOally

Throughout the course of Leyte Gulf’s scheduled deployment, the crew celebrated personal achievements with 82 Sailors advancing to the next paygrade, 46 earning their enlisted surface warfare specialist pin, four officers earning surface warfare officer qualificationandtwosurfacewarfaresupply officerpins.

“It has been an honor serving alongside the Leyte Gulf’s Sailors and watching them setandachieveaggressivegoalsforqualificationsandadvancementthisdeployment,”said Leyte Gulf Command Master Chief Jason Kutsch. “They have exceeded my expectations and are returning home an even strongercrew OurSailorsandtheirfamiliesshould be proud of all that they accomplished these lasteightmonths.”

GeorgeH.W.BushistheflagshipofCSG-10, GeorgeH.W.BushCSG CSG-10iscomprised of George H.W. Bush, CVW-7, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26, the Information Warfare Commander, and the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf(CG55).

The ships of DESRON-26 completing deployment with CSG-10 are the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Nitze(DDG94),USSTruxtun(DDG103),and USSDelbertD.Black(DDG119)

ThesquadronsofCVW-7embarkedaboard theGeorgeH.W.Busharethe“Sidewinders” of VFA-86, the “Jolly Rogers” of VFA-103, the “Knighthawks” of VFA-136, the “Pukin Dogs”ofVFA-143,the“Bluetails”ofAirborne CommandandControlSquadron(VAW)121, the“Patriots”ofElectronicAttackSquadron (VAQ) 140, the “Nightdippers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5, and the “Grandmasters” of Helicopter Maritime StrikeSquadron(HSM)46

Rare retirement ceremony hosted at Naval Special Warfare Group Four

ByChiefPettyOfficer

DustinKelling Naval Special Warfare Group Four VIRGINIA BEACH, Va Naval Special WarfareGroupFour(NSWG-4)hostedarare dualretirementceremonyonMarch16

The ceremony highlighted the military service of Lt Jeremy Campbell assigned to NSWG-4, and Chief Yeoman Ebony Campbell,assignedtoU.S.FleetForcesCommand, both completing 22 years of military service byretiringonthesameday.

Capt. Joseph Geary, commodore, NSWG4, spoke about the importance of family in the Naval Special Warfare Community and how the Campbells were examples of that throughouttheircareers.

“This is important, he said “A husbandand-wife retirement after 21 years together in the Navy; such a great example of service to our country We should take a second to recognizethat.”

The Campbells met during training after boot camp and spent their naval careers successfully navigating the challenges of a “mil-to-mil” family During the ceremony, they spoke about their experiences navigatingthosechallengesandfindingsuccess

“Our road hasn’t been without hurdles,” saidLt Campbell.“Everytimewe’vereached out, it helped, and we’ve gotten stronger becauseofthat.It’soktoaskforhelp It’snot justok,it’snecessary.”

Chief Campbell spoke about the positive impacts of asking for help and how her serviceintheNavywillhelpintothefuture

“I’mthankfulfortheexperiences thechallenges and opportunities that helped shape my career,’ said Chief Campbell. “As I move ontothenextchapterinmylife,Idosowith a deep sense of pride, service and commitment to continue to make a positive impact ontheworld.”

VIRGINIABEACH,Virginia.(March 16 2023) Lt JeremyCampbell,right assigned to Naval Special Warfare Group Four(NSWG-4),and ChiefYeoman EbonyCampbell,assigned to U.S.Fleet Forces Command,renderhonors during theirretirement ceremonyonboardJoint ExpeditionaryBase Little Creek-Fort Story March 16 The Campbells chose NSWG-4 to host theirdual ceremony. NSWis the nation’s elite maritime special operations force,uniquelypositioned to extend the Fleet’s reach and gain and maintain access fortheJoint Force in competition and conflict,and USFFC is responsible formanning,training,equipping and providing combat-readyforces forward to numbered fleets and combatant commanders around the globe.(U.S.NAVYPHOTOBYCHIEF MASSCOMMUNICATIONSPECIALISTDUSTINKELLING/RELEASED)

Naval Special Warfare is the nation’s elite maritime special operations force uniquely positioned to extend the Fleet’s reach and gain and maintain access for the Joint Force incompetitionandconflict

FormorenewsfromNavalSpecialWarfare

Command,visithttps://www.facebook.com/ NavalSpecialWarfare or https://www.nsw. navy.mil/

FormorenewsfromNSWG-4,visithttps:// www.dvidshub.net/unit/NSWG4

Q: Whattypesoffamily housingareavailable?

A: There are three types of housing available to families:

Public/PrivateVenture(PPV)

Housing is also referred to as privatized housing in the Navy

The Navy partnered with different private management companies to provide housing to Service Members. These companies are responsible forthe construction, renovation,maintenance and day-to-day management ofthe housing PPVhousing may be located on oroffgovernment property and in most cases will be formermilitary housing

GovernmentOwned (also known as Military Housing orNavy Managed Housing is what was formerly called on-base housing

While only available in limited quantities CONUS,Government

Owned Housing is still widely available OCONUS.

CommunityHousing is any housing that a Service Member may choose that is not PPVor government operated This is housing outside ofthe base that is privately owned and operated

NAVY HOUSING

Norfolk: 757.445.2832

JEBLCFS: 757.462.2792

Oceana/DamNeck: 757.433.3268

Yorktown: 757.847.7806

Mid-Atlantic Fleet and Family Support Centers (FFSC) programs and services are designed to help you make the most of your military experience, and they’re all available to you at no cost.

FUNCTIONSAND/OR SERVICESFFSCPROVIDES:

ClinicalCounseling – Individual, Couplesand ChildCounseling

Personal Financial Management

Information & Referral

Family EmploymentAssistance

TransitionAssistance

FamilyAdvocacy Program

Deployment and Mobilization Support

Ombudsman Support

RelocationAssistance

Parenting Programs

Stress andAngerManagement

Command Support

Crisis Support

Suicide Prevention

SAPR Support

Select commissaries hosthealthy lifestyle event, April 28-29, offering giveaways,coupons,samples; all patrons worldwide can participate in contestfor $100 gift card

ByDeCACorporateCommunications

FORTLEE,Va. —Service members and their families interested in savingmoney whilelivingahealthierlifestyleareencouraged to attend the Defense Commissary Agency’s Health &Wellness Expo,April 28-29,3-5p.m.,atselectlocations

“This eventisgrowing by leaps and bounds,” said Marine Sgt. Maj. Michael Saucedo,seniorenlistedadvisortotheDeCA director.“The expo is just one moreexampleofhowcommissariesaresupportingthe healthandnutritionalneedsofourpatrons.

Fifty stateside commissaries areparticipating in the expo,upfromfive lastyear Eventually,DeCAhopestooffertheexpoat all stores.Patronsare encouraged to check the Health and Expo webpage (https:// blog.mymilitarysavings.com/dont-missthe-commissary-health-wellness-expo/) or the schedule belowtosee if their store is participating.They should also check their commissary webpage (https://www commissaries.com/shopping/store-locations)ortalktotheirstoremanagerformore details or updates.The expo will feature somethingfor everyone —prizes,coupons andsamples

In connection with this event, through April 30,eligible commissary customers worldwide can enter asweepstakes for a chance to be one of 20 winners of a$100 CommissaryGiftCard.Checkhttps://www mymilitarysavings.com/brands/commissary-health-and-wellness-expo for more details

“Wedeliverasavings benefit to service memberswhoarechargedwithbeingphysically fit,”Saucedo added. “AtDeCA,we neverlose sight of that as we aim to be the militarycommunity’sgrocerofchoice.”

Commissaries participatinginHealth & WellnessExpo:

„ ALABAMA—FortNovosel(formerlyFort Rucker) „ ALASKA—Elmendorf Commissaryat

JointBaseElmendorf-Richardson

„ ARIZONA— Davis-Monthan Air Force

BaseandLukeAirForceBase

„ CALIFORNIA —Marine Corps Base

Camp Pendleton, Marine CorpsAir Station Miramar,NavalStationSanDiegoandTravis

AirForceBase „ COLORADO—FortCarsonandPeterson

SpaceForceBase „ FLORIDA —Eglin Air ForceBase,Naval

Air Station Jacksonville, MacDillAir Force

Base,PatrickSpaceForceBaseandNavalAir

StationPensacola

„ GEORGIA —Fort Benningand Fort

Gordon

„ HAWAII —Hickam and Pearl Harbor commissaries at Joint Base Pearl HarborHickam, Marine CorpsBase Kaneohe Bay andSchofieldBarracks

„ ILLINOIS—ScottAirForceBase

„ KANSAS—FortRiley

„ KENTUCKY—FortCampbell

„ MARYLAND—AndrewsCommissaryat

JointBaseAndrewsandFortMeade

„ MISSISSIPPI—KeeslerAirForceBase

„ MISSOURI—FortLeonardWood

„ NEVADA—NellisAirForceBase

„ NEWJERSEY—McGuireCommissaryat

JointBaseMcGuire-Dix-Lakehurst

„ NORTHCAROLINA— Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Fort Bragg North and FortBraggSouth

„ PUERTORICO—FortBuchanan

„ TEXAS —Fort Bliss, SamHouston and Lackland commissaries at Joint Base San Antonio,Fort Hood (ClearCreek) and RandolphAirForceBase

„ VIRGINIA —Fort Belvoir,Eustis and

LangleycommissariesatJointBaseLangleyEustis, Fort Lee(changestoFort GreggAdamsonApril27),FortMyerCommissary atJointBase Myer-HendersonHall, Naval AmphibiousBaseLittleCreek,NavalStation Norfolk, NavalAir Station Oceana and MarineCorpsBaseQuantico

„ WASHINGTON —Lewis Main and McChordcommissariesatJoint Base Lewis-McChord

About DeCA:The Defense Commissary Agencyoperatesa worldwide chain of commissariesprovidinggroceriestomilitary personnel,retireesandtheirfamiliesinasafe andsecureshoppingenvironment.Commissaries provide amilitary benefit, saving authorized patrons thousands of dollars annually on theirpurchases compared to similar products at commercial retailers. The discounted prices include a5-percent surcharge,whichcoversthecostsofbuilding newcommissariesandmodernizingexisting ones.Acoremilitaryfamilysupportelement, andavalued partofmilitary payand benefits,commissariescontributetofamilyreadiness,enhancethequalityoflifeforAmerica’s militaryand their families,and helprecruit and retain the bestand brightest men and womentoservetheircountry