Acting DHS Secretary Wolf Condemns The Rampant Violence In Portland

While Sen. Ted Cruz, (R-Texas), unleashed on Democrats on Saturday for “facilitating and cheering” on violent protests in Portland, Acting Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Chad Wolf released a snapshot of the lawless destruction and violence of the past several weeks in Portland.


Releases snapshot of the lawless destruction and violence of the past several weeks in Portland

While Sen. Ted Cruz, (R-Texas), unleashed on Democrats on Saturday for “facilitating and cheering” on violent protests in Portland, Acting Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Chad Wolf released a snapshot of the lawless destruction and violence of the past several weeks in Portland.

“The city of Portland has been under siege for 47 straight days by a violent mob while local political leaders refuse to restore order to protect their city. Each night, lawless anarchists destroy and desecrate property, including the federal courthouse, and attack the brave law enforcement officers protecting it,” Wolf said.

“A federal courthouse is a symbol of justice – to attack it is to attack America. Instead of addressing violent criminals in their communities, local and state leaders are instead focusing on placing blame on law enforcement and requesting fewer officers in their community. This failed response has only emboldened the violent mob as it escalates violence day after day, “said Wolf. 

Wolf further said, “This siege can end if state and local officials decide to take appropriate action instead of refusing to enforce the law. DHS will not abdicate its solemn duty to protect federal facilities and those within them. Again, I reiterate the Department’s offer to assist local and state leaders to bring an end to the violence perpetuated by anarchists.” 

Below is a snapshot of the lawless destruction and violence of the past several weeks that Department of Homeland Security and its sub-components of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection, and Federal Protective Service have faced:

05/29/2020

  • Violent anarchists broke a front window at the Hatfield Courthouse.
  • Violent anarchists graffitied the Hatfield Courthouse.
  • Overall, the cost of damages on federal property done by the violent mob this first night was estimated at $5,000.

05/30/2020

  • Violent anarchists graffitied the BPA Building.
  • Violent anarchists graffitied the Hatfield Courthouse.
  • Violent anarchists graffitied the Edith Green-Wenell Wyatt Building.
  • Violent anarchists graffitied the Terry Schrunk Plaza.
  • Violent anarchists graffitied the 911 Federal Building.
  • Violent anarchists graffitied the Pioneer Courthouse.
  • Violent anarchists graffitied the Gus J. Solomon Courthouse.

06/01/2020

  • Violent anarchists graffitied the Hatfield Courthouse.
  • Violent anarchists graffitied Terry Schrunk Plaza.
  • Violent anarchists graffitied The Pioneer Courthouse.
  • Violent anarchists graffitied The Gus J Solomon Courthouse.

06/02/2020

  • Violent anarchists graffitied the U.S. Custom House.

06/06/2020

  • Violent anarchists destroyed fencing surrounding federal property.

06/07/2020

  • Violent anarchists damaged and breached the fence around the Hatfield Courthouse.
  • Portland Police were forced to deploy crowd control spray to disperse a crowd that was throwing animal seed at officers.

06/08/2020

  • Violent anarchists broke a window at the Hatfield Courthouse while pelting the building with objects.
  • Violent anarchists cut a hole in the fence surrounding Hatfield Courthouse.

06/10/2020

  • Violent anarchists removed the entire fence around Hatfield Courthouse and graffitied its front columns.
  • Violent anarchists attempted to remove wooden barriers from a window on the Hatfield Courthouse.

06/11/2020

  • Violent anarchists dismantled a section of the fence protecting the Edith Green-Wenell Wyatt Federal Building.

06/13/2020

  • Violent anarchists destroyed the card reader at the Hatfield Courthouse by ripping it off its mount.
  • Violent anarchists destroyed the fence at the Hatfield Courthouse.
  • Violent anarchists threw metal pipes at the Hatfield Courthouse, causing Portland Police to issue a disbursal warning for unlawful assembly.

06/17/2020

  • Violent anarchists graffitied the Hatfield Courthouse.

06/20/2020

  • Among a group of over400 protesters marching in front of the Pioneer Courthouse, violent anarchists attempted to cause eye damage to officers with commercial grade lasers.
  • Violent anarchists graffitied the Gus J. Solomon Courthouse.

06/25/2020

  • Violent anarchists vandalized an FPS camera at the Hatfield Courthouse.
  • Violent anarchists breached the fence of the Justice Center, adjacent to the courthouse.

06/30/2020

  • Violent anarchists ripped down plywood covering the windows at the Edith Green-Wenell Wyatt Building, before breaking the windows.

7/01/2020

  • Violent anarchists graffitied new plywood covering the windows at the Hatfield Courthouse and ripped down plywood on the other side of the building.
  • A group of over 200 violent anarchists blocked access to the building and proceeded to launch aerial fireworks at federal property.

07/02/2020

  • Violent anarchists broke a front window to the Hatfield Courthouse and attempted to enter the building.
  • Violent anarchists refused orders to vacate the Hatfield Courthouse area, and instead launched fireworks and threw objects at officers, while attempting to cause eye damage with lasers. One explosive firework was shot into the courthouse.
  • FPS law enforcement officers were forced to utilized crowd control measures for safety.

07/03/2020

  • After ongoing riots around the Hatfield Courthouse, crowds were dispersed only to make a return later into the night.
  • Violent Anarchists broke the front window of the Hatfield U.S. Courthouse and shot fireworks into the building.
  • Violent anarchists firebombed the building. Federal law enforcement extinguished the fire.

07/04/2020

  • Around 1,000 violent anarchists spray painted, threw rocks, and shot fireworks (including mortar style fireworks) at the Hatfield Courthouse. They also destroyed a security camera at the facility.
  • A CBP team supporting FPS at the courthouse arrested suspects from the graffiti and camera vandalism incidents.
  • The mob continued to throw rocks and paint-filled balloons, while attempting to breach the doors.
  • Teams were forced to utilize crowd control measures for safety.
  • Multiple individuals were seen carrying rifles, including the driver of a vehicle who attempted to strike a Portland Police Bureau officer with his car in front of the Hatfield Courthouse.

07/05/2020

  • A hostile crowd of about 250 violent anarchists returned to the vicinity of Hatfield Courthouse to vandalize and attack numerous facilities and police, while failing to comply with dispersal order.
  • Violent anarchists surrounded and blocked law enforcement from the area as extremists proceeded to attack police with thrown projectiles and large mortar style fireworks.
  • Two Portland Police Bureau officers were injured by the crowd (possible concussion). 
  • Portland Police Bureau took five into custody for directing lasers against aircraft.
  • Violent anarchists set fires in front of Hatfield Courthouse and Chapman park.
  • At the entrance of Hatfield Courthouse, Violent Anarchists fired large fireworks and threw other dangerous objects toward the entrance and the personnel protecting it.
  • The mob was pushed completely out of the area of Hatfield Courthouse; FPS made two arrests during push.
  • Portland Police made multiple arrests and found a loaded weapon on one subject.
  • Two more violent anarchists were arrested, and one was found to be carrying what appears to be a pipe bomb.
  • Violent anarchists assaulted construction crews by targeting them with fireworks while they repaired Hatfield Building.
  • A joint team had to be deployed to create buffer between violent anarchists and construction crew to protect construction workers.

07/06/2020

  • Violent anarchists attempted to cause vision damage to personnel with lasers. Five arrests were made for assaulting law enforcement.

07/07/2020

  • Violent anarchists held a “Night of Rage,” in which a 400-500-person protest devolved into riots, assaulting law enforcement officers and federal property.
  • Approximately 200 violent anarchists began pursuing law enforcement officers to disrupt enforcement actions, assaulting them with rocks and bottles.
  • Around 150 violent anarchists in front of the Justice Center began attacking personnel with lasers and peppered the area with fireworks.
  • Three violent anarchists were arrested for attacking law enforcement.

07/08/2020

  • Approximately 200 violent anarchists attacked DHS law enforcement officers while apprehending a subject who was wanted for property damage.
  • One arrest was made after three law enforcement officers were injured.
  • Law enforcement officers’ personal information was publicly exposed, including FPS, ICE, and CBP personnel.
  • Violent anarchists continued to attack officers with lasers. 

07/09/2020

  • Violent anarchists attacked DHS law enforcement officers while apprehending a subject who was wanted for property damage.
  • A violent anarchist graffitied the Hatfield courthouse.
  • An unidentified subject fired several shots from a gun into the air from the rear seat of a passing white SUV. 

07/10/2020

  • Crowds of approximately 300 violent anarchists vandalized federal property and cameras with spray paint, blocked roadways, and assaulted law enforcement officers.
  • Three were arrested for Assault on a Federal Officer.
  • Violent anarchists attempted to ambush Portland Police Department PD during their shift change, but a DHS team was deployed and able to prevent any attacks.

07/11/2020

  • DHS law enforcement officers supported local police to help a violent anarchist who overdosed.
  • Four violent anarchists were arrested, including one who attempted to assault an officer with a hammer.
  • Violent anarchists sieged the barricade of the courthouse and tried to damage it with a large hammer.
  • A law enforcement officer was assaulted with blows from a hammer. Violent anarchists fought officers while they were arresting those responsible.

07/12/2020

  • Six violent anarchists were detained and cited.
  • A mob of 300 refused to comply with directions not to trespass on federal property.
  • Another mob of 200 individuals armed with sledgehammers, tasers and/or stun guns, gathered in Chapman Park across from the Hatfield Courthouse.
  • Violent anarchists launched fireworks, threw fecal matter and large objects, and pointed lasers at federal law enforcement officers.
  • Violent anarchists deployed a plywood blockade while graffitiing the Edith Green-Wenell Wyatt Federal Building, before firing wrist rockets at the facility.
  • When an arrest team was deployed to apprehend a rioter who encroached on a police barrier and refused to leave, they were assaulted by violent anarchists.
  • A rioter trespassed on the steps of the Hatfield Courthouse and was confronted by federal law enforcement Officers, then swallowed a large amount of narcotics. Law enforcement called medical services after the individual started to convulse.
  • Despite more orders to stay off of federal property and to cease unlawful activity, FPS was forced to push back violent anarchists. The Portland Police Bureau declared the mob an unlawful assembly.

07/13/2020

  • Violent anarchists released personal information of federal law enforcement officers to the public, publishing names of those in Portland.
  • Violent anarchists continued to assault law enforcement officers with lasers, slingshots and fireworks. Others were armed with sledge hammers, tasers, and stun guns, and dragged flaming debris into the scene.

07/14/2020

  • Violent anarchists set a container of liquid on fire at the Terry Schrunk Plaza.
  • Violent anarchists jumped a fence and attempted to breach the Edith Green Federal Building.
  • Violent anarchists assaulted federal law enforcement officers with cans and other hard objects while they attempted to unblock the entrance of the Edith Green Federal Building.

07/15/2020

  • Violent anarchists doxed members of federal law enforcement.
  • Violent anarchists attempted to damage the Hatfield Courthouse by throwing objects at it and spray painting it. Numerous fireworks were also lit.
  • Violent anarchists trespassed on federal property and destroyed a card reader at the Justice Center.

Cruz, R-Texas, retweeted a graphic video that purports to show Antifa and Black Live Matter activists attacking a boarded-up federal courthouse in Portland overnight Friday.

“This is not Fallujah. This is not Beirut. This is America,” Cruz tweeted. “And Dem politicians are facilitating & cheering them on.”

Protests against systemic racism and police brutality have been a nightly feature in deeply liberal Portland since the death of Minneapolis man George Floyd while in police custody on May 25.

President Trump has decried the disorder and Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf blasted the protesters as “lawless anarchists” in a visit to the city, helping make the clashes between police and demonstrators a national focus.

As to when Liberal Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler and Oregon Liberal Democrat Gov. Kate Brown will stop this, remains to be seen as the violence continues.

Blogs to Follow:

DHS.gov (July 2020) Acting Secretary Wolf Condemns The Rampant Long-Lasting Violence In Portland

Legionnaire on Vanessa Guillén: ‘Enough is enough’

On Wednesday, the American Legion and U.S. Army veteran and Legionnaire Jay Gonzales, responded concerning the murder of Army Spc. Vanessa Guillén, and the alleged events leading up to it, sparked a national movement of sexual trauma survivors to share their stories publicly, including via social media platforms using the hashtag #IAmVanessaGuillén.


On Wednesday, the American Legion and U.S. Army veteran and Legionnaire Jay Gonzales, responded concerning the murder of Army Spc. Vanessa Guillén, and the alleged events leading up to it, sparked a national movement of sexual trauma survivors to share their stories publicly, including via social media platforms using the hashtag #IAmVanessaGuillén.

U.S. Army veteran and Legionnaire Jay Gonzales didn’t use social media to share her story. But she nevertheless has made it public. And it’s a story of being fed up with what she says is a problem that has gone on for decades.

Gonzales – vice commander of American Legion Post 213 in Buda, Texas, and the post’s American Legion Riders director – recently joined other Texas American Legion Riders and hundreds of others in an #IAmVanessaGuillén convoy in San Antonio that drew what some estimate to be more than 1,000 vehicles.

There she was interviewed by Spectrum News about why she chose to ride for Guillén and then amplified her thoughts while speaking with The American Legion. Gonzales served in the U.S. Army in the late 1970s, where she was sexually assaulted.

Memorial parade for SPC Vanessa Guillen in San Antonio – 11 July 2020

Taking part in the ride was an easy decision for Gonzales.

“I think enough is enough, and something needs to be done,” Gonzales said. “Women have gone through this for so many years. The fact that everybody was saying (Guillén) was AWOL and what have you, and then come to find out she was murdered … for people like myself with a lot of terrible memories, it was just the right thing to do to be there to support her family and what they’re going through.”

Guillén went missing April 22 from Fort Hood; her remains were found around 20 miles from Fort Hood and identified over the July 4 weekend. Army Spc. Aaron Robinson allegedly told Cecily Aguilar – a civilian – that he killed Guillén “by striking her in the head with a hammer” while on base April 22, then smuggled her body to a remote site in Bell County, according to a July 2 criminal complaint filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas.

Aguilar allegedly helped Robinson mutilate and dispose of Guillén’s body, according to the complaint. Robinson took his own life on June 30 during an attempt by police to apprehend him.

An attorney representing Guillén’s family alleged that Robinson sexually harassed Guillén before he murdered her.

Fort Hood and Army Criminal Investigation Command officials maintain that there is no credible evidence that Guillén was the victim of sexual harassment. Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy announced on July 10 that he has ordered an independent review of command climate and culture at Fort Hood.

The assault on Gonzales left her pregnant, and her Catholic faith convinced her to keep the child. “I chose to keep that child because I wasn’t going to take a life,” she said. “For me it was an everyday reminder, but I don’t look at it that way anymore. Once I got past it … I love my child. It’s a gift from God to me.”

Being around other veterans has helped Gonzales continue to heal while giving her a chance to continue to serve. She has filled a large role in Post 213’s efforts during the coronavirus pandemic.

As a part of the Buda Veterans Alliance, Post 213 American Legion Family members have helped produce more than 11,000 face masks for people in 22 states, 58,000 surgical mask ear relief straps for staff at more than 50 medical facilities, and delivered $800 in food vouchers to 16 families.

“For me, it’s finished what I started years ago: serving my country,” Gonzales said. “Being around other veterans and doing what we know is in our heart to do. That’s why I joined The American Legion. It gave me a chance to be around other veterans and do for other veterans.”

Legion 213 Commander and Air Force veteran Cassaundra Melgar C’De Baca also spoke with Spectrum News. A victim of both sexual harassment and sexual assault while in the military, Melgar C’De Baca said the Guillén case may actually lead to changes, but those changes have come with a steep price. “I feel horrible that a human being actually has to die for us to make changes,” she said. “At least now … the community, the military are saying it’s not OK. I would to see the military make changes when people make the (sexual harassment and assault) claims. I think that’s still a long road ahead.”

Across the nation, American Legion Post 18 in Weehawken, N.J., staged a candlelight vigil to honor Guillén. On its Facebook page, the post wrote “To all our neighbors, please continue to support our sister-in-arms’ loved ones and join us in the work to ensure no military family ever again endures such horror.”

Blogs to Follow:

Legion.org (July 2020) Legionnaire on Vanessa Guillén: ‘Enough is enough’

Maryland Department of Labor Uncovers Massive Criminal Fraud Scheme

The State of Maryland has uncovered a massive and sophisticated criminal enterprise involving more than 47,500 fraudulent unemployment insurance claims in Maryland and totaling over $501 million.


47,500 Fraudulent Unemployment Claims Using Identity Theft Totaling Over $501 Million Alerted U.S. Attorney and U.S. Department of Labor, Office of the Inspector General Maryland Department of Labor Assisting in Investigation of Similar Fraud Cases in States Across the Country

The State of Maryland has uncovered a massive and sophisticated criminal enterprise involving more than 47,500 fraudulent unemployment insurance claims in Maryland and totaling over $501 million.

Maryland’s swift and decisive actions to expose this illegal scheme helped shed light on related fraudulent criminal activity in other states across the country.

The Maryland Department of Labor (Labor) is coordinating with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG) to investigate and prosecute individuals and organized criminal rings are taking advantage of the PUA program by filing fraudulent claims by using stolen personally identifiable information.

“Since the beginning of the pandemic, our department has balanced the goal of quickly paying unemployment insurance benefits to eligible claimants with the need to maintain program integrity due to the prevalence of fraudulent activity occurring in other states,” said Maryland Department of Labor Secretary Tiffany P. Robinson.

“With heightened security measures in place, our department quickly detected, reported, and blocked this fraudulent claim activity, saving taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars. We will continue to work with our state and federal partners to prevent fraudsters from capitalizing upon the hardships caused by the coronavirus during these already difficult and uncertain times.”

U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur stated, “My office and the entire law enforcement community are committed to bringing to justice fraudsters who are preying on citizens during this unprecedented public health crisis by using their stolen personal information to fraudulently attempt to obtain unemployment benefits. We are grateful for our partnership with the State of Maryland in stopping unemployment fraud and believe that this joint federal-state partnership will continue to bear fruit. We will continue to work together to prevent this abuse as well as continue our outreach efforts to make the public aware of COVID-19 scams and frauds. I urge citizens to remain vigilant and to report suspicious activity or fraudulent use of their personal information.”

“Today’s announcement results from our strong partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the State of Maryland, and demonstrates our joint commitment to combating fraud in the Unemployment Insurance program. The OIG will continue to work closely with our law enforcement and state workforce agency partners to aggressively pursue criminals who choose to enrich themselves without regard for taxpayers and individuals who truly need assistance,” said Derek Pickle, Special Agent-in-Charge, Washington Region, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General.

With the unprecedented increase in new unemployment insurance filed claims over the past several months due to COVID-19, and the additional programs offered by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), states across the country are seeing an increase in reports of unemployment claims being fraudulently filed by imposters using stolen personally identifiable information.

If you believe that your information has been used to fraudulently file an unemployment insurance claim, please contact the Maryland Department of Labor’s Division of Unemployment Insurance by visiting MDunemployment.com or emailing ui.fraud@maryland.gov.

Suspected unemployment insurance fraud should also be reported to the DOL-OIG Hotline by visiting http://www.oig.dol.gov/hotline.htm or calling 1-800- 347-3756.

If you think someone is using your personal information to open accounts, file taxes or make purchases, visit https://www.identitytheft.gov to report and recover from identity theft.

For more information about COVID-19 fraud, visit the Justice Department’s website at https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

Blogs to Follow:

OIG.dol.gov (July 2020) Maryland Department of Labor Uncovers Massive Criminal Fraud Scheme

UK Condemns Russian Intelligence Services over Vaccine Cyber Attacks

On Thursday, the UK has called for an end to irresponsible cyber-attacks by the Russian Intelligence Services, who have been collecting information on vaccine development and research into the COVID-19 virus.


The Foreign Secretary has called out Russia’s unacceptable cyber attacks against COVID-19 vaccine developers.

On Thursday, the UK has called for an end to irresponsible cyber-attacks by the Russian Intelligence Services, who have been collecting information on vaccine development and research into the COVID-19 virus.

This follows a joint advisory today (16 July) by the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), the US and Canada on how to protect against these attacks.

The Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab said, “It is completely unacceptable that the Russian Intelligence Services are targeting those working to combat the coronavirus pandemic, while others pursue their selfish interests with reckless behavior, the UK and its allies are getting on with the hard work of finding a vaccine and protecting global health.”

“The UK will continue to counter those conducting such cyber-attacks, and work with our allies to hold perpetrators to account”, Raab said.

The UK shared some details:

  • The actors responsible are known and tracked in open source as APT29, Cozy Bear and The Dukes.
  • NCSC are almost certain (95%+) that APT29 are part of the Russian Intelligence Services. APT29 has targeted medical research and development organizations. NCSC assess it is highly likely (80 – 90%) that this activity was to collect information on COVID-19 vaccine research or research into the COVID-19 virus itself.
  • Find further details on the framework used by the UK government for all source intelligence assessments, including the probability yardstick.
  • NCSC advice on how to protect against this threat is available.

The UK released the report, “APT29 targets COVID-19 vaccine development” in which the report details recent Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTPs) of the group commonly known as ‘APT29’, also known as ‘the Dukes’ or ‘Cozy Bear’.

The report provides indicators of compromise as well as detection and mitigation advice.

The United Kingdom’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and Canada’s Communications Security Establishment (CSE) assess that APT29 (also known as ‘the Dukes’ or ‘Cozy Bear’) is a cyber espionage group, almost certainly part of the Russian intelligence services. The United States’ National Security Agency (NSA) agrees with this attribution and the details provided in this report.

The United States’ Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (DHS CISA) endorses the technical detail and mitigation advice provided in this advisory.

The group uses a variety of tools and techniques to predominantly target governmental, diplomatic, think-tank, healthcare and energy targets for intelligence gain.

Throughout 2020, APT29 has targeted various organizations involved in COVID-19 vaccine development in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom, highly likely with the intention of stealing information and intellectual property relating to the development and testing of COVID-19 vaccines.

APT29 is using custom malware known as ‘WellMess’ and ‘WellMail’ to target a number of organizations globally. This includes those organization’s involved with COVID-19 vaccine development. WellMess and WellMail have not previously been publicly associated to APT29.

Blogs to Follow:

NCSC.gov.uk; Gov.UK (July 2020) Advisory: APT29 targets COVID-19 vaccine development; UK condemns Russian Intelligence Services over vaccine cyber attacks

U.S. Navy Amphibious Assault Ship USS Tripoli Joins the Fleet

Although the Navy canceled the traditional public commissioning ceremony due to public health and safety restrictions on large public gatherings, the Navy commissioned the USS Tripoli administratively and the ship transitioned to normal operations.


Although the Navy canceled the traditional public commissioning ceremony due to public health and safety restrictions on large public gatherings, the Navy commissioned the USS Tripoli administratively and the ship transitioned to normal operations.

Meanwhile, the Navy is looking at a future opportunity to commemorate the special event with the USS Tripoli’s sponsor, crew and commissioning committee.

“USS Tripoli is proof of what the teamwork of all of our people – civilian, contractor and military – can accomplish together,” said Secretary of the Navy Kenneth J. Braithwaite. “This ship will extend the maneuverability and lethality of our fleet to confront the many challenges of a complex world, from maintaining the sea lanes to countering instability to maintaining our edge in this era of renewed great power competition.”

Rear Adm. Philip E. Sobeck, commander, Expeditionary Strike Group THREE, welcomes the Navy’s newest amphibious assault ship, and crew, to the amphibious force.

“Tripoli is an example of the continued investment in our Navy, to increase and maintain our edge on the battlefield,” said Sobeck. “Congratulations to Tripoli’s crew for all of your hard work, amidst these challenging times, to reach this milestone. We welcome you to the amphibious force, of combat ready ships and battle-minded crews to go to sea and support sustained combat operations.”

LHA 7 incorporates key components to provide the fleet with a more aviation-centric platform. Tripoli’s design features an enlarged hangar deck, realignment and expansion of the aviation maintenance facilities, a significant increase in available stowage for parts and support equipment, and increased aviation fuel capacity.

The ship is the first LHA replacement ship to depart the shipyard ready to integrate the entire future air combat element of the Marine Corps, to include the Joint Strike Fighter.

Along with its pioneering aviation element, LHA 7 incorporates gas turbine propulsion plant, zonal electrical distribution, and fuel-efficient electric auxiliary propulsion systems first installed on USS Makin Island (LHD 8). LHA 7 is 844 feet in length, has a displacement of approximately 44,000 long tons, and will be capable of operating at speeds of over 20 knots.

Tripoli’s commanding officer, Capt. Kevin Myers, highlighted Tripoli’s accomplishments over the past several months getting through initial sea trials.

The hard work and dedication of the entire team during the past few years was evident in the successful execution of at-sea testing.

“Being the third ship to bear the Tripoli namesake is a profound honor and this crew stands ready to carry on the legacy of our longstanding Navy and Marine Corps amphibious community,” said Meyers. “These sailors and Marines will pave the way for those still to come. What’s remarkable is seeing the dedication, perseverance and resilience these new plank owners have shown since day one and more recently, through uncertain times as the Navy and nation work through a pandemic. There is no doubt in my mind that this team is ready to answer the nation’s call at any time or place.”

LHA 7 is the third Navy ship to be named Tripoli.

The name honors and commemorates the force of U.S. Marines and approximately 370 soldiers from 11 other nationalities who captured the city of Derna, Libya, during the 1805 Battle of Derna.

The battle resulted in a subsequent peace treaty and the successful conclusion of the combined operations of the First Barbary War, and was later memorialized in the Marines’ Hymn with the line, “to the shores of Tripoli.”

Blogs to Follow:

Defense.gov (July 2020) The U.S. Navy commissioned USS Tripoli (LHA 7), today, July 15, 2020