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 happy with the trouble from our crew to assist Juniper Oak, which showcased a excessive degree 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 need to function throughout a number of theaters of operation, and displays the worth the Navy gives 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 crew. Guided-missile destroyer USS Truxtun (DDG 103) participated in a live-fire drill along with a large-scale strike with air belongings 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 have 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 ultimate day, high U.S. and Israeli navy leaders flew out to George H.W. Bush to satisfy and talk about the outcomes of the train in addition to observe provider flight operations.
“Juniper Oak has raised our degree of planning and our degree 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 associate right here with us to study from one another. This interoperability strengthens our capability to deal with a spread of safety challenges over the realm.”
The U.S. fifth Fleet working space consists of 21 international locations, 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.
